Sound Therapy Noah Walcutt (ME) and Cindy Hlavacek (BME) Advised by Thomas Anderson, MA

What is Sound Therapy? Sound/Music can have therapeutic effects Sound/Music can have therapeutic effects –Emotional well-being & Consciousness –Physical health –Communication abilities –Cognitive skills Evidence in the writings of Aristotle & Plato Evidence in the writings of Aristotle & Plato WWI & WWII WWI & WWII –Musicians visited hospitals across the country playing music for injured soldiers –Veterans said the music helped alleviate the physical and emotional trauma of war

Motivation: Potential Benefactors All ages All ages Mental health needs Mental health needs Developmental and learning disabilities Developmental and learning disabilities Alzheimer's disease and other aging related conditions Alzheimer's disease and other aging related conditions Substance abuse Substance abuse Brain injuries Brain injuries Physical disabilities Physical disabilities Acute and chronic pain Acute and chronic pain

Project Statement Construct an advanced and unique prototype to be used for sound therapy focusing on: Construct an advanced and unique prototype to be used for sound therapy focusing on: –Electronic operation –Ease of application –Patient & Therapist mobility and comfort

How Will it Work? Computer controls magnets which control the guitar strings Computer controls magnets which control the guitar strings Guitar strings create vibrations which resonate the wooden dome Guitar strings create vibrations which resonate the wooden dome Dome acts as a sound board for the intensification of vibration inside the base enclosure Dome acts as a sound board for the intensification of vibration inside the base enclosure Walls of the enclosure further intensify the sound Walls of the enclosure further intensify the sound Patient sitting underneath dome inside enclosure experiences the generated “music” Patient sitting underneath dome inside enclosure experiences the generated “music” Magnets Strings

Initial Design Guitar Strings (4x5=20) ~ 4.5’ Base Enclosure supports Top Dome

The Details Electronic Electronic –120V External power source –LabView controls NI 3501 DAC –DAC controls circuit board components for all 20 guitar strings DAC  Resistor  Bipolar Transistor  Steady State Relay (SSR)  Solenoid (inductor) (x20) –Solenoids eject magnets that strike guitar strings on dome like piano hammers 4 Guitar Strings DAC Solenoid Boxes Circuit Board

Completed Work Course Requirements (up to 12/13/2007) Course Requirements (up to 12/13/2007) Construction of wooden base enclosure and dome with guitar strings/tuners Construction of wooden base enclosure and dome with guitar strings/tuners Construction of basic circuit Construction of basic circuit –10kΩ Resistors, Bipolar Transistors, SSRs, Solenoid Boxes

Current Work Continue researching sound therapy and existing devices Continue researching sound therapy and existing devices Debug & finalize electronic construction of striker circuit board and wiring to DAC and solenoid boxes Debug & finalize electronic construction of striker circuit board and wiring to DAC and solenoid boxes Complete electronic and mechanical design of strikers to successfully punch guitar strings Complete electronic and mechanical design of strikers to successfully punch guitar strings

Future Work Finalize electronic design & construction of strikers Finalize electronic design & construction of strikers Continue Problem Research Continue Problem Research Mechanical Optimization: consistent and reliable string striking Mechanical Optimization: consistent and reliable string striking Write and incorporate LabView software Write and incorporate LabView software Integrate/mount all electronic components to wooden dome Integrate/mount all electronic components to wooden dome Application of Sound Therapy suggested by advisor: Application of Sound Therapy suggested by advisor: –Design moveable walls to utilize more sound space –Modify stand Finishing work: sanding, painting, or coating Finishing work: sanding, painting, or coating Remaining course requirements: reports, presentations, etc Remaining course requirements: reports, presentations, etc

Overall Status Right on schedule! Right on schedule!