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, Jianchum
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9820670-B2
Publication Date
2017-11-21
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 provides an electrode assembly for EEG with an electrode body and one or more tubular members extending from the electrode body to a distal tip. At least some tubular members have a lumen with a distal opening in the distal tip, and dispensing means on the electrode body dispense a conductive fluid or gel from a reservoir through the lumen(s) and out of the distal opening(s) of the tubular member(s).
Each tubular member includes a distribution channel extending across a tissue-contacting surface thereof for receiving the conductive fluid or gel from the lumen. The conductive fluid or gel flows through the distribution channel over patient tissue to form an electrically conductive path, and the fluid or gel enters each distribution channel directly from the lumen.
The disclosed system also describes rapid, consistent scalp contact using tubular-member dispensing and tissue-scrubbing/skin-prep features to reduce contact impedance and engage hair. Optional contact feedback uses impedance measurement and/or an LED indicator and/or haptic feedback, and patient motion tracking uses fiducial markers with optical tracking and/or accelerometers to reject motion artifacts.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim directed to an electrode assembly. The claim includes four main inventive features related to tubular members, dispensing through lumens, direct feeding of distribution channels, and formation of an electrically conductive path on tissue.
Tubular members with distal lumens and openings
One or more tubular members extend from the electrode body to a distal tip, with at least some tubular members having a lumen with a distal opening in the distal tip.
Dispensing means from a reservoir through the lumens
Means on the electrode body dispense a conductive fluid or gel from a reservoir through the lumen(s) and out of the distal opening(s) of the tubular member(s).
Distribution channels on tissue-contacting surfaces receiving fluid directly from the lumen
The one or more tubular members each have a distribution channel extending across a tissue-contacting surface thereof for receiving the conductive fluid or gel from the lumen so the conductive fluid or gel may flow through the channel over the patient tissue, wherein the fluid or gel enters each distribution channel directly from the lumen.
Electrically conductive path formed on patient tissue
The conductive fluid or gel flows through the distribution channel over the patient tissue to form an electrically conductive path.
Across the identified independent claim, the core inventive structure is a tubular-member electrode assembly that dispenses conductive fluid or gel from a reservoir through lumens and directly into distribution channels on tissue-contacting surfaces to form an electrically conductive path.
Stated Advantages
Rapid, consistent scalp contact.
Reduced contact impedance.
Engage hair.
Optional contact feedback using impedance measurement and/or an LED indicator and/or haptic feedback.
Patient motion tracking to reject motion artifacts.
Documented Applications
EEG.
Patient motion tracking with fiducial markers with optical tracking and/or accelerometers.
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