Barry R Dworkin

US Patent:

8175712, May 8, 2012

Filed:

Sep 5, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/850251

Inventors:

Xiaorui Tang - Hershey PA, US
Barry R. Dworkin - Hershey PA, US

Assignee:

The Penn State Research Foundation - University Park PA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 44

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods for regulating blood pressure in a subject which include administering a first induction stimulus effective to sensitize brainstem baroreflex neurons of a subject for a period of time in the range of about 10-15 hours thereby producing an enhanced baroreflex in the subject, wherein the enhanced baroreflex is characterized in that a threshold blood pressure for generating a depressor response is lower than prior to induction stimulus administration, the depressor response in the subject is larger than prior to induction stimulus administration or both the threshold blood pressure for generating a depressor response is lower than prior to induction stimulus administration and the depressor response in the subject is larger than prior to induction stimulus administration. An induction stimulus has diminished effectiveness to sensitize neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the subject in the presence of an NMDA receptor antagonist. One or more additional induction stimuli are optionally administered to regulate blood pressure in the subject.

US Patent:

50820028, Jan 21, 1992

Filed:

May 25, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/357463

Inventors:

Gordon Silverman - New York NY
Barry Dworkin - Hershey PA

Assignee:

The Rockefeller University - New York NY

International Classification:

A61B 5103

US Classification:

128781

Abstract:

A system and method for the operant conditioning of subjects using biofeedback includes means to measure a variable condition, such as posture, which is controllable by the subject. The apparatus sets criteria which, if not met, may result in a negative reinforcement, such as unpleasant audio tone or, if the criteria is met, will reward the subject. The criteria is automatically adjusted, upwards or downwards, in accordance with the subject's history of reaching, or not reaching, the criteria. One embodiment is a device for the training of patients with idiopathic scoliosis (curvature of the spine), as a replacement for a brace. The device includes two cables, one about the chest to measure breathing and the other longitudinally about the trunk to measure spine length. The variable lengths of the cables are converted to digital signals by rotary-to-digital converters. The device includes a programmed microcomputer whose inputs are the digital converters which automatically adjusts the criteria and which controls a tone generator and its speaker to provide an audio feedback of out-of-criteria postures.

US Patent:

52439984, Sep 14, 1993

Filed:

Apr 10, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/683260

Inventors:

Gordon Silverman - New York NY
Barry Dworkin - Hershey PA

Assignee:

The Rockefeller University - New York NY

International Classification:

A61B 5103

US Classification:

128782

Abstract:

A system and method for the operant conditioning of subjects using biofeedback includes means to measure a variable condition, such as posture, which is controllable by the subject. The apparatus sets criteria which, if not met, may result in a negative reinforcement, such as unpleasant audio tone or, if the criteria is met, will reward the subject. The criteria is automatically adjusted, upwards or downwards, in accordance with the subject's history of reaching, or not reaching, the criteria. The device includes a programmed microcomputer whose inputs include digital converters and which simultaneously adjusts the criteria and which controls the stimuli means, such as a tone generator and its speaker.

US Patent:

40551687, Oct 25, 1977

Filed:

Sep 21, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/725231

Inventors:

Neal E. Miller - New York NY
Barry R. Dworkin - New York NY

Assignee:

The Rockefeller University - New York NY

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

128 2S

Abstract:

A posture training device includes in a mechanical-electrical embodiment thereof, an electrically conductive plate divided into two contact zones and slidable upon a support base of one housing section of the device. One end of the plate is operatively connected to a body harness cable extending around the longitudinal axis of the body from the pubis to the scapula, while the other end of the plate is electrically connected to spring-biased cable winding mechanisms. The two zones of the plate are separated and electrically insulated from each other by a predetermined gap which extends along the plate with a predetermined curvature or rectilinearly at a constant slope, and another slidable plate, having a contact member disposed therein, is similarly provided within another housing section with a harness cable at one end thereof, which cable extends laterally about the chest area of the patient, and is operatively, electrically connected to a spring-biased cable winding mechanism at the other end thereof through means of the contact member. The electricaly conductive plate and contact member of the second plate serve as a single-pole, double-throw switch and common contact member respectively, and the relative movement of both plates, as defined by the contact member and the zones of the electrically conductive plate, serve to open or close a signal emitting circuit so as to accurately indicate the assumption of a proper or improper postural position or condition by the patient, independent of the respiration of the patient. In another, electronic embodiment of the invention, in lieu of the sliding plates of the aforenoted embodiment, rotary potentiometers are utilized, the generated voltages of which serve to indicate the length or lengthening, or movement, of the cables secured thereto in a manner similar to the securing of the same to the sliding plates, and through means of a trim resistor, which serves a similar function as that of the sloped gap of the zoned plate, the voltages are differentially and then comparatively amplified and supplied to the signal emitting circuit.