Nasal plug-in electrode device for nerve sensing and imaging

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrode device capable of inserting an electrode into a desired position in a nasal cavity. The nasal insertion type electrode device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an electrode part having an electrode arranged therein, the electrode part comprising a first end in which a micropore is formed and a second end in which an open part through which a fluid enters and exits is formed; and a guide portion, the guide portion including an expandable third end and a fourth end forming an open portion for fluid access, the first end and the third end being disposed adjacent to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a nasal cavity insertion type electrode device, and more particularly to an electrode device capable of inserting an electrode into an expected position in a nasal cavity. Background Art

[0002] Existing methods for detecting brain activity include electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) techniques that measure the electrical activity of cranial nerves, electrical impedance tomography (EIT) that measures changes in other brain structures, and electrical contact methods for electrically stimulating the brain.

[0003] Electrical impedance tomography is a technology that applies current through electrodes attached to the surface of the human body and then measures the voltage through other electrodes attached to the surface, thereby imaging the impedance, conductivity or dielectric constant of a living body.

[0004] In the above method, if Figure 7 As shown, sensors or electrodes are placed on the scalp above the skull to measure brain activity or state. Typically, metal or ceramic electrodes are attached to the scalp using a conductive adhesive, or are fixed to an elastic bandana around the head, and then make electrical contact with the scalp through a conductive gel. However, existing electrode arrangements have limitations such as signal errors or difficulty in accurately achieving brain imaging due to the low electrical conductivity of the skull.

[0005] Recently, electrical impedance tomography has been developed to measure the internal radiation dose in real time during radiotherapy and to monitor the degree and location of the response of brain tissue and signals by radiation exposure. Currently, brain research is trending towards higher-order cognitive functions such as memory and emotion, and to explore these issues, it is necessary to measure signals from deep brain structures such as the thalamus and hippocampus. Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical issues to be solved

[0007] To this end, the nasal cavity insertion electrode device of the present invention is intended to provide a nasal cavity insertion electrode device that measures electroencephalogram signals or electrical impedance signals in parallel with electrodes located on the skull.

[0008] In addition, the nasal cavity insertion electrode device of the present invention is intended to provide a nasal cavity insertion electrode device that can arrange electrodes at desired positions without damaging tissues and nerve cells in the nasal cavity.

[0009] Technical methods to solve problems

[0010] A nasal insertion electrode device according to an embodiment of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned technical problems comprises an electrode portion, wherein the electrode portion comprises a first end formed with at least one micropore and a second end formed with an open portion for fluid inlet and outlet, and an electrode is arranged inside the electrode portion; and a guide portion, wherein the guide portion comprises an expandable third end and a fourth end formed with an open portion for fluid inlet and outlet, and the first end and the third end are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0011] In addition, in the nasal cavity insertion electrode device of the present invention, the electrode portion is formed as a curved tube having a predetermined diameter so that the first end is U-shaped, and the electrode is inserted through the second end and arranged adjacent to the microhole.

[0012] In addition, in the nasal insertion electrode device of the present invention, the second end includes a first opening portion and a second opening portion as two side opening portions of the tube body, the fluid flows in from the first opening portion and flows out from the second opening portion, and at least a portion of the fluid is discharged through the micropores based on the pressure difference between the first opening portion and the second opening portion.

[0013] In addition, in the nasal insertion electrode device of the present invention, the electrode portion includes at least one electrode, and the electrode is inserted through a first electrode entrance and exit portion branched from the first opening portion or a second electrode entrance and exit portion branched from the second opening portion.

[0014] In addition, in the nasal insertion electrode device of the present invention, the guide portion is formed as a curved tube body with a predetermined diameter so that the third end is U-shaped, and at least a portion of the third end is formed as an expansion piece.

[0015] In addition, in the nasal insertion electrode device of the present invention, the fourth end includes a third opening portion and a fourth opening portion as two side opening portions of the tube body, the third opening portion is sealed by a seal, and the fluid flows into the fourth opening portion to expand the expansion member.

[0016] In addition, the nasal cavity insertion electrode device of the present invention further includes a main body portion, which fixes the relative position of the electrode portion and the guide portion.

[0017] Furthermore, in the nasal cavity insertion electrode device of the present invention, the electrode portion and the guide portion are arranged so that the third end surrounds the first end when the third end expands.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] The nasal cavity insertion electrode device of the present invention can arrange electrodes near the cribriform plate of ethmoide bone and other skulls in the nasal cavity, use these electrodes to measure electroencephalogram signals or electrical impedance signals, and allow an appropriate amount of current to flow into the brain tissue through the cribriform plate.

[0020] In addition, the use of the nasal insertion electrode device of the present invention can more accurately measure the signals of deep brain structures simultaneously with the electrodes on the scalp, thereby improving the accuracy of brain imaging.

[0021] In addition, the nasal insertion electrode device according to the present invention can be safely arranged at a desired position without damaging the tissue in the nasal cavity and maintaining the performance of the electrode itself. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of a nasal cavity insertion electrode device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a nasal cavity insertion electrode device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the expanded state of the guide portion of the nasal insertion electrode device.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Detailed structural diagram of the electrode portion of the nasal insertion electrode device.

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Detailed structural diagram of the guide portion of the nasal insertion electrode device.

[0027] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary usage state of a nasal cavity insertion electrode device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7 1 is a diagram for explaining a conventional electrode device located on the scalp. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Below, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to clarify the advantages and features of the present invention and the implementation methods thereof. The present invention can have multiple implementations and is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. The embodiments of the present invention are only used to ensure the complete disclosure of the present invention and fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims.

[0030] The terms "first" or "second" may be used to describe different components, but each component is not limited to the above terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components. For example, within the technical concept of the present invention, the first component may also be named as the second component.

[0031] In the following embodiments, terms such as “including” or “having” are used to express the existence of features or constituent elements recorded in the specification, and do not exclude the possibility of the existence or additional addition of one or more other features or constituent elements.

[0032] For the convenience of explanation, the size of the components in the drawings is appropriately enlarged or reduced. For example, for the convenience of explanation, the size and shape of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown, and therefore the present invention is not limited to the illustrated content.

[0033] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements.

[0034] The different features of the various embodiments of the present invention may be combined or coupled in part or in whole, and as those skilled in the art will fully appreciate, different technologies may be interconnected or driven, and may be independent of or associated with each other when implementing the various embodiments.

[0035] Hereinafter, the nasal cavity insertion electrode device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of a nasal cavity insertion electrode device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] See also Figure 1 The nasal insertion electrode device 2 of the present invention can measure electroencephalogram signals or electrical impedance signals in parallel with the scalp electrodes 1 located on the skull.

[0038] Preferably, the nasal insertion electrode device 2 of the present invention can be located on the mucosal surface of the nasal cavity. For example, the nasal insertion electrode device 2 of the present invention can be arranged adjacent to the cribriform plate of the ethmoide bone. The skull between the nasal cavity and the brain has a cribriform plate with a hole structure that connects the olfactory nerve. When the electrode is arranged in this area, it has the advantage of being able to measure the signal with high conductivity.

[0039] The nasal insertion electrode device 2 of the present invention can be inserted from both sides of the nose, and Figure 1 The pairs shown are located in the nasal cavity.

[0040] However, Figure 1 The positions and numbers shown are only examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0041] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a nasal insertion electrode device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 2 (a) shows the front state of the electrode device 10, Figure 2 (b) shows a side view of the electrode device 10 .

[0043] Reference Figure 2 A nasal insertion electrode device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode portion 100 in which an electrode 130 is arranged, a guide portion 200 arranged adjacent to the electrode portion 100 , and a main body portion 300 for fixing the relative positions of the electrode portion 100 and the guide portion 200 .

[0044] The electrode part 100 includes a first end 110 formed with micropores and a second end 120 formed with an open portion for fluid inlet and outlet, and an electrode 130 is arranged inside the electrode part 100. The guide part 200 includes an expandable third end 210 and a fourth end 220 formed with an open portion for fluid inlet and outlet. At this time, the first end 110 of the electrode part 100 and the third end 210 of the guide part 200 are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0045] Reference below Figures 3 to 5 The structures of the nasal insertion electrode device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention are described in detail.

[0046] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an expanded state of the guide portion 200 of the nasal cavity insertion electrode device 10, Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A detailed structural diagram of the electrode portion 100 of the nasal cavity insertion electrode device 10, Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Detailed structural diagram of the guide portion 200 of the nasal insertion electrode device 10.

[0047] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 The electrode part 100 is formed as a tube having a predetermined diameter and bent so that the first end 110 is U-shaped. The electrode 130 disposed inside the electrode part 100 is inserted through the second end 120 and arranged adjacent to the micro hole 111 on the first end 110 side.

[0048] At least a portion of the tube body of the electrode part 100 is penetrated by a micropore 111. At least one micropore 111 is formed, and preferably two or more micropores 111 are formed.

[0049] The second end 120 of the electrode part 100 includes a first opening 121 and a second opening 122 as openings on both sides of the tube body. In addition, the second end 120 may include a first electrode inlet and outlet 123 branching from the first opening 121 and a second electrode inlet and outlet 124 branching from the second opening 122.

[0050] The fluid F1 flows inside the electrode unit 100, and the electrode 130 can be electrically connected to electrodes installed at other locations through the fluid F1 flowing in the electrode unit 100. Figure 6 Detailed description.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the fluid F1 can flow into the first opening portion 121 and out of the second opening portion 122. At this time, at least a portion of the fluid F1 can be discharged through the micropores 111 formed in the first end 110 based on the pressure difference between the first opening portion 121 and the second opening portion 122.

[0052] At this time, the fluid F1 can be a liquid such as phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In addition, the fluid F1 can also be a gas. The fluid F1 can also be in other forms, which are not specifically limited in the present invention.

[0053] As shown in the figure, the electrode part 100 may include two electrodes 130. Each electrode 130 may be inserted through a first electrode inlet and outlet 123 branched from a first open part 121 and a second electrode inlet and outlet 124 branched from a second open part 122. As an example, the electrode 130 may be a thin metal wire (tungsten, stainless steel, gold, iridium, platinum) coated with an insulator, etc., and the electrode 130 may be a microelectrode that has been subjected to surface treatment and coating processes to optimize its performance so that it can radiate high-density charges and is human-friendly, such as an Ag / AgCl electrode and an iridium oxide electrode.

[0054] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 The guide portion 200 is formed as a curved tube having a predetermined diameter, so that the third end 210 is U-shaped. At least a portion of the third end 210 is formed as an expansion member 211 .

[0055] The fourth end 220 of the guide portion 200 includes a third open portion 221 and a fourth open portion 222 as open portions at both sides of the tube body.

[0056] The third opening 221 can be sealed by a seal 223, and the fluid F2 can flow from the fourth opening 222 to expand the expansion member 211 of the third end 210. Here, the expansion member 211 can be made of elastic material such as rubber, and can be expanded into a balloon shape by the fluid F2 in the guide part 200.

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown, when the expansion piece 211 of the third end 210 of the guide part 200 expands, the third end 210 surrounds the first end 110 of the electrode part 100. Since the expanded third end 210 surrounds the first end 110, the nasal insertion electrode device 10 of the present invention can be safely arranged in the nasal cavity without damaging the nasal cavity tissue. Specifically, the first end 110 provided with the electrode 130 can be safely located at the expected position without being damaged by the nasal cavity tissue.

[0058] At the same time, the main body 300 fixes the relative position of the electrode part 100 and the guide part 200. Specifically, the main body 300 can fix the relative position of the electrode part 100 and the guide part 200 so that the first end 110 of the electrode part 100 and the third end 210 of the guide part 200 are arranged adjacent to each other. More specifically, the main body 300 can fix the relative position of the electrode part 100 and the guide part 200 so that when the expansion piece 211 of the third end 210 expands, the third end 210 can surround the first end 110.

[0059] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary usage state of a nasal cavity insertion electrode device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Reference below Figure 6 The operation process of the electrode part 100 and the guide part 200 during the insertion of the nasal cavity insertion electrode device 10 of the present invention into the nasal cavity is briefly described.

[0061] Figure 6 (a) shows a state in which the nasal insertion electrode device 10 of the present invention is inserted into the nasal cavity in a state in which the expansion member 211 of the guide part 200 is expanded. The expansion member 211 expands into a balloon shape based on the fluid F2 flowing in the guide part 200. The expansion member 211 surrounds the first end 110 of the electrode part 100, and the first end 110 provided with the electrode 130 can be securely fixed to a preset position without damaging or being damaged by the tissue in the nasal cavity.

[0062] At this time, the preset position may be the cribriform plate as a part of the skull between the nasal cavity and the brain as shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0063] When the nasal insertion electrode device 10 of the present invention is inserted into a preset position, the expansion member 211 of the guide portion 200 may contact the nasal mucosa. For example, the entry of the nasal insertion electrode device 10 may be terminated using this signal.

[0064] Figure 6 (b) shows the state in which the expansion member 211 of the guide part 200 is restored after the nasal insertion electrode device 10 of the present invention is fixed to the expected position. In other words, the expansion member 211 is shown to be contracted to the initial state as the pressure of the fluid flowing into the guide part 200 decreases. In this case, the first end 110 of the electrode part 100 provided with the electrode 130 can be exposed again.

[0065] Figure 6 (c) shows a state after the fluid F1 is discharged from the electrode unit 100. As described above, the fluid F1 flows inside the electrode unit 100, and at least a portion of the fluid F1 can be discharged through the micropores 111 due to the pressure difference between the openings on both sides of the electrode unit 100.

[0066] like Figure 6 As shown in (d), the fluid F1 guides smooth electrical contact between the electrode 130 located inside the electrode part 100 and the nasal tissue (e.g., the cribriform plate), and the electrode 130 inside the electrode part 100 can be electrically connected to electrodes installed at other locations through the fluid F1.

[0067] Through the above process, the nasal insertion electrode device 10 of the present invention can arrange electrodes for measuring electroencephalogram signals or electrical impedance signals in the nasal cavity, and can accurately measure signals of deep structures or improve the accuracy of brain imaging in parallel with other electrodes arranged on the scalp.

[0068] The embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical concept and essential features of the present invention. Therefore, all aspects of the above embodiments should be understood as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A nasal insertion electrode device, characterized in that: include: an electrode portion, the electrode portion including a first end formed with micropores and a second end formed with an open portion for fluid inlet and outlet, and an electrode arranged inside the electrode portion; and a guide portion, the guide portion comprising an expandable third end and a fourth end having an opening portion for fluid inlet and outlet, The first end and the third end are disposed adjacent to each other.

2. The nasal insertion electrode device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode portion is formed as a curved tube having a predetermined diameter so that the first end is U-shaped. The electrode is inserted through the second end and disposed adjacent to the microwell.

3. The nasal insertion electrode device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second end includes a first open portion and a second open portion as two side open portions of the tube body. The fluid flows in from the first opening portion and flows out from the second opening portion, and at least a portion of the fluid is discharged through the micropores based on a pressure difference between the first opening portion and the second opening portion.

4. The nasal insertion electrode device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The electrode portion includes at least one electrode, The electrode is inserted through the first electrode entrance and exit portion branched from the first opening portion or the second electrode entrance and exit portion branched from the second opening portion.

5. The nasal insertion electrode device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide portion is formed as a curved tube having a predetermined diameter so that the third end is U-shaped. The third end is formed as an expansion piece.

6. The nasal insertion electrode device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fourth end includes a third open portion and a fourth open portion as two side open portions of the tube body, The third opening portion is sealed by a sealing member, The fluid flows in from the fourth opening portion to expand the expansion member.

7. The nasal insertion electrode device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a main body portion, which fixes the positions of the electrode portion and the guide portion.

8. The nasal insertion electrode device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode portion and the guide portion are arranged so that the third end surrounds the first end when the third end expands.

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