Functional EEG montage for cognitive skill development
Inventors
Aiston, Christopher James • BOUCHER, Wayne R. • Charles, Robert Andrew • COLLINS, Brendan Patrick • Goodwin, Daniel • HERDA, Michael Thomas • Jacobs, Adam • Jeon, Kee Sook • O′Sullivan, Daniel Patrick • Sellers, James M. • SHAMBROOM, John Richard • ST. ONGE, Joseph • SUNSTEIN, Drew
Assignees
ECLIPSE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CORP • Thynk Inc • Sunrise Labs Inc • Farm Design Inc
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Publication Number
US-11998350-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention features a headset, and systems including the headset, equipped with electrical sensors. The headset is suitable for use by a child and suitable for use in a gaming system, e.g., to train attention.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a headset for acquiring electrical signals using a front portion that includes a sensing bar and a locator bar. The sensing bar is shaped and configured to contact the forehead of a user wearing the headset and comprises a first electrical sensor at about position AF3 and a second electrical sensor at about position AF4. The locator bar is shaped and configured to rest upon the brow of the user to aid positioning of the first electrical sensor at about AF3 and the second electrical sensor at about AF4, while a space below the sensing bar and above the locator bar is provided between the first end and the second end of the front portion.
The headset further includes a first side portion and a second side portion joined to the first end and the second end of the front portion, respectively. Together, the first side portion, the second side portion, and the front portion are shaped and configured to grip the head of the user. The first side portion is rotatably coupled to the first end of the front portion and the second side portion is rotatably coupled to the second end of the front portion so that the first side portion and the second side portion fold inward to reduce the size of the headset when not in use.
The document positions the sensing bar electrodes at about AF3 and AF4 to support anterior cingulate activity measurement, while side-mounted elements support the functional EEG montage. The problem being solved is to provide a child- and gaming-suitable functional EEG headset that can monitor attention level and relate forehead EEG signals to anterior cingulate activity relevant to ADHD attention monitoring.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provided is clm-00001, with additional dependent refinements (not fully provided as independent claim text). Across the independent claim and the explicitly provided refinement descriptions, the main inventive features cover the AF3/AF4 forehead sensing bar with a brow locator bar for positioning and the fold-in side portions that reduce headset size when not in use, with optional electrode and mounting refinements recited in dependent claim descriptions.
Forehead sensing bar with AF3 and AF4 sensors aided by brow locator bar
The headset includes a front portion with a sensing bar shaped to contact the forehead and having a first electrical sensor at about position AF3 and a second electrical sensor at about position AF4, and a locator bar shaped to rest upon the brow to aid positioning the first and second electrical sensors at about AF3 and about AF4.
Foldable side portions to reduce headset size when not in use
The headset includes first and second side portions configured to grip the head, where the first side portion is rotatably coupled to the first end of the front portion and the second side portion is rotatably coupled to the second end of the front portion to permit the side portions to fold inward and reduce the size of the headset when not in use.
Dry electrodes in one or more sensors
At least one of the first, second, or third electrical sensors comprises dry electrodes.
Silver electrode in one or more sensors
At least one of the first, second, or third electrical sensors comprises a silver electrode.
Sensing bar sockets or mounting element for directly mounting sensors
The sensing bar has sockets for directly mounting first and second electrical sensors, or for receiving a mounting element that mounts the first and second electrical sensors.
Center-to-center spacing between first and second sensors
The first and second electrical sensors are positioned 76cm apart measured center-to-center.
Mastoid-area third sensor at about M2 or M1
A side protrusion includes a third electrical sensor with one or more electrodes positioned to contact the users skin over the mastoid process at about positions M2 or M1.
The claim set centers on a forehead-mounted sensing bar with a brow locator bar that positions electrodes at about AF3 and AF4, combined with rotatably coupled side portions that fold inward to reduce headset size when not in use. The provided dependent refinement descriptions further constrain electrode types and materials, sensor mounting structures, and additional electrode placement and spacing requirements.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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