Pneumatic somatosensory stimulation device and method

A device for providing tactile stimulation via a pulse of compressible fluid, said tactile stimulation device comprising:

• high and low-pressure fluid sources, said low-pressure fluid source supplying fluid at a pressure above ambient pressure and said high-pressure fluid source supplying fluid at a pressure above that of the low-pressure fluid source;
• an outlet conduit being fluidly connectable to the fluid sources and including an applicator configured to direct the pulse against a first area of skin of a subject;
• and
• a pressure valve fluidly interposed between the applicator and the fluid sources,
• said pressure valve being shiftable between a first position fluidly connecting the high-pressure fluid source to the outlet conduit and a second position fluidly connecting the low-pressure fluid source to the outlet conduit, with shifting of the pressure valve between the positions alternating connection of the fluid sources to the outlet conduit to generate the pulse.