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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may be treated by providing a particular type of desensitization, known as eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR). Early treatments centered on desensitization of eye movements. 
     Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,261 to Wilson which revealed a novel device based on a treatment process first reported in an article entitled “Eye Movement Desensitization: A New Treatment For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” by F. Shapiro. In fact, the device for providing desensitizing eye movements described in this document has been successfully employed in the treatment of PTSD. 
     It has been proposed that other sensory stimuli may be utilized in a rhythmic manner to achieve the same effect. For example, the application of alternating auditory stimuli and/or tactile stimuli have achieved good results in the treatment of PTSD and many other emotional disorders. 
     A device which is capable of applying multiple stimuli, be it auditory, visual, or tactile, to a subject in a coordinated fashion would be a notable advance in the psychological treatment field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful device for applying multiple stimuli to a subject for the treatment of trauma is herein provided. 
     The device of the present invention utilizes an audio source which provides a selected audio tone. Such audio tones may be internally generated or provided from an external source. The audio tones may be fed to audio speaker means, which may be in the form of a set of head phones. Each audio tone received may be adjusted as to volume and speed. The audio speaker means may also deliver selected audio tones to the left and right ears of the subject in a discrete alternate manner. Such alternation may also include the sequence of all sound being delivered to the left ear, all sound being delivered to the left and rights ears, and all sound being delivered to the right ear of the listener or patient. In this bridging manner, there is no time period in which sound is not being delivered to one of the ears of the listener. The audio tones may comprise pure notes or more complicated sonic patterns. Also, narratives such as, relaxation sounds, affirmations, prayers, and the like, may be delivered bilaterally or alternately to a patient&#39;s ears. In addition, switch means may be provided for selecting either the internally generated audio source or an external audio source, according to the needs of the patient. Further, internally generated tones may consist of a single tone of varying pitch or successive tones on a scale, e.g. a scale of eight notes (CDEFGABC). 
     Means may also be found in the present invention for providing a tactile output to the patient commensurate with the alternating delivery of the audio tones. Such tactile delivery may take the form of a tactile probe which is graspable by the user and is activated by an electrical signal which initiates vibration of the probe. The probe vibration is generated by conventional motors, solenoids or similar devices, which may be found within a housing or tubing. 
     Although the device of the present invention may be manually applied or started, initiation may derive from other sources. For example, means may be included for quantifying a variable body characteristic. Such body characteristics may take the form of the patient&#39;s pulse, body temperature, blood pressure galvanic skin response (GSR), eye blink rate, and the like. The particular body characteristic is quantified and averaged. An indicator is employed to measure the rate of change of the variable body characteristic. When such rate of change exceeds a certain predetermined amount, the delivery of selected audio tones may be altered accordingly. For example, a change in pulse rate may change the pitch of the tones being delivered alternatively to the ears of the user, may switch from an internally generated tones to an external audio source, from auditory stimuli to tactile and/or visual stimuli, and the like. Of course, such alternation characteristics of any sensory input may be preselected by the operator of the system of the present invention. 
     The audio and tactile portion of the system of the present invention may be used in conjunction with visual scanning devices such as that found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,261 and our U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,403, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety to this application. That is to say, alternating tones may be coordinated with alternating visual signals of varying types. 
     It may be apparent that a novel and useful device for applying stimuli to a subject for the purpose of therapy has been hereinabove described. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for applying therapeutic stimuli to a subject which employs multiple single sensory mode stimuli in a coordinated fashion. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying therapeutic stimuli to a subject which utilizes audio tones which are alternatively delivered to the left and rights ears of a subject. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying therapeutic stimuli to a subject which employs audio signals and tones that are delivered alternatively to the left and right ears of the subject and is triggered by a variable body characteristic, such as body temperature, the galvanic skin response, blood pressure, pulse rate, and the like. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying therapeutic stimuli to a subject which is useful as a desensitization apparatus, and, thus serves as a tool in psychological treatment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying therapeutic stimuli to a subject which may be employed to treat an individual or a plurality of persons simultaneously, for example, in psychotherapy with couples. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying therapeutic stimuli to a subject which delivers multiple stimuli to a patient or patients and is manually adjustable, preprogrammed, or triggered by physiological events. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying therapeutic stimuli to a subject which is modular in nature and may be upgraded or downgraded commensurate with features desired by the therapist employing such a device. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying therapeutic stimuli which employs audio sources that are internally generated or found externally to the system. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying therapeutic stimuli to a subject which uses an audio signal that is directed individually and simultaneously to the ears of the patient in a sequential fashion. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying a variety of audio therapeutic stimuli to the ears of a subject or subjects in a alternating or bilateral fashion, such as tones, music, relaxation sounds, affirmations, prayers, and the like. 
     The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram describing in detail the operation of the device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram detailing the electrical interaction of the electrical components of the present application. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the panel of the audio scanning portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of stacked components, of the present invention. 
     For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the device of the present invention which must be referenced to the accompanying drawings to achieve a full understanding of the invention. 
     The invention as a whole is shown in the drawings by reference character  10 . Device  10  includes as one of its elements a microprocessor U 3 , FIG.  1 . Microprocessor U 3  may be of the type with the designation 68HC705. Microprocessor U 3  serves to direct and to coordinate multiple inputs and outputs in the system  10  of the present invention. The programmed binary code for U 3  is attached hereto as Appendix I. For example, audio source  12  an external audio input  14 , such as a tape recorder, CD drive, and the like to stereo to monaural converter  16 . Audio source  12  may also take the form of internal audio source  18  which is capable of generating a single tone or a multiplicity of tones. For example, eight notes of a scale (CDEFGABC) may be employed in this regard. Switch means SW 3  permits the user of device  10  to select internal tone generator  18  or external audio input  14  into audio switch  20 . Internal tone generator  18 , separately depicted, originates in microprocessor U 3 . Tone control output  40  from U 3  passes to right/left volume control and audio switch  20 . The output of audio switch  20  passes to J 2  headphones  22  which are worn by the user or patient being treated by the clinician who operates device  10 . Headphones  22  may receive a continuous tone alternated from the left side to the right side of the headphones. In the bridge mode, the external audio source  14  is heard by the user or patient wearing headphones  22 , first in the right ear, followed by both the left and right ears, and, finally, the left ear from the corresponding sides of headphones  22 . Thus, in the bridge mode there is never a time that one side or the other of headphones  22  is not switched on. A discrete mode may also be employed, through right/left volume control  20 , in which a tone is heard momentarily in each ear through headphones  22  in this case. Thus, in the discrete mode, there is a period of time when neither the left or right portions of headphones  22  is switched on. Thus, these elements comprise means  24  for delivering selected audio tones to the left and right ears of the subject. Switch SW 5  is capable of selecting a particular note to be fed into microprocessor U 3  for use in headphones  22 . In addition adjustment  30  is capable of varying the periodicity of a particular note. It should be apparent that the audio signal to headphones  22  may be split for use in multiple headsets. 
     Means  26  is also depicted for quantifying a variable body characteristic of the subject or patient. Such means  26  is labeled as J 4  body param on FIG.  1 . Means  26  may acquire the pulse rate, body temperature, blood pressure, eye blink rate, galvanic skin response (GSR), and the like from the patient. Such signal is sent to the parameter amplifier  28  and then to microprocessor U 3 . For example, means  26  may acquire the pulse from the patient through a finger clip, ear clip, or a similar type device of conventional configuration. A gain adjustment allows a weak signal from means  26  to successfully be inputted to microprocessor U 3 . After a time period, microprocessor U 3  calculates an average pulse rate and turns on normalized LED  31  so that the particular parameter of the patient may now be used as a reference. The operator or clinician pushes SW 4 , the parameter normalized switch. The connecting of switch SW 4  will cause the audio switch  20  to select a particular tone to be sent to audio speaker means  22  in the form of headphones. In this mode, SW 3  would be set to internal tone source  18 . U 3  may be programmed to automatically change tones sent from internal output  18  to headphones  22 , dependent on the level fed to microprocessor U 3  via parameter output  28 . 
     Further, microprocessor U 3  may send a visual signal through leg  32  to visual output buffer  34  which is then passed to visual display  36 . Visual display  36  may take the form of a light bar, light panel, light goggles, and the like described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,261. Microprocessor U 3  is able to coordinate periodic tones to headphones  22  with visual signals passing through leg  32  to visual display  36 . 
     Moreover, a tactile signal  38  leaves microprocessor U 3  and pass to a plurality of voltages switches  40  for a tactile probe or probes  42 . Tactile probe  42  may simply take the form of a vibrator that is intended to be held by the hands or pressed against the skin of the patient. Again, the tactile signal  38  may be coordinated with the tone output through leg  40  and the visual signal through leg  32 . Thus, any stimuli, sonic, tactile, or visual, are acquired by the patient alone or in combination. 
     With reference to FIG. 2, it may be observed that the particular circuitry used in the present invention is shown. J 3  represents the connector plug for the external audio source. Capacitors C 1  and C 2 , in conjunction with resistors R 1  and R 2 , comprise the stereo-to-monaural  16  converter. The monaural signal passes through leg  42  to switch SW 3  which determines the source of the audio output from U 3 . U 3  oscillator  44  passes through Schmidt trigger U 1 . Capacitor C 1  acts as a filter. Oscillator  44  is capable of generating internal tones either singularly or along a scale. U 4  serves as a multiplexor and receives three signals from U 3 . Multiplexor U 4  feeds headphones  22  (J 2 ) having a right volume control  46  and a left volume control  48 . Switch SW 5  determines one of eight internally generated tones, deriving from oscillator  44 , sent to microprocessor U 3 . Resistor R 6  regulates the rate of alternation of tones between the left and right sides of headphones  22 , and is essentially an analog-to-digital converter. Thus, R 6  controls the rate of switching of the multiplex tones traveling from left to right in headset  22 . Resistors  47  modulate the signals from SW 5  and are considered to be pull-up resistors. SW 2 , controlled by the clinician, determines the “bridge mode” or “discrete mode” for tones emanating from internal tone output  18 . 
     Oscillator Y 1  is a reference oscillator and produces a time base used by microprocessor U 3 . Oscillator Y 1  acts in conjunction with C 5 , C 6 , C 8 , and R 7  in this regard. U 3  generates a reset pulse to reset pin  48 . Following the charging of C 9 , the reset function of U 3  is turned off. 
     Turning to CR 3  and CR 4 , such diodes serve as visual indicators to the right side and left side of headphone  22 , respectively. Thus, the clinician is able to instantly perceive which part of headset  22  is activated when used by the patient R 10  serves as a current limiter. 
     Referring to means  26 , a human parameter or physiological characteristic, such as pulse rate, GSR, temperature, and the like, is quantified. J 4  serves as the input and CR 5  serves as an indicator  31 , FIG. 2, of the same when a normalized parameter has been achieved. As prior explained, this is performed through an averaging of, say pulse rate, over a period of time by U 3 . U 2  serves as an amplifier for the signal generated by pulse sensor  50 . U 1  produces a square wave signal of a digital nature, the output of which is fed into microprocessor U 3 . CR 6  indicates the input to U 2 . The power input to system  10  on FIG. 2 is indicated at various areas by a number followed by the letter “V”. For example, plus 5 volts and minus 5 volts are fed into operational amplifier U 2 . 
     J 5  represents a tactile probe or probes  42  and is driven by a voltage, +V at transistors Q 1 , Q 2 , and Q 3 . In certain cases, the voltage, +V is at or about 9 volts. Again, microprocessor U 3  generates a signal to operate transistor switches Q 1 , Q 2 , and Q 3  to activate tactile probes  42 . CR 1  is a back EMF suppression diode which protects Q 1 , Q 2 , and Q 3  from inductive kickback from conventional motors employed with tactile probes  42 . 
     SW 4  is the parameter normalized switch that permits the clinician to begin the body parameter input to U 3  when such body parameter has been normalized. In other words, when the patients pulse rate reaches a normal level, SW 4  is pushed. 
     Again, when the body parameter, i.e. Pulse enters J 5 , tones may be initiated in headphones J 2  through microprocessor U 3 . A rise in pulse from the average pulse determined at SW 4  is able to switch tones at SW 5  in a sequential fashion. For example, a rise in pulse may produce a tone which is higher or lower than the prior tone fed to headphones J 2 , and vice versa. In this regard, the “discrete bridge” function is operated through SW 2 . That is to say, internal tones generated by oscillator  44  and U 1 , by the selection through SW 3 , will alternately travel to the left ear, both the left and right ears, and the right ear of the patient in this sequence. Switching SW 2  brings in the “discrete mode” in which the sound is passed to headphones J 2  alternately, left and right without both ear phones  54  or  56  (FIG. 3) being activated. In other words, a sound gap exists between the alternating left and right sounds received by the patient&#39;s ears. 
     J 6  represents the optional visual output portion of device  10  in which a light bar, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,261 may be employed and be coordinated with the alternating tones passing to headphones J 2 , as well as tactile probes at J 5 . 
     The following is a table representing typical components used in the circuitry found in FIG.  2 . 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 TABLE OF COMPONENTS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Component 
                 Value or Identification 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 C1 
                 0.1 F 
               
               
                   
                 C2 
                 0.1 F 
               
               
                   
                 C3 
                 0.1 F 
               
               
                   
                 C4 
                 10 μF 
               
               
                   
                 C5 
                 47 pF 
               
               
                   
                 C6 
                 47 pF 
               
               
                   
                 C7 
                 0.1 F 
               
               
                   
                 C8 
                 0.1 F 
               
               
                   
                 C9 
                 10 μF 
               
               
                   
                 C14 
                 10 μF 
               
               
                   
                 C15 
                 100 μF 
               
               
                   
                 C16 
                 0.1 F 
               
               
                   
                 R1 
                 180 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R2 
                 180 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R3 
                 10K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R4 
                 10K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R5 
                 390 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R6 
                 10K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R7 
                 10M Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R9 
                 10K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R10 
                 390 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R11 
                 lK Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R12 
                 20K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R13 
                 20K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R14 
                 1K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R15 
                 1K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R16 
                 1K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R17 
                 390 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 R18 
                 390 Ω 
               
               
                   
                 RN1 
                 10K Ω 
               
               
                   
                 U1 
                 74HCT14 
               
               
                   
                 U2 
                 LT1097 
               
               
                   
                 U3 
                 68HC705 
               
               
                   
                 U4 
                 4052 
               
               
                   
                 Q1 
                 2N3906 
               
               
                   
                 Q2 
                 2N3906 
               
               
                   
                 Q3 
                 2N3904 
               
               
                   
                 CR2-CR6 
                 1N914 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     FIGS. 3 and 4 show a housing  52  permitting the clinician to operate device  10 . Headset  22  is depicted schematically having left earpiece  54  and right earpiece  56 . 
     FIG. 4 indicates that an external audio source  14  may be jacked into audio portion  52  shown in FIG.  3 . Other components  58 , such as the visual component J 6 , the tactile component J 5 , the parameter sensor  26 , and the like may be stacked in a modular way. That is to say, portions of system  10 , of the present invention, may be used alone or in combination as desired by the clinician. 
     While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.