Contoured electrode

• US 20090112077A1
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neurosky Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neurosky Incorporated
• Inventors: Nguyen, Tin, Lee, Koo Hyoung, Lim, Jong Jin, Chuang, Cheng-l
• Granted Patent: US 8,301,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]

Abstract

A contoured bioelectrical signal electrode and a sensor headset are disclosed. A contoured bioelectrical signal electrode that also includes a conductive fabric is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor, comprising:

a holder, wherein the holder is pivotable and rotatable; and

a contoured bioelectrical signal sensor connected to the holder, wherein the contoured bioelectrical signal sensor includes an electrode with a protruding shape.

2. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a headset, wherein the holder is connected to the headset.

3. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a headset, wherein the holder is connected to the headset, wherein the headset includes an audio speaker and a plurality of audio controls.

4. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a headset, wherein the headset includes an audio speaker and a plurality of audio controls, wherein the holder is an integrated component of the headset.

5. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a headset, wherein the holder is integrated in an earpiece of the headset.

6. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the holder is connected to a flexible arm, wherein the flexible arm is connected to the headset.

7. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode is a shaped electrode.

8. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode is a shaped electrode, wherein the shape of the electrode is selected from a spherical shape, a half spherical shape, a quarter spherical shape, a teardrop shape, an elliptical shape, and a rectangular shape.

9. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an electrode set, the electrode set including the contour shaped electrode, wherein the electrode is a dry electrode, the electrode set further including;

a base having a conductive biasing mechanism, an opening, and a connection;

a conductive electrode having a cap portion and a post portion connected to the cap portion, the post portion having a retaining ridge;

the electrode is inserted into the opening of the base wherein the electrode is releasably retained in the base by the retaining ridge, the electrode is pivotable and rotatable in the opening of the base; and

wherein a signal detected by the electrode passes through the conductive electrode and the conductive biasing mechanism to the connection.

10. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an electrode set, the electrode set including the contour shaped electrode, wherein the electrode is a dry electrode, the electrode set further including;

a base having a conductive biasing mechanism, an opening, and a connection;

a conductive electrode having a cap portion and a post portion connected to the cap portion, the post portion having a retaining ridge;

the electrode is inserted into the opening of the base wherein the electrode is releasably retained in the base by the retaining ridge, the electrode is pivotable and rotatable in the opening of the base; and

wherein a signal detected by the electrode passes through the conductive electrode and the conductive biasing mechanism to the connection, and wherein the conductive electrode is replaceable.

11. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an electrode set, the electrode set including the contour shaped electrode, wherein the electrode is a dry electrode, the electrode set further including;

a base having an opening and a connection;

a conductive electrode having a cap portion and a post portion connected to the cap portion, the post portion having a spiral screw thread;

the electrode is screwed into the opening of the base wherein the electrode is releasably retained in the base by the retaining spiral screw thread in the opening of the base; and

wherein a signal detected by the electrode passes through the conductive electrode cap to the post and the base to the connection.

12. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode includes a conductive fabric.

13. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an electrode set, the electrode set including the contour shaped electrode, wherein the electrode includes a conductive fabric, the electrode set further including;

a base having a contoured shape, wherein the conductive fabric is wrapped around the contoured shape; and

an electrical connection, wherein the electrical connection connects the conductive fabric to a connection wire. such as metal riser, metal wire loop or conductive thread with thread tie post to connect the conductive fabric to the connection wire.

14. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an electrode set, the electrode set including the contour shaped electrode, wherein the electrode includes a conductive fabric, the electrode set further including;

a base having a contoured shape, wherein the conductive fabric is wrapped around the contoured shape; and

an electrical connection, wherein the electrical connection connects the conductive fabric to a connection wire, and wherein the electrical connection is selected from the group of a metal riser, a metal wire loop, and a conductive thread with a thread tie post for connecting the conductive fabric to the connection wire.

15. An apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor, comprising:

a holder, wherein the holder houses one or more bioelectrical signal sensors;

a bioelectrical signal sensor connected to the holder; and

an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly includes a screw and a nut for connecting the electrode assembly to the holder.

16. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

a headset, wherein the headset includes an audio speaker and a plurality of audio controls, wherein the holder is an integrated component of the headset.

17. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

a headset, wherein the holder is integrated in an earpiece of the headset.

18. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 15, wherein the electrode is a contoured electrode.

19. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 15, wherein the electrode is a shaped electrode, wherein the shape of the electrode is selected from a spherical shape, a half spherical shape, a quarter spherical shape, a teardrop shape, an elliptical shape, and a rectangular shape, and wherein the shaped electrode includes a conductive fabric.

20. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 15, the electrode assembly further comprising:

an electrode set, the electrode set including the electrode, wherein the electrode is a dry electrode, the electrode set further including;

a base having an opening and a connection;

a conductive electrode having a cap portion and a post portion connected to the cap portion, the post portion having a spiral screw thread;

the electrode is screwed into the opening of the base wherein the electrode is releasably retained in the base by the retaining spiral screw thread in the opening of the base; and

wherein a signal detected by the electrode passes through the conductive electrode cap to the post and the base to the connection.