Patent Description:
Transcranial brain stimulation, for example in the form of transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS, which is a well-known technique for non-invasive neurostimulation of the brain. The transcranial brain stimulation is, e.g., used to help stroke recovery and patients with brain injuries and to treat depression. Transcranial brain stimulation uses external electrodes placed on the head of the patient, whereby the head of the patient together with the electrodes forms a closed circuit. A current, either direct or alternating, is applied to the circuit, which acts on the neurons of the brain. The placement of the electrodes can be done by a physician, but when transcranial brain stimulation is used to treat depression it should be performed so often that it is highly impractical for a physician to be present. The patient may be given the electrodes and instructions on how to place them, but this is of course error-prone. Another problem is patient compliance - the patient must apply the therapy often enough for it to have effect, but not too often as this may lead to unwanted side effects. The lack of presence of a physician when the therapy is self-performed also leads to a lack of patient feedback and monitoring.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> all disclose headsets for transcutaneous brain stimulation.

In view of the above, an objective of the invention is to solve or at least reduce one or several of the drawbacks discussed above. Generally, the above objective is achieved by the attached independent patent claim.

According to a first aspect, the present invention is realized by a headset for transcranial brain stimulation, as defined in claim <NUM>.

This provides a headset for performing transcranial brain stimulation wherein the electrodes are unlikely to be placed incorrectly on the forehead of the user. This has the advantage of allowing for transcranial brain stimulation to be performed without a physician available to place the electrodes on the head of the patient. Furthermore, the headset may be designed to be lightweight and comfortable, eliminating the need for fabric headwear which may be warm and uncomfortable when worn for extended periods of time. This further provides a comfortable headset which is impossible to mount such that the direction of the current is reversed, which may be critical in for example transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS. During electrical transcranial brain stimulation, the potential of neuronal cells are influenced by an applied electric field. This field influences the neuronal cells under the stimulated area and pushes them closer or further away from their activation threshold.

Means for safer transcranial brain stimulation are hence provided. Further the need for involvement of a physician upon performing the transcranial brain stimulation is reduced.

The memory may further be configured to store information pertaining to performed transcranial brain stimulation. Hence, means for monitoring the patient's progress through the therapy is provided. This further reduces the need for involvement of a physician upon performing the transcranial brain stimulation.

The controller may further be configured to remind the user to use the headset according to the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. Counteracting negligence or unwitting non-compliance, e.g. due to misunderstanding or miscommunication, in relation to the therapy on account of the patient is provided.

The first and second electrodes may be pivotable such that they can adapt to the shape of the forehead of the user. A more comfortable headset which is adaptable to many different shapes of patient foreheads and reduces the need for size adaptability of the headset is provided.

The first and second electrodes may comprise an adhesive layer configured such that it adheres to the forehead of the user. Ensuring that the headset does not drift during use, securing it in place on the head of the patient is provided.

In a second aspect, the current invention also relates to a system according to claim <NUM>.

This provides the possibility for a user to perform a transcranial brain stimulation therapeutic schedule themselves with the aid of an electronic device, further limiting the need for visits to or by a physician.

This provides a system where the headset does not need to be wired to any external circuitry or power supply, improving portability of the headset and increasing user comfort and convenience.

The program may further comprise program code portions which when executed on the electronic device is configured to remind the user to use the headset according to the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. This provides a system for performing transcranial brain stimulation where the user can be conveniently prompted to wear the headset and signaled when to remove it. This provides a safety measure against overuse of the headset by the user due to negligence or ignorance.

The program may further comprise program code portions which when executed on the electronic device is configured to display information on a display of the electronic device in accordance with a schedule for displaying the information, wherein the schedule for displaying information is related to the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation.

The program may further comprise program code portions which when executed on the electronic device is configured to prompt the user to input information pertaining to status of the user.

The program may further comprise program code portions which when executed on the electronic device is configured to update the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation.

The program may further comprise program code portions which when executed on the electronic device is configured to store information pertaining to performed transcranial brain stimulation on a computer memory.

The electronic device may be a handheld electronic device.

The program may be an application downloadable to the electronic device via an application providing service.

Hence, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described as such device may vary.

The aboveaspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to appended drawings showing embodiments of the invention. The figures should not be considered limiting the invention to the specific embodiment; instead they are used for explaining and understanding the invention.

In <FIG>, a view of the headset <NUM> for transcranial brain stimulation is disclosed. The headset <NUM> comprises a forehead frame <NUM>, a first and second electrodes 102A, 102B and a bracket <NUM>.

The shape of the forehead frame <NUM> is designed to fit a forehead of a user of the headset <NUM>. The forehead frame <NUM> is defining an elongated arch. This allows the forehead frame <NUM> to follow approximately the shape of the forehead of the user when placed on the head. The forehead frame <NUM> may be manufactured by e.g. plastic, composite materials, metal or any other suitable material. The forehead frame <NUM> is configured to support the first and second electrodes 102A, 102B. The forehead frame <NUM> is configured to support the bracket <NUM>. The first electrode 102A is arranged at a first end portion of the forehead frame <NUM>. The second electrode 102B is arranged at a second end portion of the forehead frame <NUM>. Hence, the first and second electrodes 102A, 102B are placed on the forehead frame <NUM> such that when the forehead frame <NUM> is worn by the user, the first and second electrodes 102A, 102B will come in contact with the forehead on either side of the user's head.

The first and second electrodes 102A, 102B may be configured to pivot to some degree. Thus, a headset <NUM> is provided where the major surface of each electrode 102A, 102B is pivoted to be principally parallel to the surface of the forehead of the user. The first and second electrodes 102A, 102B need not be configured to pivot.

The first and second electrodes 102A, 102B may be of any type of conducting material suitable for repeated use. Alternatively, the first and second electrodes 102A, 102B may be configured for one-time use only, in which case they are to be replaced by the user between uses.

The first and second electrodes 102A, 102B may comprise an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be discarded after use. The adhesive layer ensures proper contact between the electrode and the forehead of the user while also providing a hygienic solution.

The headset <NUM> may of course be provided with further electrodes, in case the desired scheme for transcranial brain stimulation so requires.

For some schemes of transcranial brain stimulation, the first and second electrodes 102A, 102B correspond to a first and second side of the user's forehead, respectively. By this is meant that each electrode 102A, 102B is configured to be brought into contact only with either the left or the right side of the user's forehead.

The bracket <NUM> is arranged at a center portion of the forehead frame <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is fastened to the forehead frame <NUM> in any suitable way. For example, the bracket <NUM> may be screwed, glued or fastened in any other suitable way to the fore head frame <NUM>. In this context the phrase "center portion" should be understood to refer to any part of the longitudinal extension of the forehead frame <NUM> which lies between the first and second electrodes 102A, 102B. The bracket <NUM> has a longitudinal extension which, when the headset <NUM> is used, extends from the forehead of the user towards the back of the user's head. In this way, the bracket <NUM> ensures that the user wears the headset <NUM> such that the first and second electrodes 102A, 102B come in contact only with their respective side of the user's forehead. The bracket <NUM> may be constructed such that its extension from the frame is variable, ensuring a better fit for the user. This can be achieved in many ways, which the skilled person understands. Alternatively, the bracket <NUM> may be of fixed length. The bracket <NUM> may further comprise a support cushion <NUM> arranged at an end portion of the bracket <NUM> being opposite to where the bracket <NUM> is arranged at the forehead frame <NUM>. The cushion <NUM> makes the bracket <NUM> more comfortable for the user.

The first and second electrodes 102A, 102B are further comprised in a circuit <NUM>. The circuit <NUM> will now be further described in connection with <FIG>. The circuit <NUM> is configured to be powered according to a schedule for performing transcranial brain stimulation.

The first and second electrodes 102A, 102B are connected in the circuit <NUM>. The circuit <NUM> further comprises a power source <NUM> and a switch <NUM>. Upon the headset <NUM> being worn by the user and upon the switch <NUM> is engaged, a closed circuit comprising the first and second electrodes 102A, 102B, the user's forehead and the power source <NUM> is formed. This allows current to flow through the user's cranium. The power source <NUM> may be a battery.

The headset <NUM> may further comprise a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to periodically power the circuit <NUM> according to a schedule for performing transcranial brain stimulation. Thereby a current is periodically provided to user's brain for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. The controller <NUM> is configured to periodically control the switch <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be hardware or software implemented. The controller <NUM> may comprise a microcontroller, a system of microcontrollers, or any type of processor or control circuit which can engage and disengage the switch <NUM>. This provides a headset <NUM> which may vary the electric impulses to the head of the user according to schemes for transcranial brain stimulation.

The headset <NUM> may further comprise a memory <NUM>. The memory may be any type of non-volatile memory configured to store digital data. The memory <NUM> may, e.g., be a ROM, a solid state drive, a flash memory or any other device which can persistently store digital information. The memory <NUM> may, e.g., be configured to store a schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. The schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation may comprise information pertaining to when to open and close the switch <NUM>. The schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation may comprise information pertaining to when the user shall wear the headset and for what duration in order to receive the transcranial brain stimulation. The controller <NUM> may be arranged to read data from the memory <NUM>. Hence, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive information from the memory <NUM> on the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. However, it is realized that the schedule for transcranial brain stimulation may be stored elsewhere in some other memory accessible by the controller <NUM>. This will be discussed in more detail below. The controller <NUM> may further be configured to write data to the memory <NUM>. Hence, the controller <NUM> may be configured to write data to the memory pertaining to performed transcranial brain stimulation.

The schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation may comprise information pertaining to when to open and close the switch <NUM>. The schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation may comprise information pertaining to when the user shall wear the headset <NUM> and for what duration in order to receive the transcranial brain stimulation. The controller <NUM> may be arranged to read data from the memory <NUM>. Hence, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive information from the memory <NUM> on the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. However, it is realized that the schedule for transcranial brain stimulation may be stored elsewhere in some other memory accessible by the controller <NUM>. This will be discussed in more detail below. The controller <NUM> may further be configured to write data to the memory <NUM>. Hence, the controller <NUM> may be configured to write data to the memory pertaining to performed transcranial brain stimulation.

The headset <NUM> may further be configured to signal when the user shall wear or take off the headset <NUM> for receiving the transcranial brain stimulation. This can be done in many different ways. For this purpose, the headset <NUM> may comprise a speaker <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to control the speaker <NUM>. The speaker <NUM> is configured to emit sound pertaining to information reminding the user to wear or remove the headset <NUM>. Some non-limiting examples of sounds are beeping sounds and voice synthesis. The loudspeaker <NUM> may be arranged in the forehead frame <NUM>. The headset <NUM> may comprise a light source <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may e.g. comprise one or more LED:s. The controller <NUM> may be configured to control the light source <NUM>. The light source <NUM> is configured to emit light pertaining to information reminding the user to wear or remove the headset <NUM>. For example, the light source <NUM> may be configured to emit light having different colors for reminding the user to wear or remove the headset <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be configured to emit light pulses of different frequency to remind the user. The light source <NUM> may be arranged in the forehead frame <NUM>. The headset may comprise a vibrator <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to control the vibrator <NUM>. The vibrator <NUM> is configured to emit vibrate in order to remind the user to wear or remove the headset <NUM>. The vibrator may be arranged in the forehead frame <NUM>. Any combination of the loudspeaker <NUM>, the light source <NUM> or the vibrator <NUM> may be used for reminding the user to wear or remove the headset <NUM>. Hence, just one of them, two of them, or all of them may be used for reminding the user to wear or remove the headset <NUM>.

The headset <NUM> may be included in a system <NUM> for transcranial brain stimulation. As illustrated in <FIG> the system <NUM> comprises the headset <NUM> as described above and an electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device 150having processing capabilities and is configured to execute a computer program. The electronic device may e.g. be a handheld electronic device, such as a laptop, a smartphone, or a smartwatch. In order to communicate with the electronic device <NUM>, the headset <NUM> may further comprise a transceiver <NUM>, see <FIG>. The transceiver <NUM> is a wireless transceiver configured to communicate over a suitable wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or wireless USB. Hence, the transceiver <NUM> is used to communicate with the electronic device <NUM>.

The computer program may be an application downloadable to the electronic device via an application providing service. The computer program comprises code portions which when executed on the electronic device <NUM> is configured to perform different acts.

A code portion of the computer program is configured to store the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation in a computer memory. The computer memory may be the memory <NUM> of the headset <NUM>. Alternatively, the computer memory may be a memory of the electronic device. Yet alternatively, the computer memory may be a memory of a server (not shown), the electronic device <NUM> being connected to the server. Yet alternatively, the computer memory may comprise one or more of the above mentioned memories. Hence, different portions of the schedule may be stored on different memories. Hence, the storing of the schedule may be distributed over a plurality of memories.

A code portion of the computer program is configured to control the electronic device <NUM> to send a control signal to the controller <NUM> of the headset <NUM>. The control signal comprising information pertain to how to control the switch <NUM> for performing the transcranial brain stimulation.

A code portion of the computer program may further be configured to remind the user to use the headset according to the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. The reminder may be prompted to the user using one or more of the loudspeaker <NUM>, the light source <NUM> and the vibrator <NUM> of the headset. Alternatively or in combination, the reminder may be prompted to the user using one or more of a loudspeaker of the electronic device, a light source of the electronic device, a vibrator of the electronic device and a display of the electronic device. For example, the user may be prompted by a message displayed on the display of the electronic device.

A code portion of the computer program may further be configured to display information on the display of the electronic device in accordance with a schedule for displaying information. The schedule for displaying information may related to the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. The displayed information may e.g. be a video sequence to be watched in connection with receiving the transcranial brain stimulation. The video sequence may be video lesson being part of a treatment program. The video sequence may be an instructions video instructing the user how to put on and use the headset <NUM>.

A code portion of the computer program may further be configured to prompt the user to input information pertaining to status of the user. The user may be prompted by displaying a message on the display of the electronic device <NUM>. The input information prompted for may be information pertaining to information about the user's current health. The user may input such information through input means of the electronic device. An example of an input means is a keyboard (virtual on a touch screen or realized as mechanical buttons). The input information may then be stored in the computer memory. The input information may then be provided to a physician for reviewing the schedule for the transcranial brain stimulation of the user.

A code portion of the computer program may further be configured to store information pertaining to performed transcranial brain stimulation in the computer memory. The information pertaining to performed transcranial brain stimulation may then be provided to a physician for reviewing the schedule for the transcranial brain stimulation of the user.

By being provided with the input information and the information pertaining to performed transcranial brain stimulation the physician is provided with the possibility to assess the progress of the user and to immediately make any adjustments required to the user's schedule for transcranial brain stimulation as well as inform the user that such adjustments have been made.

A code portion of the computer program may further be configured to update the schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. This gives the possibility for e.g. the physician to adjust the schedule for transcranial brain stimulation.

As described above, the headset comprises a transceiver. This provides the possibility for the headset to communicate wirelessly with the electronic device over a network protocol such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The skilled person understands that any network protocol capable of transmitting digitally represented data is possible to use.

The system may, through the electronic device, also provide the user with information about the transcranial brain stimulation progress such as logs of their use, changes to their schedule recommended by the physician, status of the headset regarding e.g. battery charge state or malfunctions, or any other information.

As shown through this description, a headset and system for transcranial brain stimulation is provided which allows a user to autonomously and conveniently perform steps of such treatment which previously required visits to or by a physician.

Claim 1:
A headset (<NUM>) configured to perform transcranial brain stimulation to a user, the headset (<NUM>) comprising:
an elongated arched forehead frame (<NUM>) supporting first and second electrodes (102A, 102B);
a bracket (<NUM>) fastened to a center of the elongated arched forehead frame (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to periodically power a circuit (<NUM>) including the first and second electrodes (102A, 102B) to provide current to a brain of the user for performing the transcranial brain stimulation,
the headset (<NUM>) being configured to be worn on a head of the user such that the elongated arched forehead frame (<NUM>) follows a shape of a forehead of the user and a longitudinal extension of the bracket (<NUM>) extends over the head of the user and toward a neck of the user, thereby ensuring that the first electrode (102A) is located on a left side of the forehead and the second electrode (102B) is located on a right side of the forehead.