WO2016097937A1 - Device and method for influencing brain activity - Google Patents

Device and method for influencing brain activity Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016097937A1
WO2016097937A1 PCT/IB2015/059463 IB2015059463W WO2016097937A1 WO 2016097937 A1 WO2016097937 A1 WO 2016097937A1 IB 2015059463 W IB2015059463 W IB 2015059463W WO 2016097937 A1 WO2016097937 A1 WO 2016097937A1
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Prior art keywords
stimulation
signal
sts
stimulation signal
transduced
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PCT/IB2015/059463
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French (fr)
Inventor
Ronaldus Maria Aarts
Gary Nelson Garcia Molina
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Koninklijke Philips N.V.
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Publication of WO2016097937A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016097937A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/16—Devices for psychotechnics; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
    • A61B5/165—Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
    • A61B5/316—Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
    • A61B5/369—Electroencephalography [EEG]
    • A61B5/377—Electroencephalography [EEG] using evoked responses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
    • A61B5/6813—Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part
    • A61B5/6814—Head
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M21/00—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
    • A61M21/02—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/011—Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality
    • G06F3/015—Input arrangements based on nervous system activity detection, e.g. brain waves [EEG] detection, electromyograms [EMG] detection, electrodermal response detection
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M21/00—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
    • A61M2021/0005—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis by the use of a particular sense, or stimulus
    • A61M2021/0027—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis by the use of a particular sense, or stimulus by the hearing sense
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M21/00—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
    • A61M2021/0005—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis by the use of a particular sense, or stimulus
    • A61M2021/0044—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis by the use of a particular sense, or stimulus by the sight sense
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2230/00—Measuring parameters of the user
    • A61M2230/08—Other bio-electrical signals
    • A61M2230/10—Electroencephalographic signals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of brainwave entrainment.
  • the present invention relates to a device and a method for influencing brain activity.
  • Repetitive sensory stimulation can modulate the electrical activity of the brain as measured by the electroencephalogram, EEG.
  • the EEG presents oscillatory components at the repetition frequency of the stimulation and/or harmonics.
  • Repetitive sensory stimulation can directly modulate brain activity as measured by the EEG. This effect has been applied to influence behavior and in brain- computer interfacing, BCI, by monitoring attention on specific targets or commands.
  • BCI brain- computer interfacing
  • the stimulation is rendered using external means. The properties of the stimulation such as frequency, modulation depth, or duration are fixed.
  • US 2008/0269629 Al describes the generation of alpha waves in a mammalian subject that may be stimulated through a process of measuring a wave-form produced by the electrical activity of the subject's brain.
  • a method for analyzing the wave-form to determine changes in its frequency, and delivering audio and visual stimulation to the subject is further described, each at a rate selected to vary the frequency of the wave-form until any alpha state is achieved.
  • the rate may be selected by the subject, by a therapist, or may be varied automatically through a feedback mechanism according to the description.
  • US 2003/0225340 Al describes an EEG neuronal feedback and total evoked brain activity measurement, wherein methods utilize minimum ambient EEG activity as stimulant frequencies are described. A method of using repetitive stimulation in conjunction with EEG neuronal feedback protocols is also therein described. According to the description therein, electrodes, attached to a subject's scalp, transmit electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from the subject.
  • EEG electroencephalographic
  • US 2014/0223462 Al describes a computer system or a method that may be provided for modulating content based on a person's brainwave data, including modifying presentation of digital content at a computing device. The content may also be modulated based on a set of rules maintained by or accessible to the computer system. The content may also be modulated based on user input, including through receipt of a presentation control command that may be processed by the computer system of the present invention to modify presentation of content.
  • a first aspect of the present invention relates to a device for influencing brain activity.
  • the device comprises a sensor, which is configured to measure a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain and which is configured to provide a correspondingly transduced signal.
  • the device further comprises a processor, which is configured to generate a stimulation signal based on the transduced signal and which is configured to assign at least one parameter varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal, wherein the least one parameter and the transduced signal are uncorrelated signals with respect to time.
  • the device further comprises a stimulator, which is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal.
  • the senor may be used for deriving EEG signals.
  • the processor may be used for processing the EEG signals received from the sensor with the goal of quantifying the effect of the stimulation estimated from the EEG, and providing a desired value.
  • the stimulator may be used to provide a desired stimulation effect to the user, such as in form of a flickering panel located on the side of a, for instance wearable, system, or in form of a speaker located on the device. If on the contrary, the effect of the stimulation produced by the stimulation means in form of the stimulator deviates from the desired effect, then the properties of the stimulation are adapted in order to provide a proper desired value to the sensory stimulation means. This enables improved devices and methods for brainwave entrainment and brain-computer interfacing.
  • the present invention advantageously proposes to regulate the brain rhythms using a wearable device (like glasses) that presents sensory stimulus (audio, visual namely flickering panel, speaker) to provide stimulation effect to the user where, the properties of stimulation are varied, to overcome the habituation phenomenon.
  • a wearable device like glasses
  • sensory stimulus audio, visual namely flickering panel, speaker
  • habituation may refer to any decrease in the response, for instance as measured in the EEG signal, to the stimulation due to repeated presentations.
  • the present invention advantageously provides that an EEG sensor in form of the sensor may be mounted on the wearable system or device for deriving EEG signals and that an EEG-processing unit in form of the processor is used to monitor and quantify the response and/or used to that the stimulus is modulated based upon the desired effect.
  • the present invention advantageously proposes to leverage the transduced signals (on light and auditory stimulation) which indicate that the effect of the stimulation decrease after, for instance, a period of time within the range of 1 to 50 seconds or 3 to 20 seconds, for instance after 15, 10, 8, or 5 seconds, as measured in the EEG because of habituation.
  • the present invention advantageously can counter habituation by adding a time varying parameter to the signal, which is independent from the rest of the feedback loop and independent from or uncorrected to the stimulation signal.
  • the concept of varying the auditory and/or visual stimulation in terms of the parameter may be to change, for instance, the EEG power in a specific frequency.
  • the present invention proposes to provide a closed-loop modulation system for modeling brain rhythms comprising a wearable device an EEG sensor for deriving EEG signals located on the wearable device.
  • the wearable device may be a glass.
  • Such continuous monitoring advantageously permits to estimate in real time the effect of the stimulation.
  • An additional advantage of the positioning of the stimulation (on the side) is that the peripheral vision evoked potential in the EEG can have higher amplitude than that evoked by a stimulus directly positioned in front of the eyes.
  • the present invention advantageously does not require the user to
  • the level of EEG power at the frequency of stimulation can vary.
  • a wearable system comprising a device according to the first aspect of the present invention or according to any implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the wearable system comprises an external transducer which is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal.
  • a method for brainwave entrainment comprising the steps of:
  • the device is configured to be coupled to a wearable system.
  • a wearable system This advantageously provides a portable brain-computer interfacing device or brainwave entrainment device.
  • the stimulator comprises a flickering panel or a speaker device or a display device for providing the visual and/or auditory stimulation. This advantageously provides a reliable and secure stimulation.
  • the processor is configured to generate the stimulation signal based on the transduced signal using a closed-loop operation. This advantageously improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
  • the processor is configured to generate the stimulation signal based on the transduced signal using a comb filter at a base frequency of the stimulation signal and at higher harmonics of the base frequency. This advantageously improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
  • the device for influencing brain activity is configured to be used for brain computer interfacing, BCI, applications.
  • the goal is for the user to pay attention to a flickering target so the EEG power at the frequency of the stimulation increases above a threshold. It can advantageously be then envisioned that the dynamic changes in the stimulation parameters can be used to make it easier for the BCI user to raise the EEG power at the frequency of stimulation above the pre-established threshold.
  • the processor is configured to generate the stimulation signal based on the transduced signal using a windowed root-mean-square value of the transduced signal to quantify an effect of the stimulation. This advantageously also improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
  • the processor is configured to generate the stimulation signal based on the transduced signal using a power spectrum density of the transduced signal or a sum of the power of a base frequency of the stimulation signal and of higher harmonics of the base frequency. This advantageously also improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
  • the processor is configured to assign the with time varying at least one parameter to the stimulation signal in form of a modulation depth of the stimulation signal; or of a signal level of the stimulation signal; or of a duty cycle the stimulation signal; or of a color used for providing the stimulation signal in case of visual stimulation; or of a pitch used for modulating the stimulation signal in case of auditory stimulation.
  • This advantageously also improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
  • pitch or “pitch- shifting” as used by the present invention may refer to an audio technique in which the original pitch of a sound is raised or lowered when the sound is played.
  • a computer program performing the method of the present invention may be stored on a computer-readable medium.
  • a computer-readable medium may be a floppy disk, a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, an USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory) and an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).
  • a computer-readable medium may also be a data communication network, for example the Internet, which allows downloading a program code.
  • DSP Digital Signal Processor
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • the present invention can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof, e.g. in available hardware of a medical imaging device or in a new hardware dedicated for processing the methods described herein.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a flowchart diagram of a method for influencing brain activity for explaining the present invention
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a wearable system comprising a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a repetitive, e.g. flickering, visual stimulation, RVS, modulating the electrical brain activity for explaining the present invention
  • Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the device 100 comprises a sensor 10, a processor 20, and stimulator 30.
  • the sensor 10 may be configured to measure a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain FIB and which is configured to provide a correspondingly transduced signal TS.
  • the processor 20 may be configured to generate a stimulation signal STS based on the transduced signal TS and to assign at least one parameter P varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal STS, wherein the least one parameter P and the transduced signal TS are uncorrelated signals with respect to time.
  • the stimulator 30 may be configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of a human brain using the stimulation signal STS and the least one parameter P.
  • the least one parameter P may be used to modulate the output of the stimulation signal STS in terms of the pitch of the stimulation signal STS, or the color used for displaying the stimulation signal STS, or a duty cycle used when outputting the stimulation signal STS or a modulation depth of the stimulation signal STS or a signal level of the stimulation signal STS or an amplitude of the stimulation signal STS.
  • uncorrelated may refer to the aspect that the parameter P and the stimulation signal STS, both being a function or for instance an electrical signal that convey information, do comprise non-corresponding characteristics, e.g. the parameter may not vary with a corresponding frequency or with a corresponding occurrence or with corresponding characteristics as the stimulation signal does vary.
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a flowchart diagram of a method for influencing brain activity for explaining the present invention.
  • the method for influencing brain activity may comprise the following steps of:
  • measuring S 1 a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain HB and providing a correspondingly transduced signal TS by a sensor 10 may be conducted.
  • generating S2 a stimulation signal STS based on the transduced signal TS may be conducted as well as assigning the at least one parameter P varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal STS by means a processor 20, wherein the least one parameter P and the transduced signal TS are uncorrected signals with respect to time.
  • a third step of the method providing S3 visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of a human brain using the stimulation signal STS and the least one parameter P by a stimulator 30 may be conducted.
  • the method for influencing brain activity may be used for brain computer interfacing applications.
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a wearable system comprising a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • a wearable system 1000 may comprise a device 100 for influencing brain activity, wherein the wearable system 1000 comprises an external transducer which is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal STS.
  • the device 100 for influencing brain activity may integrate sensory stimulation means in form of the stimulator to glasses (e.g. a glass device with smart phone capabilities, a mobile phone with an operating system) to render repetitive visual or auditory stimulation.
  • EEG signals are continuously monitored including during the stimulation period. Such continuous monitoring permits to estimate in real time the effect of the stimulation.
  • the properties of the stimulation remain unchanged. If on the contrary, the effect of the stimulation deviates from the desired effect, then the properties of the stimulation are adapted.
  • Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a repetitive, e.g. flickering, visual stimulation, RVS, modulating the electrical brain activity for explaining the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 shows the presentation of a RVS manifests as an oscillatory component in the EEG at the same frequency of the stimulation.
  • Fig. 4 shows a diagram with a y-axis showing the electroencephalogram signal in ⁇ and the x-axis depicting the time in s.
  • a repetitive visual stimulation at a constant frequency is provided as depicted on the top of the diagram. The stimulation is performed by switching light on and off. The stimulus onset lasting about 300 ms and the subsequently following evoked brain response is visible in the diagram, e.g. the brain response is adapting to the stimulating signal.
  • the presence of EEG oscillations at specific frequencies can be correlated to mental/behavioral states.
  • the delta frequencies are characteristic of deep sleep
  • the theta frequencies (4 to 8 Hz) are associated with light sleep and creativity
  • the alpha frequencies (8 to 12 Hz) reflect a relaxed yet alert state
  • the beta frequencies 13 to 20 Hz are associated with a thinking and/or focused state
  • the high beta frequencies (20 to 30 Hz) are related to anxiety.
  • the correlative relation between EEG oscillations and behavioral states is thought to be causal so that the presence of a specific EEG oscillation determines the behavioral state.
  • This causation idea is leveraged by brainwave entrainment (BWE) applications in which sensory stimulation is used to elicit EEG oscillations that facilitate the transition to a desired behavioral state, for instance relaxation or high attentional focus.
  • BWE brainwave entrainment
  • the amplitude of the oscillatory component in the EEG is modulated by the degree of attention paid to the stimulation. This effect is leveraged in brain-computer interface BCI applications where the user is presented with a set of stimuli that are, each, associated with a command or action.
  • the user's EEG by focusing attention of the user on a given stimulus, the user's EEG more prominently contains the frequency of the attended stimulus, which is detected from a real-time EEG analysis process, and then the associated command is executed.
  • Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • a wearable system 1000 may comprise a device 100 for influencing brain activity.
  • the wearable system 1000 may comprises an external transducer in form of stimulation means wherein the external transducer is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal STS.
  • the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate a stimulation signal STS based on the transduced signal TS, at least one parameter P varying with respect to time may be generated and assigned to the stimulation signal STS, wherein the least one parameter P and the transduced signal TS are uncorrelated signals with respect to time.
  • the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate a stimulation signal STS in order to modulate the electrical brain activity, the stimulation, depending on the sensory modality is rendered as follows.
  • a flickering panel positioned on the glasses as shown in Fig. 5 if visual stimulation is considered.
  • An additional advantage of the positioning of the stimulation (on the side) is that the peripheral vision evoked potential in the EEG can have higher amplitude than that evoked by a stimulus directly positioned in front of the eyes.
  • the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate EEG signal, the EEG signal is processed with the goal of quantifying the effect of the stimulation.
  • the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate a stimulation signal STS based on an application of a comb filter at the frequency of the stimulation and harmonics.
  • the comb- filtered signal has oscillatory components at the frequency of stimulation and harmonics.
  • the windowed root-mean- square, RMS, value of the filtered signal can be used to quantify the effect of the stimulation.
  • the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate a stimulation signal STS from the power spectrum density, the sum of the power at the frequency of the stimulation and the power at a pre-established number of harmonics can be used to quantify the effect of the stimulation.
  • stimulation-effect quantifications can be tracked on time to determine whether the stimulation effect increase, decreases or remains stable. Depending on the desired effect, the properties of the stimulation can be changed to modulate the effect to match the desired values.
  • the properties of the stimulation change according to the feedback produced by the quantification of the stimulation-effect estimated from the EEG.
  • a stimulation to maintain or increase the effect is performed.
  • the stimulation frequency may remain the same but other properties such as increase in the modulation depth may be varied as the time varying parameter, which increases the effect, or duty cycle change.
  • the effect of the stimulation as induced by the generated signal of the processor 20 of the device 100 should not increase beyond a certain level determined for instance by safety considerations. If the effect of the stimulation needs to be decreased, then the modulation depth can be decreased.
  • the processor 20 of the device 100 may be configured to generate a stimulation signal STS and to dynamically modify the stimulation without the underlying assumption that different types of stimulation affect different brain areas.
  • the senor 10 of the device 100 may be configured to monitor the response in the specific sensory areas, for instance visual and/or auditory areas, and the processor 20 of the device 100 may be configured to modify the stimulation to optimize the effect on these visual and/or auditory areas.
  • a method to modify the presentation of content based on the brain's response is provided as measured by the EEG.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100) for influencing brain activity. The device (100) comprises a sensor (10), which is configured to measure a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain (HB) and which is configured to provide a correspondingly transduced signal (TS). The device (100) further comprises processor (20), which is configured to generate a stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) and to assign at least one parameter (P) varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal (STS), wherein the least one parameter (P) and the transduced signal (TS) are uncorrelated signals with respect to time. Still further, the device (100) comprises a stimulator (30), which is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain (HB) using the stimulation signal (STS) and the least one parameter (P).

Description

Device and method for influencing brain activity
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of brainwave entrainment. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and a method for influencing brain activity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Repetitive sensory stimulation can modulate the electrical activity of the brain as measured by the electroencephalogram, EEG. The EEG presents oscillatory components at the repetition frequency of the stimulation and/or harmonics.
Repetitive sensory stimulation can directly modulate brain activity as measured by the EEG. This effect has been applied to influence behavior and in brain- computer interfacing, BCI, by monitoring attention on specific targets or commands. In current brainwave entrainment, BWE, and BCI applications, the stimulation is rendered using external means. The properties of the stimulation such as frequency, modulation depth, or duration are fixed.
US 2008/0269629 Al describes the generation of alpha waves in a mammalian subject that may be stimulated through a process of measuring a wave-form produced by the electrical activity of the subject's brain. A method for analyzing the wave-form to determine changes in its frequency, and delivering audio and visual stimulation to the subject is further described, each at a rate selected to vary the frequency of the wave-form until any alpha state is achieved. The rate may be selected by the subject, by a therapist, or may be varied automatically through a feedback mechanism according to the description.
US 2003/0225340 Al describes an EEG neuronal feedback and total evoked brain activity measurement, wherein methods utilize minimum ambient EEG activity as stimulant frequencies are described. A method of using repetitive stimulation in conjunction with EEG neuronal feedback protocols is also therein described. According to the description therein, electrodes, attached to a subject's scalp, transmit electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from the subject. US 2014/0223462 Al describes a computer system or a method that may be provided for modulating content based on a person's brainwave data, including modifying presentation of digital content at a computing device. The content may also be modulated based on a set of rules maintained by or accessible to the computer system. The content may also be modulated based on user input, including through receipt of a presentation control command that may be processed by the computer system of the present invention to modify presentation of content.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There may be a need to improve devices and methods for brainwave entrainment and brain-computer interfacing.
This is met by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further exemplary embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and the following description.
A first aspect of the present invention relates to a device for influencing brain activity. The device comprises a sensor, which is configured to measure a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain and which is configured to provide a correspondingly transduced signal. The device further comprises a processor, which is configured to generate a stimulation signal based on the transduced signal and which is configured to assign at least one parameter varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal, wherein the least one parameter and the transduced signal are uncorrelated signals with respect to time. Still further, the device further comprises a stimulator, which is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal.
In other words, the sensor may be used for deriving EEG signals. The processor may be used for processing the EEG signals received from the sensor with the goal of quantifying the effect of the stimulation estimated from the EEG, and providing a desired value. The stimulator may be used to provide a desired stimulation effect to the user, such as in form of a flickering panel located on the side of a, for instance wearable, system, or in form of a speaker located on the device. If on the contrary, the effect of the stimulation produced by the stimulation means in form of the stimulator deviates from the desired effect, then the properties of the stimulation are adapted in order to provide a proper desired value to the sensory stimulation means. This enables improved devices and methods for brainwave entrainment and brain-computer interfacing.
In other words, the present invention advantageously proposes to regulate the brain rhythms using a wearable device (like glasses) that presents sensory stimulus (audio, visual namely flickering panel, speaker) to provide stimulation effect to the user where, the properties of stimulation are varied, to overcome the habituation phenomenon.
The term "habituation" as used by the present invention may refer to any decrease in the response, for instance as measured in the EEG signal, to the stimulation due to repeated presentations.
In other words, the present invention advantageously provides that an EEG sensor in form of the sensor may be mounted on the wearable system or device for deriving EEG signals and that an EEG-processing unit in form of the processor is used to monitor and quantify the response and/or used to that the stimulus is modulated based upon the desired effect.
The present invention advantageously proposes to leverage the transduced signals (on light and auditory stimulation) which indicate that the effect of the stimulation decrease after, for instance, a period of time within the range of 1 to 50 seconds or 3 to 20 seconds, for instance after 15, 10, 8, or 5 seconds, as measured in the EEG because of habituation.
The present invention advantageously can counter habituation by adding a time varying parameter to the signal, which is independent from the rest of the feedback loop and independent from or uncorrected to the stimulation signal.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is advantageously allowed i) resuming the stimulation after a short pause, ii) modifying the modulation depth of the stimulation signal, or iii) varying the duty cycle of the stimulation signal, iv) modifying the wavelength of the stimulation, e.g. of the stimulation signal used for the auditory and/or visual stimulation. The concept of varying the auditory and/or visual stimulation in terms of the parameter may be to change, for instance, the EEG power in a specific frequency.
The present invention proposes to provide a closed-loop modulation system for modeling brain rhythms comprising a wearable device an EEG sensor for deriving EEG signals located on the wearable device. The wearable device may be a glass. Such continuous monitoring advantageously permits to estimate in real time the effect of the stimulation.
An additional advantage of the positioning of the stimulation (on the side) is that the peripheral vision evoked potential in the EEG can have higher amplitude than that evoked by a stimulus directly positioned in front of the eyes. The present invention advantageously does not require the user to
accommodate the stimulation but the stimulation is modified to accommodate the user. The level of EEG power at the frequency of stimulation can vary.
According to a further, second aspect of the present invention, a wearable system is provided comprising a device according to the first aspect of the present invention or according to any implementation form of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the wearable system comprises an external transducer which is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal.
According to a further, third aspect of the present invention, a method for brainwave entrainment is provided, the method comprising the steps of:
a) measuring a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain and providing a correspondingly transduced signal by a sensor;
b) generating a stimulation signal based on the transduced signal and assigning at least one parameter varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal by means a processor, wherein the least one parameter and the transduced signal are uncorrected signals with respect to time; and
c) providing visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal by a stimulator.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device is configured to be coupled to a wearable system. This advantageously provides a portable brain-computer interfacing device or brainwave entrainment device.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stimulator comprises a flickering panel or a speaker device or a display device for providing the visual and/or auditory stimulation. This advantageously provides a reliable and secure stimulation.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor is configured to generate the stimulation signal based on the transduced signal using a closed-loop operation. This advantageously improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor is configured to generate the stimulation signal based on the transduced signal using a comb filter at a base frequency of the stimulation signal and at higher harmonics of the base frequency. This advantageously improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device for influencing brain activity is configured to be used for brain computer interfacing, BCI, applications.
In BCI applications, the goal is for the user to pay attention to a flickering target so the EEG power at the frequency of the stimulation increases above a threshold. It can advantageously be then envisioned that the dynamic changes in the stimulation parameters can be used to make it easier for the BCI user to raise the EEG power at the frequency of stimulation above the pre-established threshold.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor is configured to generate the stimulation signal based on the transduced signal using a windowed root-mean-square value of the transduced signal to quantify an effect of the stimulation. This advantageously also improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor is configured to generate the stimulation signal based on the transduced signal using a power spectrum density of the transduced signal or a sum of the power of a base frequency of the stimulation signal and of higher harmonics of the base frequency. This advantageously also improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor is configured to assign the with time varying at least one parameter to the stimulation signal in form of a modulation depth of the stimulation signal; or of a signal level of the stimulation signal; or of a duty cycle the stimulation signal; or of a color used for providing the stimulation signal in case of visual stimulation; or of a pitch used for modulating the stimulation signal in case of auditory stimulation. This advantageously also improves the brain influencing effect of the generated stimulation signal.
The term "pitch" or "pitch- shifting" as used by the present invention may refer to an audio technique in which the original pitch of a sound is raised or lowered when the sound is played.
A computer program performing the method of the present invention may be stored on a computer-readable medium.
A computer-readable medium may be a floppy disk, a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, an USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory) and an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). A computer-readable medium may also be a data communication network, for example the Internet, which allows downloading a program code.
The methods, systems and devices described herein may be implemented as software in a Digital Signal Processor, DSP, in a micro-controller or in any other side- processor or as hardware circuit of a medical device within an application specific integrated circuit, ASIC.
The present invention can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof, e.g. in available hardware of a medical imaging device or in a new hardware dedicated for processing the methods described herein.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from and be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation of the present invention and the attendant advantages thereof will be more clearly understood with reference to the following schematic drawings, which are not to scale, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a flowchart diagram of a method for influencing brain activity for explaining the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a wearable system comprising a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a repetitive, e.g. flickering, visual stimulation, RVS, modulating the electrical brain activity for explaining the present invention; and
Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The illustration in the drawings is purely schematic and does not intend to provide scaling relations or size information. In different drawings or figures, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals. Generally, identical parts, units, entities or steps are provided with the same reference symbols in the description.
Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In Fig. 1, a device 100 for influencing brain activity is shown. The device 100 comprises a sensor 10, a processor 20, and stimulator 30.
The sensor 10 may be configured to measure a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain FIB and which is configured to provide a correspondingly transduced signal TS.
The processor 20 may be configured to generate a stimulation signal STS based on the transduced signal TS and to assign at least one parameter P varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal STS, wherein the least one parameter P and the transduced signal TS are uncorrelated signals with respect to time.
The stimulator 30 may be configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of a human brain using the stimulation signal STS and the least one parameter P.
In other words, the least one parameter P may be used to modulate the output of the stimulation signal STS in terms of the pitch of the stimulation signal STS, or the color used for displaying the stimulation signal STS, or a duty cycle used when outputting the stimulation signal STS or a modulation depth of the stimulation signal STS or a signal level of the stimulation signal STS or an amplitude of the stimulation signal STS.
The term "uncorrelated" as used by the present invention may refer to the aspect that the parameter P and the stimulation signal STS, both being a function or for instance an electrical signal that convey information, do comprise non-corresponding characteristics, e.g. the parameter may not vary with a corresponding frequency or with a corresponding occurrence or with corresponding characteristics as the stimulation signal does vary.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a flowchart diagram of a method for influencing brain activity for explaining the present invention.
The method for influencing brain activity may comprise the following steps of:
As a first step of the method, measuring S 1 a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain HB and providing a correspondingly transduced signal TS by a sensor 10 may be conducted. As a second step of the method, generating S2 a stimulation signal STS based on the transduced signal TS may be conducted as well as assigning the at least one parameter P varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal STS by means a processor 20, wherein the least one parameter P and the transduced signal TS are uncorrected signals with respect to time.
As a third step of the method providing S3 visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of a human brain using the stimulation signal STS and the least one parameter P by a stimulator 30 may be conducted.
The method for influencing brain activity may be used for brain computer interfacing applications.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a wearable system comprising a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
A wearable system 1000 may comprise a device 100 for influencing brain activity, wherein the wearable system 1000 comprises an external transducer which is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal STS.
The device 100 for influencing brain activity may integrate sensory stimulation means in form of the stimulator to glasses (e.g. a glass device with smart phone capabilities, a mobile phone with an operating system) to render repetitive visual or auditory stimulation. EEG signals are continuously monitored including during the stimulation period. Such continuous monitoring permits to estimate in real time the effect of the stimulation.
If the stimulation produces the desired effect, in terms of EEG modulation, then the properties of the stimulation remain unchanged. If on the contrary, the effect of the stimulation deviates from the desired effect, then the properties of the stimulation are adapted.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a repetitive, e.g. flickering, visual stimulation, RVS, modulating the electrical brain activity for explaining the present invention.
Fig. 4 shows the presentation of a RVS manifests as an oscillatory component in the EEG at the same frequency of the stimulation.
Fig. 4 shows a diagram with a y-axis showing the electroencephalogram signal in μν and the x-axis depicting the time in s. A repetitive visual stimulation at a constant frequency is provided as depicted on the top of the diagram. The stimulation is performed by switching light on and off. The stimulus onset lasting about 300 ms and the subsequently following evoked brain response is visible in the diagram, e.g. the brain response is adapting to the stimulating signal. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the presence of EEG oscillations at specific frequencies can be correlated to mental/behavioral states. For example: the delta frequencies (0.5 to 4 Hz) are characteristic of deep sleep, the theta frequencies (4 to 8 Hz) are associated with light sleep and creativity, the alpha frequencies (8 to 12 Hz) reflect a relaxed yet alert state, the beta frequencies (13 to 20 Hz) are associated with a thinking and/or focused state, and the high beta frequencies (20 to 30 Hz) are related to anxiety.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the correlative relation between EEG oscillations and behavioral states is thought to be causal so that the presence of a specific EEG oscillation determines the behavioral state. This causation idea is leveraged by brainwave entrainment (BWE) applications in which sensory stimulation is used to elicit EEG oscillations that facilitate the transition to a desired behavioral state, for instance relaxation or high attentional focus.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the amplitude of the oscillatory component in the EEG is modulated by the degree of attention paid to the stimulation. This effect is leveraged in brain-computer interface BCI applications where the user is presented with a set of stimuli that are, each, associated with a command or action.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, by focusing attention of the user on a given stimulus, the user's EEG more prominently contains the frequency of the attended stimulus, which is detected from a real-time EEG analysis process, and then the associated command is executed.
Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a device for influencing brain activity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
A wearable system 1000 may comprise a device 100 for influencing brain activity. The wearable system 1000 may comprises an external transducer in form of stimulation means wherein the external transducer is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal STS.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate a stimulation signal STS based on the transduced signal TS, at least one parameter P varying with respect to time may be generated and assigned to the stimulation signal STS, wherein the least one parameter P and the transduced signal TS are uncorrelated signals with respect to time. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate a stimulation signal STS in order to modulate the electrical brain activity, the stimulation, depending on the sensory modality is rendered as follows.
i) Using a flickering panel positioned on the glasses as shown in Fig. 5 if visual stimulation is considered. An additional advantage of the positioning of the stimulation (on the side) is that the peripheral vision evoked potential in the EEG can have higher amplitude than that evoked by a stimulus directly positioned in front of the eyes.
ii) Using speakers if auditory stimulation is considered. The positioning of the speakers as shown in Fig. 5 also enables the possibility of presenting the auditory stimulation by relying on bone conduction.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate EEG signal, the EEG signal is processed with the goal of quantifying the effect of the stimulation.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate a stimulation signal STS based on an application of a comb filter at the frequency of the stimulation and harmonics. The comb- filtered signal has oscillatory components at the frequency of stimulation and harmonics. The windowed root-mean- square, RMS, value of the filtered signal can be used to quantify the effect of the stimulation.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor 20 of the device 100 is configured to generate a stimulation signal STS from the power spectrum density, the sum of the power at the frequency of the stimulation and the power at a pre-established number of harmonics can be used to quantify the effect of the stimulation.
These stimulation-effect quantifications can be tracked on time to determine whether the stimulation effect increase, decreases or remains stable. Depending on the desired effect, the properties of the stimulation can be changed to modulate the effect to match the desired values.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the properties of the stimulation change according to the feedback produced by the quantification of the stimulation-effect estimated from the EEG.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stimulation to maintain or increase the effect is performed. The stimulation frequency may remain the same but other properties such as increase in the modulation depth may be varied as the time varying parameter, which increases the effect, or duty cycle change.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it may be the case that the effect of the stimulation as induced by the generated signal of the processor 20 of the device 100 should not increase beyond a certain level determined for instance by safety considerations. If the effect of the stimulation needs to be decreased, then the modulation depth can be decreased.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor 20 of the device 100 may be configured to generate a stimulation signal STS and to dynamically modify the stimulation without the underlying assumption that different types of stimulation affect different brain areas.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 10 of the device 100 may be configured to monitor the response in the specific sensory areas, for instance visual and/or auditory areas, and the processor 20 of the device 100 may be configured to modify the stimulation to optimize the effect on these visual and/or auditory areas.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method to modify the presentation of content based on the brain's response is provided as measured by the EEG.
It has to be noted that embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to different subject-matters. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to method type claims whereas other embodiments are described with reference to device type claims.
However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the foregoing description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of the subject-matter also any combination between features relating to different subject-matters is considered to be disclosed with this application.
However, all features can be combined providing synergetic effects that are more than the simple summation of these features.
While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.
In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or controller or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A device (100) for influencing brain activity, the device (100) comprising:
- a sensor (10), which is configured to measure a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain (HB) and which is configured to provide a correspondingly transduced signal (TS);
- a processor (20), which is configured to generate a stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) and to assign at least one parameter (P) varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal (STS), wherein the least one parameter (P) and the transduced signal (TS) are uncorrelated signals with respect to time; and
- a stimulator (30), which is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain (HB) using the stimulation signal (STS) and the at least one parameter (P).
2. The device for influencing brain activity according to claim 1, wherein the device (100) is configured to be coupled to a wearable system (1000).
3. The device for influencing brain activity according to any one of the claims 1 and 2, wherein the stimulator (30) comprises a flickering panel or a speaker device or a display device for providing the visual and/or auditory stimulation.
4. The device for influencing brain activity according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor (20) is configured to generate the stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) using a closed-loop operation and/or using a comb filter at a base frequency of the stimulation signal (STS) and at higher harmonics of the base frequency.
5. The device for influencing brain activity according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device for influencing brain activity is configured to be used for brain computer interfacing applications.
6. The device for influencing brain activity according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor (20) is configured to generate the stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) using a windowed root-mean-square (RMS) value of the transduced signal (TS) to quantify an effect of the stimulation.
7. The device for influencing brain activity according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor (20) is configured to generate the stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) using a power spectrum density of the transduced signal (TS) or a sum of the power of a base frequency of the stimulation signal (STS) and of higher harmonics of the base frequency.
8. The device for influencing brain activity according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor (20) is configured to assign the with time varying at least one parameter (P) to the stimulation signal (STS) in form of
i) a modulation depth of the stimulation signal (STS); or of
ii) a signal level of the stimulation signal (STS); or of
iii) a duty cycle the stimulation signal (STS); or of
iv) color used for providing the stimulation signal (STS) in case of visual stimulation; or of v) pitch used for providing the stimulation signal (STS) in case of auditory stimulation.
9. The device for influencing brain activity according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a communication interface which is configured to transmit the stimulation signal (STS).
10. A wearable system (1000) comprising a device according to any one of claims
1 to 9, wherein the wearable system (1000) comprises an external transducer which is configured to provide visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal (STS).
11. A method for influencing brain activity, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring (SI) a wave-form of an electrical activity of a human brain (HB) and providing a correspondingly transduced signal (TS) by a sensor (10);
- generating (S2) a stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) and assigning at least one parameter (P) varying with respect to time to the stimulation signal (STS) by means a processor (20), wherein the least one parameter (P) and the transduced signal (TS) are uncorrelated signals with respect to time; and
- providing (S3) visual and/or auditory stimulation of the electrical activity of the human brain using the stimulation signal (STS) and the at least one parameter (P) by a stimulator (30).
12. The method for influencing brain activity according to claim 11, wherein the step of generating (S2) a stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) is performed using a closed-loop operation.
13. The method for influencing brain activity according to claim 11 or to claim 12, wherein the step of generating (S2) a stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) comprises using a comb filter at a base frequency of the stimulation signal (STS) and at higher harmonics of the base frequency and/or using a windowed root-mean-square (RMS) value transduced signal (TS) to quantify the effect of the stimulation.
14. The method for influencing brain activity according to any one of the claims 11 to 13, wherein the step of generating (S2) a stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) comprises using a power spectrum density of the transduced signal (TS) or a sum of the power of a base frequency of the stimulation signal (STS) and of higher harmonics of the base frequency.
15. The method for influencing brain activity according to any one of the claims 11 to 14, wherein the step of generating (S2) a stimulation signal (STS) based on the transduced signal (TS) comprises using as the with time varying at least one parameter (P): i) a modulation depth of the stimulation signal (STS); or
ii) signal level of the stimulation signal (STS); or
iii) a duty cycle the stimulation signal (STS); or
iv) a color used for providing the stimulation signal (STS) in case of visual stimulation; or v) a pitch used for providing the stimulation signal (STS) in case of auditory stimulation.
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