Underwater mask with double sealing skirt for brain recording

Abstract

The invention is an underwater diving mask integrating sensors for recording cerebral ElectroEncephaloGraphic (EEG) activity, protected from the aqueous environment by a double skirt ensuring both sealing by the external skirt (1) and the integration and immobilization of cutaneous electrodes (4) in the internal skirt (2) on and under the orbits, a transmission system via waterproof cables running in the lateral and upper straps of the mask and signal collection managed by a waterproof box (11) at the rear of the mask, a possible coupling with a video camera, and sound feedback by bone conduction (7) of the analyzed EEG data.This invention ensures the collection and processing of cerebral electrical activities, eye movements, possibly synchronized with a video capture of the environment, via an integration of the sensors within the underwater mask, allowing an optimization of the contact of the electrodes and their isolation from the aqueous environment. Figure for the abstract: Figure 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Underwater mask with double sealing skirt for recording cerebral electrical activity

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for collecting and analyzing cerebral ElectroEncephaloGraphic (EEG) activity integrated into an underwater diving mask, by isolating the cerebral activity sensors from the aqueous medium by means of a double sealing protection skirt, coupled, in certain configurations, to a bone conduction audio delivery system. This data collection system, intended to be used in various monitoring, care and well-being conditions, can be used and adapted to multiple aqueous environments: shower, bath, spa, swimming pool, sea (freediving and scuba diving).The acquired EEG data allows monitoring of cerebral electrical activity for the purpose of understanding the brain in an aquatic environment, detecting pathological activities, generating alarms, interacting with cerebral processes in the form of Neurofeedback, as well as capturing eye movements in vertical or horizontal orientations.

[0002] The problem of carrying out an EEG recording in an aquatic environment is the need to keep the recording electrodes in contact with the skin without interference with the aqueous environment, which would then result from modifications of impedances and saline bridges incompatible with the recording. This invention consists of a double protection against the aqueous environment comprising a first external skirt isolating a portion of the face (from above the eyes to the upper lip) and a second internal skirt comprising the EEG sensors applied against the skin. Associated in certain configurations is a system for collecting / digitizing / amplifying / processing the electrical signal of cerebral origin and a system for sound transmission by bone conduction.

[0003] The concave “double skirt” device ensures sealing, by isolation against aqueous exposure of the EEG signal detection sensors, and also ensures the integration of sensors of electrical activity of cerebral origin, called electrodes, of size between 3 and 10 millimeters. There is a simple double skirt approach in its flat form in a recent patent (patent CN217673139 (U) 2022) but without the possibility of integrating physiological sensors and characterized by a simplified and flat application form on the skin. The mask of the present invention comprises two holding skirts 5 to 10 mm wide, distant and independent in their frontal, lateral positioning in front of the ears and above the upper lip, allowing adaptation to the wearer's morphology, the application of pressure and a reinforcement of the contact between the skin and the application surface of the skirts by suction via a microgroove design, and insulation of the EEG electrodes. The two skirts ensuring protection and recording are: a. A concave, circular external skirt (1) ensuring the main seal of the mask. b. An internal skirt (2) concave above the eyebrows, circular allowing a second sealing protection as well as the insertion of sensors and the installation of EEG electrodes.

[0004] Four EEG sensors (electrodes) are arranged in the inner skirt, at specific points mentioned in [Fig.6], surrounding the face around the eyes and nose. These sensors are connected by a cable running in a cavity of the inner skirt, themselves connected above the mask along the holding straps to the central box at the back of the head.

[0005] Additionally, the present invention makes it possible to optimize data recordings by adding a detachable video camera positioned above the head, thanks to a screw connection block or sliding support inserted into the upper strap of the mask passing above the face. A cable connection to the box is possible for synchronizing this video signal with the other signals recorded by the mask.

[0006] According to particular embodiments: a. Two sensors are positioned above each eyebrow: EEG signal sensors from the frontal regions of the brain. b. Two other sensors are positioned at the lower part of the mask, opposite the cheekbones: reference and ground sensors, which can become other capture sensors in certain configurations (recording of eye movements). c. A band comprising a sound wave bone conduction device inserted bilaterally into each side strap of the mask. d. A wider upper strap on the upper part of the skull, to ensure support for the upper part of the mask skirt as well as additional attachment of equipment. e. A box grouping the wiring for capturing and managing signals.

[0007] The electrodes, depending on the configurations, can be of the following types: dry electrodes, conductive textile or conductive ink.

[0008] The attached drawings illustrate the invention:

[0009] [Fig.l] represents a simplified visualization of the diving mask with “double skirt” support.

[0010] [Fig.2] shows in section, the specific part of the double skirt ensuring the sealing and integration of the EEG sensors, and their independent positioning on the human face, with a shape and curvature designed to maintain good pressure on each of the two skirts on the skin.

[0011] [Fig.3] shows the segmented detail of the "gecko paw" type microgrooves. In some configurations, the electrodes will simply be pressed onto the skin using the mask's tightening strap and the negative pressure inside the mask.

[0012] [Fig.4] represents a side view of the underwater mask, the bilateral bone conduction headband at the mastoid level, its integrated housing, ergonomically located and protected in a rounded extension ergonomically extending the head to the back of the face, as well as the cable connections and technical elements of the same housing.

[0013] [Fig.5] shows in perspective the underwater mask in its integrative ergonomics inspired by the head of belugas, allowing fluidity of movement in an aquatic environment.

[0014] [Fig.6] describes the number and positioning of the EEG sensors (13), as well as the placement of the bone conduction strip (14).

[0015] [Fig.7] represents the three configurations for integrating EEG sensors: dry electrodes (7c), conductive textile (7b) or conductive ink (7a).

[0016] With reference to these drawings, the invention - underwater diving mask with double protective skirt integrating electroencephalographic sensors, an electroencephalographic recording system and sound reproduction by bone conduction - comprises a double skirt made of bio-inspired silicone material, having a dimension that evolves over the course of the tests, approximately 5 mm in width for the external skirt (1), and approximately 10 mm in width for the internal skirt (2) integrating the sensor (4) of 1 ± 1 mm in thickness. The space between the internal skirt (2) and the external skirt (1) is an intermediate protective cavity detached from the face to allow an intermediate buffer zone that can trap any passage of water that would pass the external skirt (1), allowing additional safety of insulation compared to a skirt design applied uniformly on the face. The internal distance of this cavity between the internal (2) and external (1) skirts of the mask holding structure is variable to be from 5 mm to 25 mm according to the frontal holding and sealing optimization tests.

[0017] The cable (3) of the EEG sensors can circulate in the gap of the honeycomb design of the internal support skirt (2) or against any internal wall of the mask.

[0018] In the embodiment of [Fig.4], a bio-inspired approach to material (15), design and support (3) of the mask skirts, ergonomics of fluid movement in the frontal curvature of the mask (15) and the integration of the rear technical box (11), will allow optimal fluid use in the water, limiting movement and signal disturbances.

[0019] The bone conduction strip (7) on each side, will be inserted, molded or heat-sealed to the mask strap at the mastoid level (14), with each cable (9) inserted and independent of the elastic strap, towards the box (11) of [Fig.4]. Depending on the configurations, the sound signal will be delivered for both bone conduction modules, on two mastoids for the binaural / stereo effect and spatial orientation, or on one side of the mask only.

[0020] The EEG sensors (13) will be connected by the cables (8) to the technical box (1). The design of the side strap must be developed with flexibility in the extensibility of the length of the wiring of the EEG sensors and bone conduction, to match the extensibility of the installation of the mask strap.

[0021] The technical box (1) may include a sealed On / Off switch (12), with possible sealed access to a removable component (10). In a preferred embodiment, the connection terminal block of the rear electronic device is provided with a plurality of connection terminals, in particular a connection terminal extending to the inside of the mask body, and connected to the internal electronic device. A sealing coating surrounds the side of the connection terminal and prevents water from flowing into the terminals when the terminal of the external electronic device is connected, the diameter of the sealing coating being larger than the diameter of the connection terminal.

[0022] According to the full face mask of the present invention, the terminal block (11) integrated into the back of the mask, as well as the external electronic devices can be easily attached and detached via the waterproof connection terminal block of the external electronic device. During installation, they are electrically connected to receive the input / output data from the electronic device.

[0023] For information purposes, the dimensions of the mask and the housing at the back of the head, the design and dimensions of the skirts as well as the materials used, may vary towards an optimization of their basic design potential.

[0024] The possible integration of other physiological measurement elements in the concave cavity of the inner skirt, and / or of another additional skirt of the mask of the same positioning design of the first two aforementioned skirts.

[0025] The silicone waterproof double skirt structure is an integrally formed structure, with the pressure curves on the face, the sensor wiring cavities as well as the sensor insertion channels.

Claims

Claims

1. Underwater mask device for collecting cerebral ElectroEncephaloGraphic (EEG) activity by integrating and protecting the recording sensors from the aqueous environment, characterized in that it integrates EEG sensors (4) positioned in an internal skirt (2), protected from the aquatic environment by an intermediate cavity limited by an external sealing skirt (1), as well as a waterproof signal processing box, integrated at the back of the head, connected to the facial electrodes by waterproof cables, and allowing a return in the form of a bilateral sound signal by bone conduction (7) along the two side straps of the mask.

2. Device according to claim 1 in that the device of the double internal skirt (2) and external (1) independent and separated from an insulation cavity, with a shape and curvature designed to maintain in good holding pressure by deformation, sensors (4) and bypasses the face to integrate the sensors (4) and cables (3).

3. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the two skirts (1, 2) applied to the skin contain micro structures in the form of microgrooves (5).

4. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the circuit of the internal skirt (2) is composed of two EEG electrode sensors (13) which is arranged so as to bypass the orbits, with a specific channel on the face capturing eye movements and ElectroEncephaloGraphic activity.

5. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it integrates a waterproof box (11) into the rear strap of the mask, collects bilaterally by means of waterproof cables (8) the ElectroEncephaloGraphic and video data, processes them by amplification, digitization, analyzes the signals and ensures a bilateral sound signal return (9) in the bone conduction devices (7) located opposite the mastoids along the two lateral straps of the mask.

6. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that it integrates a miniature video recording device positioned above the mask (16), connected to the waterproof housing (11), and synchronized with the ElectroEncephaloGraphic data.

7. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that a cable circuit composed of the four EEG sensors (13) is integrated into the mask, on a specific ElectroEncephaloGraphic detection path from the internal skirt (2), the upper strap and the side straps to the data management box (11), located at the back of the mask.

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