Neurophysiology testing system

• US 20070239059A1
• Filed: 01/08/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christopher R. Mciver
• Original Assignee: Christopher R. Mciver
• Inventors: McIver, Christopher R.
• Application Number:
  US11/650,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20070239059A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/246 using evoked responses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/377 using evoked responses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/745 using a holographic display
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Abstract

The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system provides a multifunctional neurological testing system for a variety of neurological tests, such as electroencephalographs (EEGs) and magnetoencephalographs (MEGs), to be performed on a patient. The system includes a housing for receiving at least one neurological measurement system and a conductive gel supply. A selectively positionable elongated support is pivotally mounted on an upper end of the housing at a proximal end thereof, and a sensor cap is mounted on the distal end of the elongated support. The sensor cap is selectively and adjustably positioned to be adjacent the head of the user so that at least one sensor, such as an EEG electrode, mounted on the sensor cap comes into contact with the patient'"'"'s head. The EEG electrode is in communication with the conductive gel supply for selective application of conductive gel to the user'"'"'s head.

Claims

1. A neurophysiology testing and monitoring system, comprising:

a housing having an upper end and a lower end, the housing defining an open chamber;

a neurological measurement system disposed within the chamber defined by housing;

an elongated support having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally and adjustably mounted on the upper end of the housing;

a sensor cap mounted on the distal end of the elongated support, the sensor cap being adapted for positioning on the head of a user; and

at least one sensor mounted on the sensor cap and projecting downwardly from an inner surface thereof, the sensor being adapted for contacting the head of the user, the at least one sensor being in electrical communication with the neurological measurement system, whereby the elongated support may be selectively positioned so that the distal end of the elongated support is positioned adjacent the head of the user.

2. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a holographic display system in electrical communication with said neurological measurement system for displaying at least a partial three-dimensional view of the anatomy of the user.

3. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an electrode having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end forming an electrode cup adapted for mounting on the head of the user, the electrode cup defining an inner open region, the upper end having a gel port formed therethrough, the gel port being in fluid communication with the inner open region, the system further comprising:

a conductive gel supply disposed within said housing; and

means for selectively and adjustably dispensing conductive gel from the conductive gel supply.

4. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 1, wherein said neurological measurement system is selected from the group consisting of:

an electroencephalogram system, a magnetoencephalogram system, a surface electromyography system, a needle electromyography system, a motor nerve conduction test system, a sensory nerve conduction test system, a somatosensory evoked potential system, a repetitive nerve stimulation study system, a brainstem auditory evoked response system, a visual evoked potentials system, a polysomnography system, a ventriculography system, a Doppler study system, an H-reflex system, an F-wave system, a spinal cord monitoring system, a brain and spinal cord mapping system, a cognitive study system and a deep brain stimulation system.

5. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a crown mounted on the distal end of said elongated support, the crown having an upper surface and a lower surface, said sensor cap extending downwardly from the lower surface.

6. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a harness adapted to be releasably worn by the user, the harness being mounted to the lower surface of the crown and projecting downwardly therefrom, the harness being joined to, and supporting, said sensor cap.

7. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 5, further comprising at least one extendible arm mounted to the lower surface of the crown and extending downwardly therefrom, the at least one extendible arm being adapted for adjustably supporting auxiliary neurological testing equipment adjacent the user'"'"'s head.

8. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for selectively driving and positioning said elongated support.

9. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 3, wherein the electrode is selected from the group consisting of:

an electroencephalogram electrode and a magnetoencephalogram electrode.

10. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 1, wherein the neurophysiology testing and monitoring system is portable.

11. An electrode for use with a neurophysiology testing and monitoring system, comprising:

an electrode cup having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being open and being adapted for placement on the head of a user, the upper end having an opening formed therethrough;

an elongated shaft mounted on the upper end of the electrode cup and extending upwardly therefrom, the elongated shaft having an inner chamber defined therein, a sidewall of the elongated shaft having a fluid port formed therethrough, the inner chamber being in fluid communication with an inner region of the electrode cup through the opening; and

an electrical lead mounted on the elongated shaft adapted for electrical connection to an external neurological measurement system, whereby an external fluid supply may be selectively connected to the fluid port for selective application of the fluid to the electrode cup.

12. The electrode for use with a neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 11, wherein an upper end of said elongated shaft is open and adapted for receiving an abrading instrument, whereby said abrading instrument may be inserted through said upper end of said elongated shaft to pass into said electrode cup through the opening to abrade the head of the user prior to application of the fluid.

13. The electrode for use with a neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 11, wherein the electrode cup is adapted for electroencephalography.

14. The electrode for use with a neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 13, wherein the fluid is electrically conductive gel.

15. The electrode for use with a neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 11, wherein the electrode cup is adapted for magnetoencephalography.

16. The electrode for use with a neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 15, wherein the fluid is a coolant.

17. The electrode for use with a neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a magnetic field sensor.

18. A neurophysiology testing and monitoring system, comprising:

a housing having an upper end and a lower end, the housing defining an open chamber;

a neurological measurement system disposed within the chamber defined by housing;

an elongated support having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally and adjustably mounted on the upper end of the housing;

a sensor cap mounted on the distal end of the elongated support, the sensor cap being adapted for positioning on the head of a user;

at least one sensor mounted on the sensor cap and projecting downwardly from an inner surface thereof, the sensor being adapted for contacting the head of the user, the at least one sensor being in electrical communication with the neurological measurement system;

means for recording a visual representation of the user; and

,

means for selectively displaying the visual representation of the user and user-selectable neurological measurement data, whereby the elongated support may be selectively positioned so that the distal end of the elongated support is positioned adjacent the head of the user.

19. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 18, wherein said means for selectively displaying the visual representation of the user and user-selectable neurological measurement data comprises a holographic display system.

20. The neurophysiology testing and monitoring system as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

means for recording audio signals coupled to said means for recording a visual representation of the user; and

,

means for interpreting voice commands generated by the user.