Patent Forecast

1. A neural stimulation system comprising: (0) (3)

a wearable neural stimulation device for delivering a stimulus to an ear of a subject, the wearable neural stimulation device including at least one neural stimulator, the at least one neural stimulator configured to deliver at least one first stimulus to activate one or more nerve or nerve branch innervating the skin on or in the vicinity of the ear of the subject and at least one second stimulus to activate the one or more nerve or nerve branch; and

a securing member configured to secure the at least one neural stimulator to the ear of the subject;

a computing device configured for communication with the wearable neural stimulation device via a communication link and configured to send or receive information relating to operation of the wearable neural stimulation device to or from one or more remote system via a communications network; and

at least one of hardware or software configured to control delivery of the at least one first stimulus and the at least one second stimulus via the at least one neural stimulator, wherein the at least one first stimulus is different from the at least one second stimulus.

2.-13. (canceled) (0)

14. A nerve stimulation system, comprising: (2) (3)

a wearable neural stimulation device for delivering a stimulus to an ear of a subject, the wearable neural stimulation device including at least one neural stimulator configured to deliver at least one first stimulus to activate one or more nerve or nerve branch innervating the skin on or in the vicinity of the ear of the subject; and

a securing member configured to secure the at least one neural stimulator to the ear of the subject;

a computing device configured for communication with the wearable neural stimulation device via a communication link and configured to send or receive information relating to operation of the wearable neural stimulation device to or from one or more remote system via a communications network; and

fault detection hardware and/or software configured to detect a fault in system function and cease application of the stimulus, partially shut down the system, completely shut down the system, or refuse to initiate treatment if a fault is detected.

15. The nerve stimulation system of claim 14, further comprising a sensor configured to sense one or more characteristics indicative of a fault, wherein the fault detection hardware and/or software is configured to cease application of the stimulus, partially shut down the system, completely shut down the system, or refuse to initiate treatment responsive to the sensing of the one or more characteristics indicative of a fault. (0)

16. The nerve stimulation system of claim 14, wherein the fault includes at least one of a malfunction, defective component, or unsafe operating condition. (0)

17.-22. (canceled) (0)

23. A nerve stimulation system, comprising: (3) (4)

a wearable neural stimulation device for delivering a stimulus to an ear of a subject, the wearable neural stimulation device including at least one neural stimulator configured to deliver at least one first stimulus to activate one or more nerve or nerve branch innervating the skin on or in the vicinity of the ear of the subject; and

a securing member configured to secure the at least one neural stimulator to the ear of the subject;

a computing device configured for communication with the wearable neural stimulation device via a communication link and configured to send or receive information relating to operation of the wearable neural stimulation device to or from one or more remote system via a communications network; and

at least one sensor configured for communication with one or more of the wearable neural stimulation device and the computing device and configured to detect one or more characteristics of a sleeping disorder;

wherein at least one of control circuitry on the wearable neural stimulation device, the computing device, or the remote system is configured to monitor changes in the one or more characteristics over time indicative of an altered sleep pattern of the subject.

24. The nerve stimulation system of claim 23, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of an audio sensor, a microphone, a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a physiological sensor, or a neural signal sensor. (0)

25. The nerve stimulation system of claim 23, wherein at least one of the control circuitry, the computing device, or the remote system is configured to direct one or more components of the system to deliver a stimulus to the subject responsive to a signal. (0)

26. The nerve stimulation system of claim 23, further comprising a user interface configured to allow the subject to indicate a mood of the subject, an activity of the subject, or how well the subject slept. (0)

27.-33. (canceled) (0)

34. A networked system, comprising: (9) (4)

a wearable neural stimulation device for delivering a stimulus to an ear of a subject, the wearable neural stimulation device including at least one neural stimulator, the at least one neural stimulator configured to deliver at least one first stimulus to activate one or more nerve or nerve branch innervating the skin on or in the vicinity of the ear of the subject and at least one second stimulus to activate the one or more nerve or nerve branch;

a securing member configured to secure the at least one neural stimulator to the ear of the subject;

control/processing circuitry on the wearable neural stimulation device; and

communication circuitry on the wearable neural stimulation device; and

a computing device configured for communication with the wearable neural stimulation device via a communication link, wherein the computing device is configured to send or receive information relating to operation of the wearable neural stimulation device to or from one or more remote system via a communications network;

at least one sensing device or stimulation device separate and distinct from the wearable neural stimulation device and configured for communication with at least one of the wearable neural stimulation device and the computing device; and

application software and/or hardware for controlling operation of the wearable neural stimulation device.

35. The networked system of claim 34, wherein the wireless communication link includes at least one of a radio frequency, wireless network, cellular network, satellite, WiFi, BlueTooth, Wide Area Network, Local Area Network, or Body Area Network communication link. (0)

36. The networked system of claim 34, wherein the computing device includes at least one of an audio player, a mobile phone, a computer, a wearable computing device, a handheld computing device, a personal digital assistant, a personal entertainment device, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a tablet personal computer, a wearable computing device, a fitness band, a networked computer, a computing system comprising a cluster of processors, a computing system comprising a cluster of servers, a workstation computer, a desktop computer, a kiosk, a mobile healthcare platform, an external healthcare network, or an item of clothing, attire, or eyewear incorporating computing capability. (0)

37. The networked system of claim 34, wherein the remote system includes a mobile healthcare platform, an external healthcare network, or a computing device. (0)

38. The networked system of claim 34, wherein the at least one sensing device includes at least one of a physiological sensor, a biofeedback sensor, a heart rate sensor, a heart rate variability sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a skin capacitance sensor, a skin conductivity sensor, a neural activity sensor, a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a location sensor, an environmental sensors, a wearable sensor worn by the subject at a location distinct from wearable neural stimulation device, a conformable epidermal sensor, a garment-housed sensor, a sensor on an armband, an implanted sensor, a sensor on the computing device, an imager, a motion sensor, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, an infrared sensor, a chemical sensor, a biosensor, a pH sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, a galvanic skin response sensor, an EEG sensor, an EMG sensor, an ECG sensor, an eye tracking system, an acoustic sensor, a force transducer, an activity sensor. or a sensor on the wearable neural stimulation device. (0)

39. The networked system of claim 34, wherein the at least one stimulation device includes at least one pacemaker, skin-affixed stimulation device, muscle stimulator, nerve stimulator, or wearable item. (0)

40. The networked system of claim 34, wherein the control/processing circuitry of the wearable neural stimulation device is configured to interface with the at least one sensing device or stimulation device to coordinate delivery of at least one of the at least one first stimulus and the at least one second stimulus with operation of the at least one sensing device or stimulation device. (0)

41. The networked system of claim 34, further comprising a device or system configured to deliver mindful or behavioral therapy, and wherein the control/processing circuitry of the wearable neural stimulation device is configured to interface with the device or system configured to deliver mindful or behavioral therapy to coordinate delivery of at least one of the at least one first stimulus and the at least one second stimulus with deliver mindful or behavioral therapy. (0)

42. The networked system of claim 34, wherein signals containing information, instructions, or data are sent between the neural stimulation device and the remote system directly or are sent between the neural stimulation device and the remote system via the computing device. (0)

43. The networked system of claim 34, wherein the networked system is configured to receive, via the remote system, information from at least one of social media; a social media contact, peer, or role model of the subject; an insurance company; a service provider; a medical care provider; a company providing a health or wellness related service, or a computation-based system associated with a service provider. (0)

44. (canceled) (0)

45. A method of controlling a nerve stimulation system, comprising: (0) (5)

retrieving instructions for a first stimulation pattern from a playlist stored in a memory in at least one of a wearable neural stimulation device or a computing device in communication with the wearable neural stimulation device;

delivering a first transdermal stimulus to an ear of a subject with at least one first neural stimulator of the wearable neural stimulation device under control of control/processing circuitry in at least one of the wearable neural stimulation device or the computing device, according to the instructions for the first stimulation pattern, to activate one or more nerve or nerve branch innervating the skin on or in the vicinity of the ear of the subject;

retrieving instructions for at least a second stimulation pattern from the playlist stored in the memory in the at least one of the wearable neural stimulation device or the computing device; and

delivering a second transdermal stimulus to the ear of the subject under control of the control/processing circuitry in the at least one of the wearable neural stimulation device or the computing device, according to the instructions for the second stimulation pattern, to activate the one or more nerve or nerve branch innervating the skin on or in the vicinity of the ear of the subject;

wherein the second transdermal stimulus differs from the first transdermal stimulus by at least one of stimulation parameter, type of stimulus, or stimulation location.

46.-51. (canceled) (0)

52. A battery charger for charging a neural stimulation system, comprising: (0) (2)

53.-57. (canceled) (0)

58. A neural stimulation earpiece comprising: (0) (3)

Application US20190046794

MULTI-FACTOR CONTROL OF EAR STIMULATION

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