Apparatus for administering bilateral tactile stimulation to a human subject
This invention generally provides two tactile stimulation modules, or “tappers”. One tapper is held by a person in each of his hands. Alternatively, a tapper is secured to each wrist or to other parts of the body on opposite sides. Each tapper is powered by a rechargeable battery, and contains both a tactile stimulation transducer, such as an electric motor having either a balanced or unbalanced mass on its output shaft, and a transceiver that communicates with a host or master. Each tapper includes at least one control button and a status indicator. Each tapper contains a micro-controller that performs tasks such as communication, motor activation, user monitoring and control, battery monitoring, low-power sleep, and algorithm execution. At least one tapper can contain at least one optional sensor, which measures a physiological function. Measurements can be used to modify performance of the tactile stimulation transducers.
1. An apparatus for administering bilateral tactile stimulation to a human subject, said device comprising:
a master controller;
a first tactile stimulation module powered by a first rechargeable battery configured to be in contact with a right side of the human subject, said first tactile stimulation module containing a first micro-controller, a first tactile stimulation transducer, a first transceiver that communicates with the master controller, a first control element and a first status indicator; and
a second tactile stimulation module powered by a second rechargeable battery configured to be in contact with a left side of the human subject, said second tactile stimulation module containing a second micro-controller, a second tactile stimulation transducer, a second transceiver that communicates with the master controller, a second control element and a second status indicator;
wherein said master controller coordinates tactile stimulation events provided by said first and second tactile stimulation modules, enables a user to adjust therapy parameters of said first and second tactile stimulation modules, start and stop tactile stimulation therapy sessions, and obtain charge status of the rechargeable batteries; and
wherein both tactile stimulation transducers are identical and chosen from the group consisting of an electric motor having a balanced mass rigidly secured to its output shaft, and an electric motor having an unbalanced mass rigidly secured to its output shaft; and
wherein torque used to rotationally accelerate the output shaft of each motor generates an opposite and equal reverse torque that is applied to the tactile stimulation module containing that motor and perceived as a tap by the human subject.
2. The apparatus for administering bilateral tactile stimulation to a human subject of claim 1 , a mobile device wirelessly communicates with the first and second tactile stimulation modules using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISM band from 2.4 to 2.4835 Ghz and a Bluetooth® communication protocol.