Brain Activity Monitoring for Enhanced Performance and Wellness in Diverse Fields
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The present inventive concept expands the core technology of pain management based on brain activity monitoring to novel applications in athlete mental health, team performance optimization, first responder mental resilience, college student mental health, and cognitive function enhancement in individuals with ADHD.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent focused on pain management using brain activity signals. However, the limitations of this approach are that it is restricted to a single medical application. The present inventive concept addresses this limitation by applying the core technology to entirely new industries and fields, providing a more comprehensive approach to mental wellness and performance.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a brain activity sensor, a processing unit, and a notification or referral system. The brain activity sensor detects signals indicative of mental fatigue, stress, or health risks. The processing unit analyzes these signals to provide personalized recommendations, feedback, or connections to mental health resources. The system can be implemented as a wearable device, a mobile application, or an integrated platform for team performance optimization. In the context of athlete mental health, the system monitors brain activity signals to identify mental fatigue or stress, providing personalized recommendations for mental wellness. In team performance optimization, the system collects brain activity data from multiple athletes to identify patterns indicative of optimal mental states, providing personalized feedback to enhance mental performance. Similarly, the system can be applied to first responders, college students, and individuals with ADHD to detect mental health risks, provide cognitive training exercises, or offer mental wellness resources.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications of brain activity monitoring, expanding the scope of the original patent to diverse fields beyond pain management. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to address specific problems in these new fields, such as mental fatigue in athletes, team performance optimization, mental resilience in first responders, and cognitive function enhancement in individuals with ADHD.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the integration of additional physiological signals, such as heart rate variability or skin conductance, to provide a more comprehensive picture of mental wellness. Variations of the system could be implemented using different brain activity sensors, such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) or electrocorticography (ECoG), or incorporating machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of mental health risk detection.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the sports, healthcare, education, and wellness industries. The system could be marketed as a wearable device, a mobile application, or an integrated platform for team performance optimization, with potential customers including professional sports teams, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and individuals seeking to improve their mental wellness and performance.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Neurotechnology and brain-computer interfaces, with expertise in neuroimaging, signal processing, and medical device systems for monitoring brain activity across diagnostic and performance optimization contexts
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A professional with advanced degree in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, or electrical engineering, experienced in brain signal acquisition, machine learning algorithms, and interdisciplinary medical technology development
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the core technological framework of brain activity monitoring from the source patent provides a generalizable platform for extending signal analysis techniques across diverse performance and wellness domains. The fundamental signal acquisition and processing methodology remains consistent, with primary variations occurring in application context and interpretation algorithms. The technical principles of detecting, quantifying, and responding to brain activity signals are directly transferable between pain management and performance optimization scenarios.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,794 |
|---|---|
| Title | Pain management based on brain activity monitoring |
| Assignee(s) | Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation |