Biofeedback device for treating obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders (OCSDs)
First Claim
1. Apparatus for discouraging certain types of obsessive compulsive and habit disorders such as trichotillomania, onychophagia, thumb sucking, skin scratching, and other forms of self-inflicted harm, the apparatus comprising:
- a proximity detector including a sensor and an element associated with the arm, hand or finger of a user to be detected;
the proximity detector being operative to generate an output signal in the event that the element has physically moved to within a predetermined distance relative to the sensor; and
a device operative to alert the user in response to the output signal generated by the proximity detector.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A biofeedback device for treatment of certain obsessive compulsive spectrum and habit disorders including trichotillomania (hair pulling), onychophagia (nail biting), thumb-sucking, skin-scratching (dermatillomania) and certain other self-inflicted harm, includes a sensing element and triggering device, both worn on various parts of the body, depending upon the particular characteristics of an individual'"'"'s disorder. The biofeedback device is able to sense the movement of one body part relative to another and set off an alarm mechanism prior to contact, assisting the patient in avoiding the destructive behavior.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for discouraging certain types of obsessive compulsive and habit disorders such as trichotillomania, onychophagia, thumb sucking, skin scratching, and other forms of self-inflicted harm, the apparatus comprising:
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a proximity detector including a sensor and an element associated with the arm, hand or finger of a user to be detected;
the proximity detector being operative to generate an output signal in the event that the element has physically moved to within a predetermined distance relative to the sensor; and
a device operative to alert the user in response to the output signal generated by the proximity detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for discouraging certain types of obsessive compulsive and habit disorders such as trichotillomania, onychophagia, thumb sucking, skin scratching, and other forms of self-inflicted harm, the apparatus comprising:
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a body-worn housing including a proximity sensor;
an element worn on the arm, hand or finger of a user which is detectable by the proximity sensor;
battery-operated circuitry within the housing operative to generate an alarm signal in the event that the element has physically moved to within a predetermined distance relative to the sensor; and
a device operative to alert the user in response to the alarm signal generated by the battery-operated circuitry within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification