Project Description:

Migraine is the 6th most debilitating disease in the world, affecting 18% of women and 6% of men worldwide. It is far worse than just a bad headache as it is a genetically influenced disease that occurs with symptoms such as throbbing pain, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes aura. Though the triggers of migraine are exhaustive, a highly unaddressed trigger is changes in barometric pressure. Patients who experience migraines caused by barometric pressure changes report feelings of helplessness, as weather is something out of their control. MigraGuard is a first-of-its-kind defense mechanism that protects the brain from drastic changes in barometric pressure. Its simple, yet effective design works by securing down the tragus, the thick cartilage near the ear canal, to modulate the pressure change experienced in the inner ear. MigraGuard goes beyond merely blocking out barometric pressure changes. With its contoured design, it is equipped with Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) technology. By applying light pressure to three specific acupressure points of the ear, MigraGuard stimulates the vagus nerve, inhibiting the transmission of pain signals and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Not only does vagus nerve stimulation mitigate symptoms of migraine, but it also can prevent future attacks.