Learning-relaxation device

• US 4,315,502 A
• Filed: 10/11/1979
• Issued: 02/16/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Krystina J. Rymsky
• Original Assignee: Denis E. Gorges
• Inventors: Gorges, Denis E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Application Number:
  US06/084,051
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 128/24 A, 128/24.1, 128/732, 128/33, 128/1 R, 128/1 C, 128/630, 40/442, 40/455, 40/457, 35/22 R, 350/145, 350/45, 351/158, 351/48
• US Class Current: 600/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0055 with electric or electro-magnetic fields
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0061 Simulated heartbeat pulsed or modulated
• 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 2005/0648 the light being directed to the eyes

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for relaxing, stimulating and/or driving brain wave form function in a human subject. The device comprises, in combination, an eye mask having independently controlled left and right eyepieces and a peripheral light array in each eyepiece, an audio headset having independently controlled left and right earpieces and a control panel which controls light and sound signals to the light arrays and earpieces, respectively. Various control functions allow simultaneous or alternating light and sound pulsations in the left and right light arrays and earpieces, as well as selective phasing between light and sound pulsations.

Claims

1. A learning-relaxation device for stimulating the central nervous system and the brain waves of a human subject having left and right eyes and left and right ears comprising:

light means providing pulsating light signals individually to the left and right eyes of the subject and for limiting at least peripheral vision in the left and right eyes,

sound means operable independently of said light means and providing at least one pulsating sound signal individually to the left and right ears of the subject while blocking ambient sound to both left and right ears, and

control means for individually varying frequency and intensity of each of said pulsating signals and phase of one of said signals relative to the other of said signals.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light means comprises an eye mask having means for securing said eye mask on the subject in a position covering the left and right eyes and having left and right eyepieces located respectively adjacent the left and right eyes and further including left and right peripheral light arrays located respectively around at least a portion of the periphery of said left and right eyepieces.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means includes means for permitting simultaneous pulsating of said left and right light arrays.

4. The device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said sound means comprises left and right earpieces and said control means includes means for permitting simultaneous pulsating of said left and right earpieces with said left and right light arrays.

5. The device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said sound means comprises left and right earpieces and said control means includes means for permitting simultaneous pulsating of said left and right earpieces out of phase with said left and right light arrays.

6. The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means includes means for permitting alternating pulsating between said left and right light arrays.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said sound means includes left and right earpieces and said control means includes means for permitting alternating pulsating between said left and right earpieces in phase with said left and right light arrays.

8. The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said sound means includes left and right earpieces and said control means includes means for permitting alternating pulsation between said left and right earpieces out of phase with said left and right light arrays.

9. A device, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising said control means including

switching means for selectively synchronizing and alternating the light and sound signals to said light arrays and earpieces in and out of phase with each other.

10. A learning and relaxation device for stimulating the central nervous system and the brain waves of a human subject having left and right eyes and left and right ears comprising:

an eye covering eye mask having left and right eyepieces;

each eyepiece including a peripheral light array which is electrically connected for individual control of light intensity and off-on switching;

an audio headset having left and right earpieces which independently supply sound signals to the left and right ears, and

a control panel connected to both said eye mask and said headset, said control panel including a plurality of sources of sound signals, means for selecting at least one of said sound signals, a variable volume control for said sound signals, a generator of light signals, means for varying the intensity of said light signals, pulsation means for pulsating said light and sound signals, switching means for selectively synchronizing and alternating the light and sound signals to said light arrays and earpieces in and out of phase with each other.

11. The device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said control panel further includes a heartbeat sound generator and means for selectively varying the heart rate of said heartbeat sound generator.

12. The device, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said control panel includes means for supplying a plurality of overlying sound signals simultaneously to said sound means.

13. The device, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said means for supplying a plurality of overlying sound signals includes a heartbeat sound generator.

14. The device, as set forth in claim 13, wherein said heartbeat sound generator has a variable rate control.

15. The device, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said means for supplying a plurality of overlying sound signals includes a microphone and microphone input means.

16. The device, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said means for supplying a plurality of overlying sound signals includes programmed sound means and input for said programmed sound means.

17. The device, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said control panel includes a variable volume control for said means for supplying a plurality of overlying sound signals.

18. The device, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said control panel includes a tone signal generator.

19. The device, as set forth in claim 18, wherein said tone signal generator includes a variable pitch control.

20. The device, as set forth in claim 10, further including a central light source located on said eye mask in a position generally between said left and right eyepieces.

21. The device, as set forth in claim 10, further including left and right extremely low frequency electromagnetic field oscillating coils located on said eye mask adjacent said left and right eyepieces.

22. The device, as set forth in claim 21, wherein said left electromagnetic coil and left light array are electrically connected for simultaneous pulsation and said right electromagnet and said right light array are electrically connected for simultaneous pulsation.

23. A learning-relaxation device for stimulating the central nervous system and the brain waves of a human subject having left and right eyes and left and right ears comprising:

light means for providing pulsating light signals independently to the left and right eyes of the subject and for limiting at least peripheral vision in the left and right eyes,

sound means for providing at least one pulsating sound signal independently to the left and right ears of the subject while blocking ambient sound to both left and right ears, and

control means for individually controlling frequency and intensity for each of said pulsating light and sound signals,

said control means including selective means for selectively stimulating through the eyes and ears

all,

by light and sound inputs in phase but alternating from left to right by cross stimulation,

by light and sound inputs out of phase but with left and right light inputs and left and right sound inputs synchronized by alternate stimulation, or

by light and sound inputs out of phase and each alternating from left to right by cross and alternate stimulations

light and sound stimulated areas of the brain.