BODY-BASED MONITORING OF BRAIN ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY

• US 20090318827A1
• Filed: 06/23/2008
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freer Logic LLC
• Original Assignee: Freer Logic LLC
• Inventors: Scanzoni, Stephen J., Nuss, Randall S., Freer, Peter A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,209,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/545
• 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 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/375 using biofeedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for monitoring electrical activity within the brain of a person (“brainwaves”) employing electrodes or other sensors connected or placed proximate to portions of the body below the head to develop raw signals. The raw signals are filtered to produce analysis signals including frequency components relevant to brain electrical activity while attenuating unrelated frequency components. Purposes include but are not limited to, biofeedback-based attention training, human performance training, gaming, and relaxation training. Either wired or wireless signal connections are made to electronic circuitry, typically including a digital computer, for performing signal processing and analysis functions.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring electrical activity within the brain of a person having a body including a head, said method comprising:

attaching at least a pair of sensors at least proximate to portions of the body below the head to develop raw signals; and

filtering the raw signals to produce analysis signals including frequency components relevant to brain electrical activity while attenuating unrelated frequency components.

2. The method of claim 1, which comprises attaching the sensors at least proximate to an arm, wrist, leg or back of the person.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of filtering the raw signals comprises employing a low pass filter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of filtering the raw signals comprises employing a low pass filter having a cutoff frequency within the range of 20 Hz to 40 Hz.

5. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

adaptively determining heart rate signals of the person from the raw signals; and

wherein

filtering the raw signals to produce analysis signals including frequency components relevant to brain electrical activity while attenuating unrelated frequency components comprises employing the determined heart rate signals to actively cancel heart rate signal components from the raw signals.

6. A method for monitoring a physiological state of a person having a body including a head, said method comprising:

attaching at least a pair of sensors at least proximate to portions of the body below the head to develop raw signals; and

processing the raw signals to produce at least one bandpass-filtered state-indicating signal representative of raw signal magnitude within a predetermined frequency range as an indication of the physiological state of the person.

7. The method of claim 6, which comprises attaching the sensors at least proximate to an arm, wrist, leg or back of the person.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the state-indicating signal is an intention-indicating signal; and

which method comprises;

processing the raw signals to produce at least one bandpass-filtered attention-indicating signal representative of raw signal magnitude within a predetermined frequency range as an indication of the person'"'"'s level of attention.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein processing the raw signals to produce at least one bandpass-filtered state-indicating signal representative of raw signal magnitude within a predetermined frequency range as an indication of the physiological state of the person comprises:

bandpass filtering the raw signals to produce bandpass-limited signals within the predetermined frequency range; and

analyzing the bandpass-limited signals to determine a magnitude as the bandpass-filtered state-indicating signal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein bandpass filtering the raw signals includes applying a low pass filter ahead of a bandpass filter.

11. The method of claim 6, which further comprises:

actively determining heart rate signals of the person from the raw signals; and

wherein

processing the raw signals to produce at least one bandpass-filtered state-indicating signal representative of raw signal magnitude within a predetermined frequency range as an indication of the physiological state of the person comprises employing the determined heart rate signals to actively attenuate heart rate signal components from the raw signals.

12. A method for monitoring the level of attention of a person having a body including a head, said method comprising:

attaching at least a pair of sensors at least proximate to portions of the body below the head to develop signals; and

analyzing the signals to provide an indication of the person'"'"'s level of attention by isolating frequency components relevant to brain electrical activity indicative of the person'"'"'s level of attention while attenuating unrelated frequency components.

13. The method of claim 12, which comprises attaching the sensors at least proximate to an arm, wrist, leg or back of the person.

14. The method of claim 12, which further comprises:

adaptively determining heart rate signals of the person from the signals; and

wherein

analyzing the signals to provide an indication of the person'"'"'s level of attention by isolating frequency components relevant to brain electrical activity indicative of the person'"'"'s level of attention while attenuating unrelated frequency components comprises employing the determined heart rate signals to actively attenuate heart rate signal components from the signals.

15. Apparatus for monitoring electrical activity within the brain of a person having a body including a head, said apparatus comprising:

at least a pair of sensors;

a unit including at least an amplifier connected for receiving signals from said sensors;

a body-attachment device configured for attachment to a portion of the person'"'"'s body below the head, said body-attachment device providing structural support for said sensors and for said unit, and said body-attachment device positioning said sensors at least proximate to the body of the person; and

a programmed computing device receiving signals from said amplifier;

said unit and said computing device functioning together to isolate and analyze frequency components of the signals relevant to brain electrical activity while attenuating unrelated frequency components.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said body-attachment device comprises an adjustable band configured for attachment to an arm or leg of the person.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said body-attachment device comprises an adjustable band configured for attachment around the torso of the person.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said body-attachment device comprises a cuff configured for attachment to an arm or leg of the person.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said unit and said computing device function together to produce at least one bandpass-filtered attention-indicating signal as an indication of the person'"'"'s level of attention.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

said unit further includes a wireless transmitter for receiving signals from said sensors and wirelessly transmitting at least a portion of the signals;

said apparatus further comprising;

a wireless receiver for receiving the transmitted portion of the signals; and

wherein

said programmed computing device is connected to said wireless receiver.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said unit includes a low pass filter.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency within the range of 20 Hz to 40 Hz.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said programmed computing device implements a bandpass filter to isolate frequency components of the signals within a predetermined frequency range relevant to the person'"'"'s level of attention.