Body-based monitoring of brain electrical activity

• US 8,209,004 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2008
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freer Logic LLC
• Original Assignee: Freer Logic LLC
• Inventors: Freer, Peter A., Scanzoni, Stephen J., Nuss, Randall S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goddard, Laura B
• Application Number:
  US12/144,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20090318827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• 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 5/6824 Arm or wrist

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for monitoring electrical activity within the brain of a person (“brainwaves”) employing electrodes or other sensors connected or placed proximate to portions of the body below the head to develop raw signals. The raw signals are filtered to produce analysis signals including frequency components relevant to brain electrical activity while attenuating unrelated frequency components. Purposes include but are not limited to, biofeedback-based attention training, human performance training, gaming, and relaxation training. Either wired or wireless signal connections are made to electronic circuitry, typically including a digital computer, for performing signal processing and analysis functions.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring electrical activity within the brain of a person having a body including a head, said apparatus comprising:

a sensor;

a unit including at least an amplifier connected for receiving signals from said sensor;

a body-attachment device configured for attachment to a portion of the person'"'"'s body below the head, said body-attachment device providing structural support for said sensor and for said unit, and said body-attachment device positioning said sensor at least proximate to the skin of the body of the person with the exception of the head; and

a programmed computing device receiving signals from said amplifier;

said unit and said computing device functioning together to isolate and analyze frequency components of the signals relevant to brain electrical activity while attenuating unrelated frequency components.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body-attachment device comprises an adjustable band configured for attachment to an arm or leg of the person.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body-attachment device comprises an adjustable band configured for attachment around the torso of the person.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body-attachment device comprises a cuff configured for attachment to an arm or leg of the person.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said unit and said computing device function together to produce at least one bandpass-filtered attention-indicating signal as an indication of the person'"'"'s level of attention.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said unit further includes a wireless transmitter for receiving signals from said sensors and wirelessly transmitting at least a portion of the signals;

said apparatus further comprising;

a wireless receiver for receiving the transmitted portion of the signals; and

wherein

said programmed computing device is connected to said wireless receiver.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said unit includes a low pass filter.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency within the range of 20 Hz to 40 Hz.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said programmed computing device implements a bandpass filter to isolate frequency components of the signals within a predetermined frequency range relevant to the person'"'"'s level of attention.

10. A method for monitoring EEG electrical activity within the brain of a person having a body including a head, said method comprising:

employing the apparatus of claim 1 by positioning the sensor at least proximate to portions of the skin of the body with the exception of the head to develop raw signals; and

filtering the raw signals to produce analysis signals including frequency components relevant to EEG brain electrical activity while attenuating unrelated frequency components.

11. The method of claim 10, which comprises positioning the sensor at least proximate to an arm, wrist, leg or back of the person.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of filtering the raw signals comprises employing a low pass filter.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of filtering the raw signals comprises employing a low pass filter having a cutoff frequency within the range of 20 Hz to 40 Hz.

14. The method of claim 10, which further comprises:

adaptively determining heart rate signals of the person from the raw signals; and

wherein

filtering the raw signals to produce analysis signals including frequency components relevant to brain electrical activity while attenuating unrelated frequency components comprises employing the determined heart rate signals to actively cancel heart rate signal components from the raw signals.