Brain Activity Feedback System Scalp Blood Flow Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Brain activity feedback systems used in motor function rehabilitation face accuracy issues due to scalp blood flow interference, which affects measurement results when using optical brain activity measurement devices.

Innovation Solution

A brain activity feedback system that includes a data processing unit to correct scalp blood flow components in real-time using scalp blood flow data from separate measurement channels, allowing for accurate feedback of brain activity indices without compromising accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If brain activity measurement is performed using optical brain activity measurement device in real time, then feedback speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to scalp blood flow interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback speedVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement signal into two components: scalp blood flow component (measured by short-distance channels) and brain activity component (measured by long-distance channels). By separating these components spatially through different probe distances, the system can extract and remove the scalp blood flow interference from the brain activity measurement, thereby maintaining measurement precision while enabling real-time feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the scalp blood flow component from the total measurement signal using short-distance measurement channels that primarily detect scalp blood flow. This extracted component is then subtracted from the long-distance channel signals to obtain purified brain activity measurements, resolving the contradiction between real-time feedback and measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If scalp blood flow correction is performed using additional measurement channels, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the measurement device multi-functional by using the same NIRS device to perform both brain activity measurement (long-distance channels) and scalp blood flow measurement (short-distance channels). This universal approach allows one device to accomplish multiple measurement tasks without requiring entirely separate measurement systems, thereby improving precision while limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple measurement functions (brain activity detection and scalp blood flow detection) into a single integrated NIRS device with multiple probe distances. By merging these functions into one device rather than using separate devices, the system achieves higher measurement precision while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through shared hardware resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables real-time, accurate feedback of brain activity indices, improving rehabilitation outcomes by minimizing the impact of scalp blood flow interference on measurement accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a brain activity measurement device using a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear-infrared spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

the subject is irradiated with measurement light from the scalp, and a hemoglobin concentration change in the blood in the brain is measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3305205B1Brain activity feedback system
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 SHIMADZU CORP
  • EP3305205B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3305205B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3305205B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This brain activity feedback system (100) comprises: a brain activity measurement device (1) to optically measure brain activity; a data processor (2) to calculate, on the basis of measurement data (41) from the brain activity measurement device, a statistic that indicates the statistical significance of changes in the measurement data; and a display device (3) to display, in real time, a brain activity index (31) corresponding to the statistic. The data processor calculates the statistic for the measurement data from the brain activity measurement device by correcting the scalp blood flow component of the measurement data in real time on the basis of scalp blood flow data (42).