Pacifier System for stimulating and entraining the human orofacial system

摘要

This application discusses systems and method for entraining oromotor pattern development, such as the suck, in the orofacial system of an infant having neurological impairments or developmental disabilities. The system includes a baglet, an entrainment device, and a processor. In varying examples, the system additionally includes one or a combination of: a baglet pressure sensor, a memory, a timing circuit, a valve, a receiver assembly, a display device, and one or more data acquisition, data analysis, and stimulus-control software. Options and variations for each feature of the system are various. The present systems provide patterned, rhythmic stimulation to the infant's orofacial system to stimulate and entrain brain development, such as oromotor pattern development.

主权项

1. A non-nutritive system for use with a subject, the system comprising:
a pacifier comprising a baglet, adapted for non-nutritive sucking on by the subject; a baglet pressure sensor, adapted to sense a baglet pressure signal; a memory, adapted to store a predetermined suck regimen; a processor, adapted to receive the baglet pressure signal and the predetermined suck regimen, and adapted to provide an entrainment signal; an entrainment device, adapted to receive the entrainment signal, and adapted to provide a stimulus to the baglet; and a valve in communication with the baglet, the valve adapted to controllably adjust one or more of: size or shape of the baglet using signals including a signal received from the processor or the baglet pressure sensor, wherein the entrainment signal is based, at least in part, on the baglet pressure signal and the predetermined suck regimen.