Electroencephalography (EEG) measures electrophysiological signals within the brain using electrodes fixed on the scalp surface. It may be used to diagnose epilepsy and other conditions, monitor a patient’s condition during a surgical procedure, or study brain activity in research. Current EEG designs are metallic and uncomfortable, making them inappropriate for MRI and sleep studies; in addition, the EEG preparation process is extremely tedious, which makes it impractical for many applications.
Description
This invention is a novel skin surface electrode that may be used in EEG and electrocardiogram (EKG). It eliminates the large amount of skin preparation that existing electrodes require. This new design is based on a conducting polymer hydrogel composite doped with reagents that both stabilize the hydration level and enhance the ionic conductivity of the skin. The electrode can either be made into a pin-tipped shape that can penetrate hairs, or the polymer/hydrogel can be adapted into a paste form that can easily and instantly penetrate scalp hair. The electrode is soft, yet mechanically strong, and remains hydrated for extended periods of time. Its design allows for more electrodes to be placed on the scalp, which is necessary for high-resolution EEG. In addition, the non-metallic composition makes this electrode MRI compatible, allowing EEG and MRI to be measured simultaneously, offering more complete information.
Applications
· EEG and EKG
· Sleep study
· Epilepsy diagnosis
· Noninvasive brain-computer interface
· Monitoring of patient condition during surgical procedure
· Brain activity and behavior study
Advantages
· Preparation-free, fast electrode installation
· Significantly lower cost in comparison to existing EEG and EKG electrodes
· MRI compatible, allowing for simultaneous MRI and EEG observation
· Comfortable; ideal for sleep-oriented studies
· Magnetoencephalography compatible
Invention Readiness
Preliminary human trials underway; prototype available
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US8706183B2; https://patents.google.com/patent/US9955881B2
