Sound TherapySound Therapy

Noah Walcutt Noah Walcutt (ME)(ME)andand

Cindy Hlavacek Cindy Hlavacek (BME)(BME)

Advised byAdvised byThomas Anderson, MAThomas Anderson, MA

What is Sound What is Sound Therapy?Therapy? Sound/Music can have therapeutic effectsSound/Music can have therapeutic effects

– Emotional well-being & ConsciousnessEmotional well-being & Consciousness– Physical healthPhysical health– Communication abilitiesCommunication abilities– Cognitive skillsCognitive skills

Evidence in the writings of Aristotle & Plato Evidence in the writings of Aristotle & Plato WWI & WWIIWWI & WWII

– Musicians visited hospitals across the country Musicians visited hospitals across the country playing music for injured soldiersplaying music for injured soldiers

– Veterans said the music helped alleviate the Veterans said the music helped alleviate the physical and emotional trauma of warphysical and emotional trauma of war

Motivation: Potential Motivation: Potential BenefactorsBenefactors

All agesAll ages Mental health needsMental health needs Developmental and learning Developmental and learning

disabilitiesdisabilities Alzheimer's disease and other aging Alzheimer's disease and other aging

related conditionsrelated conditions Substance abuseSubstance abuse Brain injuriesBrain injuries Physical disabilitiesPhysical disabilities Acute and chronic painAcute and chronic pain

Project StatementProject Statement

Construct an advanced and unique Construct an advanced and unique prototype to be used for sound prototype to be used for sound therapy focusing on:therapy focusing on:

– Electronic operationElectronic operation– Ease of applicationEase of application– Patient & Therapist mobility and Patient & Therapist mobility and

comfortcomfort

How Will it Work?How Will it Work?

Computer controls magnets Computer controls magnets which control the guitar stringswhich control the guitar strings

Guitar strings create vibrations Guitar strings create vibrations which resonate the wooden domewhich resonate the wooden dome

Dome acts as a sound board for Dome acts as a sound board for the intensification of vibration the intensification of vibration inside the base enclosureinside the base enclosure

Walls of the enclosure further Walls of the enclosure further intensify the soundintensify the sound

Patient sitting underneath dome Patient sitting underneath dome inside enclosure experiences the inside enclosure experiences the generated “music”generated “music”

Magnets

Strings

Initial DesignInitial Design

Guitar Strings (4x5=20)

~ 4

.5’

Base Enclosure supports Top Dome

The DetailsThe Details

ElectronicElectronic– 120V External power source120V External power source– LabView controls NI 3501 DACLabView controls NI 3501 DAC– DAC controls circuit board componentsDAC controls circuit board components

for all 20 guitar stringsfor all 20 guitar stringsDAC DAC Resistor Resistor Bipolar Transistor Bipolar Transistor Steady State Relay (SSR)Steady State Relay (SSR)

Solenoid (inductor) Solenoid (inductor) (x20)(x20)

– Solenoids eject magnets Solenoids eject magnets that strike guitar strings onthat strike guitar strings ondome like piano hammersdome like piano hammers

4 G

uita

r Strin

gs DAC

Solenoid Boxes

Circuit Board

Completed WorkCompleted Work

Course Requirements Course Requirements (up to (up to 12/13/2007)12/13/2007)

Construction of wooden base Construction of wooden base enclosure and dome with guitar enclosure and dome with guitar strings/tunersstrings/tuners

Construction of basic circuit Construction of basic circuit – 10kΩ Resistors, Bipolar Transistors, 10kΩ Resistors, Bipolar Transistors,

SSRs, Solenoid BoxesSSRs, Solenoid Boxes

Current WorkCurrent Work

Continue researching sound Continue researching sound therapy and existing devicestherapy and existing devices

Debug & finalize electronic Debug & finalize electronic construction of striker circuit board construction of striker circuit board and wiring to DAC and solenoid and wiring to DAC and solenoid boxesboxes

Complete electronic and Complete electronic and mechanical design of strikers to mechanical design of strikers to successfully punch guitar stringssuccessfully punch guitar strings

Future WorkFuture Work

Finalize electronic design & construction of Finalize electronic design & construction of strikers strikers

Continue Problem ResearchContinue Problem Research Mechanical Optimization: Mechanical Optimization: consistent and reliable string consistent and reliable string

striking striking Write and incorporate LabView software Write and incorporate LabView software Integrate/mount all electronic components to Integrate/mount all electronic components to

wooden domewooden dome Application of Sound Therapy suggested by Application of Sound Therapy suggested by

advisor:advisor:– Design moveable walls to utilize more sound spaceDesign moveable walls to utilize more sound space– Modify stand Modify stand

Finishing work:  Finishing work:  sanding, painting, or coatingsanding, painting, or coating Remaining course requirements: Remaining course requirements: reports, reports,

presentations, etcpresentations, etc

Overall StatusOverall Status

Right on schedule!Right on schedule!