AU2021201662A1

AU2021201662A1 - Device and method for bilateral sensory stimulation

Info

Publication number: AU2021201662A1
Application number: AU2021201662A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shawn Malcolm Cleyne
Original assignee: Cleyne Megan Loise
Current assignee: Cleyne Megan Loise
Priority date: 2021-03-16
Filing date: 2021-03-16
Publication date: 2022-10-06

Abstract

A set of devices (1) offer a therapeutic benefit to an individual by providing bilateral single- or multiple-type stimulations to the required body area/s of the individual, comprising a manually operated master unit (2) and a slave unit (3). The master unit (2) 5 includes a casing (4), buttons (5,6,7), coloured LED's (8,9,10,11) and USB port (12). The slave unit (3) has a casing (14), button (15), LED's (16,17) and USB port (18). The units (2,3) can include an embedded raised tactile writing Braille-type system to provide operating instructions for a visually impaired individual. The texture of the casings (4,14) can be varied, including being malleable by hand pressure. The units (2,3) each include 10 a haptic feedback activator with an eccentric rotating motor (25) and an associated driver circuit (26). The intensity of the tapping, the rate of tapping and the duration of the intended use are each adjustable through five levels in the master unit (2), the settings being indicated by the combination flashing of the LED's (8,9). A transceiver (22)/antenna (23) in the master unit (2) transmits the required duration, intensity and rate 15 of the tapping selected by the individual to the slave unit (3) via a wireless communication protocol. Additional circuitry can be incorporated within the casings (4,14) to enable the microcontroller (24) to provide for the LED's (10,16) to flash in unison with the tactile stimulation activators providing two differing sensory stimulations simultaneously. 133 13 3 20 1817 12 11 F G 20

Description

13

3

1817 12 2011 F G 20

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR BILATERAL SENSORY STIMULATION

Technical Field

THIS INVENTION relates to the provision of a therapeutic benefit to an individual suffering from a psychological complaint. The present invention finds use as a particular, but not limiting, device and its method of use which can provide a therapeutic benefit to an individual suffering from a stress-related disorder.

Statements

It should be noted that, throughout this specification, unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was, at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of the common general knowledge, or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout this specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

Background Art

Stress (the state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances), according to the World Health Organisation, is a significant health problem in society today. Stress can cause psychological and emotional strains, including confusion, anxiety, lack of motivation and depression, as well as physical conditions, such as headaches, digestive issues including weight gain, chronic pain and sleep disturbances. Stress is also detrimental to the body's immune system reducing the immune system's ability to fight off antigens rendering an individual more susceptible to infections. Studies have established that reducing stress in the human body particularly reduces the level of cortisol - the steroid hormone which aids the body's ability to fight inflammation and which boosts the immune system.

Studies have established that "tapping" is a powerful stress relief technique, a technique using fingertip tapping to apply pressure to stimulate traditional Chinese acupuncture points instead of inserting needles. The tapping on these designated points is combined with verbalizing the identified problem (or target) followed by a general affirmation phrase and has been proven to lower cortisollevels, reduce stress, improve sleep, reduce anxiety, relieve pain and improve function of the immune system. It should also be noted that bilateral sensory stimulation, in addition to relieving a stress related disorder, is also known to relieve depression, anxiety (particularly prior to or post surgery or medical procedure) and is an especially good activity for an individual with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia-based diagnosis. One form of tapping comprises bilateral stimulation whereby visual, auditory, or tactile external stimuli are applied in an alternating rhythmic pattern on both sides of the body to activate each hemisphere of the brain. Prior art bilateral stimulation includes visual stimulation by watching a hand or moving light alternating from left to right, auditory stimulation by listening to tones that alternate between the left and right sides of the head, and tactile stimulation with handheld pulsators applying pressure alternately on both sides of the required body area.

For those individuals who would prefer to use self-administered manually tactile stimulation but have difficulty in undertaking the treatment due to age or disabilities, various prior-art electro-mechanical devices have been developed which replicate the bilateral tapping by using two such devices to apply a buzzing sensation which closely mimics the sensation of human touch to the required body areas. These prior art devices rely on mobile units, typically a telephone or tablet computer, whereby the operating settings for the bilateral stimulations such as the intensity of each stimulation, the duration of each stimulation and the overlap period between the opposing stimulations are entered on the touchscreen display of the unit which are then wirelessly communicated to the electro-mechanical devices to activate the bilateral stimulations.

However, many individuals, again due to age or disabilities, are unable or unwilling to readily operate such mobile units. Further, the wireless technology, such as Bluetooth and WIFI, used to transmit the operating parameters from the mobile units to the electro-mechanical devices can fail rendering the devices inoperable and an individual unable to undertake bilateral tapping when required. These prior art devices also fail to provide any additional benefit/s that could be obtained by incorporating multiple visual, auditory, or tactile external stimuli in these devices, particularly from the texture of the materials from which these devices are manufactured as texture has a known benefit in various sensory stimulation therapy activities.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

A first aspect of the present invention is a set of devices for bilateral positioning in contact with the body of an individual for providing a therapeutic benefitto the individual suffering from a psychological complaint, the set comprising:

a first device for the application of one or more sensory stimulations to the individual;

a second device for the application of one or more sensory stimulations to the individual; and

a controlling means in operable connection with the first device for controlling the generation of the one or more sensory stimulations to be applied by the first device and the second device, the subsequently generated one or more sensory stimulations being sufficient to provide bilateral one or more sensory stimulations to the individual; wherein: the first device comprises: a first casing; a first means in operable connection with the first casing for providing a first sensory stimulation to the individual; if required, a second means in operable connection with the first casing for providing a second sensory stimulation to the individual; the controlling means is adapted for manual operation by the individual; and the second device comprises: a second casing; a receiving means in operable connection with the second casing for receiving input from the controlling means; a third means in operable connection with the second casing for providing a first sensory stimulation to the individual; and if required, a fourth means in operable connection with the second casing for providing a second sensory stimulation to the individual.

Preferably, the sensory stimulations are selected from the group comprising tactile, visual, auditory and thermal stimulations, or a combination thereof.

More preferably, the sensory stimulations are tactile stimulations.

Preferably, the tactile stimulations are vibratory.

Preferably, the texture of the first casing and the second casing are each selected from the group comprising smooth, rough and rigid, or a combination thereof.

In a first option, the exterior surface of either or both of the first casing and the second casing includes a tactile writing system of the type used by the visually impaired, for example, the raised dot Braille system, for providing instructions for a visually impaired individual to control the set of devices.

In a second option, the first casing and the second casing are each malleable by hand pressure of the individual.

Preferably, the controlling means controls the selection, intensity, duration and rate of the bilateral sensory stimulations.

Preferably, the individual determines the selection, intensity, duration and rate of the bilateral sensory stimulations by manual operation of buttons on the first device operably connected to said controlling means.

Preferably, the selection, intensity, duration and rate of the bilateral sensory stimulations are indicated by one or more visual indicators on the first device.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the first device and the second device are adapted to be held in the respective palm of the individual.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the first device and the second device are adapted to be positioned on the respective wrist of the individual in contact with the individual.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, the first device and the second device are adapted to be positioned in an article of clothing in bilateral contact with the body of the individual.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the first device and the second device are adapted to be positioned in a pair of footwear in bilateral contact with the body of the individual.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the first device and the second device are adapted to be positioned in an article of furniture to be in bilateral contact with the body of the individual when sitting in the article of furniture.

In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the first device and the second device are adapted to be positioned in a toy to be in bilateral contact with the body of the individual when the toy is used.

As a second aspect of the present invention is the provision of a method for providing a therapeutic benefit to an individual suffering from a pyschological complaint, the method comprising:

positioning a first device and a second device from a set of devices as hereinbefore described in bilateral contact with the body of the individual;

activating the controlling means; and

determining the selection, intensity, duration and rate of the bilateral sensory stimulations;

whereby the bilateral sensory stimulations are applied to the body of the individual.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the bilateral sensory stimulations are continuous.

In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, the bilateral sensory stimulations are asynchronous.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a set of devices constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the master unit from the set of devices of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the slave unit from the set of devices of FIG. 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The set of devices (1) (FIG. 1) comprises a first master unit (2) and a second slave unit (3). The master unit (2) includes a casing (4), buttons (5,6,7), coloured LED's (8,9,10,11), USB port (12) and an optional carrying lanyard (13). The slave unit (3) has a casing (14), button (15), LED's (16,17), USB port (18) and an optional carrying lanyard (19). The casings (4,14) are manufactured from any suitable thermoplastic polymer known in the art, but typically being acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The respective front areas (20,21) and rear faces (not illustrated) provide space for the application of operating instructions (printed or Braille), promotional material, or other indicia.

Within the casing (4) of the master unit (2) (FIG. 2) are housed a wireless transceiver (22) and an associated antenna (23), a microcontroller (24), a hardware logic module (32), any suitable eccentric tactile transducer known in the art which converts rotary motion into linear reciprocating motion, typically, a haptic feedback activator with an eccentric rotating motor (25) and an associated driver circuit (26), a voltage regulator

(27), a battery (28), a charge management circuit (29) for the battery (28), a USB port (12), contact switches (5a,6a,7a) and LED's (8,9,10,11). The casing (14) of the slave unit (3) (FIG. 3) houses a wireless transceiver (30) and an associated antenna (31), a microcontroller (24a), an eccentric rotating motor haptic feedback activator (25) with an associated driver circuit (26), a voltage regulator (27), a battery (28), a charge management circuit (29) for the battery (28), a USB port (18), a contact switch (15a) and LED's (16,17).

The overall operation of the master unit (2) (FIG. 2) is controlled by software embedded in the microcontroller (24) and hardware logic module (32). The haptic feedback activator (25) is controlled by the driver circuit (26). The activator (25) converts electrical energy provided by the battery (28) into mechanical kinetic energy, the intensity of the tapping being determined by the voltage and current delivered by the driver circuit (26) to the activator (25). The contact switches (5a,6a,7a), activated by a user of the unit (2) by the manual buttons (5,6,7) extending through the casing (4), determine the duration of use of the unit (2) and the intensity and rate of tapping by the activator (25) to be controlled by the micro controller (24). The status of the operation of the unit (2) by the user is indicated by illumination of the LED's (8,9,10,11). The type, configuration and operation of the power supply (27), battery (28), charge management circuit (29) and USB port (12) for external charging are by any suitable means known in the art. The transceiver (22)/antenna (23) transmits the duration, intensity and rate of the tapping selected by the user to the slave unit (3) via any suitable known wireless communication protocol such as radio, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Similarly, the overall operation of the slave unit (3) (FIG. 3) is controlled by software embedded in the microcontroller (24a) and hardware logic module (32a) using the operating parameters communicated wirelessly from the transceiver (22)/antenna (23) of the master unit (2) and received via the wireless transreceiver (30)/antenna (31), in particular the duration, intensity and rate of the tapping selected by the user on the master unit (2). The activator (25), the driver circuit (26), the type, configuration and operation of the power supply (27), battery (28) and charge management circuit (29) are as described above for the master unit (2) and the USB port (18) is similarly for external charging. The contact switch (15a) is similarly activated by a user of the unit (3) by the manual button (15) extending through the casing (14) and the status of the operation of the slave unit (3) by the user is indicated by illumination of the LED's (16,17).

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additional circuitry can readily be incorporated within the casings (4,14) to enable the microcontroller (24) to provide, for example, for the LED's (10,16) to flash in unison with the tactile stimulation transducers (25,26) thereby providing two differing sensory stimulations simultaneously.

To activate the set (1), the master unit (2) and slave unit (3) are first charged when necessary using any convenient charge means known in the art connected to the respective USB ports (12,18), the respective LED's (11,17), preferably blue in colour, illuminating during the charging cycles. The buttons (5,15) are pressed for a few seconds on the master unit (2) and slave unit (3) until the respective LED's (10,16) illuminate to indicate that the units (2,3) are activated ready for use. Both units (2,3) will commence tapping according to the settings selected at the time the set (1) was previously powered down. Buttons (5,7) are pressed simultaneously for a few seconds to enter set-up mode. In set-up mode, the intensity of the tapping, the rate of tapping and the duration of the intended use are each adjustable through five levels, the respective settings being indicated by the combination flashing of the LED's (8,9) as detailed below. On powering up the units (2,3) and entering the set-up mode, the intensity of the session is the first parameter to be adjusted, indicated by the LED (8), preferably green in colour, flashing once. Button (7) is pressed to increase the intensity or button (6) is pressed to decrease the intensity. Each time either button (6) or button (7) is pressed, the green LED (8) flashes once and the LED (9), preferably orange in colour, flashes a number of times as each intensity level is selected - once for low, twice for medium/low, three times for medium, four times for medium/high and five times for high. After selecting the required intensity level, pressing button (5) enables the selection of the second parameter - the rate - indicated by two flashes of the green LED (8). This second rate parameter is adjusted upwards by pressing button (7) or downwards by pressing button (6). Each time either button (6) or button (7) is pressed, the green LED (8) flashes twice and the orange LED (9) flashes a number of times as each rate level is selected - once for 0.5 seconds, twice for 1.0 seconds, three times for 2.0 seconds, four times for 4.0 seconds and five times for 6 seconds. Pressing button (5) enables the selection of the third parameter - the duration - indicated by three flashes of the green LED (8). This third duration parameter is adjusted upwards by pressing button (7) or downwards by pressing button (6). Each time either button (6) or button (7) is pressed, the green LED (8) flashes three times and the orange LED (9) flashes a number of times as each required duration is selected - once for 5 minutes, twice for 10 minutes, three times for 15 minutes, four times for 30 minutes and five times for 60 minutes. After selecting the required intensity, rate and duration, pressing buttons (5,7) simultaneously for a few seconds locks in the selected parameters. If all of the required parameters are not set within a given period, typically 20 seconds, both units (2,3) will exit set-up mode and return to tapping according to the settings selected at the time the set (1) was previously powered down.

Once all the parameters have been set, the microcontroller (24) communicates the parameters from the master unit (2) to the slave unit (3), the units (2,3) are then held in the respective palms of the user to receive the bilateral tapping sensory stimulation. At the conclusion of the stimulation, buttons (5,15) are pressed for a few seconds on the master unit (2) and slave unit (3) to power down the units (2,3).

The present invention offers a therapeutic benefit by a reduction in stress, panic, anxiety and similar in an individual by providing asynchronous or continuous alternating bilateral single- or multiple-type stimulations to the required body area/s of the individual.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment is only an exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

Claims

A set of devices for bilateral positioning in contact with the body of an individual forproviding a therapeutic benefitto said individual suffering from a psychological complaint, said set comprising:

a first device for the application of one or more sensory stimulations to said individual;

a second device for the application of one or more sensory stimulations to said individual; and

a controlling means in operable connection with said first device for controlling the generation of said one or more sensory stimulations to be applied by said first device and said second device, the subsequently generated one or more sensory stimulations being sufficient to provide bilateral said one or more sensory stimulations to said individual; wherein:

said first device comprises:

a first casing;

a first means in operable connection with said first casing for providing a first sensory stimulation to said individual;

if required, a second means in operable connection with said first casing for providing a second sensory stimulation to said individual;

said controlling means is adapted for manual operation by said individual; and said second device comprises: a second casing; a receiving means in operable connection with said second casing for receiving input from said controlling means; a third means in operable connection with said second casing for providing a said first sensory stimulation to said individual; and if required, a fourth means in operable connection with said second casing for providing a said second sensory stimulation to said individual.
2. A set of devices as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said one or more sensory stimulations are selected from the group comprising tactile, visual, auditory and thermal stimulations, or a combination thereof.
3. A set of devices as defined in Claim 2 wherein, said one or more sensory stimulations are tactile stimulations.
4. A set of devices as defined in Claim 3 wherein, said tactile stimulations are vibratory.
5. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein, the texture of said first casing and said second casing are each selected from the group comprising smooth, rough and rigid, or a combination thereof.
6. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein, the exterior surface of either or both of said first casing and said second casing includes a tactile writing system of the type used by the visually impaired for providing instructions for a visually impaired said individual to control said set of devices.
7. A set of devices as defined in Claim 6 wherein, said tactile writing system is the Braille system.
8. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein, said first casing and said second casing are each malleable by hand pressure of said individual.
9. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein, said controlling means controls the selection, intensity, duration and rate of said bilateral sensory stimulations.
10. A set of devices as defined in Claim 9 wherein, said individual determines said intensity, duration and rate of selected said bilateral sensory stimulations by manual operation of buttons on said first device operably connected to said controlling means.
11. A set of devices as defined in Claim 10 wherein, said selected intensity, duration and rate of said bilateral sensory stimulations are indicated by one or more visual indicators on said first device.
12. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein, said first device and said second device are adapted to be held in the respective palm of said individual.
13. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein, said first device and said second device are adapted to be positioned on the respective wrist of said individual in contact with said individual.
14. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein, said first device and said second device are adapted to be positioned in an article of clothing in bilateral contact with the body of said individual.
15. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein, said first device and said second device are adapted to be positioned in a pair of footwear in bilateral contact with the body of said individual.
16. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein, said first device and said second device are adapted to be positioned in an article of furniture to be in bilateral contact with the body of said individual when sitting in said article of furniture.
17. A set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein, said first device and said second device are adapted to be positioned in a toy to be in bilateral contact with the body of said individual when said toy is used.
18. A method for providing a therapeutic benefit to an individual suffering from a pyschological complaint, said method comprising:

positioning a said first device and a said second device from a said set of devices as defined in any one of Claims 7 to 17 in bilateral contact with the body of said individual;

activating said controlling means; and

determining said selection, intensity, duration and rate of said bilateral sensory stimulations;

whereby said bilateral sensory stimulations are applied to said body of said individual.
19. A method as defined in Claim 18 wherein, said bilateral sensory stimulations are continuous.
20. A method as defined in Claim 18 wherein, said bilateral sensory stimulations are asynchronous.
21. A method for reduction of stress in an individual by using a method as defined in any one of Claims 18 to 20.
22. A method for reduction of anxiety in an individual by using a method as defined in any one of Claims 18 to 20.

transceiver 22

transceiver 30