Apparatus and method for modulating sleep

US10213334B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Ebb Therapeutics, Inc. · US
• University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education · US

Inventors

• Eric A. Nofzinger · Washington, US
• Jeffrey J. Schirm · Monroeville, US
• Damian F. RIPPOLE · Dorpsstraat, US
• Craig B. REYNOLDS · Kennesaw, US
• Robert E. Tucker · Sanibel, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 11, 2015
• Grant date: Feb 26, 2019
• Expiry date: Dec 23, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2021/0066
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods to enhance sleep, reduce sleep onset latency, extend sleep duration and/or increasing the duration of deeper sleep stages relative to stage 1 sleep. In general, these apparatuses and methods apply and maintain one or more target “warm” temperatures to a subject's forehead for a time period. The target temperature may be between 25° C. and 42° C. The target temperature may be a fixed amount greater than ambient temperature. The time period may be a fixed time period or a variable time period. These methods and apparatuses may limit the application of thermal energy to the subject's forehead region.