Coil positioning system for noninvasive brain sensor

Inventors

Shahrestani, Shane S. • Ballatori, Alexander M. • Nguyen, Brian L. • LUKE, Robert • Vernon, John M. • Hussey, Lance G. • Chow, Cary R. • Sawhney, Ravi K.

Assignees

Neuranova Inc

Abstract

A helmet-like medical diagnostic apparatus that is fixed or worn has motorized gimbals that automatically swivel to positions around a patient's head. An end effector extends radially from the gimbals toward the head to place a coil or other directional sensor snugly against the scalp. A coil sensor can be part of a sensitive circuit to measure eddy currents within the brain. Accelerometers, or other tilt-measuring gauges, are compared between those on the sensor and those on the apparatus's base to determine the precise 3D orientation of the sensor when resting against the head. The orientation can compensate coil measurements, find an exact spot again, or map opposing sides of the patient's cranium, even with a fidgeting unconscious patient. The head can be scanned in its entirety, or a spot scan may be prompted from other diagnostic data.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a noninvasive, helmet-like robotically controlled apparatus for brain diagnostics that holds a subject’s head on a headrest plinth having a notional spherical center point. A first tilt gauge is rigidly attached to the plinth, and a gimbal armature pivotably attached to the plinth pivots a mounting point on the gimbal armature to latitudes and longitudes around the center point. A radial extender is mounted to the mounting point and configured to extend an end effector inward with respect to the center point to position a coil sensor for measurement.

A second tilt gauge is affixed to the coil sensor, and tilt angles from the first and second tilt gauges are compared to determine a relative orientation of the coil sensor in three dimensions. The coil sensor is electrically connected with an RLC circuit and a frequency counter electrically connected with the RLC circuit to obtain a measured value. The measured value is used to calculate a three-dimensional anatomical location of the measurement based on the determined orientation, enabling anatomical location of measurements across cranial regions.

The apparatus and associated method can use computed tomography data or magnetic resonance imaging data to determine an anatomical coordinate and to select specified latitude and specified longitude based on that anatomical coordinate. The document also describes comparing anatomically located measurements for the left and right hemispheres and comparing measurements made at earlier and later times, with outputs rendered as head topography or 3D conductivity maps using screen renderings.

Claims Coverage

The provided independent claims cover an inductive sensor apparatus and an anatomical locating method for brain diagnostics, centered on a headrest plinth and gimbal/radial extender positioning system, orientation determination via first and second tilt gauges, and measurement via an RLC circuit and frequency counter. The claim coverage includes calculating a 3D anatomical location and, in additional method aspects, comparing measurements across hemispheres or earlier versus later times.

Overall, the claim set ties mechanical positioning of a coil sensor over a head using a headrest plinth with gimbal armature and radial extender movement to electrical measurement via an RLC circuit and frequency counter. Orientation is determined by comparing tilt angles from first and second tilt gauges, and the coil-sensor measured value is used to calculate a 3D anatomical location; additional aspects include CT/MRI-based anatomical coordinate selection and comparison outputs across hemispheres and earlier versus later times.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications