Electrode Array Headgear with Moveable Hubs for Scalp Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrode headgear systems face challenges in achieving precise and symmetrical electrode placement on a patient's head, which is crucial for accurate neurological condition detection, as existing solutions often struggle with adaptability to individual head shapes and hair interference, leading to inconsistent signal quality.

Innovation Solution

The development of a headgear system with a frame and electrode hubs that allow for adjustable and flexible electrode placement, featuring moveable electrode members, telescoping designs, and a conductive fluid system to ensure optimal contact with the scalp, along with a measurement device that selects the best electrode data for transmission and comparison.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed position electrodes are used in a fabric headband, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to individual head shapes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to individual head shapesVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode members are designed to be moveable relative to the electrode hubs, allowing dynamic adjustment of electrode positions to accommodate individual head shapes. The moveable electrode members can be positioned at different locations along the headgear frame to achieve optimal contact with the scalp for each patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The headgear system is divided into modular components including multiple electrode hubs with multiple electrode members each, allowing selective positioning and configuration. This segmentation enables customization of electrode placement patterns while maintaining a standardized base structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If electrodes are positioned to achieve precise placement, then the measurement precision improves, but the difficulty of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode placement precisionVSAvoidelectrode positioning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode hubs are pre-configured with multiple electrode members at predetermined positions along the headgear frame. This preliminary arrangement of electrodes at various potential locations allows for quick selection and positioning without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes features that enable automatic or self-adjusting electrode positioning, such as moveable electrode members that can be easily repositioned by the operator without specialized training, and measurement devices that provide feedback to guide proper electrode placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If moveable electrode members are implemented, then the adaptability to scalp contact improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescalp contact consistencyVSAvoidelectrode hub structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headgear incorporates flexible components and thin-film structures that allow the moveable electrode members to conform to the contours of the scalp while maintaining electrical contact. The flexible design enables reliable scalp contact without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electrode members are included per hub, then the versatility of measurement configurations improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement configuration versatilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Each electrode hub is designed as a universal module containing multiple electrode members that can serve different measurement functions. This multi-functional design allows the same hub structure to support various electrode configurations and measurement protocols, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230027321A1Electrode array apparatus, neurological condition detection apparatus, and method of using the same

Publication Date: 2023.01.26 RAINSCALES HEALTH INC

AI summary

An apparatus for measuring patient data includes a frame having a plurality of electrode hubs. Each hub can include one or more electrode members. The frame can be configured to receive a head of a patient. Each of the electrode hubs can have a single electrode member or a plurality of electrode members that extend from or are connected to an outer member for contacting a scalp of the head of the patient. The outer member can have at least one circuit configured to transmit data received by at least one of the electrode members to a measurement device via a wireless communication connection (e.g. Bluetooth, near field communication, etc.) or a wired communication connection.