U.S. patent number 3,648,708 [Application Number 04/835,456] was granted by the patent office on 1972-03-14 for electrical therapeutic device.
Invention is credited to Mehdi Haeri.
United States Patent |
3,648,708 |
Haeri |
March 14, 1972 |
ELECTRICAL THERAPEUTIC DEVICE
Abstract
A transistorized electrical sleep-inducing device includes a
current regulating buffer which protects the patient from excessive
current, when operated on conventional AC power and maintains the
current substantially constant regardless of variations in the
patient's body resistance. The patient is also protected by
sensitive fuses, an isolation transformer, careful grounding, a
floating circuit and a substantial resistance connected in series
with him. A peak reading volt meter precisely indicates the pulse
amplitude by utilizing a peak detector circuit connected to a high
input impedance, such as balanced bipolar transistors or a unipolar
field effect transistor (FET) differential amplifier. A frequency
band selector and scanner, connected to the pulse generator, varies
the applied frequency to suit the patient's response. The output is
contacted to various portions of the patient's anatomy in
accordance with his particular symptoms and treatment therefor.
Inventors: |
Haeri; Mehdi (Chicopee,
MA) |
Family
ID: |
25269545 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/835,456 |
Filed: |
June 23, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
607/64; 600/26;
607/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N
1/36034 (20170801); A61N 1/32 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61N
1/32 (20060101); A61N 1/34 (20060101); A61n
001/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/1C,2.6F,419R,421,422 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Roy, "IRE Transactions on Medical Electronics, Vol. ME-5, -3, July
1958, pp. 49-52 .
Buchsbaum "Electronics World," Vol. 70, -3, Sept. 1963, pp.
27-29.
|
Primary Examiner: Kamm; William E.
Claims
I claim:
1. An electrical therapeutic device comprising the following
components in electrical connection with each other: a power
supply, a current regulating buffer, a pulse generator and output
means for applying electrical pulses generated by said device to a
patient; said power supply being connected to said pulse generator,
said pulse generator being connected to said current regulating
buffer and said current regulating buffer being connected to said
output means; DC bias means connected between said current
regulating buffer and said output means; said current regulating
buffer comprising a transistor and circuit means connecting said
transistor to said output means and said DC bias means whereby
output current transmitted through said transistor is made
independent of the impedance represented by said patient for
limiting said current and holding it substantially constant
regardless of biological variations in the resistance of said
patient.
2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transistor has an
emitter, a collector and a base, a source of a reference voltage
being provided, and said circuit means connects said output means
to said collector, said power supply to said base and said source
of a reference voltage to said emitter.
3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said transistor is of
the PNP type.
4. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said source of a
reference voltage comprises a solid state reference voltage
diode.
5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein a variable resistor is
also connected to said emitter.
6. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a peak reading volt
meter circuit having a high input impedance is connected to said
circuit whereby the amplitude of said pulses are reliably
indicated.
7. A device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said peak reading volt
metering circuit comprises a peak detector circuit and high
impedance input means connected thereto.
8. A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said high input
impedance means comprises a high input impedance differential
amplifier.
9. A device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said high input
impedance differential amplifier utilizes field effect
transistors.
10. A device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said differential
amplifier includes a Darlington follower.
11. A device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said high input
impedance differential amplifier comprises a balanced bipolar
transistor differential amplifier.
12. A device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said high input
impedance differential amplifier comprises a unipolar field effect
transistor differential amplifier.
13. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pulse generator
includes a frequency band selecting means whereby a band of
predetermined frequency is selected and utilized for treatment.
14. A device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said pulse generator
also includes a frequency scanning means connected to said
frequency band selecting means whereby the output of said generator
is caused to gradually vary in frequency within said band for
determining the optimum frequency to treat said patient.
15. A device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said frequency
selecting means comprises a variable resistor and motor means
connected to said resistor for causing its resistance to gradually
vary whereby said frequency is varied within the selected band.
16. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein output means is
connected to said current regulating buffer, and isolating means is
connected therebetween.
17. A device as set forth in claim 16 wherein said isolating means
comprises a relatively high impedance resistor.
18. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein polarity reversing
means is connected to said output means.
19. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said current
regulating buffer also includes a variable resistor whereby the
amplitude of the pulse applied to said patient may be varied.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electrical therapeutic device and more
particularly to one in which an electrical current is directly
applied to a selected portion of the patient's anatomy through a
contacting electrode. It more particularly related to such a device
for inducing sleep or relaxation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electrical sleep-inducing devices have been therapeutically used in
various European countries for many years and quite extensively in
the U.S.S.R. An existing type of such apparatus utilizing vacuum
tubes is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,159. Battery-operated
devices utilizing transistors are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,255,753 and 3,388,699. U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,050,695, 3,241,557 and
3,295,528 relate to battery-operated transistorized pulse
generators for human treatment. An object of this invention is to
provide a simple, economical and compact low frequency pulse
generating device for human therapeutic treatment which is safe,
self-regulating, readily controllable and which clearly indicates
the character of the pulse applied to the patient. Another object
is to provide such a device which is particularly effective for
inducing sleep and relaxation.
SUMMARY
A transistorized electrical sleep-inducing device including a
current-regulating buffer, which protects the patient from
excessive current when operated on conventional AC power and
maintains the current substantially constant regardless of
variations in the patient's body resistance. The patient is also
protected by sensitive fuses, an isolation transformer, careful
grounding, a floating circuit and a substantial resistance
connected in series with him. A peak reading volt meter precisely
indicates the pulse amplitude applied to the patient by utilizing a
peak detector circuit connected to a high input impedance, such as
balanced bipolar transistors or a unipolar field effect transistor
(FET) differential amplifier. A frequency band selector and
scanner, connected to the pulse generator, varies the applied
frequency to suit the patient's response. The output is contacted
to various portions of the patient's anatomy in accordance with his
particular symptoms and treatment therefor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Novel features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the following
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein
similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in
which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of this
invention and illustrative wave forms;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the embodiment of this invention
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another and generally improved
embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a modified portion of the
embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1 is shown a block diagram of a sleep-inducing device 10,
which is one embodiment of this invention. Device 10 includes the
following major components indicated by the correspondingly
designated blocks: power supply 12, current regulator and buffer
14, pulse generator 16, metering circuit 18 and output control 20.
Characteristic wave forms 22 and 24 (later described) are generated
within and in the output from pulse generator 16. Power supply 12
includes AC source 26, DC source 28 and voltage regulator 30. Pulse
generator 16 includes monostable multivibrator 32, relaxation
oscillator 34 and frequency band selector and scanner 36. Metering
circuit 18 includes high impedance section 38 (for example high
impedance differential amplifier 38), peak voltage detector 40 and
meter M. Output control 20 includes timed switch 42, regulated DC
bias input line 21 from DC source 28 in power supply 12, isolating
resistor R38, outlet plug 44 and other components later described.
Amplitude control R8 is a current regulator and Buffer 14 is
functionally a part of the output control.
FIG. 2 is an overall schematic diagram of sleep-inducing device 10
showing in detail the various components of the FIG. 1 block
diagram. Power supply 12 is at the left-hand side of FIG. 2. It is
alternatively operated through a standard AC input section 46 or by
a 45-50 volt DC source. This circuit can be operated by 117 volt AC
or by a 45-50 volt center-tapped rechargeable battery by slide
switch S8 application. If used with 117 volt AC main, a number of
safety precautions eliminate all hazards. These precautions are:
both lines have fast blow fuses, 71 and 72, isolation transformer
26, chassis grounded to ground wire of power line, floating
circuit, the buffer stage 14 and finally, to some extent, R42. The
supplies are well regulated. The power supply can also operate with
220 volts, 50 cycle, for European or Japanese use.
Pulse generator 16 includes relaxation oscillator 34. The operation
of relaxation oscillator 34, FIG. 2, and its trigger pulse output
22, FIG. 1 is set forth in the following: Current thru resistor R19
charges capacitors C.sub.6, C.sub.7 or C.sub.8 (depending on
frequency selector switch position) to a voltage level sufficient
to forwardly bias emitter, "E", of unijunction transistor V8 and
let the current flow through it to Base 1, "B 1". It is at this
time that the unijunction transistor shows a negative resistance
and the sharp pulse 22 of FIG. 1 appears at the Base 1. This pulse
is used for triggering the monostable multivibrator to metastable
(unstable) state to generate the required pulse. The frequency of
the trigger pulse 22 is related to the product R14 C5. In FIG. 2,
relaxation oscillator 34 consists of unijunction transistor V8;
switches S5 and S7; capacitors C.sub.6, C.sub.7 and C.sub.8 ;
resistors R17, R18, R23, R24 and R25; variable resistors R20, R21,
and R22; controls R19, R19A and R41 and the DC motor, Mot.
Switch S5 is a band selector switch that selects one of the three
bands of frequencies, (2 to 10, 10 to 50 and 50 to 150 CPS). For
example, band 2 to 10 c.p.s. consists of C.sub.6, R23, R20 and R19.
At the 2 to 10 c.p.s. branch when control R19 is set at maximum, it
generates 2 c.p.s. By increasing R19, the pulse decreases until
minimum setting (10 c.p.s.) is reached. R20, R21 and R22 are used
to compensate for other component tolerances.
Slide switch S7 may be switched to "scan" position where R19 is
replaced by R19A and the DC motor, Mot., becomes energized. Then
the DC motor, Mot., rotates the control R19A and automatically
changes the frequencies within a band at a very slow speed. The
speed of the motor is controlled by R41.
The monostable multivibrator 32 consists of transistors V6 and V7,
resistors R12, R13, R14 and R15 and capacitor C.sub.5. R14 is
chosen to hold V6 in saturation in the stable state. The
cross-coupling resistor R12 holds V7 off. When a trigger pulse 22
(FIG. 1) brings the circuit into a condition in which both
transistors are in the active state, regenerative switching action
will occur, and the circuit rapidly switches to metastable state
where the state of each transistor is reversed. That is, V7
saturates and V6 cuts off. At this time the collector of V6 has an
output pulse 24 of a predetermined duration of time T = R14 C.sub.5
1n2 seconds. During this time the base ground voltage of V6 is
increasing exponentially (C5 being charged thru R14 toward B+) up
to a point where its value can bring V6 from the cut off to the
active region, whereby (due to regenerative transistor action) the
circuit rapidly switches from metastable to its stable state. The
metastable time is T = 0.5 millisecond and it is during this time
that the collector of V6 provides the pulse used as part of the
voltage input to the patient.
Constant current regulation and buffer 14 consists of a PNP
transistor (V4), a reference voltage (Z3), volume control (R8) and
resistors R9 and R10. The patient is connected as an impedance load
to the collector of V4 through intermediaries. The circuit is
active only when the pulse is present. Since it holds the current
thru the collector at a constant rate, the output voltage corrects
itself, with any biological change in the patient occurring because
of a change of his body's resistance. For example when the patient
is at rest, his resistance is decreased. Then the same current
impressed across the reduced resistance produces less voltage and
this is what the patient needs at this stage. This circuit also
serves as a buffer stage as previously described.
Metering circuit 18 includes high impedance input section 38 (for
example balanced differential amplifier 38) peak voltage detector
40 and meter M including switches S2 and S3. The high input
impedance section comprises a Darlington differential amplifier 38.
At low frequency it is very hard to measure the amplitude of the
pulse through transistor circuits because of their inherent low
input impedance. However, differential amplifier 38 is so designed
that it presents a high input impedance of approximately 10 megohms
to the pulse trend. This circuit consists of transistors V9, V10
and V11; Resistors R26, R27, R28, R29, R30, R31, R40 and control
R32; capacitor C14; diodes D10 and D11; switches S2 and S3.
Normally closed push-open switch S3 serves to interrupt the
entrance of the pulses to the metering circuit to obtain zero
adjustment in the metering circuit by balance control R32. Switch
S2 can be switched to DC position to measure the value of the DC
component to the patient.
Transistors V10 and V11 along with resistor networks R30, R31, R32
and R40 yield the high input impedance so necessary for a low
frequency peak reading volt meter. The properties of this voltmeter
are: high input impedance, high sensitivity and inexpensive and
practical structure.
Output control section 20 includes timed switch 42 including switch
S6 and timer T which permits setting of device 10 for any
convenient time such as from one to sixty minutes. The output
section also includes output plug 44 to which the output means to
the patient, such as a headband or contact electrode, is connected.
For example, negative pole 48 is applied against ocular regions and
positive pole 49 against the back of the head at the base of the
brain. Line 21 connects a regulated DC bias from DC power supply
28. Resistor R38 provides pulse and bias isolation. Polarity switch
S4 facilitates quick reversal of polarity. Potentially R8 in
current regulator and Buffer 16 is functionally a part of the
output control in that it affords variation in pulse amplitude.
Pulse generator 16 also includes frequency selector and scanning
circuit, 36. This circuit is used because some patients may respond
more favorably to a gradual variation in frequency. For example,
this apparatus has three frequency ranges, namely: 2 to 10, 10 to
50 and 50 to 150 c.p.s. In the 2 to 10 c.p.s. range with automatic
frequency change, it would introduce 2, 3,- 10 c.p.s. and keep
repeating itself.
OPERATION
The doctors using this type of apparatus spend a lot of time
adjusting the controls until they come to a point where a
particular patient feels relaxed and comfortable. Psychiatrists are
usually frequented by the same patient a number of times and then
can collect clinical data by observing the reaction of a certain
patient under treatment. In order to save time and enable the
doctor to collect data for analysis, the apparatus should have a
metering circuit for reading the relative amplitude of the pulse
applied and the changes that occur in the patient from time to
time. Hence, the peak reading metering circuit 18 is provided.
The amplitude of the pulse applied to each patient is automatically
indicated. At a certain point the person under treatment and his
doctor feel that the setting of amplitude control is just right for
relaxation. As the minutes go by, the patient's body chemistry
reacts to the pulses and the pulses become less and less effective,
which the patient can feel. This reduction in effectiveness causes
the patient to lose the relaxation that he initially felt,
particularly if his thought patterns are unfocused and irregular.
Hence, a method of compensation with his physical reaction is used.
This is current regulator and buffer 14. The frequency control 36
and the amplitude control R8 of this machine are installed in a
separate module that is normally part of the machine, but it is
removable and is connected to the machine by a four foot length of
wire or cable. This is to permit some patients to operate the
machine remotely.
FIG. 3 shows another and generally improved embodiment 10A of this
invention which is generally similar to FIG. 2 except that it is
operated only on AC and includes a special frequency band selector
and scanning circuit 36A. Circuit 36A has three bands of frequency:
2-10 cycles/sec.; 10-50 cycles/sec.; and 50-250 cycles/sec. Switch
S-5 selects one of these three bands. The operator can select a
single frequency within each band through R19, by turning switch
S-7 to manual, or he can set switch S-7 to automatic, which scans
all frequencies within the selected band. When switch S-7 is on
automatic scan, the speed of scanning can be selected from 6 to 60
r.p.m. This feature is useful in psychiatric research by assisting
the doctor in efficiently establishing a patient's response to
various frequencies.
FIG. 4 shows an alternative high input impedance section 38B for
metering circuit 18. It replaces bipolar transistors V9, V10 and
V11, with unipolar field effect transistors (FET). In this case one
FET replaces V9 and another replaces both V10 and V11. Since an FET
has a very high input impedance--essential to the metering circuit
of this type--the Darlington bridge of V10 and V11, which is solely
for high input impedance can be replaced by one FET. The general
high input impedance characteristics of the differential amplifier
do not change.
* * * * *