tDCS Headset With Guided Electrode Placement and Self-Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transcranial brain stimulation methods face challenges such as incorrect electrode placement, lack of physician presence, patient compliance issues, and inadequate monitoring, leading to impracticality and potential side effects.
Innovation Solution
A headset with pivotable electrodes, an integrated controller, and a system that includes a memory for scheduling, a power source, and a transceiver, allowing self-administered transcranial brain stimulation with reminders and monitoring capabilities, reducing the need for physician involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrodes are placed manually by a physician, then electrode placement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, and physician availability becomes a limiting factor
Solution Approach 1:
The headset enables self-service electrode placement through a standardized interface that automatically positions electrodes correctly when placed on the forehead. The system includes instructional content and feedback mechanisms that guide the user to achieve proper electrode placement without requiring a physician, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining placement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode positions are pre-determined and built into the headset design, with electrodes positioned at specific locations on the forehead frame. This preliminary configuration ensures correct placement before the therapy session begins, eliminating the need for manual positioning by a physician during each session.
2Reliability
If a physician is present for each therapy session, then patient monitoring and feedback are improved, but productivity and accessibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The headset incorporates feedback mechanisms including instructional content that guides proper electrode placement and usage, and monitoring capabilities that track therapy delivery and patient compliance. This automated feedback system enables reliable patient monitoring without requiring a physician to be present, thereby improving accessibility and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables patients to self-monitor and self-manage their therapy through integrated instructions and feedback mechanisms. Patients can independently verify proper electrode placement and track their therapy sessions, reducing the need for physician involvement while maintaining reliable monitoring.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fabric headwear is used to hold electrodes, then electrode stability is improved, but comfort and wearability deteriorate due to warmth and discomfort during extended use
Solution Approach 1:
The headset uses a non-fabric headwear structure, likely incorporating flexible materials and thin films that provide electrode stability without the warmth and discomfort associated with fabric. This design allows for extended wear during therapy sessions while maintaining electrode position stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the headset design allows flexibility in electrode positioning, then adaptability to different forehead shapes is improved, but risk of incorrect current direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headset employs an asymmetric design where the first and second electrodes are positioned at specific asymmetric locations on the forehead frame. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the current flows in the correct direction (anodal to cathodal) while still allowing the electrodes to pivot and adapt to different forehead shapes. The asymmetric design prevents incorrect current direction even as the electrodes adjust to fit individual users.
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 safe, comfortable, and effective transcranial brain stimulation without a physician, improving patient compliance and providing real-time monitoring and feedback.
Implementation Method 1
A current, either direct or alternating, is applied to the circuit, which acts on the neurons of the brain
Implementation Method 2
During electrical transcranial brain stimulation, the potential of neuronal cells are influenced by an applied electric field. This field influences the neuronal cells under the stimulated area and pushes them closer or further away from their activation threshold
Implementation Method 3
The first and second electrodes may comprise an adhesive layer configured such that it adheres to the forehead of the user
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a headset for transcranial brain stimulation. The headset comprising: a forehead frame (101), the forehead frame defining an elongated arch; a first electrode (102A) arranged at a first end portion of the forehead frame; a second electrode (102B) arranged at a second end portion of the forehead frame; a bracket (104) arranged at a center portion of the forehead frame; and a circuit (200) comprising the first and second electrodes and being configured to be powered according to a schedule for performing the transcranial brain stimulation. Wherein upon use of the headset the forehead frame is configured such that the first electrode is located at a left side of a forehead of a user of the headset, and such that the second electrode is located at a right side of the forehead of the user of the headset, and the bracket is configured to extend from the forehead frame over the skull of the user towards a neck portion of the user. The present invention also relates to a system comprising the headset and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program which is executable on an electronic device (150) having processing capabilities.