Apparatuses and Methods For Electrophysiological Signal Delivery and Recording During Mri

• US 20080306397A1
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bonmassar, Giorgio, Purdon, Patrick L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,327,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1102 Ballistocardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/721 using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured

Abstract

Methods, systems and arrangements are provided for obtaining electroencephalograph (“EEG”) EEG signals from a patient e.g., during a concurrent EEG/MRI examination of the patient. The methods, systems and arrangements include a cap made of conductive inks with sensor positions for attaching a plurality of sensors to the patient'"'"'s head. The sensors can include electrodes as well as motion sensors for improving EEG signal quality and MRI image quality in the presence of motion noise and other artifacts within the MRI environment. The electrodes may be composed of conductive inks, and can be used in high magnetic fields due to a weak interaction with the RF fields generated by the MRI scanner. The exemplary methods, systems and arrangements can achieve lower SAR and lower temperature increase, as compared to conventional electrodes.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A system for receiving electroencephalogram (EEG) signals comprising:

an electrode carrier;

a plurality of electrodes configures to receive EEG signals and connected to the carrier to be arranged about a subject when the carrier is positioned on the subject;

wherein each electrode includes;

an open-ended conductive trace configured to be electrically connected to the subject to receive EEG signals;

a conductive lead electrically extending from the conductive trace to communicate the EEG signals and having a resistivity selected to be substantially opaque to RF pulses used during magnetic resonance imaging.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a motion sensor configured to at least detect ballistocardiogram motion.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the motion sensor includes a piezo-electric sensor.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the motion sensor is connected to the electrode carrier.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the conductive trace has a resistivity of at least 2 kilo-ohms per meter.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the conductor and conductive lead include at least one of carbon, silver, and silver chloride.

22. The system of claim 16 wherein the open-ended conductive trace and the conductive lead include a conductive ink.

23. The system of claim 16 wherein the open-ended conductive trace extends in a partial circle between two endpoints and wherein the conductive lead is electrically connected to the open-ended conductive trace between the two endpoints.

24. The system of claim 16 wherein the conductive lead includes a plurality of layers including at least one of a foam layer, a polyester layer, a conductive ink layer, a dielectric layer, and a silicone layer.

25. The system of claim 16 wherein the carrier forms a stretchable cap.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the stretchable cap includes a polyester substrate and having connected thereto a plurality of microstrips of conductive ink forming the conductive leads.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the conductive ink layer is coated with dielectric ink.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the carrier includes a vibration dampener including at least one of an elastic mesh dressing and a pillow.

29. The system of claim 26 wherein the open-ended conductive trace is connected to the polyester substrate.

30. The system of claim 16 wherein the conductor and the conductive lead are free of ferromagnetic materials.

31. A system for receiving electroencephalogram (EEG) signals comprising:

an electrode carrier;

a plurality of electrodes configured to receive EEG signals and connected to the carrier to be arranged about a subject when the carrier is positioned on the subject;

wherein each electrode includes;

a conductive trace configured to be electrically connected to the subject to receive EEG signals;

a conductive lead electrically extending from the conductive trace to communicate the EEG signals; and

a motion sensor configured to at least detect ballistocardiogram motion.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the conductive trace is an open-ended trace extending in partial circle between two endpoints and wherein the conductive lead is electrically connected to the open-ended conductive trace between the two endpoints.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein the conductive trace has a resistivity selected to be substantially opaque to RF pulses used during magnetic resonance imaging.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the conductive trace has a resistivity of at least 2 kilo-ohms per meter.

35. The system of claim 31 wherein the motion sensor includes a piezo-electric sensor.