United States Patent (19)
`Fischel et al.
`
`11)
`45
`
`4,440,160
`Apr. 3, 1984
`
`54
`
`(75)
`
`73)
`
`21
`22
`(51)
`52
`58
`
`56)
`
`SELF-NURIOUS BE HAVOR INHIBITING
`SYSTEM
`Inventors: Robert E. Fischell; Glen H. Fountain;
`Charles M. Blackburn, all of Silver
`Spring, Md.
`Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University,
`Baltimore, Md.
`Appl. No.: 340,753
`Filed:
`Jan. 19, 1982
`Int. Cl. ............................................... A61N 1/38
`U.S. C. ............................. 128/132 R; 128/419 S
`Field of Search ................ 128/419 R, 419 S, 791,
`128/802, 903, 731-733, 138A, 782, 82.1, 132 R,
`774; 340/407,573; 361/232
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,460,123 8/1969 Bass ................................ 128/38 A
`3,508,235 4/1970 Baisden ........................... 128/138 A
`3,834,379 9/1974 Grant ...
`... 128/49 SX
`3,850,161 1 1/1974 Liss..........
`... 128/49 S X
`3,885,576 5/1975 Symmes .......
`... 128/802 X
`3,998,209 12/1976 MacVaugh.
`... 361/232X
`4,048,986 9/1977 Ott ...................................128/653
`4,163,449 8/1979 Regal ...........
`... 34.0/573 X
`4,203,098 5/1980 Muncheryan
`... 340/.407 X
`4,292,630 9/1981 Dumont .............................. 340/573
`4,359,724. 11/1982. Zimmerman et al. .......... 128/733 X
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`8101.506 6/1981 Sweden ............................... 128/782
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Friauf "An Aversive Stimulator for Autistic Chil
`dren;' Medical and Biological Engineering vol. 11, No.
`5,9-1973, pp. 609-612.
`Primary Examiner-Lee S. Cohen
`Assistant Examiner-Angela D. Sykes
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Archibald;
`Howard W. Califano
`57
`ABSTRACT
`An apparatus for preventing self-injurious behavior in
`patients is disclosed. The apparatus generally contains
`one or more sensor modules, which detect self-injurious
`blows, and a separate stimulation module, which pro
`duces an aversive electric stimulation. The sensor mod
`ule and stimulation module are mounted directly on a
`patient's body members, e.g., a sensor module can be
`mounted on a headband worn around the patient's head
`and the stimulation module can be mounted on an arm
`band worn around the patient's arm. The sensor module
`communicates with the stimulation module by either:
`(1) transmitting radio waves, which are received by the
`stimulation module or (2) sending a small alternating
`electrical signal through the patient's body, which is
`detected by electrodes in the stimulation module. In
`operation, a sensor module detects a blow to the sensed
`body member and sends a signal to the stimulation mod
`ule which in turn generates a controlled electrical cur
`rent for aversive stimulation.
`
`8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`
`
`SIGNAL TRANSMISSION
`THROUGH BODY
`
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`U.S. Patent Apr. 3, 1984
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`4,440,160
`
`
`
`SGNAL TRANSMISSION
`THROUGH BODY
`
`14 N.
`
`–
`
`PHYSICAL IMPACT
`
`
`
`29
`
`Y
`SENSING MEANS 22
`
`is a 7"
`
`EVENT COUNTER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SGNAL
`ELECTRODES
`34
`
`3
`
`- I -
`
`n
`TRANSMITTING
`MEANS 24
`
`f16 2
`
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`U.S. Patent Apr. 3, 1984
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`4,440,160
`
`ACCELERATION AT THE FOREHEAD FROM
`A MILD IMPULSE TO THE HEAD
`
`O
`
`O
`
`2O
`3O
`TME (MILLSECONDS)
`
`4O
`
`5O
`
`6O
`FIG 3.
`
`ACCELERATION
`SUBWAY
`AUTO
`MOTORCYCLE
`COMMERICAL ET
`
`O. 4g
`O.2-45g
`O. 6g
`O. 5
`
`FIG 4
`
`- 18
`
`-4-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERROGATABLE
`EVENT COUNTER
`MEANS
`
`M
`
`62
`
`64
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONSTANT
`CURRENT
`INVERTER
`
`STIMULATION
`ELECTRODES
`
`RECEIVING MEANS 42
`
`V A.
`
`FIG. 5
`
`"SET ON-TIME"
`CIRCUIT
`( O. 2 - 2 sec)
`
`
`
`
`
`SIGNAL DETECTING
`AND DEMODULATING
`CIRCUIT
`
`-54
`
`48
`
`DETECTING
`ELECTRODE 46
`
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`

`SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR INHIBITING
`SYSTEM
`
`5
`
`O
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`'-
`The invention relates to an apparatus for preventing
`self-injurious behavior in patients. More particularly,
`the invention teaches an improved apparatus for sensing
`self-injurious behavior and for transmitting a signal to a
`separate stimulation module which then supplies aver
`sive electrical stimulation to the patient's skin.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`The use of aversive stimulation to prevent certain
`types of behavior is known in the art. U.S. Pat. No.
`3,998,209, issued to Gilbert Macvaugh on Dec. 21, 1976,
`teaches the application of electric shock pulses, gener
`ated by a charged capacitor circuit, for deconditioning
`snoring. U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,576, issued to Elliott
`Symmes, on May 27, 1975, teaches the use of electric
`shock as a means to deter smoking. In that patent a
`mercury switch is mounted on a wristband so that when
`the user moves his arm (e.g., to place a cigarette to his
`lips), the mercury switch closes and allows an electric
`current to flow to electrodes mounted on the user's
`wristband.
`The use of aversive stimulation to inhibit self-injuri
`ous behavior was first described by Mooza Grant in
`30
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,379, issued Sept. 10, 1974. Mooza
`Grant describes an apparatus which conditions psy
`chotic self-destructive patients against self-injurious
`blows to the head. The apparatus contains a helmet
`which is mounted on the patient's head to absorb self
`injurious blows. The helmet contains a metallic cylinder
`and a movable pin disposed centrally therein. When the
`patient strikes the helmet, the pin contacts with the
`cylinder and establishes an electrical contact which
`activates an electronic package (described as being dis
`posed within a packet in patient's clothes.) An electrical
`pulse generated in the electronic package is sent to the
`electrodes contained in an arm band and provides an
`aversive electric shock to the patient's arm. The helmet,
`electronic package, and stimulation electrodes are all
`connected by electrical wires.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The prior art apparatus required bulky equipment
`and connecting cables which run between the sensing
`transducer, and the stimulation circuitry and electrodes.
`Observations of patients indicated that the connecting
`wires restricted the patient's activities. The invented
`apparatus contains a sensor module that is separate from
`the stimulation module and provides a wireless commu
`55
`nication link between the sensor and stimulation mod
`ules.
`The prior art aversive stimulation apparatus required
`a bulky helmet to support the sensing switch and also to
`protect the head. For the sensor module, the proposed
`apparatus of the present invention uses a miniature ac
`celerometer and electrical circuitry which is contained
`in a single miniaturized hybrid circuit, all of which can
`be mounted on an elastic headband. The invented appa
`ratus enables the patient to be conditioned against self
`65
`injurious behavior without requiring the patient to wear
`a bulky helmet which inhibits his or her activities,
`which can be uncomfortable when worn for extended
`
`4,440,160
`2
`time periods, and which causes the patient to have an
`abnormal appearance.
`The inventors also observed that patients exhibiting
`such self-injurious behavior frequently injure body
`members other than the head. The present invention
`thus discloses a sensor module which can be attached to
`an elastic band and worn on any body member. More
`over, several of the invented sensor modules can be
`worn on different body members and can simulta
`neously communicate with a single stimulation module,
`and report an injurious blow to any of the sensed body
`members. Not only does the prior art not teach the use
`of multiple sensors but, the interconnection cables used
`in the prior art would entangle the patient in a web of
`wires if such sensing from multiple locations was at
`tempted. Typical of other body members where sensing
`might be useful are elbows and knees.
`The present invention uses a separate sensor and
`stimulation module, each made from a hybrid circuit
`containing (CMOS) integrated circuits. The sensor
`module detects a rapid acceleration or blow and trans
`mits a signal to a remote stimulation module. The sensor
`module might be mounted on the body member that is
`being struck or on the body member that is doing the
`striking. In either case, it is to be understood that a body
`member is being struck. The transmission made by the
`sensor module can be by means of radio emissions (i.e.,
`electromagnetic waves) or by a unique method of trans
`mitting an electrical signal through the patient's body.
`The stimulation module detects and demodulates the
`transmitter signal and provides aversive stimulation in
`response to each detected self-injurious action. Aver
`sive stimulation is provided by means of stimulation
`electrodes which are placed in contact with the pa
`tient's skin. In operation, each sensor module can detect
`self-injurious blows to a particular body member and
`communicate this information to the stimulation module
`which then provides an aversive electrical shock.
`One novel feature of the invented apparatus is the use
`of a sensor module which is remote from and not con
`nected by wires to the stimulation module.
`The second novel feature of the invented apparatus is
`the use of a wireless communication link between the
`sensor and stimulation modules.
`A third novel feature of the invented apparatus is the
`ability of the sensor module to transmit an electrical
`signal containing event information through the pa
`tient's body, and to have the transmitted signal be de
`tected and be demodulated by the stimulation module.
`A fourth novel feature of the invented apparatus is to
`mount the sensor module on an elastic band. As such,
`the sensor module can be worn as a headband (not a
`bulky helmet) to detect self-injurious blows to the head,
`and it can be worn on an arm or knee band to detect
`self-injurious behavior to the arm or leg respectively.
`A fifth novel feature of the invented apparatus is that
`one or more sensor modules can simultaneously com
`municate with a single stimulation module. This feature
`allows the invented apparatus to be successfully used
`for patients who exhibit self-injurious behavior to more
`than one body member.
`A sixth novel feature of the invented apparatus is the
`incorporation of a recording means in both the stimula
`tion and sensor modules. This feature allows the in
`vented apparatus to be a more useful diagnostic tool.
`A seventh novel feature of the invented apparatus is
`an aversive stimulation system where the level of the
`
`20
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`25
`
`35
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`45
`
`50
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`4,440,160
`3
`4.
`electrical shock is adjustable to provide a minimum
`ometer 26; a small single cell battery (not shown), such
`shock level that will accomplish the intended purpose.
`as a Li So2Cl battery; and, a "one-shot' circuit 28. The
`accelerometer 26 behaves as a switch and is closed
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`momentarily when an accelerating impulse, above a set
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of a person wearing the in
`threshold level, is detected, and automatically resets
`vented self-injurious behavior inhibiting system.
`after the acceleration impulse subsides. FIG. 3 contains
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the sensor module.
`a graph showing acceleration detected at the forehead
`of a person experiencing a mild blow to the head. A 2g
`FIG. 3 is a graph showing acceleration versus time
`acceleration level is attained with a slight, non-damag
`for acceleration at the forehead caused by a mild blow
`ing impulse to the head. A typical self-injurious blow
`to the head.
`, 10
`might produce a 20g acceleration to the head or other
`FIG. 4 is a table showing various accelerations a
`patient will experience during normal activities.
`body member. A threshold level between 2 g’s and 5g's
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the stimulation module.
`can be selected as values large enough to avoid aversive
`stimulation as a result of accelerations experienced in
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`normal activity, and yet small enough to detect even a
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`non-damaging impulse to the head. FIG. 4 contains a
`The proposed apparatus for inhibiting self-injurious
`table showing some accelerations experienced in nor
`mal activities particularly in various types of transporta
`behavior is illustrated in FIG.1. The apparatus is gener
`ally composed of a sensor module subsystem 10 and a
`tion-(the threshold value is chosen so that acceleration
`experienced during transportation would not activate
`separate stimulation module subsystem 12. The sensor
`20
`the invented apparatus.)
`module subsystem 10 contains a sensor module 14
`Although the use of an accelerometer switch is de
`which is mounted on a headband 16 and detects blows
`to the patient's head. Although not illustrated in FIG. 1,
`scribed herein, the sensor module could also use the
`the sensor module 14 could also be mounted on any
`actual blow to cause electrical contact between two
`surfaces or the blow might be detected by a change in
`other body member and detect blows to that body mem
`25
`capacitance caused by the proximity of two body mem
`ber (e.g., sensor modules could be mounted on an elastic
`bers coming in contact.
`elbow band, knee band, ankle band, wristband, etc.).
`For patients who exhibit injurious behavior to several
`Returning now to FIG. 2, a "one-shot' circuit 28, or
`different body members, it is within the scope of this
`its equivalent, is connected to the accelerometer 26 and
`invention to place sensor modules on several body
`will be activated when the accelerometer output ex
`30
`members simultaneously, and to detect self-injurious
`ceeds a threshold level for a period longer than 10 milli
`blows to each of those body members. Furthermore, if
`seconds. (NOTE: A range of threshold values, other
`than those specified above, is contemplated by the in
`the patient always uses his hand to strike a variety of
`body parts, then a sensor module mounted on his wrist
`ventors-any threshold value is acceptable which
`could detect any body part being hit by his hand and
`would be large enough to avoid stimulation during
`35
`this would cause an appropriate signal to be sent to the
`normal activity but sensitive enough to detect mild
`stimulation module. The stimulation module subsystem
`non-injurious blows.) The "one-shot' circuit 28 shall
`12 is mounted on the patient's body at a position remote
`not accept another input from the accelerometer for the
`duration of a hold period (a hold period of 0.5 seconds
`from the sensor module subsystem 10. The stimulation
`is suggested). The "one-shot' circuit 28 sustains a level
`module subsystem 12 consists of a stimulation module
`40
`output during the hold period enabling the "one-shot"
`18 mounted on an elastic band 20. FIG.2 shows the
`stimulation module subsystem 12 mounted on the pa
`circuit 28 to "stretch' the electrical impulse received
`tient's arm, although the stimulation module subsystem
`from the accelerometer 26 thus allowing the transmit
`ting means 24 time to (1) be powered, (2) to be stabi
`12 could be mounted on other body members depend
`ing on its effectiveness for a particular patient.
`lized, and (3) to transmit a signal indicating the occur
`45
`rence of the self-injurious blow.
`Unlike the prior art, the invented apparatus contains
`The transmitting means 24 has two embodiments. In
`no wires or cables connecting the sensor module 14 to
`the first embodiment, the transmitter means 24, as
`the stimulation module 18. As will be described in
`greater detail, the sensor module 14 transmits a signal
`shown in FIG. 2, contains a crystal oscillator clock 30
`either through the body or by propagated radio waves
`and an FSK transmitter 32, which generates FSK fre
`SO
`quencies of 48 kHz (a logical "0") and 52 kHz (a logical
`to the stimulation module 18. The signal transmitted by
`“1”). The FSK transmitter 32 is of a design known in
`the sensor module 14 carries event information which
`the communication art and will produce a coded sig
`indicates when a blow has been sustained. The stimula
`tion module 18 applies aversive stimulation to the pa
`nal at a 5-millisecond bit rate. The transmitter 32 is
`activated by the "one-shot' circuit 28 and, after it stabi
`tient in response to this event information. It is contem
`55
`lizes, transmits a signal for the remainder of the 0.5
`plated that several sensor modules mounted on different
`second hold period. The output signal from the trans
`body members can transmit event information to a sin
`mitter 32 runs to signal electrodes 34 (also see FIG. 1)
`gle stimulation module.
`which are in contact with the patient's skin and electri
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the sensor module 14.
`cally couple the transmitter 32 output to the patient's
`The sensor module would generally consist of a single
`body. The electrical signal, generated by the FSK trans
`hybrid circuit typically consisting of (CMOS) inte
`grated circuit components chosen for their low voltage
`mitter 32, is conducted by electrodes 34 to the patient's
`skin and travels through the patient's body to be re
`requirements, and particularly because of their low
`ceived by a remotely located stimulation module 18. It
`electrical power drain. The sensor module 14 contains a
`should be noted that any type of alternating electrical
`sensing means 22 for sensing a blow to a body member,
`and a transmitting means 24 for transmitting a signal to
`signal can be conducted through the human body in the
`manner disclosed above. This technique is more fully
`the stimulation module 18. The sensing means 14 further
`described in co-pending U.S. application entitled "In
`contains: a miniaturized two-axis or three-axis acceler
`
`60
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`10
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`25
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`6
`tracorporeal and/or Extracorporeal Biomedical Device
`controlled by adjusting potentiometer 54 in the "set-on
`Systems Having Two or More Modules,' invented by
`time' circuit 50. It is recommended that the “on-time'
`R. E. Fischell, filed of even date herewith, and incorpo
`be adjusted between 0.2 and 2.0 seconds.
`rated by reference. The present inventors contemplate
`The second embodiment of the receiving means (not
`the use of a transmitter in which an appropriate fre
`shown in FIG. 5) includes a small antenna and a minia
`quency carrier could be modulated, in any manner
`turized radio receiver tuned to the frequency transmit
`known in the art, to produce the desired communication
`ted by the radio transmitter in the sensor module. The
`signal.
`receiver is of a typical design known in the communica
`In the second embodiment, not shown in FIG. 2, the
`tion art. The detected signal is demodulated and the
`transmitting means 24 emits RF electromagnetic radia
`"set-on time' circuit 50 is triggered, as described above.
`tion through an antenna. At least some of the electro
`The stimulation means 44, shown in FIG. 5, consists
`magnetic radiation is propagated outside of the body
`of a constant current inverter 52 and stimulation elec
`and is received by an RF receiver contained in the
`trodes 56. The current is supplied to the constant cur
`stimulation module. An RF transmitter and receiver as
`rent inverter 52 from the "set-on time' circuit 50 as
`described above, are of a design known in the communi
`described previously. The constant current inverter 52
`15
`cation art.
`delivers a current to the stimulation electrodes 56,
`The sensor module 14 may contain an interrogatable
`which are held in contact with the patient's skin. The
`event counter means 36 for diagnostic purposes. The
`constant current inverter 52 should be set to deliver
`stimulation current in a range from 1 to 100 milliam
`event counter means 36, shown in FIG. 2, obtains its
`input from the "one-shot' circuit 28 and thus counts the
`peres, and the frequency of stimulation should be ad
`justable. The potentiometer 58 on the constant current
`occurrence of each self-injurious blow. The event
`counter means 36 obtains a timing input from the clock
`inverter 52 allows the amplitude of the aversive stimula
`30 and the time of occurrence of each self-injurious
`tion to be adjusted to a minimum value that accom- .
`blow is also recorded. An interrogatable input line 38
`plishes the intended purpose of deterring self-injurious
`from an external monitoring device (not shown) can
`behavior.
`cause the data recorded in the event counter means to
`As shown in FIG. 1, the stimulation module 18 can be
`be read out on line 40 into such an external monitoring
`mounted on an elastic arm band 20. The stimulation
`device. Alternatively, the event counter means 36 itself,
`electrodes 56, and the detecting electrode 46 are placed
`might have displayed on it (e.g., by an LED display) the
`on the inside surface of the arm band so as to make
`contact with the patient's skin. The stimulation module
`data relative to numbers and time of occurrence of
`30
`may alternatively be mounted on other body members
`acceleration events.
`In the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, the sensing
`and may alternatively be mounted by means other than
`module 14, and signal electrodes 34, are mounted on an
`an elastic band.
`elastic headband 16. The signal electrodes 34 are lo
`As illustrated in FIG. 5, an interrogatable event
`counter means 60 is connected to the output of the
`cated on the inner surface of the elastic band 16 and
`35
`make electrical contact with the patient's skin.
`constant current inverter 52. The event counter means
`It is also within the contemplation of this invention to
`60 provides a record of the number of times that the
`mount the sensor module 14 in a protective means
`constant current inverter 52 was activated. The event
`mounted on the patient's head which shields the pa
`counter means in 60 is similar in design function and use
`tient's head from self-injurious blows. When the sensor
`to the event counter means 36 associated with the sen
`module is mounted in such a protective means, conduct
`sor module 14 of FIG. 2. The event counter means 36
`ing electrodes are placed on the inner surface of the
`includes the use of line 62 to initiate interrogation and
`protecting means so as to make good electrical contact
`line 64 for data readout into an external monitoring
`with the patient's skin.
`device (which is not shown). A clock 66 provides tim
`ing input for the event counter 66 so that the relative
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the stimulation
`45
`module 18. Stimulation module 18 is made from a hy
`time of each aversive stimulation can be recorded.
`brid circuit containing (CMOS) integrated circuits
`In operation, one or more sensor modules would be
`chosen for their low voltage requirement and low elec
`worn by the patient. Any impact to a sensed body mem
`tric power drain. The stimulation module 18 consists of
`ber (which sensed member might include the part of the
`body that is doing the striking) causing an acceleration
`a receiving means 42 and a stimulation means 44. The
`50
`receiving means 42 has two preferred embodiments.
`greater than 2 g’s for a duration of 1.0 millisecond will
`be sensed as a self-injurious event. The transmitting
`The first embodiment (shown in FIG. 5) receives and
`demodulates electrical signals sent through the patient's
`means 24 included in the sensor module 14 will transmit
`a signal to a remotely placed simulation module 18.
`body. This embodiment contains: a detector electrode
`46, a signal detection and demodulation circuit 48, a "set
`Two embodiments have been described for the trans
`on-time' circuit 50, or its equivalent, and a battery (not
`mitter means. In one embodiment the signal containing
`event information is transmitted through the body. In
`shown). The detecting and modulation circuit 48 is of a
`typical design known in the communication art. The
`the other embodiment the signal is transmitted by con
`electrical signal is picked up by the detecting electrode
`ventional radio propagation. The stimulation module 18
`46 which is placed in contact with the patient's skin.
`is mounted on a different body member from the sensor
`The detecting electrode 46 connects to the detecting
`module 14 and contains a receiving means 42 which
`detects and demodulates the signal transmitted from the
`and demodulation circuit 48 which demodulates the
`sensor module 14. There are two possible embodiments
`electrical signal. When the event information indicates
`that self-injurious action has occurred, the "set-on time'
`of the receiver means. In one embodiment the receiver
`detects an electric signal transmitted through the body.
`circuit 50 is triggered. Once the "set-on time' circuit 50
`is triggered, power is supplied to the constant current
`In the other embodiment the receiver recovers signals
`transmitted by conventional radio propagation. The
`inverter 52 for a set period of time. This set period of
`receiving means 42 detects and demodulates the signal.
`time defines the length of the aversive stimulation and is
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`4,440,160
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`8
`With the occurrence of self-injurious behavior, the "set
`(e) an interrogatable event counter, connected to
`on time' circuit 50 is activated. The "set-on time' cir
`said clock and said "one-shot' circuit, to count
`cuit 50 in turn powers the constant current inverter 52
`and record the number of physical impacts; and,
`which supplies an alternating electric current to the
`a stimulation module, adapted to be mounted on said
`patient's body through the stimulation electrodes 56,
`patient's body at a location remote from said at
`which are in contact with the patient's skin. The poten
`least one sensor module, communicating by a wire
`tiometers 54, and 58, allow the duration and amplitude
`less link to said at least one sensor module, said
`respectively of the aversive electrical current to be
`stimulation module including,
`adjusted. In this manner, an aversive stimulation is sup
`(a) a signal detecting and demodulating circuit,
`plied to a remote portion of the patient's body in re
`which provides a triggering signal after detect
`10
`sponse to a blow sustained by the head or other body
`ing and identifying said electromagnetic signal,
`member.
`(b) a "set-on time' circuit, connected to and actu
`In another embodiment, a plurality of sensor modules
`ated by said signal detecting and demodulating
`can be mounted on other body members to detect injuri
`circuit, which sets the time period of stimulation,
`ous impacts to those body members or delivered by a
`(c) a means connected to and activated by said
`particular body member. For illustration, FIG. 1 shows
`"set-on time" circuit, for generating an aversive
`a sensor module 14 mounted on the patient's head and
`electric current,
`also a sensor module 68 mounted on the patient's right
`(d) stimulation electrodes, connected to said means
`arm. Both sensor modules 14 and 68 are worn simulta
`for generating an aversive electric current,
`neously and communicate to the stimulation module
`which conduct said aversive electric current to
`20
`subsystem 12. Sensor modules can simultaneously be
`the skin of said patient's body,
`placed on the patient's head, arms, legs, elbows or
`(e) a clock to provide timing pulses, and
`knees, or other body parts depending on the form of
`(f) an interrogatable event counter, connected to
`injurious behavior a particular patient exhibits.
`said clock and said means for generating an aver
`Obviously many modifications and variations of the
`sive electric current, to count and record the
`25
`present invention are possible in light of the above
`number of times said aversive electric current is
`generated.
`teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within
`the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be
`2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said accelerome
`practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
`ter is adjustable to detect an acceleration impulse above
`What is claimed and desired to be secured by U.S.
`a certain threshold, said threshold being set to distin
`Patent is:
`guish acceleration due to normal activity from accelera
`1. An apparatus for inhibiting self-injurious behavior,
`tion due to self-injurious behavior.
`comprising:
`3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said threshold is
`at least one sensor module, adapted to be mounted on
`set to a value of 2 g.
`any of patient's body members, each of said at least
`4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said accelerome
`35
`one sensor module being mounted on a different
`ter is a two-axis accelerometer.
`body member, and each of said at least one sensor
`5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said accelerome
`module including,
`ter is a three-axis accelerometer.
`(a) an accelerometer which detects an acceleration
`6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stimulation
`due to a physical impact of said body member,
`module is mounted on a band which is adapted to
`snugly encompass a body member.
`(b) a "one-shot' circuit connected to and activated
`by said accelerometer to produce a constant
`7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said at
`signal for a set period of time,
`least one sensor module is mounted on a band which is
`(c) a clock which provides timing pulses,
`adapted to snugly encompass a body member.
`(d) a transmitter, connected to and activated by
`8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said at
`45
`said "one-shot' circuit, which receives timing
`least one sensor module is mounted in a protective hel
`pulses from said clock and produces an electro
`met adapted to be mounted on the head of said patient.
`magnetic signal,
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`IPR-2018-00565
`LoganTree EX2003 Page 007
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