Patent ID: 7856275

Claim:
An apparatus for stimulating a vestibular system of a user, comprising: (a) a body member having an external surface formed to sit at least partially within a concha of an ear of a user during use to stimulate the vestibular system of the user, the body member having a portion of an electrolytic substance stored inside the external surface; and (b) a stimulating electrode coupled to the body member such that if the body member is seated in the concha of the ear of the user for use the stimulating electrode contacts a surface of an ear canal of the user, wherein the stimulating electrode includes a deformable, porous material that is sized and configured such that, during use to stimulate the vestibular system of the user, at least a portion of the deformable material rests against the surface of the ear canal, and wherein the stimulating electrode is in fluid communication with the interior of the body member such that the portion of the electrolytic substance stored inside the external surface is dispensed into the stimulating electrode such that electrical energy is carried to the surface of the ear canal through the stimulating electrode via the porous material.