Patent ID: 7285101
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: A61H

Abstract:
1. A vibrating transducer apparatus for producing multiple discrete, differentiable tactile stimulations to provide rhythmic guidance to a person in contact with the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an electric motor having a shaft; a rigid housing enclosing the electric motor; an eccentric weight attached to the electric motor shaft; a flexible motor mount supporting the electric motor within the rigid housing, the motor mount being adapted to enable the motor, when energized, to wobble within the rigid housing, thereby enhancing the intensity of the vibratory tactile stimulations produced; and a driver circuit for facilitating operation of the electric motor, the driver circuit adapted to energize the motor to produce a rhythmic pattern of discrete tactile stimulations, the pattern including at least two tactile stimulations that differ from each other in duration or intensity.