Electroacoustic Stimulation Device and Method

Abstract

The device for electroacoustic stimulation and the method for using the same. The device is an electro-vibrational device operating in one of six acoustic frequency bands. It may be applied to muscles, tendons, and joints to achieve muscle relaxation and alleviation of pain. The device may also be used to induce psycho-physical effects, such as general relaxation of the body and psyche and inducing a state of spiritual calm, resembling results of meditation process. To maximize an effect, a vibratory stimulation is applied not only to the pain afflicted area, but also to symmetrical areas on the contralateral side of the body and similar zones according to the anterior-posterior symmetry. To enhance the electroacoustic stimulation effect, the vibrational signal is supplied either in a form of continuous wave, series of the same frequency trains, separated by pauses, or series of trains of different frequencies also separated by pauses.

Claims

1. Electroacoustic stimulation device comprising: a vibrating enclosure, a piezoelectric element, an electronic driver circuit, a signal shaping circuit, a signal enhancement circuit, and a signal adjustment circuit, wherein sad piezoelectric element is mechanically coupled to a flat wall of said vibrating enclosure, a conductive plate located in a vicinity of the piezoelectric element and in parallel with the plates of the piezoelectric element; the plate is capacitively coupled with one of the plates of the piezoelectric element, said flat wall of the vibrating enclosure is provided with a number of holes located adjacent to the center of the piezoelectric element, and said piezoelectric element is electrically connected to the electronic driver circuit via a signal adjustment circuit, said piezoelectric element is driven by said electronic driver circuit, and oscillates at predetermined frequency selected from an acoustic frequency range, said piezoelectric element is mechanically driving said vibrating enclosure, and said piezoelectric element generates an acoustic wave applied to a subject's body via vibrating enclosure and an acoustic hole and an external, fringe electric field affecting the subject's body.

2. The electroacoustic stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, p1 wherein said signal shaping circuit converts a signal generated by the electronic driver circuit into a signal of sinusoidal form, and signal enhancement circuit increases an amplitude of the signal, wherein said signal adjustment circuit matches an output impedance of the electronic driver circuit with an impedance of said piezoelectric element and implements electrical biasing of a signal with respect to zero level, wherein said signal adjustment circuit is coupled between said signal shaping circuit and said piezoelectric element.

3. The electroacoustic stimulation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said signal adjustment circuit further comprises a capacitor coupled between an output terminal of the signal enhancement circuit and first terminal of the piezoelectric element, the second terminal of the piezoelectric element is coupled to another terminal of the enhancement circuit, and the piezoelectric element is bypassed by a diode.

4. The electroacoustic stimulation device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said signal adjustment circuit comprises number of capacitors and diodes forming a voltage multiplier, and wherein said piezoelectric element is coupled across one of the diodes of the voltage multiplier.

5. The electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frequency range comprises the range including frequencies between 250 and 400 Hz.

6. The electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic driver circuit generates signals in form of packets of frequencies, wherein said packets of frequencies being separated by audio pauses.

7. The electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein selection of predetermined signal frequencies, control of theft durations, and timing of signals onset and cessation are implemented by a microcontroller.

8. The electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said piezoelectric element oscillates with a frequency, which is periodically varying according to sinusoidal form.

9. A method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, comprising the following steps: selecting a predetermined acoustic frequency, applying the device to a selected spot in the subject body, and activating the device, the device starts generation of the predetermined acoustic frequency, which is applied to the subject's body and affects his/her peripheral neural system, and after expiration of predetermined time the device stops generation of said frequency and generates a visual or acoustic indication of stopping, upon reception of said indication of stopping selecting another predetermined frequency, which may be different, or the same, as previously used frequency and activating the device again.

10. The method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed claim 9, wherein said predetermined frequencies being selected from the range including frequencies from 250 to 400 Hz.

11. The method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein selection of predetermined frequencies, control of the device activity, including timing of the acoustic frequency generation and cessation are implemented by a microcontroller.

12. The method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said the electroacoustic stimulation device generates acoustic signals in form of packets of the same frequency, and wherein said packets being separated by audio pauses.

13. The method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said the electroacoustic stimulation device generates acoustic signals in form of packets of different frequencies, and wherein said packets of different frequencies being separated by audio pauses.

14. The method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein applying the device to the subject body, include applying the device to an afflicted area of the subject body, and applying the device to an associated area on the contralateral side of the body, according to the sagittal symmetry, and on the opposite side of the body, according to the anterior-posterior symmetry.

15. The method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 9, for treatment of the muscle cramps, comprising: locating a painful spot, activating the electroacoustic stimulation device and applying the device to a contralateral spot with respect to the painful spot.

16. The method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 9, for treatment of the pain, comprising: locating a painful spot, activating the electroacoustic stimulation device, and applying the device to a painful spot, and applying the device to the contralateral spot with respect to the painful spot.

17. The method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein applying the device to the subject body, include applying the device to an afflicted area of the subject body, and applying the device to general functional centers of the body.

18. The method of using the electroacoustic stimulation device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said general functional centers of the body include Solar Plexus, and its contralateral spot on the back, Umbilicus, and its contralateral spot on the back.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1A is a top plan view of the electroacoustic stimulation device in accordance with present invention.

[0034] FIG. 1B is a bottom plan view of the electroacoustic stimulation device in accordance with present invention.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a general elevational cross-sectional view of the electroacoustic stimulation device in accordance with the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 3A and 3B is an enlarged, elevational cross-sectional view of a vibrating enclosure and attached bottom active wall of the device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electrical circuit that drives the Piezo Speaker element according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 4A is a schematic block diagram of an Electronic Circuit powered by a step-up voltage converter and driving the Piezo Speaker element.

[0039] FIG. 4B is a schematic block diagram of an Electronic Circuit driving the Piezo Speaker element and using step-up transformer as a voltage enhancement circuit.

[0040] FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram of the signal adjustment circuit producing a biasing of the signal.

[0041] FIG. 5A is an electrical schematic diagram of the signal adjustment circuit implementing impedance matching between the enhancement circuit and piezo Speaker.

[0042] FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of another version of the signal adjustment circuit producing a biased signal.

[0043] FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of upgraded signal adjustment and biasing circuit.

[0044] FIG. 8A is a timing diagram of continuous application of the acoustic wave.

[0045] FIG. 8B is a timing diagram of periodic application of the wave trains of a same frequency.

[0046] FIG. 8C is a timing diagram of periodic application of the wave trains of different frequencies.

[0047] FIG. 9A and 9B, biased signals waveforms applied to #1 and #2 piezoelectric elements of the stack, FIG. 9C is a piezoelectric stack structure and its push-pull functioning,

[0048] FIG. 10 shows mapping of Four Major points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0049] To clarify elements of a disclosure, some definitions should be provided. Oscillator is a circuit generating one of the following periodical wave forms: sinusoidal, square, or triangle form wave, or combinations thereof.

[0050] Signal adjustment circuit is the circuit, matching or equalizing the impedances of the piezo speaker and the power amplifier output. Additionally, the circuit may produce the signal biasing from zero level by adding a DC component to the signal.

[0051] Power Source may be implemented in form of a primary or rechargeable battery or AC/DC voltage converter plugged into mains,

[0052] Power Amplifier is a circuit amplifying the signal generated by the oscillator and providing a grounded or floating output signal to the piezo Speaker.

[0053] Piezo Speaker is any piezoelectric device converting the electric signal into acoustic wave, Piezo electric element is further called a piezo Speaker.

[0054] Voltage Converter is the circuit stepping up the power supply voltage to provide the amplifier with the supply voltage of sufficient value, such that the amplifier would be capable to generate an output signal sufficient for driving the piezo Speaker.

[0055] Every area found on one side of the body (front side or back side) has its own symmetrically associated area on the other side of the body (back side or front side) at the same height.

[0056] A plexus is a branching network of vessels or nerves in the body.

[0057] With reference now to the figures wherein like elements have the same number throughout the several views and, particularly with reference to FIG. 1A, 1B and FIG. 2, there is depicted a structure of the electroacoustic stimulation device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 1A shows the electroacoustic stimulation device 10 including a vibrating enclosure 11 with a faceplate incorporating Display 1 and Control Switches 13. FIG. 1B shows a bottom wall of the enclosure, including a single circular opening 14. However, multiple openings may be provided.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, the vibrating enclosure 11 is driven by a vibration element 16 mechanically attached to vibrating enclosure 11. Vibration element 16 is attached or mounted with glue, other adhesives or by a physical attachment such as a rivet to enclosure 11. Vibration element 16 is driven by electrical pulses and causes the enclosure 11 to oscillate. Vibrating enclosure 11 thus has the maximum freedom for oscillation, as a result of its mounting means and location. Besides that, the opening 14 in the active wall allows a free passage of audio sound to the subject's skin. The vibration element 16 may be implemented as a piezoelectric element 19.

[0060] The electroacoustic stimulation device shown in FIG. 3A and 3B, comprises the vibration enclosure 11, a piezoelectric element 19, or bender, comprising a piezo-ceramic disk 20 attached by an adhesive to a larger diameter metal disk 21. Disk 21 is circumferentially encapsulated into a plastic circular edge ring 22 which, in turn, is attached to vibrating enclosure 11 by an attachment means such as an adhesive or a physical member such as a rivet.

[0061] Both piezo-ceramic disk 20 and metal disk 21 are electrically connected to an electronic control circuit board 15 by electrical wires 60, one of which is electrically attached to disk 20 and one to ceramic disk 21, such as by being soldered thereon.

[0062] In order to affect the human body, the known vibrating devices should be hard pressed to the body surface, However, it was experimentally found that the instant electroacoustic stimulation device provides a sufficient effect, even when being located at some distance from the body. An explanation for this effect is that in addition to mechanical acoustic waves, the piezoelectric element produces not only internal electric field bending the membrane and producing the sound, but additionally producing a fringe electric field, that reaches the body of the subject causing some neurologic effects.

[0063] As presented by some patents issued in the past, for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,874, when two conductive plates separated by a dielectric and carrying different potential brought into vicinity of the subject body, the external or fringe field of the plates produces some neurologic effects in a peripheral neural system of the subject.

[0064] According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,874, the currents induced into the subject's body are too small to cause classical nerve stimulation, however a central nervous system response is evoked. Since classical nerve stimulation cannot occur, these signals apparently produce a stochastic modulation of spontaneous firing patterns.

[0065] To enhance the device effect the instant invention includes an additional structural element intended to enhance the fringe electric field generated by piezoelectric element. There is an additional conductive plate 33 located in vicinity of piezoelectric element and in parallel with the plates of the piezoelectric element; the plate is either directly or via capacitors coupled with a ground wiring of the electrical circuit of the driver or with one of the plates of the piezoelectric element. Additional electric field lines are formed between the metal plate of the piezoelectric driver and the conductive plate thus enhancing the external or fringe field of the device.

[0066] Electronic control circuit board 15 is powered by an electrical battery 17 located in a battery compartment 62 of the enclosure 11, as shown on FIG. 2. The battery may be a primary (non-rechargeable) or rechargeable battery.

[0067] When electrical pulses are applied to the piezoelectric element, they cause oscillations of vibrating enclosure 11 in the directions as shown by double-headed arrows 23 on FIG. 3A.

[0068] A block-diagram of an electronic circuit 25, which is driving the vibration enclosure 11, is shown in FIG. 4. Electronic circuit 25 is comprised of an electronic driver including an electronic oscillator 26, which outputs being connected to inputs of an amplifier 30, which outputs in turn being coupled to a signal modification block 34, which may include the voltage enhancement circuit 29, the signal shaping circuit 27, and the signal adjustment circuit 28, the signal modification block delivers its output signals to the piezoelectric Speaker 16.

[0069] The electronic oscillator 26 generates a sinusoidal wave with a predetermined frequency selected from the range between 250 Hz and 400 Hz, Alternatively, it may generate triangle or square shape or triangle shape waves with the same frequencies, as mentioned above. When the oscillator circuit of the driving circuit generates either triangle or square form wave, the signal shaping circuit 27 may convert them into sinusoidal waves.

[0070] When oscillator generates sinusoidal signal, the signal shaping circuit 27 may be omitted.

[0071] FIG. 4A shows the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, including the step-up voltage converter 32 increasing the power supply voltage and delivering such voltage as a supply to the amplifier 30. It allows the amplifier to amplify the oscillator 26 output signal to a high value sufficient for driving the piezo Speaker 16.

[0072] The device structure shown FIG. 4A includes the voltage converter 32, the oscillator 26 generating the sinusoidal wave with a predetermined frequency selected from the range recited in paragraph [0008], the amplifier 30 increasing the sinusoidal signal of the oscillator to a predetermined level, the signal adjustment circuit 28, which 1) matches the resistive output impedance of the amplifier 30 with the capacitive impedance of the piezo Speaker 16, 2) provides a voltage bias for sinusoidal signal of the amplifier, and delivers the adjusted signal to the Piezo Speaker 16. The signal adjustment of the device plays an important role in strengthening the acoustic output, as will be further elaborated ([0071]-[0073]).

[0073] FIG. 5 shows the circuit diagram of the signal adjustment circuit 28. The circuit includes the capacitor C and diode D combination which receives the sinusoidal output signal from the power amplifier 30 and forms the biased signal in which the sinusoidal wave is being biased with respect to zero level. The biased signal delivered to the piezo Speaker is the sinusoidal wave running on the top of zero voltage level.

[0074] Another modification of the electronic circuit 25 is shown in FIG. 4B. In this embodiment the step-up voltage converter is omitted, the power amplifier 30 has relatively low power supply voltage, and eventually produces low output voltage, which is not sufficient for driving the piezo Speaker 16. To resolve this problem, the signal enhancement circuit in form of step-up signal transformer 29 is used. The transformer increases the signal voltage several times, such that the resulting voltage is sufficient to drive the piezo Speaker 16.

[0075] The step-up signal transformer 29 (see FIG. 4B and 5A) is installed between the output of the amplifier 30 and the signal adjustment circuit 28 to elevate the signal to a level sufficient for driving the piezoelectric Speaker 16. The transformer schematically belongs to both, the signal shaping circuit 27 and to the signal adjustment circuit 28; its secondary winding together with capacitors C1 and C2 (FIG, 5A) form the signal adjustment circuit, particularly by matching a capacitive impedance of the piezo Speaker 16 with the amplifier 30 output impedance. Each of the capacitors Interconnects one of the terminals of the secondary winding L2 with of the input terminals of the piezoelectric element. The capacitors have capacitance in the range of 0.1 uF to 10 uF.

[0076] FIGS. 6 and 7 show different but similar implementations of the signal adjustment circuit. In FIG. 6 one of the outputs of enhancing circuit or transformer 29, which is the enhancement element, is coupled via series connected capacitor C to one of terminals of diode D, which has its second terminal being coupled directly to another output of transformer 29, while the piezo Speaker 16 is connected across terminals of diode, such that the anode of the diode is connected to the metal plate of the piezo Speaker and the cathode is connected to the ceramic plate of the piezo Speaker. As a result, the piezo Speaker receives the sinusoidal wave biased with respect to zero level, and the meta plate of the piezo Speaker is biased negatively with respect to the ceramic plate.

[0077] The adjustment circuit of FIG. 6 may be upgraded as demonstrated in FIG. 7, wherein the output voltage from the secondary winding of the transformer is delivered to the piezo Speaker via combination of capacitors and diodes forming a voltage multiplier.

[0078] As well known in the art, the voltage across capacitor C2 is twice higher than the amplitude of the signal at the output of the transformer. The voltage drop across diode D2, is an AC signal biased with respect to zero level, is being applied to the piezo Speaker 16. The polarity of bias is the same as in FIG. 6 version.

[0079] To achieve a sufficient acoustic output with limited power source voltage and limited values of maximum allowable amplifier supply voltages, the instant invention employs another solution presented herein. According to the preferred embodiment, the device employs a couple of piezo elements arranged in a stack arrangement, as shown in FIG. 9C. Here the ceramic disk (white block) of one piezo element #1 faces the metal disk (the black element) of another piezo element #2. Both elements receive driving signals from the same source, which means that both driving waves have the same frequency and the same phase. The piezo elements receive biased driving signals of different polarity. It is implemented by connecting the first piezoelectric element such that a negative pole is coupled to the metal plate of the piezoelectric element and positive pole of biasing voltage to the ceramic disk, and the second piezoelectric element such that a positive pole coupled to the metal plate of the piezoelectric element and the negative pole to the ceramic disk.

[0080] The results of such bias are shown in FIG. 9A and 9B, where the driving signals of piezoelectric elements have the voltage bias of different polarity, #2 is biased in a positive direction from zero level (FIG. 9B), while #1 is biased in a negative direction from zero level (FIG. 9A).

[0081] As shown in FIG. 9A and 9B, when the first element has maximum value, another one is at zero level, and when the first element is at zero level, another one is at maximum. Because of the biases, the sinusoidal waves have a maximum value of about 2 Am, where Am is an original amplitude, or maximum value of non-biased sinusoidal signal (as clear shown in FIG. 9A, 9B). Since both waves are biased with respect to zero level, each of them at a moment of maximum has a double amplitude value. In action this couple of piezo elements works in tandem like a push-pull element providing a double acoustic pressure in both directions. When the driving signal of the first element #1 has its maximum value, the driving signal of the second element #2 has zero value and vice versa. Therefore, at time t0 the metal disk of #1 delivers a push of membrane downward with 2 Am strength, and at the time t1 the #2 metal disk delivers a push of membrane upward (due change of polarity) with 2 Am strength, as shown by arrows. Accordingly, the acoustic wave with sinusoidal pushes of double strength being produced.

[0082] Device Control

[0083] The device is controlled by microcontroller 32, having residing software stored in the memory; the microcontroller controls all aspects of activity of the device. The software includes Input-Output block responsible for user-device interaction, control block controlling all the device activities, including activation and control of the oscillator, selection of generated frequency, adjusting parameters of generated wave, and time block setting the time constrains and periodicity pattern of generated waves.

[0084] In order to prevent habituation, the temporal pattern of the sound frequency may be periodically changed. This can be done either by replacing a continuous wave of the same frequency shown in FIG. 8A by either periodic generation of wave trains of the same frequency separated by pauses, as shown in FIG. 8B, or by sequential application of different frequencies selected from different groups of ranges, as shown in FIG. 8C.

[0085] According to experiments results, in some cases periodic train with pauses may be preferable with respect to continuous wave, apparently, since such waveforms help to avoid habituation.

[0086] Another mode of device activity may include sequential application of different frequencies selected from the range between 250 and 400 Hz. Such mode of activity with alternating frequencies is illustrated in FIG. 8C.

[0087] Setting a mode of activity, selection of frequencies and the timing of all signal patterns being set by Micro-Controller 32.

[0088] Today there are some types of massage, such as reflexology or acupressure that apply massage not only to the afflicted area, but also to some remote areas having some specific functional features. Our experience with electroacoustic stimulation shows that using such areas for stimulation increases efficacy of treatment. Therefore, our protocols employ similar strategies.

[0089] Accordingly, the stimulation is being applied not only locally to an afflicted area, but also to associated areas, e.g. the symmetrical areas on the contralateral side of the body, and/or to similar zones according to the anterior-posterior symmetry of the body. Such strategy is based on symmetricity and looplike shapes of human dermatomes.

[0090] Besides that, to maximize the efficacy, the stimulation is also may be applied to the following cutaneous areas representing general functional centers: Solar (Celiac) plexus, and its associated area on the back (at the same level), and Umbilicus (Navel), and its associated area on the back (at the same level).

[0091] The Solar plexus is a complex system of radiating nerves and ganglia playing an important role in the functioning of the stomach, kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands.

[0092] The Umbilicus (Navel) sometime may be perceived, as a rudimentary organ. However, at the time of embryo development the whole body of embryo is supplied with nutrients via umbilical cord. And after delivery, when the cord is severed, the umbilicus retains its connections to a huge plexus of blood vessels, capillaries, and veins. It has been suggested that even in a post-embryonic period the Umbilicus plexus retains its control over many physiological structures and organs.

[0093] Of course, the stimulation is not applied directly to the plexuses, since they are inside the body, but to theft projection on the skin.

[0094] Location of Solar plexus projections: On the front—it is in an upper area of the stomach between the lower ribs. On the back—it is on the spinal cord at the level between 9th and 10th thoracic vertebras.

[0095] As to Umbilicus (Navel), its front area is circular centered in the umbilicus itself, the Back projection is a similar area on the spinal cord at the level under the 4th thoracic vertebra.

[0096] We define these four points recited in [0085]-[0089] as a Four Major Points, which are shown in FIG. 10.

[0097] It is recommended that stimulation of each of major points would last for about 30 seconds, using the same frequency, with total duration of 2 minutes. Alternatively, different frequencies may be used for stimulation of different points or for stimulation of the same point, as described for example in [0080].

[0098] The device may be effectively used for a muscle relaxation including muscle spasms or cramps caused by strained muscles. Most muscle cramps develop in the leg muscles, particularly in the calf. It was experimentally found that to achieve fast alleviation of muscle strain, the device should be applied not to a painful spot but to a contralateral spot. As well known, there are two forms of leg muscle spasms: a spasm that causes a limb to bend and causing the leg to move upwards towards the body, which is called a flexor spasm, and a spasm that causes a limb to extend and causing the leg to straighten away from the body, which is called an extensor spasm. In other words, there are two opposite muscles used for opposite movements and when one of them is overstrained and another one fails to resist, the result is the muscle cramp, Therefore, when the cramp occurs, not the painful spot but the strained muscle on an opposite side of the limb, should be treated for relaxation and cessation of the cramp.