Flexible Wireless EEG Sensor Patches for Stable Head-Mounted Signal Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional EEG measurement devices are poorly suited for real-world use in field settings due to their rigid configuration, bulkiness, and susceptibility to displacement during head movements, making them unsuitable for applications requiring high concentration and mobility, such as race car driving or eSports.
Innovation Solution
A flexible wireless EEG sensor system with remotely powered and adhesive patches on the head, using a base station for power transmission via NFC or RFID, and radio frequency links for data transmission, allowing for continuous operation and synchronization of EEG signals, even under helmets or in dynamic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional EEG measurement devices are used, then EEG signals can be measured, but the devices are poorly suited for real-world use due to rigid configuration and susceptibility to displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The EEG measurement system is divided into multiple independent adhesive patches, each containing a minimal set of electrodes (e.g., Fp1, Fp2, A1, A2) required for specific brain state detection. This segmentation allows the sensor to be applied only at critical locations rather than requiring a complete rigid cap covering the entire skull, thereby improving stability while maintaining ease of operation in field settings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible adhesive patches with thin film substrates that can conform to the curved surface of the head. These flexible carriers allow the electrodes to maintain stable contact with the skin during head movements without requiring rigid structural support, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
2Measurement precision
If a complete EEG system with about twenty electrodes is used, then comprehensive brain state measurement is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and unsuitable for field use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the essential electrodes (such as Fp1, Fp2, A1, A2) required for detecting specific brain states related to concentration and relaxation, rather than implementing a complete twenty-electrode system. This extraction maintains measurement precision for the targeted applications while dramatically reducing device complexity and improving suitability for field use
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive patch design incorporates multiple electrodes on a single flexible substrate that can detect various brain states (relaxation, stress, attention, fatigue) using the same minimal electrode configuration. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive brain state monitoring without requiring additional electrodes, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity
3Ease of operation
If adhesive patches are used for flexibility, then ease of operation improves, but power supply becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical battery power supply with a wireless power transmission system using electromagnetic fields (NFC or RFID technology). This substitution eliminates the need for physical batteries and wiring, maintaining the flexibility and lightness of the adhesive patch while solving the power supply challenge through contactless energy transfer from an external base station
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
Enables reliable and continuous EEG signal capture in real-world settings, reducing the risk of sensor displacement and improving usability for applications requiring high concentration and mobility by providing a lightweight, flexible, and power-efficient solution.
Implementation Method 1
a control circuit arranged on a second side of the substrate, connected by conductive tracks of the substrate to the EEG signal detector and to the remote power supply antenna, the control circuit being configured to extract its power supply from the signal received by the remote power supply antenna
Implementation Method 2
using a base station for power transmission via NFC or RFID
Implementation Method 3
using a base station for power transmission via NFC or RFID
Implementation Method 4
configured to be remotely powered and to transmit, via a first radio frequency link, EEG data corresponding to samples of a measured EEG signal
Data Source
AI summary
A device for capturing EEG signals comprises a flexible wireless sensor configured to be adhesively attached at an EEG measurement point of a user's head, and configured to be remotely powered and to transmit, via a first radio frequency link, EEG data corresponding to samples of a measured EEG signal; a base station located near the sensor, configured to remotely power the sensor; and a terminal configured to receive transmitted EEG data.