AR-guided electrode positioning for transcranial brain stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for positioning electrodes for transcranial brain stimulation are error-prone, especially when used outside of a clinical setting, as they require a physician's presence and rely on tactile indicators which may not ensure accurate placement.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves capturing images of the user's head, detecting features to create a model, and overlaying the correct electrode positioning onto the image, using augmented reality to guide the user in accurately placing the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a physician manually positions the electrodes, then positioning accuracy is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring physician presence at every session
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to independently position their own electrodes using augmented reality guidance and tactile indicators on the headset, eliminating the need for physician presence at every treatment session while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
An augmented reality system serves as an intermediary between the physician's expertise and the patient's self-positioning, providing real-time visual guidance and feedback to ensure accurate electrode placement without requiring continuous physician supervision
2Ease of operation
If tactile indicators (notches) are used on the headset, then ease of operation is improved by enabling self-positioning, but positioning accuracy deteriorates as the method remains error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces purely mechanical tactile indicators with an augmented reality system that provides visual feedback, allowing patients to see the exact position of electrodes relative to anatomical landmarks while maintaining the simplicity of self-positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality system provides real-time visual feedback to the patient during electrode placement, showing the current position of electrodes and guiding adjustments until accurate positioning is achieved, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining ease of self-positioning
3Measurement precision
If visual feedback through augmented reality is provided, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The augmented reality system serves multiple functions: it provides positioning guidance, displays anatomical landmarks, shows electrode location relative to target areas, and offers feedback on placement accuracy, thereby justifying the added complexity through multi-functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy or overlay of the patient's head anatomy and electrode positions on a display device, allowing visual inspection and adjustment without requiring complex physical measurement tools or procedures
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of guiding positioning of a headset (100) for transcranial brain stimulation on a head of a user of the headset (100) is disclosed The method comprises: capturing, using a camera, one or more head images depicting the head; detecting, in the one or more head images, features of the head; creating, using the detected features of the head, a model of the head; computing, using the model of the head, an intended headset position on the head; and displaying, on a display, a representation of the headset as an overlay on an image of the head of the user. Also a kit comprising a headset (100) for transcranial brain stimulation, and a non- transitory computer-readable recording medium is disclosed. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program which is executable on an electronic device (150) having processing capabilities, wherein the program is configured to perform the method of guiding positioning of a headset (100).