JP2019063290A - Apparatus and system for measuring brain activity - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide apparatus and system for measuring brain activity which are practical and easy to handle.SOLUTION: A brain activity measuring apparatus 1 includes an elastic cushion body 13 disposed inside first and second frame bodies 2 and 3 attached to a head. The cushion body stands inwardly in a self-supporting manner from a connector 5 of the first frame body 2. A plurality of electrodes 15 for establishing contact with the head via an inextensible and flexible coupling sheet 16 are disposed at a top portion 13c of the cushion body 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a brain activity measuring device and a brain activity measuring system used to measure brain activity.

Measurement of brain activity and its use are becoming popular with the development of non-invasive brain activity imaging technology. As a noninvasive brain activity imaging measurement method, for example, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), magnetoencephalograph (Magnetoencephalograph: MEG), functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) Electroencephalogram (EEG) etc. are representative (general) methods in the present situation.
Although fMRI and MEG are large-sized devices and have high analysis power, they require special laboratory environments such as a magnetically shielded room, and the device price and the device maintenance price are also expensive. In order to measure a subject's head stationary generally inside a large-sized device and to measure for a large-sized device, it is required that a subject does not move a head at all at the time of measurement. Although a marker for positioning may be attached to a subject at the time of measurement, in general, such an apparatus can measure without directly attaching a detection element to the head of the subject.
The fNIRS and EEG are medium-sized to small-sized devices, and although they can not be analyzed as large as the above-mentioned large-sized devices, there are devices that can be measured and carried and carried in ordinary environments as well as in special laboratory environments. There are high expectations in the industry as it can be expected to be smaller, smaller and simpler. Also, there is a feature that even if the subject moves to some extent, it can be measured. These devices do not fix and fix the subject's head inside the device as in a large-sized device, but attach an element for detecting brain activity directly to the subject's head. When an element for detecting brain activity is directly attached to the head of a subject, it is generally attached by a head cap or a headset.
In recent years, research and development on miniaturization and simplification of fMRI and MEG, which are large-sized devices, has been promoted, and in the case of medium-sized to small-sized devices, if the subject's head is stationary fixed within the device There is also a need for a technique for directly attaching a detection element to a subject.
When an element for detecting brain activity is directly attached to the head of a subject, it is necessary to bring a detection element (for example, an electrode, a light receiving unit, a light emitting unit) into direct contact with the scalp. For example, when bringing a detection element into contact with the scalp with EEG or fNIRS, the subject may feel pain if the contact to the scalp is too strong, and noise will increase at the time of measurement even if it is too weak. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the degree of contact so that the detection element abuts on the scalp with just good pressure. The shape of the head is largely different depending on the age (eg, child or adult), gender (male or female), race (eg, Japanese or Westerner), height, shape, etc. Furthermore, the same age, sex, race However, individual differences are large, and it is necessary to take into consideration the difference that the back of the head is in the shape of a cliff or in the shape of an oval.
In brain science experiments in academic research, the head cap or the like is used, and the contact condition of each detection element is adjusted according to the subject and mounted, but it is a great effort. Therefore, there is a need for a head mounted device for detecting brain activity, which has a simple structure and easy to handle, particularly in industrial applications or even in academic research.

JP, 2015-221144, A

  For example, there is a head mounted device for detecting brain activity as shown in Patent Document 1. The technique of Patent Document 1 includes a substantially semicircular outer shell, a strip including an electrode, and a plurality of first elastic bodies, and one end of the plurality of first elastic bodies is the outer side. By connecting to both ends of the shell, it is made to fit the shape of the head of various people. In this configuration, it is realized that the shape of the head of various persons can be fitted by combining a band including an outer shell and an electrode, but both ends of the band are connected to the outer shell. Since the belt-like body hangs down at the time of mounting the device, it is necessary to lift by hand again and there is a problem that it is difficult to use. In addition, since the electrode cord is exposed from the back of the strip, there is a problem in durability and waterproofness. In addition, since both ends of the strip are connected to the outer shell, if the length of the strip can not be secured to a certain extent or longer, the head shapes of various persons can not be followed. Further, since the force is directly transmitted to the shell frame at the time of mounting, it is assumed that the shell frame needs to be rigid in order to suppress the deformation of the shell frame, and there is a problem that the degree of freedom in device design is low. That is, there are problems in the practicality as the device, the ease of handling, and the freedom in the device design. In addition, in the head-mounted device for detecting brain activity, there is a problem in the prior art in that a simple structure and a structure easy to handle are realized in a compatible manner.

In a first means for solving the above problems, in a brain activity measuring apparatus, a frame member mounted on a head and a frame member are disposed inside, and self-supporting from the side of the frame member and inward The support has an elastic support rising upward, and one or more electrodes for abutting on a head disposed on the top of the support.
By this, the support standing up inward independently is held without being dropped by gravity, and since it has elasticity, it deforms according to the shape of the head when the brain activity measuring device is attached, and The electrodes disposed at the top will abut with just the right condition. Therefore, such a brain activity measuring apparatus can accurately contact the electrode with the scalp without being influenced by the difference in the shape of the superior and the inferior of the wearing operation and the head, and as a result, the attaching operation becomes easy. .

Here, “brain activity” is generally a magnetic field generated when a current flows from the outside, a potential difference (voltage difference) at different positions, oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenation, and a difference in the amount of light of near infrared rays due to light absorption such as globin. It is a living activity that can be measured.
The “frame member” is a base to be attached to the head of a person, and the material and the shape are not limited. Since the frame member is to be mounted on the head, it is preferable that the frame member have a shape and a function not to be easily detached from the head. For example, the head may be pinched or covered. The material may be, for example, plastic, rubber, wooden or metal.
The “support” is disposed inside the frame member, but may be fixed directly to the frame member or may be secured via another member if the disposition state is inside. The support can stand up and stand inward, and has elasticity, and the material and the shape are not limited as long as the electrode can be disposed at the top. The support has a role as a scalp shape follower following the head shape. "Inward" is the head direction when wearing the brain activity measuring device. In addition, although it is preferable that there is a cavity inside for wiring the electrodes, it may not be necessary. The material is preferably one that can stand on its own and have elasticity, for example, a synthetic resin material such as silicone, elastomer, polyurethane, polyethylene, and foamable sponge. "Self-standing" means that the support is not deformed by gravity or the amount of deformation is very small when floating in the air by holding the device by hand. As a result, when the apparatus is attached to the subject, it is not necessary for the wearer (including the subject to be the subject) to hold the support or to lift the support from being dropped by gravity. "To have elasticity" means to deform with resiliency when an external force is applied, and to have the property of returning to the original shape after deformation. The elastic support deforms in accordance with the shape of the head when the brain activity measuring device is attached, but after attachment to the head, the degree of contact with the scalp is automatically adjusted. Thus, if the contact of the electrode is strong, the force is transmitted in the direction of moving the brain activity measuring device away from the scalp, and if the contact of the electrode is weak, the force is transmitted in the direction of moving the electrode closer to the scalp. As a result, the electrodes disposed on the top of the support come in contact with each other with a good contact condition.
The “electrode” is, for example, an electrode for electroencephalogram measurement that measures current change (change in potential difference) accompanying nerve activity in the brain, or brain magnetic field (brain magnetic field) that measures change in current accompanying brain activity as change in magnetic field Measurement electrodes (elements) and probes for near-infrared spectroscopy that measure changes in brain blood flow (oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, etc.) associated with brain activity as changes in the amount of light received by near-infrared light (Light receiving probe and light emitting probe). In particular, when brain activity is recorded as a potential difference (voltage difference) (electroencephalogram measurement), for example, a dry electrode is preferable because it can reduce the measurement load on the subject. In addition, it is preferable to dispose a preamplifier, for example, in the vicinity of the dry electrode because measurement noise can be reduced. As the dry electrode, it is preferable to use a metal electrode whose surface is plated or coated with gold, silver, silver / silver chloride, a conductive resin containing carbon, a resin electrode using a conductive organic material, etc. The shape is not limited. The electrodes should be shaped to have a certain height and area to avoid the influence of hair when worn.
The “brain activity measuring device” is a “head mounted device” for detecting brain activity. The head mounted device may or may not include a circuit such as a differential amplifier.

Further, as a second means, an abutting body having a surface to be abutted on the head side is disposed between the electrode and the support.
Further, as a third means, an abutment body having a surface to be abutted on the head side is formed on the support.
The electrodes at the top of the freestanding support usually have a fixed area and height (distance from the electrode tip to the support). When the wearer (including the subject himself) wears the brain activity measuring device on the subject, the reaction force from the subject's head to the electrode is oblique or lateral to the height direction of the electrode (the electrode falls If the brain activity measuring device is attached, the support may be broken and the electrode may fall down. By this configuration, when attaching the brain activity measurement device to the head, the "face" of the contact body is formed by the scalp, hair, etc. on the head side as the electrodes are brought into contact with the scalp. By making contact with the “face”, it is possible to prevent the application of a large force in the direction in which the electrode falls down, and to prevent the electrode from falling down. In addition, the “contact body” contacts the “face” formed by the scalp, hair, etc. on the head side from various directions to disperse the reaction force, and for example, a part of the electrode becomes strong during the mounting operation It is possible to prevent the unnecessary deformation due to being pushed back to the scalp. "Abutment body" has a role as an electrode fall prevention portion, and appropriately adjusts the amount of deformation of the support.
Since it is unclear from what direction the wearer (worker) wears the brain activity measuring apparatus on the head, the contact body is not necessarily formed only at a position close to the electrode. For example, the abutment may be formed on the side of the support that is far away from the electrode. The abutment may be present in plurality. The interpretation of the contact body is the same in the following description. The phrase "having a surface to be brought into contact with the head side" does not mean that all of the abutting members have to abut against the head side, but a surface having a function to prevent unnecessary deformation of the support. It means that the contact body should have.
The abutment may be the same material as the support or may be a different material. Whatever material is used, the contact body and the support body may be integrally formed by two-color molding or the like. Alternatively, the contact member may be in the form of a sheet, and may be sandwiched between the support and the electrode or between the support and the support. As a material of the contact body, for example, synthetic resin materials such as silicone, elastomer, polyurethane, polyethylene and the like are preferable. Elasticity can be imparted or non-stretchable by changing molding conditions and shape, and the material is not particularly limited. Moreover, the area which receives the reaction force at the time of pressing on a head can be enlarged by enlarging the area of a contact body.
Further, as a fourth means, the contact body is projected outward of the support.
When the brain activity measuring apparatus is mounted on the head, the possibility of contact with the scalp, hair, etc. on the head side is increased by projecting the support outward, so that the electrode can be prevented more effectively from falling over.
Further, as a fifth means, the contact member is not in contact with the frame member.
When the abutment body is in contact with the frame member, the movement of the abutment body is restricted, which makes it difficult to cause the electrode to abut against various head-shaped subjects. "Not in contact" means that the abutment is not connected to the frame member. "Not in contact with the frame member" means not in direct contact with the frame member, but also in contact with members or the like disposed on the frame member other than the support.

As a sixth means, the contact body is made of a non-stretchable material.
As a result, when a force that causes the support to be deformed by being pressed by, for example, the contact member in contact with the head side at the time of mounting operation is transmitted without being escaped, The reaction force when the head side contacts from various directions can be dispersed to the other support side. As a material of the contact body, for example, synthetic resin materials such as polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like are preferable. The abutment may be separate from the support or may be integrally formed.
As a seventh means, a plurality of electrodes are disposed on the top of the support, and the number of the support is one.
That is, it is a claim that the electrodes are plurally arranged collectively on the top of one support. With such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide a support for each electrode, which is advantageous in terms of workability and cost. In addition, since the plurality of electrodes are connected by the support, the electrodes are less likely to fall down when the device is attached.
Further, as an eighth means, a plurality of the supports are provided.
In other words, it is a matter of sure that only one support or two or more supports may be supported. This is because it may be preferable to configure a plurality of supports depending on various conditions such as the material and shape of the support and the arrangement position and the shape and weight of the electrodes to be attached.

As a ninth means, the electrode is disposed on the inner side of the outer periphery of the support in a state of being disposed on the top of the support.
This creates a space at the top around the electrode, which becomes the area that abuts the head side when wearing the brain activity measurement device, and that area is from various directions on the scalp, hair, etc. on the head side. The contact causes the reaction force to be dispersed, and it is possible to prevent that, for example, a part of the electrode is strongly pushed back to the scalp during the mounting operation and the support is deformed more than necessary.

As a tenth means, the electrodes are disposed one on top of the support.
With such a configuration, the support can be individually deformed according to the contact state of the individual electrodes with the head, and the delicate brain activity measuring device can be attached according to the head shape. It becomes. In addition, when the shape of the frame member is different depending on the model, the correspondence to change the position of the electrode for each model can be easily coped with because the position and the interval of the electrodes can be individually changed. That is, if this means is used, headsets of various electrode arrangements and fixing methods can be designed without greatly changing the shapes of the support and the electrodes, and the design cost and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
In addition, as an eleventh means, one of the supports on which only one of the electrodes is disposed is formed to form a disposition row which is disposed in a line at intervals.
If the arrangement is such that the electrodes are arranged in a line, the brain activity in a wide range can be measured, and when the subject is worn on a subject with a different head shape, the relatively same brain activity reflects each electrode It is because it can be mounted at the measured position.

As a twelfth means, one of the supports on which a plurality of the electrodes are arranged is connected by a connecting member.
When the brain activity measuring device is attached to the head, the support is pushed back and deformed by the reaction force as the electrodes are brought into contact with the scalp, but the supports are connected by the connecting member Therefore, they can mutually complement each other as compared with the case where they stand independently, and can disperse the reaction force at the time of contacting the head side from various directions, and the support may be deformed more than necessary or the mounting operation It is possible to prevent problems such as unnatural deformation caused by hitting the head at the time of Moreover, the area which receives the reaction force at the time of pressing on a head can be enlarged more by enlarging the area of a connection member. The connecting member is a member that connects a plurality of supports to exhibit the same function as the above-mentioned contact body.
As a thirteenth means, the connecting member is not in contact with the frame member.
When the connecting member is in contact with the frame member, the movement is restricted, and the original support body is deformed, which is contrary to the purpose of adjusting the contact condition. "Not in contact" is the case where the connecting member is connected to the frame member. “Not in contact with the frame member” means, of course, not in direct contact with the frame member, but also means that it is not in contact with members or the like provided in the frame member except for the support.
Further, as a fourteenth means, the connecting member has a surface sandwiched between the support and the electrode and brought into contact with the head side.
By arranging the support member and the electrode, the connection member can be fixed only by sandwiching the connection member, and the mounting operation of the connection member is easy. In addition, since the unnecessary deformation of the support is prevented at a position close to the electrode, the tip direction of the electrode pushed to the head side does not largely change its direction. The phrase "having a surface to be brought into contact with the head side" means that not all of the connecting members have to abut on the head side, but a surface having a function to prevent unnecessary deformation of the support is connected. It means that the member should have it.
Further, as a fifteenth means, the connecting member is disposed between the supports and has a surface to be brought into contact with the head side.
Since the connecting member is disposed at the free position of the support to prevent unnecessary deformation of the support, unnecessary deformation of the support can be prevented at a suitable position according to the shape of the support. it can. Moreover, since it becomes possible to integrally mold using two-color molding etc., manufacturing and assembly costs can be held down.

Further, as a sixteenth means, the connecting member is made of a non-stretchable material.
As a result, the head comes into contact with the head side at the time of mounting operation, and when a support is pressed and deformed via the connection member, the force is transmitted to another support without escape, The reaction force at the time of contact with the part side from various directions can be dispersed to the other support side. In addition, since the positional relationship between the supports can be relatively maintained, it is possible to prevent the fall of only one support. As a material of the connecting member, for example, a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene or the like is preferable. As for the material, it is important that the material does not expand and contract. Since the elasticity of the material can be controlled by the molding conditions and the shape, it is not limited by the material.
As a seventeenth means, the inside of the support is hollowed.
By making the interior hollow, the wiring for the electrode can be disposed in the cavity so as not to be seen from the outside, so the wiring is less likely to be damaged. In addition, when the brain activity measurement device is attached, the wearer (subject) does not carelessly contact the wiring and cause problems such as disconnection. Also, if the support is made of a waterproof material, it will be resistant to water. Furthermore, with such a shape, the strength and elasticity of the support can be compatible, and the support can be made to stand while being elastic. At this time, connecting the outside of the support to one another is good for achieving both elasticity and support of the support.
Further, as an eighteenth means, the frame member has a horseshoe shape, and left and right leg portions swing in and out.
When attaching the brain activity measuring device, it is possible to bend the left and right legs outward on the frame member and place it on the head, and return the legs to the original position so that the head can be held by attaching it. Become. This means can be realized because it is not necessary to use a strong material for the frame member by letting the support release the reaction force when the device is mounted.

Further, as a nineteenth means, the plurality of front electrodes are arranged to form an electrode arrangement row which is arranged in a line at intervals.
An arrangement that forms an electrode arrangement row in which the electrodes are arranged in a row can cover a wide range for measuring brain activity, and when the head is mounted on a subject with a different head shape, each electrode has a relatively identical brain It is because it can be attached to the measurement position where the activity is reflected.
As a twentieth means, the electrode arrangement row is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame member.
With such a configuration, there are more cases where the electrodes can be arranged along the frame member, and the reaction force at the time of mounting the device on the subject's head is dispersed from the support to the frame member compared to the case of random arrangement. It is because it becomes easy to do. Moreover, it is because a frame member can be made compact.
Further, as a twenty-first means, in the electrode arrangement row, the end portion of the row is inclined and rises so as to face the center direction of the row.
This makes it easy to follow a variety of different head shapes. In the case of following various head shapes, it is necessary to correspond to mainly two different directional head shapes having a large head shape and a flat shape and a small head shape and a curved shape. The other head shapes are to be shapes between the two head shapes. According to this means, for the flat shape with a large head shape, the electrode at the end of the electrode arrangement row falls back to be an electrode position aligned in a straight line, and the head shape becomes a large flat shape. On the other hand, it can be abutted without difficulty. In addition, with respect to a shape in which the shape of the head is small and curved, the central portion of the electrode arrangement row is largely pushed back to be a curved shape, and the shape of the head can be along the curved shape. From the above, the electrode can be made to abut with a small electrode movement distance for any head shape.

As a twenty-second means, the movable range when the support is deformed is 25 to 35 mm at the center of the electrode arrangement row and 5 to 15 mm at the end of the arrangement row.
Within such a movable range, the amount of deformation of the support of the brain activity measuring device when worn on the head is appropriate, and the head can be worn without difficulty with various head shapes. In addition, the elasticity and the self-support of the support can be compatible for each of the end and the center of the electrode arrangement row.
Further, as a twenty-third means, an electrical configuration is incorporated in the inside of the frame member.
Specifically, the electrical configuration is, for example, a preamplifier, a differential amplifier, a battery, a communication circuit or the like. These may be selectively included, and other electrical members may be included. Since these components can not be easily accessed by incorporating them in the interior of the frame member, problems due to contact with these components are unlikely to occur. Also, in terms of appearance, they are simpler and superior in design than exposed to the outside of the frame member. Further, in the configuration of the present application, an excessive force is not transmitted to the frame member by releasing the reaction force by the support when the device is mounted, so even if the frame member is internally provided with the electrical configuration, the device mounting is the cause. It is possible to prevent the failure of the electrical configuration. Here, it is preferable that the preamp be installed near each electrode.
As a twenty-fourth means, the leg portion of the frame member is connected to the leg portion of the second frame member, and the inward side of the second frame member has a sheet-like support with elasticity. The electrode was held by the sheet-like support.
That is, the second frame member is not a “support body rising inward” but a structure in which the electrode is disposed on a flat sheet-like support body that does not stand up. Specifically, for example, a form like the brain activity measuring device of the first embodiment corresponds. When the electrodes are arranged at such two distant places of the head, the second frame member side is brought into contact with the head later. The "inwardly rising support" previously brought into contact with the head generates a reaction force due to the elasticity of the support in the opposite direction to the mounting, but the support of the second frame member By making the sheet shape into a sheet, it is possible to offset the reaction force by the “support body rising inward”, and it is possible to soften the contact condition of the electrode with the scalp.
As a twenty-fifth means, a slit is provided around the electrode holding portion of the sheet-like support.
The sheet-like support itself is flexible to external force since it has elasticity, but the slits around the electrodes allow the individual electrodes to further swing relative to the sheet-like support. This will be acceptable, and the followability to the head shape will be improved. The slit may be formed as a through hole in the sheet-like support by cutting or the like, or the slit may be formed so as to have a bag portion bulging along the slit without becoming a through hole.

A twenty-sixth means is a brain activity measurement system for measuring brain activity, which measures brain activity based on a brain activity signal obtained by the brain activity measurement device of any of the first to twenty-fifth means. It was made to do.
A twenty-seventh means is a brain activity measuring system for measuring brain activity, which measures brain activity based on an electroencephalogram signal obtained by the brain activity measuring device of any of the first to twenty-fifth means. I did it.
By doing this, it is possible to reduce the trouble of attaching the electrode to the wearer (subject) and to provide a brain activity measurement system in which the measurement preparation time is shortened. The “brain activity measurement system” is, for example, a “head-mounted device”, a circuit unit built in (or externally connected to) the head-mounted device, a recording device that records brain activity data from the circuit unit through wireless or wired communication. (Computer, tablet, mobile phone, etc.), recording software that records brain activity data inside the device, and brain activity analysis software that analyzes brain activity data may be included. Also, in order to obtain temporal synchronization of external stimulation and measurement data, for example, trigger signal transmission accompanying stimulation from outside, circuit component incorporated in (or externally connected to) a head-mounted device, or trigger signal reception by a recording device Should be included in the "brain activity measurement system". As “brain activity”, for example, it is preferable to measure electroencephalogram (EEG) or cerebral blood flow (fNIRS), and in particular, the present invention can be applied to a brain activity measurement system using dry electrodes.
Each invention of the 1st-27th means mentioned above can be combined arbitrarily. In particular, it is preferable to provide the configuration of the first means, and to provide the configuration and / or combination of at least one of the inventions of the second to twenty-seventh means. Optional components of each invention of the first to twenty-seventh means may be extracted and combined with other components.

  In the above-described invention, the electrode can be brought into contact with the scalp accurately, that is, with just good fit, regardless of the differences in the shapes of the superior and inferior members of the wearing operation and the head. In addition, in the head mounted device for detecting brain activity, it is possible to provide a simple structure and a structure easy to handle at the same time. This leads to cost advantages.

(A) of the headset of 1st Embodiment is the perspective view seen from the 2nd frame body side, (b) is the perspective view seen from the 1st frame body side. Explanatory drawing which illustrates typically the internal structure by the side of the 1st frame in a 1st embodiment. (A) in the first embodiment, just before attaching the electrode on the second frame body side, (b) and (c) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the state after attaching the electrode. Explanatory drawing explaining the use condition of the headset of 1st Embodiment. (A) of the headband of 2nd Embodiment is a top view, (b) is a perspective view. Explanatory drawing explaining the use condition of the headband of 2nd Embodiment. (A) of the headband of 3rd Embodiment is a top view, (b) is a perspective view. (A) of the headband of 4th Embodiment is a top view, (b) is a perspective view.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
First Embodiment
The first embodiment shows an electroencephalogram measurement system including an electrode 15 which is a dry electrode.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the head set 1 as the brain activity measuring device according to the first embodiment is a hollow that is internally configured as a whole and is a first frame that is curved to be convex outward as a whole. The outer shape is constituted by the two main frame bodies of the body 2 and the second frame body 3. The first frame body 2 and the second frame body 3 are made of a plastic material, specifically a polyurethane material as an example here. The first frame body 2 and the second frame body 3 are both hard and inelastic, but have some flexibility as a whole.
First, the configuration of the first frame body 2 will be described.
The first frame body 2 is configured in a horseshoe shape in appearance. In the cross-sectional shape along the longitudinal direction of the first frame body 2, the outer periphery is convex and the inner periphery is concaved inward.
The first frame body 2 has a horseshoe-shaped center-proportional portion 2A configured so as to have a wide upper and lower width, and a portion 2B closer to both ends with respect to the center-proportional portion 2A is configured such that the upper and lower widths are narrower. As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 6 covered by a connector 5 described later is formed in the central portion 2A. Both end close portions 2B have flexibility that can be pivoted in and out with the center close portion 2A as a base. When the both end side portion 2B is expanded outward, a biasing force is generated as internal energy, and the both end side portion 2B whose restraint is released by the biasing force is automatically returned to the original position.

A connector 5 is disposed on the inner surface of the central portion 2A of the first frame body 2. As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2, the connector 5 has a crescent-shaped external appearance having a convex outer surface corresponding to the concave inner surface shape of the central portion 2A of the first frame body 2. It is a sub frame body attached to the frame body 2. The connector 5 is the same material as the first frame body 2 and is a hard body. The connector 5 is formed with an opening 7 corresponding to the opening 6 of the first frame body 2. A plurality of locking claws 8 are formed on the periphery of the opening 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the locking claws 8 of the connector 5 advanced into the opening 6 of the first frame body 2 are engaged with the edge of the opening 6, and the connector 5 can Is fixed to the inner surface of the frame body 2 of FIG. The connector 5 is removable from the first frame body 2 by engagement and disengagement of the locking claws 8. In the connector 5, the differential amplifier 10, the communication circuit 11 and the storage battery 12 are accommodated. Details of these electrical configurations will be described later.
One cushion body 13 as a support is fixed to the inner surface (front surface) of the connector 5 by an adhesive. The means for fixing the cushion body 13 may not necessarily rely on an adhesive. For example, the cushion body 13 is fixed by means of a connection structure similar to the opening 7 of the connector 5 and the locking claw 8 or fixed by screws. You may do so. The cushion body 13 is disposed on the inner surface of the headset 1 via the connector 5. The cushion body 13 is a bag-like hollow body made of silicone. The cushion body 13 is an elastic body in which a bag-like hollow body is fixed along the curved surface of the inner surface of the connector 5 so as to be self-supporting. The cushion body 13 has a laterally long wall-like appearance with a constant width as a whole. The cushion body 13 has a bottom portion 13a having a long circuit-shaped outer portion of a straight portion in contact with a reverse curved surface along the curved surface of the inner surface of the connector 5, a wall portion 13b rising from the entire periphery of the bottom portion 13a, and an upper portion of the wall portion 13b And a top portion 13c for closing the opening. The top portion 13c is a first surface 13A configured to extend horizontally in the lateral direction in the chord direction with respect to the first frame body 2 in which the central region is curved, and the second surfaces 13B on both left and right sides It is configured to be inclined with respect to the surface 13A so that the surface faces inward. As shown in FIG. 2, a preamplifier 14 is disposed at a back surface position of the top portion 13 c in the cushion body 13. The preamplifier 14 has a donut-like flat outer shape, and a female screw 14a is formed on the inner periphery of the central through hole. Details of the electrical configuration of the preamplifier 14 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, a plurality of electrodes 15 are disposed on the top portion 13 c of the cushion body 13 via a single connection sheet 16. More specifically, in the first embodiment, the five electrodes 15 are arranged on the connecting sheet 16 at the top 13 c of the cushion 13 along the longitudinal direction of the top 13 c.
The connection sheet 16 as the contact body is made of a non-stretchable flexible plastic material, specifically, a polycarbonate material as an example here. The connecting sheet 16 is formed to be bent along the shapes of the first surface 13A and the surface 13B of the top 13c of the cushion 13 and is a long sheet that completely covers the top 13c along the longitudinal direction of the top 13c. Sheet body. The connection sheet 16 is in close contact with the first surface 13A and the surface 13B of the top 13c. The connecting sheet 16 has a similar shape (that is, a shape having a long circuit-shaped outer portion of a straight portion) of the outer peripheral shape of the cushion body 13 which slightly protrudes from the top 13 c of the cushion body 13. There is no contact with the 1 frame body 2 or other parts. In the present embodiment, the width of the connecting sheet 16 is 170 mm. Further, in the disposed state, the peripheral edge of the connection sheet 16 protrudes 7 mm from the edge of the top 13 c (that is, the surface of the wall 13 b). Here, even if the amount of protrusion of the peripheral edge of the connection sheet 16 is too small, the function as the contact member will be reduced, and even if it is too large, it will be difficult to handle, and about 5 to 15 mm is appropriate. .
The electrode 15 comprises a disk-shaped main body 17, a plurality of (in the first embodiment, twelve) projections 18 as a ground portion, and a support shaft 19 having a circular cross-section and projecting downward from the center of the main body 17. It is done. The protrusions 18 are provided at equal intervals on the front outer periphery of the main body 17. An external thread 19 a is formed on the outer periphery of the support shaft 19. The diameter of the main body 17 of the electrode 15 is 13 mm, and since the width of the connection sheet 16 is wider, the sheet surface of the connection sheet 16 is exposed to the periphery of the connection sheet 16 around the main body 17 of the electrode 15 An area capable of accommodating hair and the like when the set 1 is attached is also formed around the electrode 15.
The central three electrodes 15 are disposed on the first surface 13A via the connection sheet 16, and the two left and right electrodes 15 are disposed on the second surface 13B via the connection sheet 16. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, the two electrodes 15 on the left and right with respect to the central three electrodes 15 are disposed inward by the inclination angle of the second surface 13B, and the protrusions 18 of the central three electrodes 15 are arranged. The extension lines of the protrusions 18 of the two electrodes 15 on the left and right sides of the extension line of the second line 15 cross each other. As a result, the head set 1 can be mounted on a subject having a large head shape and a flat back head in a flat wall shape, and also to a test head having a small head shape and an oval head on the back head. 15 can be in contact with the subject's scalp.
The electrode 15 is fixed to the cushion body 13 in cooperation with the preamplifier 14. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the support shaft 19 of the electrode 15 is inserted into the cushion body 13 from the through hole 20 formed in the top portion 13 c of the cushion body 13, and the male screw 19 a of the support shaft 19 and the By screwing with the female screw 14a on the inner periphery of the hole, it is fixed to the top portion 13c in the cushion body 13. On the other hand, the preamplifier 14 is also fixed to the back surface of the top portion 13c by the electrode 15 in this manner.
Through holes 21 corresponding to the positions of the support shafts 19 of the electrodes 15 are formed in the connection sheet 16. The position of the through hole 21 coincides with the through hole 20 formed in the cushion body 13. The support shaft 19 of the electrode 15 is inserted into the through holes 20 and 21 and is fixed by being sandwiched between the electrode 15 and the cushion body 13 while fixing the electrode 15 as described above.

Next, the configuration of the second frame body 3 will be described.
The second frame body 3 has an arch-like outer shape whose length is shorter than that of the first frame body 2. The second frame body 3 is formed of the same polyurethane material as the first frame body 2 and has the same width in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal cross section along the longitudinal direction of the second frame body 3 has a convex outer periphery and a concave inner periphery. The second frame body 3 is connected to the first frame body 2 at each end close to each other. Specifically, both ends of the second frame body 3 are rotatably attached around a shaft to a mounting plate 25 formed at the end of the both end portion 2B of the first frame body 2. Since the second frame body 3 has a total length shorter than that of the first frame body 2, the second frame body 3 has flexibility slightly weaker than that of the first frame body 2.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, an opening 27 is formed on the front surface of the second frame body 3, and an elastic plate 28 as a sheet-like support is fixed so as to close the opening 27. It is done. The elastic plate 28 is an elastic and flexible thin plate made of synthetic rubber. The elastic plate 28 is fixed to the inside of the second frame body 2 by fitting the long end to the inside, and the short end is not fixed but is open. Since the short-side end is not fixed, the flexibility of movement of the elastic plate 28 is improved, and the wiring can be pulled out from the open position to the first frame 2 side.
The plurality of electrodes 15 are fixed to the elastic plate 28. More specifically, three electrodes 15 are arranged in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the elastic plate 28. Since the elastic plate 28 is similarly concavely curved along the concavely curved inner surface of the second frame body 3, the electrodes 15 at the left and right positions face inward, and the protrusions 18 of the three electrodes 15 are formed. The extension line of the point is such as to intersect at one point inside the headset 1. The electrode 15 is fixed to the elastic plate 28 by cooperating with the preamplifier 14 as described above.
The elastic plate 28 is formed with slits 29 in the vicinity of the electrodes 15 to be through holes. A plurality of slits 29 are formed at positions surrounding the electrode 15. In this embodiment, the electrode 15 is formed in two places so as to sandwich the electrode 15.

Next, an outline of the electrical configuration of the headset 1 configured as described above will be described.
Each electrode 15 is electrically conducted by being screwed into the preamplifier 14, respectively. Conductors 31 from the preamplifier 14 of the first frame body 2 and the preamplifier 14 of the second frame body 3 are connected to the differential amplifier 10 in the connector 5 respectively. The differential amplifier 10, the communication circuit 11, and the preamplifier 14 are supplied with power from the storage battery 12. A ground electrode and a reference electrode (not shown) extend out of the headset 1 from the differential amplifier 10. At the time of wearing the device, the ground electrode and the reference electrode (reference electrode) are clipped to the body of the wearer, for example, the right earlobe. Each electrode 15 is connected to the inside of the differential amplifier 10 through the preamplifier 14 and the conducting wire 31, and the differential amplifier 10 is connected to the communication circuit 11. The preamplifier 14 is attached to each of the electrodes 15, and amplifies the electroencephalogram voltage at the acquired position. The differential amplifier 10 includes a differential amplifier circuit, and calculates and amplifies an electroencephalogram voltage and a potential difference obtained from a reference electrode (not shown). The potential data amplified by the differential amplifier 10 is wirelessly transmitted by the communication circuit 11 to the outside. Potential data received by a receiving device (not shown) is output to a computer as detection target data, and analysis is performed.
When the headset 1 configured as described above is mounted on the head, first, the both end portions 2B of the headset 1 on the side of the first frame body 2 are expanded. When the both end side portion 2B is expanded, the second frame body 3 is expanded accordingly. The headband 1 expanded in this manner is disposed on the side of the head portion 1 on the side of the first frame body 2 and the electrode 15 of the first frame body 2 is disposed along the horizontal direction of the back of the head The electrodes 15 of the frame body 3 are attached so as to be disposed along the lateral direction of the forehead. The subject to be attached may be a wearer or a person who is not a wearer. The headset 1 is such that the both end side portions 2B on the first frame body 2 side return inward with their own biasing force and hold the head, and the first frame body 2 and the second frame body 3 via the electrode 15 The headband 1 is fixed to the head by being abutted against the head. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the headset 1 is attached.

The following effects are achieved by the headset 1 of the first embodiment configured as described above.
(1) The electrode 15 comes close to the head in the mounting operation when the head set 1 is mounted as shown in FIG. Since the body 13 and the elastic plate 28 are bent and deformed, the head set 1 can be mounted on the head of the wearer even if there is a difference in the shape of the head. In particular, the cushion body 13 can be made to correspond variously to the shape of the head because it protrudes forward (that is, in the direction of the head), and since it has elasticity, it not only simply bends but has elasticity for the head due to its elasticity. Since the electrode 15 contacts the scalp with an appropriate contact condition, the electroencephalogram voltage can be acquired without omission. In addition, no pain occurs when the device is worn due to the deformation of the cushion body 13 and the elastic plate 28. For example, even if the wearer walks or shakes the neck, the headset 1 does not shift.
(2) When bringing the electrode 15 on the first frame body 2 side into contact with the scalp, the connecting sheet 16 having a large area spreads around the electrode 15, so the electrode 15 is attached to the head in the mounting operation When approaching, the scalp and the hair come in contact with the connecting sheet 16 at the same time. Therefore, not only the electrode 15 receives the pressing force from the head side, but the external force is also dispersed to the connecting sheet 16. Therefore, only the electrode 15 is strongly pressed, and for example, a problem that the cushion body 13 supporting the electrode 15 is partially largely dented hardly occurs. The connection sheet 16 is not connected to the first frame body 2 in the state of being disposed in front of the cushion body 13, so the degree of freedom of deformation is high and the external pressure on the cushion body 13 is easily dispersed. In addition, since the connection sheet 16 is a "face", when the headset 1 is attached, it comes into contact with the scalp surface including the hair of the wearer, and the electrode 15 can be prevented from falling down during the attachment operation.
(3) The electrodes 15 on the first frame body 2 side are arranged in the form of a flat first surface 13A with the central three electrodes 15 on the other hand, while the two electrodes 15 on the left and right sides It is arranged to face. Therefore, it is easy to follow the difference in head shape.
(4) The connection sheet 16 has a structure in which the electrode 15 is sandwiched in front of the cushion body 13. Therefore, since the cushion body 13 and the electrode 15 are combined and constructed as a strong structure, it is possible to generate a sufficient reaction force to the pressing force from the head side.
Further, since the connecting sheet 16 is non-stretchable, when the connecting sheet 16 is pushed by the connecting sheet 16 so as to deform the support, the force is transmitted without escape, and therefore, the connecting sheet 16 is arranged as a row The cushion body 13 can be made to have an appropriate amount of deformation while maintaining the positional relationship of the electrodes 15 being held. When the connection sheet 16 is stretchable, the positional relationship between the plurality of electrodes 15 is broken by extending only a part of the electrodes during the wearing of the device, etc., and another scalp is placed on each scalp of the device. The electrode will be in contact with the position.
(5) In the mounting work of the headset 1, for example, the elasticity of the elastic plate 28 can be utilized by pressing the electrode 15 of the second frame body 3 to the forehead side. The amount of deformation of the cushion body 13 is reduced because the electrode 15 does not strongly abut on the scalp.
(6) When pressing the electrode 15 of the second frame body 3 to the forehead side, the elastic plate 28 is formed with the slit 29 at a position surrounding the electrode 15, so the elasticity of the elastic plate 28 alone is sufficient. Since the electrode 15 itself disposed on the elastic plate 28 itself has a slit 29, it has a bend, and the followability upon mounting on the head is improved.
(7) The differential amplifier 10, the communication circuit 11, and the storage battery 12 are built in the connector 5 of the headset 1, and the preamplifier 14 and the conducting wire 31 are built in the hollow cushion body 13. The device wear is not touched on the configuration, and the durability of the device is high.

Second Embodiment
The headband 41 as a brain activity measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment uses the electrode 15 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the electric potential is basically the same as that according to the first embodiment. It is for acquiring data. Therefore, the description of the electrical configuration of the headband 41 is omitted, and the difference in appearance from the headband 1 of the first embodiment will be mainly described. The same members as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) and FIG. 6, the headband 41 of the second embodiment has an outer shape constituted by a frame body 42 curved so as to be convex outward as a whole. The frame body 42 is made of a plastic material, specifically a polycarbonate material as an example here. The frame body 42 is hard and inelastic, but has some flexibility as a whole.
The frame body 42 is configured in a horseshoe shape in appearance and is hollow inside. In the cross-sectional shape along the longitudinal direction of the frame body 42, the outer periphery is convex and the inner periphery is concave inward.
The frame body 42 is configured such that the vertical width is equal from the center-proportion portion 42A of the horseshoe shape to the both-end portion 42B, and the thickness gradually becomes thin from the center-proportion portion 42A to the both end portions 42B. Both end close portions 42B have flexibility that can be pivoted in and out with the center close portion 42A as a base. When the end portions 42B are expanded outward, an urging force is generated as internal energy, and the end portions 42B whose restraint is released by the urging force automatically return to the original position.

A plurality of (three in the present embodiment) cushion bodies 43 are fixed to the inner surface (front surface) of the center-proportion portion 42A of the frame body 42 at intervals. The cushion body 43 is a bag-like hollow body made of silicone. The cushion body 43 is an elastic body in which a cylindrical bag-like hollow body is fixed along the curved surface of the inner surface of the frame body 42 so as to be self-supporting. The cushion body 43 is fixed by an adhesive in a recess 44 formed in the inner surface of the frame body 42. The cushion body 43 is open at the side of the recess 44 and can communicate with the inside of the frame body 42. The cushion body 43 includes a bottom 43a forming a circular outer shell, a wall 43b rising from the entire periphery of the bottom 43a, and a top 43c forming a circular plane closing the top of the wall 13b. The positions of the tips of the three cushion bodies 43, that is, the tops 43c are disposed on the same straight line in the direction of the chord of the central portion 42A of the frame body 42.
The electrode 15 is disposed on the top portion 43 c of each cushion body 43 one by one via a connection sheet 45. As in the first embodiment, the electrode 15 is fixed to the cushion 43 in cooperation with the preamplifier 14. Three through holes (not shown) are formed in the connecting sheet 45, and the connecting sheet 45 is inserted into the support shaft 19 of each electrode 15 at this through hole position and is sandwiched between the electrode 15 and the cushion body 43. . The outer peripheral position of the main body 17 of the electrode 15 coincides with the outer peripheral position of the wall 43 b. That is, the electrode 15 does not protrude from the cushion body 43.
The connecting sheet 45 as the connecting member is made of a non-stretchable flexible plastic material, specifically, a polycarbonate material as an example here. The connection sheet 45 is a long sheet having both ends formed in a semicircular shape. The outer portion of the connecting sheet 45 is slightly bent forward (inward). The connecting sheet 45 is not in contact with the surrounding frame body 42 or other parts in the arranged state. In the present embodiment, the width of the connecting sheet 45 is 240 m. Since the connecting sheet 45 is wider than the diameter of the main body 17 of the electrode 15, the sheet surface is exposed from the main body 17 of the electrode 15 to the peripheral edge of the connecting sheet 45, and there is a region that can accommodate hair and the like when the headband 1 is attached. It will be formed also around the electrode 15.

  When the headband 1 configured in this way is mounted on the head, first, the end band portions 42B of the headband 41 on the frame body 42 side are expanded. The thus expanded headband 1 is disposed so that the both end portions 2B are disposed on the side of the head and the electrodes 15 of the frame body 42 are disposed along the lateral direction of the forehead. The subject to be attached may be a wearer or a person who is not a wearer. In the head band 41, both end side portions 42B of the frame body 42 return inward with their own biasing force to hold the head, and the electrodes 15 are brought into contact with the head to fix the head band 41 to the head. FIG. 6 shows an example in which a head band 41 is attached.

The headband 41 of the second embodiment configured as described above achieves the same effect as the configuration of the headband 1 of the first embodiment, but the following unique An effect is also played.
(1) The cushion body 43 is deformed according to the external force (pressing force) due to contact with the head individually when the electrodes 15 contact with the head, so a delicate headband well suited to the shape of the head 41 can be mounted. In addition, when the shape of the frame body 42 is different depending on the model, the position of the electrode 15 may be changed depending on the model, since the position and interval of the electrode 15 and the shape of the cushion body 43 can be individually changed. It becomes easy to do.
(2) Since the connecting sheet 45 having a large area is spread around the electrode 15, when the electrode 15 is brought close to the head in the mounting operation, the scalp and the hair are simultaneously in contact with the connecting sheet 45. Therefore, not only the electrode 15 receives the pressing force from the head side, but the reaction force is also dispersed to the connecting sheet 45. Therefore, only the electrode 15 is strongly pressed, and for example, the problem that the cushion body 43 supporting the electrode 15 is largely dented hardly occurs. The connection sheet 45 is not connected to the first frame body 42 in a state of being disposed in front of the cushion body 43, so the degree of freedom of deformation is high and the external pressure on the cushion body 43 is easily dispersed.
In particular, since the cushion body 43 is deformed individually, excessive deformation of the cushion body 43 which is easily deformed as compared with the first embodiment can be prevented.

Third Embodiment
The headband 51 as the brain activity measuring device of the third embodiment is a variation of the second embodiment. Therefore, detailed description of the configuration common to the second embodiment will be omitted, and points different from the headband 41 of the second embodiment will be mainly described. The same members as in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 7, the headband 51 of the third embodiment is configured by the frame body 52 having the same shape as the headband 41 of the second embodiment. The part 52A near the center and the part 52B near the both ends also have the same configuration as the part 42A near the center and the part 42B near the both ends of the headband 41 of the second embodiment. The three cushion bodies 43 which are the same as the headband 41 of the second embodiment are disposed in the central portion 52A of the headband 51. Unlike the headband 41 of the second embodiment, the connection sheet 53 of the cushion body 43 is disposed at an intermediate position of the cushion body 43. The connection sheet 53 as a connection member is the same material as the connection sheet 45. The connection sheet 53 of the present embodiment is formed simultaneously with the cushion body 43 by two-color molding, and the wall 43 b of the cushion body 43 and the connection sheet 53 are integrated.
In such a headband 51, the connecting sheet 53 is connected at a position closer to the base of the cushion 43, and the movement of the cushion 43 can be further restrained, and the cushion 43 should not be bent as much as possible. Is suitable for the following cases. Further, since the movement of the cushion body 43 can be restrained, the electrode can be prevented from falling even if the size of the connection sheet 53 is relatively small.

Fourth Embodiment
The headband 61 as the brain activity measuring device of the fourth embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description of the configuration common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and points different from the headband 1 of the first embodiment will be mainly described. The same members as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the headband 61 according to the fourth embodiment has an outer shape constituted by a frame body 62 which is curved so as to be convex outward as a whole. The frame body 62 is made of a plastic material, specifically a polycarbonate material as an example here. The frame body 62 is hard and inelastic but has some flexibility as a whole.
The frame body 62 is configured in a horseshoe shape in appearance and is hollow in the inside. In the cross-sectional shape along the longitudinal direction of the frame body 62, the outer periphery is convex and the inner periphery is concave inward. The frame body 62 is formed with a bulging portion 65 which is greatly expanded in a trapezoidal shape on one side in the center-proportion portion 62A of the horseshoe shape, and the thickness gradually becomes thinner from the center-proportion portion 62A to the both end portions 62B. There is.
One cushion body 63 as a support is fixed to the inner surface (front surface) of the center-proportional portion 62A of the frame body 62 by an adhesive. The cushion body 63 is a bag-like hollow body made of silicone. The cushion body 63 is an elastic body in which a bag-like hollow body is fixed along the curved surface of the inner surface of the frame body 62 so as to be self-supporting.
The cushion body 63 has a wall-like appearance in which the central portion protrudes corresponding to the shape of the bulging portion 65 of the central portion 62A of the frame body 62. Electrodes 15 are disposed on the cushion body 63 in two upper and lower stages. In the present embodiment, one electrode 15 is disposed in the upper stage, and five electrodes 15 are disposed in the lower stage. Similarly to the connection sheet 16 of the first embodiment, a connection sheet 64 as a single contact body is disposed between the lower five electrodes 15 and the cushion body 63. The connection sheet 64 is not disposed on the upper electrode 15. The outer periphery of the connection sheet 64 slightly protrudes from the outer periphery of the cushion body 63. The connecting sheet 64 is not in contact with the frame body 62. Since the width of the connecting sheet 64 is wider than the diameter of the main body 17 of the electrode 15, the sheet surface of the connecting sheet 64 is exposed to the periphery of the connecting sheet 64 around the main body 17 of the electrode 15. At the same time, a region where hair and the like can come into contact is also formed around the electrode 15.
Even with such a headband 61, the same effect as the headset 1 of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the arrangement of the electrodes 15 is not limited to one line, but is also an example showing that the present invention is applicable to two lines of upper and lower two stages. The electrode arrangement shown in Example 4 is PO7, O1, Oz, O2, PO8, Pz in the international 10-20 electrode arrangement, and can measure not only the ventral pathway but also the dorsal pathway of brain activity from the visual cortex. . Thus, depending on the measurement purpose, application of the present invention to other than one electrode arrangement row can be made optional.

The above embodiments are merely described as specific embodiments for illustrating the principle of the present invention and the concept thereof. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention can be embodied, for example, in the following modified form.
The shapes of the head set 1 and the head bands 41, 51, and 61 in the above-described embodiments are merely examples.
The shape of the electrode 15 in each of the above embodiments is an example, and may be another shape, for example, the shape and the number of the protrusions 18 may be other than those described above, or the electrode has the protrusions 18 as described above It does not have to be. Moreover, it may be made of nonmetal as a material.
The number and positions of the electrodes 15 vary depending on the shapes of the frame bodies 2, 3, 42, 52, 62 of the brain activity measuring apparatus in each of the above embodiments and the measurement positions aimed by the brain activity measuring apparatus, It is not limited to the above.
-The shape and raw material of connection sheet | seat 16, 45, 53, 64 as a contact | abutting body are the above-mentioned examples. The amount by which the connecting sheets 16, 45, 53, 64 project outward of the cushion bodies 13, 43, 63 as supports is preferably 5 to 30 mm, for example. When the cushion body is integrated or when the connecting sheet is between the supports, the amount of extension of the connecting sheet to the outside may be about 5 to 10 mm because the amount of deformation of the cushion body is suppressed.
The shape of the cushion body 13, 43, 63 is an example of the above embodiment. Further, the number of cushion bodies disposed in one frame body is not limited to the above. Further, as a matter of course, the number and the position of the electrodes 15 disposed on each cushion body may be implemented in modes other than the above depending on the situation, and the invention is not limited to the above.
For example, a plurality of contact bodies (or connection members) may be separated and used in a stack of a plurality of sheets.
In the headband 51 according to the third embodiment, the connection sheet 53 is integrally formed on the cushion body 43. However, the connection sheet 53 may be configured to be a separate member and be fitted to the cushion body 43. . Further, the position of the connection sheet 53 relative to the cushion body 43 may be shifted to another position.
The number of electrodes in the case where the electrodes 15 are disposed in the upper and lower two stages of the headband 61 of the fourth embodiment is also an example of the configuration as described above, and the upper row is also configured of two or more electrodes 15 It is free to do. Further, the area of the periphery of the electrode 15 may be expanded by arranging the connection sheet on the upper side.
-Although the brain activity measuring device in the electroencephalogram measuring system was described in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the electroencephalogram (EEG), and can be applied to fNIRS, MEG, fMRI etc. It is not limited. The present invention may also be applied as a device fixing method in the case of applying stimulation to the brain from the outside such as a magnetic stimulation device (TMS) or a direct current stimulation device (tDCS).
The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above-described embodiment. The components of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Further, any component of each embodiment or modification, and any component described in the means for solving the invention or a component embodying the any component described in the means for solving the invention And may be configured in any combination. These also have the intention to acquire the right in the amendment or divisional application of the present application.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Head set as a brain activity measuring device, 41, 51, 61 ... Head band as a brain activity measuring device, 2, 3, 42, 52, 62 ... Frame body as a frame member, 13, 43, 63 ... Support Cushion body as a body, 15 ... electrode.

Claims (27)

A frame member attached to the head;
An elastic support disposed inside the frame member and having a self-supporting and rising inward direction from the frame member side;
One or more electrodes for contacting a head disposed at the top of the support;
An apparatus for measuring brain activity, comprising:   The brain activity measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an abutting body having a surface to be in contact with the head side is disposed between the electrode and the support.   The brain activity measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support body is formed with an abutting body having a surface to be abutted on the head side.   The brain activity measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact body protrudes outward of the support.   The brain activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact body is not in contact with the frame member.   The brain activity measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the contact body is made of a non-stretchable material.   The brain activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of electrodes are disposed on the top of the support, and the number of the support is one.   The brain activity measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of the supports are provided.   The brain activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrode is disposed inside the outer periphery of the support in a state where the electrode is disposed at the top of the support.   2. The brain activity measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes are disposed one on top of the support.   11. The brain activity measuring device according to claim 10, wherein one of the supports on which only one electrode is arranged forms an arrangement row spaced apart in a line.   12. The brain activity measuring device according to claim 10, wherein one of the supports on which only one of the electrodes is disposed is connected by a connecting member.   The brain activity measuring device according to claim 12, wherein the connecting member is not in contact with the frame member.   The brain activity measuring device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the connecting member has a surface which is sandwiched between the support and the electrode and abuts on the head side.   14. The brain activity measuring device according to claim 12, wherein the connecting member has a surface disposed between the supports and brought into contact with the head side.   The brain activity measurement device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the connection member is made of a non-stretchable material.   The brain activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the support is hollowed inside.   The brain activity measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the frame member has a horseshoe shape, and the left and right legs swing in and out.   The brain activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the plurality of electrodes form an electrode arrangement row arranged in a line at intervals in the arrangement state.   20. The brain activity measuring device according to claim 19, wherein the electrode arrangement row is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame member.   The brain activity measuring apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the electrode arrangement row has a portion near the end of the row inclined and rises and faces the center direction of the row.   The movable range when the support is deformed is 25 to 35 mm at the center of the electrode arrangement row, and 5 to 15 mm at the end of the arrangement row. A brain activity measuring device described in.   The brain activity measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein an electrical configuration is built in the inside of the frame member.   The leg portion of the frame member is connected to the leg portion of the second frame member, and the inward of the second frame member has a sheet-like support with elasticity, and the sheet-like support The brain activity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein an electrode is held.   The brain activity measuring apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a slit is provided around the electrode holding portion of the sheet-like support.   A brain activity measurement system for measuring brain activity based on a brain activity signal obtained by the brain activity measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 25.   A brain activity measurement system for measuring brain activity based on an electroencephalogram signal obtained by the brain activity measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

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