Systems and methods for electroencephalogram monitoring
Inventors
Frankel, Mitchell A. • Lingstuyl, Robert • Elwood, Michael K. • Lehmkuhle, Mark J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11857330-B1
Publication Date
2024-01-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided herein are systems, kits, and methods for monitoring brain activity. In some implementations, a system includes a plurality of wearable sensors having a housing with an extended, rounded shape are removably attached to the scalp of a patient and monitor electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. Approaches for instructing a user to position and active that wearable sensors are disclosed. Approaches for facilitating collection, synchronization, and processing of EEG signals are disclosed. Approaches for handing off control of the wearable sensors between portable computing devices are disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to systems for monitoring brain activity using a plurality of wearable sensors configured to record a brain activity of a user. Each wearable sensor includes a housing with at least two electrodes on an exterior surface for detecting electroencephalogram (EEG) signals when the wearable sensor is positioned on a scalp. The housing supports electronic circuitry to process the EEG signals and a power source to provide power to the electronic circuitry.
The housing is defined by an elongated, rounded shape having a concave first side and a convex second side positioned opposite the concave first side, with the concave first side and the convex second side configured to protrude from the scalp. The thickness of the housing increases from the concave first side to the convex second side, and the elongated, rounded shape facilitates unobtrusive wear while facilitating collection of the EEG signals. In the unitary wireless wearable sensor version, the circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate processed EEG signals to a remote computing device.
The invention further includes a plurality of attachments configured to attach to the exterior surface of each sensor housing and removably position the wearable sensor on the scalp. The number of attachments in the plurality of attachments is greater than the number of wearable sensors, and the attachment first side is shaped to substantially match the elongated, rounded housing shape. In a kit/system implementation, the attachment quantity scales with a number of sensors and a number of days over which the sensors record brain activity.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00014, and clm-00020. Across these independent claims, the core inventive features include an elongated rounded EEG sensor housing geometry, at least two exterior electrodes on the housing, processing circuitry with wireless communication to a remote computing device, and a scalp attachment arrangement using a number of attachments greater than the number of sensors.
Elongated rounded scalp-protruding EEG sensor housing with increasing thickness
A housing having an elongated, rounded shape with a concave first side and a convex second side positioned opposite the concave first side, the concave first side and the convex second side configured to protrude from the scalp when the housing is positioned on the scalp, and thickness increasing from the concave first side to the convex second side.
At least two exterior electrodes for detecting EEG signals from a scalp-mounted housing
At least two electrodes positioned on an exterior surface of the housing and configured to detect electroencephalogram (EEG) signals indicative of brain activity when the wearable sensor/housing is positioned on a scalp.
EEG processing circuitry and wireless communication of processed EEG to a remote computing device
Electronic circuitry supported by the housing and configured to process the EEG signals detected by the at least two electrodes and wirelessly communicate processed EEG signal to a remote computing device.
Attachment units shaped to match the housing and configured to removably position sensors on the scalp, with more attachments than sensors
A plurality of attachments, each attachment including a first side shaped to substantially match the elongated, rounded shape of a housing of a sensor/wearable sensor and configured to be attached to the exterior surface of the housing and a second side configured to removably position the sensor/wearable sensor on the scalp, wherein a number of attachments is greater than a number of sensors/wearable sensors.
Scalable attachment quantity tied to number of sensors and number of days recording
The claimed system specifies that the number of attachments equals the number of sensors multiplied by the number of days over which the sensors are configured to record brain activity.
The independent claims collectively cover wireless wearable EEG sensing with a defined housing geometry, at least two electrodes on the exterior surface, onboard processing with wireless communication to a remote computing device, and a removable scalp attachment approach in which attachment units outnumber sensors, including a scaling relationship between attachments, sensors, and recording days in dependent claim refinements.
Stated Advantages
Facilitates unobtrusive wear of the housing on the scalp while facilitating collection of the EEG signals.
Allows EEG signals to be wirelessly communicated as processed EEG signal to a remote computing device.
Documented Applications
Monitoring brain activity of a user by recording EEG signals with wearable/unitary wireless sensors positioned on a scalp.
A sensor kit/system configuration for brain activity recording over a number of days, using a quantity of attachments that scales with sensors and days.
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