Non-Invasive EEG Detection of Spreading Depolarizations After Brain Injury
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting spreading depolarizations (SDs) in the brain, which are associated with traumatic brain injuries, require invasive intracranial recordings, posing risks and limiting spatial coverage, and are not suitable for patients with milder injuries.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using scalp electroencephalography (EEG) with a low-density electrode system and automated algorithm to detect and track propagating power depressions, employing preprocessing, power envelope extraction, optical flow analysis, and learnable parameters for accurate SD detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive intracranial recordings are used to detect SDs, then detection reliability is improved, but patient risk and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses scalp EEG electrodes as an intermediary to detect SDs non-invasively. Instead of placing electrodes directly on the brain surface (invasive method), the system mediates the detection through scalp electrodes that pick up electrical signals transmitted through the skull, thereby eliminating surgical risks while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical intervention required for intracranial electrode placement with a non-invasive electrical field-based detection system. The EEG system uses electrical signal processing and computational algorithms to detect SDs without physical penetration of the skull, substituting mechanical surgery with electromagnetic field analysis
2Measurement precision
If invasive intracranial recordings are used to detect SDs, then detection precision is improved, but spatial coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the EEG system universal by enabling it to detect SDs across multiple brain regions simultaneously using a standard scalp electrode array. The system processes signals from multiple electrodes to identify propagating depolarization waves anywhere on the cortical surface, providing broad spatial coverage without requiring separate invasive procedures for different brain areas
3Measurement precision
If invasive surgery is performed to detect SDs, then detection accuracy is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs standard scalp EEG electrodes and portable EEG devices that are relatively inexpensive compared to invasive intracranial monitoring systems. The system uses off-the-shelf EEG hardware combined with computational algorithms to achieve SD detection, eliminating the need for expensive surgical equipment and specialized intracranial sensors
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 detection of SDs without invasive surgery, applicable to a wider range of patients, including those with milder traumatic brain injuries, at a lower cost and with improved spatial coverage.
Implementation Method 1
scalp electroencephalography (EEG)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system and method implementing a processing and detection pipeline to detect spreading depolarization waves in a brain occurring after a traumatic brain injury. The method relies solely on EEG data collected by a standard EEG machine.