Methods and apparatus for electrode placement and tracking
Inventors
Parvizi, Josef • Chao, Xingjuan • Bachelder, Bradley G. • Woo, Raymond • Herron, Mathew A. • Saadat, Vahid • Grant, Alexander M. • Yi, Jianchun
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12150769-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electrode carrier system includes one or more electrode assemblies having an electrode body. One or more tubular members extend from the electrode body and define a lumen terminating in a distal opening. The electrode assemblies carry a reservoir containing a conductive fluid or gel. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the lumens in the tubular members, and the electrode assemblies are typically supported on a backing which may optionally be configured as a headband. Systems are for tracking patient movement may be used in combination with the electrode carrier system.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electrode assembly and electrode carrier system for measuring electrical signals from a subject. The electrode assembly comprises a reservoir and at least one prong having a channel or slot extending along a bottom portion of the prong, and the electrode assembly is positioned adjacent skin of the subject so that conductive fluid or gel can be delivered directly to the skin surface for electrical contact.
The invention addresses reliable measurement of electrical signals by dispensing conductive fluid or gel from the reservoir through a vertical passageway and a horizontal passageway of the electrode assembly. The fluid is further dispensed through a lumen of the at least one prong and the channel or slot of the at least one prong to the skin surface, and the skin surface is prepared with the electrode assembly prior to dispensing, including abrading using a skin preparing surface.
The invention further integrates motion tracking with EEG measurements to address motion artifacts during recording. Motion detection apparatus including optical fiducial markers and/or accelerometers can be used to monitor patient movement while measuring electrical signals, and a controller and/or output device receives electrical and motion data and uses the motion information to support motion-artifact rejection in EEG recording.
Claims Coverage
The provided content describes one independent method claim and dependent claims covering five inventive features: fluid or gel delivery through the electrode assembly, skin preparation, plunger-driven dispensing from a sealed reservoir, EEG signal measurement, and motion tracking for motion-artifact rejection.
Reservoir prong with vertical and horizontal passageways feeding a lumen and channel/slot
Positioning an electrode assembly adjacent skin of the subject, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a reservoir and at least one prong having a channel or slot extending along a bottom portion of the at least one prong; dispensing a conductive fluid or gel from the reservoir through a vertical passageway and a horizontal passageway of the electrode assembly, a lumen of the at least one prong, and the channel or slot to the skin surface.
Skin surface preparation using an electrode assembly skin preparing surface
Preparing a surface of the skin of the subject with the electrode assembly, including abrading the surface of the skin with a skin preparing surface of the electrode assembly.
Plunger-driven dispensing from a sealed reservoir
Dispensing the conductive fluid or gel from the reservoir, wherein the reservoir comprises a sealed dispensing container constrained within a chamber in the electrode body and dispensing comprises depressing a plunger coupled to the reservoir.
EEG signal measurement from the skin
Measuring one or more electrical signals of the subject from the skin of the subject with the electrical assembly, wherein measuring comprises measuring an EEG signal of the subject.
Motion tracking for motion-artifact rejection during EEG recording
Integrating patient movement tracking using motion detection apparatus, including optical fiducial markers and/or accelerometers, to enable motion-artifact rejection during EEG recording while measuring electrical signals.
The claim coverage centers on delivering conductive fluid or gel from a reservoir through specified passageways into prong lumens and a channel or slot at the skin interface, preparing the skin surface by abrading with the electrode assembly, dispensing from a sealed reservoir using a plunger-based mechanism, measuring electrical signals including EEG, and integrating motion tracking to support motion-artifact rejection.
Stated Advantages
Enables reliable measurement of electrical signals by dispensing conductive fluid or gel to the skin surface with prepared skin contact.
Supports motion-artifact rejection during EEG recording using patient movement tracking with optical fiducial markers and/or accelerometers.
Documented Applications
Measuring electrical signals from a subject using an electrode assembly adjacent skin, including measuring EEG signals from the skin of the subject.
EEG recording with motion-artifact rejection enabled by motion detection apparatus using optical fiducial markers and/or accelerometers.
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