SBIR Phase II: Palatal Device Providing In-situ Sensory Feedback for Patients with Vestibular Imbalance

SBIR II 期：为前庭不平衡患者提供原位感觉反馈的腭装置

• 批准号: 1353629
• 负责人: Hui Tang
• 金额: $ 75万
• 依托单位: Innervo Technology LLC
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-04-01 至 2016-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1353629&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; II; Palatal; Device

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project proposes to develop advanced versions of a hidden and noninvasive balance device that can be used for balance assistance for people with vestibular dysfunction. Vestibular patients experience imbalance due to loss of vestibular feedback, which may result in an increased risk of falling, reduced activity levels, and in some cases, a significantly impaired life. Phase I of the project has successfully demonstrated a first-generation device that can be worn entirely inside the oral cavity and provide in-situ sensory feedback of head movement to patients. The prototypes to be developed in Phase II will be market-oriented, user friendly, and robust for extended use in mobile environments. Research in Phase II will include 1) implementation of a wirelessly controlled intra-oral device; 2) exploration of designs that provide more sensitive perception of the feedback, reliable contact at the palatal interface, and a robust user experience for long-term use; and 3) evaluation of the device performance on human subjects through collaboration with health professionals on vestibular assessment and rehabilitation. Market-oriented prototypes will be developed by the end of Phase II, tested by vestibular patients, and supported by medical professionals from an expanded list of balance centers/clinics.The broader impact/commercial potential of this proposed project, if successful, will be a hidden and noninvasive assistive device to treat vestibular imbalance. Currently, there is no practical device currently available to provide in-situ sensory feedback of head movement for patients with vestibular loss. The product from the proposed Phase II research will capture this great market opportunity with its unique features while assisting vestibular patients in balance control wherever they go. The benefits to people with vestibular disorders are enormous as the device has the potential to help them to gain confidence in social settings, mitigate secondary problems associated with vestibular loss, and enable them to live a healthier and more enjoyable life. In addition, the device offers new opportunities for health professionals in the field of vestibular rehabilitation to conduct research on motion, imbalance, and treatment. Also, it provides a new tool for neuroscience researchers to study the role of multisensory integration on balance and perceptual learning involving use of alternative sensory feedback. The palatal stimulation technology may have potential in other applications where hidden, noninvasive, and hands-free sensory feedback is desirable.

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目建议开发一种隐藏的非侵入性平衡设备的高级版本，可用于前庭功能障碍患者的平衡辅助。前庭患者由于前庭反馈的丧失而经历不平衡，这可能导致跌倒的风险增加，活动水平降低，并且在某些情况下，生活显著受损。该项目的第一阶段已经成功地展示了第一代设备，该设备可以完全佩戴在口腔内，并为患者提供头部运动的原位感觉反馈。在第二阶段开发的原型将是面向市场的，用户友好的，并在移动的环境中扩展使用的强大。第二阶段的研究将包括：1）实现无线控制的口内设备; 2）探索设计，提供更灵敏的反馈感知，腭界面的可靠接触，以及长期使用的强大用户体验; 3）通过与健康专业人员合作进行前庭评估和康复，评估设备在人类受试者身上的性能。面向市场的原型将在第二阶段结束时开发出来，由前庭患者进行测试，并得到来自平衡中心/诊所的医疗专业人员的支持。如果成功，这个拟议项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力将是一个隐藏的非侵入性辅助设备，用于治疗前庭失衡。 目前，没有实用的装置可用于为前庭丧失患者提供头部运动的原位感觉反馈。 拟议的第二阶段研究的产品将以其独特的功能抓住这一巨大的市场机会，同时帮助前庭患者在任何地方进行平衡控制。对前庭障碍患者的益处是巨大的，因为该设备有可能帮助他们在社交环境中获得信心，减轻与前庭丧失相关的继发性问题，并使他们能够过上更健康，更愉快的生活。此外，该设备为前庭康复领域的健康专业人员提供了新的机会，可以对运动、不平衡和治疗进行研究。此外，它提供了一个新的工具，神经科学研究人员研究的作用，多感觉整合的平衡和知觉学习涉及使用替代感觉反馈。腭部刺激技术可能在其他应用中具有潜力，其中隐藏的、非侵入性的和免提的感觉反馈是期望的。