Multielectrode Signal-to-Noise Ratio via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioelectrical signal recording techniques face challenges with low amplitude signals, such as interference from patient movements and 50 Hz disturbances, requiring repeated procedures and causing discomfort, and are technically demanding and unsuitable for clinical routine due to the need for invasive methods.
Innovation Solution
A multielectrode with separate active and reference electrode surfaces arranged in multiple recording pairs on a carrier, connected to processing apparatus for inversion and summation, improving the signal-to-noise ratio by multiple recordings at a single detection site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-electrode recording is used, then the recording procedure is simple, but the signal-to-noise ratio is poor requiring repeated procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple independent recording pairs, each consisting of an active electrode surface and a reference electrode surface. This segmentation allows simultaneous recording of multiple signals from the same detection site, enabling signal averaging to improve signal-to-noise ratio without requiring repeated procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes periodic electrical stimulation to induce neural activity, combined with averaging of multiple periodic responses. By recording multiple cycles of the same neural response and averaging them, the signal-to-noise ratio is improved while maintaining a single continuous recording procedure.
2Measurement precision
If averaging procedure is used to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement accuracy improves, but the stimulation procedure must be prolonged causing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple recording pairs capture neural responses simultaneously from different locations. This parallel recording approach allows sufficient signal averaging to be achieved within a shorter time frame, reducing the duration of electrical stimulation required while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates multiple copies of the recording electrode at the same detection site, each capturing the same neural signal. By having multiple identical recording channels operating simultaneously, the system achieves better signal discrimination without extending the stimulation duration, as all copies record the same response in parallel.
3Measurement precision
If needle macroelectrodes are used for near nerve recording, then signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the procedure becomes technically demanding and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting electrodes in the third dimension (percutaneously through skin), the invention places multiple electrode surfaces in the same two-dimensional plane on the skin surface. This dimensional approach achieves near-nerve recording quality by capturing signals from multiple locations simultaneously, avoiding the technical complexity of invasive procedures while maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The multielectrode device combines multiple recording functions in a single non-invasive application. It can record from multiple neural fibers simultaneously at one detection site, providing both the signal quality of near-nerve recording and the ease of use of surface electrodes, making it suitable for clinical routine diagnostics.
4Measurement precision
If multiple recording pairs are used on one electrode, then signal-to-noise ratio improves through multiple recordings, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple recording pairs are merged into a single integrated electrode device. The active electrode surfaces and reference electrode surfaces are combined on one carrier, creating a unified multielectrode assembly that functions as a single diagnostic tool while providing multiple simultaneous recording channels for improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a multielectrode for recording a bioelectrical potential difference at a detection site. The multielectrode includes a carrier that has an active electrode surface and multiple reference electrode surfaces. The multielectrode includes a plurality of recording pairs for recording the bioelectrical potential difference at the detection site multiple times in response to a single stimulus. The active electrode surface is a part of more than one of the recording pairs. The recording pairs can be coupled to processing apparatus for an improved signal-to-noise ratio of the recorded bioelectrical-potential-difference recordings.