Quick-placement electroencephalogram (EEG) electrode

• US 6,201,982 B1
• Filed: 07/02/1999
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baltimore Biomedical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Baltimore Biomedical Incorporated
• Inventors: Menkes, Alex, Sakers, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Application Number:
  US09/346,694
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 600/382, 600/383, 600/386, 607/115, 607/149, 607/139, 607/79
• US Class Current: 600/386
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0217 Electrolyte containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance

Abstract

This invention provides a quick-placement EEG electrode. The EEG electrode is fixed to a patient'"'"'s head by a first element or fixed section and a second element or movable section that operates in conjunction with the fixed section to trap hair and hold the EEG electrode in place. The EEG electrode contains a sponge that when compressed, dispenses electrolytic gel, acts as a shock absorber, and maintains contact with the scalp. The EEG electrode has a quick release mechanism with a break-away ring and locking groove for easy removal of the EEG electrode from the patient'"'"'s scalp.

Claims

1. A quick placement electrode for attachment to a patient'"'"'s scalp, comprising:

a first element having a central cavity; and

a second element coupled to the first element and including a hair grabbing element capable of deformation, wherein the hair grabbing element deforms to trap hair, and, wherein a portion of the second element penetrates the central cavity.

2. The quick placement electrode of claim 1, wherein the second element further comprises a plunger having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section extending through the central cavity and capable of vertical movement within the central cavity between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein movement of the plunger to the engaged position causes the hair grabbing element to trap hair on the patient'"'"'s scalp, thereby holding the quick placement electrode in place.

3. The quick placement electrode of claim 2, further comprising:

a sponge containing an electrolytic gel and connected to the lower section of the plunger; and

a cover enclosing sides, top and bottom of the sponge, the cover, while intact, preventing the electrolytic gel from leaking from the sponge and from evaporating, wherein downward movement of the plunger compresses the sponge against the patient'"'"'s scalp, the compression causing a bottom of the covering to rupture thereby applying the electrolytic gel to the patient'"'"'s scalp.

4. The quick placement electrode of claim 2, further comprising a quick release mechanism.

5. The quick placement electrode of claim 4, wherein the quick release mechanism comprises:

opposing locking grooves formed by a curved upper ring and a lower ring, the rings molded on the central cavity of the first element;

opposing break-away ridges formed on the upper section of the plunger and in correspondence with the locking grooves; and

a stop tab formed on the central cavity of the first element, the stop tab limiting rotation of the plunger in the central cavity, wherein when the quick placement electrode is assembled and the plunger is disengaged, the break-away ridges are aligned with the locking grooves, and wherein when the plunger is engaged, the break-away ridges are captured by the locking grooves.

6. The quick placement electrode of claim 5, wherein when the plunger is engaged and is then further depressed, the break-away ridges shear, the plunger returns to the disengaged position, and the second element releases, thereby permitting removal of the quick placement electrode from the patient'"'"'s scalp.

7. The quick placement electrode of claim 1, wherein the first element is injection-molded and made from a flexible material including acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.

8. The quick placement electrode of claim 1, wherein the second element is injection-molded and made from a flexible material including one of polyurethane and spring steel.

9. The quick placement electrode of claim 1, wherein:

the first element comprises a cap having a lower rim comprising a plurality of serrations; and

the second element comprises a plunger having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section extending through the central cavity and capable of vertical movement within the central cavity between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and wherein the hair grabbing element comprises a tine set coupled to the cap and in communication with the lower section of the plunger and held in place by the connector, the tine set having a plurality of individual tines aligned with corresponding ones of the plurality of serrations, wherein downward motion of the plunger activates the tine set to trap hair on the patient'"'"'s scalp between the plurality of serrations and the plurality of individual tines, the quick placement electrode held in place by a force created by the activated tine set.

10. The quick placement electrode of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of individual tines is S-shaped and includes a bottom portion to contact the patient'"'"'s scalp, and wherein the downward motion of the plunger causes the individual tines to deform thereby changing an orientation of the individual tines such that the individual tines are forced into the serrations.

11. The quick placement electrode of claim 10, wherein when the individual tines deform, the bottom portion rakes along the patient'"'"'s scalp, parting the hair and forcing the hair into a space between the serrations and the individual tines.

12. The quick placement electrode of claim 9, wherein the tine set is injection-molded and made from a flexible material including polyurethane.

13. The quick placement electrode of claim 9, further comprising:

a sponge containing an electrolytic gel and connected to the lower section of the plunger; and

a cover enclosing sides and a bottom of the sponge, the cover, while intact, preventing the electrolytic gel from leaking from the sponge and from evaporating, wherein downward movement of the plunger compresses the sponge against the patient'"'"'s scalp, the compression causing a bottom of the covering to rupture thereby applying the electrolytic gel to the patient'"'"'s scalp.

14. The quick placement electrode of claim 9, further comprising a quick release mechanism, the quick release mechanism comprising:

opposing locking grooves formed by a curved upper ring and a lower ring, the rings molded on the central cavity of the cap;

opposing break-away ridges formed on the upper section of the plunger and in correspondence with the locking grooves; and

a stop tab formed on the central cavity of the cap, the stop tab limiting rotation of the plunger in the central cavity, wherein when the electrode is assembled and the plunger is disengaged, the break-away ridges are aligned with the locking grooves and wherein when the plunger is engaged, the break-away ridges are captured by the locking grooves.

15. The quick placement electrode of claim 9, wherein when the plunger is engaged and is then further depressed, the break-away ridges shear, the plunger returns to the disengaged position, and the flexible tines relax thereby permitting removal of the quick placement electrode from the scalp of the patient.

16. The quick placement electrode of claim 9, wherein the serrations are arcuate and the individual tines are hemispherical in cross-section, the hemispherical shape conforming generally to the arcuate serrations.

17. The quick placement electrode of claim 1, wherein:

the first element comprises a cap having the central cavity; and

the second element comprises a tine set, coupled to the cap, the tine set having a plurality of individual tines, wherein downward motion of the cap activates the tine set to trap hair on the patient'"'"'s scalp between the plurality of tines, the electrode held on place by a force created by the activated tine set.

18. The quick placement electrode of claim 1, wherein:

the first element comprises a cap having the central cavity, the cap having a plurality of ridges within the central cavity; and

the second element comprises a coil spring capable of rotation, the coil spring comprising a plurality of winds and having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section extending through the central cavity and capable of vertical movement within the central cavity between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the coil spring is rotated and downward motion of the cap compresses the coil spring to trap hair on the patient'"'"'s scalp between the plurality of winds in the coil spring and the cap, the electrode being held in place by a force created by the coil spring.

19. The quick placement electrode of claim 1, further comprising:

the first element having a fixed section, the fixed section comprising serrations located on a bottom perimeter of the fixed section; and

the second element comprising a movable section, the movable section connected to an underside of the fixed section and having flexible tines aligned with the serrations, wherein when a downward force is applied to the movable section, the flexible tines trap hair between the flexible tines and the serrations.

20. The electrode of claim 19, wherein the second element further comprises:

a plunger; and

a tine set having a center, the tine set connected to the plunger and to the flexible tines, wherein the plunger penetrates the central cavity and connects with the center of the tine set, and wherein when the downward force is applied to the movable section, the plunger presses on the center of the tine set causing the tine set to pivot about the connections and the flexible tines to reorient, thereby trapping the hair between the flexible tines and the serrations.

21. The electrode of claim 19, wherein the second element comprises a single movable piece, the single movable piece, including:

a plunger section; and

a tine set formed continuously with the plunger section and the flexible tines, wherein a top of the plunger section penetrates the central cavity, and wherein when the downward force is applied to the movable section, the tine set pivots about the connections, thereby trapping hair between the flexible tines and the serrations.

22. The electrode of claim 20, wherein when the downward force is applied to the movable section, and the tine set pivots, the flexible tines reorient to trap the hair.

23. An electroencephalogram (EEG) electrode, comprising:

a first element having a cavity; and

a second element connected to the first element, the second element comprising;

a tine set having flexible tines projecting therefrom, and

a plunger connected to the tine set and operable to cause the flexible tines to reorient so as to trap hair between the flexible tines and the first element, and having an upper center section through which a sponge may be passed and a lower center section that holds the sponge.

24. The EEG electrode assembly of claim 23, wherein the first element includes serrations along a lower perimeter of the first element, and wherein the tine set is aligned with the serrations so that when the flexible tines reorient, the flexible tines trap the hair between the flexible tines and void portions of the serrations.

25. The EEG electrode of claim 23, further comprising:

a sponge containing an electrolytic gel and connected within the cavity; and

a cover enclosing sides and a bottom of the sponge, the cover, while intact, preventing the electrolytic gel from leaking from the sponge and from evaporating, wherein downward movement of the plunger compresses the sponge against the patient'"'"'s scalp, the compression causing a bottom of the covering to rupture thereby applying the electrolytic gel to the patient'"'"'s scalp.

26. The EEG electrode of claim 23, wherein each of the plurality of individual tines includes a bottom portion to contact the patient'"'"'s scalp, and wherein the downward motion of the plunger causes the flexible tines to deform thereby changing an orientation of the flexible tine.

27. The EEG electrode of claim 26, wherein when the flexible tines deform, the bottom portion rakes along the patient'"'"'s scalp, parting the hair and forcing the hair into a space between the flexible tines.

28. The EEG electrode of claim 26, wherein the tine set is one of spring steel and polyurethane.

29. A quick placement electrode for attachment to a patient'"'"'s scalp, comprising:

a cap; and

a tine set, coupled to the cap, the tine set having a plurality of individual tines, wherein downward motion of the cap activates the tine set to trap hair on the patient'"'"'s scalp between the plurality of individual tines, the electrode held in place by a force created by the activated tine set.

30. The quick placement electrode of claim 29, further comprising:

the cap having a central cavity and a connector;

a sponge containing an electrolytic gel and connected within the central cavity; and

a cover enclosing sides and a bottom of the sponge, the cover, while intact, preventing the electrolytic gel from leaking from the sponge and from evaporating, wherein downward movement of the cap compresses the sponge against the patient'"'"'s scalp, the compression causing a bottom of the covering to rupture thereby applying the electrolytic gel to the patient'"'"'s scalp.

31. The quick placement electrode of claim 29, wherein each of the plurality of individual tines includes a bottom portion to contact the patient'"'"'s scalp, and wherein the downward motion of the cap causes the individual tines to deform thereby changing an orientation of the individual tines.

32. The quick placement electrode of claim 29, wherein when the individual tines deform, the bottom portion rakes along the patient'"'"'s scalp, parting the hair and forcing the hair into a space between the individual tines.

33. The quick placement electrode of claim 29, wherein the tine set is made of one of spring steel and polyurethane.

34. A quick placement electrode for attachment to a patient'"'"'s scalp, comprising:

a cap having a central cavity and having a plurality of ridges within the central cavity; and

a coil spring having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section extending through the central cavity and capable of vertical movement within the central cavity between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the coil spring is rotated and downward motion of the cap compresses the coil spring to trap hair on the patient'"'"'s scalp between a plurality of winds in the coil spring and the cap, the electrode being held in place by a force created by the coil spring.

35. The quick placement electrode of claim 34, further comprising:

a sponge containing an electrolytic gel and connected within the interior of the spring; and

a cover enclosing sides and a bottom of the sponge, the cover, while intact, preventing the electrolytic gel from leaking from the sponge and from evaporating, wherein downward movement of the cap compresses the sponge against the patient'"'"'s scalp, the compression causing a bottom of the covering to rupture thereby applying the electrolytic gel to the patient'"'"'s scalp.

36. A method for using an electroencephalogram (EEG) electrode, comprising:

placing the EEG electrode at a scalp placement point, wherein the EEG electrode comprises a first element and a second element, the second element including a flexible grabbing element connected to the second element, the second element coupled to the first element; and

depressing the first element to deform the flexible grabbing element trap hair and to hold the EEG electrode in place on a patient'"'"'s scalp, wherein the hair is trapped between the first and second elements.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

pressing the first element to deactivate the second element, thereby freeing the trapped hair; and

removing the EEG electrode from the patient'"'"'s scalp.

38. A method for using an electroencephalogram (EGG) electrode, comprising:

placing the EEG electrode at a scalp placement point, wherein the EEG electrode comprises a first element and a second element, the second element including a hair grabbing element, the second element coupled to the first element, and wherein the second element includes a sponge containing electrolytic gel;

depressing the first element to dispense the electrolytic gel and trap hair to hold the EEG electrode in place on a patient'"'"'s scalp, wherein the hair is trapped between the first element and the second element; and

monitoring signals from the EEG electrode.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

when EEG monitoring is complete, further pressing the first element to deactivate the second element, thereby freeing the trapped hair; and

removing the EEG electrode from the patient'"'"'s scalp.

40. A method for using an EGG electrode, comprising:

placing the EEG electrode at a scalp placement point, wherein the EEG electrode comprises a first element and a second element, the second element including a plunger and a grabbing element connected to the plunger, the second element coupled to the first element, and wherein the plunger includes a sponge containing electrolytic gel;

depressing the plunger to dispense the electrolytic gel and trap hair to hold the EEG electrode in place on a patient'"'"'s scalp, wherein the hair is trapped between the first and second elements; and

monitoring signals from the EEG electrode.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

when EEG monitoring is complete, further pressing the plunger to activate a quick-release mechanism, thereby freeing the trapped hair; and

removing the EEG electrode from the patient'"'"'s scalp.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the quick-release mechanism includes a locking groove and locking ring, and wherein first depressing the plunger causes the locking ring to engage the locking groove thereby holding the plunger in an engaged position and further pressing the plunger releases the locking ring to return the plunger to a disengaged position.

43. A quick placement electrode for placement on a patient'"'"'s scalp, comprising:

a housing, comprising;

a sponge that contacts the patient'"'"'s scalp, and

a plurality of protrusions, ends of the plurality of protrusions contacting the patient'"'"'s scalp; and

a movable part connected to the housing and movable with respect to the housing, the movable part in cooperation with the housing capable of trapping hair on the patient'"'"'s scalp to hold the quick placement electrode in place on the patient'"'"'s scalp.

44. The quick placement electrode of claim 43, wherein the housing further comprises a hollow cylindrical section and an inner wall, the inner wall including a guide and lock tab assembly and wherein a protrusion comprises a hollow passage.

45. The quick placement electrode of claim 44, further comprising:

a plunger comprising;

a hollow cylinder having slots formed in a cylinder wall,

an end cap attached to an upper end of the plunger, and

guide bars formed on an outside surface of the cylinder wall, wherein an outside diameter of the plunger hollow cylinder is less than an inside diameter of the housing; and

a grabbing element, comprising;

an upper bar fixedly attached to the inner wall of the housing,

a lower bar,

a spring attached between the upper bar and the lower bar, wherein a length of the lower bar is greater than the outside diameter of the plunger and less than the inside diameter of the housing, and

flexible tines having hooks formed on end portions, wherein a flexible tine passes through each of the plurality the hollow protrusions, a hook extending beyond an end of the hollow protrusion, wherein a first operation of the plunger extends the tines, and a second operation of the plunger causes retraction of the tines, thereby trapping hair in the hooks.