Headset and electrodes for sensing bioelectrical potential and methods of operation thereof
Inventors
Gunasekar, Aswin K. • Fruhauf, Christopher Bramley • STRELZYK, Florian
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11622709-B2
Publication Date
2023-04-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed are medical devices for sensing bioelectrical potential including an electroencephalography (EEG) headset, electrodes compatible therewith, and methods of operation thereof. The headset can comprise a left junction and a right junction, a plurality of length-adjustable bands connecting the left junction and the right junction, and a number of electrodes. Each of the electrodes can comprise an electrode body coupled to one of the plurality of length-adjustable bands and a detachable electrode tip configured to be detachably coupled to the electrode body. The electrode tip can comprise an electrode tip body, one or more deflectable electrode legs coupled to the electrode tip body, and a conductive cushioning material coupled to a segment of at least one of the one or more electrode legs. The conductive cushioning material can retain or be saturated with one or more conductors.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electrode tip for sensing bioelectrical potentials that includes an electrode tip body, electrode arms coupled to the electrode tip body, and electrode legs coupled to the electrode arms. The electrode legs have a non-biased configuration and a splayed configuration, and under compressive force applied to the electrode tip body and the one or more electrode legs, the electrode legs translate into the splayed configuration.
The electrode legs are configured as elongate rods having a leg diameter, and the electrode tip body is a cylindrical body having a tip body diameter. A ratio of the leg diameter to the tip body diameter is between 1:2 and 1:10. The disclosed structure supports placement for sensing bioelectrical potentials, including use with an EEG headset system that implements 10-20 electrode placement standard concepts.
The disclosed electrode tip concepts further include conductive cushioning material positioned to extend beyond leg ends, shaped to extend beyond end portions to improve contact/comfort and reduce residue, and configured as non-residue-forming dry electrode concepts. The document also describes mechanical attachment and geometry concepts, including magnetic coupling between ferromagnetic components for tip attachment and various electrode tip variations with electrode arms and lateral struts coupled to the electrode tip body.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims disclosed in the provided material cover an electrode tip for sensing bioelectrical potentials having legs that translate from a non-biased configuration to a splayed configuration when compressive force is applied, with a defined geometric ratio between leg diameter and tip body diameter. The independent claim set further includes dependent claim refinements that constrain leg and arm geometry and add optional structural material/component features.
Electrode tip transition from non-biased to splayed under compressive force
An electrode tip for sensing bioelectrical potentials comprising an electrode tip body, electrode arms coupled to the electrode tip body, and electrode legs coupled to the electrode arms, wherein the electrode legs have a non-biased configuration and a splayed configuration, and wherein the electrode legs are configured to translate into the splayed configuration when a compressive force is applied to the electrode tip body and the one or more electrode legs.
Diameter ratio between elongate rod legs and cylindrical tip body
Each electrode leg is an elongate rod having a leg diameter, the electrode tip body is a cylindrical body having a tip body diameter, and a ratio of the leg diameter to the tip body diameter is between 1:2 and 1:10.
Parallel leg longitudinal axes in non-biased configuration and non-parallel in splayed configuration
In the electrode tip, the electrode legs have leg longitudinal axes that are parallel in the non-biased configuration and non-parallel in the splayed configuration.
Elongate arm curvature along a pitched or descending helical trajectory
The electrode tip further comprises electrode arms that curve along a pitched or descending helical trajectory such that a distal arm end is vertically lower than a proximal arm end.
Radial lateral struts coupling electrode arms to the electrode tip body
The electrode tip further comprises lateral struts extending radially from the electrode tip body, where at least one strut couples at least one electrode arm to the electrode tip body.
Ferromagnetic component coupled to the electrode tip body
The electrode tip further includes a ferromagnetic component coupled to the electrode tip body.
Foot-height-to-leg-height dimensional ratio constraint
The electrode tip geometry has a foot-height-to-leg-height ratio between 1:1 and 1:10.
Overall, the provided claim material centers on an electrode tip whose electrode legs transition from a non-biased configuration to a splayed configuration under compressive force, with a defined leg-to-tip diameter ratio, and with dependent refinements that specify leg-axis relationships, arm curvature trajectory with vertical end positioning, optional lateral struts, an optional ferromagnetic component, and additional dimensional ratio constraints.
Stated Advantages
Improved contact/comfort and reduced residue, as a stated concept for the electrode tips including conductive cushioning material extending beyond leg ends.
Documented Applications
EEG headset system use including sensing bioelectrical potentials and supporting 10-20 electrode placement standard concepts with adjustable length bands, band adjusters, and micro-positioning electrodes.
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