WO2019029775A1 - DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING IRRITATION ON A HUMAN OR ANIMAL BODY - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the generation of stimuli on a human or animal body, comprising a first and a second stimulation element (1a, b), the first and second stimulation elements (1a, b) being spatially separated manner on the body and each stimulation element (1a, b) having at least one fixing means for fixing the stimulation element (1a, b) on the body, a power supply and at least one generator stimuli (2a, b) and the stimulus generator (2a, b) being designed to generate a stimulus at the site of the body where it is attached. The invention is characterized in that the stimulus generators (2a, b) can be controlled via a control element (3), the stimulus generators (2a, b) being alternately controllable by the control element (3). ) and the alternating command having a frequency that can be predefined. This provides a robust and simple possibility for bilateral stimulation of the brain by alternating stimuli.

Description

 Apparatus and method for generating stimuli on a human or animal body

TECHNICAL AREA

 The invention relates to a device for generating stimuli on a human or animal body, in particular a device for the coordinated generation of tactile stimuli. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for generating the stimuli. Last but not least, the present invention also relates to the use of the device. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method according to the preamble of the respective independent claim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A relatively new method of treatment of traumatized persons is the so-called

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, short EMDR Therapy. Beginning in the late 1980s, the method of Dr. med. Francine Shapiro developed in the US. She has since been recognized worldwide in trauma treatment and seems in other therapeutic areas, such as anxiety disorders, phobias,

psychosomatic diseases, etc., to be applicable successfully.

The treatment method is based essentially on the discovery that the processing of a trauma experience by targeted eye movements, in particular by the change between right and left in certain patterns, is possible. The targeted eye movements lead to a bilateral stimulation of the brain halves and thus probably allow a reorganization of the experience in the brain.

The therapy by means of EMDR seems to stimulation in addition to the

Eye movement also possible via bilateral, ie alternating between the body halves, acoustic or tactile stimuli to one. Desirable for the treatment of suitable persons is a device which can generate such stimuli according to and which is easy to use and the operation, not least for the purpose of use directly by a respective

End users, in particular regardless of any therapies in general to increase the well-being.

Devices for generating stimuli on the human body are known in the art. A large part of these previously known devices for stimulus transmission relates to the electrical stimulation in particular of muscle and nerve cells. Frequently, such devices are used as a support during training in order to specifically stimulate specific muscle groups. For example, the electric is known

Muscle stimulation (short EMS) from the fitness area. Although the effects of such novel methods are controversial, a considerable proportion of the studies consistently show positive effects in the long term.

Also known are devices that can produce tactile or acoustic stimuli on the human body, for example for massage. Also known are devices for monitoring certain body functions such as pulse, respiratory rate, etc. by suitable sensors, such devices often include an output option that either transmits the corresponding measured value or outputs a corresponding signal upon reaching a certain threshold. Such

Output signal can also be a tactile signal.

However, the prior art devices are unsuitable for use in EMDR therapy. While prior art devices may well produce tactile or acoustic stimuli on a body, these devices are not for bilateral stimulation of the brain by reciprocal as previously described

Stimulation designed. A disadvantage of the prior art is further that prior art devices are not regularly designed solely for the generation of a stimulus and accordingly have a range of functions, the one desirable in the context of EMDR therapy operation would be precluded and would preclude a targeted application or safe use by an end user in the leisure sector. DE 20 2009 002 322 Ul describes a bilateral stimulation device with a tactile pulse generator for vibration equipment for placement in a stuffed animal and with a

Audio mask.

 US Pat. No. 9,408,997 B2 describes an arrangement with stimulators which are activated alternately, wherein a passive phase without stimulation is maintained after each stimulation. The stimulators may e.g. worn on each wrist and serve to determine whether a user is still sleeping or already awake. Reference is also made to EMDR therapy, namely in the context of eight phases, of which one or two phases are intended for bilateral stimulation.

 US 6,001,073 A describes an assembly with two vibratory units to be held by an individual in the respective palm of the hand for use in EMDR therapy, wherein the individual is in contact with a visual display, and wherein the

Vibration units are alternately operated in accordance with a pause. WO 2014/135534 A1 describes a system with two vibration units that can be worn on the wrists or ankles for EMDR therapy.

WO 2017/184384 A1 describes a system with vibration units, e.g. on

 Wrists can be worn, with a bilateral asynchronous stimulation can take place, in which an overlap phase with bilateral simultaneous

Stimulation is maintained. The overlap phase is intended to provide benefits compared to pacing between phases. Optionally, a continuous stimulation can take place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

 It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device and a method for

To provide, so that the mentioned disadvantageous features can be overcome. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a device or a method for generating mutual stimuli for the bilateral stimulation of the brain available, in particular for use directly by the end user and optionally independent of any therapy.

This object is achieved by the subject matter with the features of claim 1 and the corresponding independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can also be combined with one another in any desired and technologically sensible manner and thus show further embodiments of the invention.

An inventive device for generating stimuli on a

The human or animal body essentially comprises a first and a second stimulus element. The first and the second stimulus element are spatially separated from each other attachable to the body. As part of an EMDR therapy, or for use in the wellness sector by the end user, regardless of any therapeutic measures, such as a first stimulus on the right and a second stimulus on the left half of the body. Each stimulus element comprises at least one attachment means for attachment of the stimulus element to the body, a power supply and at least one stimulus generator. The stimulus generators are controllable via a control element. The stimulus generators are mutually controllable by the control, and the mutual control is predetermined in their frequency. In this case, the device preferably comprises two stimulus generators.

The fixing means are preferably suitable for releasable attachment of the stimulus element on the body, for example, bands for arms or legs, optionally with a hook and loop fastener or a buckle, or rubber bands. The fixing means should in any case allow a very tight fit at the respective body site, especially on the wrist, so that the stimulus generated in each case is also perceptible. There are special embodiments conceivable in which a one-time use is provided and offer only destructively releasable fixing means accordingly.

The power supply preferably comprises a battery or a rechargeable battery, wherein a replacement possibility for the battery or the battery can be provided. If the power supply provides a battery, the power supply in an optional embodiment may include a possibility for charging, for example via a wireless or wired connectable energy source. The stimulus generator is adapted to produce a stimulus to the body of the body to which it is attached (in particular wrist, in particular internal or external

Wrist, preferably outer wrist in the usual position of a watch). Such a stimulus is preferably tactile and is preferably generated via a pressure, in particular by a vibration. Corresponding means for generating a pressure or a vibration are known to the person skilled in the art. In particular, electric motors come with an imbalance or oscillatory membranes, such as speakers, into consideration.

The stimulus generators are preferably wireless controllable via a control, in particular by the control of the triggering of a stimulus at a certain time interval, for example, with a certain frequency, should be controllable.

In addition, it is conceivable that the parameters such as duration, intensity and frequency of a single stimulus are controllable. Thus, it is possible, for example, by a corresponding calibration of the stimuli that even in people who in their two body halves of different strengths

Feel stimulus sensations, stimuli intensities are compensated by an appropriate parameter selection, so subjectively the stimuli of the first stimulus generator on the right and the second stimulus generator on the left half of the body are perceived similar.

Since a treatment unit comprises the sequence of individual stimuli over a certain period of time, it is conceivable that the length of a treatment unit, or even every single stimulus of a treatment center is controllable via the control. The entirety of the sequence of stimuli with their assigned parameters and the

Treatment units in their entirety should be referred to as an activation pattern. Various activation patterns may, in a preferred embodiment, be storably stored in an optional memory of the control.

It is conceivable in an alternative embodiment that certain

Activation patterns can be programmed with an external app and transmitted wirelessly, for example via a smartphone or tablet, or wired to the control and stored in an optional memory of the control. Accordingly, the control could also be programmable via an app.

It is also conceivable that at least one control comprises buttons for the input of activation patterns. It is above all a question of user guidance how many buttons the control should include. In principle, it is conceivable to everyone

adjustable parameter to assign a specific button, such as a +/- button to adjust the value or provide a callable via a button menu function over the first of the parameter to be set is callable and its value then adjustable, for example via a +/- button is. If necessary, the set values can then be saved as an activation pattern as described above.

In terms of bilateral stimulation of the brain by mutual stimulation of both halves of the body, it is important that the stimulus generators of the stimulus elements can work coordinated or synchronized. To realize this, various possibilities are conceivable. A variety of possible circuits are known to those skilled in the art, which allows the coordinated or synchronized operation of several integrated systems. Preferably, a single control is provided in the device according to the invention, which coordinates all stimulus generators of the device

or synchronized controls. The control element may preferably be integrated in one of the stimulus elements and activate the stimulus generators of the device individually by a corresponding signal for the delivery of a stimulus. It is conceivable that with each one

Activation signal optionally also the parameters of the stimulus to be generated are transmitted as shown above. For example, in a device with two

Irritating elements at one-second intervals one and then the other

The control element emits a signal every second, always alternately first to the first stimulus element, then one second later to the second stimulus element, and so on, according to the example.

It is also conceivable that the control signal with corresponding

Delay parameters, ie in a certain frequency, which can be predetermined, sent to the stimulus generators. According to the example above, the control element would thus transmit a signal for immediate stimulus generation (t = 0) to the first stimulus generator at the same time and a signal for immediate stimulus generation plus one second (t = 0 + 1 sec) to the second stimulus generator. The person skilled in a variety of ways is known to achieve a correspondingly changing stimulus generation by multiple stimulus generators.

Thus, for example, it is also possible that in an activation pattern each stimulus or only individual stimuli assigned to different parameter settings, for example, such a stimulus may be longer and more intense than the previous stimulus. Also, the mutual control does not have to follow a uniform delay. The mutual control may also follow a chaotic or other pattern. To activate the stimulus generators, a signal between the controls of the stimulus elements in a ping-pong method, ie with a predetermined frequency, are transmitted back and forth, so that a mutual control or

Activation of stimulus generators by the controls takes place. In this case, then both stimulus elements each comprise a control that can transmit a signal to the other control element and wherein the respective other control can receive the signal. With an adjustable frequency or delay time can then this signal, once started, is transmitted back and forth between the stimulus elements with the same or changing frequency until the end of treatment.

It is also conceivable that the control of the stimulus generators exclusively or alternatively via an external control, such as a smartphone, takes place.

In the sense of a largely de-technicalized embodiment for the treatment of persons, an embodiment is conceivable in which the device consists of two substantially identical stimulus elements. The stimulus elements each comprise a means for establishing, a stimulus generator, a power source, a control and a button. A de-technical embodiment is characterized in particular by the fact that the controls trigger stimuli in a fixed predetermined frequency which can not be changed by the user and the stimulus elements generate a predetermined stimulus that can not be changed by the user. The operating option for the user includes accordingly only starting and stopping the stimulus triggering by the control by pressing the button, with embodiments with only one button are preferred, which allows the starting and subsequent stopping alike. The controls are not intended in this embodiment and also not suitable to communicate with each other and thus to generate reciprocal stimuli. To achieve a mutual stimulus release, the two must

 Irritating elements offset in each case via their button to be started. For example, if the stimulus elements have a fixed activation frequency of two seconds, then this results in mutual activation at one-second intervals.

Accordingly, the second stimulus element must be started one second after the first stimulus element. A wireless service is in an alternative de-technicized

Embodiment provided only with respect to starting and stopping the stimulus release.

Other methods are certainly conceivable for a person skilled in the art in order to technically implement the principle of mutual activation according to the invention. The invention has over the prior art in particular the advantage that they despite a for the needs of EMDR therapy or for needs in the general wellness area (regardless of any therapy) extensive parameter diversity in a surprising way easy to use and is to use. This results in the aforementioned advantages.

The invention may be further described by the following features. The device can be set up for automated synchronization of both stimulus elements or both stimulus generators, in particular by temporal adaptation of a start time of a respective stimulus generator. The two stimulus generators can be started manually, in particular individually. As a result, a user can also set a time offset or a temporal overlap. For example, the

Stimulus generators with the same rhythm (clock or timing) set. Optionally, the stimulus generators can be tuned to each other by automated synchronization, in particular their temporal offset, in particular such that a second interval of the second stimulus generator follows seamlessly, ie without pause, to a first interval of the first stimulus generator, and then again the first interval seamlessly follows the second interval. The invention may be further described by the following features. The reciprocal frequency is in the range of 1 to 3 Hz, preferably in the range of 1.5 Hz, so that there is an offset between the one-sided stimulations of a maximum of 0.5 seconds. The invention may be further described by the following features. The device may have two identically configured, redundant stimulus generators, in particular each integrated into a band. The tape can be easily manufactured, and the apparatus can be formed by duplicating the same type of construction. This also provides cost benefits.

The invention may be further described by the following features. The device may comprise a control which is arranged to be one through the User to generate unchangeable clock that can be dictated by the software. The clock is so accurate that a respective stimulus generator keeps the clock after synchronization for at least 30 minutes. By synchronizing an alternating vibration of the two stimulus generators can be set in a relatively accurate manner. The synchronization takes place, for example, via an electrical connection, which in the

If necessary, is built. A respective stimulus generator can, for example, by switching on a button (switch) and turn off by pressing the button again. The strength of the vibration can be changed by the user through the button.

The invention may be further described by the following features. The power supply of the device consists for example of a Lipo battery that can be charged by means of a conventional USB charger. The circuit of the battery preferably has a Überlade- and deep discharge protection. The battery is preferably suitable for medical applications and specially encapsulated. The operating time with a complete charge is e.g. at about 4 hours. The dimensions are for example in the range of about 35 x 15 x 10 mm. The battery voltage is e.g. 3.7 V. The

Processor clock is e.g. in the range of 30 to 35 kHz. The invention may be further described by the following features. The clock frequency for the switching of the generators is in particular in the range of 1 to 3 Hz, in particular in the range of 1.5 Hz with about 0.15 Hz deviation, preferably at 1.43 Hz. At 1 Hz then gives an offset at the reciprocal frequency of 0.5 seconds , The invention also relates to the use of a previously described device for EMDR therapy and / or the use of two wrists of a living individual, in particular a human or an animal, in particular on the outer wrist in the usual position of a clock. This results in the aforementioned advantages.

The invention also relates to a method for generating stimuli on a human or animal body by means of a first and a second stimulus element spatially separated and defined by at least one fixing means positions on the body, wherein two stimulus generators generate a stimulus to the respective location of the body, the stimulus generators are controlled by a control, and wherein the stimulus generators are mutually controlled by the control, and wherein the reciprocal Control is given in their frequency, the method is carried out in particular by means of a previously described device, in particular based on an individually predefinable for the respective body and activated in a memory of the device activation pattern. This results in the aforementioned advantages.

The invention further relates to a computer program product, in particular a digital storage medium, with executable program instructions for performing a method described above, in particular in a device described above. This results in the aforementioned advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

 The invention and the technical environment will be explained in more detail with reference to the figure. It should be noted that the figure is a particularly preferred one

Embodiment of the invention shows. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. In particular, the invention includes, as far as is technically feasible, any combination of the technical features that are listed in the claims or described in the description as being relevant to the invention. It shows:

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention (in particular embodiment as wellness bracelet), with a first and a second stimuli la, b, wherein the first stimulus la a stimulus generator 2a and the second stimulus lb a stimulus generator 2b and a control 3. The control element 3 is set up to control the stimulus generators 2a, b, wherein at least the stimulus generator 2a can be controlled wirelessly by the control element 3. The control 3 can optionally by a another external control 4, for example a smartphone with a corresponding app, be tax and / or programmable. The stimuli la, b also include a power supply, not shown here.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

 1 first and second stimulus element (1a, 1b)

2 first and second stimulus generator (2a, 2b)

3 control

4 additional control

Claims

claims 1. A device for generating stimuli on a human or animal body comprising a first and a second stimulus element (la, b), wherein the first and the second stimulus element (la, b) are spatially separated from each other attached to the body and each stimulus element (la , b) at least one fixing means for fixing the stimulus element (la, b) on the body and, a power supply and at least one stimulus generator (2a, b) and the stimulus generator (2a, b) is suitable, a stimulus to the body of the body produce to which it is attached characterized in that the stimulus generators (2a, b) via a control element (3) are controllable, wherein the stimulus generators (2a, b) mutually controllable by the control element (3), and wherein the reciprocal control is predetermined in their frequency. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stimulus generators (2a, b) are wirelessly controllable; and / or wherein the device comprises two stimulus generators. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control element (3) comprises a memory; and / or wherein the control element (3) is programmable. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is arranged for bilateral stimulation of the brain by mutual irritation of both body halves. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the stimulus elements (la, b) comprises switches, via which the control element (3) is operable and / or programmable; and / or wherein the control element (3) can be operated and / or programmed via an additional control element (4) with an app. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (3) in at least one of the stimulus elements (la, b) is arranged; or wherein at least one control element (3) is arranged in each of the stimulus elements (1a, b). 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control or the control elements (3) are arranged to transmit mutually in a certain frequency a signal for controlling the stimulus generators (2a, b), so that a mutual Activation of stimulus generators (2a, b) takes place. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the mutual frequency in a range of 1 to 3 Hz can be predetermined, in particular 1.5 Hz. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stimulus generators (2 a, b) are adapted to generate tactile stimuli by vibration, in particular by vibrating settable membranes or weighted with imbalance electric motors. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective stimulus generator is manually switched on and off, in particular by means of at least one switch. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control is arranged for automated synchronization of the reciprocal frequency of the stimulus generators, in particular by temporal adaptation of a start time of a respective stimulus generator. 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stimulus generators are set at the same clock frequency, in particular in the range of 1 to 3 Hz. 13. Use of a device according to one of the preceding claims for EMDR Therapy; and / or using a device according to one of the preceding claims on two wrists of a living individual, in particular a human or an animal, in particular on the outer wrist in the usual position of a clock. 14. A method for generating stimuli on a human or animal body by means of a first and a second stimulus element (la, b) at spatially separated and defined by at least one fixing means positions on the body, wherein two stimulus generators (2a, b) on a stimulus generate the respective location of the body, wherein the stimulus generators (2a, b) are controlled by a control element (3), and wherein the stimulus generators (2a, b) are mutually controlled by the control element (3), and wherein the mutual control in their Frequency is specified, wherein the method is carried out in particular by means of a device according to one of the preceding device claims, in particular based on an individually vorfini for the respective body vorgefini erbaren and stored in a memory of the device activation pattern. 15. Computer program product, in particular digital storage medium, with executable program instructions for carrying out a method according to the preceding method claim.