EEG HFO Analysis for Seizure Focus Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for predicting preictal states and localizing seizure onset zones in epilepsy require invasive procedures and are not always accurate, leading to prolonged hospitalization and morbidity risks.

Innovation Solution

A seizure preemption system using electrodes and a controller to record EEG signals, identify high-frequency oscillation (HFO) events, extract features like connectivity, density, peak frequency, and log power, and deliver electrical stimulations to prevent seizures based on preictal state identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If intracranial recordings are performed to accurately localize seizure focus, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and patient morbidity increase due to surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseizure focus localization accuracyVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical surgical procedure for placing intracranial electrodes with a non-invasive or minimally invasive EEG recording system that uses high-frequency oscillation analysis to localize seizure focus, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating surgical complexity and patient morbidity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the analysis parameter from conventional EEG frequencies to high-frequency oscillations (HFOs), which provide superior localization accuracy without requiring invasive procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional EEG monitoring is used for presurgical localization, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to detect HFO events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording system simplicityVSAvoidseizure onset zone identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the EEG analysis by focusing on high-frequency oscillation parameters (70-500 Hz) that are not detectable with conventional EEG monitoring, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining relative system simplicity through software-based analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If ictal recordings are obtained to define seizure onset zone, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to prolonged hospitalization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseizure focus localization accuracyVSAvoidhospitalization duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses interictal HFO analysis to preliminarily identify the seizure onset zone before ictal recordings are needed, allowing for reduced hospitalization time while maintaining localization accuracy through the use of HFO markers that predict seizure focus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If intracranial electrodes are placed for accurate seizure focus localization, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to surgical risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseizure onset zone identification accuracyVSAvoidsurgical morbidity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical intracranial electrode placement with a safer recording system that achieves equivalent or superior measurement precision through high-frequency oscillation analysis, thereby eliminating surgical risks while maintaining diagnostic accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This system allows for the prediction and prevention of seizures without the need for ictal recordings, potentially reducing hospitalization and morbidity, and improves the accuracy of seizure focus localization.

Implementation Method 1

The electrodes record EEG signals from a subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical signal detection: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The controller is configured to sample the simultaneous EEG signals, identify HFO events in each EEG signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency analysis:

Implementation Method 3

The neuromodulator is configured to deliver electrical stimulations to one or more seizure foci of the subject's brain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10602941B2Prediction of preictal state and seizure onset zones based on high frequency oscillations

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 VIRTUAL EEG & EPILEPSY SOLUTIONS PLLC

AI summary

A seizure preemption system including electrodes for recording simultaneous electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from a subject, a controller electrically coupled to the electrodes, and a neuromodulator electrically coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to sample the simultaneous EEG signals, identify high frequency oscillation (HFO) events in each EEG signal, and extract one or more features from each EEG signal to yield HFO profiles for the HFOs recorded from each EEG signal. Based on the HFO profiles for the EEG signal, the controller is configured to identify each EEG signal as associated with a preictal state or an interictal state of the subject. The neuromodulator is configured to deliver electrical stimulations to one or more seizure foci of the subject's brain via one or more of the electrodes in response to identification of at least one EEG signal as associated with a preictal state of the subject.