Vestibular canal plug

Abstract

An apparatus to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation. The apparatus comprises a plugging device configured to constrain the movement of endolymph fluid within a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the plugging device that causes the plugging device to maintain a set actuated position.

1 . An apparatus to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation, the apparatus: 
 a plugging device configured to constrain the movement of endolymph fluid within a semicircular canal; and    a control module coupled to the plugging device that causes the plugging device to maintain a set actuated position.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensing system that provides information to the control module indicative of at least one of: environmental conditions, and performance of the plugging device.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control module causes the plugging device to maintain the set actuated position by generating a control signal for transmission to the plugging device.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plugging device comprises a balloon attached to a catheter, the balloon having a volume that varies in response to a control signal.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plugging device comprises a piezoelectric mechanical vibrator, the vibrator being configured to be displaced in response to a control signal.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plugging device comprises a piston, the piston being configured to be displaced in response to a control signal.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plugging device comprises an elastic membrane, the elastic membrane being configured to expand in response to a control signal.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source electrically coupled to the plugging device to power the plugging device.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the control module is configured to maintain the balloon at the set actuated position by changing the volume of the balloon in response to fluid leakage from the balloon.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the control module is configured to maintain the balloon at the set actuated position by changing the volume of the balloon in response to air pressure changes.  
   
   
       11 . A method for reducing the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation, the method comprising: 
 inserting a plugging device in mechanical communication with a semicircular canal of a patient; and    maintaining the plugging device at a set actuated position selected to constrain the movement of the endolymph fluid in the semicircular canal.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein maintaining the plugging device in the set actuated position comprises: 
 receiving data indicative of at least one of: environmental conditions, and performance of the plugging device; and    generating control signals on the basis of received data, the control signals causing the plugging device to adjust its position to the set actuated position.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising causing the plugging device to move to the set actuated position.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein causing the plugging device to move to the set actuated position comprises causing a balloon to change its volume.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein causing the plugging device to move to the set actuated position comprises causing a piezoelectric mechanical vibrator to be displaced.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein causing the plugging device to move to the set actuated position comprises causing a piston to be displaced.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein causing the plugging device to move to the set actuated position comprises causing an elastic membrane to expand.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein maintaining the balloon at the set actuated position comprises changing the volume of the balloon in response to at least one of: fluid leakage from the balloon, and air pressure changes.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for reducing the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation, the apparatus comprising: 
 one or more plugging devices configured to constrain the movement of endolymph fluid in the corresponding semicircular canals; and    a control module coupled to the one or more plugging devices that causes the one or more plugging devices to maintain corresponding set actuated positions.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a power source electrically coupled to the one or more plugging devices.