Bispectral Index Sensor Layout for Stable EEG and NMT Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brain monitoring sensors face challenges in proper placement, leading to misreporting of physiological parameters due to electrode misplacement, increased algorithmic work, and skin markings during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A sensor design with improved form factor and adhesion, featuring a substrate with distributed electrode assemblies and a flexible tail component, along with a non-adhesive sticker to secure the connector, reducing pressure and skin markings while enabling accurate EEG and NMT signal measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the sensor uses adhesive electrode assemblies for placement, then the electrode stability is improved, but the sticker may cause skin markings or discomfort during medical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode stabilityVSAvoidskin markings

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies adhesive material selectively only at the electrode assembly locations where stable contact is needed, while the tail component and connector areas remain non-adhesive. This localized adhesive application ensures electrode stability without causing skin markings from excessive adhesive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the connector is securely attached to the sensor, then the connection reliability is improved, but the pressure from the connector may cause skin markings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidskin markings

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adhesive property from the connector and tail component areas, making them non-adhesive. The connector is attached to the sensor body without adhesive, and a separate sticker is used to secure the connector to the patient's skin, thereby distributing pressure and avoiding skin markings from connector adhesive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the tail component is fixed in position, then the sensor structure stability is improved, but the flexibility to adjust placement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor structure stabilityVSAvoidplacement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the tail component dynamically adjustable by using a non-adhesive design that allows repositioning. The tail component can be moved and repositioned on the patient's skin without adhesive constraints, providing placement flexibility while maintaining structural integrity through its coupled connection to the electrode assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260026729A1System and method for a bispectral index sensor

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A sensor may concurrently measure hypnotic condition of a patient and a paralytic condition of the patient. The sensor may include a set of electrodes configured to couple to a patient via respective adhesive electrode assemblies, where each electrode of the set of electrodes is configured to measure an EEG signal or an EMG signal and a connector configured to couple the sensor to a patient monitoring device. The sensor may also include a tail component coupled to an electrode assembly of the first electrode of the set of electrodes and the connector, where the tail component is non-adhesive and a sticker positioned between the tail component and the connector, wherein the sticker is configured to adhere to the patient or the sensor to adjust a position of the tail component, the connector, or both.