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Patent No. 4289121
Method for controlling functional state of central nervous system and device for effecting same (Kupriyanovich, Sep 15, 1981)
Abstract
The method consists of subjecting the central nervous system to the effects of rhythmic audio and light signals which are applied simultaneously in accordance with biorhythms corresponding to a stable state of the central nervous system. After setting the initial light and audio signals, the frequency, amplitude and duration of the rhythmic light and audio signals are varied in synchronism according to frequency variations of the biorhythms. The method is carried out with the aid of a device comprising a light pulse pacemaker, an audio pulse pacemaker, pulse frequency, duration and amplitude setting units, modulators of signals produced by the pacemakers, which are controlled by the setting units, and a switch intended to determine the direction of variation of audio and light signals. The device also includes a programming unit to receive information on the state of the central nervous system.
Notes:
Method
for controlling functional state of central nervous system and device for effecting
same. Filed September 1979, granted September 1981. Another entrainment device
using audible and/or visual methods. Granted to a person in Soviet Union. Shows
Soviets researched control through entrainment and 'biorythms' in late 1970s
also.
CLAIMS
1. A method for controlling the functional state of the central nervous system
through exposure of a patient to simultaneous effects of a rhythmic audio signal
and a rhythmic light signal, comprising the steps of: determining the change
of the biorhythm frequency in the course of a transition to one of the extreme
stable states of the central nervous system; setting an initial light signal
and an initial audio signal; synchrononously varying the frequency, amplitude
and duration of the rhythmic audio and light signals within the established
intervals of frequency change of biorhythms; and varying the pitch of the audio
signal and the color of the light signal in accordance with the change of the
intervals.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the color and pitch of the initial
signals are chosen by the patient.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the color of the light signal is
varied within the visible optic spectrum, and the pitch of the audio signal
is selected within the range of 50 to 1,500 Hz.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patient is made to fall asleep
by reducing the light wavelength with respect to the original wavelength and
lowering the pitch of the audio signal with respect to the original pitch.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patient is stimulated by increasing
the light wavelength with respect to the original wavelength and raising the
pitch of the audio signal with respect to the original pitch.
6. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wavelength of the light signal
is reduced from 770 nanometers to 380 nanometers, and the pitch of the audio
signal is reduced from 800 to 200 Hz.
7. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wavelength of the light signal
is increased from 380 nanometers to 770 nanometers, and the pitch of the audio
signal is raised from 200 to 800 Hz.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the color of the light signal and
the pitch of the audio signal are repeatedly varied till a stable state of the
central nervous system is reached.
9. A device for controlling the functional state of the central nervous system,
comprising a controlled audio pulse pacemaker to expose a patient to the effects
of audio signals of a desired frequency, amplitude and duration; a controlled
light pulse pacemaker to expose a patient to the effects of light signals of
a variable color, amplitude, frequency and duration; a first setting unit setting
the pulse repetition frequency of the light and audio pacemakers; a second setting
unit setting the duration of pulses produced by said light and audio pacemakers;
a third setting unit setting the amplitude of pulses produced by said light
and audio pacemakers; modulators in a number equal to the number of light signals
of the light pulse pacemaker, said modulators having inputs separately connected
to outputs of said setting units, and outputs connected to said pacemakers in
order to synchronously vary the frequency, duration and amplitude of the light
and audio signals; a switch switching in a preselected order the color modulators
of the light signals source and the pitch modulators of the audio signals source;
a control unit controlling said setting units and producing signals to control
the modulators of the light and audio signals sources, depending on the variations
of the level of the functional state of the central nervous system; a programming
unit receiving information on changes of the patient's biorhythm caused by changes
of the functional state of the central nervous system, said programming unit
being connected to the setting units to form a signal for a change of the frequency,
amplitude and duration of the signals by said setting units depending on the
biorhythm frequency over given time intervals.
10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controlled light pulse pacemaker
includes a set of electric lamps of different colors, lamps in each group of
lamps of the same color having different turn-on thresholds so as to vary the
saturation of color.
11. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the light wavelengths vary from
770 to 380 nanometers, and the pitch of audio signals varies from 800 to 200
Hz.
12. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control unit which controls
the setting units is a saw-toothed voltage generator.
13. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first, second and third setting
units each include a first transistor and a second transistor, the base of the
first transistor being connected to the collector of the second transistor via
a frequency divider, the collector of the first transistor being connected to
the saw-toothed voltage source and to the programming unit, the emitter of the
second transistor being connected to a power source, and the base of the second
transistor being connected to the output of the setting units and to the modulators.
14. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the switch for switching the modulators,
the lamps of the light pulse pacemaker and a tone generator of the audio pulse
pacemaker is a flip-flop switching circuit having two outputs connected to electronic
relays, one of which being actuated when the patient is to be made to fall asleep,
and the other of which being actuated when the patient is to be stimulated.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to medicine and, more particularly, to a method
and device for controlling the functional state of the central nervous system.
The invention is effective in inducing sleep or making it deeper, as well as
in raising the level of wakefulness; it also helps against insomnia and in cases
of abnormal sleepiness.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The rapid development of science and technology, the information explosion and
the necessity to keep pace with the times all have had a tremendous impact on
the central nervous system. The resultant stresses almost invariably lead either
to superexcitation or to abnormal sleepiness and strongly affect people's health
and working capacity.
Drugs that are often used in such cases normally contain toxic narcotics. Prolonged
courses of drug therapy may result in habit formation so that the patient has
to be given higher doses or more potent drugs.
A number of attempts have been made to dispense with drug therapy by exposing
the central nervous system to the effects of such physical phenomena as light
or sound. For example, there is known a method which makes use of regularly
repeated light and audio effects, such as the sound of ocean breakers or the
monotonous noises of rain. The method produces inhibition of the cerebral cortex
and sometimes makes a patient fall asleep, but it is not effective enough to
reestablish normal sleeping habits and thus eliminate abnormalities of biorhythms
which cause sleeplessness or, on the contrary, make a person sleepy during the
day.
The method under review largely depends on the psychophysilogic state of an
individual and at times may prove to be ineffective. There have been attempts
to combine the effects of monotonous audio and light signals; although more
effective than the foregoing method, such attempts have not produced consistently
good results. It can thus be inferred that monotonous signals are not the ultimate
solution. It was then found that the action on the central nervous system could
be intensified by varying the frequency, duration and amplitude of signals according
to an electroencephalogram. Unlike monotonous signals, signals with varied parameters
are more effective in altering the biorhythmic pattern and eliminating sleep
distrubances. Yet the positive effect of such treatment cannot be maintained
over a prolonged period of time.
The latter method is effected with the aid of a device comprising a controlled
audio pulse pacemaker, a controlled light pulse pacemaker, and a unit for controlling
the two pacemakers according to variations of bioelectric currents of the brain
recorded during sleep. The device has all the disadvantages inherent in the
method which it is intended to carry out. It must further be pointed out that
none of the known devices of this type are capable of controlling the level
of wakefulness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling
the functional state of the central nervous system, which would ensure a stable
and prolonged effect on the human organism.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for controlling the
functional state of the central nervous system, which could be used to rapidly
induce profound sleep.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a method to ensure strict
correlation between the state of the organism and the effects of signals acting
on the organism to change the biorhythms.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method which could make
it possible to control the degree of wakefulness and eliminate sleepiness.
It is an important object of the invention to provide a device for controlling
the functional state of the central nervous system of both sleeping and wakeful
patients.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are attained by providing a
method for controlling the functional state of the central nervous system by
exposing a patient to simultaneous effects of a rhythmic audio signal and a
rhythmic light signal and determining the change of the frequency of the biorhythms
in the course of the transition to one of the extreme stable states of the central
nervous syrtem. This is followed by setting an initial light signal and an initial
audio signal and synchronously varying the frequency, amplitude and duration
of the rhythmic light and audio signals within the established intervals of
the frequency variation of the biorhythms. The tonality of the audio signal
and chromaticity of the light signal are varied according to changes of the
intervals.
The invention is based on the established fact that the effects of light and
audio pulse signals are more pronounced if these signals change according to
variations of biorhythms caused by changes in the state of the central nervous
system. The invention stresses the necessity of using signals of varying color
and tonality instead of monochrome and monotonous signals. The color and tonality
of the signals are to varied according to changes of the frequency, amplitude
and duration of the biorhythm, as well as according to the interaction between
the light and audio signals.
The method according to the invention is advantageous in that it is carried
out with due regard for the original psychophysiologic state of the patient
and in that the change of the functional state of the central nervous system
is a reflection of the actual state of the patient. The reason for this lies
in the fact that the rhythmic light and audio signals are directly related to
biorhythms of the organism.
It is expedient that the chromaticity and tonality of the initial signals should
be chosen by the patient so as to make sure that the initial rhythmic signals
closely correspond to the actual psychophysiologic state of the patient. For
example, to reduce the level of wakefulness, one must not start with a red light
signal and a high pitch audio signal if the patient is relaxed. This would only
lead to an unnecessary loss of time because a red light signal and a high pitch
audio signal would first excite the nervous system and raise the level of wakefulness,
after which a change of color and pitch would only bring wakefulness down to
the original level.
Optimum results are achieved by using the visible optical spectrum and pitches
of 50 to 1,500 Hz.
A patient is made to fall asleep by reducing the light wavelength and lowering
the pitch of the audio signal with respect to the initial levels.
The level of wakefulness is rasied by increasing the light wavelength and raising
the pitch of the audio signal with respect to the initial levels.
The method according to the invention is carried out with the aid of a device
comprising a controlled audio pulse pacemaker intended to expose the patient
to the effects of audio signals of a desired frequency, amplitude and duration;
a controlled light pulse pacemaker intended to expose the patient to the effects
of light signals of variable chromaticity, amplitude, frequency and duration;
a pulse repetition setting unit intended to set the pulse repetition frequency
for the light and audio pacemakers; a pulse amplitude setting unit intended
to set the pulse amplitude for the pacemakers; a pulse duration setting unit
intended to set the pulse duration for the pacemakers; modulators in a number
equal to the number of light signals produced by the light pacemaker, their
inputs being separately connected to outputs of the pacemakers, and their outputs
being connected to said pacemakers to synchronously vary the frequency, duration
and amplitude of the light and audio signals; a switch intended to switch in
a predetermined order the modulators and units for setting the chromaticity
of light signals and tonality of audio signals; a control unit intended to control
said setting units by producing signals to control the pattern of varying the
functional state of the central nervous system, depending on the task to be
performed, which is either to produce a soporific effect or to raise the level
of wakefulness; and a programming or storage unit intended to receive information
on changes of the biorhythm according to a change state of the central nerous
system, which is connected to the pulse frequency, amplitude and duration setting
units of the light and audio pacemakers and serves to produce a signal whereby
the frequency, amplitude and duration of pulses are changed by the respective
setting units, depending on the biorhythm frequency within specified time intervals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent
from a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment
thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device for acting on the central nervous system,
in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic diagram of the switch with electronic relays
of the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic diagram of the modulator with frequency, amplitude
and duration setting units, in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the panel and lamps of the light pacemaker in accordance
with the invention; and
FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram showing the connection of the lamps of FIG. 4, wherein
groups of lamps are shown conventionally.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Consider now FIG. 1 which is a block diagram of the device for controlling the
state of the central nervous system in accordance with the invention. The device
comprises a controlled light pulse pacemaker 1, a controlled audio pulse pacemaker
2, and a varying unit 3 for varying the chromaticity and pitch of the pacemakers
1 and 2, respectively. The unit 3 comprises flip-flops, of which more details
are given below, and switches 4 in a number equal to the number of colors and
tonalities chosen for action upon the patient. The embodiment under review makes
use of the seven colors of the white light spectrum, i.e. red, orange, yellow,
green, blue, indigo and violet, and of seven tonality ranges of audio signals.
(Thus FIG. 1 shows switches 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.7. ) The device further includes
a chromaticity and tonality modulation unit 5 which contains seven indentical
modulators or modulating circuits 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.7. Thus the circuits 6 are
in a number equal to the number of light and audio signals. The circuits 6 are
intended to carry out amplitude and frequency modulation of these signals.
The circuits 6 of the modulation unit 5 are controlled by setting units 7, 8
and 9 incorporated in a control unit 10. The setting unit 7 serves to control
the frequency of rhythmic signals; the setting unit 8 serves to control the
amplitude of rhythmic signals, i.e. the volume of sound and brightness of light;
and the setting unit 9 serves to control the duration of the rhythmic signals.
The device further includes an actuation unit 11 whose purpose is to actuate
the switches 4. The switches 4 are intended to select the original color and
tonality and carry over to the next color or tonality.
The device of this invention is meant to control the functional state of the
central nervous system of both sleeping and wakeful patients. To perform these
functions, it is provided with a control unit 13 intended to control the setting
units. The unit 13 forms a saw-toothed signal. The setting units of the unit
10 are actuated by the rising or falling edges of the saw-toothed signals to
form signals for sleeping patients or those awake, respectfully.
The parameters of the output signals of the setting units of the unit 10 are
determined by biorhythms specified, for example, by an electroencephalogram.
For this purpose, the device according to the invention is provided with a storage
or programming unit 12 intended to supply information on biorhythms.
The programming or storage unit 12 stores information on biorhythms, including
the frequency of biorhythms in the initial state and variations of this frequency
occurring as the patient falls asleep or as the wakefulness level is raised.
During the rhythmic action upon the patient, the information on biorhythms is
reproduced as a program of changes of the frequency, amplitude and duration
of the rhythmic signals. The unit 12 is, preferably, a recording and reproducing
magnetic device, such as a miniature tape recorder, a set of magnetic memory
cells, etc.
Consider now a detailed description of each of the above-mentioned units and
connections between them. The light pacemaker (FIG. 4) comprises a plurality
of monochrome lamps, such as a group of red lamps 19.sub.1, . . . , 19.sub.i
which are uniformly spaced over the entire surface of a screen. Outputs of these
groups of lamps are connected to switching contacts of the switch 4.sub.i and
pulsatory contacts K.sub.3 of the modulating circuit or modulator 6.sub.1 (FIG.
5); in FIG. 4, each group of lamps is conventionally designated as V. The color
saturation is varied by switching the lamps of each color, which have different
turn-on thresholds. The pitch is varied within the range of each color by the
modulator as will be shown below.
All the seven modulators 6 are identical, so FIG. 3 shows only one such modulator
6 which is an asymmetrical multivibrator built of transistors T5 and T6. The
collector circuits of the transistors T5 and T6 contain resistors R11, R12 and
R13; the base circuits of the transistor T5 and T6 contain resistors R14 and
R15. The collector of the transistor T5 is connected to the base of the transistor
T6 via a capacitor C3; the collector of the transistor T6 is connected to the
base of the transistor T5 via a capacitor; C4 and the positive terminals of
the capacitors C3 and C4 are connected to the bases of the transistors T5 and
T6. A power source "+B" feeds current to the modulator (units 4.sub.1
through 4.sub.7) via a contact K.sub.2 " of an electromagnetic relay P2
which has three groups of contacts (FIG. 2). The contact K.sub.2 " of this
relay P2 connects the power source "+B" to the collector circuits
of the transistors T5 and T6 and to the emitter circuit of a transistor T7;
a contact K.sub.I " connects the power source "+B" to a respective
lamp (V.sub.1 through V.sub.7) of the light pacemaker 1 and to a respective
tone generator (not shown) of the audio pacemaker 2. The winding of the electromagnetic
relay P3 is connected to the collector circuit of the transistor T6; as pulsed
current is applied to it by the multivibrator, it makes the contact K3 pulsate.
Also placed in the collector circuit of the multivibrator is a circuit composed
of transistors T7 and T8 and resistors R16, R17 and R18 which determine the
operating conditions of said transistors T7 and T8 (see arrow 10 in FIG. 3).
This circuit performs the functions of the setting units 7, 8 and 9 in that
it varies the frequency, amplitude and duration of the signals (the details
are given below); circuitry-wise, it is combined with the modulator. The units
12 and 13 apply a.c. voltage to the collector of the transistor T8.
FIG. 2 shows the switch 4.sub.1 of the group of switches 4.sub.1, . . . , 4.sub.i.
The switch 4.sub.1 comprises a reversible flip-flop switching circuit 14 with
electronic relays 15 and 16 connected to its output. The electronic relay 15
is actuated when the device is used to make a patient fall asleep; the relay
16 is actuated when treating one who is awake. The flip-flop switching circuit
14 (FIG. 2) comprises transistors T1 and T2 with resistors R1 and R2 placed
in their respective collector circuits. The collector of the transistor T1 is
connected to the base of the transistor T2 via a resistor R3. The collector
of the transistor T2 is connected to the base of the transistor T1 via a resistor
R4. The base of the transistor T2 is connected to two adjacent circuits, i.e.
to the base of the left transistor T2.sub.2 of the next flip-flop switching
circuit (for example, for switching over from the red section to the orange
section), the connection being effected via a diode D5; the base of the transistor
T2 is also connected via a diode D6 to the base of the left triode of the previous
switching circuit T2.sub.7. The base of the transistor T1 is similarly connected
to the bases of the triodes of the previous and next circuits via the diodes
D7 and D4. Each of the discharge capacitors C1 and C2 has one lead connected
via diodes D4 and D5, respectively, to the base of the transistors T1 and T2,
respectively; the first leads of the capacitors C1 and C2 are also connected
via resistors R5 and R6 to the collector of the triode T2 connected to the power
source "-B" via the diode D2 and contact K2 of the electronic relay
15. Diodes D1 and D3 are connected in the collector circuits of the triodes
T1 and T2 and intended to effect a drop of voltage at the collectors of these
triodes. From the power source "-B", voltage is applied via contacts
K1 and K2 of electronic relays 1 and 2 to the collectors of the triodes T1 and
T2.
The circuitry of the electronic relays is well known to those skilled in the
art. Each of these relays comprises a triode T3 (see reference numeral 15),
resistors R7 and R8, which determine the operation threshold of the electronic
relay, an electromagnetic relay P2 connected in the collector circuit of the
triode T3, and a diode D8 which shunts the winding of the electromagnetic relay
P2. As stated above, the electromagnetic relay P2 has three pairs of contacts
(K.sub.2, K.sub.2 " and K.sub.2 ''').
The control unit 13 is a conventional saw-toothed wave generator built around
a transistor (not shown). The actuation unit 11 is a switching circuit comprising
two electronic relays (not shown) connected as are those of the unit 3 (FIG.
2, reference numerals 15 and 16). The operation thresholds of these electronic
relays are selected as follows: rising saw-toothed voltage, produced by the
unit 13, actuates the electronic relay with a lower operation threshold, whereas
falling saw-toothed voltage actuates the relay having a higher operation threshold.
Thus the contacts of the electronic relay automatically bring into play either
the first flip-flop switching circuit 4.sub.1 which corresponds to red and is
used in the case of a patient who is to be relaxed, or the last circuit 4.sub.7
which corresponds to violet and is used to treat a patient who is awake and
has to be stimulated. The unit 11 includes a set of pushbutton contacts B.sub.1
', B.sub.2 ', . . . , etc., and B.sub.2 ", which are connected in the flip-flop
switching circuits in parallel with the contacts K.sub.1, K.sub.2, etc. and
contacts K.sub.1 ", K.sub.2 ", etc. of the modulator 5. The pushbuttons
are arranged on a control panel.
Consider now operation of the device in accordance with the invention. Let it
be assumed that a patient needs relaxation. He or she lies on a bed or couch
(not shown) and is told to choose a color and tonality which seem to be the
most pleasing at the moment and with which the seance of treatment is to be
started. Prior to exposing the patient to the effects of rhythmic signals, the
initial frequency of the predominant rhythm of the electroencephalogram (the
respiration rate and heart rate) is recorded. Initially, the action of rhythmic
signals is to be in keeping with this original frequency.
Suppose the patient chooses the yellow color (the wavelength is 580 nanometers)
and a pitch of 600 Hz. The control unit 13 is turned on and adjusted to operate
so as to make the patient fall asleep. The yellow color button on the control
panel of the actuation unit 11 is pushed to close the contact B.sub.2 "
(FIG. 3) which is placed in parallel with the contact K.sub.2 " and intended
to apply voltage of the power source "+B" to the units 6 and 10 (FIG.
3); the pushbutton also closes the contact B.sub.2 ' which is connected in parallel
with the contact K.sub.2 and intended to apply "-B" voltage to the
switch 4.sub.3 (reference numeral 14 of FIG. 2). This turns on the modulator
6.sub.3. Under the action of the current in the winding of the electromagnetic
relay P3.sub.3, the contacts K3.sub.3 vibrate and break the circuit of the lamps
in the light pacemaker 1 and that of the contacts of the tone generator of the
audio pacemaker 2, which correspond to the yellow color. The control unit 10
performs frequency, amplitude and duration modulation of light and sound. The
initial operating conditions of the unit 10 are set by a voltage corresponding
to the initial predominant frequency of the electroencephalogram (the respiration
rate, electrocardiogram), which is applied from the unit 11 to the collector
of the transistor of the unit 10.
As stated above, the saturation of color is variable because the lamps possess
different turn-on thresholds.
As the modulator 6.sub.3 of the modulation unit 5 is put into operation, so
is the right part of the flip-flop switching circuit 14 of the switch 4.sub.3.
The transistor T2 of the circuit 14 is off, thereby causing capacitor C2 to
slowly discharge, whereafter the electronic relay 15 is actuated. The capacitor
C2 discharges mainly through the circuit R7-R8 of the transistor T3 of the electronic
relay 15; as a result, the transistor T3 is driven into conduction and actuates
the electromagnetic relay P2. The discharge of the capacitor C2 of the yellow
color circuit is followed by a closure of the contacts K.sub.2 connected to
the collector of the right transistor of the green color flip-flop switching
circuit. The contact K.sub.2 " turns on the green color modulator 6.sub.4
; the contacts K.sub.1 ''' and K.sub.2 ''' turn on the green lamp V.sub.4 and
the respective tone generator (not shown). At the same time the contact K.sub.2
of the modulator 6.sub.3 is broken, whereas the contact K.sub.2 of the modulator
6.sub.4 is made. The green color modulator 6.sub.4 is brought into action and
makes the contacts K3.sub.4 pulsate due to the pulsed current passed through
the winding of the electromagnetic relay P3.sub.4 ; thus the lamps V.sub.4 and
the respective tone generator are repeatedly turned on for short periods of
time.
Variations of voltage applied from the storage or programming unit 12 lead to
changes of the resistance of the circuit T8, R16, R17, R18 and T7 (FIG. 2).
If the patient is supposed to fall asleep, the frequency and amplitude of the
signal decrease, while its duration increases; to stimulate the patient, the
resistance of the above-mentioned circuit increases and so do the frequency
and amplitude of the signal, but the duration of the signal decreases. Changing
the amplitude of the signal is used to successively turn on lamps of different
color saturation. Color saturation of the lamps is different because they have
different operation thresholds, which, in turn, is due to the selection of different
values of damping resistors connected in the supply circuits of these lamps.
Operation of all the other units, corresponding to other colors and pitches,
is similar to what is stated above. The signal of the last unit actuates the
yellow color unit, and the foregoing sequence of events is repeated.
The above description deals with the case when the level of wakefulness has
to be brought down. The level of wakefulness is brought up by using the same
principle, but in this case the relay units 16 are brought into play.
In principle, the method for controlling the functional state of the central
nervous system in accordance with the invention consists in exposing a patient
to simultaneous effects of rhythmic audio and light signals of a certain frequency,
amplitude and duration. First, one has to determine the change of the frequency
of biorhythms in the course of the transition to one of the extreme stable states
of the central nervous system, which is done by means by electroencephalography
and electrocardiography, as well as by measuring the resipiration rate. The
foregoing description shows how the data on biorhythms is collected in the case
where the patient is supposed to fall asleep. The final step of the preparation
stage is to select initial light and audio signals for each interval of change
of the biorhythm.
Normally it is best to let the patient choose the initial light and audio signals.
If the level of wakefulness has to be brought down, it is best to start the
rhythmic action with either yellow, orange or green.
The foregoing description is concerned with a case when the action is started
with the yellow color.
The next step is to synchronously vary the frequency, amplitude and duration
of the rhythmic signals within the established intervals of frequency variations
of the biorhythms. As these intervals change, so do the tonality of the audio
signal and the chromaticity of the light signal.
This is done by the control unit 10 which applies voltage to the modulation
unit 5 so as to control their operation with due regard for operation of the
programming or storage unit 12 and the control unit 13. The change of tonality
and chromaticity is effected by the unit 5; the use of lamps with different
turn-on thresholds has already been mentioned above.
The following examples will serve to illustrate the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
Patient K, a turner by profession, complained during his visit to a neurologist
that he had difficulty in falling asleep. His predominant biorhythm was determined
from an electroencephalogram taken before the course of treatment. Of all the
light and audio signals, the patient selected the yellow color (580 nanometers)
and an audio signal of 600 Hz and 62 db. The seance of rhythmic stimulation
lasted 25 minutes. The initial frequency was 10 times the predominant frequdncy
of the electroencephalogram. Further change of frequency was done automatically
according to the changing electroencephalogram of the patient as he was falling
asleep.
Although the treatment was performed at 11 a.m., the patient slept better after
it. He went to bed at 10:30 p.m., and it took him only five minutes to fall
asleep. His sleep became normal after two seances, although it took two more
seances to make sure that the treatment was totally effective. After the course
of treatment consisting of four seances, K was under observation over a period
of two years and never complained of being unable to fall asleep. No undesired
side effects were observed and the patient slept much better than before the
treatment.
EXAMPLE 2
Patient V, a driver, complained of sleepiness which interfered with his work.
The mean value of the predominant biorhythm was determined from an electroencephalogram.
Of all the light and audio signals, the patient chose the green color (540 nanometers)
and an audio signal of 400 Hz and 60 db. The initial rhythmic stimulation frequency
was ten times the dominating frequency of the electroencephalogram taken prior
to the seance. Subsequent change of the rhythmic signals frequency was carried
out automatically in accordance with the predominant rhythm of the electroencephalogram
measured as the level of wakefulness was being brought up. The first seance
lasted 25 minutes; each next seance was five minutes longer than the previous.
It took three seances to eliminate sleepiness compliness completely; one more
seance was given to stabilize the positive effect. After the course of treatment
consisting of four seances, V was observed during 18 months. There were no more
complaints from the patient and no negative side effects were observed.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described,
various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
It is therefore not intended that the invention should be limited to the disclosed
embodiments or details thereof; it is understood that departures may be made
from the disclosed embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined in the claims.
For example, the function of the light source of the controlled light pulse
pacemaker can be effectively performed by a semiconductor laser which features
controlled chromaticity over the entire optical range.
The function of the light source of the light pulse pacemaker can also be performed
by a screen of ferroelectric ceramics, whose color is varied depending on the
voltage applied thereto by the modulator.