Electric device for measuring EEG signal or electric stimulation
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Publication Number
US-11389643-B2
Publication Date
2022-07-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed is an electronic device for measuring EEG signal, including: a plurality of electrode units configured to be attached to each different position of the head of the subject and configured to detect the EEG signal from the subject's head, and wherein each of the plurality of electrode units includes a plurality of microelectrodes forming an electric array, a switching unit connected to the plurality of electrode units, and configured to switch the each of the plurality of electrode units to be selectively connected and each of the plurality of microelectrodes to be selectively connected, and a controller connected to the switching unit, and configured to control the switching unit to be selectively connected to the each of the plurality of the electrode units to receive the EEG signal from the subject's head through connected electrode unit among the plurality of electrode units.
Core Innovation
The invention is an electric device for measuring an Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal from a subject’s head while also providing electric stimulation to the subject’s head. It includes a plurality of electrode units configured to be attached to different positions of the subject’s head, where each electrode unit detects the EEG signal and includes a plurality of microelectrodes forming an electric array. An electric stimulation unit supplies electric current for the electric stimulation, and a switching unit is connected to the electrode units to selectively connect the electrode units and the microelectrodes.
A controller controls the switching unit to selectively connect to receive EEG signals from connected electrode units through the switching unit. The controller receives a first plurality of EEG signals detected from a first plurality of microelectrodes included in a first electrode unit, and, based on the received first plurality of EEG signals, selects at least one microelectrode that simultaneously receives the EEG signal and supplies the electric current to the subject’s head. The controller then receives a first EEG signal from the subject’s head through the selected at least one microelectrode and controls, at the same time as receiving the first EEG signal, the switching unit to supply the electric current through the selected microelectrode.
The device further supports optimizing measurement/stimulation position by selecting microelectrodes based on comparison with a standard EEG signal or signal strength. It can estimate or predict EEG signals for head areas not directly covered by electrodes using calculated EEG changing tendencies. It optionally uses a database of prior subject EEG data, including inferred head attachment position, to support determining a head-area position.
For protecting skin and EEG measurement quality, the invention includes microelectrode isolation via a patch with a hydrogel containing chlorine ion to reduce skin burn. It also includes filtering, including a blocking filter, to prevent stimulation artifacts in EEG measurement.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines a multi-electrode EEG measuring device with simultaneous selectable microelectrode stimulation. The inventive features across the independent claim focus on selective switching of electrode units/microelectrodes and controller-based selection of at least one microelectrode to simultaneously receive EEG signals and supply stimulation current.
Multi-electrode units with microelectrode arrays for EEG measurement
A plurality of electrode units configured to be attached to each different position of the subject’s head and configured to detect the EEG signal, wherein each electrode unit includes a plurality of microelectrodes forming an electric array.
Electric stimulation unit supplying electric current
An electric stimulation unit configured to supply electric current to provide the electric stimulation to the subject’s head.
Switching unit selectively connecting electrode units and microelectrodes
A switching unit connected to the plurality of electrode units and configured to switch the plurality of electrode units and each of the plurality of microelectrodes to be selectively connected.
Controller selecting a microelectrode for simultaneous EEG receiving and current supply
A controller connected to the switching unit and configured to control the switching unit to selectively connect electrode units to receive EEG signals through connected electrode units, where the controller receives a first plurality of EEG signals from a first plurality of microelectrodes in a first electrode unit, selects at least one microelectrode based on the received first plurality of EEG signals, receives a first EEG signal through the selected at least one microelectrode, and controls the switching unit at the same time to supply the electric current through the selected at least one microelectrode.
Overall, the claims coverage centers on a switching and controller architecture that selects at least one microelectrode based on received EEG signals so that EEG sensing and electric-current stimulation occur through the selected microelectrode at the same time. Dependent claim refinements further specify selection based on signal strength versus a standard EEG signal, optional use of stored EEG data with detected head positions to determine head-area position, and additional microelectrode patch structure.
Stated Advantages
Reduces skin burn through microelectrode isolation via a patch with hydrogel containing chlorine ion.
Prevents stimulation artifacts in EEG measurement using filtering including a blocking filter.
Documented Applications
EEG signal measurement from a subject’s head combined with electric stimulation to the subject’s head using simultaneously selected microelectrodes.
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