EEG electrode assemblies

• US 6,574,513 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2000
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BrainMaster Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: BrainMaster Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Collura, Thomas F., Gambrill, Joan, Collura, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Argenbright, Tony M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoang, Johnny H.
• Application Number:
  US09/678,348
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 600/14, 600/153, 600/544-546, 600/300, 600/383, 600/386, 600/391, 600/393, 600/396, 600/397, 600/372, 600/139, 607/123, 607/383, 607/122
• US Class Current: 607/122
• 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

An EEG electrode system for establishing positive electrical contact with the scalp, uses absorptive electrode wrap material in contact with metallic electrodes, with saturated electrode wrap material placed in contact with the scalp. Saturation of the electrode warp material with a conductive solution such as saline provides mechanically and electrically stable contact at multiple scalp electrode sites. An electrode wrap holder assembly holds the electrode wrap and an exposed portion of the electrode wrap in contact with the scalp, while providing access to the electrode wrap for re-wetting with the conductive solution if required. The electrode wrap holders are mounted in straps, hard caps or other headgear. Adjustment of the electrode wrap holders within the mounts further compresses the flexible, absorptive electrode wrap, causing flow of the conductive solution therein and enhancement of the electrical contact.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly for establishing an electrical contact with a scalp, the electrode assembly comprising:

an electrode in a form of a conductive element attached to a lead;

an electrode wrap material substantially surrounding the electrode;

an electrode wrap holder having a cavity configured to accept and hold the electrode wrap material and the electrode substantially surrounded by the electrode wrap material, and to leave exposed a contact portion of the electrode wrap material for contact with the scalp, the electrode wrap holder being configured for attachment to an electrode positioning structure which positions an exposed contact portion of the electrode wrap material in contact with the scalp.

2. The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrode wrap material is a fabric material having a fibrous structure which absorbs liquid.

3. The electrode assembly of claim 2 wherein the electrode wrap material is felt.

4. The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrode wrap material is in the form of a strip of material which is rolled around the electrode.

5. The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrode wrap material is formed with an opening to receive and hold the electrode.

6. The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrode wrap holder is generally cylindrical, and has an internal cavity in which a portion of the electrode wrap material fits.

7. The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein an exterior surface of the electrode wrap holder is configured for attachment to the electrode positioning structure.

8. The electrode assembly of claim 7 wherein the electrode wrap holder has threads on the exterior surface.

9. The electrode assembly of claim 1 in combination with a retainer ring configured for engagement with the electrode wrap holder.

10. The electrode assembly of claim 9 in combination with an electrode positioning device with which the retainer ring is engaged.

11. The electrode assembly of claim 1 in combination with a conductive liquid absorbed by and within the electrode wrap material.

12. The electrode assembly of claim 11 wherein the conductive liquid in the electrode wrap material is a saline solution.

13. The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein a length of the electrode wrap material is greater than a length of an internal cavity of the electrode wrap holder, and a portion of the electrode wrap material extends out of the electrode wrap holder.

14. The electrode assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrode wrap material is substantially saturated with a conductive liquid.

15. The electrode assembly of claim 9 wherein a position of the retainer ring relative to the electrode wrap holder is adjustable when the electrode wrap holder and retainer ring are combined.

16. A wet EEG electrode system for providing one or more electrode contacts with a scalp for EEG analysis, the wet EEG electrode system comprising:

at least one electrode in contact with an electrode wrap, the electrode wrap being made of an absorptive material, and containing a conductive fluid;

the electrode wrap at least partially within an electrode wrap holder, with a contact portion of the electrode wrap extending from the electrode wrap holder;

the electrode wrap holder being configured for attachment to an electrode positioning device which holds the contact portion of the electrode wrap in contact with the scalp, whereby electrical signals from the scalp are conducted by the conductive fluid in the electrode wrap to the electrode in contact with the electrode wrap.

17. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 16 wherein the electrode wrap is made of felt.

18. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 16 wherein the electrode wrap is in a form of a strip of material which is wrapped around the electrode.

19. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 16 wherein the electrode wrap substantially surrounds the electrode.

20. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 16 wherein the electrode wrap is a non-fabric material which can hold liquid.

21. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 16 wherein the electrode wrap has a cavity for receiving and holding the electrode in electrically conductive contact with a liquid in the electrode wrap.

22. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 16 wherein the electrode wrap holder has a cavity for receiving the electrode wrap, and an external attachment structure for attachment to an electrode positioning device.

23. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 16 wherein the electrode wrap holder is generally cylindrical.

24. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 16 in combination with a retainer configured to be coupled with the electrode wrap holder, the retainer being attachable to an electrode positioning device.

25. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 24 in combination with the electrode positioning device in the form of a strap which fits on a head.

26. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 24 in combination with the electrode positioning device in the form of a cap which fits on a head.

27. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 16 wherein the electrode wrap extends out of a cavity in the electrode wrap holder.

28. The wet EEG electrode system of claim 27 wherein a lead from the electrode extends out of the cavity of the electrode wrap holder in a direction generally opposite to the contact portion of the electrode wrap which extends from the electrode wrap holder.

30. The wet EEG system of claim 16 wherein the electrode wrap holder has an opening through which the conductive fluid can pass into contact with the electrode wrap in the electrode wrap holder.

29. Electrode assembly for establishing electrically conductive contact with a scalp having an electrode in contact with an electrode wrap, the electrode wrap containing a conductive liquid and being held in contact with the scalp whereby electrical signals can be conducted from the scalp to the electrode by the conductive liquid in the electrode wrap.

31. A flexible EEG electrode mounting system for positioning a plurality of EEG electrodes against a scalp for EEG analysis, the flexible EEG electrode mounting system comprising:

a flexible EEG electrode mounting structure made of a flexible material dimensioned to substantially cover a scalp portion of person wearing the mounting structure;

openings in the mounting structure adapted to engage an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly comprising at least one EEG electrode substantially surrounded by an electrode wrap;

the electrode assembly engaged in each of the openings in the mounting structure, the electrode assembly being within a holder which is held in position within the opening by a retainer ring engaged with the opening, whereby a contact portion of the electrode assembly is held in an interior underside portion of the flexible mounting structure, and an electrical lead extends from the electrode assembly and an exterior topside portion of the flexible mounting structure.

32. The flexible EEG electrode of claim 31 wherein the electrode holder is in the form of a threaded plug which engages with the retainer ring.