Adjustable electrode cap for brain function detection of Alzheimer's disease patient and use method of adjustable electrode cap

Abstract

The invention provides an adjustable electrode cap suitable for brain function detection of a patient with Alzheimer's disease. The electrode cap is mainly composed of a left half helmet, a right half helmet and a built-in electrode array assembly, and the layout of the electrode array corresponds to the frontal lobe, the apical lobe, the temporal lobe, the occipital lobe and other brain areas closely related to the Alzheimer's disease. A double-threaded-rod structure is adopted, the position and angle of the electrode probe can be flexibly adjusted, and the accuracy of electroencephalogram signal collection is improved. The half helmet is provided with a self-locking and quick-releasing mechanism, so that a patient can conveniently wear and take down the half helmet. The electrode array is integrated with a telescopic elastic device, so that the pressure on the head of a patient can be effectively buffered, and the wearing comfort is improved. The adjustable electrode cap is optimized and innovated in the aspects of structure, function, layout and the like, the electroencephalogram signal acquisition quality can be remarkably improved through the technical scheme, reliable support is provided for auxiliary diagnosis of the Alzheimer's disease, and the adjustable electrode cap has the advantages that the doctor-patient burden is relieved, the diagnosis and treatment efficiency is improved, and the adjustable electrode cap has good application prospects and popularization value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly to an adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain functions of Alzheimer's patients and a using method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with insidious onset. Clinically, it is characterized by comprehensive dementia manifestations such as memory impairment, aphasia, apraxia, visuospatial skill impairment, executive function disorder, and personality and behavior changes. According to the World Health Organization's estimate, there are more than 55 million dementia patients globally, most of whom are AD patients, and it is expected to increase to 152 million by 2050. AD has brought a heavy burden to patients, families, and society, and has become a major challenge in global public health.

[0003] Early diagnosis of AD is crucial for treatment intervention. Electroencephalogram technology can non-invasively and real-timely reflect the electrical activities of cerebral cortical neurons, and is an important means for studying cognitive functions and their impairments. Existing studies have shown that the brain electrical rhythms of AD patients are generally abnormal, mainly including relatively increased θ and δ rhythms, and relatively decreased α and β rhythms. Therefore, using portable electroencephalogram devices to collect and analyze the brain electrical activities of AD patients is of great significance for early screening and tracking of the disease.

[0004] However, there are still deficiencies in the application of existing electroencephalogram collection devices for AD patients: The number and distribution of electrodes are fixed, making it difficult to perform targeted detection on brain regions highly related to AD.

[0005] The electrode cap lacks a flexible adjustment mechanism and cannot well adapt to the head circumference differences of AD patients, affecting the wearing comfort.

[0006] Most existing electrode caps are of an integral design, which is inconvenient to wear, especially difficult to cooperate with late-stage AD patients.

[0007] There is a lack of a buffer device, making it difficult to effectively relieve the pressure on the patient's head and possibly aggravating the patient's tension and anxiety.

[0008] In summary, to better serve AD auxiliary diagnosis and rehabilitation monitoring, there is an urgent need to develop a new type of adjustable electroencephalogram collection device with strong adaptability, comfortable wearing, and convenient operation to improve data quality and patient compliance. This will help to discover early brain electrical signs of AD, promote precise diagnosis and treatment of AD, and improve the prognosis of patients. The present invention is precisely an adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain functions of Alzheimer's patients proposed under this background, aiming to overcome the above deficiencies of the existing technology and better meet clinical needs. Summary of the Invention

[0009] For the above purposes, the present invention provides an adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain functions of Alzheimer's patients.

[0010] It includes a left half-helmet and a right half-helmet. Rack bars are horizontally provided at both the front and rear ends of the right half-helmet. Gears are meshed with the tooth sides of the rack bars. Rotating rods are provided at the centers of the tops of the gears. Automatic locking components for restricting the movement of the rack bars are provided at the tops of the rotating rods. Four groups of electrode array components are respectively provided inside the left half-helmet and the right half-helmet. The electrode array components respectively correspond to the prefrontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe parts in the brain tissue. The electrode array component includes a second threaded rod that rotates through the left half-helmet and the right half-helmet. A universal joint is provided at the bottom end of the second threaded rod. A sleeve is provided at the bottom end of the universal joint. A telescopic rod is slidably inserted into the center of the bottom end of the sleeve. A mounting seat is provided at the bottom end of the telescopic rod. A guide rail is provided at the center of the bottom end of the mounting seat. A sliding seat is slidably sleeved on the guide rail. A plurality of electrode probes are provided at the bottom of the sliding seat. First threaded rods are provided at both ends of the top of the sliding seat. The top ends of the first threaded rods all penetrate through the mounting seat. Second locking caps are threadedly sleeved on the top ends of the first threaded rods. The automatic locking component includes a locking cam portion provided at the top of the rotating rod. A limiting block is provided at one end of the locking cam portion. A sliding rod is horizontally provided at the end of the limiting block. A mounting plate is slidably sleeved on the sliding rod. An unlocking component for controlling the movement of the limiting block is provided at the end of the sliding rod.

[0011] Further, the unlocking component includes an L-shaped connecting rod provided at the end of the sliding rod. The end of the L-shaped connecting rod is connected to the same pull rod. A gantry is slidably sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the pull rod. The gantry is fixed to the side wall of the left half-helmet.

[0012] Further, a baffle is coaxially provided at the end of the pull rod. Second top springs are sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the pull rod near the positions between the baffle and the inner wall of the gantry.

[0013] Further, first locking caps are threadedly sleeved on the top ends of the second threaded rods.

[0014] Further, two sliding grooves are symmetrically opened at both ends of the top of the mounting seat. The first threaded rods respectively slide through the sliding grooves.

[0015] Further, compression springs are sleeved on the telescopic rods near the positions between the mounting seats and the sleeves.

[0016] Further, first top springs are sleeved on the outer peripheral surfaces of the sliding rods near the positions between the limiting blocks and the mounting plates.

[0017] A usage method of an adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain functions of Alzheimer's patients includes the following steps: Step 1: Squeeze the left half-helmet and the right half-helmet towards the middle until the gap between them is suitable for the wearer's head circumference and the electrode array component reaches the preset position and closely adheres to the scalp; Step 2: According to the differences in the wearer's head shape, rotate the first threaded rod to drive the slide along the guide rail to adjust the front and rear positions of the electrode probe slightly to better fit the scalp; Step 3: Rotate the second threaded rod and use the universal joint to adjust the angle of the electrode probe to further improve the fitting degree; Step 4: After completing the adjustment of the position and angle of the electrode array assembly, tighten the first locking cap and the second locking cap to lock the electrode array; Step 5: During the closing process of the left and right half helmets, through the cooperation of the rack, gear and locking cam part, the half helmets are automatically locked, and at the same time, the telescopic rod and the compression spring are used to buffer the squeezing force on the head; Step 6: After use, pull the pull rod to release the locking mechanism. Under the action of the compression spring, the left and right half helmets are automatically separated, and the baffle and the second top spring are used to reset the locking mechanism for the next use.

[0018] Advantages of the present invention: Strong adaptability, can accurately adjust the position and angle of the electrode The electrode cap of the present invention adopts multiple groups of electrode array assemblies, and each group of electrode array assemblies has a flexible adjustment mechanism. By driving the slide to move on the guide rail with the first threaded rod, the front and rear positions of the electrode probe can be accurately adjusted; through the cooperation of the universal joint and the second threaded rod, 360-degree adjustment of the angle of the electrode array can be achieved. This design can adapt to patients with different head shapes and sizes, accurately position the electrodes in the brain regions where signals need to be collected, and improve the detection accuracy.

[0019] Comfortable to wear, reduce the head pressure of patients In the present invention, the electrode cap is connected by a hinged structure with separated left and right half helmets. When the half helmets are closed, the telescopic rod and the compression spring can effectively buffer the squeezing force on the patient's head. At the same time, due to the use of elastic element connection and floating support electrodes, the electrode cap as a whole has a certain flexibility, can better fit the contour of the patient's head, avoid local stress concentration, and thus improve the wearing comfort.

[0020] Convenient to operate, can be quickly loaded, unloaded and reset The electrode cap of the present invention is designed with a self-locking and quick release mechanism. During the closing process of the left and right half helmets, through the cooperation of the rack, gear and locking cam part, the half helmets can be automatically locked to avoid loosening; after use, only need to pull the pull rod to unlock in one step, and the half helmets will automatically open and separate under the action of the spring, which is convenient for quick removal. At the same time, the elastic element can assist the locking mechanism to automatically reset, which is convenient for quick assembly during the next wearing.

[0021] Good versatility, suitable for patients with different severities of Alzheimer's disease The electrode cap can be adjusted to fit different head circumferences, and the electrode arrangement covers brain regions such as the prefrontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe, which are closely related to Alzheimer's disease. Whether it is patients with early mild cognitive impairment or moderate to severe dementia, the electrode cap of the present invention can be used to effectively collect brain electrical signals and perform functional detection, so it has strong versatility and can be widely used in all stages of Alzheimer's disease assisted diagnosis and treatment.

[0022] Reasonable structure, low manufacturing and maintenance costs The electrode cap of the present invention adopts a modular and lightweight structural design, which is assembled by standard parts and 3D printed parts. The production process is relatively simple and the manufacturing cost is low. Most of the components of the electrode cap are detachably connected by threads, hinges, etc., which is convenient for disassembly, cleaning and maintenance. The parts are easy to replace, the service life is extended, and the economy of long-term use is good. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only those of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electrode cap of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 It is a top view structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 The enlarged schematic diagram of the partial structure at A; Figure 5 It is an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 The enlarged schematic diagram of the partial structure at B; Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the electrode array component structure of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the electrode array component structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The labels in the figure are: 1. Left half-helmet; 2. Right half-helmet; 3. Electrode array assembly; 4. Rack; 5. Gear; 6. Rotating rod; 7. Locking cam part; 8. Limit block; 9. Slide rod; 10. Mounting plate; 11. First top spring; 12. L-shaped connecting rod; 13. Pull rod; 14. Gantry; 15. Baffle; 16. Second top spring; 301. Mounting seat; 302. Chute; 303. First threaded rod; 304. Slide seat; 305. Electrode probe; 306. Guide rail; 307. Telescopic rod; 308. Compression spring; 309. Sleeve; 310. Universal joint; 311. Second threaded rod; 312. First locking cap; 313. Second locking cap. Detailed implementation mode

[0026] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. At the same time, it should be noted here that in order to make the embodiments more detailed, the following embodiments are the best and preferred embodiments. For some well-known technologies, those skilled in the art can also adopt other alternative methods for implementation; moreover, the accompanying drawings are only for more specifically describing the embodiments and are not intended to specifically limit the present invention.

[0027] It should be noted that in the specification, the mention of "one embodiment", "embodiment", "exemplary embodiment", "some embodiments", etc. indicates that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures or characteristics, but not necessarily every embodiment includes this specific feature, structure or characteristic. In addition, when combining embodiments to describe specific features, structures or characteristics, implementing such features, structures or characteristics in combination with other embodiments (whether explicitly described or not) should be within the knowledge of those skilled in the relevant art.

[0028] Generally, the terms can be understood at least in part from their use in the context. For example, at least in part depending on the context, the term "one or more" used herein can be used to describe any feature, structure or characteristic in a singular sense, or can be used to describe a combination of features, structures or characteristics in a plural sense. In addition, the term "based on" can be understood as not necessarily intended to convey a set of exclusive factors, but rather, at least in part depending on the context, allowing for the existence of other factors that may not be explicitly described.

[0029] Embodiment 1 The present invention provides an adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain functions of Alzheimer's patients, as shown in Figures 1 to 7 shown. The electrode cap mainly consists of a left half-helmet 1, a right half-helmet 2 and an internal electrode array assembly 3.

[0030] In this embodiment, racks 4 are horizontally arranged at both the front and rear ends of the right half-helmet 2, and gears 5 are meshed with the tooth sides of the racks 4. Rotating rods 6 are provided at the centers of the tops of the gears 5, and automatic locking assemblies for restricting the movement of the racks 4 are provided at the tops of the rotating rods 6.

[0031] Inside the left half-helmet 1 and the right half-helmet 2, four groups of electrode array components 3 are respectively provided, corresponding to the prefrontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe regions in the brain tissue. Each group of electrode array components 3 includes a second threaded rod 311 that rotates through the left and right half-helmets. At the bottom end of the second threaded rod 311, there is a universal joint 310, and at the bottom end of the universal joint 310, there is a sleeve 309. At the center of the bottom end of the sleeve 309, a telescopic rod 307 is slidably inserted. At the bottom end of the telescopic rod 307, there is a mounting seat 301.

[0032] At the center of the bottom end of the mounting seat 301, there is a guide rail 306. A sliding seat 304 is slidably sleeved on the guide rail 306. At the bottom of the sliding seat 304, there are multiple electrode probes 305 for directly contacting the patient's scalp to collect electroencephalogram signals. At both ends of the top of the sliding seat 304, there are first threaded rods 303. The tops of the first threaded rods 303 all penetrate through the mounting seat 301 and are threadedly sleeved with second locking caps 313. At both ends of the top of the mounting seat 301, two sliding grooves 302 are symmetrically opened. The first threaded rods 303 respectively slide through the sliding grooves 302, so that the sliding seat 304 can slide back and forth along the guide rail 306 to adjust the position.

[0033] At the top of the second threaded rod 311, there is a first locking cap 312. By rotating the second threaded rod 311, 360-degree angle adjustment of the electrode array component 3 can be achieved. At the same time, compression springs 308 are sleeved at the positions of the telescopic rod 307 close to between the mounting seat 301 and the sleeve 309, which can buffer the extrusion force when the helmets are closed.

[0034] The automatic locking component mainly includes a locking cam portion 7 provided at the top of the rotating rod 6. One end of the locking cam portion 7 is provided with a limiting block 8. Horizontally provided at the end of the limiting block 8 is a sliding rod 9. The sliding rod 9 is slidably sleeved with a mounting plate 10. On the outer peripheral surface of the sliding rod 9 close to the positions between the limiting block 8 and the mounting plate 10, first top springs 11 are sleeved. When the locking cam portion 7 rotates, it can push the limiting block 8 to slide along the sliding rod 9 and apply pressure to the first top springs 11.

[0035] At the end of the sliding rod 9, there is also an L-shaped connecting rod 12. The end of the L-shaped connecting rod 12 is connected to the same pull rod 13. The outer peripheral surface of the pull rod 13 is slidably sleeved with a gantry 14 fixed to the side wall of the left half-helmet 1. Coaxially provided near the end of the pull rod 13 is a baffle 15. On the outer peripheral surface of the pull rod 13 close to the positions between the baffle 15 and the inner wall of the gantry 14, second top springs 16 are sleeved. By pulling the pull rod 13, the L-shaped connecting rod 12 can be driven to push the limiting block 8, so that the locking cam portion 7 is separated from the limiting block 8, and the self-locking state is released. When the pull rod 13 is released, under the action of the second top springs 16, the pull rod 13 and the limiting block 8 can automatically reset.

[0036] The usage steps of the electrode cap of the present invention are as follows: Squeeze the left half-helmet 1 and the right half-helmet 2 towards the middle until the gap between them fits the wearer's head circumference and the electrode array assembly 3 reaches the preset position and closely adheres to the scalp.

[0037] According to the head shape difference, rotate the first threaded rod 303 to drive the slide block 304 to adjust along the guide rail 306, and finely adjust the front and rear positions of the electrode probe 305.

[0038] Rotate the second threaded rod 311, and use the universal joint 310 to adjust the angle of the electrode probe 305 so that it better adheres to the scalp.

[0039] After the adjustment is completed, tighten the first locking cap 312 and the second locking cap 313 to lock the electrode array assembly 3 in a suitable position and angle.

[0040] As the left and right half-helmets close, the rack 4 drives the gear 5 to rotate, thereby clamping the limit block 8 through the locking cam portion 7 to achieve self-locking of the half-helmet. At the same time, the compression spring 308 between the telescopic rod 307 and the sleeve 309 will be compressed to play a buffering role.

[0041] After use, pull the pull rod 13, and the L-shaped connecting rod 12 pushes the limit block 8 to separate from the locking cam portion 7. Under the action of the compression spring 308, the left and right half-helmets automatically open and separate. Release the pull rod 13, and under the action of the baffle 15 and the second top spring 16, the locking mechanism resets for the next use.

[0042] The present invention covers any substitutions, modifications, equivalent methods, and solutions made to the essence and scope of the present invention. In order to enable the public to have a thorough understanding of the present invention, specific details are described in detail in the following preferred embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can fully understand the present invention without these detailed descriptions. In addition, in order to avoid unnecessary confusion to the essence of the present invention, well-known methods, processes, procedures, components, and circuits are not described in detail.

[0043] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principle of the present invention, several improvements and refinements can be made, and these improvements and refinements should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain function in patients with Alzheimer's disease, characterized in that: The invention comprises a left half helmet (1) and a right half helmet (2), wherein a rack (4) is transversely arranged at both the front and rear ends of the right half helmet (2), a gear (5) is meshed on the tooth side of the rack (4), a rotating rod (6) is arranged at the top center of the gear (5), and an automatic locking component for limiting the movement of the rack (4) is arranged at the top of the rotating rod (6), and four groups of electrode array components (3) are arranged inside the left half helmet (1) and the right half helmet (2), respectively, and the electrode array components (3) correspond to the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe and occipital lobe of the brain tissue, respectively, and the electrode array components (3) include a second threaded rod (311) that rotates and passes through the left half helmet (1) and the right half helmet (2), a universal joint (310) is arranged at the bottom end of the second threaded rod (311), a sleeve (309) is arranged at the bottom end of the universal joint (310), and a telescopic rod (307) is slidably inserted at the center of the bottom end of the sleeve (309). The bottom end of the telescopic rod (307) is provided with a mounting seat (301), the center of the bottom end of the mounting seat (301) is provided with a guide rail (306), the guide rail (306) is slidably sleeved with a sliding seat (304), a plurality of electrode probes (305) are provided at the bottom of the sliding seat (304), first threaded rods (303) are provided at both ends of the top of the sliding seat (304), the top of the first threaded rod (303) passes through the mounting seat (301), the top of the first threaded rod (303) is threadedly sleeved with a second locking cap (313), the automatic locking component comprises a locking cam portion (7) arranged at the top of the rotating rod (6), a limit block (8) is provided at one end of the locking cam portion (7), a sliding rod (9) is transversely provided at the end of the limit block (8), a mounting plate (10) is slidably sleeved on the sliding rod (9), and an unlocking component for controlling the movement of the limit block (8) is provided at the end of the sliding rod (9).

2. The adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain function of patients with Alzheimer's disease according to claim 1, characterized in that: The unlocking assembly comprises an L-shaped connecting rod (12) arranged at the end of the sliding rod (9), the end of the L-shaped connecting rod (12) is connected to the same pull rod (13), the outer peripheral surface sliding sleeve of the pull rod (13) is provided with a gantry (14), and the gantry (14) is fixed to the side wall of the left half helmet (1).

3. The adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain function of patients with Alzheimer's disease according to claim 2, characterized in that: A baffle plate (15) is coaxially disposed at the end of the pull rod (13), and a second top spring (16) is sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the pull rod (13) at a position close to the baffle plate (15) and the inner wall of the gantry (14).

4. The adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain function of patients with Alzheimer's disease according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first locking cap (312) is threadedly sleeved on the top of each of the second threaded rods (311).

5. The adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain function of patients with Alzheimer's disease according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two sliding grooves (302) are symmetrically provided at two ends of the top of the mounting seat (301), and the first threaded rods (303) slide through the sliding grooves (302) respectively.

6. The adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain function of patients with Alzheimer's disease according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic rod (307) is sleeved with a compression spring (308) at a position between the mounting seat (301) and the sleeve (309).

7. The adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain function of patients with Alzheimer's disease according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer circumferential surface of the slide rod (9) close to the position between the limit block (8) and the mounting plate (10) is sleeved with a first top spring (11).

8. A method for using an adjustable electrode cap for detecting brain function in patients with Alzheimer's disease according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: squeeze the left half helmet (1) and the right half helmet (2) toward the middle until the gap between them fits the head circumference of the wearer, and the electrode array assembly (3) reaches a preset position and fits the scalp tightly; Step 2: According to the head shape of the wearer, the first threaded rod (303) is rotated to drive the slide seat (304) to adjust along the guide rail (306), and the front and rear positions of the electrode probe (305) are fine-tuned to better fit the scalp; Step 3: Rotate the second threaded rod (311) and use the universal joint (310) to adjust the angle of the electrode probe (305) to further improve the fit; Step 4: After the position and angle adjustment of the electrode array assembly (3) is completed, the first locking cap (312) and the second locking cap (313) are tightened to lock the electrode array; Step 5: When the left and right half helmets are closed, the half helmets are automatically locked through the cooperation of the rack (4), the gear (5) and the locking cam portion (7), and the telescopic rod (307) and the compression spring (308) are used to buffer the squeezing force on the head; Step 6: After use, pull the pull rod (13) to release the locking mechanism, and the left and right half helmets are automatically separated under the action of the compression spring (308), and the baffle (15) and the second top spring (16) are used to reset the locking mechanism for the next use.

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