APPARATUS FOR DETECTING BRAIN CONDITIONS

• US 20100241006A1
• Filed: 09/25/2009
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Sung, Hokun, Kim, Guk Bae, Choi, Jee Hyun, Shin, Hee Sup
• Application Number:
  US12/567,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20100241006A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6868 Brain

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus for detecting brain conditions. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions may include: a layer which is located adjacent to the brain of a living body; a light source which is formed on the layer and irradiates light to the brain; and an optical sensor which is formed on the layer adjacent to the light source and detects the light scattered from the brain. Since detection is possible at a location relatively adjacent to the brain, the apparatus for detecting brain conditions may improve accuracy and reliability of detection. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions may be used to detect brain conditions such as cerebral oxygenation, cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow, etc. or to monitor brain activities, or to diagnose and/or localize the disease foci in case of neurovascular disease such as stroke including hemorrhage or bleeding, into or around the brain or brain tumors or epilepsy, etc. Since the apparatus for detecting brain conditions has a relatively flexible structure, damage to the brain tissue may be minimized.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting brain conditions comprising:

a layer which is located adjacent to the brain of a living body;

a light source which is formed on the layer and irradiates light to the brain; and

an optical sensor which is formed on the layer adjacent to the light source and detects the light emitted from the light scattered from the brain.

2. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light sources arranged in arrays.

3. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of light sources emit light with time difference.

4. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 2, wherein the optical sensor comprises a plurality of optical sensors arranged in arrays.

5. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of optical sensors are located between the pluralities of light sources.

6. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 4, wherein each of the optical sensors detects light from one or more adjacent light source(s) among the plurality of light sources.

7. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 1, wherein the light source emits a plurality of lights with different wavelengths.

8. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 1, wherein the layer has a thickness 300 μ

m or smaller.

9. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 1, wherein the light source and the optical sensor are embedded in the layer.

10. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 1, wherein the light source and the optical sensor are located on the surface of the layer.

11. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode which is located on the surface of the layer adjacent to the brain and detects electrical signals from the brain.

12. The apparatus for detecting brain conditions according to claim 11, wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes arranged in arrays.