DRY SENSOR EEG/EMG AND MOTION SENSING SYSTEM FOR SEIZURE DETECTION AND MONITORING

• US 20120197092A1
• Filed: 01/19/2012
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neurosky Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neurosky Incorporated
• Inventors: Luo, An, Chuang, Cheng-I, Yang, Stanley
• Granted Patent: US 9,392,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles

Abstract

A dry sensor EEG/EMG and motion sensing system for seizure detection and monitoring is disclosed. In some embodiments, a system for seizure detection/monitoring is provided that can measure a user'"'"'s EEG/EMG and motor activity, automatically detect an epileptic seizure and perform actions, such as triggering an alarm and/or turning off the provoking stimulation. In some embodiments, a system for seizure detection/monitoring is provided that can be used to continuously monitor and store a user'"'"'s EEG/EMG and motor activity for doctor evaluation. In some embodiments, a system for seizure detection/monitoring is provided that can be mounted directly on a user'"'"'s head using active dry EEG sensors. In some embodiments, a system for seizure detection/monitoring is provided that can be mounted into/onto a pair of glasses (e.g., 3D glasses), and the user'"'"'s eyes can be automatically covered by the glasses if a seizure is detected.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting and monitoring a seizure, the apparatus comprising:

one or more dry EEG or EMG sensors mounted on a wearable object;

a detection unit configured to determine a seizure event based on data received from the EEG or EMG sensor; and

a transmission unit configured to send a seizure response.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor, wherein the detection unit is configured to determine a seizure event based on data received from the EEG or EMG sensor and the motion sensor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a storage unit, wherein the storage unit is capable of recording seizure event data and non-seizure event data from the detection unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a location tracking unit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit determines occurrence of a seizure based on a linear discrimination analysis, an artificial neural network, a decision tree, or a Bayesian method.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wearable object is a headband.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wearable object is a pair of glasses, or a pair of active-lens 3D glasses.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the seizure response comprises commanding at least one lens of the 3D glasses to modify a timing for darkening.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seizure response comprises a trigger alarm to a user or third party.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seizure response comprises commanding a device producing visual stimulus to modify its behavior.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seizure response comprises administering treatment to the user.

12. A method for detecting and monitoring a seizure, the method comprising:

monitoring EEG or EMG activity of a user through a wearable object;

determining occurrence of a seizure event based on data received from the monitored EEG or EMG activity; and

responding automatically to the seizure event.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

monitoring motor activity of a user through a wearable object,

wherein the determining is based on data received from the monitored EEG or EMG activity and motor activity.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising recording at least one of seizure event data and non-seizure event data.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising tracking a user'"'"'s location.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the determining is based on a linear discrimination analysis, an artificial neural network, a decision tree, or a Bayesian method.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the wearable object is a headband, a pair of glasses, or a pair of active-lens 3D glasses.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the responding comprises commanding at least one lens of the 3D glasses to modify a timing for darkening.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the responding comprises a trigger alarm to a user or third party.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the responding comprises commanding a device producing visual stimulus to modify its behavior.

21. The method according to claim 12, wherein the responding comprises administering treatment to the user.