The Invention Science Fund I LLC

Elwha LLC

Searete LLC

Gearbox LLC

Equility LLC

Eleanor V Goodall

Roderick A Hyde

Lowell L Wood, Jr

Muriel Y Ishikawa

Nathan P Myhrvold

Eric Leuthardt

Jordin T Kare

Victoria Y H Wood

Gregory J Della Rocca

Joshua L Dowling

Michael A Smith

Ralph G Dacey, Jr

Gregory Zipfel

Colin Derdeyn

Edward K Y Jung

Elizabeth A Sweeney

Stephen L Malaska

Clarence T Tegreene

Bran Ferren

Charles Whitmer

Mark A Malamud

W Daniel Hillis

Katherine E Sharadin

Brittany Scheid

Paul Santiago

Todd J Stewart

Melanie K Kitzan

Wayne R Kindsvogel

Robert Samuel Langer

Tony S Pan

Leroy E Hood

Gary L McKnight

Tim F Ramsey

Eric C Leuthardt

In an embodiment, a nerve stimulation system includes a headset and an earpiece which includes two or more ear-contacting elements, for example an ear canal insert, and a concha insert. Ear-contacting elements may be mounted onto an earpiece housing have projecting mounting structures, which provide mechanical and electrical connection between ear-contacting elements and housing through various materials and configurations. In an embodiment, a nerve stimulation system includes a neural stimulation subsystem including neural stimulation device control circuitry for use in combination with a personal computing device to control a neural stimulation device.

Nerve stimulation system, subsystem, headset, and earpiece

Breast monitoring systems are described including a breast sensor device having a substrate fabricated to substantially conform to one or more breasts of a subject, dynamically bendable optical fibers, and a connector; a light source configured to operably couple with the optical fibers through the connector; a photodetector configured to operably couple with the optical fibers through the connector and positioned to detect light transmission through the optical fibers; a reporting device; and a microcontroller including a microprocessor and circuitry, the circuitry including input circuitry configured to receive a first set of signals and at least one second set of signals from the photodetector; calculation circuitry configured to calculate a curvature delta value based on a comparison of the first and at least one second set of signals, and calculate a breast volume delta value from the calculated curvature delta value; and reporting circuitry.

Systems, devices and methods for monitoring breastfeeding

Systems and related methods for enhancing learning of a motor task are described. The system controls delivery of an example or prompt to the subject via one or more of an audio, video, or other output device. A learning enhancing transcutaneous neural stimulus is delivered in association with the example or prompt. Electrical control circuitry controls timing of delivery of neural stimuli and prompts or examples. The system may be implemented in connection with a personal computing device, for example.

System and method for enhancing learning of a motor task

Systems and related methods for enhancing learning of an activity by a subject are described. A prompt for causing the subject to perform the activity is delivered repeatedly, in combination with a neural stimulus, with timing of delivery of prompts and neural stimuli controlled by electrical control circuitry. Neural stimuli are delivered with a transcutaneous neural stimulator located fitted in or on at least a portion of an ear of the subject. The system is implemented in connection with a personal computing device such as a smart phone or tablet computer.

Prompting system and method for enhancing learning with neural modulation

Breast monitoring systems and methods are described including a flexible substrate fabricated to substantially conform to one or more breasts of a subject; dynamically bendable optical fibers associated with the flexible substrate; a light source operably coupled to the optical fibers; a photodetector positioned to detect light reception from the optical fibers; a reporting device; and a microcontroller including a microprocessor and circuitry, wherein the circuitry includes input circuitry configured to receive a first set of signals and at least one second set of signals from the photodetector; calculation circuitry configured to calculate a curvature delta value based on a comparison of the received first and at least one second set of signals, and calculate a breast volume delta value from the calculated curvature delta value; and reporting circuitry configured to transmit a signal to the reporting device based on the calculated breast volume delta value.

Systems and related methods for enhancing learning of a sound pattern or relating to a sound pattern are described. A sound output corresponding to the sound pattern is delivering to the subject, and a learning enhancing neural stimulus is delivered to a cranial nerve of the subject in association with the sound output. The neural stimulus may be, for example, a transcutaneous neural stimulus. In an aspect, the subject is prompted to mentally rehearse the sound pattern. Electrical control circuitry controls timing of delivery of sound outputs and neural stimuli. In some aspects, the system is implemented in connection with a personal computing device.

System and method for enhancing learning relating to a sound pattern

Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device are described. Multiple factors, including a mood of the user, a user control input, and a secondary factor input are used in controlling the ear stimulation device. Secondary factors include, a variety of factors relating to or influencing the state of the user, including but not limited to, environmental conditions, sleep, diet, or various activities of the user. User inputs can be open-ended or selected from a menu, for example. In an aspect, a correlation module correlates mood of the user to other factors, and control of stimulation is based thereon. In various aspects, the system is also responsive to inputs from sensors or computing networks. In an aspect, the earpiece delivers an audio output such as music from an audio player.

Multi-factor control of ear stimulation

Systems and methods are described for monitoring an individual subject and facilitating a motion regimen of the individual subject. In an aspect, a system includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate; a sensor assembly configured to generate one or more sense signals based on detection of at least one of a movement of the body portion or at least one physiological parameter of the body portion; a processor configured to receive the one or more sense signals, the processor including circuitry configured to identify a physiological state of the individual subject based on at least one of the movement of the body portion or the at least one physiological parameter of the body portion; and an effector operably coupled to the processor and configured to effect at least one predetermined motion of the body portion corresponding to a motion regimen responsive to control by the processor.

Monitoring body movement or condition according to motion regimen with conformal electronics

Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, based on analysis of an image of a user of the personal computing device captured with a camera associated with the personal computing device, are described. One or more parameter is determined from the processed image, including, but not limited, to user identity, emotion, physiological condition, or placement of a stimulator earpiece, and control of the ear stimulation device is based thereon. If the earpiece is located incorrectly, in an aspect, delivery of a stimulus is prevented. In another aspect, the user is notified of the need to reposition an incorrectly located earpiece.

Controlling ear stimulation in response to image analysis

Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.

Controlling ear stimulation in response to a status of a subject

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by repetitively blocking conduction in peripheral neural structures with chemical blocking agents are disclosed. Methods and systems for reversing effects of chemical blocking agents and/or for producing substantially permanent conduction block are also disclosed.

Method and system for modulating neural activity

Controlling ear stimulation in response to electrical contact sensing

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by cyclically modulating neural activity in peripheral neural structures are disclosed. Neural activity may be modulated cyclically by stimuli delivered via various types of stimulus sources. In an aspect, activity of a sensory nerve is modulated. Neural modulation may be used, for example, to modulate an undesired sensation, such as pain, or an immune or inflammatory response or process. Delivery of stimuli for modulating neural activity may be controlled in part in response to an input from a user input device.

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by cyclical blocking of conduction in peripheral neural structures are disclosed. Neural activity may blocked cyclically by blocking stimuli delivered via various types of blocking stimulus sources. In an aspect, a conduction block is produced in a sensory nerve. Neural modulation may be used, for example, to modulate an undesired sensation, such as pain, or an immune or inflammatory response or process. Delivery of blocking stimuli may be controlled in part in response to an input from a user input device.

Method and system for blocking nerve conduction

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by cyclical blocking of conduction in peripheral neural structures with electrical blocking stimuli are disclosed. In an aspect, neural activity is blocked cyclically with an electrical blocking stimulus source implanted adjacent a nerve. In an aspect, a conduction block is produced in a sensory nerve. Neural modulation may be used, for example, to modulate an immune or inflammatory response or process.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Eleanor V Goodall