Patent ID: 12232845

In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify similar and/or identical elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a tactile stimulation device. The tactile stimulation device can deliver cutaneous stimulation to one or more regions of a body. For example, applicators connected to the tactile stimulation device can be affixed over the skin of a user's hand, face, and/or feet and deliver pressurized fluid changes to the skin. For example, the fluid may be a gas, such as ambient air. The pressure changes can stimulate mechanosensory nerve endings, and the user's responsive brain function can be monitored using suitable scanning technologies, such as MRI, MEG, fNIRS, EEG, and/or functional transcranial Doppler (fTCD).

The tactile stimulation device can include a controller that controls tactile stimulation. For example, the controller can control one or more pneumatic switches that connect the applicators to high pressure (that is, greater than atmospheric pressure), vacuum pressure, or atmospheric pressure to stimulate the user's nerve endings. The controller can control the applicator connections according to a predetermined stimulation pattern. The predetermined stimulation pattern can be provided to the controller via an input device or stored in memory connected to the controller.

FIG.1illustrates an example tactile stimulation device100. The tactile stimulation device100includes an enclosure104that encloses components of the tactile stimulation device100. The enclosure104may have sound deadening properties, which may be enhanced with specific sound dampening materials and/or internal baffles. The enclosure104provides easy portability of the tactile stimulation device100and may contain noise to such an extent that operation of the tactile stimulation device100is barely audible or even imperceptible.

A charging port108, located on the enclosure104, connects to a battery112. The charging port108can receive a connector that supplies power to the battery112. In various implementations, the charging port108may include a female Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector or a female DC power supply connector (such as a tip and ring connector or a barrel plug connector). A transforming power supply (not shown) may convert AC mains power into a DC voltage for provision to the charging port108.

The battery112supplies power to the power supply116, and the power supply116distributes power to various components within the tactile stimulation device100. In various implementations, the battery112includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The power supply116provides power to a controller120, one or more actuation controllers124, a high pressure regulator128, and a low pressure regulator132. From the power provided by the battery112, the power supply116may generate one or more voltages of power for distribution. For example, the power supply116may include one or more voltage regulators and one or more DC-DC conversion circuits, such as a boost circuit, a buck circuit, or a boost/buck circuit.

The tactile stimulation device100includes a high pressure (greater than atmospheric) reservoir136and a low pressure (less than atmospheric, or, vacuum) reservoir140. The high pressure reservoir136and the low pressure reservoir140act as pneumatic capacitors, storing high and low pressures, respectively, for use of the tactile stimulation device100without direct access to an air compressor. The high pressure regulator128is connected to the high pressure reservoir136to generate a specific high pressure. The low pressure regulator132is connected to low pressure reservoir to generate a specific low pressure.

A compressor or other source of pressurized air can increase pressure within the high pressure reservoir136through a spring-loaded connector144. For example, an air hose can be connected between a compressed air port on a wall of a hospital and the spring-loaded connector144, which is opened by the end of the air hose pressing against the spring. To prevent backflow from the high pressure reservoir136, a check valve152can be included between the spring-loaded connector144and the high pressure reservoir136.

The same compressor, operating in suction mode, or a difference source of vacuum, can lower the pressure of the low pressure reservoir140via a spring-loaded connector148. A check valve156may be included to prevent the pressure of the low pressure reservoir140increasing upon connection to a weak vacuum source (one that has a higher pressure than the current pressure of the low pressure reservoir140).

The high pressure reservoir136and the low pressure reservoir140may be pressurized to, as examples only, +3 psi and −3 psi, respectively. This may allow hours of operation before additional high pressure and vacuum sources need to be connected.

The tactile stimulation device100also includes a pneumatic switch160. The pneumatic switch160receives the regulated pressures from the high pressure regulator128and the low pressure regulator132. The pneumatic switch160, as described in more detail below, may include individual solenoids that, in response to a selection signal from the actuation controller124, open to connect a respective one of the high pressure, low pressure, and atmospheric pressure to a quick-release port160.

An outlet conduit168, which may be disposable or reusable, is connected between the quick-release port164and an applicator172. The applicator may be affixed to a patient, such as with adhesive gel or tape. The outlet conduit168may be clear plastic tubing. The applicator172is a structure that applies pressure or vacuum from the outlet conduit168to the patient's skin. For example, the applicator172may be a flange that holds an end of the outlet conduit168at right angles to the patient's skin.

In various implementations, multiple applicators172are attached to different areas of the patient's skin by multiple outlet conduits168. The tactile stimulation device100may therefore include a corresponding number of quick-release ports164, pneumatic switches160, and actuation controllers124. In various implementations, the pneumatic switches160may be physically ganged together in groups of five. Similarly, the quick-release ports164may be physically ganged together in groups of five.

The enclosure104may have a storage compartment for external items, including the outlet conduits168and the applicators172. The storage compartment may be separate from or the same as the main compartment where other items, such as the high pressure reservoir136and the low pressure reservoir140, are located.

The tactile stimulation device100can be connected to an input device176. Users, such as medical personnel, can input desired stimulation data, parameter data related to the user, etc., to the controller120via the input device176. Based on the received data, the controller120may specify pressures to the high pressure regulator128and to the low pressure regulator132. In addition, the controller120may provide control signals to the actuation controller124.

The actuation controller124may include a simple set of 3 drive circuits (such as three H-bridges) that are directly controlled by the controller120. In other implementations, the actuation controller124may include timing logic that, under the direction of the controller, actuates the drive circuits. For example, the controller120may specify a pulse length and an inter-pulse duration (equivalently, a pulse repetition frequency) to the actuation controller124.

As described in more detail below with respect toFIG.7, a pulse may include a high-pressure interval and a low-pressure interval with an atmospheric interval in between. The actuation controller124may be preprogrammed with lengths of these intervals (which may vary based on the commanded pulse length). In some implementations, these lengths may be commanded by the controller.

The controller120may store specific stimulation pattern data and generate control signals based on the stimulation pattern data. For example, a saltatory wave operating at a specific linear speed and repeating at a certain interval may be programmed. Random or pseudorandom variation of the saltatory wave may be part of the stored programming. In various implementations, a clinician may input minimal parameters to the input device176, and simply initiate preprogrammed sequences. In other implementations, a clinician or researcher may directly specify pulse parameters, such as via a serial interface (for example, USB).

In various implementations, the input device176may include an LED or LCD display as well as input buttons. The input device176may be mounted to or integrated with the enclosure104.

The controller120may include a microcontroller (PIC16F18856 from Microchip), and the actuation controllers124may include H-Bridge Drivers (DRV8337 from Texas Instruments) and/or pulse-width-modulation (PWM) current controllers for solenoids (DRV110 from Texas Instruments). The tactile stimulation devices100,500may also include a USB-to-UART serial converter (MCP2200 from Microchip) to enable USB connectivity. The spring-loaded connectors144,148may be implemented using Schrader valves. The spring-loaded connectors144,148may include a quick-disconnect panel-mount valve (EW-06360-55 or EW-06361-71 from Cole-Parmer).

The high pressure regulator128may be a positive servo regulator (LFR-512-0505-R4 from Kelly Pneumatics) and the low pressure regulator132may be a negative servo regulator (LFR-N512-0505-R4 from Kelly Pneumatics). The pneumatic solenoids402,406,410may be latching solenoid valves (LHLA0531111H from The Lee Company) or non-latching solenoid valves (LHDB0442145D from The Lee Company) or high flow cartridge style solenoids (from Humphrey Products).

The outlet conduits168may include silicone or polyethylene tubing having an inner diameter of 1/16″ and an outer diameter of ⅛″. The tactile stimulation devices100,500can include a 10-port connector (EW-31052-41 or EW-31052-21 from Cole-Parmer) to provide connections between the applicators172and the outlet conduits168. The pressure reservoirs136,140may be formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), such as from schedule 40 PVC pipe.

FIGS.2and3are examples of multiple applicators172being affixed to the skin of a subject. For example, the applicators172can be affixed to a hand of the subject as shown inFIG.2or affixed to a face of the subject as shown inFIG.3. When affixing the applicators172to the hand, medical personnel may affix the applicators to the glabrous surface of the skin. When affixed to the skin, the applicators172can deliver stimulation pulses to skin according to the stimulation pattern.

FIG.4illustrates an example pneumatic switch160according to an example implementation of the present disclosure. As shown, the pneumatic switch160includes a first pneumatic solenoid valve402, a second pneumatic solenoid valve406, and a third pneumatic solenoid valve410, which are all connected to a manifold414.

In response to a first selection signal (for example, a first bit of a digital signal), the first pneumatic solenoid valve402connects the regulated high pressure to the manifold414. In response to a second selection signal, the second pneumatic solenoid valve406connects the regulated low pressure to the manifold414. In response to a third selection signal, the third pneumatic solenoid valve410connects the atmospheric pressure to the manifold414.

The outputs of the pneumatic solenoid valves402,406,410are connected to inputs of a manifold414. The manifold414can establish a connection between the one of the high pressure reservoir136, the low pressure reservoir140, and/or atmosphere based on the selection signal. For example, the output of the manifold414is connected to the input of the quick-release port164to allow the applicator172to deliver a pulsed stimulation pulse based on the applicator172subjecting the skin to pressurized air, subjecting the skin to vacuum pressure, or subjecting the skin to atmosphere.

FIG.5illustrates another example implementation of a tactile stimulation device500. Many features of the tactile stimulation device500may be implemented similarly to those of the tactile stimulation device100. The tactile stimulation device500includes an enclosure504. The enclosure504includes an atmospheric port508to provide a fluid connection between atmosphere and the inside of the enclosure504, or directly to the pneumatic switch160. The atmospheric port508may be a simple opening, but may be designed to decrease noise escaping from the enclosure504. The atmospheric port508may be used when the enclosure504is airtight enough that an inside of the enclosure504does not remain at atmospheric pressure when vacuum or high pressure is introduced to the inside of the enclosure504.

Power/charging circuitry512receives power from the charging port108and can distribute power to the various powered components of the tactile stimulation device500even while the battery112is being charged. The tactile stimulation device500includes a dual-mode compressor516that is connected to the high pressure reservoir136and the low pressure reservoir140. During a first mode of operation, the dual-mode compressor516supplies pressurized air to the high pressure reservoir136. During a second mode operation, the dual-mode compressor516generates a vacuum pressure to remove air from the low pressure reservoir140. The controller120controls operation of the dual-mode compressor516. The dual-mode compressor516may operate from power provided by the power/charging circuitry512or from an independent source of power.

FIG.6is a schematic of an example implementation of a 5-gang pneumatic switch600. As shown, the pneumatic switch600includes multiple pneumatic solenoids402connected to the output of the high pressure regulator128. The pneumatic switch600also includes multiple pneumatic solenoids406connected to the output of the low pressure regulator132and multiple pneumatic solenoids410connected to atmosphere. By controlling the pneumatic solenoids402,406, and410, one of high pressure, low pressure, and vacuum can be individually connected to respective channels (outlet conduits168). These positively-controlled solenoids prevent cross-talk between the channels.

FIG.7includes example waveforms702,704illustrating biphasic pressures (e.g., pressurized fluid) provided to a first applicator172and a second applicator174, respectively, according to a stimulation pattern. In an example implementation, the tactile stimulation device100is capable of generating biphasic pneumatic pulses with sub-20 millisecond rise/fall times. In waveform702, the pressure begins at atmospheric. Then, by opening the pneumatic solenoid402, a pulse of pressurized fluid is delivered to the first applicator172for a first predetermined time period. After the first predetermined time period, the pneumatic solenoid402is closed and the pneumatic solenoid410is opened to connect the first applicator172to atmosphere for a second predetermined time period. After the second predetermined time period, the pneumatic solenoid410is closed and the pneumatic solenoid406is opened to connect the first applicator172to the vacuum pressure for a third predetermined time period. Finally, the pneumatic solenoid406is closed and the pneumatic solenoid410is opened to connect the first applicator172to atmosphere.

The pulse length may be measured from the beginning of the high pressure phase to the end of the vacuum phase. As an example, the pulse length may be 40 milliseconds or 80 milliseconds. Returning the pressure to atmospheric between the high pressure and vacuum phases of the pulse reduces the amount of vacuum expended compared to directly transitioning from high pressure to vacuum. The rise time and fall time may be on the order of 10 milliseconds with outlet conduits168having a length on the order of 2 meters. The displacement of the skin by the pulse may be 2 millimeters.

Waveform704may be constructed identically to waveform702, but with solenoids corresponding to the second channel instead of the first channel. WhileFIG.7shows the pulses in waveforms702and704completely non-overlapping, the pulses may at least partially overlap in various implementations.

CONCLUSION

The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the present disclosure. Further, although each of the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and/or combined with features of any of the other embodiments, even if that combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more embodiments with one another remain within the scope of this disclosure.

Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules) are described using various terms, including “connected,” “engaged,” “interfaced,” and “coupled.” Unless explicitly described as being “direct,” when a relationship between first and second elements is described in the above disclosure, that relationship encompasses a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements, and also an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”

In the figures, the direction of an arrow, as indicated by the arrowhead, generally demonstrates the flow of information (such as data or instructions) that is of interest to the illustration. For example, when element A and element B exchange a variety of information but information transmitted from element A to element B is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may point from element A to element B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no other information is transmitted from element B to element A. Further, for information sent from element A to element B, element B may send requests for, or receipt acknowledgements of, the information to element A. The term subset does not necessarily require a proper subset. In other words, a first subset of a first set may be coextensive with (equal to) the first set.

In this application, including the definitions below, the term “module” or the term “controller” may be replaced with the term “circuit.” The term “module” may refer to, be part of, or include processor hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code and memory hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor hardware.

The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuit(s) may implement wired or wireless interfaces that connect to a local area network (LAN) or a wireless personal area network (WPAN). Examples of a LAN are Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 802.11-2016 (also known as the WIFI wireless networking standard) and IEEE Standard 802.3-2015 (also known as the ETHERNET wired networking standard). Examples of a WPAN are the BLUETOOTH wireless networking standard from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group and IEEE Standard 802.15.4.

The module may communicate with other modules using the interface circuit(s). Although the module may be depicted in the present disclosure as logically communicating directly with other modules, in various implementations the module may actually communicate via a communications system. The communications system includes physical and/or virtual networking equipment such as hubs, switches, routers, and gateways. In some implementations, the communications system connects to or traverses a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. For example, the communications system may include multiple LANs connected to each other over the Internet or point-to-point leased lines using technologies including Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and virtual private networks (VPNs).

In various implementations, the functionality of the module may be distributed among multiple modules that are connected via the communications system. For example, multiple modules may implement the same functionality distributed by a load balancing system. In a further example, the functionality of the module may be split between a server (also known as remote, or cloud) module and a client (or, user) module.

The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. Shared processor hardware encompasses a single microprocessor that executes some or all code from multiple modules. Group processor hardware encompasses a microprocessor that, in combination with additional microprocessors, executes some or all code from one or more modules. References to multiple microprocessors encompass multiple microprocessors on discrete dies, multiple microprocessors on a single die, multiple cores of a single microprocessor, multiple threads of a single microprocessor, or a combination of the above.

Shared memory hardware encompasses a single memory device that stores some or all code from multiple modules. Group memory hardware encompasses a memory device that, in combination with other memory devices, stores some or all code from one or more modules.

The term memory hardware is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a non-transitory computer-readable medium are nonvolatile memory devices (such as a flash memory device, an erasable programmable read-only memory device, or a mask read-only memory device), volatile memory devices (such as a static random access memory device or a dynamic random access memory device), magnetic storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc).

The apparatuses and methods described in this application may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The functional blocks and flowchart elements described above serve as software specifications, which can be translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer.

The computer programs include processor-executable instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc.

The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language), XML (extensible markup language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using syntax from languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java®, Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, Javascript®, HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5th revision), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash®, Visual Basic®, Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK, and Python®.