Electrode supporting head set

• US 5,800,351 A
• Filed: 10/04/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Res/op Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Res/op Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Mann, Christopher Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/725,768
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 600/383, 600/390, 600/544, 607/139
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles

Abstract

The invention is a headset for holding electrodes on the head of a person for measuring the electrical activity of the person'"'"'s brain. In detail, the invention includes a pair of fittings for attachment about the ears of a person. A first flexible front strap is adapted to fit about the forehead of the person is connected to each fitting. A second flexible strap adapted to fit about the rear of the head of the person is also connected to each fitting. A plurality of sets of flexible members is connected to each fitting and which are adapted to fit over the top portion of the head of the person between the first and second straps. A plurality of electrode mounts are movably mounted to each of the plurality of sets of guide members. The head set'"'"'s ear fittings also provides a means for holding the lead wires of electrodes placed on a person'"'"'s face for monitoring such parameters as eye movement and facial muscle activity during routine sleep testing.

Claims

1. A headset for supporting electrodes used for electrical measurements of the brain of a person comprising:

first and second mounting fittings for attachment about the head of the person;

first and second flexible straps having first and second ends connected to said first and second mounting fittings, respectively, said first and second straps adapted to fit about the forehead and rear of the head of the person;

a plurality of flexible guide members, said guide members having first and second ends connected to said first and second mounting fittings, respectively; and

a plurality of electrode mounts movably mounted to said guide members.

2. The headset as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of flexible guide members are in sets of two.

3. The head set as set forth in claim 2 wherein said plurality of sets of guide members are positioned between said first and second straps.

4. The head set as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first and second straps are adjustable in length.

5. The headset as set forth in claim 4 wherein said each of said flexible guide members of said flexible members in said sets of two are adjustable in length.

6. The head set as set forth in claim 5 wherein electrodes are removably mounted in said electrode mounts.

7. The head set as set forth in claim 6 wherein said electrode mounts include means to bias the electrodes toward the head of the person when the head set is installed on the head of the person.

8. The headset as forth in claim 7 where in said means to bias the electrodes toward the head of the person includes each electrode mount being made of a semi-flexible material and is formed in a generally U shape with the electrode mounted in the middle of the U shaped portion.

9. The headset as set forth in claim 8 comprising said plurality of sets of guide members in a generally parallel relationship with each other and each of said guide members of each of said sets in a parallel spaced relationship to each other.

10. The headset as set forth in claim 8 comprising:

said electrode mounts have belt loops in a spaced relationship;

each of said guide members of said plurality of sets of guide members being de-formable in cross-sectional shape and passing through said belt loops such that each of said guide members are deformed when passing there through producing sufficient friction as to releasably hold said electrode mounts in position.

11. The head set as set forth in claim 10, comprising:

said electrodes having lead wires attached thereto; and

a flexible wire harness detachably mounted to said second strap adapted to receive said wires.

12. The headset as set forth in claim 11 comprising:

said first and second mounting fittings having a plurality of openings;

said first and second ends of said first and second straps and each of said guide members having first and second ends, said first and second ends looped through one of said openings of said first and second mounting fittings, respectively; and

fastener means mounted on said first and second ends of said first and second straps and said guide members, said fastener means for releasably securing said straps and said guide members to said first and second mounting fittings.

13. The head set as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fastener means are hook and eye type fasteners.

14. The headset as set forth in claim 1, or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10, or 11, or 12, or 13 wherein said mounting fittings are adapted to attach to the head of the person about the ears thereof.

15. The head set as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first and second straps and said guide members comprise:

a compressible foam core; and

cover sheets made of a flexible material having a nap suitable for acting as a eye portion of a hook and eye type fastener.

16. A head set for supporting electrodes used for measuring the electrical activity of the brain of a person comprising:

first and second mounting fittings for attachment about the ears of a person;

first and second flexible straps having first and second ends connected to said first and second mounting fittings, respectively, said first and second straps adapted to fit about the forehead and rear of the head of the person, respectively;

a plurality of sets of flexible guide members, said guide members having first and second ends connected to said first and second mounting fittings, respectively; and

a plurality of electrode mounts, having electrodes for monitoring brain activity mounted therein, movably mounted to each of said plurality of sets of flexible guide members.

17. The head set as set forth in claim 16 comprising friction means coupling said electrode mounts to said sets of guide members.

18. The head set as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first and second straps, and said guide members are adjustable in length.

19. The headset as forth in claim 18 wherein said electrode mounts include means to bias said electrodes toward the head of the person and each electrode mount being made of a semi-flexible material and is formed in a generally U shape with the electrode mounted in the middle of the U shaped portion.

20. The headset as set forth in claim 19 wherein said straps and said guide members comprise:

a flexible and compressible foam core; and

flexible cover sheets joined to either side of said foam cores.

21. The head set as set forth in claim 20 wherein said guide members have specific cross-sectional areas and the head set includes means to releasably secure said electrode mounts to said sets of guide members comprising:

belt loops in a spaced relationship having a smaller cross-sectional area than said guide members; and

said individual guide members passing through said belt loops such that each of said guide members are deformed when passing therethrough producing sufficient friction as to releasably hold said electrode mounts in position.

22. The headset as set forth in claim 16, or 17, or 18, or 19, or 20, or 21 comprising:

electrical wires connected to said electrodes;

a flexible wire harness coupled to said second strap for receiving said wires; and

means to secure said electrical wires to the headset from said electrode mounts to said wire harness, such that said wires are prevented from moving away from the head of a person.