JP2004254953A - Helmet for measuring brain wave - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a helmet for measuring brain wave that can individually adjust the contacting pressures of electrodes by reducing the burden imposed upon head sections. <P>SOLUTION: This helmet 1 for measuring brain wave includes a skin section 2 covering the head section of a subject and sensor members 4 which are disposed at a plurality of spots of the skin section 2 and measure brain waves by coming into contact with the scalp 3 of the head section. Each sensor member 4 includes an advancing/retreating means 5 which can advance and retreat to the inside from the skin section 2 and a cylindrical electrode 6 provided at the front section of the advancing/retreating means 5. To the cylindrical electrode 6, a paste supplying means 7 which automatically supplies electrolytic paste to the scalp 3 is connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a helmet for measuring an electroencephalogram worn when measuring an electroencephalogram.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the age of rapid aging, patients with dementia such as Alzheimer's disease are expected to increase in the future. At present, the response to the onset of dementia is performed only by diagnosis such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and cerebral blood flow scintigraphy. These diagnoses are made using very expensive medical equipment.
[0003]
Recently, research to avoid Alzheimer's dementia is under way. In the early stage of Alzheimer's dementia (ie, the stage of change in brain function), if excessive stress is removed and a pleasant stimulus is given to the brain, The restoration of the ability of neurons to increase production has begun to be pointed out by several university research institutions.
[0004]
In addition, with the cooperation of medical institutions, universities and regional companies, and the cooperation of local residents, the applicant has detected brain disease early in Alzheimer's disease and performed rehabilitation with hot water flow to confirm that it recovers to normal by brain wave measurement. are doing.
[0005]
When measuring brain waves, a plurality of electrodes are attached to the head before measurement. This electrode includes a circular dish electrode that is brought into contact with the scalp via an electrolyte paste, and a needle electrode that is used to pierce the scalp. The needle electrode has higher sensitivity, but noise may be mixed in from the cable due to vibration, and it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect the needle tip, and a dish electrode excellent in handleability is often used.
[0006]
A great deal of time is required to attach such a dish electrode to the head with the position adjusted each time an inspection is performed. A helmet for measuring an electroencephalogram has been devised in order to save the trouble of such positioning and to eliminate the displacement due to the vibration of the contact sensor (for example, see Patent Document 1). This electroencephalogram measurement helmet has a structure in which a plurality of disc-shaped electrodes whose outer periphery is supported by an airbag are provided inside the helmet, and a paste-like electrolyte is injected from the outside of the helmet to make contact between the electrodes and the scalp. .
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-115451 (page 2-3, FIG. 4)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the helmet described in Patent Literature 1 has a structure in which the outer periphery of the disk-shaped electrode is supported by the airbag. Therefore, when adjusting the contact pressure of the electrode with respect to the scalp, air supplied to the airbag is adjusted. However, there is a problem that the contact pressure of each electrode cannot be adjusted individually.
In addition, since the airbag presses the entire scalp and the blood flow in the head becomes different from a normal state, it becomes difficult to measure a steady state brain wave.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a helmet for measuring an electroencephalogram which can individually adjust the contact pressure of the electrodes while reducing the burden on the head.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electroencephalogram measurement helmet of the present invention includes an outer skin portion covering a head, and an electroencephalogram including a sensor member arranged at a plurality of positions of the outer skin portion and measuring an electroencephalogram by contacting the scalp. In the measuring helmet, the sensor member includes an advancing / retreating device that can move inward and backward from the outer skin portion, and a tubular electrode provided at a tip of the advancing / retreating device. Paste supply means for automatically supplying the paste is connected.
[0011]
As the reciprocating means, a cylinder which reciprocates by gas or liquid or a screw mechanism which reciprocates by an electric motor can be used. Also, a combination of a biasing means such as a spring and a stopper can be used.
[0012]
As the paste supply means, the same power source as that of the forward / backward means can be used, and another power source can also be used. The paste supply means includes a means for supplying the paste by passing the paste through the inside of the cylindrical electrode, and a means for supplying the paste previously stored inside the cylindrical electrode.
[0013]
Since the cylindrical electrode is used, the contact area with the scalp does not increase as in the case of the dish-shaped electrode, and the contact area with the scalp can be reduced as in the case of the needle electrode. Further, since the pressing is performed by the advancing / retreating means, the contact pressure can be maintained without being inserted into the scalp unlike the needle electrode.
The paste can be injected into the inside of the cylindrical electrode from the front side, the base side, or the middle part. The injection can be performed using a pressure source such as a compressed air tank or a power source such as a motor, or can be performed manually.
[0014]
The paste supply means automatically supplies the paste between the electrode and the scalp from the tip of the cylindrical electrode. The paste can be supplied before, during, or after the cylindrical electrode is brought into contact with the scalp.
[0015]
When the user wears the electroencephalogram measurement helmet and operates the advance / retreat means, the cylindrical electrode comes into contact with the scalp at a predetermined pressure. Since the reciprocating means is provided for each cylindrical electrode, the protruding length can be adjusted individually. Further, since the base of the advance / retreat means is provided on the helmet, it is possible to press the scalp from the outside with a constant force. For this reason, the contact area with the scalp can be reduced and a large pressure can be obtained even when pressed with a small force.
[0016]
In the advancing and retreating means, when a holding member that holds the cylindrical electrode so as to be able to advance and retreat, and an urging member that urges the cylindrical electrode to the front side are provided, after the tip of the cylindrical electrode contacts the scalp, When the tubular electrode is moved further forward, the biasing member contracts while biasing the tubular electrode forward. The holding member can hold the tubular electrode in a state where it is inserted or in a state where it is extrapolated.
Adjustment of the pressure applied to the scalp can be performed by adjusting the protruding length of the cylindrical electrode and the urging force of the urging member.
[0017]
If an air cylinder is provided in the advancing / retracting means and connected to a pressure source, and the paste supply means is connected to the pressure source, piping can be performed using a flexible tube through which a gas is inserted. Can be provided away from the outer skin portion, and the weight of the outer skin portion can be reduced. Here, the air cylinder includes a case where the air cylinder is operated using a gas other than air.
[0018]
When the paste supply means is connected to the base of the cylindrical electrode, the paste passes through the inside of the cylindrical electrode and is supplied to the scalp. The paste supply means is connected to a power source from the base side of the cylindrical electrode.
[0019]
When the paste supply means is formed by a rod portion fixed to the advance / retreat means, and a cylindrical buffer portion which is externally inserted into the rod portion so as to be able to advance and retreat and can store paste therein, a space in the buffer portion Is pushed out by a rod portion that enters the cylindrical electrode when the advance / retreat means is moved to the front side. The paste supply means can supply the paste only by reducing the volume of the space, and does not require a dedicated power source.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electroencephalogram measurement helmet according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sensor member of the electroencephalogram measurement helmet.
[0021]
The electroencephalogram measurement helmet 1 according to the first embodiment is provided with a hemispherical metal or a hard plastic outer cover 2 such as FRP, which covers the head, and is disposed at 22 places of the outer cover 2, and is provided on the scalp 3. And a sensor member 4 for measuring an electroencephalogram upon contact.
[0022]
Each sensor member 4 includes an advancing / retreating means 5 arranged outside the outer skin portion 2 and capable of advancing and retreating toward the scalp 3, and a cylindrical electrode 6 provided at a tip of the advancing / retreating means 5. The cylindrical electrode 6 is connected to a paste supply means 7 for automatically supplying an electrolyte paste to the scalp 3.
[0023]
The outer cover 2 is made of FRP and formed in a hemispherical shape. The inside is coated with a shield to prevent noise, and the outside is coated with a makeup. A fixed stand 9 is connected to the top of the outer cover 2. The fixed stand 9 is fixed to the fixed base 8 with two or more rotating parts at an intermediate position. The electroencephalogram measurement helmet 1 is provided so as to be freely movable in the vertical and horizontal directions.
[0024]
Circular through-holes 10 are formed in the mounting portion of the sensor member 4 of the outer cover 2, respectively, and a cylindrical guide member 11 is fixed around the through-hole 10. A base of a fixing member 12 is fastened and fixed to an outer peripheral portion of the guide member 11 by fixing means such as a bolt. The front end of the fixing member 12 extends parallel to the center line of the through hole 10 toward the outside of the outer cover 2.
[0025]
An L-shaped member for fixing the sensor member 4 is provided at the tip of the fixing member 12.
The reciprocating means 5 of the sensor member 4 has an air cylinder 13 whose base end is fixed to an L-shaped member. The advance / retreat rod 14 of the air cylinder 13 is disposed concentrically with the through hole 10 and formed short. The reciprocating rod 14 is arranged to be able to reciprocate toward the through hole 10.
[0026]
The air cylinder 13 is provided with gas inlets 27 and 28 on the base side and the front side, respectively. The gas inlets 27 and 28 are connected to a gas control device 30 via a flexible tube 29. The control device is connected to an air tank 31 which is an example of a pressure source. When gas is supplied to the gas inlet 27, the reciprocating rod 14 extends, and when gas is supplied to the gas inlet 28, the reciprocating rod 14 contracts. The air tank 31 may be built in the gas control device 30 in some cases.
[0027]
A base of a cylindrical holding member 15 having an open front end is fixed to the front end of the advance / retreat rod 14. The holding member 15 is formed of a hard resin such as nylon (trademark), and its tip is inserted into the guide member 11. Further, a reduced diameter portion 17 is formed at an intermediate position of a space portion 16 formed inside the holding member 15.
[0028]
The base of the connecting rod 18 is inserted through the reduced diameter portion 17. The connecting rod 18 is formed in a tubular shape, and a connecting portion 24 is provided on the base side (upper side) of the reduced diameter portion 17. Further, a cylindrical buffer portion 21 is screwed on the front side of the connecting rod 18, and the cylindrical electrode 6 is screwed on the front side of the buffer portion 21.
[0029]
The outer diameter of each of the connecting portion 24 and the buffer portion 21 is formed larger than the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion 17, and the reduced diameter portion 17 locks the connecting portion 24 when the connecting rod 18 moves downward. It serves as a stopper and can prevent the connecting rod 18 from coming off.
[0030]
The inner diameter of the buffer section 21 is formed larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical electrode 6, and the paste can be stored inside.
[0031]
As the cylindrical electrode 6, for example, a material in which a highly conductive material such as silver, silver chloride, or carbon is mixed into a polymer material such as silicone or rubber can be used. Since the tubular electrode 6 has flexibility, it does not cause pain to the scalp.
[0032]
An annular gap 20 is formed between the connecting rod 18 and the holding member 15. The compression coil spring 19 is disposed in the gap 20. Both ends of the compression coil spring 19 are in contact with the reduced diameter portion 17 and the buffer portion 21.
[0033]
The connecting portion 24, the connecting rod 18, the buffer portion 21, and the cylindrical electrode 6 are urged forward by a compression coil spring 19, and when the cylindrical electrode 6 is pressed to the base side, the holding member 15 is pressed. Can be moved integrally to the base side.
[0034]
A flexible tube 23 for connecting to the paste supply means 7 is connected to the connection part 24. The paste supply means 7 is arranged at a position distant from the outer skin portion 2 and is configured not to add weight to the outer skin portion 2. The paste supply means 7 is connected to the air tank 31 and is configured to supply the paste by the gas supplied from the air tank 31.
[0035]
Of the cylindrical electrodes 6 arranged at 22 locations, a specific cylindrical electrode 6 a is connected to an electroencephalogram measurement device 26 via a connection cord 25. The connection cord connected to the other cylindrical electrode 6 is once bundled and fixed outside the outer skin portion 2 and connected to an electroencephalograph (not shown). Since the cord is once bundled outside the outer skin portion 2 and then connected to the electroencephalograph, the fluctuation of the cord is reduced and the noise of the measurement current is reduced.
[0036]
The gas control device 30 and the paste supply means 7 are connected to a system control device 32.
[0037]
Next, a procedure for using the helmet 1 for measuring electroencephalogram will be described.
3A to 3D are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the helmet for measuring an electroencephalogram.
The electroencephalogram measurement helmet 1 is usually installed in a hospital, but may be installed at home and used.
As shown in FIG. 1, first, a compressor (not shown) connected to the system controller 32 and the air tank 31 is operated. The paste supply means 7 and the gas control device 30 are prepared for operation in conjunction with the system control device 32.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the subject sits at a position below the helmet 1 for measuring an electroencephalogram, then lowers the helmet 1 for measuring an electroencephalogram and puts it on the head. Although the helmet 1 for measuring electroencephalogram has a large number of air cylinders 13 and is heavy, since the weight is held by the fixed stand 9, a large load is not applied to the head of the subject.
[0039]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B, the gas control device 30 is operated according to an instruction from the system control device 32, and gas is supplied to the gas inlet 27 on the base side of the air cylinder 13. Then, the advance / retreat rod 14 moves to the front side, the holding member 15 moves to the front side in the guide member 11, and the cylindrical electrode 6 comes into contact with the scalp 3.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3C, when the reciprocating rod 14 further moves to the scalp 3 side, the holding member 15 also moves to the front side, and the compression coil spring 19 contracts to move the cylindrical electrode 6 to the front side. Energize. At this time, the connecting portion 24, the connecting rod 18, the buffer portion 21, and the cylindrical electrode 6 do not move, and the holding member 15 moves to the front side together with the advance / retreat rod 14.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 (D), the paste supply means 7 is operated in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 32 while the scalp 3 is being urged. The paste is supplied from the flexible tube 23 to the space between the cylindrical electrode 6 and the scalp 3 through the connecting portion 24, the connecting rod 18, the buffer portion 21, and the inside of the cylindrical electrode 6.
Thus, the preparation for the electroencephalogram measurement is performed. Since as many as 20 or more cylindrical electrodes 6 can be brought into contact with the scalp 3 almost simultaneously, preparation can be performed in a short time. In addition, since each tubular electrode 6 is pressed from the outside of the outer cover 2, the contact resistance is reduced, and the measurement error is reduced.
As a method of adjusting the pressure by the cylindrical electrode 6, for example, adjusting the protruding length of the reciprocating rod 14 of the air cylinder 13, adjusting the positions of the connecting rod 18 and the buffer unit 21, or adjusting the compression coil spring A method of replacing 19 with another spring having a different spring constant can be used.
[0042]
After the electroencephalogram is measured by the normal procedure using the electroencephalogram measurement device 26, the gas control device is operated in accordance with the instruction of the system control device 32, the advancing / retreating means 5 is retracted, and the cylindrical electrode 6 is separated from the scalp. The measurement helmet 1 is moved upward.
As described above, by using the electroencephalogram analysis helmet 1 according to the present invention, the electroencephalogram can be measured in a short time, so that a large number of patients can be easily tested, and Alzheimer's dementia can be prevented, Can be found.
[0043]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a sensor member of the electroencephalogram measurement helmet according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the electroencephalogram measurement helmet 33 of the second embodiment uses a fixing rod 34 instead of the connecting rod 18 of the electroencephalogram measurement helmet of the first embodiment, and fixes the buffer unit 35. It is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the rod 34.
[0044]
The fixing rod 34 is formed solid, and is fixed to the reduced diameter portion 17 of the holding member 36 by means such as screwing. Therefore, the connection part 24 and the paste supply means 7 used in the electroencephalogram measurement helmet 1 of the first embodiment are omitted.
[0045]
The buffer portion 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is arranged in a state of being fitted to the fixed rod 34. A protruding portion (not shown) protruding in the radial direction is provided at the base end of the buffer portion 35, and is engaged with the holding member 36 or the fixed rod 34 so as not to fall off. The buffer unit 35 and the fixed rod 34 constitute a paste supply unit.
[0046]
A paste can be injected into the inside of the cylindrical electrode 6 from the tip of the cylindrical electrode 6. The buffer section 35 can store the injected paste therein.
[0047]
In use, after the cylindrical electrode 6 comes into contact with the scalp and the reciprocating rod 14 is further moved to the front side, the fixed rod 34 enters the buffer section 35. At this time, the paste stored in the buffer 35 is pushed by the fixed rod 34 and pushed out from the tip of the tubular electrode 6. Thus, the paste can be supplied.
[0048]
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the number of electrodes may be more or less than 22. Further, it is also possible to send air individually from the air tank to each air cylinder, and to perform electrical control so that only predetermined cylindrical electrodes are used.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the electroencephalogram measurement helmet, the sensor member is provided with the advancing / retreating means and the cylindrical electrode, and is connected to the paste supplying means. It can be pressed with a constant force from the outside. For this reason, since the contact area with the scalp can be reduced and a large pressure can be obtained even when pressed with a small force, the load on the head can be reduced and the contact pressure of the electrodes can be individually adjusted.
(2) When the advancing / retracting means is provided with a holding member for holding the cylindrical electrode so as to be able to advance and retreat, and an urging member for urging the cylindrical electrode toward the front side, the adjustment of the pressure applied to the scalp can be adjusted. Since this can be performed by adjusting the protruding length and the urging force of the urging member, it is possible to prevent an excessive pressure from being applied and to reduce the burden on the head.
(3) If an air cylinder is provided in the advancing / retreating means and connected to an air pressure source, and the paste supply means is connected to the air pressure source, piping can be performed using a flexible tube through which gas is inserted. Since it can be provided separately from the outer skin portion, the weight of the outer skin portion can be reduced, and the burden on the head can be reduced.
(4) When the paste supply means is connected to the base side of the cylindrical electrode, the paste passes through the inside of the cylindrical electrode and is supplied to the scalp, so that it is necessary to provide complicated piping inside the outer skin. Therefore, the structure of the apparatus is simplified.
(5) When the paste supply means is formed by the fixed rod part and the buffer part extrapolated to this rod part, the paste stored in the space part in the buffer part moves the advance / retreat means to the front side. When it is pushed out by the rod portion which enters into the cylindrical electrode, the exclusive power source is not required, and the structure of the device can be further simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electroencephalogram measurement helmet according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sensor member of the brain wave measurement helmet.
FIGS. 3A to 3D are explanatory views showing the operation of the helmet for measuring an electroencephalogram.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a sensor member of a brain wave measurement helmet according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 EEG measurement helmet 2 Outer skin part 3 Scalp 4 Sensor member 5 Advancing / retracting means 6 Cylindrical electrode 6a Cylindrical electrode 7 Paste supply means 8 Fixed base 9 Fixed stand 10 Through hole 11 Guide member 12 Fixed member 13 Air cylinder 14 Advance / retreat rod 15 Holding member 16 Space portion 17 Reduced diameter portion 18 Connecting rod 19 Compression coil spring 20 Gap 21 Buffer portion 23 Flexible tube 24 Connection portion 25 Connection cord 26 EEG measuring devices 27 and 28 Gas inlet 29 Flexible tube 30 Gas control Device 31 Air tank 32 System control device 33 EEG measurement helmet 34 Fixed rod 35 Buffer unit 36 Holding member

Claims (5)

In an electroencephalogram measurement helmet provided with an outer skin portion covering the head and a sensor member arranged at a plurality of positions of the outer skin portion and measuring an electroencephalogram in contact with the scalp,
The sensor member includes an advancing / retracting means capable of moving inward and backward from the outer skin portion, and a cylindrical electrode provided at a tip of the advancing / retreating means,
A helmet for measuring an electroencephalogram, wherein a paste supply means for automatically supplying an electrolyte paste to the scalp is connected to the cylindrical electrode. 2. The electroencephalogram according to claim 1, wherein the advance / retreat means includes a holding member that holds the tubular electrode so as to be able to advance and retreat, and an urging member that urges the tubular electrode forward. 3. Helmet for measurement. 3. The electroencephalogram measurement helmet according to claim 1, wherein the advance / retreat means includes an air cylinder and is connected to a pressure source, and the paste supply means is connected to the pressure source. The electroencephalogram measurement helmet according to claim 1, wherein the paste supply unit is connected to a base side of the cylindrical electrode. The paste supply means is formed by a rod portion fixed to the advance / retreat means, and a cylindrical buffer portion which is externally inserted into the rod portion so as to be able to advance and retreat and can store paste therein. The electroencephalogram measurement helmet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

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