Geodesic Dual-Layer EEG Electrode Net for Noise Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current EEG systems are susceptible to noise interference, particularly from environmental and muscular sources, which hinders their widespread use in daily life due to the need for controlled environments and complex setups, and existing signal processing methods are computationally costly and uncomfortable for subjects.
Innovation Solution
A geodesic dual-layer EEG system with a net structure of electrode units connected by elastic legs, featuring inward-facing electrodes for biosignal capture and outward-facing electrodes for environmental noise capture, combined with real-time signal processing using multiplexing and noise separation algorithms to isolate and remove noise components, allowing for comfortable and efficient noise-free EEG data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dual-layer EEG with second-layer conductive fabric is used to capture environmental artifacts, then noise detection capability is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the EEG electrode and environmental artifact electrode into a single integrated electrode unit, where both electrodes are mechanically coupled together. This merging eliminates the need for separate dual-layer setups while maintaining the ability to capture both brain signals and environmental artifacts simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity and setup time while preserving noise detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If dual-layer EEG with second-layer conductive fabric is used to capture environmental artifacts, then noise detection capability is improved, but setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode unit is pre-assembled with both the EEG electrode and environmental artifact electrode mechanically coupled together before use. This preliminary integration means that during the actual setup process, the entire integrated unit is simply placed on the subject's head, eliminating the time-consuming process of separately positioning and connecting multiple layers of electrodes and conductive fabric.
3Measurement precision
If dual-layer EEG with second-layer conductive fabric is used to capture environmental artifacts, then noise detection capability is improved, but subject comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the EEG electrode and environmental artifact electrode into a single integrated unit that contacts only one layer on the subject's head, the patent eliminates the need for a second confining layer. This maintains noise detection capability through the integrated design while significantly improving subject comfort by removing the tight, confining second layer.
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 significantly improves EEG data quality by eliminating noise sources in real-time, enhancing portability and usability, and reducing setup time and discomfort, making it suitable for various applications beyond neuroscience laboratories.
Implementation Method 1
a respective first electrode directed toward and sensing biosignals in the head of the subject
Implementation Method 2
a respective second electrode supported adjacent the first electrode and directed away from the head of the subject and sensing electrical signals in an environment around the head of the subject
Implementation Method 3
The legs each have a respective elastic conduction element extending between the associated electrode structures. The conduction elements are connected electrically with the second electrodes of the electrode structures connected with the leg
Implementation Method 4
Elastic insulation structures are between the conduction elements and the head of the user so as to electrically insulate the conduction elements from the head of the user
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for sensing electrical currents in a subject has a geodesic net structure of electrode elements connect by flexible legs. The electrode elements each have an inner electrode facing and sensing electrical currents in the subject and an outer layer electrode facing away and sensing external electrical noise. The legs have flexible conductive material that electrically connects the outer electrodes so that they are all connected and are electrically the same or similar to the subject's body part. The outputs of the electrodes are converted to multiplexed digital signals and transmitted to signal processing circuitry that identifies the noise present in the signals from the outer electrodes and removes the noise from the signals from the inner electrodes so as to output clean EEG data for each inner electrode. Additional electrodes that detect extraneous neuro-muscular currents are also used to determine the noise in the inner electrode output signals.