Device for applying stimuli to a subject

• US 6,409,655 B1
• Filed: 03/05/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fisher, Douglas C., Wilson, David L.
• Original Assignee: Fisher, Douglas C., Wilson, David L.
• Inventors: Wilson, David L., Fisher, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk, John P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cadugan, Joseph A
• Application Number:
  US09/263,116
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 600/26, 600/17, 600/28, 128/908, 351/203
• US Class Current: 600/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0022 by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations
• 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 device for applying stimuli to a subject for therapeutic purposes utilizing an audio source producing a selected audio tone. An audio speaker delivers the audio stimulus to the left and right ears of the subject in an alternating manner, such that the sounds may be heard in either of the ears or may be heard in both of the ears in sequential fashion. Visual or tactile stimuli may be delivered to a subject singularly or simultaneously with the audio stimulus.

Claims

1. A device for applying therapeutic stimuli to a subject, comprising:

a. means for generating a selected audio tone signal;

b. audio speaker means transducing said audio tone signal into a selected audio tone and continuously delivering said selected audio tone to the left and right ears of the subject, said audio speaker means sequentially delivering of said audio tone to the subject'"'"'s left ear, both the left and right ears, and the right ear of the listener, without interruption of said audio tone.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said selected audio tone derives from a musical scale.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said audio speaker means is a headphone.

4. The device of claim 1 which additionally comprises means for quantifying a variable body characteristic of the subject and producing a body characteristic signal, and said audio source further includes means for providing a plurality of audio tones and means for selecting one of said audio tones dependent on said quantified variable body characteristic.

5. The device of claim 1 which additionally comprises means for providing a visual display commensurate with said alternating delivery of said audio tone.

6. The device of claim 1 which further comprises a tactile output commensurate with said alternating delivery of said audio tone.

7. The device of claim 6 which additionally comprises means for providing a visual display commensurate with said alternating delivery of said audio tone.

8. The device of claim 1 which further comprises speed adjusting means for determining the time interval between said alternating of said audio tone between the left ear and right ear.