Device and method to induce vibrational waveforms that heterodyne in the body to improve sleep onset and sleep quality

Abstract

A system for introducing vibrational waves into a body of a subject to treat sleep disorders is provided. The system includes a bed frame having a first vibration contact and a second vibration contact. The first vibration contact is in mechanical communication with a first location of the body of the subject, and the second vibration contact is in mechanical communication with a second location of the body of the subject. A first vibration source is connected to the first vibration contact and configured to cause a first vibration of the first vibration contact. A second vibration source is connected to the second vibration contact and configured to cause a second vibration of the second vibration contact. The location or orientation of the first vibration contact and the second vibration contact are configured such that the first vibration combines with the second vibration to generate a super-imposed vibration.

1 . A system for introducing vibrational waves into a body of a subject, the system comprising:
 a bed frame comprising a first vibration contact and a second vibration contact, the first vibration contact being in mechanical communication with a first location of the body of the subject, the second vibration contact being in mechanical communication with a second location of the body of the subject;   a first vibration source connected to the first vibration contact and configured to cause a first vibration of the first vibration contact;   a second vibration source connected to the second vibration contact and configured to cause a second vibration of the second vibration contact; and   wherein the location or orientation of the first vibration contact and the second vibration contact are configured such that the first vibration combines with the second vibration to generate a super-imposed vibration.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first vibration contact is a first panel positioned beneath a box spring or a mattress, and the second vibration contact is a second panel positioned beneath the box spring or the mattress. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second vibration sources are affixed to an undersurface of the first panel and the second panel to independently vibrate each of the first and second panels in a frequency range of 5 to 200 Hz, and transmit vibrational waves to a subject that are combined by superposition in the subject. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each panel can be vibrated independently in a range of 5 to 200 Hz with waveforms selected from arbitrary, sinusoidal, triangular, and rectangular waveforms with various duty cycles, or with a customized waveform shape and with sufficient power to induce subjective perception of vibration. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each panel can be vibrated at a same frequency with 0° to 180° of relative phase. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each panel can be vibrated at frequencies offset from each other such as to induce an interferential beat frequency as a difference between two or more driving frequencies. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each panel can be vibrated independently with various waveforms in a range of 5 to 200 Hz to induce beat frequencies in the range of 0.05 Hz to 200 Hz which can be perceived as traveling waves. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each panel can be vibrated independently to induce localized vibrational maxima into a head, cervical spine, or other desired location in the subject by use of phased inputs or superimposed vibrational waves. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each panel can be vibrated independently with sinusoidal waveform sources to induce vibration into the body optimally in a range of 0.01 Hz to 10 Hz. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each panel can be vibrated independently with a vibrational wave to induce a harmonic of the vibrational wave into the body in a range of 0.01 Hz to 200 Hz. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each panel can have affixed to it or its attached LFE transducer a sensor from which an oscillatory signal can be derived to monitor drive frequency and pattern of waveform and to allow depiction of signal phase and interferential beat frequencies. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration sources comprise at least one of electromagnetic drivers, transducers, displacement shakers, linear resonance actuators, piezoelectric actuators, solenoids, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, and electric motors with unbalanced weights, cams, or crankshafts. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor in mechanical contact with the subject to measure the super-imposed vibration. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor is configured to provide a feedback signal to at least one of the first vibration source and the second vibration source in response to the super-imposed vibration. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises mouth guard sensor to derive a measure of pattern and amplitude of induced frequencies into the body which may be customized to the subject's maxillary tooth print pattern. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a third vibration contact connected to a third vibration source and a fourth vibration contact connected to a fourth vibration source, wherein the location or orientation of the third vibration contact and the fourth vibration contact are configured such that vibrations combine to produce a super-imposed vibration. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a controller is configured to execute a sequence of waveform parameters to produce a sequence of different perceived waveforms inside the subject over a period of time. 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a sleep disorder, depression, anxiety, or multiple forms of pain in a patient, comprising:
 providing a bed frame comprising a first panel and a second panel in contact with a box spring or mattress, and at least two vibration sources;   vibrating the first panel of a bed frame in a first waveform of 5 to 200 Hz; and   vibrating the second panel of the bed frame in a second waveform of 5 to 200 Hz;   wherein the first and second waveforms combine to generate a super-imposed vibration in a range of 0.25 Hz to 10 Hz while the patient is positioned on the bed.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sleep disorder is insomnia, sleep apnea, or restless leg syndrome. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the patient has depression, anxiety, or multiple forms of pain. 
     
     
         22 - 24 . (canceled)