Method and system for electrode verification
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12599314-B2
Publication Date
2026-04-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electrode management solution for neuromonitoring applications such as electroencephalography (EEG) procedures provides for the verification of the locations and connections of electrodes. The brain is modeled as a volume conductor and an expected attenuated signal generated by an electrical signal present in the form of an electrical dipole at any other point in the brain is calculated. A known signal is connected between electrodes at ‘presumed’ locations. This action generates a defined electrical field which can be measured between any of the other electrode locations. The amplitude and phase of the measured signals are a function of the input signal, the volume conductor, and the geometric relations of the two electrodes. By comparing the expected values with the measured values, the relation between the electrodes is verified.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a neuromonitoring electrode management system and method that determines an incorrect location of one or more electrodes in a neuromonitoring system. The method models the brain as a volume conductor and uses specified electrode geometry to generate expected responses. A signal is injected with first polarity and second polarity into a first electrode and a second electrode, thereby generating an electric field around the first electrode, the second electrode, and a plurality of additional electrodes.
Responses to the electric field are measured at each electrode of the plurality of additional electrodes. The method determines expected responses to the injected signal at each electrode of the plurality of additional electrodes and compares the measured responses to the expected responses. An electrode of the plurality of additional electrodes is determined to be incorrectly located if the measured response for that determined electrode differs from the expected response for that electrode.
The system and method display an indicator representative of the determined electrode on a display, including graphical and tabular presentation that highlights misaligned or misplaced electrodes. The system and method further include optional determination of misconnected electrodes via impedance and continuity algorithms, redundant driving and recording electrode combinations with confidence or statistical evaluation, inverse localization to estimate corrected electrode location when location mismatches occur, and re-verification with additional displays of the results.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is directed to identifying an incorrectly located electrode in a neuromonitoring system by signal injection, electric-field response measurement on additional electrodes, comparison to expected responses, and display of an indicator for the electrode determined to be incorrectly located. The independent claim focuses on polarity-driven injection, measured-versus-expected comparison for additional electrodes, and display of a location-error indicator.
Polarity-defined signal injection between first and second electrodes
Injecting a signal comprising a first polarity and a second polarity that are respectively input to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the injecting generates an electric field around the first electrode, the second electrode, and the plurality of additional electrodes.
Measured responses at plurality of additional electrodes
Measuring responses to the electric field at each electrode of the plurality of additional electrodes.
Expected responses determination and comparison
Determining expected responses to the signal at each electrode of the plurality of additional electrodes; comparing the measured responses to the expected responses.
Flagging an incorrectly located electrode based on response mismatch
Determining an electrode of the plurality of additional electrodes is incorrectly located if the comparing determines that the measured response for the determined electrode is different from the expected response for the determined electrode.
Displaying an indicator on a display
Displaying an indicator representative of the determined electrode on a display.
Across the independent claim, the inventive concept is to inject a polarity-defined signal between first and second electrodes, measure electric-field responses on additional electrodes, compute expected responses, compare measured and expected responses, flag any additional electrode whose response differs, and display an indicator for the incorrectly located electrode.
Stated Advantages
Allows determination of an incorrectly located electrode and provides an indicator representative of the determined electrode on a display.
Documented Applications
Neuromonitoring electrode management for determining incorrect location of electrodes in a neuromonitoring system.
Interested in licensing this patent?