Device for use in sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes

• US 20060258930A1
• Filed: 05/18/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Wu, Jianping, Kurtz, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US11/435,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20060258930A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/085 Measuring impedance of respiratory organs or lung elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4815 Sleep quality
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 : pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 : in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 : remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 : local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 : using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 : Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/08 : Other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/10 : Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/18 : Rapid eye-movements [REM]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 : partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 : partial O2 pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/62 : Posture
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity

Abstract

Embodiments relate to devices for use in sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes. One particular embodiment relates to a device for detecting electrical potentials corresponding to biological signals. The device comprises a flexible member for positioning over a forehead area of a human head and first, second and third electrodes located on the flexible member. The first electrode is located in a projecting portion of the flexible member to be positioned adjacent a nasion area of the head. The second electrode is to be positioned over a first lateral forehead area. The third electrode is to be positioned over a second lateral forehead area opposite the first lateral forehead area.

Claims

1. A device for detecting electrical potentials corresponding to biological signals generated during a sleep study, comprising:

a flexible member for positioning over a forehead area of a human head;

a first electrode located on a projecting portion of the flexible member for positioning adjacent a nasion area of the head;

a second electrode located on the flexible member for positioning over a first lateral forehead area; and

a third electrode located on the flexible member for positioning over a second lateral forehead area opposite the first lateral forehead area.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein conductors are formed on the flexible member for electrically coupling the first, second and third electrodes to an output connector.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fourth electrode located on the flexible member intermediate the second and third electrodes for positioning over a central forehead area.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second and third electrodes are located on the flexible member for positioning higher on the forehead than Fp1 and Fp2 electrode positions.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the fourth electrode is located on the flexible member for positioning above the first electrode.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first and fourth electrodes are located on the flexible member for positioning along a vertical centerline of the head.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein the fourth electrode is located on the flexible member for positioning lower on the forehead than a Fz electrode position.

8. The device of claim 3, wherein the fourth electrode acts as a reference electrode.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the second and third electrodes are located on the flexible member for positioning laterally beyond respective Fp1 and Fp2 electrode positions.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein the second, third and fourth electrodes are positioned along a line.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third electrodes are positioned in a triangular configuration.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the triangular configuration is an isosceles triangular configuration.

13. The device of claim 3, wherein the first, second, third and fourth electrodes are positioned in a T-shaped configuration.

14. The device of claim 2, wherein the conductors comprise a printed flexible material.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the second and third electrodes have a separation of 70 to 110 mm.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the separation is 80 to 100 mm.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the separation is about 90 mm.

18. The device of claim 3, wherein the first and fourth electrodes have a separation of 35 to 55 mm.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the separation is 40 to 50 mm.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the separation is about 44 mm.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the first, second and third electrodes acts as a reference electrode.

22. The device of claim 2, wherein the second and third electrodes are located on opposed lateral wings of the flexible member.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the output connector is coupled to one of the lateral wings.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the flexible member comprises a flexible limb extending from the one lateral wing and having the output connector coupled to the conductors at an end of the limb.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the first, second and third electrodes is formed on a substrate of the flexible member.

26. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has an adhesive layer disposed on at least a part of an underside of the flexible member adjacent each of the first, second and third electrodes.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the adhesive layer is disposed on substantially the entire underside of the flexible member where the electrodes are not disposed.

28. The device of claim 3, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth electrodes has a layer of conductive material disposed on a skin contact side of the respective electrode.

29. The device of claim 3, wherein the first, second, third and fourth electrodes comprise at least one of silver and silver chloride.

30. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is located on the flexible member for positioning immediately above the nasion and between the eyebrows.

31. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is approximately T-shaped.

32. The device of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third electrodes are removeably attachable to the flexible member.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein each first, second and third electrode comprises a connection part for electrically and mechanically connecting to a corresponding part on the flexible member.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein each first, second and third electrode has a portion of adhesive material disposed around the respective electrode for affixing the respective electrode to the skin of the forehead.

35. A sensing device for use in sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes, comprising:

a flexible member for positioning over a forehead area of a human head, the flexible member having opposed lateral wings and a projecting portion;

a plurality of electrodes located on the flexible member for positioning laterally across the forehead; and

an electrode located on the projecting portion for positioning adjacent a nasion area.

36. A sensing device for use in sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes, comprising:

a flexible member for positioning over at least part of the forehead of a human head, the flexible member being approximately T-shaped; and

a plurality of electrodes located on the flexible member for positioning over areas on or adjacent the forehead, at least one electrode being located on the flexible member at a bottom of the T-shape for positioning adjacent a nasion area when the device is positioned on the head in a upright position.