US 8,690,750, filed under application 13/108,683 and issued on April 08, 2014, describes a system and method for measuring and minimizing the effects of vertigo, motion sickness, motion intolerance, and spatial disorientation. Developed by Dr. Wesley W.O. Krueger, this innovation leverages eye-tracking technology, likely integrated into head-worn displays or VR/AR platforms, to monitor ocular parameters (e.g., vestibular ocular reflex [VOR], saccades) and provide real-time interventions. The system uses sensory feedback and adaptive algorithms to stabilize visual input, reducing disorientation and nausea in high-motion environments. Validated through NIH-supported research, this platform-agnostic technology offers a scalable solution for diverse applications.
Potential Applications
Aviation and Defense: Mitigates spatial disorientation and motion sickness for pilots, naval personnel, and special operations forces, enhancing mission safety and reducing $1B+ crash risks.
Medical Rehabilitation: Treats vertigo and motion intolerance disorders (e.g., vestibular migraines, post-TBI dizziness) with immediate visual stabilization, improving patient outcomes.
Commercial Transportation: Reduces motion sickness for truck drivers, bus operators, and train passengers, lowering $74B in annual accident costs.
Gaming and Virtual Reality: Enhances user comfort in VR/AR gaming and training simulations, addressing a key barrier to adoption.
Pharmaceutical Research: Assesses drug efficacy for motion sickness or vertigo treatments by objectively measuring ocular responses during clinical trials.
Potential Users
Military Personnel: Air Force and Navy pilots, special ops teams, and ground crews experiencing disorientation in flight or combat.
Healthcare Providers: Neurologists, otolaryngologists, and rehab therapists treating vertigo or motion-related conditions.
Transportation Workers: Truck drivers, bus operators, and commercial pilots in safety-sensitive roles.
Gamers and VR Enthusiasts: Millions of VR users (e.g., 5.7M Meta Quest owners in 2024) seeking immersive, nausea-free experiences.
Pharmaceutical Researchers: Clinical trial managers evaluating CNS-affecting therapies.
Potential Buyers or Licensees:
Defense Contractors: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon ($10M–$30M licensing), and Northrop Grumman could integrate this into flight helmets and training systems, leveraging the DoD’s $11.7B R&D budget (2025).
Medical Device Companies: Medtronic and GE Healthcare ($15M–$25M licensing) may adopt it for rehab devices, aligning with their $50M+ medical tech investments.
Big Tech: Apple (R&D $26B) and Meta (R&D $10B+) could license for Vision Pro and Quest platforms ($20M–$50M), tapping the $635.82B wearable market (2034).
Automotive Giants: Tesla and Volvo ($15M–$30M licensing) could enhance autonomous vehicle comfort and driver safety.
Gaming Industry: Sony, Valve, and Oculus ($10M–$20M licensing) could improve VR accessibility, driven by a $50B+ gaming market.
Market Appeal and Valuation
This patent addresses a $10B–$15B global market for motion sickness and vertigo solutions, with a per-patent value of $25M–$80M (average $52.5M), reflecting its multi-sector potential. Licensing fees could range from $10M–$50M per deal, with royalties (1–5%) adding $5M–$20M annually. The total IP portfolio, including this patent, is valued at US$750M–$1.68B, with an upside to US$2.5B–$3B, enhanced by its synergy with Dr. Krueger’s broader 20-patent suite.
Investment Rationale
US 8,690,750 offers a compelling appeal by disrupting traditional motion sickness treatments (e.g., medication, manual therapy) with a rapid, objective, and portable solution. Its integration into wearables, AR/VR, and helmets generates significant downstream revenue, aligning with big tech’s healthcare push and DoD safety priorities. Potential buyers or licensees can capitalize on its versatility and validated efficacy to lead in safety, health, and performance markets.