FI89452B - Anordning Foer att med ljud inverka pao maenniskokroppen - Google Patents

Abstract

of disclosure A device for influence by sound on the human body (1) consisting of a closed box (6, 11) with at least one sound opening (7) in which is arranged a loudspeaker (8) being directed towards a part of said body (1), an upholstery (9) being disposed between the box (11) and the body, said upholstery at the location (10) of the loudspeaker (8) permitting air passages, means (4 or 5) for supplying low frequency signals to said loudspeaker, one or a plurality of external loudspeakers (2), means (4) for supplying music to said external loudspeakers, and means (3, 4) to influence said low frequency signals either in step with the music or in predetermined function of the music or in predetermined rhythm. As storage medium for sound may be used a tape cassette or compact disc where at least one of the sound channels contains said influenced low frequency signal in the frequency range 30-120 Hz and the remaining sound channel(s) containing pure music. (Fig. 1).

Description

89452

A device that uses sound to affect the human body

The present invention relates to a device which acts on the human body by means of sound and to a recording medium, e.g. a tape cassette or a CD, for use with the device.

The present invention is based on three basic principles of music therapy. i.e., that the low (deep) sounds seem relaxing when the high sounds have a healing effect. that rhythmic music has an activating effect when non-rhythmic music has a passivating effect, and that a high sound level has an aggressive effect when a low sound level has a passivating effect.

These basic principles are generally valid, but there are exceptions. The basic principles have emerged through long-term therapeutic patient monitoring over a long period of time.

Music therapy is based on the music that the ear experiences through acoustic sensory channels.

The present invention is based on the fact that music that is transmitted directly to the human body through vibrational receptors of the nervous system can have a greater effect, i.e. it can provide greater muscle relaxation. By combining acoustic sensation and vibrational sensation into a general experience, a therapeutic effect is obtained according to the present invention, which affects both the physical and mental sensations of the patients. This combination is referred to in this specification as vibration iy-acoustic for simplicity.

The vibration-acoustic principle allows the best possible transmission of sound to both the ear and the body. The acoustic part can be treated with one or more loudspeakers or headphones.

2 89452 According to the invention, it is proposed to provide a device for the vibrating part, which uses the connection of the sound s from the loudspeaker to the human body in an efficient manner via air.

Muin: Um lait * een. which affects the human body by means of sound, the features of which appear from the appended claims, as well as the features of said device.

The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a device according to the invention:

Figure 2 is a partially exploded view of a portion of a device that provides a low frequency sound effect to the human body;

Figures 3, 5 and 6 show second, third and fourth alternative embodiments of the device shown in Figure 1: and Figure 4 shows in block diagram form the units included in Figures 3. 5 and 6.

Figure 1 shows a human body 1. placed on a closed housing 6, which housing has at least one sound opening 7. in which a loudspeaker 8 pointing towards the top of the body 1 is placed. A pad 9 is placed between the body 6 and the body, part 10 of which is against the loudspeakers 8 allowing good air to pass through. The upper part 11 of the housing 6, which in the case shown forms the base of the mattress, may be e.g. plywood, said outer opening 7 being made in the upper part 11. A protective grille 12 could be placed over the opening 7 to prevent possible loud damage. To reduce sound radiation and acoustic short circuits , so housing 6, designed as a closed housing. The padding 9 may be foamed or foamed rubber with closed cells. One could also envisage the use of 3 89452 air-filled mattresses or mattresses filled with light plastic balls (e.g. styropor®). The mattress or padding 9 has, as mentioned, an area 10 arranged corresponding to the sound opening 7. Said area may be perforated, such as an opening 7, or possibly filled with foam with large open cells which allow air to pass through. The foam gives a certain supporting effect, in particular because it is supported by said protective grille while allowing air to pass well. The person is positioned so that the part of the body to be affected lies at the opening 7 and the area 10. The membrane of the loudspeaker 8 is then connected to the body 1 via the air in said opening 7 and in the region 10. The padding itself acts as a seal, making the connection between the loudspeaker 8 and the body 1 as efficient as possible. When signals having a suitable frequency content and strength are applied to the loudspeaker 8, the membrane moves and thus causes the body to move in low frequency.

The audio amplifier 3 having at least two audio channels has at least one output connected to the loudspeaker 8 and at least one output connected to the loudspeaker 2 for music. The signals coming to the amplifier 3 are fed, for example, from a cassette recorder or a CD player 4 and a signal generator 5. The signal generator 5 is arranged to supply sinusoidal sounds, pulses or other synthetic signals. The storage device 4 can be provided with a recording medium, e.g. a tape cassette or a CD containing suitable program material. The recording medium could have two or more audio channels, with at least one of the audio channels containing low frequency signals, preferably in the range of 30-120 Hz mixed with music. The second / other audio channel (s) of the recording medium could be arranged to supply stereo or quadrophone music. Thus, in this and the following description, it is to be understood that the signal generator 5 could in practice comprise one or more storage medium channels. Amplifier 3 could possibly be equipped with a low-pass filter (not shown) hard-.1. to enter a tone 8.

Thus, it is to be understood that either 4 89452 of the loudspeakers 8 are fed at a pure low frequency in the range of 30 to 120 Hz. or modulated by music, the sound being reproduced from the loudspeaker 2, or that the sound present in the loudspeaker 8 contains low frequency signals in said frequency range mixed with the music. which is also reproduced from the loudspeaker 2. In this case, the signal generator of the amplifier 3 consists mainly of the player 4.

In repeated experiments, it has been found that the vibrational-acoustic frequency range in which the sound propagating to the human body appears to have the greatest effect is between 30 and 120 Hz, objectively measured and subjectively experienced. most preferably in the range of 40 to 90 Hz. Particularly good results have been obtained in octaves from 40 to 80 Hz. Outside the frequency range of 30 to 120 Hz, there is subjectively no sense of vibration effect.

The therapeutic effect is achieved by placing the person in the most appropriate way and as close as possible to the vibrating loudspeaker. in the example shown, loudspeaker 8, and at a comfortable distance from loudspeaker 2. which plays music. The therapeutic device consists of the following parts briefly described above, namely: vibration parts 6, 7, 8, 10, which form a transmission device for reproducing sound in the frequency range of the vibration acoustics; an acoustic part in the form of one or more broadband HiFi-quality loudspeaker cases 2 or a pair of headphones for playing music applied to the frequency used in the oscillation section: a multi-channel amplifier 3 transmitting blue vibrations (vibration) and filtered music / through other channels loudspeakers le / loudspeakers 1 le 2. which play music, in which case the volume can be varied steplessly on each channel 11a: multi-channel tape player, preferably a conventional two-channel tape player 4. with one cassette of tape 5 89452 . The second track has a certain mix of music and low frequency sound, such as blue signals, recorded. The blue signals are rhythmized by a dual recording method1-ms, which has been specially developed for use in a therapeutic system, the so-called for mixing blue signals, the signal generator 5 is arranged to be individually adjustable with respect to therapeutically effective low frequencies. j oi ta are fed to loudspeaker 8. provided they are not already fed from player 4.

In particular, it is to be understood that although only one loudspeaker 2 and one loudspeaker 2 are shown, the use of two or more music loudspeakers 2 and two or more low frequency loudspeakers 8 is easily conceivable within the scope of the invention. If two or more loudspeakers 8 are used, a corresponding number of openings 7 and areas 10 must be provided.

When the pre-recorded software is used with the player 4 and played from the player 4, a signal generator 5 is then not required, but a signal generator 5 is required if it is desired to adapt the appropriate software and further develop it. A signal generator may also be desirable for research purposes and typically for medical treatment.

Figure 3 shows how the housing of Figure 1 could be replaced by a loudspeaker housing 11a 14 with a loudspeaker 8 'shaped in another way. which can be turned down from a vertical position (shown in dotted lines), e.g. around the hinge 16, to a horizontal position (shown in solid lines). In order to ensure. that the loudspeaker housing 14 lies horizontally, it may be supported by a wire, strap or the like 15. which at one end is fixed to the wall 17 as well as a hinge 16, and at the other end is fixed to the outer part of the loudspeaker housing 14. When a person is to be exposed to sound, the person lies on a bench 13 89452 of a structure known per se, possibly similar in shape to bench 6, 9 in Figure 1. The external loudspeaker 2 'could be arranged e.g. in the bench 13 itself or in some other suitable way, e.g. that person 1 can get a good stereophonic sound pattern from it. After the person 1 is lying on the bench 13, either face up or down, the loudspeaker housing 14 with the loudspeakers 8 'is turned to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 3. The loudspeaker 8 'corresponds in function to the loudspeaker 8 in Figure 1.

Fig. 5 shows a variant in which the person 1 sits in a tilting piece of furniture 18, which is a closed box structure but has a sound opening for the loudspeaker 8 '', the loudspeaker 8 '' having the same functions as in Fig. I or the loudspeaker 8 'in Fig. 3. in the embodiment, there is a sound opening 7 '' in front of the loudspeaker 8. A corresponding sound opening 7 'can also be found in Figure 3.

In the example of Figure 5, external loudspeakers are indicated by reference numeral 2'1. shown here in the form of headphones. It is to be understood, however, that external loudspeakers may have any suitable structure and / or location without limiting the scope of the invention.

The example of Figure 6 shows a variation of the embodiment of Figure 5. The tiltable furniture 19 is here of conventional construction, e.g. consisting of a frame with surfaces for leaning on a padded fabric. It may use one or more loudspeaker enclosures to affect the body of a person 1. In a non-limiting example of the invention, as shown, two loudspeaker housings 20, 21 have been used. Both of these could, on the other hand, consist of two separate loudspeaker housings for possibly better fit of the tilting furniture. However, it is important that the loudspeaker enclosures are of the closed type to avoid external sound and to avoid an acoustic short circuit. In a known manner, the loudspeaker housings are provided with loudspeakers 22. 23 and can be fastened to the frame 7 89452 of the furniture to be tilted. with straps or the like.

As in Fig. 5. the person 1 can use the headphones 2 '' as external loudspeakers.

It is also to be understood that the external loudspeakers 2 'of Figure 3 could be replaced by headphones.

Figure 4 shows in block diagram form the functional structure of the devices of Figures 3 and 5, but corresponds to it. as shown in Figure 1.

In a facility for multi-disabled, mentally handicapped patients, it was found that the treatment of the vibration battery produced an anticonvulsant effect at a frequency of about 40 Hz. The mitigating effect of the seizures was so predominant. that patients were more readily ready for manipulative physiotherapy during or after the vibration-acoustic effect.

Review experiments were performed on the opening of the convulsive members with respect to skuima with and without music. A clear difference in opening angles was shown as a result of the effect of music.

The present device was also tested in the following modes:

Rett'm syndrome: the frequency of "jerky" movements decreased. The patient was even able to fall asleep and a significant relaxing effect was observed. (Rett syndrome named after Dr.med. Andreas Rett of Austria).

Closure (autism): Patients who avoided contact were so impressed with the effect of vibration that they were able to allow staff to give more skin contact / skin stimulation than without this effect. Here one could see guidelines for a therapy where vibrational-acoustic contact habituation could be transferred to β 39452 situations where music could be gradually attenuated or possibly eliminated altogether.

Convulsions: effect as described above, in addition to a clear anticonvulsant effect in the lower frequency ranges.

The vibration-acoustic effect was also tested on plant staff for various ailments. The following was observed:

Neck / shoulder pains: Such pains, either of the muscle pain type or caused by stress due to various causes, were alleviated at substantially certain frequencies, especially at about 68 Hz. Repeated treatments, up to 10 treatments each for 30 minutes, were shown to provide longer-term relief.

Witch Arrow: Pain in the lower back area was relieved at certain frequencies, especially around 50 Hz. Longer-term relief of pain caused by muscle tension was observed after repeated treatments.

Menstrual pains: Such pains and pre-menstrual tensions and the like proved possible to be relieved by using a special frequency, especially 52 Hz. Daily treatments in the "acute" phase as well as once a week in the intermediate phase, repeated over 2-3 seasons, appeared to produce a longer-lasting effect.

Asthma: Vibration-acoustic treatment at about 50 Hz appeared to produce an effect that helps the patient remove mucus from the airways.

During experiments in the local area, the following was observed:

Stress-induced depression: A dramatic positive effect was observed after the first treatment, lasting about 30 minutes. The positive effect depends on 9 89452 both frequency (68 Hz) and music selection. Successful treatment was terminated after 10 treatments. During the last treatments, a large number of frequency bands and activating music were used.

Sports injuries: The treatment has given a good result. Both acute myocardial infarction and postoperative recovery have responded positively to the frequency sequence1 le 40/60/80/60/40 Hz, with each duration lasting approximately 6 minutes. Muscles and tendons in a tense state relax and can be stretched with less effort than without vibration-acoustic treatment.

Rheumatism: Prolonged treatment (10 to 20 treatments) at 68 and 86 Hz has provided lasting improvement in patients with rheumatic pain and / or wear and tear. Treatment was given daily or every other day for 30 minutes.

Convulsive states: In muscle spasm, fading of the convulsive state was observed at a frequency of 40/60 Hz after about 2 minutes.

General excitement: The tuned frequency and music in an environment isolated from the outside world for 30 minutes produced a stress-relieving effect and seemed to give the person new vitality.

The above findings are purely empirical in nature, based on the observations made by therapists and the subjects ’descriptions of the experiences they had during and after the treatments.

It is to be immediately understood that the sound housing shown in the drawings for its padding is intended only to, for example, clarify the invention without still containing any limitation of the casing according to the following claims. The devices thus presented could be designed in any suitable way: to affect the patient in the best possible way ίο 89452.

In addition to the mentioned sound recording means, it should be noted that the rhythmic blue signal is made by recording the secondary frequency on top of the primary frequency. whose frequency deviates from 0.2 _ 2 Hz. The "rhythm rate" should be preset and tuned to the quality of music required to be used in addition to the low frequencies. The rhythm program is then recorded on another recording medium. e.g., for a track on a cassette tape, mixing sounds with selected, preferably filtered, music. Pure music is recorded on another track. As previously mentioned, it would be possible to use e.g. all the tracks of the cassette tape using an extreme end fitted to it to improve the sound reproduction (e.g. two channels), and possibly by extending the rhythm control.

Claims (11)

Apparatus for affecting the human body (1) with sound, comprising at least one closed loop (6, 11; 14; 18) having at least one sound opening (7; 7 '; 7 "), providing a speaker (8; 8 '; 8 "), directed to a portion of said body, a padding between the leather and the body (1), wherein the padding is arranged at the speaker (s) position (s) (10) so that air can pass, characterized by means (4; 5) for supplying signals with ldg frequency to the speakers (8; 8 '; 8 "), by one or more external speakers (2; 2'; 2"), means (4) for feeding music to external speakers, and means (3, 4) for the operation of the low-frequency signals as the music or as a function of a predetermined music or in a predetermined space. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the low-frequency signals are in the range 30 - 120 Hz, preferably 40 - 90 Hz. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for supplying the low-frequency signals is a signal generator (5) which can selectively produce sinus signals, pulses or other synthetic signals. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means (4) for feeding music consist of cassette tape recorders or CD recorders. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that the means (4) for supplying the low-frequency signals are cassette tape recorders or CD recorders. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the said feed means includes an amplifier (3), which optionally comprises a low pass filter. il 39452 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the leather (6, 11) is formed into a resting bench. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the leather (14) is pivotally attached to a wall (17) and arranged to be pivoted down from vertical to horizontal position. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the leather (18) is a chair of the armchair type. 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ladders (20, 21) are mounted below the inclined surfaces in a per se known seat (19). Storage means, such as a cassette tape or CD, used in conjunction with a device according to one or more of claims 1, 2, 4-6, characterized in that at least one of the storage channels' audio channels contains low frequency signals in the frequency range 30 - 120 Hz, which signals are transmitted in step with the music or as a predetermined function of the music or at a predetermined rate, and that the other audio channels of the storage medium contain pure music.