Device for the production and application of body stimuli structures

• US 4,195,626 A
• Filed: 03/27/1978
• Issued: 04/01/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Helgi-Jon Schweizer
• Original Assignee: Helgi-Jon Schweizer
• Inventors: Schweizer, Helgi-Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/890,728
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1 C, 128/2.1 B, 128/2.1 R, 128/2 N, 128/2 R, 128/417, 128/419 R, 340/407
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/377 using evoked responses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/378 Visual stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/38 Acoustic or auditory stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/383 Somatosensory stimuli, e.g. electric stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1215 Rotary drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1604 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1623 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1628 Pelvis
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. E.G.C., blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/06 Heartbeat rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/08 Other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/10 Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/40 Respiratory characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/42 Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/50 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/65 Impedance, e.g. skin conductivity; capacitance, e.g. galvanic skin response [GSR]
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0218 with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/002 : by rubbing or brushing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 : Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 : alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02

Abstract

A biofeedback chamber for applying audible, visual, electrical or tactile stimuli to a subject according to a rhythmical pattern under microprocessor control. The subject'"'"'s reactions are measured, analyzed and used to control the stimuli.

Claims

1. A device for exposing a body to stimuli and for detecting the response of said body to stimuli, comprising:

first means for producing a plurality of series of first signals, the values of said first signals in each series representing time intervals,

second means for producing signals corresponding with basic time units, said first means using said basic time units to determine the lengths of the intervals in each series,

memory means for storing said first signal values for each series,

stimulus contour signal generator means having input and output means and being operative to recall the values stored in said memory, to count up to the respectively recalled values and to assign a value to each basic unit so that a series of these values taken in succession defines the contour of the stimuli within each of said time intervals,

stimulus generator means for producing said respective body responsive stimuli, and

means for coupling said output means of said stimulus contour generator means to said stimulus generator means, respectively.

2. Apparatus for producing body responsive stimuli, comprising:

an interval generator for producing signals which have values that define the duration of intervals for individual sequences of intervals,

a stimulus signal contour generator for producing time-varying stimulus signal contours within the respective defined intervals,

a plurality of stimulus generators, respectively responsive to stimulus signal contours in the respective sequences by producing body responsive stimuli,

means for coupling the signal sequences from said contour generator to the respective stimulus generators,

means for detecting various reactions of a body to respective stimuli,

means for producing feedback signals representative of reactions, and

means for coupling said feedback signals to said interval generator for said generator to respond by altering said intervals in correspondence with the characteristic of the feedback signal.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein said interval generator (151) is operative to represent said intervals as pluralities of basic units, and means (153) for controlling the length of time of said basic units, said stimulus signal contour generator including means for counting the numbers of basic units in the intervals, respectively, and for responding to the counts by adjusting the durations of the stimulus signals that comprise the signal contours to fit the contours within the intervals.

5. A device according to claim 4, including a buffer memory (150) for intermediate storage of the said pluralities of basic units, which represent the respective intervals, said buffer memory having input means coupled to said interval generator and output means coupled to said stimulus contour generator to enable said contour generator to use one set of said interval values from said buffer memory while another set is being generated by said interval generator.

6. A device according to claim 2 or 3 including an opaque, sound insulating enclosure (10) for enclosing at least a part of a patient and said stimulus generators simultaneously, means for observing a patient through the enclosure, means for pivotally supporting the enclosure, and means for swinging the enclosure on said pivot.

7. A device as in claim 2 or 3 including means for supporting a patient for being subjected to examination, said stimulus generators including at least one light source and at least one sound source disposed in proximity to said patient supporting means, hollow dome means for enclosing said patient supporting means and said stimulus generators simultaneously for isolating said patient from ambient sound and light, screen means disposed in the path of light emanating from said light source to the interior of said dome means, the interior of said dome means and the surfaces of said screen means and other surfaces of objects disposed in said dome means which are capable of reflecting light having a coating of white diffusely reflecting material on them.

3. Apparatus for producing body responsive stimuli, comprising:

an interval generator for producing signals which have values that define the duration of intervals for individual sequences of intervals,

a stimulus signal contour generator for producing time-varying stimulus signal contours within the respective defined intervals,

a plurality of stimulus generators, respectively responsive to stimulus signal contours in the respective sequences by producing body responsive stimuli,

means for coupling the signal sequences from said contour generator to the respective stimulus generators,

means for detecting various reactions of a body to respective stimuli,

means for producing feedback signals representative of reactions, and

means for coupling said feedback signals to said stimulus signal contour generator for said contour generator to respond by altering the contour of said stimulus signal in correspondence with the characteristics of said feedback signal.