Adjustable headpiece with anatomical markers and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The invention generally relates to an adjustable headpiece with anatomical markers and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus that includes a headpiece configured to be worn on a head of a user. The headpiece includes at least a first receptacle configured to receive and retain a first energy source, and the headpiece is adjustable in at least one direction. There is at least one anatomical marker coupled to the headpiece. In that manner, a position of the receptacle can be adjustably aligned to a region of neural tissue in the head based on an alignment of the at least one anatomical marker with its designated anatomical structure.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a headpiece configured to be worn on a head of a user and comprising at least a first receptacle configured to receive and retain a first energy source, the headpiece being adjustable in at least one direction; and   at least one anatomical marker coupled to the headpiece so that a position of the receptacle can be adjustably aligned to a region of neural tissue in the head based on an alignment of the at least one anatomical marker with its designated anatomical structure.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising the first energy source. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the headpiece is adjustable in a plurality of different directions. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the headpiece is adjustable in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , the apparatus comprises a plurality of anatomical markers, each marker being coupled to the headpiece. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein at least two of the markers are arranged about the headpiece to be perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein at least two of the markers are arranged about the headpiece to be 180 degrees with respect to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second receptacle for a second energy source. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , the first energy source is a mechanical energy source and the second energy source is an electrical energy source. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle is configured to receive and releasably retain the first energy source. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 a headpiece configured to be worn on a head of a user and comprising a first receptacle configured to receive and retain a first energy source and a second receptacle configured to receive and retain a second energy source, the headpiece being adjustable in a plurality of different directions; and   at least three anatomical markers coupled to the headpiece, wherein a first anatomical marker is a nasion marker, a second anatomical marker is an inion marker, and a third anatomical marker is a first tragus marker, and wherein the apparatus is configured so that a position of at least one of the receptacles can be adjustably aligned relative to a region of neural tissue in the head based on an alignment of the at least three anatomical markers with their designated anatomical structures.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising the first and second energy sources. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the first energy source is an ultrasound source and the second energy source is an electrical energy source. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the first receptacle is adjustably coupled to the headpiece and the second receptacle is non-adjustably coupled to the headpiece. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the headpiece is adjustable in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a fourth anatomical marker. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the fourth marker is a second tragus marker. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the first tragus marker aligns to one side of the head and the second tragus marker aligns to the other side of the head. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising a fifth anatomical marker, wherein the fifth marker is a CZ marker. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a locking mechanism that locks adjustability of the headpiece to prevent further adjustment of the headpiece while the apparatus is being worn on the head of the user. 
     
     
         21 - 29 . (canceled)