Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21 9~0~3
W096/00532 PCT~S94~07260
DEVICE FOR INDUCING SACCADIC EYE l.JVh
BAu~uuNu OF T~ INVENTIQN
The present invention relates to a device for inducing
saccadic eye movement in a subject.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is
generally characterized by anxiety attacks, sleep
distnrh~ncPc, flashbacks, and other symptoms which relate
to a prior traumatic event. PTSD is particularly common to
physical and sexual assault victims and war veterans.
Prior treatments for PTSD have included
"systematic desensitization" and "flooding". These prior
techniques have met with only limited success.
Reference is made to an article entitled "Eye
Movement Desensitization: A New Treatment For Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder" by F. Shapiro. In this article,
a new technique for the treatment of PTSD is described in
which the patients are instructed to visualize the
traumatic event, identify negative thoughts, concentrate on
the physical sensations of the anxiety, and visually track
the therapist's hand, with index and middle finger raised,
while the hand i6 moved in a back and forth motion. The
latter step involves the therapists moving his or her
fingers rhythmically along the line of vision of the
patient. Before, during, and after such terhni~lP, clients
are then measured for a self-reported level of anxiety. It
has been found that inducement of such saccadic eye
movement as described above has been very successful in
treating cases of PTSD, and other trauma-based disorders.
Unfortunately, control of the speed and path of
the therapist's fingers is difficult to achieve, and a
jerky eye v ~ has a tendency to induce stress in the
patient while a rhythmic eye movement produces the opposite
result. In addition, application of the Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing technique (EMDR) to
multiple successive subjects described above tires the
therapist's arm and seriously jeopardizes the consistency
in the EMDR treatment. Further, the therapist may find it
SUBSTlTUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
21 9~63
W O 96/00532 P(~r/U594/07260
dif~icult to observe the subject's eye movement while
maintaining a smooth rhythmic finger movement.
A device which permits a therapist to easily
administer the Eye Movement Desensitization techni~ue would
represent a great advance in the medical field.
SU~S~IIUTE S~IEET ~i~lJLE 2~
21 94063
W096/00532 PCT~S94107260
srnvMARY OF TR~ INVRNTION
In accordance with the present invention a novel
and useful device for ;n~l1cing saccadic eye movement in a
subject is herein provided.
The device of the present invention utilizes a
source of power which may be electrical or mechanical. The
source of power is used to activate a multiplicity of
visual signaling elements which are arranged in a
predetPrminPd pattern. Where the signaling elements are
lights, the source of power may be electrical. In many
cases, the predetPrm;np~ pattern for the signaling elements
is a straight line.
The mounting structure for the visual signaling
elements is also provided in the present invention. The
mounting structure places the visual signaling elements at
a certain level relative to the eye or eyes of the subject.
To achieve this purpose, mounting structure may include a
bar having the visual signaling elements held to the same
in such prpdetprm;npd pattern. A post is connected the bar
and may include a telescoping structure such that the
height of the post is adjustable above a base. In
addition, the bar having the visual signaling elements may
rotate about the axis of the bar to present the visual
signaling elements at a different angle relative to the
plane of the subject's eyes. It should be noted that the
base includes a housing for the various electrical and
mechanical components of the device of the present
invention. The visual signaling elements may be formed of
light emitting diodes (IEDS). In this case, the source of
power may be AC line electrical power or DC battery power.
Means is also included in the present invention
for se~uentially activating each of the visual signaling
elements. Such means may take the form of a variable speed
LED chaser mounted in the base portion of the device. A
manual control knob may be held to the base for access by
the operator of the device. In addition, the activation of
the visual signaling elements may be tracked by a counter.
W096100532 2 f q 4 0 6 3 PCT~S94/07260
Thus, the operator of the device may control the duration
of the activation of the visual signaling elements. In
addition, the rate of activation of the visual signaling
elements may also be observed and ~et~rmin~d by the user.
The effect of the device of the present invention on the
subject may be ~cRPRsed by self report or other known
stress measuring devices.
An audio signaling element may be included in the
present invention for periodic activation of the same
relative to the period of activation of the visual
signaling elements. For example, an audio signal may be
activated after a sequence of visual signal elements. Such
audio signaling elements may take the form of h~A~phnneR
placed on the patient for alternating tones between the
left and right ears.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful device
for in~ur.;ng saccadic eye movement in a subject has been
described.
It is therefor an object of the present invention
to provide a device for in~llring saccadic eye r v~ L in
a subject which is useful in the treatment of post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma and
anxiety-based emotional disorders, such as but not limited
to phobias, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorders,
etc.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide a device for in~llring saccadic eye - v. ~ in a
subject which is usable in conjunction with physiological
measuring devices such as polygraphs, monitoring
respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature,
and the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR).
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a device for inducing saccadic eye v. ~ in a
subject which includes a multiplicity of visual signals
which are sequentially operated at a rate, duration, and
angle of observation which is adjustable and pr~det~rm;n~d
by the user.
2 1 94063
W096/00532 PCT~S9~/07260
Another object of the present invcntion is to
provide a device for inducing saccadic eye ~ in a
subject in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder
which permits the therapist to observe the subject,
~cre~ ly the eye movement of the same.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a device for inducing saccadic eye r v~ t in a
subject which sequentially operates a series of visual
signals in a particular pattorn which are consistont and
reliable.
The invention possesses other objects and
advantages especially as concerns particular
characteristics and features thereof which will become
apparent as the specification continues.
W096/00S32 2 I q4063 PCT~S94107260
1QN OF THE DRAWIN~.~
FIG. l is a top right perspective view of the
device in use with a subject.
FIG. 2 i8 a side elevation view of the device
of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along line
2A-2A of Fig. 2.
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the
device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view depicting the
electrical components of the device of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a detailed schematic view of the
arrangement of the LED, counting, and audio ~ign~l;ng
outputs of the controller of the present invention.
For a better understanding of the invention
reference is made to the following detailed description of
the preferred ' ~;r ts thereof which should be
referenced to the hereinabove described drawings.
~ wo g6,00532 2 1 9 ~ 0 6 3 PCT~S94107260
U~:K~ OF TR~ ~ ~MR~nTM~TS
Various aspects of the present invention will
evolve from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments which should be taken in conjunction
with the prior described drawings.
The invention as a whole is shown in the drawings
by reference character 10. The device 10 is intended to
induce saccadic eye r- ~I L in subject 12, Fig. 1. Device
10 includes as one of its elements a multiplicity of visual
signaling elements 14 which are arranged in a predet~rm;
pattern.
As depicted in the drawings, visual signaling
elements 14 extend in substantially linear fashion. Visual
signaling elements 14 are supported by mounting structure
16, best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, which includes a base 18,
bar 20, and a telescoping structure 22, therebetween.
Telescoping structure 22 includes a T-shaped mount 24,
hollow post 26, and compression ring 28 which fixes the
extension of T-shaped mount 24 into hollow post 26 and,
thus, fixes the height of bar 20 above base 18, directional
arrow 30. Light bar 20 and visual siqnAl;ng elements 14
relative to T-shaped mount 24, directional arrows 31 and
33, Figs. 2A and 3, such that visual signaling elements 14
trace an arcuate path. Set screw 35 fixes the position of
light bar 20 relative to T-shaped mount 24. As depicted in
Fig. 1, base 18 includes a lower plate 32 to aid in the
selective placement of device 10 on a platform such as
table 34, Fig. 1. Bar 20 and plurality of visual c;gn~l;n~
elements 14 may be placed at, above, or below eye level, or
at an angle to the horizontal plane of the eyes of subject
36 seated in chair 38, Fig. 1, as det~rm;n~d by the
operator of device 10. Thus, device 10 allows for
adjustment of light bar 20 horizontally, vertically and
angularly relative to subject 36.
Nultiplicity of visual c;gn~ling elements 14 may
take the form of light emitting diodes (LEDS~. Such LEDS
are activated by a source of power 40 which may be line AC
W096l00532 2 1 9 4 0 6 3 PCT~S94/07260
power rectified to D.C. power. Power source 40 is passed
through a rectifier 42 and into a controller 44 found
within housing or base 18, Fig. 4. Controller 44 may be a
variable speed LED chaser which is commercially available.
Controller 44, thus, includes a knob 46 ~c~Ae~cihle from the
outside of housing or base 18. Controller 44 permits the
subject or the person administering device lO to change the
speed of the LED chaser. With reference to Fig. 2, it may
be apparent that two sets of LED's 48 and 50 are depicted
on either side of T-shaped mount 24. Controller 44 serves
as means 48 for sequentially activating each of the
multiplicity of visual signaling elements 14. As depicted
in Fig. 2, means 48 activates signaling element sets 48 and
SO such that sets 48 and 50 illuminate sequentially from
left to right, from right to left, and again from right to
left, etc. as long as controller 44 is in its active state,
directional arrows 54 and 56.
With reference to Fig. 4, it may be observed that
multiplicity of visual signaling elements 52 are in a
single line rather than in the split configuration depicted
in Fig. 2. Multiplicity of visual signaling elements (LEDS)
52 move back and forth across bar 14 according to
representative directional arrow 58. It should be noted
that other patterns of visual signaling elements may be
employed as long as saccadic eye movement is induced in the
subject 36.
Controller 44 include the outputs, depicted in
Fig. 5, shown by eight L~D's 60. In each cycle, the eleven
outputs depicted in Fig. 5, power the eight L~DS, a counter
62, and an audio source 64 may be in the form of left and
right earphones 66 and 68 which may be placed on the
subject 36. Thus, controller 44 is able to sequentially
activate LED's 14 or 52 as well as an audio source 64.
The following table represents a list of
ts used in a system of the present invention:
TABIE I
L~ ~E
2 1 9~63
W096/00~2 PCT~S9~07260
1. Controller 40 Variable Speed
LED CHASER-All
Electronics Corp.
Van Nuys, CA.
2. Counter 62 Electro M~rh~n;r~l
Counting Module
62-#279-222-Radio
Shack-Ft. Worth, Texas
3. Rectifier 42 300MA, A5-501/AS
501k llOOAC to 12 w DC
Gemini Industries
Clifton, N.J.
4. Audio Source 64 Catalogue 276-5013,
page 28-Radio Shack
Ft. Worth, Texas
5. Bar 20 and LEDS 14 Interior Night Runner
Light No. 750, Ralley
Accessory, Inc. Miami,
Florida
6. Switch 70 Toggle Switch SPST
3A, 125 V, Catalogue
275-602-Radio Shack
Ft. Worth, Texas
In operation, the subject 36 is placed in a sitting
position in front device 10, Fig. 1. The person
controlling device 10, usually a therapist, activates
device 10 from power source 40. Switch 70 is then closed
to permit DC power to travel to controller 44. Controller
44 then activates multiplicity of visual signaling elements
or LEDS 14 or 52 in a sequential matter, ie: left to right,
right to left etc. Controller 44 activates counter 62
during its output cycle such that movement to the right or
left is recorded. In this manner, the therapist may track
the number of saccadic eye movements and gage the same
against the anxiety level of the subject 36, which is
measured by self report or physiological measures know in
the art. An audio source 64 may activate a left earphone
66 or right earphone 68 as depicted in Fig. 5 such that
four LEDS sequentially flash, a first audio tone is sent to
one ear, four LEDS sequentially flash, the second audio
tone is sent to the other ear, and so forth. It has been
W096100s32 2 t 9 ~ 0 6 3 PCT~S94/07260
found that device 10 serves as a substitution for
therapist's hand ;n~nc~-~nt of saccadic eye v~ L,
during EMDR treatment in clinical application and avoids
the "tennis elbow" common among practitioners and
researches in the art. Device 10 provides consistent,
measurable speed at selected positions of observation
(horizontal, vertical and angular) by subjects.
While in foregoing, ~ ;r-nts of the present
invention have been set forth in c~n~ rable detail for
the ~u~oses of making a complete disclosure of the
invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art
that numerous changes may be made in such detail without
departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
