IP Library Granted Patent US 9,345,418
Granted Patent B2
US 9,345,418 · App. 12/376,359 · Granted May 24, 2016

EEG net with transmission capabilities

Inventor: Brian Alkire (Phoenix, AZ)
Assignee: Dignity Health
A61B5/0478A61B5/6814A61B5/0006A61B2560/045
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,345,418
App. No.
12/376,359
Granted
May 24, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electroencephalography system is provided. The electroencephalography system includes a support structure that covers at least predetermined areas on a patient's head, a plurality of electrodes mounted on the support structure so that, the electrodes are distributed around the patient's head and measure usable electrical signals that are representative of electrical activity or activity in a patient's head, a plurality of transmitting wires incorporated into the support structure, a multi-pin connector having an output and an input, each of the plurality of transmitting wires directly connected between a respective one of each of the plurality of electrodes and a corresponding pin of the multi-pin connector so that, electrical signals are sent to the output of the connector and a first transmitter that is capable of being operatively coupled to the output of the connector.

Claims (33)

1. An electroencephalography system comprising:

a support structure that is adapted to cover at least predetermined areas on a patient's head when it is mounted on a patient's head;

a plurality of electrodes that are mounted on the support structure so that, when the support structure is mounted on a patient's head, the electrodes are distributed around the patient's head and are capable of measuring usable electrical signals that are representative of electrical activity or activity in a patient's head;

a plurality of transmitting wires incorporated into the support structure;

at least one multi-pin connector having an output and an input, with the plurality of transmitting wires hard-wired into the multi-pin connector and where each of the plurality of transmitting wires is directly connected between a respective one of each of the plurality of electrodes and a corresponding pin of the input of the multi-pin connector so that, when the headpiece is mounted on a patient's head and when the electrodes are detachably coupled to the predetermined portions of a patient's head, electrical signals that are representative of electrical brain activity of the patient are sent to the output of the connector; and

a first transmitter that is capable of being operatively coupled to the output of the connector.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of electrodes are detachably coupled to the support structure.

3. The system of claim 1 , where in the support structure includes at least one strap.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first transmitter is adapted to transmit the electrical signals through cellular transmission.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first transmitter is mounted directly on the support structure.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising a second transmitter, the first transmitter being designed to send electrical signals representative of brain activity inside the patient's head to the second transmitter which is designed to retransmit the electrical signals to a remote location where the signals can be shown on a display and viewed by medical personnel.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the second transmitter is adapted to retransmit the electrical signals to the remote location through cellular transmission.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the second transmitter is adapted to retransmit the electrical signals to the remote location through the internet.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the connector is adapted to convey electrical signals representative of an EEG measurement, audio signals, and/or an EKG measurement to its output.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of electrodes comprise needle electrodes, disc electrodes or pronged electrodes.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein each one of the electrodes is plated with stainless steel, platinum, ruthenium, silver, silver chloride, tin or gold.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein each electrode comprises a plurality of prong points protruding from an electrode head, said prong points adaptable to be embedded in a patient's skin.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a chin support surface that is adapted to fit around the patient's chin.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the chin support is adjustable in order to fit a range of head sizes.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is capable of wirelessly transmitting the electrical signals that are representative of electrical activity or activity in a patient's head.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the electrodes is wirelessly coupled to the input of the connector.

18. An electroencephalography system comprising:

a support structure that is adapted to cover at least predetermined areas on a patient's head when it is mounted on a patient's head;

a plurality of electrodes that are mounted on the support structure so that, when the support structure is mounted on a patient's head, the electrodes are distributed around the patient's head and are capable of measuring usable electrical signals that are representative of electrical activity or activity in a patient's head;

a plurality of transmitting wires incorporated into the support structure;

at least one multi-pin connector having an output and an input, with the plurality of transmitting wires hard-wired into the multi-pin connector and with each of the plurality of transmitting wires directly connected between a respective one of each of the plurality of electrodes and a corresponding pin of the input of the multi-pin connector;

a receiver, each of the plurality of electrodes being wirelessly coupled to the receiver through the multi-pin connector so that, when the headpiece is mounted on a patient's head and when the electrodes are detachably coupled to the predetermined portions of a patient's head, electrical signals that are representative of electrical brain activity of the patient are wirelessly transmitted from each of the plurality of electrodes to the receiver.

19. An electroencephalography system comprising:

a support structure that is adapted to cover at least predetermined areas on a patient's head when it is mounted on a patient's head;

a plurality of electrodes that are mounted on the support structure;

a plurality of transmitting wires incorporated into the support structure; and

at least one multi-pin connector having an output and an input, with the plurality of transmitting wires hard-wired into the multi-pin connector and with each of the plurality of transmitting wires directly connected between a respective one of each of the plurality of electrodes and a corresponding pin of the input of the multi-pin connector so that, when the support structure is mounted on a patient's head, the electrodes are distributed around the patient's head and are capable of measuring usable electrical signals that are representative of electrical activity or activity in a patient's head, at least one of the plurality of electrodes and corresponding pin of the multi-pin connector being capable of wirelessly transmitting usable electrical signals that are representative of electrical activity or activity in a patient's head.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2023
From: APOGEM CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
To: RHYTHMLINK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 062995/0706 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2023
From: RHYTHMLINK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
To: APOGEM CAPITAL LLC, AGENT
Reel/Frame 062985/0933 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 2, 2021
From: DIGNITY HEALTH
To: RHYTHMLINK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 057049/0762 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 16, 2012
From: CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE WEST
To: DIGNITY HEALTH
Reel/Frame 028222/0412 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: ALKIRE, BRIAN, MR.
To: CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE WEST (D/B/A ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER)
Reel/Frame 022204/0956 →
Continuity (4)
Provisional Application 60920175 · Mar 27, 2007
Provisional Application 60949772 · Jul 13, 2007
Provisional Application 60980680 · Oct 17, 2007
Related Publication 20100036275A1 · Feb 11, 2010