WO2008145436A1

WO2008145436A1 - Arrangement for supporting, stimulating, and influencing brain activities

Info

Publication number: WO2008145436A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/053825
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Krauss
Original assignee: Okm Ortungstechni Krauss & Müller Gmbh
Priority date: 2007-05-29
Filing date: 2008-03-31
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Also published as: DE102007024819A1; DE102007024819B4

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for supporting, stimulating, and influencing brain activities, especially for improving the falling asleep and dreaming behavior, and for relaxation purposes. Said arrangement comprises a unit for generating a frequency-modulated and level-modulated alternating electromagnetic field having a variable fundamental frequency from a frequency generator encompassing a power driver, a transmitter coil, and a modulation generator. The arrangement is characterized by a modulation program controller comprising a program memory, a program editor, and a supply of modulation program modules which are contained in the program memory and can be put together to form a modulation program. The modulation program controller is used for controlling operation of the modulation generator in order to generate program-controlled frequency modulation and/or level modulation of the alternating electromagnetic field.

Description

Arrangement for supporting, stimulating and influencing

brain activity

description

The invention relates to an arrangement for Unterstützu ng, stimulating and influencing brain activity, in particular for improving the sleep and dream behavior, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Magnetic field technologies for supporting healing processes and promoting the physical and mental well-being of a subject have been known and used for many years. In particular, it uses pulsed magnetic fields that correspond to the natural spectrum of the organism. In subjects exposed to such frequencies, positive indications may be recorded in various parts of the body and internal organs. Likewise, it is possible to counteract disturbing environmental influences by alternating fields with unnatural frequencies that are exerted on the organism by increasing electrosmog.

A particular use of such technologies is in the area of the central nervous system, i. H. the brain activities of higher organisms. Due to the electrical processes and currents taking place on the cellular level in the brain, the brain can be influenced by applied electrical, electromagnetic and magnetic fields. Thus, for example, it has been proven that electromagnetic frequencies in the range of less than 4 Hz in the form of so-called delta waves can induce sleep and deep sleep phases or facilitate their occurrence and can stimulate the release of endogenous growth hormones.

So-called theta waves in the range of 4 to 8 Hz allow stimulation of memory reserves and generally contribute to increasing creativity. Alpha waves contribute to a balanced and largely neutral brain state and therefore have a positive influence on the reduction of stress and the setting of a relaxed state. Beta waves in the range of 13 Hz to more than 100 Hz cause a concentration of consciousness.

An arrangement provided for such purposes is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2004 002 218 A1. The arrangement described therein includes a frequency generator with a power driver and a transmitter coil. The generator generates a substantially rectangular tunable fundamental frequency which is subject to a frequency modulation. Furthermore, a modulation generator is provided for generating a modulation frequency. The transmitter coil is expediently designed as an air coil or a coil with a non-ferromagnetic core.

In the practical application of such devices has been shown that the influence of the subjects' brain activity must be adjusted for each individual case. To generate a positive physiological effect, it does not depend solely on an appropriate frequency modulation of the fundamental. Rather, it has been found necessary to change the frequency modulation over a given time interval, wherein the modulation frequencies must assume characteristic time courses during the action of the magnetic field on the subject. This is the case, for example, when a condition of the subject recorded in the sleep laboratory shows pronounced individual characteristics and phases and the brain activity during the sleep phases is to be positively influenced. In such a case, both the frequency and the level modulation of the alternating field must be adapted to the detected sleep course of the test person and changed over the sleeping period in a precise and individually tailored manner.

Although the devices currently in use make it possible to set and change the frequency of the alternating field. However, this change must be made by hand and therefore can not be carried out by untrained personnel with the necessary precision. A respective adaptation of the magnetic field effect on the subject is subject to the skill of the staff and is also complex and error prone.

It is therefore the object of the arrangement known from the prior art expedient to further develop so that with it an individual, precise and according to the specific characteristics of the subject exactly predetermined effect of the magnetic field on the brain activity is possible. The object is achieved with an arrangement for supporting, stimulating and influencing brain activity with the features of claim 1. The subclaims contain expedient or advantageous embodiments and embodiments.

The arrangement of frequency generator with power driver and Transmitterspu- Ie and modulation generator according to the invention a modulation program control added. This comprises a program memory, a program editor and a supply of modulation program components for frequency and / or signal level, which are contained in the program memory and can be combined to form a modulation program. The modulation program control is used to control the operation of the modulation generator and thus the generation of a program-controlled frequency and / or level modulation of the alternating electromagnetic field.

According to the invention, therefore, a device is provided with which it is possible to supply from a supply of given building blocks, d. H. Modulation of the frequency and the signal level to create an individual time course for the modulation of the generated fundamental signal by certain selected modulation sequences and combinations from a given supply are selected and combined, and thus the timing of the frequency response and the level of the electromagnetic signal is precisely pre-determined ,

In a first embodiment, a frequency modulation program block is provided for a temporally stepped descending frequency modulation cycle. In an expedient refinement, the frequency modulation cycle has an increasing step width over time with an equidistant step height.

In a second embodiment, a frequency modulation program module is provided for a stepwise increasing frequency modulation cycle. In an expedient embodiment, the frequency modulation path has a time-equidistant step width at an equidistant step height. In a further expedient embodiment, a time-decreasing step width is provided at an equidistant step height for the increasing frequency modulation cycle.

Furthermore, a level modulation program module is provided for a constant signal level over time. Another level modulation program module describes a bell-like curve of the signal level. Finally, a level modulation program module for a temporally pulse-shaped signal level is provided.

The generated modulation program consists in a first embodiment of a sequence of modulation program modules with a stepwise descending, a subsequent constant and / or a stepwise rising frequency modulation lationsgang in conjunction with a level modulation program module for a constant signal level over time.

Another embodiment of the modulation program consists of a sequence of inserted time segments with a combination of pulse-shaped level modulation program blocks with decreasing or rising frequency modulation blocks and signal modulation blocks for a signal level constant over time.

The arrangement according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments and the accompanying figures 1 to 7. The same reference numbers are used for identical or equivalent parts. It shows

Fig. 1 an exemplary block diagram with basic components,

Fig. 2 shows a representation of basic steps for creating a modulation program,

Fig. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary stepped-descending frequency modulation cycle or a level modulation cycle for influencing a fall asleep, FIG. Fig. 4 shows an exemplary modulation program with decreasing, constant and increasing frequency modulation with constant level modulation for relaxation purposes,

Fig. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary modulation program consisting of descending and rising frequency modulation channels and pulse-shaped level modulation to support sleep for short sleepers. FIG.

Fig. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary modulation program consisting of descending and rising frequency modulation channels and pulse-shaped level modulation to support sleep for sleepers. FIG.

Fig. 7 shows an exemplary bell-shaped gear of a level modulation.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary block diagram with basic device components. A frequency generator 1 with a power driver generates a tunable fundamental frequency. Via a transmitter coil 2, this oscillation is emitted to the outside in the form of a variable magnetic field. This device consists for example of a resonant circuit with a variable capacitance. The frequency and / or level modulation is generated by a modulation generator 3. The Mod ulations generator may be formed as an integrator circuit. Alternatively, components 1 and 3 may be implemented as electronic components whose signal is amplified and output to the transmitter coil.

To control the modulation generator is a modulation program control 4, with which a time-dependent program for frequency and level modulation can be created, which is applied as input to the modulation generator. The modulation program control consists of a program memory 5 for selecting and storing predefined or created modulation programs, a program editor 6 to create and modify modulation programs and program blocks in the form of frequency modulation program blocks 7 and level modulation program blocks 8 for setting time-dependent level modulations or appropriate signal level.

For coupling the modulation program controller 4 with the modulation generator 3, an output unit 9 is provided. This contains a timely Chen clock 9a and outputs a modulation program 10 to the modulation generator 3. The modulation program determines the frequency and level modulation generated in the modulation generator. As a result of the interaction of the mentioned components, a prog rammbestimmtes frequency and amplitude or level-modulated alternating electromagnetic field is delivered to the transmitter coil.

As input means for editing and creating the modulation programs, a PC or an operator console 11 with keyboard and display or a corresponding software is provided. The user, who is not to be regarded as a layperson, can thereby use the usual input and control means, such as a mouse, a keyboard and a graphical user interface suitable modulation for certain time intervals using the known editing functions such as drag and drop, cut and Paste, Copy, Click, Select, and more to set, merge, and create such functions.

Fig. 2 schematically shows the principle for creating a modulation program. In the modulation program memory a number of modulation program modules are stored in the form of a library. In Fig. 2, four exemplary basic forms of such devices are shown. A first modulation program module 12 has a stepped gradient 12a of the modulation frequency. This step-shaped profile can be modified in different ways in other components of this type. The modification relates in particular to the envelope or the continuous limit function of the stepped waste and the consequent configuration of the individual stages, d. H. the design of step widths and heights as a function of time. The in Fig. 2 shows only a selected example of further such devices with decreasing step modulation frequency.

In a comparable manner, an entirety of second modulation program blocks 13 is also predefined for a time-increasing frequency modulation cycle 13a. Here, too, temporal courses of the frequency modulations with different envelope curves of the step progression are provided, from which the user can make a selection. In addition, time waveforms for the level modulation of the alternating electromagnetic field to be generated are provided as a reserve. For example, a level modulation program module 14 is predetermined for a bell-shaped course. Different bell shapes can be prepared for selection in advance. These may in particular be Lorentz curves, Gaussian curves or other empirically given bell curves whose parameters, in particular the ratio of half-width and extremum or the absolute values of both curve parameters, can be made scalable. Bell curves are particularly suitable for modeling a smooth temporal level curve and can be super-superimposed particularly well.

Further level modulation program modules 15 are provided for selecting pulse-shaped, in particular rectangular-pulse, level modulations. Such building blocks define a series of rectangular curves with selectable distances, widths and step heights. Such level modulations are particularly suitable for switching on and off the alternating field.

In addition, an editable time scale 16 is provided. This includes an adjustable total time length with a useful basic clock as a time grid, for example, a second clock. Furthermore, the possibility is given to set on the specified total length in the time grid of the basic clocking each have a beginning, a duration and an end for each of the program blocks 12 to 14 to be inserted and thus combine the program blocks to a running within the total duration Modulationsprog ramm.

The modulation program 10 is shown schematically in the figure. It consists of a level program P extending over the time axis and specifying the amplitude of the electromagnetic alternating field and a frequency program F also extending over the time axis, which determines the respective modulation frequency of the alternating field. Both program parts are impressed on the generated alternating field.

Exemplary modulation programs are shown in the following figures. The corresponding modulations can be modified as appropriate. Fig. FIG. 3 shows the time profile of a frequency modulation and a signal level in a modulation program for generating an alternating electromagnetic field in order to support a sleep-in behavior of the subject. The frequency modulation path F shown here consists of a sequence in a stepped manner from an initial frequency of approximately 15 Hz down to an end frequency of approximately 4 Hz falling intermediate frequencies. The step-like descent takes place in equidistant frequency steps with a step height D of 1 Hz each. The length of the time intervals estimated for each intermediate frequency, which here is represented as step width B, increases as time progresses and the frequency decreases. There is thus a quasi-asymptotic approach to the final frequency. The increase in the step width can in principle be effected in any desired manner and depend in different ways on the index n of the respective time interval t _n . Likewise, the step widths and the step heights, ie the subtleties of the subdivisions of the interval of the modulation frequencies or the time axis can be made arbitrarily fine and approach any arbitrary exactly a continuous envelope curve. In that case, a continuous time tuning of the frequency of the alternating field takes place.

In the in Fig. 3, the step width B grows substantially linearly with the index n of the respective time interval t _n . The change of the modulation frequency .DELTA.f _n and the width of each time interval t _n thus behave like .DELTA.f _n / .DELTA.t _n = - K / K c n in this example is 1 Hz, c is a proportionality constant..

The associated level P of the electromagnetic alternating field remains constant throughout the time domain. The level is modulated to a constant value. In the example shown here, the modulation program extends over a total time interval of up to 800 seconds.

Fig. 4 shows a time course of a frequency modulation F and a signal level P in a modulation program for generating an alternating electromagnetic field for assisting a relaxation process. The range of the modulation frequency in this example is between 4 and 15 Hz, the total length of the time interval is 1200 seconds. The frequency modulation cycle F is subdivided into three sections in this example. A first frequency modulation path F _A is formed as a step-descending sequence of modulation frequencies with a constant step height D of 1 Hz and a time-increasing step width B. In essence it will be there resorted to the frequency response of Fig. 3. This first frequency response ends at a time ti, which in this example is 300 s.

A second frequency response F _B shows a temporally constant modulation frequency, which in this example is 4 Hz. The frequency response starts at time ti and ends at time t ₂ . In the example of FIG. 4, the length of the time interval is 660 s.

A third ascending frequency response F _c begins after time t ₂ and lasts until the end of the entire time interval. This consists of stepwise increasing modulation frequencies in the range of 4 to 12 Hz with equidistant step heights and equidistant step widths. The frequency increase taking place per stage is 1 Hz in this example and the step width is 30 s in each case. The envelope of this frequency response is thus a linear function. Also in the example of FIG. 4, the signal level P is constant over the entire time range.

Fig. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary modulation program for assisting sleepers to sleep through. The total duration of the modulation program is more than 23000 s, or about 6.4 h. The time courses of the signal level of the alternating field are characterized by a series of pulses P ₁ to P ₆ . Furthermore, a falling modulation frequency response F ₁ and a plurality of increasing modulation frequency responses F ₂ to F ₆ are present. The pulse sequence begins with the first pulse P ₁ lasting about 600 s. During this pulse, there is a descending frequency modulation F ₁ from 15 to 4 Hz. Approximately 2900 s after the start of the modulation program, the pulse P _{2 is started} with a time duration of approximately 200 s. During this time, a frequency modulation F ₂ increasing in steps takes place with a modulation frequency of 2 Hz at the beginning and 4 Hz towards the end of the pulse P ₂ .

The pulse P ₃ begins after 4200 s and takes about 200 sec. During this time, a frequency modulation F ₃ with a step-increasing frequency response of 4 Hz to 6 Hz. The beginning at a time of about 9800 s pulse P ₄ with the frequency response F ₄ and the beginning after 16100 s pulse P ₅ with the Freq Frequency F ₅ are repetitions of this pulse or the frequency modulation carried out during this time. The temporal location and length of these pulses are arranged in a timely manner based on a previously recorded sleep profile of the subject. Towards the end of the modular From 23000 s, a final pulse P _{6 is followed} by an ascending gear F _{6 of} the frequency modulation from 4 to 10 Hz.

Fig. Fig. 6 shows a modulation program for supporting sleep-through sleep behavior. The total duration of the modulation program is about 36000 s, ie about 10 h. With reference to FIG. 5 pulses and frequency modulation patterns are distributed in this to the now greater total duration. Their basic parameters, d. H. their durations, intensities and frequency responses, however, remain the same and are started at appropriate other times. In general, the sleep phases previously registered by the subject are taken into consideration. The temporal position of the pulses essentially corresponds to the transitions between deep sleep and REM sleep phases.

Fig. 7 shows an exemplary temporal level profile in the form of superimposed bell curves. The illustration shows the signal level as a function of time. The resulting bell-shaped curve G is composed of a sequence of several bell curves Gi to _G6, whose half-value widths and maxima are chosen individually. For this purpose, a number of times ti to t _{6 are set} on the time axis. At these times, the corresponding bell curves are arranged. This is done by the level modulation program block for the bell curve as shown in FIG. 2 is inserted several times and adjusted accordingly in its parameters until the required time characteristic of the signal level results. By appropriately superimposing such curves, it is possible to generate level profiles in virtually flat smooth progressions.

The arrangement according to the invention has been explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments. Further expedient embodiments emerge from expert action and in particular by the subclaims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 generator, power driver and transmitter coil

2 generation of the electromagnetic alternating field

3 modulation generator

4 modulation program control

5 program memories 6 program editor

7 frequency modulation program blocks

8 level modulation program build stones

9 output unit 9a clock

10 modulation program

11 control panel

12 modulation program module first type 12a sloping frequency modulation

13 Modulation program module second type 13a increasing frequency modulation

14 level modulation program block, bell shape

15 level modulation program block, pulse shape

16 time scaling, editable

B step width

D step height

F frequency program

F _A descending frequency response

F _B constant frequency response

F _c increasing frequency response

G resulting bell curve

Gi to G ₆ single bell curves

P level program

Pi to P ₆ pulse train

Fi to F ₆ sequence of modulation frequency responses

Claims

claims

An arrangement for supporting, stimulating and influencing brain activity, in particular for improving sleep and dream behavior, and for relaxation purposes, comprising a unit for generating a frequency and level-modulated electromagnetic alternating field with a tunable fundamental frequency from a frequency generator (1) with power driver and a transmitter coil (2) and a modulation generator (3), characterized by a modulation program controller (4) with a program memory (5), a program editor (6) and a supply of in the program memory contained, can be assembled to a modulation program modulation program blocks (7 , 8) for an operation control of the modulation generator for generating a program-controlled frequency modulation and / or level modulation of the alternating electromagnetic field.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by a first frequency modulation program module (12) for a temporally stepped descending frequency modulation gear (12a).

3. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the temporally stepped descending frequency modulation path (12a) has a time-increasing step width (B) at an equidistant step height (D).

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by a second frequency modulation program block (13) for a temporally stepped increasing frequency modulation gear (13 a).

5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the time-stepwise increasing frequency modulation path (13a) has a time equidistant step width (B) at an equidistant step height (D).

6. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the time-stepwise increasing frequency modulation path (13a) has a zeitl I decreasing step width at an equidistant step height.

7. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by a level modulation program module for a time constant signal level.

8. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by a level modulation program module (14) for a zeitl I bell-like signal level.

9. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by a level modulation program module (15) for a zeitl I pulse-shaped signal level.

10. Arrangement according to claim 1 to 9, characterized in that the modulation program (10) from a sequence of frequency modulation program blocks with a step-descending, a subsequent constant and / or a stepwise increasing frequency modulation gear in conjunction with a level modulation program block for a constant signal level.

11. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the modulation program consists of a combined sequence of impulsförmi- gene level modulation program blocks with decreasing or increasing frequency modulation program modules and level modulation program modules for a constant signal level over time.