Method for playing music in real-time synchrony with the heartbeat and a device for the use thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of music therapy.

[0002] The positive influence of music corresponding with a patient's heartbeat on the patient's mental and physical health is known in music therapy. The improvement of mood, decrease of depression and level of cortisone in blood after a number of treatment sessions with the use of such music was proved by special research conducted by the Department of Music Education and Music Therapy, the University of Miami, USA. (McKinney C H, Antony M H, Kumar M., Tims F C, McCabe P M, Health Psycho 1997 July; 16(4), P.390–400). According to the method used in said research, the music is played not in a real time synchrony with the patient's heartbeat.

[0003] The rhythm of a healthy individual's heartbeat is not constant. There are certain fluctuations in heartbeat rate from one pulse to another. Dr. Goldberger at Beth Israel Hospital offers a way of creation the music corresponding with heartbeat of a concrete patient (Eng. Med. Biol. Mag. 1992 June: 11(2), 47–52). In the course of his research, the patient pulse was measured over an entire day by a special monitor with a pocket-size electrocardiogram recorder, the precise intervals between the pulse beats were processed by means of a computer program in accordance with the requirements of statistics to eliminate short-term fluctuations caused by movement or breathing. The daily pulse beat sequence in which the fluctuations had come up was preserved. Thereafter, the time intervals between the heartbeats were converted into integers. Each integer, ranging from 1 to 18, was brought into correspondence with a note of diatonic musical scale. I.e., the changes in heart rate were made proportional to the changes in pitch of the sounds. Thus, a daily heartbeat melody of a patient was generated. Then, Dr. Goldberger chose the rhythm and harmonic accompaniment for each melody. The application of this music produced a positive effect on the state of mind of the patients. Dr. Goldberger explains the medicinal effect of these “heart songs” by the assumption that the variation in pitch of the sounds so produced resonates with the body's own complex variability and scaling.

[0004] A case in which physical stimuli corresponding with the patient's heartbeat are used is the invention by Pfizer Robert according to the U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,864. The invention relates to a device for inducing a pre-hypnotic state of profound relaxation in an individual, 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 double frequency in relation to the heartbeat rate of the individual.

[0005] The device includes a heartbeat sensor for producing a first pulse signal, the pulse beats of which are in synchrony 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. The interpolation device includes a voltage ramp generator responsive to the first pulse signal to produce a linear voltage ramp output the peaks of which are in synchronization with the pulses of the first signal, respectively, the amplitude of the voltage peaks corresponding with the heartbeat rate of the individual. The interpolation device further includes a peak detector for sensing the peaks of the voltage ramp output and a comparator connected with the peak detector for sensing the midpoint of the voltage ramp output between successive peaks to produce the second pulse signal. A physical stimulus device having a pair of inputs connected with the heartbeat sensor and the interpolation device, respectively, produces a pulsed physical stimulus in response to the first and second signals and having a frequency of twice the heartbeat rate of the individual. Application of such a biofeedback pulsed physical stimulus induces a pre-hypnotic state of profound relaxation in the individual.

[0006] Although the technology used in this device allows to present the stimuli to the patient in real time with the patient's heartbeat, the effect of double frequency of the stimuli expresses itself in above-mentioned pre-hypnotic state but not in the improvement of concentration, mood, and feeling of well being that we try to create in the patient with our method.

[0007] The method of the present invention allows playing music responsive to each pulse beat of the patient in real time. We assume that the effect of our invention is due to the simultaneous perception by the patient's brain of both the physiological effects produced by each real heartbeat and the music of the device which is in exact back response to the same heart beat.

[0008] The present invention relates to a method for the improvement of concentration, mood, reinforcement of the immune defense and slowing some of the aging processes in a patient by presentation to the patient of a sequence of musical sound configurations in real time synchrony with the patient's heartbeat with relation to every single pulse. The method according to the present invention comprises:

[0009] a) sensing and transmitting the patient's pulse into analog electric signal;

[0010] b) digitizing said electric signal;

[0011] c) using said digitized electric signal as an input signal to a microprocessor;

[0012] d) bringing said digitized electric signal in correspondence with a sequence of musical sound configurations by means of said microprocessor so as each pulse beat is followed by one of said sound configuration in real time;

[0013] f) presenting said sequence of musical sound configurations to the patient so as each sound configuration is played in real-time synchrony with respective pulse beat and no longer than until the next pulse beat of the patient.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of said sound configurations can be a member of a plurality of sound configurations responding to the patient's pulse in a pre-determined order.

[0015] The operator, by means of a clock generator, can change the duration of the sound configurations, i.e., the duration thereof whereas general tempo of the music is defined by the patient's pulse.

[0016] The aforesaid method does not allow any overlap between the sound configurations. According to the method, a current sound configuration is stopped before the starting of the next sound configuration if the duration of the first of the two configurations is longer than the time interval between the two respective consecutive pulse beats.

[0017] Some of aforesaid sound configurations can be played immediately after respective pulse beats, others—with a fixed delay, depending on a program of said microprocessor.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the musical sound configurations are at first prepared as wave files in a PC by means of a standard mixer-synthesizer program and downloaded into the memory of said microprocessor from said PC by using a communication card and a special program.

[0019] The duration of the aforementioned delay, as well as the number and order of said sound configurations can be modified according to individual needs of the patient. This modification is carried out from the PC through the communication interface not in real time.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, musical arrangement of each of said sound configurations can be altered by means of a performing processor connected to said microprocessor. The alteration is introduced by an operator upon the patient's request and/or according to results of the treatment through a special set-up table.

[0021] Aforesaid alteration can also be transmitted from said set-up table to the microprocessor through the Internet.

[0022] Furthermore, said musical sound configurations can be modified not in real time according to a digitized sample of the patient's pulse by a program of said PC. Said sample is taken as aforementioned after a certain time period from the beginning of the treatment, depending on the result thereof.

[0023] Said digitized sample of the pulse can be transmitted to said PC in real time from the output of the analog to digital converter through the microprocessor.

[0024] The method according to the invention also allows the microprocessor to be completely substituted by said PC so that all aforesaid functions of the microprocessor are transferred to the PC.

[0025] If said microprocessor and said PC function alongside each other, the method provides for a possibility to download said sound configurations from the PC into the memory of the microprocessor through the Internet.

[0026] The digital sample of the pulse can also be transmitted from the microprocessor to the PC through the Internet.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the PC can be connected to the Internet in order to modify and substitute said musical sound configurations.

[0028] Evaluation of said musical pattern sequence regarding the psychotherapeutic effect thereof is done in advance by an experienced operator guided by their knowledge and intuition on the subject.

[0029] According to the method, said sensor can be placed on an artery pulse point or on a fingertip.

[0030] The patient's pulse picture can be seen on a computer screen or other display.

[0031] The present invention further relates to a device for the realization of the method. According to the method, the device allows presentation to the patient of a sequence of musical patterns in real time synchrony with the patient's heartbeat with relation to every single pulse. The device comprises the following units:

[0032] a) a pulse sensor for picking-up the pulse of the patient and converting said pulse into electrical signal;

[0033] b) an analog to digital converter operatively connected to said sensor for digitizing said electric signal; (the analog to digital converter is also termed a “digital level translator”, and these terms may hereby be used interchangeably);

[0034] c) a microprocessor operatively connected to said analog to digital converter for transforming in real time the patient's pulse into a pre-determined sequence of sound configurations, each of said configurations responding to one pulse beat of the patient and lasting no longer than until the next pulse beat.

[0035] d) a clock generator for modifying the frequency of said musical sound configurations;

[0036] e) headphones or loudspeaker operatively connected to said performing processor for presenting the music to the patient.

[0037] To prevent the overlap between the musical patterns, said microprocessor comprises a processing means for stopping said sound configuration before the next sound configuration starts if the duration of the first of the said sound configurations is longer than the time interval between the two respective consecutive pulse beats.

[0038] Said microprocessor comprises a processing means providing a certain order of responding by said sound configurations to the patient's pulse beats. That makes the music flexible, melodious and more effective.

[0039] The device according to the invention comprises a communication card through which said sound configurations are registered in the memory of said microprocessor from the PC.

[0040] The number, order of said sound configurations, as well as the time of delay of a certain sound configuration can be changed from a PC by a special program through another communication card. The microprocessor can be connected with the PC through the Internet.

[0041] The two communication cards comprise the communication interface of the device according to the invention.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said PC can be connected through the Internet with another PC in order to modify the sound sequences and/or substitute them according to results of the treatment.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said digital level translator is connected to the PC through the microprocessor for directly transmitting the patient's pulse to said PC. The connection to the PC can be carried out through the Internet as well.

[0044] The device according to the present invention can also comprise a performing midi-processor and a set-up table, both of which are connected to said microprocessor. Said midi-processor is provided with a processing means for altering musical arrangement of each of said sound configurations. This alteration is introduced by an operator through said set-up table that can also be connected to said microprocessor through the Internet. Similar to the aforementioned, in such an embodiment of the invention, the sound configuration are played in real time synchrony with the patient's pulse, a digital electric signal of which enters the microprocessor.

[0045] According to the method of the invention, a pressure sensitive or a photoelectric pickup can be used as a pulse sensor.

[0046] The present invention will be described in detail in FIG. 1. This description is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but only to illustrate the preferred embodiment.

[0047] According to the embodiment, the patient's pulse is picked up by either piezoelectric pressure sensitive or photoelectric sensor 1 and turned into an electric signal. The sensor is fixed in a plastic bucket, which enables to put said sensor on the fingertip.

[0048] The signal is transmitted to input filter 2, comprising two filters: a low-pass filter against 50/60 Hz noises with peak-to-peak amplitude of up to 10 V and a high-pass filter which cuts noises from 2000 Hz. From input filter 2 the signal is transmitted to input amplifier 3, which is a differential amplifier with a gain range of 50. Therefrom, the signal goes to output high-pass filter 4, which cuts below 100 kHz.

[0049] After filter 4, the signal is digitized by digital level translator 5. Translator 5 transforms said AC signal to a digital level between O, 3 V to 3 V by means of an open collector comparator with a threshold of 0.3 V and hysteresis of 50 mV. The comparator output can reach 5 V.

[0050] From converter 5, the signal goes to microprocessor, comprising microcontroller 6, two digital musical processors 6a, clock generator 6c, analog adder 6b and communication interface 6d.

[0051] Microcontroller 6 has three units:

• • [0052] 1) 8032 microcontroller for general control of sound and communication;
  • [0053] 2) The memory:
    • [0054] 16 KBYTES of RAM;
    • [0055] 32 KBYTES of EPROM;
    • [0056] 32 Kbytes of EEPROM;
  • [0057] 3) 8254 programmable general-purpose timer, which consists of 3 16-bit-general-purpose timers.

[0058] Microcontroller 6 transmits to digital musical processors 6a the sound configurations coming up in real-time synchrony with the patient's pulse beats.

[0059] Digital musical processor 6a consists of the single musical record/playback chip, in which the musical sound configurations are recorded.

[0060] The 2 digital musical processor outputs are connected to analog adder 6c to give a 2-sounds' mix.

[0061] The Programmable Clock Generator output is connected (by a jumper) to an input of microcontroller 6 and to the clock inputs of the two digital musical processors and changes the input clock frequency. This change of the input clock frequency of processor 6a changes the tempo of each of said sound configurations whereas general tempo of the music is defined by the patient's pulse. The musical sound configurations are played according to a special program of microcontroller 6.

[0062] The Output Audio amplifier interfaces between the digital musical processor and the loudspeaker of the headphones. A potentiometer controls the sound volume.

[0063] The RS232 communication interfaces between an IBM PC and microprocessor 6 for software downloading and debugging.