EEG MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING MESSAGES THEREIN

• US 20120165695A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T&W Engineering A/S (WS Audiology A/S)
• Original Assignee: Widex A/S (WS Audiology A/S)
• Inventors: Kidmose, Preben, Westermann, Soren Erik
• Granted Patent: US 10,959,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/545
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• 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 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period

Abstract

An EEG monitoring apparatus (2) adapted to be carried continuously by a person being monitored comprises means adapted for measuring at least one EEG signal from the person carrying the apparatus and a signal processing means for analysing said at least one EEG signal and adapted to identify or predict predetermined biological incidents in said person based on said analysis. The EEG monitoring apparatus (2) further comprises a decision means adapted to decide when information is to be presented to said person and a message selection means for selecting a voice message providing said person with information, as well as an acoustic transducer adapted for presenting the selected voice message to the person. The invention also provides a method for presenting voice messages.

Claims

1. A portable EEG monitoring apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

EEG pick-up means adapted for measuring at least one EEG signal from the person carrying the apparatus,

a signal processing means for analysing said at least one EEG signal and adapted to identify or predict predetermined biological incidents in said person based on said analysis,

a decision means adapted to decide when information is to be presented to said person,

a message selection means for selecting a voice message providing said person with information, and

an acoustic transducer adapted for presenting the selected voice message to the person, where

said apparatus is adapted to present the voice message in the ear of the person.

2. The EEG monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said selected voice message relates to said biological incident.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said voice messages are stored in the apparatus.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said voice messages are formatted into a format suitable for storage and replay in the apparatus.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said voice messages have been edited in accordance with the hearing capabilities of said person.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for adjusting the presented voice message to the current ambient acoustic noise level when presenting the message.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for allowing the person carrying the apparatus to store messages therein in accordance with the persons own choice.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for the person carrying the apparatus to acknowledge the presented message.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further adapted to present voice messages relating to the handling of the apparatus.

10. A method for presenting voice messages in a portable EEG monitoring apparatus, said method comprising:

measuring at least one EEG signal from the person carrying the apparatus using an EEG pick-up means;

analysing said at least one EEG signal using a signal processing means adapted to identify or predict predetermined biological incidents in said person based on said analysis;

deciding, using a decision means, when information is to be presented to said person;

selecting, using a message selection means, a voice message for providing said person with information; and

presenting, in the ear of the person, the selected voice message to the person using an acoustic transducer.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said selected voice message relates to said biological incident.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said voice messages are stored in the apparatus.

13. The method according claim 10, wherein said voice messages are formatted into a format suitable for storage and replay in the apparatus.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein are edited in accordance with the hearing capabilities of said person.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the presented voice message is adjusted to the current ambient acoustic noise level when presenting the message.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein messages are stored in accordance with the persons own choice.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the person carrying the apparatus is required to acknowledge the presented message.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein voice messages relating to the handling of the apparatus are also presented.