GB2407982A

GB2407982A - Hand Held Relaxation Device

Info

Publication number: GB2407982A
Application number: GB0326226A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Riccardo Antonio Cuminetti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-11
Filing date: 2003-11-11
Publication date: 2005-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2023-11-11
Also published as: GB0326226D0; GB2407982B

Abstract

A portable device for assisting in the practising of relaxation, the device being of such physical size as to fit into a user's hand and to be enclosed by such user's fingers and thumb and which is adapted to emit pulses exhibiting a characteristic having a therapeutic effect serving to relax or revitalise the user. The pulses may be either acoustic or electric and the characteristics of the pulses are controlled by a microprocessor.

Description

HAND LIOLDABLE RELAXATION DEVICE

As a part of modern treatments and activities for the purposes of the reduction of everyday stresses and strains it is a common practice for persons subject to the effects of stresses and the worries of everyday activities to engage m relaxation techniques.

At the present time there are a number of techniques involved m the practicing of relaxation.

Such techniques vary from those techniques which involve a totally mental approach without the use of any form of external apparatus or equipment as a source of relaxation processes.

Other techniques make use of external apparatus and equipment that operate on the basis of diverse operational techniques and strategies For example, it is known to make use of low power level electrical Impulses as a means of stimulating selected areas of a person which when stimulated have the beneficial effect of relieving those tensions arising from stresses and worries of such person's day to day activities.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for assisting m relaxation that 's readily portable and inconspicuous when m use Broadly according to a first aspect of the invention there Is provided a portable device for assisting; in the practicing of relaxation, the device bemg of such physical size as to fit into a user's hand and to be enclosed by such user's fingers and thumb.

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In accordance with a further aspect of the Invention there is provided a portable device which is readily hand holdable and which is adapted to emit pulses exhibiting a characteristic having a therapeutic effect serving to relax or revitalise the user.

Conveniently the pulses are low frequency sound pulses of such frequency that the user of the device effectively feels the vibratory effect of the pulses rather than any audibility of the pulses.

Preferably, the device is arranged to he able to produce a number of different therapeutic pulse rates together with complex pulse rate combinations according 1 n to the therapeutic effect desired by the user.

If desired the device can be arranged to provide a modulated output according to a fixed frequency and amplitude sequence.

Conveniently, the device includes a pulse generator that is controlled by a microprocessor programmed to enable production of requisite pulse frequencies and pulse frequency combinations.

In a preferred embodiment of the device, the device is of such size as to be hand holdable and incorporates a smoothly shaped housing containing a pulse generator that is arranged to produce pulses of such magnitude and frequency as to be able to cause the adjacent tissue of the hand to be electrically stimulated in such 2 n manner as to initiate therapeutic effects, and wherein the output of the generator is connected to electrodes provided in on the external surface of the housing in such positions that a hand grasping the device automatically contacts the electrodes Preferably, the shape, texture and Jorm of the housing of the device are designed to be inviting with the purpose of encouraging the user to handle the device whilst being used and thereby to supplement the stimulating action of the pulse generator.

In other words the device of the invention is such as to provide a pleasantly shaped electronic device that emits gentle pulses that have therapeutic effects to relax or revitalise the user when handled, the pulses can be either sound or electrical through conductive areas on the outside of the casing for the device.

The operation of the pulse generator can be arranged to be as simple as possible in situations where all that is deemed to be required is a constant frequency and power output. In such a case the operation of the device can merely Include a fixed power and frequency output pulse generator and switch means for switching the device on for use and off when not required for use. This switch can be of any convenient form such as a push button switch, slide element co-operable with contacts in such manner that when in a first position the element does not close the contacts there by to provide an generator 'OFF 'condition, and at least one other position in which the element bridges the contacts to produce a generator ON' condition. In a particular construction the slide element can be such as to provided for different 'ON' settings, with each such 'ON' setting representing a different output frequency and/or power level from the generator Conveniently, the power of the device is arranged to be obtained either from 2 0 disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries. These batteries are preferably contained within the housing It will be understood that such batteries can be of the rechargeable type. Furthermore, the construction of the device can be such that the batteries can be readily recharged from external recharging means without it being necessary to remove the batteries from the device. such a facility can be similar to that associated with the mobile telephone The batteries can be of any appropriate size according to the overall size of the device of the invention For example, the batteries can be of the shallow flat circular type of appropriate power as commonly used in for example watches, of a cylindrical type. A further form of battery can be similar to those provided in a hand held mobile telephone.

For the purposes of conserving battery power the device can be arranged to enter a so-called sleep mode in relation to any electronic components which require a maintained supply of energy even when the device is not operationally switched ON whereby when in the sleep mode power requirements are reduced as much as possible to provide for as long as possible standby battery life Preferably the device includes automatic timer function or functions whereby the device is switched OFF mto the sleep mode after a presetable time interval whereby the user does not need to remember to switch the device OFF In a further form of such 'ON/OFF' switching arrangements, the switching of the device can be effected by so constructing the housing of the device that when pressure is exerted in a particular direction upon the housing, the latter contracts For example, the housing can be arranged to telescope to operate an internal switch controlling the operational setting of the pulse generator such that when the housing is compressed by the action of closmg the hand tighter around the device the switching means is set to the 'ON' position with t he device remaining in the switched 'ON' setting so long as the housing is subjected to the appropriate pressure.

This particular form of control has the advantage that the unit will run so long as the pressure upon the device is maintained and that as soon as the pressure is released the device will automatically switch 'OFF'. If desired, 'ON' condition timing arrangements can be provided such that after the device has been switched ON' once the switching pressure is released the device remains m the switched 'ON condition and switches 'OFF' after a timed period. Such arrangements can be such that if pressure is applied during this timed 'ON' period the device will continue to operate.

- s - - This is a useful feature in situations where the user drifts into sleep and in consequence releases the device.

If a purely on/off and/or limited operational performance he, fixed performance arrangement, is/are deemed inadequate the devices can incorporate a microprocessor which can be so programmed as to permit selection of venous operational parameters and combinations thereof. For example, the programming can be such as to enable selective change of pulse generator output intensity, variation of output frequency. Furthermore, if desired, the device can be such as to provide information such as indication of the condition of the battery, and an 1 n indication that the pulse generator is delivering output.

It can also be arranged to Rash this indication at regular intervals when in sleep mode to show that the device is worldling properly.

Also, battery performance indication may be provided Thus if the indication flashes red this indicates that the battery is low in output.

In addition, provision may be made to enable selective control over the output intensity and frequency level of the pulse generator output at the time of switch ON'. This facility or feature has the advantage that the user becomes immediately aware than the device is operational.

In a particular embodiment involving manual mult'-switching capability the 2n device is provided with, for example, four control buttons. One control button is associated with a pulse generator output frequency of, for example, two pulses per second together with a thirty minute operational cycle. A second button is associated with a pulse generator output of, for example, ten pulses per second together with a ten minute cycle of operation. _ fi_

A third control button can be associated with control of the increase of the intensity of pulse generator output, whilst the remaining button can be associated with control of the reduction of the intensity of the pulse generator output With this arrangement in use, the required pulse rate can be set and once started the intensity can be adjusted according to requirements at the time of use.

Conveniently, in the case of processor control of the device the programming of the device processor can be such that once the pulse rate and intensity have been set and a time cycle completed upon the initiation within a given time of a follow-up usage at the same frequency the device automatically restarts at the 0 previously selected intensity. If the given time is exceeded the device will revert to minimum intensity and go into sleep mode.

In the event that the pulse rate is changed the device is arranged to start at a low intensity setting expecting a new intensity level to be set.

In practice, it is preferable that the device should always start at a low intensity not zero so that a user is aware that the device is actually operative following switching on.

As a variation of the construction of the device, the later can be provided with coaxial electrodes or other types of electrodes so that pulses may be applied to specific skin locations such as on the wrist or any other body Joint that is regarded by some relaxation techniques to have certain therapeutic effects. In this case the device, could,for example, be held in position upon the user's wrist by use of an elastic wristband or other convenient means.

It will be understood that the pulses produced by the pulse generator can be of a single complex pulse combination or of a preselectable combination of complex pulse combinations according to the therapeutic effect desired..

Also if desired the device can be adapted so as to be able to produce different therapeutic pulse rates together with specially designed complex pulse rate combinations and could also provide a modulated output according to a fixed frequency and amplitude sequence.

In the case of a more complex device facilities can be provided the device can be programmed for use and intensity recognition so that the device will know it Is being handled and switch itself on and then automatically set the appropriate intensity level by measuring skin conductivity. Furthermore the device could be arranged to monitor changes in skin conductivity and reset intensity accordingly.

If desired the device can be provided with means that allows the output from the device to be diverted from the built in electrodes via an extension lead to remotely placed electrodes It has been found that use of the device of the invention has been found to reduce undesired sleepy feelings to give the effect of feeling more awake on those occasions when the user does not wish to feel sleepy. For example, when at a meeting or a lecture Furthermore whilst the forgoing discussion has centred around the matter of the provision of electrical pulses conveniently low frequency pulses, inaudible acoustic pulses may be involved so that the acoustic pulses are felt rather then 2 n heard.

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An embodiment of a device as herein before discussed is schematically represented in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a schematic block diagram of a relaxation device, Figure 2 is a front view of a housing of the device of the invention; Figure 3 is a view of an end of the housing; and Figure 4 is a side view of the housing of the device Referring now to Figure 1 the device incorporates a microprocessor 1, having associated therewith a number of device output control switches/buttons 2, an on/off control mean 3.. The microprocessor is programmed to control actuation 1 n of a step-up voltage means 4, and an output stage 5.

The output stage 5 has outputs 7 and 8 connecting with electrodes 9 and 10 intended to be contact with the hand when the device is in use and thus effectively outputs the pulses forming the function of the device.

The device also incorporates a rechargeable battery pack 11 connectable by way of the on/off control 3 to provide power for the components of the device. The battery pack is rechargable In conventional manner by way of a suitable mains transformer (not shown) that is connectable to the device by way of a charging socket 11 for receiving power from a mains supply (not shown).

The device incorporates a housing 13 whose external form is shown in Figures 2 2n to 4. As will be noted overall shape of the housing 13 is such as to provide a smooth surface without sharp corners thus facilitating comfortable holding of the device in the hand when in use.

The various switches of the. group of switches/buttons 2 are schematically depicted in Figure 2 as including an output intensity up button 14, an output intensity down button 15, a ten pulse rate button 16 and a two pulse rate button 17. In addition the device is provided with an indicator LED 18 that serves to indicate when the device is in its switched ON condition Figure 3 illustrates the location of a socket 20 for the purposes of receiving a battery charging input from the transformer.

The electrodes 9 and 10 are provided at one end of the housing 13 as is shown in Figure 4. It will be appreciated that when the housing is gripped in the hand these electrodes will come into contact with the hand.

It will be noted that by positioning the electrodes as shown the output of the device can be delivered to the user in what ever manner of use so long as either or both of the electrodes are in contact with a region of the user's body - 1 O

Claims

1. A portable device for assisting in the practicing of relaxation, the device being of such physical size as to fit into a user's hand to be enclosed by such user's fingers and thumb.

2. A portable device which is readily hand holdable and which is adapted to emit pulses exhibiting a characteristic having a therapeutic effect servmg to relax or revitalise the user.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and wherein the pulses are low frequency sound pulses of such frequency that the user of the device effectively feels the vibratory effect of the pulses rather than any audibility of the pulses.

4. A portable device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, and wherein, the device is arranged to be able to produce a number of different therapeutic pulse rates together with complex pulse rate combinations according to the therapeutic effect desired by the user.

5. A portable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, and wherein the device is arranged to provide a modulated output according to a fixed frequency and amplitude sequence.

6 A portable device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and including a pulse generator that is controlled by a microprocessor programmed to enable production of 2n requisite pulse frequencies and pulse frequency combinations.

7. A portable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is of such size as to be hand holdable and incorporates a smoothly shaped housing containing a pulse generator that is arranged to produce pulses of such - 1 1 magnitude and frequency as to be able to cause the adjacent tissue of the hand to be electrically stimulated in such manner as to initiate therapeutic effects, and wherein the output of the generator is connected to electrodes provided in/on the external surface of the housing in such positions that a hand grasping the device automatically contacts the electrodes.

8. A portable device as claimed in claim 7, and wherein, the shape, texture and form of the housing of the device are designed to be inviting with the purpose of encouraging the user to handle the device whilst being used and thereby to supplement the stimulating action of generator means provided for producing said 1 n pulses 9 A portable device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein when the operation of the pulse generator is required solely to produce a constant frequency and power output the device includes a fixed power and frequency output pulse generator and means for switching the device 'ON' for use and 'OFF' when not required for 1 5 use.

A portable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein, operational power for the device is arranged to be obtained either from internal provided disposable or rechargeable battenes. These batteries are preferably contained within the housing of the device 2n 11. A portable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein for the purposes of conserving battery power the device can be arranged to enter a so-called sleep mode in relation to any electronic components which require a maintained supply of energy even when the device is not operationally switched ON, the arrangement being such that when the device is in its sleep mode power requirements are reduced as much as possible to provide for as long as possible standby battery life. - 1 2

12. A portable device as claimed in claim 11, and wherein the device includes an automatic timer function or functions, the arrangement being such that after a predetermined interval of time the device is switched 'OFF' or into its sleep mode whereby the user does not need to remember to switch the device 'OFF'.

13 A portable device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the switching of the device can be effected by so constructing the housing of the device that when pressure is exerted in a particular direction upon the housing a switching 'ON' operation occurs,.

14. A portable device as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the housing 1 t] construction is such that it is adapted to telescope under hand pressure to operate an internal switch controlling pulse switching in such manner such that when the housing is compressed the switching means is set to the 'ON' position and remains in such setting so long as the housing is subjected to the appropriate hand pressure.

15. A portable device constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein before described with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings..