Multiple afferent sensory stimulation device

• US 4,892,106 A
• Filed: 10/19/1987
• Issued: 01/09/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William J. Gleeson III
• Original Assignee: William J. Gleeson III
• Inventors: Gleeson, William J. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US07/109,403
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 128/734, 128/421, 128/905, 128/380, 128/745, 128/254, 128/395, 128/793, 600/26, 600/27, 360/33.1, 358/343, 358/330
• US Class Current: 600/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• 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

Abstract

A multiple afferent sensory stimulation device is provided to receive a prerecorded tape program upon which the audio stimulation and control signals for the visual stimulation of a subject person'"'"'s eyes and ears is provided, the invention consisting of a reproducing device to emit the audio and visual control signals on separate left and right channels, the audio stimulation proceeding directly to earphones worn by the subject person, and the visual stimulation control signals processed electronically. The electronic processing includes devices to frequency separate the audio stimulus signals from the control signals, an automatic gain control circuit to assure sufficient amplitude of visual control signals for processing, tone decoders to separate signals energizing the visual stimulus and turning off the visual stimulus, logic circuit to assure certainty of the on and off stimulus control signals, the electrical stimulus provided by an electrical lamp immediately in front of the subject person'"'"'s eyes. Various different schemes of audio and visual sensory stimulation are suggested for achieving a mental and physical affect upon the subject person.

Claims

1. A multiple afferent sensory stimulation device providing audio and visual sensory stimulation to a patient comprising:

a playback device adapted to receive a pre-recorded program and to emit audio stimulation signals and a plurality of visual stimulation control signals;

means operably connected to said playback device to separate the visual stimulation control signals from the audio stimulation control signals, said means including a high pass filter to block the audio stimulation signals while passing the visual stimulation control signals;

means operably connected to said playback device to provide audio stimulation to at least one of the patient'"'"'s ears;

a pair of tone decoders operably connected to said means separating the visual stimulation control signals from the audio stimulation signals, one of said tone decoders adapted to emit a signal output upon receipt of a visual stimulation control signal of a first frequency, and a second of said tone decoders adapted to emit a signal output upon receipt of a visual stimulation control signal of a second frequency;

a logic circuit connected to said pair of tone decoders adapted to receive signal outputs from said first and second tone decoders, said logic circuit adapted to ignore false signals from either said first or second tone decoders; and

means operably connected to said tone decoders to receive the decoded visual stimulation control signals for displaying visual stimulation to at least one of the patient'"'"'s eyes whereby audio and visual stimulation is provided a patient in accordance with the pre-recorded program to induce sensory reactions into the patient.

2. The multiple afferent sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means operably connected to said pair of tone decoders to receive the decoded visual stimulation control signals defines a lamp driver and a lamp adapted to be positioned proximate one of the patient'"'"'s eye.

3. The multiple afferent sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 2 wherein said means operably connected to said playback device to separate the visual stimulation control signals from the audio stimulation signals includes an amplifier whose output is connected to said high pass filter, said amplifier'"'"'s input connected to said playback device.

4. The multiple afferent sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 3 further including an automatic gain control circuit operably attached to said high pass filter and to said tone decoders, said automatic gain control circuit receiving the visual stimulation control signals from said high pass filter, controlling the visual stimulation control signals to a fixed amplitude, and transmitting the visual stimulation control signals to said tone decoders.

5. The multiple afferent, sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 4 wherein said means operably connected to said playback device to provide audio stimulation to at least one of the patient'"'"'s ears defines an earphone.

6. The multiple afferent sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 5 wherein said playback device comprises a magnetic tape recorder.

7. The multiple afferent sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means operably connected to said tone decoders to receive the decoded visual stimulation control signals and display visual stimulation includes a light shutter connected to said lamp driver, said light shutter is adapted to be situated between a source of light and one of the associated patient'"'"'s eyes.

8. The multiple afferent sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 5 further including:

second means operably connected to said playback device to separate the visual stimulation control signals from the audio stimulation signals, said second means including a high pass filter to block the audio stimulation signals while passing the visual stimulation control signals;

second means operably connected to said playback device to provide audio stimulation to the second of the patient'"'"'s ears;

a second pair of tone decoders operably connected to said means separating the visual stimulation control signals from the audio stimulation signals, one of said second pair of tone decoders adapted to emit a signal output upon receipt of a visual stimulation control signal of a first frequency, and a second of said tone decoders adapted to emit a signal output upon receipt of a visual stimulation control signal of a second frequency;

a second logic circuit connected to said second pair of pair of tone decoders adapted to receive signal outputs from said first and second of said second pair of tone decoders, said logic circuit adapted to ignore false signals from either said first or second tone decoders; and

a second means operably connected to said tone decoders to receive the decoded visual stimulation control signals for displaying visual stimulation to the second of the patient'"'"'s eyes whereby audio and visual stimulation is adapted to provide to all of a patient'"'"'s visual and audio receptors in accordance with the pre-recorded program and to induce sensory reactions into the patient.

9. The multiple afferent sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 5 wherein said playback device comprises a reproducing device adapted to receive said pre-recorded program on a laser encoded disk.

10. The multiple afferent sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 5 wherein said means operably connected to said tone decoders to receive the decoded visual stimulation control signals and display visual stimulation further includes a pair of goggles, said goggles having a pair of opaque lenses, one lens adapted to be positioned proximate each of the patient'"'"'s eyes, said lenses adapted to secure each of said lamps between said lens and the associated patient'"'"'s eye.

11. The multiple afferent sensory stimulation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means operably connected to said tone decoders to receive the decoded visual stimulation control signals and display visual stimulation includes an electro eluminescent device is adapted to be situated proximate the associated patient'"'"'s eye.