Multi-channel brain or cortical activity monitoring and method

Inventors

Bibian, Stéphane • Zikov, Tatjana

Assignees

Neurowave Systems Inc

Abstract

The present invention relates to a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) monitor and system capable of monitoring and displaying simultaneously neuropathological characteristic and activity of both sides of a subject's brain. The methods include various indices and examination of differences in these indices by which neurophysiological conditions or problems can be identified and treated. These methods, and the systems and devices using these methods preferably can be used for identifying these neurophysiological conditions or brain dysfunction with monitors and methods for seizure detection, for sedation monitoring, for anesthesia monitoring, and the like. These bilateral brain monitoring methods and systems, and the devices using these methods can be used by individuals or clinicians with little or no training in signal analysis or processing. These bilateral monitoring methods can also be used in a range of applications.

Core Innovation

The patent describes a bilateral, essentially simultaneous multi-electrode quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) monitoring approach for a subject under sedation or anesthesia. EEG measurement electrodes include at least one electrode positioned to monitor left hemisphere brain or cortical activity and at least one electrode positioned to monitor right hemisphere brain or cortical activity, together with an EEG reference electrode. Analog EEG signals from the measurement electrodes are converted to digital signals and used to compute quantitative electroencephalogram time-series indices as a function of depth of sedation or anesthesia.

For each hemisphere, the system calculates two numerical quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) time-series indices corresponding to brain or cortical activity over a period of time during which the subject is under sedation or anesthesia. The indices are compared as a function of depth of sedation or anesthesia, including comparisons intended to support detection of neuropathological activity and detection of sudden changes in subject status such as wakefulness or awareness. The approach is described as essentially simultaneous measurement and simultaneous indexing for left and right brain hemispheres.

The patent further describes using the comparison of left versus right hemisphere QEEG numerical time-series indices in closed loop control to adjust sedation or anesthesia delivery when necessary. A processing and control system includes a processor adapted for digitizing the EEG signals and calculating the QEEG time-series indices and a monitor adapted to display the two QEEG numerical time-series indices corresponding to left and right hemispheric activity simultaneously. Caregiver communication is described via audible and/or visual messages or prompts tied to events such as poor signal quality, neuropathological activity, and sudden status changes.

Claims Coverage

The provided material includes three independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00005, clm-00009). Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on essentially simultaneous left/right hemisphere EEG quantification during sedation/anesthesia, generating and comparing two QEEG numerical time-series indices as a function of depth of sedation/anesthesia, and using the comparison for administering further sedation/anesthesia or closed-loop adjustment, with system monitoring and display support.

Across the independent claims, the document’s core claim coverage requires essentially simultaneous bilateral EEG monitoring, digitization, calculation of two hemisphere-specific QEEG numerical time-series indices as a function of depth of sedation/anesthesia, comparison of those indices, and use of the comparison to administer further sedation/anesthesia or perform closed-loop adjustment, with a monitor displaying left and right indices simultaneously.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications