Contoured electrode

• US 8,301,218 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neurosky Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neurosky Incorporated
• Inventors: Nguyen, Tin, Chuang, Cheng-I, Lee, Koo Hyoung, Lim, Jong Jin
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cardinal, Erin M
• Application Number:
  US12/283,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20090112077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 600/383, 600/390, 600544-545, 600/379
• US Class Current: 600/383
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]

Abstract

A contoured bioelectrical signal electrode and a sensor headset are disclosed. In some embodiments, an apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor includes a contoured bioelectrical signal sensor connected to a holder comprising an electrode set, the electrode set including a contoured electrode, in which the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, in which the contoured electrode includes a cap portion with a protruding shape for maintaining contact with a user'"'"'s head and a post portion protruding out of a side of the cap portion opposite the protruding shape, the post portion having a retaining ridge, in which the cap portion with the protruding shape and the post are electrically connected. In some embodiments, the contoured electrode is wrapped in a conductive fabric.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor, comprising:

a holder, wherein the holder is pivotable and rotatable; and

a contoured bioelectrical signal sensor connected to the holder comprising an electrode set, the electrode set comprising;

a base comprising a conductive biasing mechanism, an opening, and a connection;

a contoured electrode, wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, wherein the contoured electrode comprises a cap portion with a protruding shape for maintaining contact with a user'"'"'s head and a post portion protruding out of a side of the cap portion opposite the protruding shape, the post portion having a retaining ridge, wherein the cap portion with the protruding shape and the post are electrically connected;

wherein the contoured electrode is inserted into the opening of the base, wherein the contoured electrode is releasably retained in the base by the retaining ridge, and wherein the post portion having the retaining ridge of the contoured electrode engages the biasing mechanism and electrically connects to the biasing mechanism, so that a signal detected by the contoured electrode passes through the contoured electrode and electrically connected biasing mechanism to the connection and the contoured electrode is pivotable and rotatable in the opening of the base.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a headset, wherein the holder is connected to the headset.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2,

wherein the headset includes an audio speaker and a plurality of audio controls.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 2,

wherein the holder is an integrated component of the headset.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 2,

wherein the holder is integrated in an earpiece of the headset.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 2,

wherein a flexible arm is connected to the headset.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode comprising the cap portion with the protruding shape comprises a singular shaped protrusion with a graded edge.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the protruding shape of the contoured electrode is selected from the group consisting of:

a spherical shape, a half spherical shape, a quarter spherical shape, a teardrop shape, an elliptical shape, and a rectangular shape.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode is replaceable.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode comprising a dry electrode is wrapped in a conductive fabric.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10,

wherein the conductive fabric wrapping the contoured electrode is electrically connected to the connection.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the conductive fabric wrapping the contoured electrode is electrically connected to the connection by way of a connector selected from the group consisting of:

a metal riser, a metal wire loop, and a conductive thread with a thread tie post for connecting the conductive fabric to the connection.

13. An apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor, comprising:

a holder, wherein the holder houses one or more bioelectrical signal sensors;

a bioelectrical signal sensor connected to the holder, wherein the bioelectric signal sensor includes an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly includes;

a base having an opening with retaining spiral threads and a connection;

a contoured electrode, wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, wherein the contoured electrode comprises a cap portion with a protruding shape for maintaining contact with a user'"'"'s head and a post portion protruding out of a side of the cap portion opposite the protruding shape, the post portion having post spiral threads, wherein the cap portion and the post portion are electrically connected;

the contoured electrode is screwed into the opening of the base, wherein the contoured electrode is releasable retained and electrically connected through the mating of the post spiral threads and the retaining spiral threads of the base to the connection, and

wherein a signal detected by the contoured electrode passes through the cap portion of the contoured electrode to the electrically connected post portion and the mating of the post spiral threads and the retaining spiral threads of the base to the connection.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

a headset, wherein the holder is connected to the headset.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14,

wherein the holder is integrated in an earpiece of the headset.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein wherein the headset includes an audio speaker and a plurality of audio controls.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the holder is an integrated component of the headset.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein a flexible arm is connected to the headset.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the electrode comprising the cap portion with the protruding shape includes a specific protruding shape, wherein the specific protruding shape is selected from the group consisting of:

a spherical shape, a half spherical shape, a quarter spherical shape, a teardrop shape, an elliptical shape, and a rectangular shape.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 13,

wherein the base comprises a nut base,

wherein the electrode comprises a screw electrode, wherein the cap portion with the protruding shape comprises a top portion of the screw electrode and the post portion comprises the post of the screw electrode, wherein the post spiral threads comprise screw threads.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the contoured electrode comprising the cap portion with the protruding shape comprises a singular shaped protrusion with a graded edge.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the contoured electrode is replaceable.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the contoured electrode is wrapped in a conductive fabric.

24. The apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein the conductive fabric wrapping the contoured electrode is electrically connected to the connection.