EEG Phase Synchrony Analysis for Portable mTBI Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are inadequate due to the lack of objective tests and the expense and non-portability of existing technologies like MRI and DTI, which are not sensitive to the dynamic physiological changes post-injury.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing phase synchrony measures from EEG data to detect mTBI by comparing pre- and post-injury electrical activity patterns, incorporating a wearable device with electrodes and accelerometers to collect and analyze brain and head movement data, and a processor to determine the likelihood of mTBI based on phase synchrony changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MRI and DTI techniques are used to detect mTBI, then detection capability is improved, but portability and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (MRI and DTI scanners) with a portable EEG-based measurement system. The EEG device measures electrical activity and derives phase synchrony measures, substituting the mechanical imaging approach with an electrical measurement approach that achieves comparable detection capability while improving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the imaging function using EEG data. Instead of directly imaging brain structure with MRI, the system copies the detection function by measuring electrical activity patterns and deriving phase synchrony measures that reflect the same underlying physiological changes, achieving detection capability with a portable device.
2Measurement precision
If MRI and DTI techniques are used to detect mTBI, then detection capability is improved, but cost is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a low-cost EEG device instead of expensive MRI scanners. The EEG system uses inexpensive electrodes and portable hardware that can be deployed widely without the substantial financial investment required for MRI infrastructure, making the detection capability accessible at a fraction of the cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the expensive mechanical imaging system with an electrical measurement system. By measuring electrical activity and computing phase synchrony measures, the system achieves comparable detection capability without the high operational and infrastructure costs associated with MRI and DTI techniques.
3Measurement precision
If static measurements like MRI and DTI are used, then structural anomalies can be detected, but dynamic physiological changes are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static structural imaging to dynamic functional measurement. The EEG system continuously records electrical activity over time, and phase synchrony measures are computed from time-varying data, enabling detection of dynamic physiological changes that occur after mTBI rather than only static structural anomalies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces static structural imaging with dynamic electrical measurement. By substituting MRI's structural snapshots with EEG's continuous functional monitoring and deriving phase synchrony measures from temporal patterns, the system gains sensitivity to physiological changes over time while maintaining detection capability.
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
The system achieves an accuracy of at least 80% in classifying resting state EEGs as baseline or post-injury, effectively identifying subtle white matter injuries and traumatic head impacts, providing a portable and cost-effective solution for mTBI detection.
Implementation Method 1
electrodes disposed at a plurality of locations on the head of the subject and configured to detect electrical activity of the brain
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of accelerometers disposed at a plurality of locations on the head of the subject and configured to detect motion of the head
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for detecting mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) includes a memory arrangement including stored brain data corresponding to electrical activity of a brain of a subject at locations in the brain during a first time period. In addition, the system includes a processor receiving the stored brain data and current brain data corresponding to electrical activity of the brain of the subject at the plurality of locations during a second time period, wherein the second time period is after the first time period. The processor generates a first set of phase synchrony measures (PSM) corresponding to frequency band-specific oscillatory phase synchrony of the stored brain data, and a second set of PSM corresponding to frequency band-specific oscillatory phase synchrony of the current brain data. The processor determines a likelihood of mTBI based on the first and second sets of PSM. The stored brain data may be a normative distribution of data of the electrical activity of the brain determined from a set of standards