Patents by Inventor Michael M. Merzenich

Michael M. Merzenich has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10002544
    Abstract: A training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to treat depression, mood and anxiety disorders. The training program includes an inference renormalization game that presents three subsets of stimuli and prompts a game participant to selectively respond or withhold responding to one or two of the stimulus subsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Chung-Hay Luk, Mor Nahum, Thomas Matthew Van Vleet
  • Patent number: 9911348
    Abstract: A game delivery system delivers a plurality of games in a training program. The training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to overcome cognitive deficits associated with a neurological disorder. In one embodiment, the training program includes an initial batch of games that predominantly exercise elemental, lower-level cognitive processes and sensory deficits. After a game participant progresses through the initial batch of games, the training program provides games that impose comparatively greater higher-order cognitive processing requirements on the participant. A clinician portal provides remote access to a clinician to data about the game participant's compliance and performance with the training program. The clinician portal also enables the administrator to configure the training program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Hyun Kyu Lee, Chung-Hay Luk, Mor Nahum, Jyoti Mishra Ramanathan, Henry W. Mahncke, Thomas Matthew Van Vleet, Travis William Wade, Peter Brendan Delahunt, Jefferson Arthur Dewey, Samuel Chungchi Chan, Gregory Michael Sabatini, Donald Kelly Richards, Wesley Marshall Jackson
  • Patent number: 9886866
    Abstract: A training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to overcome social cognitive deficits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Mor Nahum
  • Patent number: 9824602
    Abstract: A training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to treat an addiction, wherein a plurality of addiction-related stimuli stimulate craving for the object of the addiction. The training program comprises at least one computerized reverse conditioning game configured to present a plurality of target and distractor stimuli, wherein the distractor stimuli are addiction-related stimuli, and prompts a game participant to respond to the target stimuli and ignore the distractor stimuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Chung-Hay Luk, Mor Nahum, Jyoti Mishra Ramanathan, Thomas Matthew Van Vleet
  • Patent number: 9795325
    Abstract: A new hearing profile assessment plays each of a plurality of frequency tones multiple times at a plurality of loudness levels. For each frequency, the patient indicates which tones that they can hear, establishing minimum-amplitude thresholds for each frequency. The assessment adapts loudness levels until the patient indicates consistent minimum-amplitude thresholds for each frequency. Also, a new system for training the hearing of a subject is disclosed. The system instructs the subject to vocalize various sound items and remember the sounds that they vocalize. The system plays either recorded samples of the subject's own voice, or comparison samples of a synthesized voice or other's vocalizations of the same sound items. The system prompts the subject to compare the played samples with the sounds they remembered vocalizing. The system uses the feedback to adjust sound processing parameters for a hearing aid, cochlear implant, sound output devices, or a training program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Wesley Marshall Jackson
  • Publication number: 20170148343
    Abstract: A training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to treat depression, mood and anxiety disorders. The training program includes an inference renormalization game that presents three subsets of stimuli and prompts a game participant to selectively respond or withhold responding to one or two of the stimulus subsets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: MICHAEL M. MERZENICH, CHUNG-HAY LUK, MOR NAHUM, THOMAS MATTHEW VAN VLEET
  • Patent number: 9601026
    Abstract: A training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to treat depression, mood and anxiety disorders. In one embodiment, a reward renormalization game presents a plurality of stimuli, a subset of which are positively affective, and the remainder of which are neutral or negatively affective, and prompts a game participant to respond to the positively affective stimuli and ignore the remainder of the stimuli. In another embodiment, an inference renormalization game presents a plurality of stimuli, a subset of which are positively affective, a second subset of which are negatively affective, and a third subset of which are neutral and prompts a game participant to respond to both the positively affective stimuli and the negatively affective stimuli and ignore the neutral stimuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Chung-Hay Luk, Mor Nahum, Thomas Matthew Van Vleet
  • Publication number: 20160155354
    Abstract: A training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to overcome social cognitive deficits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: MICHAEL M. MERZENICH, MOR NAHUM
  • Publication number: 20160155355
    Abstract: A game delivery system delivers a plurality of games in a training program. The training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to overcome cognitive deficits associated with a neurological disorder. In one embodiment, the training program includes an initial batch of games that predominantly exercise elemental, lower-level cognitive processes and sensory deficits. After a game participant progresses through the initial batch of games, the training program provides games that impose comparatively greater higher-order cognitive processing requirements on the participant. A clinician portal provides remote access to a clinician to data about the game participant's compliance and performance with the training program. The clinician portal also enables the administrator to configure the training program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: MICHAEL M. MERZENICH, HYUN KYU LEE, CHUNG-HAY LUK, MOR NAHUM, JYOTI MISHRA RAMANATHAN, HENRY W. MAHNCKE, THOMAS MATTHEW VAN VLEET, TRAVIS WILLIAM WADE, PETER BRENDAN DELAHUNT, JEFFERSON ARTHUR DEWEY, SAMUEL CHUNGCHI CHAN, GREGORY MICHAEL SABATINI, DONALD KELLY RICHARDS, WESLEY MARSHALL JACKSON
  • Publication number: 20160155353
    Abstract: A training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to treat an addiction, wherein a plurality of addiction-related stimuli stimulate craving for the object of the addiction. The training program comprises at least one computerized reverse conditioning game configured to present a plurality of target and distractor stimuli, wherein the distractor stimuli are addiction-related stimuli, and prompts a game participant to respond to the target stimuli and ignore the distractor stimuli.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: MICHAEL M. MERZENICH, CHUNG-HAY LUK, MOR NAHUM, JYOTI MISHRA RAMANATHAN, THOMAS MATTHEW VAN VLEET
  • Patent number: 9308445
    Abstract: A game delivery system delivers a plurality of games in a training program. The training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to overcome cognitive deficits associated with a neurological disorder. In one embodiment, the training program includes an initial batch of games that predominantly exercise elemental, lower-level cognitive processes and sensory deficits. After a game participant progresses through the initial batch of games, the training program provides games that impose comparatively greater higher-order cognitive processing requirements on the participant. A clinician portal provides remote access to a clinician to data about the game participant's compliance and performance with the training program. The clinician portal also enables the administrator to configure the training program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Hyun Kyu Lee, Chung-Hay Luk, Mor Nahum, Jyoti Mishra Ramanathan, Thomas Matthew Van Vleet, Henry W. Mahncke, Travis William Wade, Peter Brendan Delahunt, Jefferson Arthur Dewey, Samuel Chungchi Chan, Gregory Michael Sabatini, Donald Kelly Richards, Wesley Marshall Jackson
  • Patent number: 9308446
    Abstract: A training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to overcome social cognitive deficits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Mor Nahum
  • Patent number: 9302179
    Abstract: A training program is configured to systematically drive neurological changes to treat an addiction, wherein a plurality of addiction-related stimuli stimulate craving for the object of the addiction. The training program comprises at least one computerized reverse conditioning game configured to present a plurality of target and distractor stimuli, wherein a subset of the distractor stimuli are addiction-related stimuli, and prompts a game participant to respond to the target stimuli and ignore the distractor stimuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Chung-Hay Luk, Mor Nahum, Jyoti Mishra Ramanathan, Thomas Matthew Van Vleet
  • Patent number: 8215961
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognitive ability of an older participant by requiring the participant to differentiate between rapidly presented visual stimuli. First and second visual sweeps are provided for visual presentation to the participant, e.g., spatial frequency or orientation sweeps. At least two visual sweeps are visually presented to the participant utilizing the first visual sweep, the second visual sweep, or a combination. The participant is required to indicate an order in which the at least two visual sweeps were presented. A determination is made regarding whether the participant indicated the order of the visual sweeps correctly. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated one or more times in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition. The duration of the sweeps may be adjusted based on the correctness/incorrectness of the participant's response according to a maximum likelihood procedure. Assessments may be made during the exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Peter B. Delahunt, Joseph L. Hardy, Stephen G. Lisberger, Henry W. Mahncke
  • Patent number: 8206156
    Abstract: System and method for improving tactile sensitivity and precision/accuracy of motor control of the hand of a subject. A joystick is configured to provide commands to a computing device. The joystick includes a base, shaft, and a textured surface with a specified level of bumpiness. A computer-implemented exercise is executed, including presenting stimuli, including at least one target, to the subject via a computer display. The subject is required to respond to the stimuli via the joystick within a specified duration, including using the joystick to move a cursor to the target, and, upon reaching the target, disengage from the joystick. The subject's response to the stimuli is recorded, and a determination made regarding whether the subject responded correctly. The duration is modified based on whether the subject responded correctly to the stimuli. The presenting, requiring, recording, determining, and modifying are repeated a plurality of times in an iterative manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Peter B. Delahunt, Henry W. Mahncke, Michael Scott Trujillo, Joseph L. Hardy
  • Patent number: 7773097
    Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition of a participant using visual emphasis. One or more scenes are provided and are available for visual presentation to the participant, each scene having a background and at least one foreground object. A scene is visually presented to the participant with a specified visual emphasis that enhances visual distinction of the at least one foreground object with respect to the background, where the foreground object(s) and/or the background are modified or selected to achieve the specified visual emphasis. The participant is required to respond to the scene, and a determination made as to whether the participant responded correctly. The visual emphasis may be modified based on whether or not the participant responded correctly a specified number of times. The presenting, requiring, and determining (and possibly the modifying) are repeated in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Peter B. Delahunt, Joseph L. Hardy, Henry W. Mahncke, Donald Richards
  • Publication number: 20090233768
    Abstract: System and method for improving tactile sensitivity and precision/accuracy of motor control of the hand of a subject. A joystick is configured to provide commands to a computing device. The joystick includes a base, shaft, and a textured surface with a specified level of bumpiness. A computer-implemented exercise is executed, including presenting stimuli, including at least one target, to the subject via a computer display. The subject is required to respond to the stimuli via the joystick within a specified duration, including using the joystick to move a cursor to the target, and, upon reaching the target, disengage from the joystick. The subject's response to the stimuli is recorded, and a determination made regarding whether the subject responded correctly. The duration is modified based on whether the subject responded correctly to the stimuli. The presenting, requiring, recording, determining, and modifying are repeated a plurality of times in an iterative manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Peter B. Delahunt, Henry W. Mahncke, Michael Scott Trujillo, Joseph L. Hardy
  • Patent number: 7540615
    Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing a participant's cognition, including, e.g., visual memory, utilizing a computing device to present visual stimuli for training, and to record responses from the participant. Multiple graphical elements are provided for visual presentation to the participant. A temporal sequence of a plurality of the graphical elements is visually presented, including displaying each graphical element in the sequence at a respective location in a visual field for a specified duration, then ceasing to display the graphical element. The presented graphical elements include at least two matching graphical elements. The participant is required to respond to the presented sequence, including indicating locations of matching graphical elements. A determination is made as to whether the participant responded correctly, and the duration modified based on the determining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Merzenich, Dylan Bird, Donald F. Brenner, Samuel C. Chan, Peter B. Delahunt, Joseph L. Hardy, Stephen G. Lisberger, Henry W. Mahncke
  • Publication number: 20090051877
    Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing a participant's cognition, including, e.g., visual memory, utilizing a computing device to present visual stimuli for training, and to record responses from the participant. Multiple graphical elements are provided for visual presentation to the participant. A temporal sequence of a plurality of the graphical elements is visually presented, including displaying each graphical element in the sequence at a respective location in a visual field for a specified duration, then ceasing to display the graphical element. The presented graphical elements include at least two matching graphical elements. The participant is required to respond to the presented sequence, including indicating locations of matching graphical elements. A determination is made as to whether the participant responded correctly, and the duration modified based on the determining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Posit Science Corporation
    Inventors: Peter B. Delahunt, Dylan Bird, Samuel C. Chan, Joseph L. Hardy, Stephen G. Lisberger, Henry W. Mahncke, Michael M. Merzenich, Donald F. Brenner
  • Publication number: 20080084427
    Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition of a participant using visual emphasis. One or more scenes are provided and are available for visual presentation to the participant, each scene having a background and at least one foreground object. A scene is visually presented to the participant with a specified visual emphasis that enhances visual distinction of the at least one foreground object with respect to the background, where the foreground object(s) and/or the background are modified or selected to achieve the specified visual emphasis. The participant is required to respond to the scene, and a determination made as to whether the participant responded correctly. The visual emphasis may be modified based on whether or not the participant responded correctly a specified number of times. The presenting, requiring, and determining (and possibly the modifying) are repeated in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: POSIT SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter B. Delahunt, Joseph L. Hardy, Henry W. Mahncke, Michael M. Merzenich, Donald Richards