Systems and methods to gather and analyze electroencephalographic data
View Patent ↗Example methods are described herein that include obtaining electroencephalographic data from an example device worn by a subject. The device includes a central body portion and a plurality of extensions extending from the central body portion. Respective ones of the extension have ends carrying an electrode. The example device includes an adjustment band disposed along a longitudinal axis of the central body portion to adjust a position of the extensions. The example method also includes analyzing the data to determine a mental state of the subject.
1. A method comprising:
obtaining electroencephalographic data with a device worn by a subject, the device including:
a central body portion;
a plurality of extensions extending from the central body portion, respective ones of the extensions having corresponding ends carrying an electrode; and
an adjustment band slidably disposed along a longitudinal axis of the central body portion to adjust respective positions of the extensions; and
analyzing the data, with a processor, to determine a mental state of the subject.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment band is elastic.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment band has a circular cross section.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment band has a rectangular cross section.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the central body portion and the extensions includes one or more of silicone or rubber.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further includes a flexible printed circuit board encapsulated in the central body portion and extensions.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the extensions is curved in a direction away from the central body portion.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein each of the extensions is curved in a same direction.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes include at least a portion of a ring.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further includes an array of electrodes disposed on one side of the central body portion.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein a tightening of the adjustment band causes the electrodes to apply a force to a head of a subject wearing the device.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the force is about the same at each electrode.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the central body portion and the extensions are flexible, but not elastic, and the adjustment band is flexible and elastic.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further includes a silver-coated nylon cover.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are springy.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are removable.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein a first extension is located directly across the central body portion from a second extension.
18. The method of claim 1 , further including converting a signal obtained from an electrode to a digital signal.
19. The method of claim 1 , further including at least one of amplifying a signal obtained from an electrode or removing noise from the signal.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further includes a cover partially surrounding an electrode so that a first portion of the cover is disposed on a first side of the electrode, a second portion of the cover is disposed on a second side of the electrode, and an end of the electrode to contact a tissue of a subject extends from the cover.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the electrode has a cross section of less than about 0.5 millimeter, a first outer end of the first portion of the cover and a second outer end of the second portion of the cover are separated by a distance of less than about 1 millimeter, and the end of the electrode to contact the tissues extends less than about 0.2 millimeter from the cover.
22. A method comprising:
obtaining electroencephalographic data with a device worn by a subject, the device including:
a central body portion including a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a recess between the first protrusion and the second protrusion;
a plurality of extensions extending from the central body portion, respective ones of the extensions having an end carrying an electrode; and
an adjustment band disposed along a longitudinal axis of the central body portion to adjust respective positions of the extensions, the adjustment band disposed in the recess; and
analyzing the data, with a processor, to determine a mental state of the subject.
23. A method comprising:
obtaining electroencephalographic data with a device worn by a subject, the device including:
a central body portion;
a plurality of extensions extending from the central body portion, corresponding ones of the extensions having a respective end carrying an electrode; and
an array of electrodes disposed on one side of the central body portion, wherein the array is an embossed plate and the device includes up to 256 electrodes;
an adjustment band disposed along a longitudinal axis of the central body portion to adjust respective positions of the extensions; and
analyzing, with a processor, the data to determine a mental state of the subject.