Abstract: A vocal tactile feedback apparatus and method for use in the treatment of stuttering and other speech or hearing abnormalities is disclosed. A microphone and amplifier are utilized to produce and amplify an electronic signal responsive to vocal utterances spoken within a known range of the microphone. The amplified signal is then delayed by a suitable delaying circuit for a desired time interval and is then transmitted to an electro-mechanical transducer attached to the outer surface of the laryngeal or glottis region of the neck of a user. The transducer then transforms the amplified delayed signal into a mechanical vibration to provide delayed vibrotactile feedback of the vocal utterances whether spoken by the user or by others. A unique transducer assembly for use in the apparatus and method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of managing and controlling stress in a person engaged in a goal oriented, cognitive task involves simultaneous measurement of a physical parameter of the person which varies in accordance with the level of the person's stress and the productivity of the person performing the task. A programmed computer calculates the stress point for the person beyond which productivity decreases and provides a visual display of the physical parameters and stress point on a cathode ray tube.

Abstract: A goniometric feedback device and an associated method for monitoring the relative angular position of two human body portions hinged at a common joint utilize a brace mechanism, transducer circuits, an array of selection light-emitting diodes (LEDs), an array of movement response LEDs, indicia associating with each LED array with a series of angular values, preselection circuits and sensing circuits. The brace mechanism includes two brace sections securable to the two body portions, and the transducer circuits provide an output electrical signal which varies in strength in response to a change in the relative angular position between the two brace sections so that the output signal strength corresponds to the relative angular position between the two brace sections.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for measuring the actual psychophysiological condition of a subject. The apparatus may be hand held and includes finger engaging sensor means, a keyboard and a display means. Various block elements are included for measuring skin conductance, actual mental condition and actual physical condition. An arithmetical and logical unit is associated with the conditioning blocks for determining respective weighted sums of measured results provided by the blocks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the prevention of pressure sores at an unfeeling part of a person's body involves applying to the unfeeling part of the person's body a pressure-sensor cell which senses the pressure thereat, applying to a feeling part of the person's body a discomfort-generator cell, and connecting the pressure-sensor cell to the discomfort-generator cell such that the pressure sensed by the former at the unfeeling part of the person's body is transmitted by the latter to the feeling part of the person's body.

Abstract: The control unit for switching on a teaching device for conveying optical and/or acoustical learning information which includes a transducer for converting the pulse, skin resistance, blood pressure or respiration as to intensity and rhythm into an electrical analog signal followed by a detector for delivering an electrical digital signal when the alpha-state of the test subject is reached. The detector controls a switching unit for switching on the teaching device when the digital signal is applied. The analog signal is additionally applied to a signal generator which feeds an output signal corresponding to the analog signal to a lamp and/or a loudspeaker for purposes of biofeedback.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a noninvasive pulse transducer which senses heart beats of a human subject. Based upon pulse signals from the transducer, the instrument provides visual stimulae which allow the human subject to voluntarily synchronize the subject's respiration cycles with the subject's heart beats. At the same time, the instrument determines and stores the instantaneous beat-to-beat heart rate for each beat of the respiratory cycles. After a predetermined number of synchronized respiratory cycles have been completed, the instrument performs both classical statistical and rhythmometric analyses utilizing the stored instantaneous heart rates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and obtaining actual bio-electrical characteristics of a subject under predetermined conditions of evoked response stimuli, and by interaction with a computer, applying cutaneous electrical stimulation to the subject, using a signal generator to modify current amplitude and frequency in a direction to achieve bio-electrical characteristics in the subject related to the actual bio-electrical characteristics monitored. The signal generator uses a sinusoidal waveform output, with battery power passed through a transformer to power a transconductance amplifier to obtain constant current output despite resistance changes in the line with the subject, and with the transformer not placed in the signal path of the sinusoidal waveform. The signal may be obtained from a sinusoidal oscillator of wide frequency having switched integrator sections connected to an inverting amplifier, pulse generator and gating.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating spasmodic torticollis comprises a light emitter for giving off a light beam, a fastener band for fastening the light-emitter on the head of a person being treated, a photosensor which is responsive to a light beam from the light emitter to change its output and a support for supporting the photosensor in a fixed position with respect to the chest of the person so that the photosensor may receive a light beam from the light emitter while the person holds his head in a mid position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulating a human muscle to produce a controlled response against a dynamic load. Muscle stimulation is achieved through a pair of alternately pulsed stimulation signals which are applied across different pairs of stimulation electrodes. A pulse generating circuit generates the pulsed stimulating signals at a frequency of about 60 Hz across each electrode pair. A position sensor provides a feedback signal to a computer, which in turn generates a stimulation control signal. The pulse generating circuit uses the stimulation control signal for adjusting the amplitude of the stimulation pulses. The pulse width of the stimulation pulses is disclosed as being about 500 microseconds.

Abstract: A bio-feedback method for training persons in the self-regulation of physiological functions by means of displaying to the person a continuous representation of a value of such physiological functions upon, and together with, a metric which is continuously and automatically variable as a function of such values and the rate of change of such values so as to provide to the person a display in which changes in the physiological function are highly resolvable and therefore easily noticed, and apparatus for practicing such method and disclosed. Means are also optionally provided additionally displaying a target or goal to which the person is to attempt to direct the value of the physiological function; the target is automatically adjusted as a function of the value of the physiological function in such manner that it appears that the target is attainable, but is readjusted to prevent actual attainment of the target. If desired, the target may used without the automatically adjusted metric.

Abstract: A heart rate bio-feedback system having a heart rate display means by which a patient recognizes his heart rate data that are obtained from the pulse or the heart beat signal detected from the patient, characterized in that the heart rate display means comprises a display means for displaying the momentary heart beat and a digital display circuit for displaying the integrated number of heart beats at a longer time interval.

Abstract: In a self-training biofeedback system, a physiological signal representing the state of relaxation of a person using the system is applied to a time counter to generate a binary count output representing the relaxation period. A visual indicator connected to the time counter provides the self trained person with a quick display of the measured time period so he can gauge the depth of his relaxation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and obtaining actual bio-electrical characteristics of a subject, such as EEG, or determinants of the psycho-electro-physiological state of the subject, under predetermined conditions of evoked response stimuli, and by interaction with a computer, apply cutaneous electrical stimulation to the subject, using a signal generator to modify current amplitude and frequency in a direction to achieve bio-electrical characteristics in the subject related to the actual bio-electrical characteristics monitored. The signal generator may have an output of several frequencies simultaneously, and uses a sinusoidal waveform output, with battery power passed through a transformer to power a transconductance amplifier to obtain constant current output despite resistance changes in the line with the subject, and with the transformer not placed in the signal path of the sinusoidal waveform.

Abstract: A device for inducing a pre-hypnotic state of profound relaxation in an individual is disclosed wherein the individual's mind is receptive to suggestion. The device is characterized in that biofeedback signals from the individual are used to produce a plurality of pulsed physical stimuli having a frequency of twice that of the heartbeat rate of the individual. The device includes a heartbeat sensor for producing a first pulse signal, the pulses of which correspond with the heartbeat of the individual. An interpolation device is connected with the heartbeat sensor to produce a second pulse signal, the pulses of which occur midway in time between successive pairs of heartbeat pulses, respectively.

Abstract: A supporting surface establishes a positional relationship between a sensor and an anatomical site which is to be monitored. The supporting surface may also act as an enclosure and as an acoustic baffle. An electronic circuit produces visible and audible output responsive to changes in a property of the sensor and therefore to changes in the physiological variable being monitored. The output may be used for physiological monitoring or for biofeedback training. The output format, the control placement, and the supporting surface make possible an improved biofeedback training method.

Abstract: A device for aiding persons having a speech handicap, comprising a first transducer capable of picking up and transforming into an electrical signal the vibrations emitted by an element such as one of the vocal chords of the phonation mechanism of the person. In a first embodiment of the invention, the signal is treated by an electronic circuit comprising an amplifier which feeds a second transducer acting on another element such as the other vocal chord of the phonation mechanism so as to facilitate or reinforce the formation of sounds produced by said mechanism; in a second embodiment of the invention, the amplifier is followed by a rectifier feeding the second transducer which produces a mechanical action, like tension, in another element such as a muscle of the phonation mechanism in order to help close the glottis of the handicapped person.

Abstract: A portable computer for underwater use to provide a diver with indicia alerting him of the need for decompression pauses during ascent and to further provide a decompression ascent schedule. A pressure transducer measures the diver's depth during the dive and continuously transfers this information to simulators which simulate absorption or desorption by body tissues of nitrogen in response to the instantaneous hydrostatic pressure. The values generated by the simulators are normalized so that the maximum value beyond which decompression is required for each tissue is the same. The largest normalized value is selected for display to the diver from which he determines whether the need for decompression pauses will be required during ascent. When decompression pauses are indicated, the present hydrostatic pressure to which the diver is exposed and the largest normalized tissue absorption value are arithmetically combined.

Abstract: Measuring arrangement for decreasing the emotional influence on instrumental diagnostical measurements, wherein the patient under test is encouraged to assume a rest condition by practicing the biological feed-back method, the operator observes the success of this activity on instruments, and the diagnostical measurements are performed when this instrumentally observed value falls within a predetermined domain that is characteristic of the rest condition. The arrangement comprises instruments for performing the diagnostical measurements, an EEG unit for providing biological feed-back, at least one further unit for conducting similar observations by biological feed-back on at least one of the temperature, pulse and skin conductivity of the patient, at least one operational mode switch, and an indicator unit to furnish information to both the patient and the operator about the value of the feed-back characteristic.