Integrated EEG Electrode Signal Processing for Accurate Potential Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electroencephalography (EEG) systems lack the ability to ensure high accuracy and efficiency in potential acquisition due to the use of weighted averages that do not account for individual electrode variations.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a local signal processing unit directly into the electrode, comprising amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters, digital signal processors, and impedance measurement units, to process surface potential signals directly at the electrode level.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a local signal processing unit is integrated directly into the electrode, then measurement precision and signal quality are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepotential acquisition accuracyVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the signal processing unit directly into the electrode structure, combining functions that were previously separate. The processing unit is integrated within the electrode body, allowing signal processing to occur at the source without requiring separate external processing equipment, thus improving measurement precision while managing complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the electrode contact element, the integrated processing unit with amplifier and ADC, and the communication interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together as a cohesive system, addressing the complexity issue through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If signal processing operations are performed locally at the electrode, then productivity and efficiency of signal acquisition are improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal acquisition efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption of electrode

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The processing unit performs preliminary signal processing operations (amplification and analog-to-digital conversion) directly at the electrode before signal transmission. By preprocessing the signal locally, the system reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and processed centrally, improving overall productivity while managing energy consumption through selective local processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial processing locally rather than complete processing. The processing unit performs essential functions (amplification, ADC) locally to improve efficiency, while more complex processing can be performed externally. This partial local processing achieves productivity improvements without the full energy cost of complete local processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12507932B2Electrode for potential acquisition of a surface and manufacturing method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 STICHTING IMEC NEDERLAND

AI summary

An electrode (10) for potential acquisition of a surface is provided. The electrode (10) comprises at least two pins (11a, 11b, 21) for contacting the surface, and a local signal processing unit (12) connected to at least one (11a, 11b) of the pins (11a, 11b, 21). The local signal processing unit (12) is configured to perform signal processing operations with respect to the corresponding surface potential signal of the respective at least one pin (11a, 11b). In addition to this, the local signal processing unit (12) is directly integrated into the electrode (10).