EEG Cluster Electrodes for Individualized Brain Response Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional EEG electrodes are limited by their equidistant placement, which fails to account for individual brain anatomy variations, making it difficult to determine the optimal measurement location for specific brain responses without extensive experimentation.
Innovation Solution
The development of cluster electrodes with multiple contacts, including gold contacts that allow non-invasive through-the-hair measurements, enabling independent signal processing and combination in a weighted and phased manner to create a virtual sensor, optimizing signal recording based on individual anatomical differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If EEG electrodes are placed equidistantly to cover the entire head surface, then a comprehensive map of brain wave energy can be obtained, but the measurement cannot be optimized for specific brain responses and individual anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is segmented into multiple clusters, each containing multiple electrodes. These clusters can be positioned at specific locations to target particular brain regions, allowing the system to adapt to individual anatomical variations while maintaining comprehensive coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional equidistant grid pattern to a three-dimensional cluster configuration. This allows electrodes to be positioned at multiple depths and angles, enabling optimization for specific brain responses while accommodating individual anatomical differences.
2Measurement precision
If a single electrode is placed at a specific position to produce a specific state or response, then targeted measurement is achieved, but extensive experimentation is required to determine the optimum position for each individual
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrodes within each cluster are pre-positioned to cover potential optimal locations for specific brain responses. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for extensive experimentation, as the system already contains the necessary spatial arrangement to capture targeted brain activity immediately upon placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cluster electrode design provides multi-functionality by enabling a single electrode array to perform both comprehensive brain mapping and targeted specific response measurement. The same cluster configuration can be used across different individuals without requiring customization or extensive experimentation for each subject.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple contacts are used in close proximity to form clusters, then optimum measurement location can be determined for specific states or responses, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual electrodes are merged into unified clusters, where each cluster functions as an integrated sensing unit. This merging reduces the overall system complexity by organizing numerous electrodes into manageable groups, while still maintaining the capability to determine optimal measurement locations for specific brain responses.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein include devices and systems comprising sensor electrodes. Each sensor electrode comprises contacts positioned adjacent one another to form a pattern. Signal outputs are coupled to the contacts. A signal output is connected to each contact. One or more processors are coupled to the signal outputs. The processor separately processes each of the signal outputs.