Contoured electrode

• US 8,812,075 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neurosky Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neurosky Incorporated
• Inventors: Nguyen, Tin, Chuang, Cheng-I, Lee, KooHyoung, Lim, Jong-Jin
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cardinal, Erin M
• Application Number:
  US13/620,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20130066184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 600/383, 600/390, 600/378, 600/394, 600544-545
• 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. A contoured bioelectrical signal electrode that also includes a conductive fabric is also disclosed. In some embodiments, a contoured bioelectrical signal sensor is provided that includes an electrode set and is connected to a holder that is connected to a headset.

Claims

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

a headset, wherein a holder is connected to the headset, and wherein the holder is pivotable and rotatable; and

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

wherein the electrode set comprises;

a contoured electrode with a protruding shape for maintaining contact with a user'"'"'s head;

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

wherein the contoured electrode comprises a cap portion with the protruding shape for maintaining contact with the 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.

2. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1,

wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode.

3. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrode set further comprises:

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.

4. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the headset includes an audio speaker and a plurality of audio controls, and wherein the holder is an integrated component of the headset.

5. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the holder is connected to a flexible arm, wherein the flexible arm is connected to the headset.

6. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the protruding shape of the contoured electrode is a spherical shape.

7. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein a 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.

8. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, and wherein:

the electrode is inserted into the opening of the base, wherein the electrode is releasably retained in the base by the retaining ridge, and wherein the electrode is pivotable and rotatable in the opening of the base; and

wherein a signal detected by the electrode passes through the conductive electrode and the conductive biasing mechanism to the connection.

9. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, and wherein:

the electrode is inserted into the opening of the base, wherein the electrode is releasably retained in the base by the retaining ridge, and wherein the electrode is pivotable and rotatable in the opening of the base; and

wherein a signal detected by the electrode passes through the conductive electrode and the conductive biasing mechanism to the connection, and wherein the electrode is replaceable.

10. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode comprises a conductive fabric that is wrapped around the protruding shape of the contoured electrode.

11. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, wherein the contoured electrode comprises a conductive fabric that is wrapped around the protruding shape of the contoured electrode, and wherein the electrode set further comprises:

the base having a contoured shape; and

an electrical connection, wherein the electrical connection connects the conductive fabric to a connection wire.

12. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, wherein the contoured electrode comprises a conductive fabric that is wrapped around the protruding shape of the contoured electrode, and wherein the electrode set further comprises:

the base having a contoured shape; and

an electrical connection, wherein the electrical connection connects the conductive fabric to a connection wire, and wherein the electrical connection is 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 wire.

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

a headset, wherein a holder is connected to the headset, and wherein the holder is pivotable and rotatable; and

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

wherein the electrode set comprises;

a contoured electrode with a protruding shape for maintaining contact with a user'"'"'s head;

a base having an opening and a connection;

the contoured electrode having a cap portion and a post portion connected to the cap portion, the post portion having a spiral screw thread;

the contoured electrode is screwed into the opening of the base, wherein the contoured electrode is releasably retained in the base by a retaining spiral screw thread in the opening of the base; and

wherein a signal detected by the contoured electrode passes through the cap portion to the post portion and the base to the connection.

14. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the protruding shape of the contoured electrode is a spherical shape.

15. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the contoured electrode comprises a conductive fabric that is wrapped around the protruding shape of the contoured electrode.

16. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, wherein the contoured electrode comprises a conductive fabric that is wrapped around the protruding shape of the contoured electrode, wherein the connection connects the conductive fabric to a connection wire.

17. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, wherein the contoured electrode comprises a conductive fabric that is wrapped around the protruding shape of the contoured electrode, and wherein the electrode set further comprises:

the base having a contoured shape; and

wherein the connection connects the conductive fabric to a connection wire.

18. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the contoured electrode is a dry electrode, wherein the contoured electrode comprises a conductive fabric that is wrapped around a contoured shape of the contoured electrode, and wherein the electrode set further comprises:

the base having a contoured shape; and

wherein the connection connects the conductive fabric to a connection wire, and wherein the connection is 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 wire.

19. 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 bioelectrical signal sensor comprises an electrode, and wherein the electrode is a dry electrode wrapped in a conductive fabric;

an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly includes a screw and a nut for connecting the electrode assembly to the holder; and

an electrode set, wherein the electrode set includes the electrode, and wherein the electrode set further comprises;

a base having an opening and a connection;

the electrode having a cap portion and a post portion connected to the cap portion, the post portion having a spiral screw thread;

the electrode is screwed into the opening of the base wherein the electrode is releasably retained in the base by a retaining spiral screw thread in the opening of the base; and

wherein a signal detected by the electrode passes through the cap portion to the post portion and the base to the connection.

20. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 19, further comprising:

a headset, wherein the headset includes an audio speaker and a plurality of audio controls, and wherein the holder is an integrated component of the headset.

21. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 19, further comprising:

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

22. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 19, wherein the electrode is a contoured electrode.

23. The apparatus for a bioelectrical signal sensor as recited in claim 19, wherein the electrode is a shaped electrode, and wherein the shape of the 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.