Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
The present inven-tion relates to a device for influence by
sound on the human body and a storage medium, e.g. tape
cassette or compact disc to be used with the device.
5 The present invention starts out with three basic principles
within musical theraphy, viz. that low (deep) tones appear
relaxing, whereas high tones appear s-tressing, that rhythmic
music appears activating, whereas non-rhythmic music appears
passivating, and that high sonic level appears aggressive,
whereas low sonic level appears passivating.
These basic principles have general validity, but there are
exceptions. The basic principles have appeared through
extensive therapeutic observation of patients over a long
15 period,
Musical theraphy is based on music being conceived by the ear
through the acoustic channels of perception.
20 The present inven-tion is based on that music, directly
transferred to the human body through vibration receptors in
the nervous system may have a greater effect, i.e. be able to
provide greater muscular relaxation. By ~oining acoustical
perception and vibrational perception in-to a general experi-
25 ence, there is according to the present invention obtainedtherapeutical effect which has influence both on physical and
psychical sufferings related to patients. This combination
is for sake of simplicity in this description denoted as
vlbro-acoustics.
3~
The vibro-acoustical principle assumes best possible transfer
of sound both to ear and body. The acoustic part may be
taken care of by one or a plurality of good loudspeaker
cabinets, or a headset. For the vibrational par-t, there is
35 according to the invention proposed a device using -transfer
of sound from loudspeaker through air to -the human body in an
efficient manner.
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The present lnvention provides a device ~or influence by
sound of the human body through vibration and music, comprising at
least one closed box with a least one sound opening coacting with
loudspeaker means directed towards a part of said body, and with
upholstery disposed between said box and said body, said uphol-
stery so designed as to permit air passage at said opening; means
being provided to deliver low frequency signals to said loudspeak-
er means; the device further having external loudspeaker means and
means to supply music input to said external loudspeakers; said
delivering means including means to cause said low frequency sig-
nals to vary according to a predetermined function of said music
input to said causing means, or in a predetermined rhythm; said
low frequency signals being selectable in the range 30-120 Hz.
The present invention also provides a device for influ-
ence by sound of the human body, comprising: a body supporting
means provided with at least one sound-conductive opening in which
an acoustic converter means is arranged; a sound amplifier means
having its output connected to said acoustic converter means; a
source for generating signals comprised within the sonic-frequency
~0 range, said source having its output connected to the input of
said sound amplifier means; an upholstery disposed on said body
supporting means, said upholstery being air-permeable at the point
in the vicinity of said acoustic converter means, said sound
amplifier means being a multi-channel unit and comprising a
stereophonic acoustic converter means connected to an output of
said sound amplifier means; a tape cassette player or a compact
. . i.;;:
I ~ 6.3~
- ~ - 274~,6-6
disc player having their output connected to a second input of
said sound amplifier means; and, a prerecorded program means for
playback on said tape cassette player or compact disc player.
The present invention also provides a method of enhanc-
ing the perception of a sound transmitted through air and through
the body of a perceivor thereof, comprising: (a) providing: at
least one first loudspeaker arranged to transfer sound through the
air to the perceivor's ears; a box having at least one sound open-
ing, each sound opening being closed by a second loudspeaker, said
box being otherwise substantially closed; the box having a portion
including said sound opening being externally upholstered with
upholstery which is open in a region corresponding to each said
sound opening; an amplifier; at least one input device serving
said amplifier with input signals corresponding to: (a) at least
one channel of musical sounds; and (b) a pattern of regular vibra-
tions; said amplifier processing said inputs and thereby service
said first loudspeaker and said second loudspeaker respectively
with: (i) a signal corresponding to said channel of musical
sounds served to said first loudspeaker; and (ii) a signal corre-
sponding to said pattern of regular vibrations in the range of
30-120 Hz served to said second loudspeaker; (b) disposing the
perceivor in physical contact with said upholstery on said box so
that a portion of the perceivor's body seals substantially
acoustically with the box perimetrically of said sound opening,
and the perceivor's ears are located within earshot of said first
loudspeaker; and (c) operating s~aid input device and said
` ' '
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~ 27446-6
amplifier so as to expose the perceivor's ears to musical sounds
from said first loudspeaker, and said portion of the patient's
body to application thereto of said pattern of regular vibrations
from said second loudspeaker.
:,
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\
The characteristic features of the said device for influence
by sound on the human body will appear from the subsequent
patent claims as well as the characteristic features of the
said storage medium.
The invention is now to be described with reference to the
enclosed drawings, where:
Fig. 1 illustrates the device according to the invention,
Fig. 2 illustra-tes in partly exploded view that part of the
device which is to provide low frequency sonic
influence on the human body,
Figs. 3, 5 and 6 illustrates a second, a third and a fourth
alternative embodiment, respectively, of
the device shown in fig. 1, and
0 Fig. 4 illustrates in block diagram form the operative units
being incorporated in figs. 3, 5 and 6.
On fig. 1 there is shown a human body 1 placed on a closed
box 6 being provided with at least one sound opening 7 in
25 which is arranged a loudspeaker 8 being directed towards the
upper part of the body 1. An upholstery 9 has been located
between the box 6 and the body 1, the portion 10 located
opposite the loudspeaker 8 allowing good air passage. The
top 11 of the box 6, which in the case shown forms a mattress
bottom, could e.g. be made of plywood, said sound opening 7
being made in the top 11. To prevent possible damage to the
loudspeaker 8, a protective grille 12 could be placed across
the opening 7. In order to attenuate the radiation of sound
to the surroundings and to prevent acoustical short-circuit,
35` the foundation, i.e. the box 6, is designed as a closed box.
The upholstery 9 could be made from foamed plastics or foamed
rubber having cIosed cells. Ma-ttresses filled with air or
light spheres of plas-tics (e.g. styropor~) could also be
visualized. In the mattress or the upholstery 9 there is as
mentioned arranged a region 10 correspondlng to the sound
opening 7. The said region 10 could be perforated, like the
opening 7, or possibly be filled with foamed plastics having
large open cells, and which permi-ts air passage. The foamed
plastics will provlde a certain supporting ability, in
particular as it will be supported by the said protective
grille, simultaneously with providing good air passage. The
person is placed such that the part of the body to be
influenced is lying opposite the opening 7 and the region 10.
The diaphragm of the loudspeaker 8 will thereby be connected
to the body 1 through the air being present in said opening 7
and -the region-10. The -u~holstery itself will act as a
15 sealant to make the coupling between the loudspeaker 8 and
the body 1 as efficient as possible. When the loudspeaker 8
is supplied with signals of suitable frequency content and
strength, the diaphragm will move and thereby put the body
into low frequency movement.
~o
An audio amplifier 3 with a-t least two sound channels has at
least one output connected to the loudspeaker 8 and at least
a second output connected to a loudspeaker 2 for music. The
signals to the amplifier 3 are delivered from e.g. a tape
cassette player or compact disc player 4, and from a signal
generator 5. The signal generator 5 is arranged to deliver
sinusoidal tones, impulses or other synthetic signals. The
player 4 is able to be provided with a storage medium, e.g.
tape cassette or compact disc containing suitable program
30 material. The storage medium could have two or a plurality
of sound channels, where at least one of the sound channels
contains low frequency signals, preferably in the frequency
range 30-120 Hz being super~mposed by music. The remaining
sound channel(s) of the storage medium contain, however, only
pure music. The said storage~medium could be arranged to
provide stereophonic or quadrophonic music. Thus, it is here
and in the description below to be understood that the signal
~Z~363~L
generator 5 in efi`ect could be constituted by one or a
plurality of the storage medium channels. The amplifier 3
could possibly be provided wi-th a low pass filter (not shown)
for feeding said loudspeaker 8.
s
Thus, it is to be understood that the loudspeaker 8 is either
supplied with a pure low frequency in the frequency range 30-
120 Hz, or is modulated as a function of the music being
output from the loudspeaker 2, or that the sound appearing on
the loudspeaker 8 con-tains low frequency signals within the
said frequency range superimposed on the music which also
appears on the loudspeaker 2. In this case the signal
generator to the amplifier 3 is primarily the player 4.
15 By repeated tests, it has been found that the vibro-acoustic
frequency range where the sound spreading in the human body
appears to have the greatest effect, measured ob~ectively and
experienced subjectively lies between ~0 and 120 Hz, pre-
ferably in the range 40-90 Hz. Particular good results are
2~ obtained within the octave 40-80 ~z. Outside the frequency
range ~0-120 ~z one will subjectively have no substantial
feeling of vibrational influence.
The therapeutical effect is obtained by placing the person in
~5 the most suitable manner and as close to the vibration
loudspeaker, in the example shown the loudspeaker 8, as
possible, and in a pleasent distance from the loudspeaker 2
delivering music. The therapeutical apparatus consist of the
following previously briefly discussed parts, viz. the
vibration part 6, 7, 8, 10 forming the transfer device
intended to transfer sound within the vibro-acoustic fre-
quency range,
the acoustic part in the form of one or a plurality of wide
band loudspeaker cabinets 2 of ~iFi-quality or a set of head-
35 phones for transfer of music being adapted to the frequency
which are used in the vlbration part,
a multi channel amplifier 3 which through at least one
channel transmits sinusoidal oscillations (vibration) and
filtered music to the vibration part 8. Non-filtered muslc
is sent through the o-ther channel(s) to the loudspeaker(s) Z
5 delivering music, the strength of the sound being variable in
step-free fashion on the respective channels,
a multi-channel tape player, preferably a conventional two-
channel tape player 4, where on one track of the tape
cassette there is recorded pure music intended for the music
loudspeaker 2. On the other track there is recorded a
specific mixture of music and low frequency sound, e.g.
slnusoidal signals. The sinusoidal signals are beating by
means oi a dual recording technique which is specially
developed to be used with the therapeutic system, so-called
15 superimposed sinusoidal waves, and
the signal generator 5 is arranged to be ad~usted indivi-
dually with regard to therapeutical effective low frequencies
which are to be supplied to the loudspeaker 8, provided that
these are not already supplied from the player 4.
It is here readily to be understood that although there is
shown only one loudspeaker 2 and one loudspeaker 8, i-t will
within the scope of the invention easily be visualized that
two or a plurality of music loudspeakers 2, and -two or a
25 plurality of low frequency loudspeakers 8 may be used. If
two or a plurality of loudspeakers 8 are used, there will be
a necessity for a corresponding number of openings 7 and
regions 10, respectively,
3~ When prerecorded software is used and delivered from the
player 4, the signal generator 5 is thus not required, but
the signal generator 5 is required if one wishes to compose
suitable software and for possible further developement
thereof. The signal generator may also be desirable for the
ob~ect of research and for typical medical treatment.
3~
On flg. 3 i-~ is shown how ~he box of fig. 1 could be replaced
by a differently designed loudspeaker box 14 with loudspeaker
8' which may be -turned down abou-t e.g. a hinge 16 from a
vertical position (shown in dot-dashed llne) to a horizontal
5 position (shown in solid line). In order to ensure that the
loudspeaker box 14 lies in the horizontal position, it may be
secured by wire, strap or the like 15 which at one end is
attached to a wall 17 similar to the hinge 16 and at its
other end is attached to an outer portion of the loudspeaker
box 14. When a person is to be exposed to influence of
sound, the person lies down on a bench 13 of conventional
design per se, possible shaped like -the bench 6,9 in fig. 1.
The external loudspeakers 2' could be arranged e.g. in the
bench 13 itself or in some other suitable manner, e.g. such
that ~he person 1 obtains a good stereophonic sound image
therefrom. After the person 1 has thus lied down on the
bench 13, either with the face upwards or downwards, the
loudspeaker box 14 with the loudspeaker 8' is turned down to
the horizontal position as shown in fig. 3. The loudspeaker
20 8' corresponds in function to the loudspeaker 8 in fig. 1,
In fig. 5 is shown a variant where the person 1 sits in a
reclinable furniture 18 being design as a closed box, but
with a sound opening for a loudspeaker 8'', which in function
is the same as the loudspeaker 8 in fig. 1 or the loudspeaker
25 8' in fig. 3. Similar to the embodiment in fig. 1, there is
in front of the loudspeaker ~ provided a sound opening 7''.
Corresponding sound opening 7' is also found in fig. 3.
In the example of fig. 5, the external loudspeakers have been
30 indicated by the reference numeral 2'', shown here in the
form of a headset. However, it is to be readily understood
that the external loudspeakers may have any suitable design
and/or positioning without that being considered as limi-
tative to the scope of the inventlon.
In the example of fig. 6 there is shown a modification of the
embodiment in fig. 5. A reclinable furniture 19 is here used
being constructed in conventional manner, e.g. from a
framework with surfaces for reclinernent of uphols-tered
fabric. There may be used one or a plurality of loudspeaker
cabinets in order to influence the body of the person 1. In
5 the non-limitative example of the invention, as shown, there
has been used two loudspeaker cabinets 20, 21. Each of these
could instead possibly have consisted of two ad~acent
separate loudspeaker cabinets, for possible better adaptation
to the reclinable furniture. Eowever, it is important that
the loudspeaker cabinets are of closed type to prevent noise
externally and to prevent acoustic short-circuit. The
loudspeaker cabinets are in a known manner provided with
loudspeakers 22, 23 and can be attached to the framework of
the reclinable furniture by means of brackets, straps or the
15 like.
As in fig. 5, the person 1 may be use headphones 2'' as
external loudspeakers.
It is also understood that the external loudspeakers 2' in
fig. 3 could have been replaced by head-phones.
In fig. 4 there is in a block diagram form shown the func-
tional structure of the devices in figs. 3 and 5, however,
corresponding to what has been shown in fig. 1.
At an insti-tution for multi-handicapped patients having
impaired psychic development, it was discovered that vibro-
acoustical treatment gave a spasm resolving effect at a
30 frequency about 40 Hz. The spasm resolvin~ effec-t was so
dominant that the patients were more easily avallable for
manipulating physioteraphy thereafter, or under vibro-
acoustical influence.
Control tests were made with opening angle of the spastic
limbs with and without the use of music. It was clearly
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shown a marked difference of the opening angle as a result of
the influence of music and without the influerlce of rnusic.
The present device was also tried used on the following
5 conditions:
Rett's syndrom: The "plucking~ movements reduced in fre-
quency. The patient could even fall into sleep and it was
observed a noticable relaxative effec-t. (Rett's syndrom named
13 after Dr.med Andreas Rett of ~ustria).
Autism: Contact re~ecting patients were so conserned about
the effect of vibration that they could allow the personnel
to give more skin contact/skin stimulation that without this
influence. One could here visualize the contours of theraphy
scheme were adaptation to contact under vibro-acoustical
influence could be transferred to situations were the music
could be gradually attenuated or possibly could dissappear.
23 Spastic conditions: Effect as indicated above, with clear
spasmolytical effect in the lower frequency regions.
Vibro-acoustical influence was also attempted on personnel at
the institution for different conditions of discomfort. It
was here observed the following:
Neck/shoulder-pains: Such pains, either caused by myalgic
type, or as a result of stress of different cause, was eased
substantially at particular frequencies, in particular about
~8 Hz. Repeated treatments, up to lO treatments of ~G
minutes each, proved to provlde relief of longer duration.
Lumbago: Pains in the lower back region were relieved at
particular frequencles, in particular about 50 Hz. For pains
35 caused by muscular tensions, it was observed relief of longer
duration upon repeated treatments.
- :
Menstrual pains: Such pains and premenstrual tensions or the
like proved to be relievable by using a particular ~requency,
in particular 52 Hz. Treatmen-ts each day in -the "acu~te"
phase as well as once per week in the middle phase, repeated
over 2-3 periods appeared to provide ef~ect of longer
duration.
Asthma: Vibro-acoustical treatment around 50 Hz appeared to
provide an effect which aids the patient -to depart with
phlegm from the air passages.
During tests carried out on persons in a local area, i-t was
observed the following:
.
15 Stress-induced depression: A dramatic positive effect was
observed after the first treatment which lasted for approxi-
mately 30 minutes. The posi~ive effect is dependent on both
i`requency (68 Ez) and the choice of music. The successful
treatment was terminated after 10 treatments. During the
2D last treatments there was used a variety of frequency ranges
and activating music.
,,
Athletic in~uries: The treatment has provided a good result.
Both acute muscular trauma and post-operative convalescence
25 has reacted positively to the sequence 40/60/80/60/40 Hz with
approximately 6 minutes duration per frequency. Muscles and
tendons in tensioned state are released and are stretchable
with lesser discomfort than without vibro-acoustical treat-
ment.
Reumatism: Long-term treatment (10 to 20 treatments) with
frequency 68 and 86 Hz has provided a lasting improvement for
patients with reumatic pains and/or damage due -to wear. The
treatment was provided daily or every other day with duration
of 30 minutes.
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Cramp conditions: Upon cramp in a rnuscle lt was observed a
dissolvment of the cramp condition at a frequency 40/60 Hz
after approximately 2 minutes.
5 General stress-discomfort: Tuned frequency and music in an
environment shielded from the outside world during a period
of 30 minutes provided stress-dissolving effect and appeared
to supply the person with new vitality.
lD The above observa-tions are of purely empirical kind, based on
the observations made by the therapeutist together with the
descriptions by the test persons of the experiencies they
have had during and after -the treatments.
15 It will be immediately understood that the sound box with
upholstery shown on the drawings is only meant -to serve as an
example to elucidate the invention without thereby repre-
senting any limitation of the invention as defined in the
subsequent patent claims. Thus, the devices shown could be
20 designed in any suitable manner to provide the best possible
effect on the patients.
In addition to the said storage medium for sound, it should
be remarked that a beating sinusoidal tone is made by
25 recording on top of a primary frequency a secondary ~requency
having a deviation of 0.2 to 2 Hz. "The beat velocity"
should be preset and should be tuned to the quality of the
music which is required to be used in addition to the low
frequencies. The beat program is then recorded on one of the
3D two tracks on the storage medium, e.g. a tape cassette,
sound-on-sound with the selected, preferably filtered, music.
Pure music is recorded on the other track. As previously
mentioned, one could possible visualize using e.g. all four
tracks on the tape cassette by using a sound head adapted
35 thereto to improve the reproduction of sound (e.g. 2-
channels), and possibly to extend the beat program.
