Flexible electroencephalography headset

Inventors

Kele, Peter • Kokavecz, Janos • Braun, Gabor • Gunasekar, Aswin

Assignees

Zeto Inc

Abstract

One variation of a system for locating electrodes on a head of a user includes a headset defining a set of electrode bodies elastically interconnected by a unique set of spring elements configured to locate the set of electrode bodies at electrode positions of the international 10-20 standard, irrespective of the size of the head of the user. The spring elements are configured to carry electrical signals between interconnected electrode bodies and ultimately to a controller. An electrode tip is mechanically and electrically coupled to each electrode body. The electrode tip comprises a thin conductive probe mounted at the distal end of an elastic beam and is configured to extend from a base of the electrode tip, bypass hair, and electrically couple to the head of the user, and an insulative boss, configured to rest on and transfer the weight of the headset to the head of the user.

Core Innovation

The invention describes a system for locating electrodes on a head of a user using a set of electrode bodies, a set of spring elements, and a set of electrode tips. Each electrode body includes a housing defining an electrode interface configured to receive and electrically couple to an electrode tip, and an electrical circuit arranged within the housing and electrically coupled to the electrode interface. The electrode bodies cooperate with the electrode tips to establish electrical coupling between the head of the user and electrical circuits within the electrode bodies.

The system further uses spring elements having a serpentine geometry extending between a pair of electrode bodies. The spring elements are configured to elastically deform between the pair of electrode bodies and to communicate electrical signals between electrical circuits in the pair of electrode bodies. This serpentine spring configuration provides electrode-spacing compliance while maintaining electrical signal communication between electrode bodies.

Each electrode tip includes an electrode base comprising a conductive material, configured to transiently install on the housing of a corresponding electrode body and to electrically couple to the electrode interface of the corresponding electrode body. The electrode tip also includes an elastic beam comprising the conductive material and extending from the electrode base, and a conductive probe arranged at a distal end of the elastic beam opposite the electrode base. The conductive probe defines a first contact area configured to contact and electrically couple to the head of the user, while a boss comprising an electrical insulator extends from the electrode base opposite the electrode interface and defines a second contact area greater than the first to contact the head and carry a portion of a weight of the set of electrode bodies and the set of spring elements into the head.

The described system is implemented as a flexible EEG headset that places electrodes according to an international 10-20 standard across different head sizes using elastically interconnected spring elements with serpentine conductive paths. Additional described features include optional electromagnetic shielding and sanitary or disposable electrode tips, electrode tip retraction behavior under load including recesses, and electrode mounting via mechanical or magnetic coupling. A controller and external connection placement are described for prolonged use, including sleep studies, and a mastoid reference placement is described for referencing relative to an ear.

Claims Coverage

The document provides one independent claim supported by multiple dependent claims, adding refinements to electrode-tip structure and behavior, materials, optional electromagnetic shielding, electrode mounting behaviors, and specific electrode placement including a mastoid reference.

Across the independent claim, the core claim coverage centers on electrode bodies with an electrode interface and local electrical circuit, serpentine-geometry spring elements that both elastically deform and communicate electrical signals between electrode circuits, and electrode tips with a conductive elastic beam and probe plus an insulative boss having a larger contact area that contacts the head and carries a portion of the system weight into the head.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications