About the Technologies

NeuroSonics, Inc. has developed two related technologies, both based on analyzing brain waves through an EEG attachment to a user. As with all EEG and EKG equipment, the leads are electrically isolated to eliminate the possibility of electrical feedback through the leads. No current flows through the leads.

In the existing NeuroSonics prototype, the EEG is attached to the user through three leads which are attached to the forehead and scalp. In the final product, the EEG leads will be attached to the user’s forehead and scalp through a specially designed adjustable cap that will provide for proper lead placement and electrical connection.

Both technologies exist in a laboratory prototype which demonstrates proof-of-concept. Demonstrations of the technology can be arranged in either NeuroSonics’ Baltimore or Boston prototype laboratories.

Brain Generated Music

The first NeuroSonics technology, Brain Generated Music™ (BGM™), is a brain wave biofeedback system capable of evoking the "Relaxation Response," a desirable state of deep relaxation.

Other forms of biofeedback require conscious mental effort and the user needs to learn appropriate techniques to translate the feedback into the desired response. The NeuroSonics BGM technology does not require training or conscious effort. The evocation of increased alpha wave production and diminished beta wave activity is automatic and based on a psychoacoustic response to the BGM sounds that is not dependent on conscious direction.

The technology has shown promising results in a pilot stress reduction study at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Subjects reported experiencing a profound state of relaxation within ten minutes of using the BGM system. While the study should be regarded as preliminary, the results were very positive and strongly suggestive of a reliable effect in evoking the relaxation response.

BGM appears to be non habit-forming, free of side effects, and excellently suited for long-term self-regulatory and behavioral medicine. This leads us to speculate that we may have the basis of a new, scientifically valid, natural "psycho-pharmaceutical" or "drugless drug."

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale of any products for which medical claims are made. NeuroSonics does not believe that FDA approval is required with respect to distribution and sale of products because they utilize the MCC™ technology or the BGM™ technology to evoke the relaxation response.

The FDA places therapeutic products into several classes. BGM, along with other biofeedback devices, falls into "Class 2" which means that the FDA must be notified before marketing of BGM products begins, but that those products do not have to pass a pre-marketing review by the FDA. There is little likelihood that this regulatory position will change in the future. Certain additional medical claims that the company may wish to make regarding future generations of the company’s products may require FDA approval.

Motionless Communications Controller™ (MCC™)

NeuroSonics’ Motionless Communications Controller™ (MCC™) technology enables a person to communicate with a computer by simply gazing at selected flashing patterns on the screen.

Two applications of this technology are (1) Motionless Game Controller™ (MaGiC™) that would enable a user to interact with and control a video game through recognition of their "thoughts" (or at least through their directed attention on the screen) and (2) a Communication and Computer Input Device™ (CID™) for the physically disabled.

MCC is a method of extracting recognizable signals from an individual's brain wave response to a controlled visual stimulus. For example, when presented with a computer screen displaying many flashing patterns, MCC technology can determine which one the user is currently attending to. With the proper software, this can allow the user to effectively use the computer without any physical motion.

In this way the user can control his environment by activating computer-controlled functions such as switching on and off a light switch, changing channels on a television set or dialing a telephone.

The user can also interact with a computer for word-processing, typing, faxing, selecting icons, and operating any software application.

MCC technology is not limited to the visual domain. The same principles can be applied to sounds.