Systems, devices and methods for bilateral caloric vestibular stimulation

摘要

An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.

主权项

1. An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject, comprising:
(a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second thermoelectric device, wherein the first caloric output is configured to induce a first degree of nystagmus of the subject when delivered to the subject in an absence of the second caloric output, and the second caloric output is configured to induce a second degree of nystagmus of the subject when delivered to the subject in an absence of the first caloric output, and the first and second caloric outputs are together configured such that when the first and second caloric outputs are delivered simultaneously to the subject, a reduced degree of nystagmus is induced that is less than that of either the first or second degree of nystagmus individually.