Wearable system for detecting and measuring biosignals
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10194865-B2
Publication Date
2019-02-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for detecting bioelectrical signals of a user comprising: a set of sensors configured to detect bioelectrical signals from the user, each sensor in the set of sensors configured to provide non-polarizable contact at the body of the user; an electronics subsystem comprising a power module configured to distribute power to the system and a signal processing module configured to receive signals from the set of sensors; a set of sensor interfaces coupling the set of sensors to the electronics subsystem and configured to facilitate noise isolation within the system; and a housing coupled to the electronics subsystem, wherein the housing facilitates coupling of the system to a head region of the user.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a wearable system for detecting bioelectrical signals of a user and reducing noise. A set of sensors is configured to be positioned proximal to a region of a scalp of the user, and the set includes a common mode sensor configured to detect an ambient signal through the scalp of the user. The electronics subsystem includes a digital electronics subsystem and an analog electronics subsystem separated from and coupled to the digital electronics subsystem by an inter-board connection.
Noise reduction is performed by a hum remover configured to sample the ambient signal detected by the common mode sensor. The hum remover superimposes the ambient signal with a square wave signal having a frequency higher than the frequency range of the bioelectrical signals to be detected to produce a calibration signal. The calibration signal is applied to the user through at least one sensor, and the calibration signal received by other sensors is processed by the electronics subsystem to determine a contact impedance of each individual sensor.
The system uses a housing surrounding the set of sensors and the electronics subsystem with a set of arms configured to position each sensor proximal to the region of the scalp upon coupling to the user. A set of sensor interfaces couples the set of sensors to the electronics subsystem and amplifies and shifts bioelectrical signal voltages transmitted to the electronics subsystem.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive coverage centers on scalp-proximal sensors with a common mode ambient-signal sensor, hum removal using square-wave superimposition to generate a calibration signal used to determine individual sensor contact impedance, and a housing with arms together with sensor interfaces that amplify and shift bioelectrical signal voltages.
Scalp-proximal sensor set with common mode ambient-signal sensing
A set of sensors configured to detect bioelectrical signals from the user, each sensor configured to be positioned proximal to a region of a scalp of the user, the set including a common mode sensor configured to detect an ambient signal through the scalp of the user.
Hum remover producing calibration signal from ambient common mode signal using higher-frequency square wave
An electronics subsystem comprising a digital electronics subsystem and an analog electronics subsystem separated from and coupled to the digital electronics subsystem by an inter-board connection, the analog electronics subsystem comprising a hum remover configured to sample the ambient signal of the common mode sensor, superimpose the ambient signal with a square wave signal having a frequency higher than the frequency range of the bioelectrical signals to be detected to produce a calibration signal, and apply the calibration signal to the user through at least one sensor of the set of sensors, wherein the calibration signal, once received by other sensors in the set of sensors, is processed by the electronics subsystem to determine a contact impedance of each individual sensor.
Housing arms positioning sensors proximal to scalp and sensor interfaces amplifying and shifting voltages
A housing surrounding the set of sensors and the electronics subsystem, comprising a set of arms configured to position each sensor in the set of sensors proximal to the region of the scalp of the user upon coupling of the system to the user, and a set of sensor interfaces configured to couple the set of sensors to the electronics subsystem and to amplify and shift bioelectrical signal voltages transmitted to the electronics subsystem.
Both independent claims cover scalp-proximal sensors with a common mode ambient signal sensor, a hum remover that uses a higher-frequency square wave superimposed on the ambient signal to create a calibration signal applied through sensors and used to process individual sensor contact impedance, and a housing with arms plus sensor interfaces for amplification and shifting of bioelectrical signal voltages.
Stated Advantages
Reducing noise in detected bioelectrical signals.
Determining a contact impedance of each individual sensor.
Documented Applications
Wearable detection of bioelectrical signals from a user with sensors positioned proximal to a region of the scalp, including determining contact impedance for each individual sensor.
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