Stimulating a nervous system component of a mammal in response to contactlessly acquired information

• US 8,374,701 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2009
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Leuthardt, Eric C., Rivet, Dennis J., Sweeney, Elizabeth A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Wood, Victoria Y. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US12/462,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20110029044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 600/508, 600/509, 604/95.04, 606/27, 606/2, 606/32, 606/45, 606/9, 606/62, 607/62, 602/16
• US Class Current: 607/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/11 for measuring interpupillary distance or diameter of pupils
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4029 for evaluating the peripheral nervous systems A61B5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4035 Evaluating the autonomic nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4052 efferent nerves, i.e. nerves that relay impulses from the central nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36057 adapted for stimulating afferent nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0026 Stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

Described embodiments include a system, an apparatus, and a method. A described system includes a sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal. The system also includes a signal generator configured to generate a signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal. The system further describes a neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal, wherein the property includes at least one of a bodily condition or a physiological state;

a signal generator configured to generate a signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal;

a patient confirmation device configured to confirm that the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal was originated in response to the mammal; and

a neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a pupillometer associated with a display screen or a dashboard of a vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to sense at least one of an electrical, acoustic, thermal, radiative, absorption, reflection, gaseous emission, or transmissibility property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device responsive to an impedance, capacitance, permittivity, reflectivity, absorption, or electrical activity of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device responsive to a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal, wherein the property includes a property of the mammal indicative of a disease, neurological disease, disorder, nervous system disorder, heart rhythm, heart disease, medical condition, treatable condition, health condition, physiological characteristic, or sleep disorder.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to sense at least one of a quality or attribute of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to sense a dynamic physical property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to sense a bodily condition or physiological state property of a fetus.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to scan or progressively scan a space that may include the mammal.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to monitor a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured for an association with a mammal and to sense a property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor device configured for an association with a mammal and to sense a property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured for a physical association with a mammal and to sense a property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor device configured for an association with a mammal and to sense a property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured for a physical association with an article of clothing or garment wearable by a mammal and to sense a property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor device configured for an association with a mammal and to sense a property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured for a physical association with an object wearable by a mammal and to sense a property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor device configured for an association with a mammal and to sense a property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured for carrying by a mammal and to sense a property of the mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured for an association with an object and to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device associated with a headrest of a vehicle.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured for an association with an object, and configured to sense a property of a mammal while separated from a direct physical contact with the mammal by an intervening material or substance.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically touching the mammal.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without a resistive contact with the mammal.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without an electrically conductive contact with the mammal.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

a sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal across a non-electrically conductive gap with the mammal.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

an electrodynamic sensor device configured to sense an electrical activity of a heart of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

an adaptive electric potential sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal includes:

an electric potential probe sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device and the signal generator share at least a portion of a common chassis.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device and the signal generator do not share a common chassis.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator configured to generate a signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal further includes:

a signal generator configured to determine if treatment is indicated in response to the sensed property of the mammal, and if a treatment is indicated, to output a signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal includes:

a neuromodulation device configured for implantation in the mammal and to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal includes:

a neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a component of the spinal cord of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal includes:

a neuromodulation device configured for a positioning proximate to the mammal and configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal includes:

a neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a central nervous system component, a sensory nerve, a motor nerve, an autonomic nervous system component, or an enteric nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal includes:

a neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a neurotransmitter-releasing component of the nervous system of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal includes:

a neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal, wherein the stimulus is configured to excite, stimulate, enhance, alter, mediate, modify, inhibit, block, negate, or augment the nervous system component of the mammal.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal includes:

a neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to at least one of excite, stimulate, enhance, alter, mediate, modify, inhibit, block, negate, or augment an aspect of the nervous system of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the patient confirmation device includes a thermal imaging device.

38. The system of claim 1, wherein the mammal includes a fetus.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein the mammal includes a living organism that is distinguished from plants by independent movement and responsive sense organs.

40. A method comprising:

sensing a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal;

a patient confirmation device confirming that the mammal is the source of the sensed property;

generating an electronic signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal;

the patient confirmation device authorizing neuromodulation in response to confirming that the mammal is the source of the sensed property; and

modulating a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the electronic signal indicative of a property of the mammal and the patient confirmation device authorizing the neuromodulation.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the modulating a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the electronic signal indicative of a property of the mammal includes:

modulating a nervous system component of the mammal sufficiently to transform a physiological characteristic of the mammal in response to the electronic signal indicative of a property of the mammal.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the modulating a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the electronic signal indicative of a property of the mammal includes:

modulating a nervous system component of the mammal to a preselected state in response to the electronic signal indicative of a property of the mammal.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the modulating a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the electronic signal indicative of a property of the mammal includes:

electronically modulating a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the electronic signal indicative of a property of the mammal.

44. An apparatus comprising:

means for sensing a property of a mammal indicative of a disease, neurological disease, disorder, or nervous system disorder without physically contacting the mammal;

means for confirming that the mammal is the source of the sensed property;

means for generating an electronic signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal; and

means for modulating a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the electronic signal indicative of a property of the mammal.

45. A system comprising:

a sensor device configured to sense a property of a subject mammal without physically contacting the subject mammal;

a signal generator configured to generate a signal indicative of the sensed property of the subject mammal;

a patient confirmation device configured to determine a substantial likeness between the subject mammal and a patient mammal; and

a neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the patient mammal, the stimulus selected in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the subject mammal, and the stimulus is output only if the patient confirmation device determines a substantial likeness between the subject mammal and the patient mammal.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the patient confirmation device configured to determine a substantial likeness between the subject mammal and a patient mammal includes:

a patient confirmation device configured to determine a substantially common quality or aspect of the subject mammal and a patient mammal.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the patient confirmation device configured to determine a substantial likeness between the subject mammal and a patient mammal includes:

a patient confirmation device operable to determine that the subject mammal and a patient mammal have a substantial probability of being the same mammal.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the patient confirmation device configured to determine a substantial likeness between the subject mammal and a patient mammal includes:

a patient confirmation device operable to determine a selfsameness between the subject mammal and a patient mammal.

49. A method comprising:

sensing a neurological property of a subject mammal without physically contacting the subject mammal;

generating an electronic signal indicative of the sensed property of the subject mammal;

determining a substantial likeness between the subject mammal and a patient mammal based at least partially on the sensed property; and

outputting a neuromodulation treatment regimen to a nervous system component of the patient mammal, the neuromodulation treatment regimen determined in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the subject mammal, and the neuromodulation treatment regimen outputted only if a substantial likeness between the subject mammal and the patient mammal is determined.

50. An apparatus comprising:

means for sensing a property of a subject mammal without physically contacting the subject mammal;

means for generating an electronic signal indicative of the sensed property of the subject mammal;

means for determining a substantial likeness between the subject mammal and a patient mammal; and

means for outputting a neuromodulation treatment regimen to a nervous system component of the patient mammal, the neuromodulation treatment regimen determined in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the subject mammal, and the neuromodulation treatment regimen outputted only if a substantial likeness between the subject mammal and the patient mammal is determined.