Systems and Methods for Portable Neurofeedback

• US 20100016753A1
• Filed: 07/15/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Katrina S. Firlik
• Original Assignee: Katrina S. Firlik
• Inventors: Firlik, Katrina S.
• Application Number:
  US12/503,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20100016753A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/545
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/375 using biofeedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/384 Recording apparatus or displays specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation

Abstract

Systems and methods for portable neurofeedback are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a neurofeedback system includes sensors for capturing, recording and transmitting brain electrical activity; and a portable device for receiving, processing and displaying in real-time the brain electrical activity, wherein the brain electrical activity is provided visually on the portable device as visual feedback. In an embodiment, the portable device further includes speakers for implementing auditory feeedback based on the recorded brain electrical activity. In an embodiment, the portable device further includes at least one vibration feedback motor for implementing vibratory feedback based on the recorded brain electrical activity.

Claims

1. A neurofeedback system comprising:

sensors for capturing, recording and transmitting brain electrical activity; and

a portable device for receiving, processing and displaying in real-time the brain electrical activity, wherein the brain electrical activity is provided visually on the portable device as visual feedback.

2. The neurofeedback system of claim 1 wherein the sensors are electrodes.

3. The neurofeedback system of claim 2 wherein the electrodes transmit the brain electrical activity wirelessly to the portable device.

4. The neurofeedback system of claim 2 wherein the electrodes transmit the brain electrical activity to the portable device via one or a plurality of frequency channels.

5. The neurofeedback system of claim 2 wherein the electrodes support a frequency range from about 0.25 to about 100 Hz.

6. The neurofeedback system of claim 1 wherein the portable device is an iPhone®

.

7. The neurofeedback system of claim 1 wherein the portable device includes a display screen for providing the visual feedback.

8. The neurofeedback system of claim 7 wherein the visual feedback indicates one of a first state or a second state of a user of the system.

9. The neurofeedback system of claim 8 wherein the first state represents a focused state of the user.

10. The neurofeedback system of claim 8 wherein the second state represents a distracted state of the user.

11. The neurofeedback system of claim 9 wherein when the user is in the focused state, the visual feedback displayed on the portable device is of a first type.

12. The neurofeedback system of claim 10 wherein when the user is in the distracted state, the visual feedback displayed on the portable device is of a second type.

13. The neurofeedback system of claim 1, wherein the portable device further comprises speakers for implementing auditory feedback based on the recorded brain electrical activity.

14. The neurofeedback system of claim 1, wherein the portable device further comprises at least one vibration feedback motor for implementing vibratory feedback based on the recorded brain electrical activity.

15. The neurofeedback system of claim 1, wherein the system is used to improve a number of conditions and disorders selected from the group consisting of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, chronic pain, acute pain, memory problems, learning disorder, focusing disorder, sleep disorder, tourette'"'"'s syndrome, pre-menstrual syndrome, migraines, seizures, extreme stress, anxiety attacks, autism and depression.

16. The neurofeedback system of claim 1, wherein the system is used for peak performance training.

17. A method of neurotherapy comprising:

providing a neurofeedback system to a user, wherein the neurofeedback system includes sensors for capturing, recording and transmitting brain electrical activity and a portable device for receiving, processing and displaying in real-time the brain electrical activity;

configuring the portable device to select a neurofeedback program, wherein the neurofeedback program is loaded within the portable device;

placing the sensors on the user such that the brain electrical activity of the user can be captured, recorded and transmitted to the portable device;

executing the neurofeedback program on the portable device, wherein the real-time brain electrical activity of the user is continuously displayed on the portable device as visual feedback and the user is able to control the brain electrical activity such that the visual feedback can be manipulated by the user in real-time; and

completing the neurofeedback program.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the portable device includes a display screen for providing the visual feedback.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the neurotherapy is used to improve a number of conditions and disorders selected from the group consisting of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, memory problems, learning disorder, focusing disorder, sleep disorder, tourette'"'"'s syndrome, pre-menstrual syndrome, migraines, seizures, extreme stress, anxiety attacks, autism and depression.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the neurotherapy is used for peak performance training.