Our Technology
The BrainPort balance device is an innovative therapeutic device designed for training patients with balance deficits due to chronic vestibular disorders. The device provides information about head position through electrotactile stimulation of the tongue.
The patented BrainPort balance device consists of a controller and an intra-oral device (IOD). The controller includes the patient controls, signal processors and microcontroller. The intra-oral device includes a tilt sensor and an electrode array.
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Controller |
Intra-Oral Device |
During training sessions, the patient places the electrode array on the tip of the tongue and slowly adjusts the signal intensity to a comfortable level. The accelerometer detects head/body movement when the patient leans forward, backward or to either side. This information is relayed by microprocessors directly to the tongue through the electrode array.
For example, if the patient sways to the left, the stimulus moves to the left side of the patient's tongue. If the patient sways to the right, the stimulus moves to the right side of the patient's tongue. During training, patients are instructed to focus on the stimulus and to adjust their body position with the goal of maintaining the stimulus on the center of their tongue