Patent Abstract:
A technique for influencing the human brain can be applied to treat PTSD through stimulating the brain with a beat in, for example, the theta (θ) frequency to influence the brain to relax. Alternatively, the human brain can be stimulated with a beat in the alpha (α) frequency to stimulate active thinking. Over a series of treatments the brain of an individual suffering from PTSD can be influenced to operate at a normal frequency. Advantageously, as the frequency is adjusted, the symptoms of PTSD recur less often until the individual ceases to experience the symptoms or has at least experienced a decreased recurrence of the symptoms.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to shocking and/or distressing events. Many veterans experience PTSD because of their wartime experiences. For example, PTSD can result in persistent flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, and significant impairment of social and occupational function. 
         [0002]    PTSD is understood to result in neuroendocrinological changes as well, as brain morphology. As a result, some patients are known to have atypical biochemical levels associated with the sympathetic nervous system, or the system that controls the “fight or flight” response. Fear is thought to be closely associated with these neurobiological conditions. 
         [0003]    Various attempts have been made to treat PTSD including psychotherapy, medication, and combinations of therapies. However, while medications have shown benefit in reducing PTSD symptoms, there is no clear drug treatment for PTSD. This may be because such treatment is symptom-oriented and does not necessarily cause the patient to recover from the disorder. 
         [0004]    Alternative approaches to solving the problems presented by PTSD could desirably treat the neurobiological conditions established by the traumatic events rather than merely reducing the symptoms suffered by patients experiencing PTSD. For example, psychological and neuropsychological studies suggest a correlation with treating areas of the human brain, such as the hippocampus and amygdale, and improvement for veterans suffering with PTSD. 
         [0005]    The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The following examples and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools, and methods that are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various examples, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other examples are directed to improvements. 
         [0007]    A technique for influencing the human brain can be applied to treat neurobiological conditions through influencing the brain to operate at a desired, therapeutic frequency by producing specific sound beats, which are converted by the inner ear into electrical signals received by the hippocampus. For example, the human brain can be stimulated with a beat in the theta (θ) frequency range to influence the brain to relax and enter into a therapeutic state. Alternatively, the human brain can be stimulated with a beat in the alpha (α) frequency range to stimulate active thinking. Over a series of treatments the brain of an individual suffering from PTSD, or other neurobiological conditions, can be influenced to operate at a normal frequency. Advantageously, as the frequency is adjusted, the symptoms of PTSD recur less often until the individual ceases to experience the symptoms or has at least experienced a decreased recurrence of the symptoms. 
         [0008]    A system for influencing a human brain to operate at a frequency includes a fluid filled chamber having various audio reproduction devices. The audio reproduction devices are coupled to a processing device producing audio signals prepared to influence the human brain to operate at a frequency conducive to function in a particular therapeutic state. The audio reproduction devices can produce waves in both audible and inaudible frequencies. In response to the stimulation, cells within the human brain can respond to the audio frequencies by influencing cellular water action potential. In one implementation, multiple frequencies can be combined into a monaural beat, a single united resonance frequency to induce the therapeutic state. Monitoring devices can be distributed inside and/or outside the chamber to record the brainwaves emanating from the human brain. 
         [0009]    A method for influencing a human brain of an individual to operate at a frequency includes stimulating the human brain with audio waves while the individual is immersed in a fluid medium. While stimulated, the individual can be monitored for adherence to the frequency using one or more sensors to identify the frequency of operation of the individual&#39;s brain waves. In one implementation the audio waves can be projected through the fluid medium in more than one frequency where the difference between the frequencies produce a monaural beat stimulating the human brain at the desired frequency. Additionally, the audio waves can be interspersed with music to provide an engaging experience. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, monaural beats are produced based on the acoustical design of a chamber shaped to optimize delivery of frequencies to an individual within the chamber. In a further embodiment, the shape of the chamber is designed based on the acoustical characteristics of a musical instrument, such as the cello. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts an example of a system for influencing a human brain to operate at a frequency. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts components of a system for influencing a human brain to operate at a frequency. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   a  depicts an example of a chamber used for influencing a human brain to operate at a frequency. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a flowchart of an example of a method for influencing a human brain to operate at a frequency. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts an example of a computing system representative of the computing systems discussed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In the following description, several specific details are presented to provide a thorough understanding. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the concepts and techniques disclosed herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or in combination with other components. In other instances, well-known implementations or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of various examples disclosed herein. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts an example of a system  100  for influencing a human brain to operate at a frequency.  FIG. 1  includes stimulation module  102 , individual  104 , environment  106 , and monitor  108 . 
         [0018]    In the example of  FIG. 1 , the stimulation module  102  can include devices  103  for producing audible, vibratory, magnetic or other known or convenient signals. For example, the stimulation module  102  can include devices  103  such as speakers, one or more ultrasonic transducers, or other known or convenient devices for stimulating an individual  104  while the individual  104  is within environment  106 . The stimulation provided by devices  103  can be administered at a predetermined, desired frequency, or an individual  104  can adjust the frequency to a desired level corresponding to the type of therapy that the individual  104  desires to undertake. The devices  103  can produce therapeutic effects by inducing cellular regeneration and brainwave entrainment. 
         [0019]    In the example of  FIG. 1 , environment  106  can be a chamber  216  capable of holding the individual  104 . The individual  104  is a person, such as one suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and having brainwave patterns that may have erratic, non-standard, or otherwise undesirable frequencies. The environment  106  can be filled with a solution, such as saline water, so that the individual  104  floats within. Alternatively, the solution may be a diamagnetic solution. The diamagnetic solution capable of expressing a magnetic field in opposition to an externally applied electromagnetic field device  103 , such as a tensor, thus causing a repulsive effect. The environment  106  can be heated so that the solution is at a desired temperate, such as body temperature, to provide comfort to the individual  104  in the chamber  216 . 
         [0020]    In the example of  FIG. 1 , monitor  108  includes devices for collecting signals emanating from the individual  104  by, for example, an electroencephalogram (EEG) electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), galvanic skin response sensor, heart rate variability monitor, and other known or convenient monitoring device. The monitor  108  can collect brainwaves emanating from the individual  104  and identify a transition from the original frequency to the desired frequency. In another embodiment, monitor  108  can collect infrared emanations from the individual  104  and the environment  106 , which can be used to adjust one or more modules of system  200 , discussed below. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2 . depicts components  202 - 220  of a system  200  for influencing a human brain to operate at a desired frequency. The components depicted are logically represented as modules of various individual systems; however, one or more components  202 - 220  may be combined or divided to provide functionality to a particular solution.  FIG. 2  includes user interface  202 , monitoring system  204 , processing unit  206 , storage  208 , sound generation  210 , water management  212 , sensors  214 , chamber  216 , ultra sonic transducer  218 , and heater  220 . 
         [0022]    The chamber  216  is illustrated in greater detail in  FIG. 2   a . Chamber  216  can be constructed so that it is large enough to hold an adult individual  104  while the individual  104  floats in a solution within the chamber  216 . In designing the chamber  216 , the walls can be spaced so as to provide optimal acoustics for experiencing the sound. In some embodiments, the walls of the chamber  216  are designed based on the acoustical resonance characteristics of a musical instrument. For example, in one embodiment the chamber  216  is based on a cello&#39;s design to produce acoustics optimized for delivering beats to the individual  104  within the chamber  216 . In another embodiment, the chamber  216  is based on dimensions derived using vaastu architecture. Vaastu shastra is a traditional Hindu system of building design based on directional alignments and mathematical dimensions. Vaastu-based architecture is one technique that can be used by the chamber  216  to transmit a wavelength of light and/or sound to affect cellular regeneration by stimulating cellular fluid. In humans, in response to the stimulation, cells within the brain can respond by entraining to the wavelength transmitted by the chamber  216 . 
         [0023]    The chamber  216  can be “tuned” based on manipulating its dimensions to generate specific, desirable frequencies used in various therapeutic treatments, such as PTSD, and other applications. In one embodiment, dimensions of the chamber  216  are based on a golden ratio associated with the Fibonacci sequence, or a Fibonacci-like sequence, such as 1:2:3:5:8:5:3:2:1. By definition, the first two Fibonacci numbers are 0 and 1, and each subsequent number is the sum of the previous two. The middle number (e.g. “8” in the example above) of the sequence can represent a center point within the chamber  216 . Based on the Fibonacci ratio, concave and convex curves of the outer confines of the chamber  216  can be tuned to produce a desired wavelength of light for generating musical tonal waves. 
         [0024]    Parabolic curves or semi-circle structures (“curves”) within the chamber  216  can be used to redirect the light back to the center point. In a particular embodiment, a curve at the center point can have golden rectangular dimension of sqrt(5)/2, and successive curves can extend from each direction of the center point to end with a maximum radius at the end of the inner golden rectangle. 
         [0025]    Golden rectangle-based dimensions can be used within the center structure of the chamber  216 . In one embodiment, the ratio of the width of the golden rectangle to its length is 1:1.618, and the outer body of the chamber  216  has a ratio is 1:1.618. The inner and outer rectangle can have a ratio of 4:5 to create 4:5 relational tuning. 
         [0026]    In a particular embodiment, a golden arc ratio of 1:2, 4:5, 2:3 is used to tune the chamber  216  based upon a major 3rd 4:5 ratio. The minimum width can be based on Vaastu architectural parameters. The dimension of the ratio can increase from the center point of chamber  216  to expand out to a 1:1 ratio form center point and then 1:2 ratio on both sides of center line resulting in an example sequence, 5:2:1:1:2:5. 
         [0027]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , one or more ultrasonic transducers  218  can be devices for generating vibrations to stimulate an individual  104  floating in chamber  216 . The ultrasonic transducers  218  can be coupled to the processing unit  206  to receive signals to reproduce as ultrasonic waves. In a preferred environment, the ultrasonic vibration is in a range of 0.1-10 HZ to cause micro-adjustments to the ear canal processing the vibration. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2   a , a series of transducers  228  can be coupled to chamber  216 . In one embodiment, an ultrasonic transducer  218  has a magnetically positive first end  230  and a magnetically negative second end  232 . When positioned along opposing sides of the chamber  216 , the negative end  232  of one ultrasonic transducer  218  interacts with the positive end  504  of another ultrasonic transducer  230  to produce a magnetic field within the chamber  216 . The magnetic field can act as the tensor field to interact, in the chamber  216 , with a diamagnetic solution to produce a repulsive effect having a therapeutic effect on the individual  104 . Alternatively, the chamber  216  may be filed with a saline solution. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, heater  220  may be a far-infrared (FIR) heater. The FIR heater  220  heats ambient air in the chamber  216  at a wavelength to facilitate FIR penetration into bone marrow, for example. The FIR heater  220  can operate at a selectable range of 4-1000 microns to provide high absorption by the human body and deep penetration of the skin. 
         [0030]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , user interface  202  can be a physical interface, a graphical interface, or another known or convenient interface for the monitoring system  204 . The user interface  202  can receive instructions from an attendant controlling the stimulation of the individual  104 . For example, the user interface  202  can be used to start and stop stimulation, select a type of music to play, control water temperature, display data about the individual, and provide any other known or convenient data about the individual receiving the stimulation. 
         [0031]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , monitoring system  204  can include devices for displaying data to an attendant monitoring stimulation of an individual in the chamber  216 . For example, a panel display, CRT (cathode ray tube) display, or other monitoring device may be used. The attendant may be a human person, an operating process within the processing unit  206 , or a combination of both. 
         [0032]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , processing unit  206  can be a system or device for analyzing biometric data from sensors. For example, processing unit  206  can be a conventional processor coupled to a memory storing instructions for execution by the processor to use in reducing the electrical signals produced by the sensors to graphs, charts, and other human interpretable representations. 
         [0033]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , storage repository  208  can include data collected from the individual  104 . As used in this paper, a repository  208  can be implemented, for example, as software embodied in a physical computer-readable medium on a general- or specific-purpose machine, in firmware, in hardware, in a combination thereof, or in any applicable known or convenient device or system. The repositories described in this paper are intended, if applicable, to include any organization of data, including trees, tables, comma-separated values (CSV) files, traditional databases (e.g., SQL), or other known or convenient organizational formats. 
         [0034]    In an example of a system where a repository is implemented as a database, a database management system (DBMS) can be used to manage the repository. In such a case, the DBMS may be thought of as part of the repository or as part of a database server, or as a separate functional unit (not shown). A DBMS is typically implemented as an engine that controls organization, storage, management, and retrieval of data in a database. DBMSs frequently provide the ability to query, backup and replicate, enforce rules, provide security, do computation, perform change and access logging, and automate optimization. Examples of DBMSs include Alpha Five, DataEase, Oracle database, IBM DB2, Adaptive Server Enterprise, FileMaker, Firebird, Ingres, Informix, Mark Logic, Microsoft Access, InterSystems Cache, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Visual FoxPro, MonetDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Progress, SQLite, Teradata, CSQL, OpenLink Virtuoso, Daffodil DB, and OpenOffice.org Base, to name several. 
         [0035]    Database servers can store databases, as well as the DBMS and related engines. Any of the repositories described in this paper could presumably be implemented as database servers. It should be noted that there are two logical views of data in a database, the logical (external) view and the physical (internal) view. In this paper, the logical view is generally assumed to be data found in a report, while the physical view is the data stored in a physical storage medium and available to a specifically programmed processor. With most DBMS implementations, there is one physical view and an almost unlimited number of logical views for the same data. 
         [0036]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , sound generation unit  210  can include speakers or other devices for reproducing sound to stimulate an individual. In one embodiment, the sound generation unit  210  can operate in a range that resonates with an organ of the individual  104 , such as for example, the stomach, spleen, pancreas, lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, large intestines, small intestine, thyroid, or gallbladder. The sound generation unit  210  can be installed using waterproof speakers or transducers embedded in the chamber  216 . Alternatively, speakers could be placed above water, mobile for relocation to various positions, and otherwise installed as is known or convenient. 
         [0037]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , sensors  214  can include sensors for collecting biometric data from an individual, such as those sensors discussed in reference to monitor  108 . 
         [0038]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , water management unit  212  can include piping, tubing, or other systems for moving water and/or a solution to and from the chamber  216 . Additionally, water management unit  212  can include pumps or other devices for moving the water and/or solution to and from the chamber  216  in a continuous re-circulating slow flow. 
         [0039]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , heater  220  can be a device for altering the temperature of the fluid in the chamber  216  to the individual&#39;s  104  body temperature, or higher or lower temperatures. Heater  220  may include a sensor to determine the temperature of the fluid in the chamber  216 . In one embodiment, Heater  220  utilizes an inline water heater. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  depicts a flowchart of an example of a method  300  for influencing a human brain to operate at a frequency. The method is organized as a sequence of modules in the flowchart  300 . However, it should be understood that these and other modules associated with other methods described herein may be reordered for parallel execution or into different sequences of modules. 
         [0041]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , the flowchart starts at module  302  with stimulating the individual with audio waves while the individual is immersed in a fluid medium, wherein the audio waves are produced as beats embedded in music. Cellular regeneration is induced by the audio waves to affect brainwave entrainment. The music can include a track that is interesting, entertaining, soothing or otherwise desirable. The beats can be embedded in this music as a second track mixed in with the music that is audible but may be barely noticeable. In this way, an individual listening to the music can be stimulated by the beat while enjoying the music. In an alternative embodiment, the beats are produced without an accompanying musical track. 
         [0042]    One designing the music can take into account the desires of the individual to be stimulated with the beat as well as the kind of stimulation that the individual requires. For example, an individual requiring a relaxing therapeutic session can receive a beat in the theta ( 0 ) range whereas an individual requiring a focused stimulating session can receive a beat in the alpha (a) range. Through exposure to the beat, the brain can respond to the beat and after multiple sessions the brain can begin to adopt the beat. 
         [0043]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , the flowchart continues to module  304  which monitors the biofeedback from the individual  104  for adherence to the desired frequency by utilizing one or more sensors that identify the individual&#39;s  104  operating brain frequencies. Prior to receiving the stimulation, the individual&#39;s  104  brain waves may not operate at the desired frequency. While stimulating the individual with the beat, the brain can adhere to, and begin to operate at, the desired frequency by resonating the beat&#39;s slow oscillation frequency with the hippocampus. This can induce and entrain, for example, a relaxed state or a focused state in the brain of the individual. Sensors can collect the brain waves emanating from the individual, and an attendant can monitor the brain waves for adherence to the frequency. Having monitored the individual for adherence to the frequency, the flowchart terminates. 
         [0044]    The system  400  may be a conventional computer system that can be used as a client computer system, such as a wireless client or a workstation, or a server computer system. The system  400  includes a device  402 , I/O devices  404 , and a display device  406 . The device  402  includes a processor  408 , a communications interface  410 , memory  412 , display controller  414 , non-volatile storage  416 , I/O controller  418 , clock  422 , and radio  424 . The device  402  may be coupled to or include the I/O devices  404  and the display device  406 . 
         [0045]    The device  402  interfaces to external systems through the communications interface  410 , which may include a modem or network interface. It will be appreciated that the communications interface  410  can be considered to be part of the system  400  or a part of the device  402 . The communications interface  410  can be an analog modem, ISDN modem or terminal adapter, cable modem, token ring IEEE 802.5 interface, Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface, wireless 802.11 interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g. “direct PC”), WiMAX/IEEE 802.16 interface, Bluetooth interface, cellular/mobile phone interface, third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) mobile phone interfaces, code division multiple access (CDMA) interface, Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) interface, general packet radio service (GPRS) interface, Enhanced GPRS (EDGE/EGPRS), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSPDA) interface, or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems. 
         [0046]    The processor  408  may be, for example, a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium microprocessor or Motorola power PC microprocessor. The memory  412  is coupled to the processor  408  by a bus  420 . The memory  412  can be Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and can also include Static RAM (SRAM). The bus  420  couples the processor  408  to the memory  412 , also to the non-volatile storage  416 , to the display controller  414 , and to the I/O controller  418 . 
         [0047]    The I/O devices  404  can include a keyboard, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other input and output devices, including a mouse or other pointing device. The display controller  414  may control in the conventional manner a display on the display device  406 , which can be, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD). The display controller  414  and the I/O controller  418  can be implemented with conventional well known technology. 
         [0048]    The non-volatile storage  416  is often a magnetic hard disk, flash memory, an optical disk, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access process, into memory  412  during execution of software in the device  402 . One of skill in the art will immediately recognize that the terms “machine-readable medium” or “computer-readable medium” includes any type of storage device that is accessible by the processor  408 . 
         [0049]    Clock  422  can be any kind of oscillating circuit creating an electrical signal with a precise frequency. In a non-limiting example, clock  422  could be a crystal oscillator using the mechanical resonance of vibrating crystal to generate the electrical signal. 
         [0050]    The radio  424  can include any combination of electronic components, for example, transistors, resistors and capacitors. The radio is operable to transmit and/or receive signals. 
         [0051]    The system  400  is one example of many possible computer systems which have different architectures. For example, personal computers based on an Intel microprocessor often have multiple buses, one of which can be an I/O bus for the peripherals and one that directly connects the processor  408  and the memory  412  (often referred to as a memory bus). The buses are connected together through bridge components that perform any necessary translation due to differing bus protocols. 
         [0052]    Network computers are another type of computer system that can be used in conjunction with the teachings provided herein. Network computers do not usually include a hard disk or other mass storage, and the executable programs are loaded from a network connection into the memory  412  for execution by the processor  408 . A Web TV system, which is known in the art, is also considered to be a computer system, but it may lack some of the features shown in  FIG. 4 , such as certain input or output devices. A typical computer system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a bus coupling the memory to the processor. 
         [0053]    In addition, the system  400  is controlled by operating system software which includes a file management system, such as a disk operating system, which is part of the operating system software. One example of operating system software with its associated file management system software is the family of operating systems known as Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and their associated file management systems. Another example of operating system software with its associated file management system software is the Linux operating system and its associated file management system. The file management system is typically stored in the non-volatile storage  416  and causes the processor  408  to execute the various acts required by the operating system to input and output data and to store data in memory, including storing files on the non-volatile storage  416 . 
         [0054]    Some portions of the detailed description are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
         [0055]    It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
         [0056]    The present example also relates to apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. 
         [0057]    The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatuses. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the present example is not described with reference to any particular programming language, and various examples may thus be implemented using a variety of programming languages. 
         [0058]    It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the preceding examples are exemplary and not limiting. It is intended that all permutations, enhancements, equivalents, and improvements thereto that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims include all such modifications, permutations and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of these teachings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0