Device for detecting electrical potentials of the forehead region of a patent

• US 20060100538A1
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Humidification Technologies GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: MAP Medizin-Technologie GMBH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Genger, Harald, Negele, Claus
• Granted Patent: US 7,848,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/021 operated by electrical means A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/10 Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)

Abstract

A device for detecting electrical potentials in the forehead area of a patient has a transverse member adapted to rest against the forehead of the patient, a vertical member extending crosswise to the transverse member and a mask on the vertical member. Electrodes are provided on the transverse members at least at its ends and at the center at which the vertical bar crosses the transverse member.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting electrical potentials in the forehead region of a patient, in particular for determining sleep stages, comprising:

a breathing mask adapted to fit over a mouth and nose of the patient; and

an electrode device having at least two electrode elements directly engagable with the forehead region and fixed to the breathing mask, a measuring circuit arrangement for producing measurement data in accordance with the electrical potentials detected by the electrode device, the measuring circuit arrangement being integrated into a forehead support element, and a signal transmission device for cord-less transmission of the measurement data produced by the measuring circuit arrangement.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the measuring circuit arrangement has a data compression device for forwarding a compressed data set to the signal transmission device.

3. A device for detecting electrical potentials in the forehead region of a patient, in particular for determining sleep stages, comprising:

a breathing mask adapted to fit over a mouth and nose of the patient; and

an electrode device fixed to the breathing mask and having at least two electrode elements directly engagable with the forehead region, a measuring circuit arrangement for producing measurement data in accordance with the electrical potentials detected by the electrode device, characterized in that the measuring circuit arrangement is integrated into a forehead support element, and there is provided a measurement data recording device for recording the measurement-data produced by the measuring circuit arrangement.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the measurement data recording device is formed by an approximately postage stamp-size memory card element which is releasably fitted.