Electrode System

• US 20100125190A1
• Filed: 11/13/2009
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuronetrix Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Neuronetrix Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Fadem, Kalford C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,364,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/377 using evoked responses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/378 Visual stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/38 Acoustic or auditory stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head

Abstract

An electrode system comprises electrode modules, flexible connectors, and sensors. Each electrode module defines a substantially central opening and has circuitry that includes an amplifier. A conductive ring is exposed in the opening of each electrode module. The flexible connectors include flexible circuitry coupled with the circuitry of the electrode modules. Each sensor includes an electrolytic hydrogel portion that is configured to contact a test subject and outwardly extending tabs that are in communication with the hydrogel portion. The tabs are configured to contact the conductive ring of an electrode module with the sensor is inserted in the opening of the electrode module. The system may thus sense evoked response potentials (ERPs) from the test subject through the electrolytic hydrogel portions, amplify those potentials, and communicate the amplified potentials through the circuitry of the flexible connectors. A control box may initiate ERP testing and store the test results.

Claims

1. An electrode system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of electrode modules;

(b) a plurality of flexible connectors coupled with the plurality of electrode modules, wherein the flexible connectors comprise flexible circuitry configured to communicate signals from the electrode modules, wherein the flexible circuitry comprises traces formed on a flexible substrate; and

(c) a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to removably couple with a corresponding one of the plurality of electrode modules, wherein the plurality of electrode modules are configured to sense evoked response potentials from a test subject, wherein each sensor is further configured to communicate sensed evoked response potentials to the associated electrode module.

2. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein each electrode module of the plurality of electrode modules defines a substantially central opening.

3. The electrode system of claim 2, wherein each sensor is positioned within the substantially central opening of the associated electrode module.

4. The electrode system of claim 2, wherein each electrode module further comprises a conductive ring, wherein each conductive ring is substantially coaxial with the substantially central opening of the associated electrode module.

5. The electrode system of claim 4, wherein each electrode module further comprises a housing defining the substantially central opening, wherein the conductive ring of each electrode module is at least partially exposed in an inner diameter of the substantially central opening defined by the housing of the associated electrode module.

6. The electrode system of claim 4, wherein each sensor comprises at least one outwardly extending conductive tab, wherein the outwardly extending conductive tab is configured to contact the conductive ring of the associated electrode module.

7. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein each of the electrode modules comprises an upper clamshell member, a lower clamshell member, and a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is positioned between the upper clamshell member and the lower clamshell member, wherein the upper clamshell member and the lower clamshell member are coupled together.

8. The electrode system of claim 7, wherein the circuit board of each electrode module further comprises a socket, wherein part of each flexible connector is inserted in the socket of a corresponding one of the electrode modules to provide communication between the circuit board of each electrode module and the flexible circuitry of a corresponding one of the flexible connectors.

9. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein each electrode module comprises a corresponding amplifier.

10. The electrode system of claim 1, further comprising a head frame configured to fit on the head of a test subject, wherein the electrode modules are removably coupled with the head frame.

11. The electrode system of claim 10, wherein the electrode modules are coupled with the head frame by snap fittings.

12. The electrode system of claim 10, wherein the head frame comprises a plurality of elastic members.

13. The electrode system of claim 1, further comprising a control box in communication with the electrode modules.

14. The electrode system of claim 13, wherein the control box comprises a storage medium storing evoked response testing protocols and a processor operable to execute evoked response testing via the electrode modules in accordance with the stored evoked response testing protocols.

15. The electrode system of claim 14, wherein the storage medium of the control box is further operable to store results of the evoked response testing.

16. The electrode system of claim 13, further comprising a control box interface module positioned between the control box and the electrode modules, wherein the control box interface module provides an interface between the control box and the electrode modules.

17. The electrode system of claim 16, wherein the electrode modules are in communication with the control box interface module via one or more of the flexible connectors, wherein the control box is in communication with the control box interface module via one or more cables.

18. The electrode system of claim 1, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors comprises an insulating upper portion, an electrolytic hydrogel lower portion, and a conductive portion between the upper and lower portions, wherein the conductive portion comprises a plurality of conductive tabs extending outwardly relative to the upper and lower portions.

19. An electrode system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of electrode modules, wherein each of the electrode modules comprises circuitry, wherein the circuitry of each electrode module comprises an amplifier;

(b) a plurality of flexible connectors coupled with the plurality of electrode modules, wherein the flexible connectors comprise flexible circuitry configured to communicate signals from the electrode modules; and

(c) a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to removably couple with a corresponding one of the plurality of electrode modules, wherein the plurality of electrode modules are configured to sense evoked response potentials from a test subject, wherein each sensor is further configured to communicate sensed evoked response potentials to the associated electrode module, wherein the amplifier of each electrode module is configured to amplify the sensed evoked response potentials communicated to the associated electrode module.

20. A method of preparing an electrode system, wherein the electrode system comprises a head frame;

a plurality of electrode modules coupled with the head frame; and

a plurality of sensors;

wherein each electrode module defines a corresponding opening;

wherein each electrode module has a conductive ring within the opening of the corresponding electrode module;

wherein the sensors each have an upper portion, a lower portion, and conductive tabs;

the method comprising;

(a) positioning the head frame about the head of a test subject such that the electrode modules are positioned about the head of the test subject;

(b) inserting the sensors in the openings of the electrode modules, wherein the act of inserting the sensors results in the lower portions of the sensors contacting the head of the test subject and the tabs of the sensors contacting the conductive rings of the electrode modules;

(c) executing an evoked response potential test on the test subject; and

(d) sensing potentials evoked by the test subject in response to the evoked response potential test, wherein the potentials are sensed using the inserted sensors.