Fiber optic power source for an electroencephalograph acquisition apparatus

• US 20020161309A1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Physiometrix, Inc. (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Physiometrix, Inc. (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Marro, Dominic P.
• Application Number:
  US10/183,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20020161309A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/223 Optical cables therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/386 Accessories or supplementary instruments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7217 of noise originating from a therapeutic or surgical apparatus, e.g. from a pacemaker
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence

Abstract

A reusable appliance for acquisition from a patient of EEG signals comprising a micro-miniature, micro-power, low noise multi-channel data-acquisition system powered by a fiber optic illuminator and photovoltaic cell thus eliminating the need for inductively coupled power converters. The appliance also uses disposable EEG electrodes which are similar in size and very low cost.

Claims

1. A reusable apparatus for the acquisition of electroencephalographic signals from the head of a patient, the apparatus comprising a patient appliance having an array comprising a plurality of low cost disposable EEG electrodes, a power system comprising a fiber optic illuminator and photovoltaic cell, whereby the need for inductively coupled power converters is eliminated, and an optical data transmission cable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the optical data transmission cable and the fiber optic illuminator comprise a single optical fiber cable.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the patient appliance and the single optical fiber cable are substantially enclosed in a Faraday shield electrically connected ground.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the patient appliance further comprises a micro-miniature, micro-power, low noise multi-channel data-acquisition system.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the a micro-miniature, micro-power, low noise multi-channel data-acquisition system comprises remotely powered electronics comprising micro-power amplifiers.

4. A fiber optic power system for low interference remote acquisition of electrical signals comprising a power source, a diode laser, a fiber optic cable, an optical interface,and a plurality of photovoltaic cells.

5. The fiber optic power system of claim 4 in which the optical interface is configured to spread optical power substantially evenly over the plurality of photovoltaic cells.

6. The fiber optic power system of claim 4 additionally comprising an analog to digital clock.