Electroencephalogram sensor for monitoring mood and cognitive dysfunction of prefrontal lobe

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electroencephalogram sensor for detecting mood disorder and cognitive function in a brain prefrontal lobe region. The electroencephalogram sensor mainly comprises a brain electrode plate, a flexible substrate layer and an electrode connecting terminal, the novel prefrontal lobe electroencephalogram sensor has the advantages that the novel prefrontal lobe electroencephalogram sensor is clinically used for collecting EEG signals from the left frontal lobe, the right frontal lobe and the central frontal lobe of the brain respectively through the three electrodes, the three electrodes are matched with a matched electroencephalogram analysis software system, mood disorder and cognitive function diseases of a patient are monitored, and the brain function of the patient is improved. And a new material is provided for brain science and neuromedicine research.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of electroencephalogram (EEG) signal acquisition, and in particular to an EEG sensor for monitoring emotions and cognitive dysfunction in the frontal lobe. Background Art

[0002] When neurons are excited, a potential difference is generated across the neuronal membrane. This difference is transmitted through chemical and electrical signals between cells, ultimately forming brain waves (Electroencephalogram, EEG). An EEG uses EEG sensors (or electrodes) to collect weak bioelectricity from the brain's periphery, then records it through amplification and filtering to create a graph of brain waves. This graph, which records the spontaneous, rhythmic electrical activity of groups of brain cells, has diagnostic value for brain diseases. It is particularly useful for diagnosing epilepsy, as the EEG can accurately record scattered slow waves, spikes, or irregular spikes during an epileptic seizure. EEG examinations are highly accurate and non-invasive to the subject.

[0003] The frontal lobe is one of the most important brain regions, responsible for memory, judgment, analysis, and thinking. Damage to the frontal lobe can lead to symptoms such as impaired thinking, slowed reaction times, and forgetfulness. The function of the frontal cortex is closely linked to emotions and pain, making it a high-level headquarters for managing and controlling emotions. For example, the left frontal lobe governs our thoughts, while the right frontal lobe governs our emotions and emotional experiences. When the amygdala, located in the right brain, is overstimulated, neurons in the right frontal lobe overreact. With the continued advancement of brain science and brain-computer interface research, studies have confirmed that collecting EEG signals in the frontal lobe is crucial for diagnosing and analyzing cognitive disorders, mood disorders, and other conditions.

[0004] Existing EEG sensors typically utilize a mesh or cap-like layout, evolving from 8 leads to the current 256 leads, depending on the number of sensors. This increase in the number of EEG sensors allows for a denser distribution of EEG sensors across the cerebral cortex, improving the density and accuracy of EEG signal acquisition across different regions. However, the current lack of EEG sensors that can collect EEG signals based on prefrontal functional divisions (left and right prefrontal lobes) for use in monitoring emotions and diagnosing cognitive impairments has hindered the ease of brain science and neuromedicine research. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides an EEG sensor for monitoring emotions and cognitive dysfunction in the frontal lobe.

[0006] The present disclosure is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] An electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor for detecting emotional disorders and cognitive functions in the prefrontal lobe region of the brain mainly comprises: an electroencephalogram (EEG) electrode sheet, a flexible matrix layer, and electrode connection terminals, wherein:

[0008] There are three brain electrode sheets, namely the left frontal lobe electrode, the central electrode and the right frontal lobe electrode. The three brain electrode sheets are all circular thin sheets with an outer diameter of 20 mm ± 5 mm.

[0009] The three electrodes were arranged horizontally and symmetrically, with their centers aligned horizontally. The left frontal electrode was positioned to the left of the central electrode, with the center of the left frontal electrode and the center of the central electrode spaced 48 mm ± 5 mm apart. The right frontal electrode was positioned to the right of the central electrode, with the center of the right frontal electrode and the center of the central electrode spaced 48 mm ± 5 mm apart.

[0010] To eliminate EEG signal distortion caused by incomplete or uneven contact between the traditional metal electrode patch and the frontal lobe due to the curvature of the brain, the new electrode patch is made of a flexible, low-resistivity material. This flexible electrode patch can naturally bend according to the curvature of the frontal lobe and precisely adhere to the prefrontal cortex.

[0011] The resistivity of low-resistivity materials does not exceed 2.0×10 -8 (Ω m), low-resistivity materials include but are not limited to silver flakes, silver fiber cloth, and graphene, and the thickness of the flexible low-resistivity material is 0.03 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0012] The flexible matrix layer is a material that supports and fixes the brain electrode sheets, and the brain electrode sheets are distributed on the top layer of the flexible matrix layer. The flexible matrix layer is made of polymer materials including cotton, non-woven fabrics, rubber, silicone rubber, soft polyvinyl chloride, etc. The shape of the flexible matrix layer is not limited. For example, it can be prepared as a strip-shaped or strap-shaped headband so that the brain electrode sheets can be quickly fixed to the patient's frontal lobe area. In clinical practice, the flexible matrix layer fixes the brain electrode sheets to the frontal lobe of the brain, so that the three brain electrode sheets are respectively fixed to different functional areas of the patient's frontal lobe, the left frontal lobe electrode is fixed to the left frontal lobe of the brain, the right frontal lobe electrode is fixed to the right frontal lobe of the brain, and the central electrode is fixed to the center of the frontal lobe of the brain.

[0013] The electrode connection terminals serve as the interface between the electrode sheet and the lead wires. These terminals are located on the bottom or side of the flexible matrix layer. Once the electrode sheet is connected to the lead wires via the electrode connection terminals, the EEG signals collected by the EEG sensor are transmitted via the lead wires to the EEG acquisition device for analysis and readout. The electrode connection terminals can be of any shape or interface, including male and female buckle interfaces and pin interfaces, as long as they provide a secure connection between the electrode sheet and the lead wires.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to enhance the conductive performance between the brain electrode sheet and the electrode connection terminal, a conductive glue is provided between the brain electrode sheet and the electrode connection terminal. The conductive glue is evenly applied on the surface of the brain electrode sheet, so that the brain electrode sheet is tightly combined with the flexible matrix layer and the electrode connection terminal.

[0015] In recent years, flexible circuit technology has continued to develop. In another embodiment, the EEG sensor is prepared using a flexible circuit production process. The shape, outer diameter, layout and spacing of the three brain electrode sheets are implemented in accordance with the technical features

[008] and

[009] . The substrate of the flexible circuit is used as the flexible matrix layer, and the electrode connection terminals are plug-in type, which can achieve the same intended purpose and fall within the technical scope covered by the present disclosure.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present disclosure are as follows: a new EEG sensor is provided, the clinical use of which is to use three electrodes to collect EEG signals in the left frontal lobe, right frontal lobe and central frontal lobe of the brain respectively, and cooperate with the supporting EEG analysis software system to monitor patients' emotional disorders and cognitive function diseases, providing new materials for brain science and neuromedicine research. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A top view of the present disclosure

[0018] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the components of the present disclosure (taking the central electrode as an example)

[0019] Figure 1 shows: left frontal lobe electrode 10, central electrode 20, right frontal lobe electrode 30, flexible matrix layer 40, electrode connection terminal 50, conductive glue 60 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application more clear, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0021] Example: Preparation of a disposable silver fiber flexible EEG sensor

[0022] 1. Material Preparation

[0023] 1.1 Brain electrode pads: Made of silver fiber cloth. The specific requirements are: the resistivity of the silver fiber cloth does not exceed 1.8×10 -8 (Ω m), with a thickness of 0.2 mm, and cut into round sheets with a diameter of 21 mm.

[0024] 1.2 Flexible Matrix Layer: A non-woven fabric with a thickness of 0.3 mm and coated with medical adhesive is used as the flexible matrix layer 40. The fabric has the same performance as medical adhesive tape and is cut into strips with a length of 220 mm and a width of 55 mm.

[0025] 1.3 The electrode connection terminal 50 is a male buckle, which is a combination of a base and a mastoid. The male buckle is made of nickel-plated silver material with a resistivity of no more than 2.0×10 -8 The male buckle has a 3mm outer diameter, 5mm height, and a 15mm base diameter. The male buckle can be tightly combined with the female buckle of the lead wire.

[0026] 2. Preparation and Assembly

[0027] 2.1 As Figure 2 As shown in the structure, a 3mm hole is punched in the center of the flexible substrate layer 40 (i.e., 180mm from left to right). Then, a 3mm hole is punched on both sides of the center at intervals of 50mm. The three holes should be kept in the same straight line.

[0028] 2.2 As Figure 2 As shown in the structure, three male buckles are taken, and the mastoids of the male buckles are inserted into the three small holes of the flexible matrix layer, and the bases of the male buckles are fixed and assembled on the surface of the flexible matrix layer through the glue on the surface of the flexible matrix layer 40.

[0029] 2.3 Use conductive glue to tightly attach the EEG electrode sheet to the base of the male buckle. With the center of the central electrode 20 as the base point, the distance between the center of the left frontal electrode 10 and the center of the central electrode 20 is 50 mm, and the distance between the center of the right frontal electrode 30 and the center of the central electrode 20 is also 50 mm. The centers of the three EEG electrode sheets should be on the same horizontal line.

[0030] 2.4 A piece of centrifugal paper is covered on the surface 40 of the flexible matrix layer and the surface of the EEG electrode to isolate and protect the surface, similar to the surface protection structure of a Band-Aid.

[0031] 2.5 Check and test performance, packaging and sterilization.

[0032] 3. Clinical Application: Utilizing the adhesive properties of the flexible matrix layer 40, the left frontal electrode 10 is adhered and fixed to the left side of the prefrontal lobe of the brain, the central electrode 20 is adhered and fixed to the center of the prefrontal lobe of the brain, and the right frontal electrode 30 is adhered and fixed to the right side of the prefrontal lobe of the brain. The three female buckles of the lead wire are connected to the male buckles of the electrode sheet, and the other end of the lead wire is connected to the EEG monitoring device. After monitoring is turned on, the EEG sensor transmits the dynamically collected EEG signals to the EEG monitoring device, which uses the EEG monitoring device's software analysis system to diagnose the patient's emotional disorders and cognitive dysfunction.

[0033] The left, right, center, or top and bottom layers described in this specification are for expressing or distinguishing different spatial positions, and the sizes and proportions of the accompanying drawings are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. The above embodiments are only used to provide a detailed introduction to the technical solution of the present application, but the description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core idea of the present application and should not be understood as a limitation on the present application. Changes or replacements that can be obtained by simple labor by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should all be covered within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor for monitoring emotions and cognitive dysfunction in the frontal lobe, comprising an EEG electrode sheet, a flexible matrix layer, and electrode connection terminals, wherein: There are three brain electrode sheets in total, namely the left frontal lobe electrode, the central electrode and the right frontal lobe electrode; the flexible matrix layer is the material for supporting and fixing the brain electrode sheets, and the brain electrode sheets are distributed on the top layer of the flexible matrix layer; the electrode connection terminal is the interface between the brain electrode sheet and the lead wire, and the electrode connection terminal is located at the bottom layer or side of the flexible matrix layer; it is characterized in that: the three brain electrode sheets are all perfect circular thin sheets, and the outer diameter of the brain electrode sheet is 20mm±5mm; the three brain electrode sheets are arranged horizontally symmetrically, and the centers of the three electrodes are set on the same horizontal line; with the center of the central electrode as the center base point, the left frontal lobe electrode is set on the left side of the central electrode, and the distance between the center of the left frontal lobe electrode and the center of the central electrode is 48mm±5mm; the right frontal lobe electrode is set on the right side of the central electrode, and the distance between the center of the right frontal lobe electrode and the center of the central electrode is 48mm±5mm.

2. The electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor for monitoring emotions and cognitive dysfunction in the frontal lobe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The brain electrode sheet is a flexible brain electrode sheet made of flexible low-resistivity material.

3. The electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor for monitoring emotions and cognitive dysfunction in the frontal lobe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The resistivity of low-resistivity materials does not exceed 2.0×10 -8 (Ω m), low resistivity materials include silver flakes, silver fiber cloth, and graphene.

4. The electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor for monitoring emotions and cognitive dysfunction in the frontal lobe according to claim 1, characterized in that: A conductive glue (60) is also provided between the brain electrode sheet and the electrode connection terminal. The conductive glue (60) is evenly applied on the surface of the brain electrode sheet so that the brain electrode sheet is tightly combined with the flexible matrix layer and the electrode connection terminal.

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