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US-20260124424-A1 - BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE BASED THERAPY

US20260124424A1US 20260124424 A1US20260124424 A1US 20260124424A1US-20260124424-A1

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are provided for conducting a therapy session, which includes performing a BCI training session utilizing feedback, via a feedback device, to train a subject to generate defined brain signals.

Inventors

  • Kern Bhugra
  • Eric C. Leuthardt

Assignees

  • NEUROLUTIONS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20250708

Claims (20)

  1. 1 - 11 . (canceled)
  2. 12 . A method of conducting a pain management therapy session, the method comprising: applying a stimulation source to a subject, wherein the stimulation source is in signal communication with a brain computer interface (“BCI”) control system; using a brain signal acquisition system with skin surface electrodes to continuously acquire brain signals from a brain of the subject; transmitting the brain signals to the BCI control system; evaluating, by the BCI control system, the brain signals in comparison to a known brain rhythm; and applying, by the stimulation source and as a neurofeedback response to an evaluation of the brain signals in comparison to the known brain rhythm, a stimulus to the subject.
  3. 13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein applying the stimulation source comprises applying a stimulation device at a location that is near to a source of pain and/or within a nervous system pain pathway to the source of pain or the subject.
  4. 14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein applying the stimulus comprises applying the stimulus at the location that is near to the source of pain and/or within the nervous system pain pathway to the source of pain.
  5. 15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the stimulation source comprises a display and the stimulus is a visual stimulus.
  6. 16 . The method of claim 12 , comprising determining suitability of the subject for pain management therapy before conducting the pain management therapy session with the subject.
  7. 17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein determining suitability comprises performing a decorrelation test on the subject.
  8. 18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein applying the stimulus is used to train the subject to manage pain.
  9. 19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the stimulus comprises a proprioceptive stimulus.
  10. 20 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the stimulus is generated by a vibration generating element of the stimulation source.
  11. 21 . A system for conducting a pain management therapy session, comprising: a brain signal acquisition system for acquiring brain signals from a brain of a subject; a stimulation source configured to be applied to the subject; and a brain computer interface (“BCI”) control system communicatively coupled to the stimulation source, the BCI control system programmed to: receive the brain signals from the brain signal acquisition system; evaluate the brain signals in comparison to a known brain rhythm; and in response to an evaluation of the received brain signals in comparison to the known brain rhythm, cause an activation of the stimulation source to generate a stimulus to train the subject.
  12. 22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the stimulation source comprises a display and the stimulus is a visual stimulus.
  13. 23 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the brain signal acquisition system comprises skin-surface electrodes configured to sense electroencephalogram (EEG) brain signals.
  14. 24 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the stimulation source is configured to apply a stimulus at a location within a pain pathway of a source of pain.
  15. 25 . The system of claim 24 , wherein the stimulation source is configured to apply a proprioceptive stimulus to the subject.
  16. 26 . The system of claim 25 , wherein the stimulation source is configured to provide a visual stimulus to the subject.
  17. 27 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the BCI control system is programmed to receive results of a change in brain waves of the known brain rhythm produced by the subject.
  18. 28 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the stimulation source is configured to activate in response to neurofeedback of the subject.
  19. 29 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the brain signal acquisition system is configured to continuously acquire brain signals from the subject's brain.
  20. 30 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the stimulation source is a wearable device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/521,056, filed on Jul. 24, 2019, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD This document relates to pain management therapy utilizing brain computer interface (BCI) techniques. BACKGROUND Pain management is a discipline for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with chronic pain. Various therapies have been developed to address pain, including drug and device therapies. Each of the various therapies has drawbacks. New techniques of pain management are needed. Brain computer interface (“BCI”) technology is a technological field in which intentions present in brain signals are acquired and harnessed to perform various functions. BCI technology has been explored for use in the field of pain management but further development in the field is needed to produce viable pain management therapy devices and methods utilizing BCI technology. SUMMARY This document describes systems, devices, and methods for performing pain management therapy utilizing BCI techniques, and a stimulation device that is provided to the subject experiencing pain at a location that is local to the source of pain and/or within the pain pathway. In one aspect, systems, devices and methods are provided for conducting a pain management therapy session, which session includes performing a BCI training session utilizing feedback to train a subject to generate defined brain signals to assist the subject in managing and/or relieving pain, and applying a stimulus to the subject, in connection with the BCI training session, at a location that is near the source of pain and/or within the nervous system pain pathway to the source of pain. In various implementations, the BCI training session may be designed and configured to train the patient to generate an increase in the power of the alpha rhythm brain waves as compared to a power level of the alpha rhythm brain wave baseline measure. In this case, the stimulus applied to the subject may generate a source of pain or discomfort to the subject, for example, the stimulus may comprise a cold temperature stimulus, for example a cold inducing element such as a Peltier cooling device. Alternatively or additionally, the BCI training session may be designed and configured to train the patient to generate a decrease in the power of the alpha rhythm brain waves as compared to a power level of the alpha rhythm brain wave baseline measure. In this case, the stimulus applied to subject may comprise a source of relief or soothing feeling and/or a proprioceptive stimulus. For example, the stimulus applied to the subject is generated by a vibration generating element such as a wearable vibration generating element. In other aspects, systems and devices are provided for conducting a pain management therapy session, including a brain signal acquisition system for continuously acquiring brain signals from multiple locations of a subject's brain, a stimulation device configured and adapted to be applied to the subject at a location within a pain pathway of a source of pain, and a brain computer interface (BCI) control/processing module programmed to train the subject, utilizing the stimulation device, to generate define brain signals selected to assist the subject in managing and/or relieving pain. In yet additional aspects, systems, devices and methods are provided to utilize BCI techniques and a stimulation device to manage and/or relieve pain after one or more therapy sessions, as shown and described. The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a diagram of a system for managing pain in a subject including a therapy session utilizing brain computer interface (BCI) techniques having as its goal enabling the subject to manage pain, for example, chronic pain. FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a BCI control/processing module for use in the system of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for managing a subject's pain including a method for conducting a therapy session utilizing brain computer interface (BCI) techniques. FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts illustrating two different embodiments of a method for conducting a therapy session to train a subject to produce defined brain signals to manage and/or relieve pain, which method may be utilized in the method of FIG. 2. FIG. 3C is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method a subject may use when sensing pain to assist the subject in managing or relieving pain, which method may be utilized in the method of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating computing systems, components and devices that may be utilized in the systems, d