KR102278547B1 - Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus for solving the above-described problems is disclosed. The wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device includes one or more sensor boards for acquiring brain activity data adjacent to a user's scalp surface, and one or more sensor boards for fixedly coupling the one or more sensor boards to at least one region facing the user's scalp surface. A base core including one or more fixing pins and a main board that transmits a control signal to each of the one or more sensor boards, and generates a brain image image based on the brain activity data received from each of the one or more sensor boards. have.

Description

Wearable BRAIN STIMULATION AND IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for brain stimulation and image acquisition, and more particularly, to an apparatus for measuring brain activity with high accuracy and changing a brain function through electrical stimulation in a non-invasive manner.

Activities in our brain, such as cognition and memory, are accomplished through electrical signal propagation within the neural circuit. There are more than 100 billion nerve cells in the brain, forming a complex network. Neurons transmit information to each other through electrical signals, and these activities play a very important role in functions that govern cognition and behavior. Today, the medical community is actively conducting functional research on the brain to more accurately understand brain functions.

As a method for measuring brain activity, there is a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) capable of measuring the concentration of oxidized or fluorinated hemoglobin in the cerebral blood flow distributed in the human cerebral cortex. In general, functional near-infrared spectroscopy is cheaper than functional magnetic resonance imaging (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and it is easy to measure and can be measured while a person is moving. It is actively used for functional research of the brain when performing various related tasks, and the demand for it is increasing.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy is an imaging technology that can detect the concentration of hemoglobin and oxygen binding in the brain, muscle and other tissues non-invasively by irradiating near-infrared light on living tissue and detecting the light that has passed through the living body or reflected in the living body. .

Specifically, by irradiating near-infrared light having the same output to the living body and detecting and processing the fNIRS signal that has passed through the tissue, the oxidized hemoglobin concentration and the reduced hemoglobin concentration can be measured. Active regions of the brain consume oxygen transported by Oxy Hb in the blood, which turns into DEOxy Hb. These two hemoglobins have optical properties in the visible and near-infrared regions, and their concentrations measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy can be used as a measure of brain activity.

However, when measuring brain activity through functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as near-infrared light having the same output for each of a plurality of users is irradiated to living tissue, there is a risk of generating an error in measuring brain activity. Specifically, the thickness of the skull and the cerebrospinal fluid of each of the plurality of users may be different, and accordingly, the sensitivity of the fNIRS signal is affected by the depth of the brain surface from the head surface, thereby causing an error in the measurement of brain activity. there is

In addition, when researching and measuring brain activity non-invasively, such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy, there is a concern that spatial resolution may be somewhat lowered in the process of acquiring an image of the brain due to a limitation in the depth through which infrared rays are transmitted.

Therefore, when it is desired to study and measure brain activity non-invasively, there may be a demand in the art for a device for acquiring a brain image with higher accuracy.

Japanese Registered Patent No. 2001-297839

The present disclosure has been made in response to the above-described background technology, and is intended to provide an apparatus for acquiring a high-accuracy brain image image and performing brain stimulation.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure for solving the above-described problems, a wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus is disclosed. The wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device includes one or more sensor boards for acquiring brain activity data adjacent to a user's scalp surface, and one or more sensor boards for fixedly coupling the one or more sensor boards to at least one region facing the user's scalp surface. A base core including one or more fixing pins and a main board that transmits a control signal to each of the one or more sensor boards, and acquires a brain image image based on the brain activity data received from each of the one or more sensor boards. have.

Alternatively, each of the one or more sensor boards includes a near-infrared spectroscopy module for acquiring data on brain activity through functional near-infrared spectroscopy, an EEG module for acquiring data on electrical changes in the brain, and nerves in the brain through electrical stimulation It may include a transcranial stimulation module for adjusting activity and a sub-control module for controlling at least one of the near-infrared spectroscopy module, the EEG test module, and the transcranial stimulation module based on the control signal of the main board.

Alternatively, the brain activity data may be generated based on at least one of data on the brain activity and data on electrical changes in the brain.

Alternatively, the near-infrared spectroscopy module may include a light source that is adjacent to the surface of the user's scalp and outputs light toward the inside of the user's body, and a light that obtains a detection signal returned in response to the light from inside the user's body a detector and a potentiometer for determining an output level of light output from each of the one or more light sources, wherein the control module generates a calibration table based on a detection signal for each output level of the light, and the generated calibration table An optimal light output level for each of the one or more light sources may be determined based on .

Alternatively, the photo detector may form one or more channels with each of the at least one or more light sources to obtain a detection signal corresponding to the light output from the at least one or more light sources.

Alternatively, the control module generates a control signal to sequentially increase the output level of the light output from the light source, transmits it to the sub control module, and returns according to the change in the output level of the light through the photo detector Received one or more detection signals, and generate the calibration table based on the one or more detection signals according to a change in the light output level of the light.

Alternatively, the calibration table includes information on a change in an output level of light output from each of the one or more light sources and information on one or more detection signals detected by the one or more photo detectors in response to a change in the output level of the light can do.

Alternatively, the control module may be configured to determine that the one or more detection signals are maximized based on information about one or more detection signals obtained by a photodetector matched with the light source according to a change in the output level of the light source through the calibration table. A light output level may be identified and the identified light output level determined as an optimal light output level for the light source.

Alternatively, the EEG module is a module for monitoring the electrical activity of the brain, and includes an electrode for measuring a voltage generated based on the electrical activity of the user's brain, the voltage measured at the electrode and The electrical activity of the brain may be detected through a difference between the voltage measured through the electrode and another adjacent electrode.

Alternatively, the transcranial stimulation module may stimulate the user's brain by generating an electric current adjacent to the user's scalp surface to induce a change in the user's brain activity data.

Alternatively, the transcranial stimulation module may include a transcranial direct current stimulation unit for inducing a change in potential of the cerebral cortex through electrical stimulation by generating a direct current adjacent to the user's scalp surface and adjacent to the user's scalp surface. It may include a transcranial alternating current stimulation unit for inducing a change in brain vibration by generating alternating currents of different frequencies.

Alternatively, each of the one or more sensor boards may include two near-infrared spectroscopy modules, four EEG modules, and eight transcranial stimulation modules.

Alternatively, the base core is provided with a bendable material in order to maximize a contact area corresponding to the shape of the user's scalp, and the main board is positioned with respect to each of the one or more fixing pins provided on the base core. It may be recognized that the sensor board is fixedly coupled to at least one of the one or more fixing pins based on the identification information.

Alternatively, it may further include a network unit for transmitting and receiving data with the user terminal and the cloud server.

The present disclosure may provide an apparatus for brain stimulation and image acquisition with improved accuracy.

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements collectively. In the following examples, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It will be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details.
1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a system in which various aspects of a wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device of the present disclosure can be implemented.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
3 shows an exemplary flowchart for a method for acquiring high-accuracy brain images according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
4 shows a detailed block diagram of a sensor board related to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
5 shows an exemplary view of a sensor board related to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed in a vertical direction.
6 is an exemplary diagram for explaining various implementation aspects of the base core related to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
7 illustrates an exemplary view from various angles of a user wearing the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device related to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
8 (a) and (b) show an exemplary view exemplarily showing a method for measuring brain activity through a conventional brain activity obtaining device related to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
9 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a calibration table related to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
10 shows an exemplary diagram exemplarily illustrating a method for measuring brain activity through an apparatus for acquiring brain activity with improved accuracy related to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
11 illustrates a module for providing a wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
12 depicts a simplified, general schematic diagram of an exemplary computing environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, various descriptions are presented to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. However, it is apparent that these embodiments may be practiced without these specific descriptions.

The terms “component,” “module,” “system,” and the like, as used herein, refer to a computer-related entity, hardware, firmware, software, a combination of software and hardware, or execution of software. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. For example, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device may be a component. One or more components may reside within a processor and/or thread of execution. A component may be localized within one computer. A component may be distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored therein. Components may communicate via a network such as the Internet with another system, for example via a signal having one or more data packets (eg, data and/or signals from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, etc.) may communicate via local and/or remote processes depending on the data being transmitted).

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless otherwise specified or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean one of the natural implicit substitutions. That is, X employs A; X employs B; or when X employs both A and B, "X employs A or B" may apply to either of these cases. It should also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and includes all possible combinations of one or more of the listed related items.

Also, the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" should be understood to mean that the feature and/or element in question is present. However, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements and/or groups thereof. Also, unless otherwise specified or unless the context is clear as to designating a singular form, the singular in the specification and claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more."

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, configurations, modules, circuits, means, logics, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. It should be recognized that they can be implemented with To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, configurations, means, logics, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application. However, such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

The scope of the actions in the claims of the present disclosure is generated by the functions and features described in the respective actions, and unless a precedence of the order in each action is specified, the claims are The order of description of each operation is not affected. For example, in a claim described as an action including action A and action B, even if action A is described before action B, the scope of rights is not limited to that action A must precede action B.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a system in which various aspects of a wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device of the present disclosure can be implemented.

A system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 , a user terminal 200 , a cloud server 1000 , and a network 50 . The brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 and the user terminal 200 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may mutually transmit/receive data for the system according to embodiments of the present disclosure through the network 50 . have.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may store arbitrary information/data in a database or a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media can include computer-readable storage media and computer-readable communication media. Such computer-readable storage media may include all kinds of storage media in which programs and data are stored so as to be read by a computer system. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, such computer readable storage medium includes ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory), CD (compact disk)-ROM, DVD (digital video disk)-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy It may include a disk, an optical data storage device, and the like. Furthermore, computer-readable communication media can also include being implemented in the form of a carrier wave (eg, transmission over the Internet). Additionally, such a medium may be distributed over a networked system and store computer-readable codes and/or instructions in a distributed manner. A detailed configuration of the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 and technical features of each configuration will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.

In addition, the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 may be provided in a shape wearable by a user. Specifically, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device 100 is in close contact with an area of the user's scalp in a state in which the sensor board 110 is fixedly coupled through the base core 120 made of a bendable material, so that the user's brain activity relevant data can be obtained. A detailed description of the shape of the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device provided in a wearable shape will be described later with reference to FIG. 7 .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user terminal 200 may be at least one terminal that allows a user to use a service. In addition, the user terminal 200 displays a related image image (eg, an image image related to brain activity) based on information transmitted from the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device 100, or information related to a service screen ( For example, measurement information related to brain activity) may be displayed.

The user terminal 200 may mean any type of entity(s) in a system having a mechanism for communication with the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 . For example, such a user terminal 200 is a personal computer (PC), a notebook (note book), a mobile terminal (mobile terminal), a smart phone (smart phone), a tablet PC (tablet pc), and a wearable device (wearable device) and the like, and may include all types of terminals capable of accessing a wired/wireless network. Also, the user terminal 200 may include an arbitrary server implemented by at least one of an agent, an application programming interface (API), and a plug-in. In addition, the user terminal 200 may include an application source and/or a client application.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cloud server 1000 may be a server that provides a cloud computing service. Specifically, the cloud server 1000 is a type of Internet-based computing, and may be a cloud computing service that processes information not with a user's computer but with another computer connected to the Internet. The cloud computing service is a service that stores data on the Internet and allows users to use it anytime and anywhere through Internet access without installing necessary data or programs on their computer. Easy to share and deliver. In addition, cloud computing service not only stores data on a server on the Internet, but also enables users to perform desired tasks using the functions of application programs provided on the web without installing a separate program, and multiple people can simultaneously view documents. It is a service that allows you to work while sharing. In addition, the cloud computing service may be implemented in the form of at least one of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and a virtual machine-based cloud server and a container-based cloud server. . That is, the cloud server 1000 of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of at least one of the above-described cloud computing services. The detailed description of the above-described cloud computing service is only an example, and the present disclosure may include any platform for building a cloud computing environment.

The network 50 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), x Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL), Rate Adaptive DSL (RADSL), Multi Rate DSL (MDSL), Very Very (VDSL). Various wired communication systems such as High Speed DSL) and Universal Asymmetric DSL (UADSL), High Bit Rate DSL (HDSL) and local area network (LAN) can be used.

In addition, the network 50 presented here is CDMA (Code Division Multi Access), TDMA (Time Division Multi Access), FDMA (Frequency Division Multi Access), OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multi Access), SC-FDMA (Single Carrier- A variety of wireless communication systems may be used, such as FDMA) and other systems.

The network 50 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured regardless of its communication aspects, such as wired and wireless, and may include a personal area network (PAN), a wide area network (WAN), etc. It may consist of a communication network. In addition, the network 50 may be a known World Wide Web (WWW), and may use a wireless transmission technology used for short-range communication such as infrared (IrDA) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth). have. The techniques described herein may be used in the networks mentioned above, as well as in other networks.

That is, the brain activity data of the user acquired through the brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may be transmitted to the user terminal 200 in real time through a network (eg, WiFi) and exposed to the user. In addition, the corresponding data displayed on the user terminal 200 may be transmitted to the cloud server 1000 through a network (eg, Internet communication), and some algorithms and brain activity related data stored in the cloud server 1000 (that is, The analysis result related to the user's brain activity) may be easily provided according to the needs of the user of the user terminal 200 .

2 is a block diagram illustrating a wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 includes a sensor board 110 , a base core 120 , a main board 130 , a display unit 140 , a network unit 150 and It may include a memory 160 . The above-described components are exemplary, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described components. That is, additional components may be included or some of the above-described components may be omitted depending on implementation aspects for the embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 may include one or more sensor boards 110 . The one or more sensor boards 110 may acquire brain activity data adjacent to the user's scalp surface when an image image related to the user's brain activity is to be acquired. Specifically, the one or more sensor boards 110 are fixedly coupled to at least one region facing the user's scalp surface by the base core 120 including one or more fixing pins 121 to be adjacent to the user's scalp surface. It is possible to obtain data related to the activity.

In detail, each of the one or more sensor boards 110 may include a near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 , an EEG module 20 , a transcranial stimulation module 30 , and a sub-control module 40 . Components included in the sensor board 110 are exemplary, and only some of the components may constitute the sensor board 110 . In addition, additional component(s) other than the above components may be included in the sensor board 110 . Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the one or more sensor boards 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 4 , each of the one or more sensor boards 110 may include two near-infrared spectroscopy modules 10 . The two near-infrared spectroscopy modules 10 may include a first near-infrared spectroscopy module 60 and a first near-infrared spectroscopy module 70 .

Each of the two near-infrared spectroscopy modules 10 is a module for obtaining data about brain activity by measuring the concentration of oxidized or hydrofluorinated hemoglobin in the cerebral blood flow distributed in the user's cerebral cortex through functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and the light source 11 ), a photodetector 12 , a potentiometer 13 , a signal converter 14 and a current regulator 15 . Components included in the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 are exemplary, and only some of the components may constitute the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 . In addition, in addition to the above components, additional component(s) may be included in the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 .

The near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 may include a light source 11 . The light source 11 may be adjacent to the surface of the user's scalp and output light toward the inside of the user's body. Specifically, when an image image related to the user's brain activity is to be acquired, the light source 11 may output light at an exit angle of 45 degrees with respect to the inner direction of the user's body adjacent to the surface of the user's scalp. In this case, the light output from the light source 11 may be near-infrared light, and each of the one or more light sources may output up to 30 mW of near-infrared light.

More specifically, as two near-infrared spectroscopy modules 10 (that is, the first near-infrared spectroscopy module 60 and the first near-infrared spectroscopy module 70) are provided on one sensor board 110, the sensor board ( Two light sources 11 (a first light source 61 and a second light source 71) may be present in 110 . That is, the first light source 61 included in the first near-infrared spectroscopy module 60 and the second light source 71 included in the first near-infrared spectroscopy module 70, respectively, are located at different locations on each of a plurality of regions on the user's scalp surface. positioned so as to output light toward the inside of the user's body.

Also, the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 may include a photodetector 12 . When the photodetector 12 is to acquire an image image related to the user's brain activity, it may be located on a region of the user's scalp surface and obtain a returned (or reflected) detection signal from the inside of the user's body. . Specifically, the light detector 12 may obtain a detection signal returned from the inside of the user's body by the light source 11 irradiating (or outputting) light into the user's body adjacent to the user's scalp surface. can

In detail, as two near-infrared spectroscopy modules 10 are provided on one sensor board 110 , the sensor board 110 includes two photodetectors 12 (a first photodetector 62 and a second photodetector). A photo detector 72 may be present. That is, each of the first photodetector 62 included in the first near-infrared spectroscopy module 60 and the second photodetector 72 included in the first near-infrared spectroscopy module 70 is different from each of the plurality of regions of the user's scalp surface. It is positioned at the location to obtain a detection signal returned from the inside direction of the user's body to the outside direction of the user's body.

In addition, the photodetector 12 may form one or more channels with each of the one or more light sources in order to obtain a detection signal corresponding to the light output from the one or more light sources 11 . Specifically, as the first near-infrared spectroscopy module 60 and the first near-infrared spectroscopy module 70 are provided on one sensor board 110 , the sensor board 110 includes two light sources (first light sources 61 ). and a second light source 71) and two photodetectors (a first photodetector 62 and a second photodetector 72) may be positioned as shown in FIG. 5 . In this case, the first light source 61 and the first photodetector 62 may form a first channel, and the first light source 61 and the second photodetector 72 may form a second channel, , the second light source 71 and the second photodetector 72 may form a third channel, and the second light source 71 and the first photodetector 62 may form a fourth channel.

That is, when two near-infrared spectroscopy modules 10 are provided on one sensor board 110 , the light source and photodetector included in each near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 may form four channels, and each photodetector (12) may obtain a detection signal corresponding to the light output from the first light source 61 and the second light source 71 through the formed channel.

In addition, when the first photodetector 62 and the second photodetector 72 are to acquire an image image related to the user's brain activity, a predetermined separation distance from the first light source 61 and the second light source 71 may be provided to maintain Specifically, when each photodetector and each light source are matched to form a channel, the photodetector and light source forming each channel may be provided to maintain a predetermined separation distance. In this case, the predetermined separation distance may be 3 cm.

That is, when the two light sources and the two photodetectors are in contact with the user's body (ie, the scalp) to measure the user's brain activity, the two light sources and the two photodetectors can maintain a separation distance of 3 cm. . Accordingly, the influence of noise on the light output from each light source is minimized, so that more precise brain activity measurement can be made.

In addition, the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 may include a potentiometer 13 . The potentiometer 13 may adjust the light output level of the light source 11 . Specifically, the potentiometer 13 may adjust the output level of the light output from the light source 11 based on the control of the sub control module 40 .

In addition, at least two or more potentiometers 13 may be provided on one sensor board 110 . Specifically, two near-infrared spectroscopy modules 10 may be provided on one sensor board 110 , and the potentiometer 13 corresponds to each of the two light sources and includes two (ie, a first potentiometer and a second potentiometer). meters) may be provided. In this case, each potentiometer may adjust the light output level of each light source based on the control of the sub control module.

For example, the first potentiometer may adjust the output level of the light output from the first light source 61 under the control of the sub-control module 40 , and the second potentiometer may control the second potentiometer under the control of the sub-control module 40 . 2 The output level of the light output from the light source 71 can be adjusted.

The sub control module 40 may control each of the potentiometers provided to correspond to each of the light sources to adjust the light output level of the light source 11 corresponding to each potentiometer. The control from the sub control module 40 may include, for example, a control to output a specific level of light, a control to maintain a current light output level, and a control to output a light of a level higher than the current light output level. control and a control for outputting light of a level lower than the current light output level may be included. The detailed description of the control from the above-described sub control module is only an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 may include a signal converter 14 . The signal converter 14 may convert the detection signal obtained through the photodetector 12 . Specifically, the signal converter 14 performs A/D (Analog-to-Digital Conversion) conversion that converts a continuous analog signal into a digital signal through sampling, quantizing, and encoding (Binary Encoding). can

In addition, the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 may include a current regulator 15 . The current regulator 15 may stabilize the luminous intensity of the light source. Specifically, the current regulator 15 may stabilize the light output from each light source by allowing each light source to receive an independent stable voltage. That is, the light output from the light source 11 can be stabilized through the current regulator 15 , so that noise due to light instability can be minimized in the process of obtaining a detection signal corresponding to the light output from the light source.

Also, the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 may include a noise removal module that removes a noise component generated based on at least one of a user's respiration, blood circulation, and movement from the detection signal. The noise removal module may remove bio-noise components such as the user's respiration, blood circulation, and movement from the detection signal acquired through the photodetector 12 .

Specifically, the noise removal module removes the noise component from the detection signal using a hemodynamic response function (hrf), a wavelet transform, or a finite impulse response filter (FIR). can In this way, it is possible to obtain only the detection signal related to the cerebral blood flow including neurophysiological information by removing unwanted noises such as movement of the head and trunk or physiological noises such as breathing and heartbeat, thereby improving the accuracy of measuring brain activity. can be further improved.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the one or more sensor boards 110 may include four EEG modules 20 .

The EEG module 20 is a module for monitoring the electrical activity of the brain, and may detect the electrical activity of the user's brain. Specifically, the EEG module 20 may include an electrode 21 for measuring a voltage generated based on the electrical activity of the user's brain, and is measured through another electrode adjacent to the electrode 21 . The electrical activity of the brain can be monitored through the difference between the voltages.

In detail, one sensor board 110 may include four EEG modules, and each EEG module 20 includes an electrode for measuring a voltage generated based on an electrical activity of the user's brain. may include That is, one sensor board 110 may be provided with four electrodes corresponding to each of the four EEG modules 20 . In this case, the electrical activity of the brain may be monitored based on the difference between the voltage measured at the first electrode of the first EEG module 80 and the voltage measured at the second electrode of the second EEG module 90 . . That is, the electrical activity of the user's brain can be monitored by measuring the voltage fluctuation due to the ion current generated through the activity of neurons inside the user's brain through the electrode 21 .

In addition, the EEG test module 20 may include a signal amplifier 22 . The signal amplifier 22 may amplify the signal sensed through the electrode of the EEG module 20 . Specifically, the signal amplifier 22 may receive a signal for a voltage generated based on the electrical activity of the user's brain sensed by the electrodes of the EEG module 20, and amplify the signal for the main board 130 ) can be transmitted.

In addition, the EEG module 20 may include a band pass filter 23 . The band pass filter 23 may remove noise with respect to a signal sensed through the electrodes of the EEG module 20 . Specifically, the band pass filter may receive a signal for a voltage generated based on the electrical activity of the user's brain detected by the electrodes of the EEG module 20, and remove noise for the signal to remove the noise on the main board ( 130) can be transmitted.

That is, through the signal amplifier 22 and the band-pass filter 23 , the signal sensed through the electrode is amplified and noise is removed, so that a more precise measurement of the electrical activity of the brain may be possible.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the one or more sensor boards 110 may include eight transcranial stimulation modules 30 . The transcranial stimulation module 30 may stimulate the user's brain by generating an electric current adjacent to the user's scalp surface in order to induce a change in the user's brain activity data.

Specifically, the transcranial stimulation module 30 may include at least one of the transcranial direct current stimulation unit 31 and the transcranial alternating current stimulation unit 32 . The transcranial direct current stimulation unit 31 may induce a change in potential of the cerebral cortex through electrical stimulation by generating a direct current adjacent to the user's scalp surface. The transcranial alternating current stimulation unit 32 may induce changes in brain vibrations by generating alternating currents of different frequencies adjacent to the user's scalp surface.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may include a base core 120 .

The base core 120 may include one or more fixing pins 121 for fixing and coupling one or more sensor boards 110 to at least one region facing the surface of the user's scalp. Specifically, the base core 120 may be formed of a bendable material in order to maximize the contact area corresponding to the shape of the user's scalp. A detailed description of the configuration of the base core 120 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) to (c).

As shown in (a) of FIG. 6 , the base core 120 is one or more fixings for fixing and coupling one or more sensor boards 110 to one area (ie, an area facing the user's scalp when worn). It may include a pin 121 . For example, as shown in (c) of Figure 6 through one or more fixing pins 121, the first sensor board 110, the second sensor board 110, and the third sensor board 110 is a base It may be fixedly coupled to the core 120 . Description of the specific position and number to which one or more sensor boards are fixed is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, one or more sensor boards 110 and the base core 120 may be coupled through one or more fixing pins 121 , and the base core 120 and one or more sensor boards 110 through the corresponding fixing pins 121 . ) can be communicated with each other.

In addition, a power connection part 122 contacting a communication line for transmitting and receiving data and power between the main board 130 and the base core 120 may be provided at one end of the base core 120 . That is, the base core 120 may communicate with the main board 130 through the corresponding power connection unit 122 , and accordingly, one or more sensor boards connected to the base core 120 and the fixing pin 121 through the fixing pin 121 . Communication between 110 and the main board 130 may also be enabled.

In addition, as shown in (b) of Figure 6, the base core 120 is provided with a bendable material can be bent to correspond to the shape of the user's scalp. The bendable material may include, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyimides, PET, and the like. That is, as the base core 120 is made of a bendable material, it is possible to easily increase the contact area of the one or more sensor boards 110 in contact with the user's scalp surface, thereby making it easier to secure brain activity data. have.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may include a main board 130 . The main board 130 generally controls the overall operation of the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 . The main board 130 may provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user by processing signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the above-described components, or by driving an application program stored in the memory 160 . have.

In addition, the main board 130 may control at least some of the components included in the above-described wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 in order to drive an application program stored in the memory 160 . Furthermore, the main board 130 may operate by combining at least two or more of the components included in the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 to drive the application program.

Various embodiments described below may be implemented in, for example, a computer or similar device-readable recording medium and storage medium using software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to the hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein are ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), DSPDs (digital signal processing devices), PLDs (programmable logic devices), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays, It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and other electrical units for performing functions. The embodiments described in may be implemented by the main board 130 itself of the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 .

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as procedures and functions described in the present disclosure may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. The software code may be implemented as a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory of the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device 100 , and may be executed by the main board 130 of the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device 100 .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board 130 may drive each of one or more sensor boards. Specifically, the main board 130 transmits a control signal for controlling at least one of the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10, the EEG module 20, and the transcranial stimulation module 30 included in each of the one or more sensor boards. It can be transmitted to the sub control module 40 corresponding to each sensor board. In addition, the sub control module 40 provided in each sensor board is based on the control signal received from the main board 130 at least one of the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10, the EEG module 20 and the transcranial stimulation module. can control

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board 130 may determine the light output level of the light output from each of the plurality of light sources included in the one or more sensor boards 110 . Specifically, the main board 130 transmits a control signal related to the output level of light to the main board 130 which controls a potentiometer controlling the output level of each of the plurality of light sources, and the output level of the light output from each of the one or more light sources can be decided

For example, when it is desired to increase the light output level of the first light source, the main board 130 generates a first control signal for increasing the light output level to control the first potentiometer corresponding to the first light source. may be transmitted to the sub control module 40 . In this case, the first potentiometer may control the output level of the light output from the first light source to increase based on the first control signal received from the main board 130 . The detailed description of the above-described light source, potentiometer, and control signal is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In general, a conventional device for measuring brain activity through functional near-infrared spectroscopy brings a plurality of light sources into contact with a plurality of regions on the user's scalp surface, and the plurality of light sources transmits near-infrared light having the same output to the inside of the user's body. It can be controlled to output in the direction. The near-infrared light irradiated toward the inside of the user's body may be reflected from an area inside the user's body toward the outside of the user's body. A conventional device may obtain a signal returned in response to near-infrared light from the inside of the user's body through a photodetector and output an image of brain activity. The image of the brain activity may be an image in which near-infrared light irradiated to the inside of the user's body is generated based on the concentration of hemoglobin in blood flow in the brain region.

However, in the case of the prior art, as each of the plurality of light sources irradiating light adjacent to the user's scalp surface outputs near-infrared light having the same output level, the point at which the near-infrared light reaches the outside of the body until it is returned to the outside of the body. These may be different from each other. More specifically, a typical adult's head may be composed of a scalp, skull, cerebrospinal fluid, gray matter and white matter, that is, five layers. In addition, in a typical adult's head, each layer may have a different depth (or thickness) according to a plurality of regions of the scalp surface. Near-infrared lights irradiated into the user's body through the plurality of light sources may be returned to the outside of the user's body in the vicinity of the cerebrospinal fluid.

That is, when measuring the brain activity of each of a plurality of users, when a plurality of light sources are brought into contact with each of a plurality of regions of the user's scalp surface to output near-infrared light having the same output level, a plurality of scalp surface regions for each user Since the distance from the skull to the cerebrospinal fluid is different depending on the cerebrospinal fluid, there is a possibility that a measurement error may occur depending on the sensitivity of the brain activity measurement.

As a specific example, referring to FIG. 8A , the plurality of light sources may include a first light source 410 , a second light source 420 , and a third light source 430 , and the plurality of light detectors It may include a first photodetector 412 , a second photodetector 422 , and a third photodetector 423 . When the first light source 410 , the second light source 420 , and the third light source 430 output near-infrared light of the same output level toward the inside of the user's body, the light output from each light source returns at a predetermined point. Each of the returned signals may be acquired through the first photodetector 412 , the second photodetector 422 , and the third photodetector 432 . As shown in (a) of FIG. 8 , the light irradiated from the first light source 410 adjacent to each of the plurality of regions of the scalp surface is returned from the first point 411 inside the user's body to the first photodetector. may be obtained through 412 , and the light irradiated from the second light source 420 may be returned from a second point 421 inside the user's body and may be obtained through the second light detector 422 , and The light irradiated from the third light source 430 may be returned from the third point 431 inside the user's body and may be obtained through the third light detector 432 . In this case, the first point 411, the second point 421, and the third point 431, which are positions where each of the irradiated light in contact with each of the plurality of areas of the scalp surface reach, are viewed from one direction, It may be identified as being located on the same line 450 . That is, the light output level of the plurality of light sources that output light adjacent to each of the plurality of regions of the user's scalp surface may be identified as being appropriate.

However, looking at the above-described situation in more detail, as shown in FIG. 8( b ), when the situation is viewed from another side, each of the irradiated light in contact with each of the plurality of regions of the scalp surface reaches The first point 411 , the second point 421 , and the third point 431 , which are positions to be performed, may be located on a non-identical line 451 . That is, as the thickness of the cerebrospinal fluid from the skull is different according to a plurality of regions of the user's scalp surface, the positions that each light reaches before returning may be completely different. In other words, each user may have a different thickness (that is, the distance from the skull to the cerebrospinal fluid) corresponding to each of a plurality of regions of the scalp surface, so that the position that each light reaches before returning to increase the accuracy of brain activity In order to form the same line, it is necessary to optimally adjust the output levels of the light sources contacting each area.

That is, the conventional brain activity acquisition device irradiates light having the same output level to each of a plurality of regions of the user's scalp surface, so that the thickness according to each region of the scalp surface for each user is not taken into account, thereby measuring the user's brain activity In doing so, the characteristics of each user may not be considered.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board 130 outputs light through a plurality of light sources provided in each of one or more sensor boards, and based on a detection signal obtained in response to the light through a plurality of light detectors to create a calibration table. Specifically, the main board 130 may generate a calibration table based on detection signals obtained through a plurality of photodetectors according to a change in the output level of light output from each of the plurality of light sources.

The calibration table may include information on a change in the output level of light output from each of the one or more light sources and information on one or more detection signals detected by the one or more photo detectors in response to the change in the output level of the light.

As a specific example, referring to FIG. 9 , the plurality of light sources may include a first light source 511 , and the one or more photodetectors may include a first photodetector 522 and a second photodetector 523 . can In this case, the main board 130 may generate a first control signal to sequentially increase the output level of the first light output from the first light source 511 and transmit it to the sub control module 40 for controlling the potentiometer. have. The potentiometer may sequentially increase the output level of the first light output from the first light source 511 based on the control of the sub control module 40 . In addition, the main board 130 obtains the first detection signal returned according to the change in the output level of the first light output from the first light source 511 through the first photodetector 522 and the second photodetector 523 . can do. In this case, the first photodetector 522 may be a detector matching the first light source 511 to form a channel, and the second photodetector 523 may be a light source other than the first light source 511 (eg, a detector matched with the second light source). That is, the main board 130 may generate a calibration table based on one or more detection signals obtained according to a change in the light output level of the first light, and the calibration table may be as shown in FIG. 9 .

The corresponding calibration table may be a table in which detection signals obtained by the first photodetector 522 and the second photodetector 523 for each change in the output level of the first light source are recorded. That is, as shown in FIG. 9 , a value in which the first light output from the first light source 511 is sequentially increased may be recorded in a column corresponding to the output level 521 , and the first light In a column corresponding to the detector 522, each detection signal value acquired by the first photodetector as the first light is sequentially increased may be recorded, and in a column corresponding to the second photodetector 523, the As the first light is sequentially increased, each of the detection signal values obtained by the second detector may be recorded.

That is, the main board 130 may generate the calibration table based on the detection signal for each light output level.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board 130 may determine an optimal light output level for each of the one or more light sources based on the calibration table. More specifically, the main board 130 provides one or more detection signals based on information about one or more detection signals obtained by the first photodetector forming a channel with the first light source according to a change in the output level of the first light source through the calibration table. A first light output level at which the first detection signal is a maximum may be identified. Also, the main board 130 may determine the identified first light output level as an optimal light output level for the first light source.

As a more specific example, referring to FIG. 9 , the plurality of light sources may include a first light source 511 , and the plurality of photodetectors may include a first photodetector 522 and a second photodetector 523 . can do.

The main board 130 provides detection signals obtained by the first photodetector 522 for each light output level of the first light source 511 based on the calibration table (that is, a value recorded in a column corresponding to the first photodetector). ), the detection signal having the maximum value may be identified as the maximum detection signal 551 . That is, the maximum detection signal 551 identified by the main board 130 through the calibration table may be '2'. Also, the main board 130 may identify the output level 552 of the first light source 511 corresponding to the maximum detection signal 551 . That is, the light output level of the first light source 511 corresponding to the maximum detection signal 551 identified by the main board 130 through the calibration table is the same as '2', which is the maximum detection signal 551 (low ( row) may be '14'. In addition, the main board 130 sets the light output level of the first light source 511 corresponding to the maximum detection signal 551 identified through the calibration table to a region of the scalp surface of the user. When positioned, it may be determined as the optimal light output level irradiated toward the inside of the user's body. That is, the optimal light output level of the light that the first light source 511 adjacent to one region of the user's scalp irradiates toward the inside of the user's body in consideration of the distance from the user's skull to the cerebrospinal fluid in the corresponding region may be 14 mW. The detailed description of the above-described calibration table is only an example for helping understanding of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board 130 may control each of the plurality of light sources 11 to optimally irradiate light corresponding to each of a plurality of regions located on the user's scalp surface. Specifically, when the optimal light output level for each of the plurality of light sources 11 is determined based on the calibration table, the main board 130 receives light corresponding to the optimal light output level from each of the plurality of light sources 11 . By generating a control signal to be output and transmitting it to the potentiometer 13 , it is possible to control each of the plurality of light sources 11 to output optimal light.

Also, as each of the one or more light sources outputs light corresponding to an optimal light output level, the main board 130 may acquire a detection signal through one or more photodetectors forming a channel with each of the one or more light sources. Also, the main board 130 may receive data on the user's brain activity based on the detection signal.

As a specific example, referring to FIG. 10 , the plurality of light sources includes a first light source 610 , a second light source 620 , and a third light source 630 , and the plurality of photodetectors includes a first photodetector 612 . ), a second photodetector 622 and a third photodetector 633 may be included. In this case, the main board 130 sets the optimal output level of the first light output from the first light source 610 in the first region of the user's scalp surface to 14 mW, and the second light source 620 is the user's An optimal output level of the second light output from the second region of the scalp surface may be determined as 16 mW, and the optimal output level of the third light output by the third light source 630 from the third region of the user's scalp surface may be determined as 17 mW.

10, each of the first light source 610, the second light source 620, and the third light source 630 positioned in each of the plurality of regions on the user's scalp surface is the optimal light in the direction of the user's body. When outputting light at an output level, each light is returned at each of the first point 611 , the second point 621 , and the third point 631 inside the user's body, and the returned detection signal is the first It may be obtained through the photodetector 612 , the second photodetector 622 , and the third photodetector 632 . In this case, since the light irradiated through each light source is the light irradiated with the optimal light output level, the first point 611 , the second point 621 , and the third point 631 to which each light is returned are collinear can be located in That is, by determining an optimal light output level for each of the one or more light sources located in each of a plurality of regions of the user's scalp surface, control to output appropriate light corresponding to each region of the scalp surface is performed so that each light is returned at the same point can do. Accordingly, the user's personal characteristics (that is, the distance from each of the plurality of regions of the user's scalp surface to the cerebrospinal fluid) may be taken into consideration to enable more precise brain activity measurement.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board 130 may control to detect the electrical activity of the user's brain through the electrodes of the plurality of EEG modules 20 provided on the one or more sensor boards 110 . . Specifically, the main board 130 may transmit a control signal for starting voltage measurement to the electrodes of the plurality of EEG modules 20 to the sub-control module 40 corresponding to each of the plurality of EEG modules 20 , , the sub control module 40 may detect the electrical activity of the user's brain through the electrodes of each EEG module 20 based on the control signal. In addition, the main board 130 may receive data on the electrical change of the brain based on the difference between the voltages measured through each electrode of the plurality of EEG modules 20 .

Also, the main board 130 may generate brain activity data based on data received from the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 and the EEG module 20 . The brain activity data may be data that is a basis for generating a brain activity image image. More specifically, the main board 130 may generate brain activity data based on data about brain activity and data about electrical changes in the brain received from each of the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 and the EEG module 20. have.

In other words, the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 and the brain wave test module 20 generate brain activity data that is the basis for the brain activity image image through the data acquired through the combined sensor board, resulting in a more accurate brain activity image image. can create In addition, when brain activity image images are generated based on brain activity data, it is possible to obtain an intuition about the interaction between neuronal electrical activity and local microcirculation changes, which is useful for brain research in fields related to neuroscience and neurotechnology. can provide a new approach to

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board 130 may induce a change in the user's brain activity data by controlling the plurality of transcranial stimulation modules 30 provided on one or more sensor boards. Specifically, the main board 130 transmits a control signal for generating a DC current from the surface of the user's scalp to the sub control module 40 through the plurality of transcranial stimulation modules 30, so that the transcranial DC stimulation unit 31 ) to induce a change in the potential of the user's cerebral cortex through electrical stimulation.

In addition, the main board 130 transmits a control signal for generating an alternating current from the user's scalp surface to the sub control module 40 through a plurality of transcranial stimulation modules 30, thereby transcranial AC stimulation unit 32 to induce changes in the user's brain oscillation.

That is, the main board 130 controls the plurality of transcranial stimulation modules 30 to provide stimulation to the user's brain, thereby inducing a change in the user's brain activity data. Accordingly, changes in the user's brain activity data acquired while the user's brain is stimulated through the plurality of transcranial stimulation modules 30 can be monitored in real time. In other words, while controlling the transcranial stimulation module 30 to stimulate the user's brain, through changes in brain activity data acquired through the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10 and the EEG module 20, more Detailed intuition can be obtained.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board 130 may identify the position of one or more sensor boards 110 fixedly coupled to the base core 120 . Specifically, the main board 130 recognizes that the sensor board is fixedly coupled to at least one of the one or more fixing pins 121 based on the position identification information for each of the one or more fixing pins provided in the base core 120 . can That is, in the process of acquiring the user's brain image image through the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device 100, each sensor board is located in each of a plurality of regions on the user's scalp surface to acquire brain activity data. can be identified. Accordingly, the near-infrared spectroscopy module 10, the electroencephalogram module 20, and the transcranial stimulation module 30 included in each sensor board are driven or a clear location where brain activity data is acquired is identified to provide a more accurate brain image image. acquisition may be possible.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may include a network unit 150 that transmits and receives data to and from the user terminal 200 . The network unit 150 may receive the user's input signal through an external device or application other than the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 . In addition, the network unit 150 may form a channel for data communication between the sensor board 110 , the base core 120 , the main board 130 , the display unit 140 , and the memory 160 .

Also, the network unit 150 may provide a communication function between the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 and a user. The network unit 150 may receive an input from a user. For example, the network unit 150 may receive a start signal for starting acquisition of the user's brain image from the user terminal 200 .

Specifically, the network unit 150 may transmit/receive wireless signals to and from a terminal controlling the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 in a communication network according to wireless Internet technologies. As wireless Internet technologies, for example, WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), etc., and the network unit 150 to transmit/receive data to and from the terminal controlling the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 according to at least one wireless Internet technology within a range including Internet technologies not listed above.

In addition, the network unit 150 is Bluetooth (Bluetooth™), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), infrared communication (IrDA: Infrared Data Association), UWB (Ultra Wide band), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi Short-distance communication may be supported by using at least one of (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) technologies. The network unit 150 may support wireless communication between a terminal controlling the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device 100 and the brain activity acquisition device 100 through wireless area networks.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the main board 130 , and may temporarily or permanently store input/output data. The memory includes a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (eg SD or XD memory, etc.), and a random access memory (RAM). Memory, RAM), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory, ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, optical disk It may include at least one type of storage medium. The wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may operate in relation to a web storage that performs a storage function in the memory 160 on the Internet. Such a memory may be operated under the control of the main board 130 . The above-described specific description of the memory is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The memory 160 may store data supporting various functions of the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 . The memory 160 may store a plurality of application programs and commands driven by the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 . At least one of these applications may exist in the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device 100 from the time of shipment. For example, the memory 160 may store information on a location where each of the plurality of light sources included in the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 is provided. As another example, the memory 160 may store information on a calibration table generated by the main board 130 based on a detection signal for each light output level.

3 shows an exemplary flowchart for a method for acquiring a high-accuracy brain image image related to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may drive each of one or more sensor boards through a control signal ( 310 ).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may acquire outdoor activity data through one or more sensor boards ( 320 ).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may generate a brain image image based on brain activity data ( 330 ).

The order of the steps illustrated in FIG. 3 described above may be changed if necessary, and at least one or more steps may be omitted or added. That is, the above-described steps are merely an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

7 is a view illustrating an exemplary view from various angles of a user wearing the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device related to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

7A is an exemplary view of a user wearing the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 as viewed from the rear, and FIG. 7B is an exemplary view seen from the front.

As shown in (a) and (b) of Figure 7, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition apparatus 100 may be worn on the user's scalp surface. Specifically, the base core 120 includes one or more fixing pins 121 for fixing one or more sensor boards 110, and fixing at least one sensor board through the one or more fixing pins 121. It can be worn in a shape surrounding the user's skull in the state. Accordingly, the sensor board 110 may directly contact the user's scalp surface. In this case, the base core 120 is provided with a bendable material, so that it can be more easily worn in response to the user's scalp shape. In addition, when the user wears the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 , the main board 130 may be connected through a communication line connected to one end of the base core 120 .

In addition, as shown in (c) of FIG. 7 , the base core 120 may include one or more folded portions 123 . The folded portion 123 may be for deforming the base core 120 into various shapes. That is, as the base core 120 is deformed into various shapes through the folded portion 123 , the wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition apparatus 100 may be worn on the user's scalp in various shapes. In other words, the positions of the one or more sensor boards 110 that obtain brain activity data by directly contacting a plurality of regions of the user's scalp surface may be changed. Accordingly, it is possible to monitor brain activity through acquisition of brain activity data at various locations.

11 illustrates a module for providing a wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the computing device may be implemented by the following modules.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device 100 receives brain activity data through a module 710 for driving each of one or more sensor boards through a control signal, and one or more sensor boards. It may include a module 720 for acquiring and a module 730 for acquiring a brain image image based on brain activity data.

Alternatively, each of the one or more sensor boards includes a near-infrared spectroscopy module for acquiring data on brain activity through functional near-infrared spectroscopy, an EEG module for acquiring data on electrical changes in the brain, and nerves in the brain through electrical stimulation It may include a transcranial stimulation module for adjusting activity and a sub-control module for controlling at least one of the near-infrared spectroscopy module, the EEG test module, and the transcranial stimulation module based on the control signal of the main board.

Alternatively, the brain activity data may be generated based on at least one of data on the brain activity and data on electrical changes in the brain.

Alternatively, the near-infrared spectroscopy module may include a light source that is adjacent to the surface of the user's scalp and outputs light toward the inside of the user's body, and a light that obtains a detection signal returned in response to the light inside the user's body a detector and a potentiometer for determining an output level of light output from each of the one or more light sources, wherein the main board generates a calibration table based on a detection signal for each output level of the light, and based on the generated calibration table An optimal light output level for each of the one or more light sources may be determined.

Alternatively, the photo detector may form one or more channels with each of the at least one or more light sources to obtain a detection signal corresponding to the light output from the at least one or more light sources.

Alternatively, the main board generates a control signal to sequentially increase the output level of the light output from the light source, transmits it to the sub control module, and returns according to the change in the output level of the light through the photo detector Received one or more detection signals, and generate the calibration table based on the one or more detection signals according to a change in the light output level of the light.

Alternatively, the calibration table includes information on a change in an output level of light output from each of the one or more light sources and information on one or more detection signals detected by the one or more photo detectors in response to a change in the output level of the light can do.

Alternatively, the main board may be configured such that the one or more detection signals are maximized based on information about one or more detection signals acquired by a photodetector matched with the light source according to a change in the output level of the light source through the calibration table. A light output level may be identified and the identified light output level determined as an optimal light output level for the light source.

Alternatively, the EEG module is a module for monitoring the electrical activity of the brain, and includes an electrode for measuring a voltage generated based on the electrical activity of the user's brain, the voltage measured at the electrode and The electrical activity of the brain may be detected through a difference between the voltage measured through the electrode and another adjacent electrode.

Alternatively, the transcranial stimulation module may stimulate the user's brain by generating an electric current adjacent to the user's scalp surface to induce a change in the user's brain activity data.

Alternatively, the transcranial stimulation module may include a transcranial direct current stimulation unit for inducing a change in potential of the cerebral cortex through electrical stimulation by generating a direct current adjacent to the user's scalp surface and adjacent to the user's scalp surface. It may include a transcranial alternating current stimulation unit for inducing a change in brain vibration by generating alternating currents of different frequencies.

Alternatively, each of the one or more sensor boards may include two near-infrared spectroscopy modules, four EEG modules, and eight transcranial stimulation modules.

Alternatively, the base core is provided with a bendable material in order to maximize a contact area corresponding to the shape of the user's scalp, and the main board is positioned with respect to each of the one or more fixing pins provided on the base core. It may be recognized that the sensor board is fixedly coupled to at least one of the one or more fixing pins based on the identification information.

Alternatively, it may further include a power supply unit for supplying power to the sensor board based on a control signal to the main board, a display unit for displaying the brain image image, and a network unit for transmitting and receiving data with a user terminal .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a module for implementing the wearable brain stimulation and image image acquisition device 100 may be implemented by logic, circuitry, or means for implementing a computing device.

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, configurations, modules, circuits, means, logics, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. It should be recognized that it can be implemented as To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, configurations, means, logics, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

12 depicts a simplified, general schematic diagram of an exemplary computing environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

Although the present disclosure has been described above generally in the context of computer-executable instructions that may be executed on one or more computers, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. will be.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods of the present disclosure are suitable for single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers as well as personal computers, handheld computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, etc. It will be appreciated that other computer system configurations may be implemented, including those that may operate in connection with one or more associated devices.

The described embodiments of the present disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computers typically include a variety of computer-readable media. Any medium accessible by a computer can be a computer readable medium, and such computer readable media includes volatile and nonvolatile media, transitory and non-transitory media, removable and non-transitory media. including removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may include computer-readable storage media and computer-readable transmission media. Computer-readable storage media includes volatile and non-volatile media, transitory and non-transitory media, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. includes media. Computer storage media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage device, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage device or other magnetic storage device; or any other medium that can be accessed by a computer and used to store the desired information.

A computer readable transmission medium typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and Includes any information delivery medium. The term modulated data signal means a signal in which one or more of the characteristics of the signal is set or changed so as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable transmission media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also intended to be included within the scope of computer-readable transmission media.

An example environment 1100 implementing various aspects of the disclosure is shown including a computer 1102 , the computer 1102 including a processing unit 1104 , a system memory 1106 , and a system bus 1108 . do. The system bus 1108 couples system components, including but not limited to system memory 1106 , to the processing device 1104 . The processing device 1104 may be any of a variety of commercially available processors. Dual processor and other multiprocessor architectures may also be used as processing unit 1104 .

The system bus 1108 may be any of several types of bus structures that may further be interconnected to a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercial bus architectures. System memory 1106 includes read only memory (ROM) 1110 and random access memory (RAM) 1112 . A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in non-volatile memory 1110, such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc., which is the basic input/output system (BIOS) that helps transfer information between components within computer 1102, such as during startup. contains routines. RAM 1112 may also include high-speed RAM, such as static RAM, for caching data.

The computer 1102 also has an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 1114 (eg, EIDE, SATA). The internal hard disk drive 2114 may also be configured for external use within a suitable chassis (not shown). ), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1116 (eg, for reading from or writing to removable diskette 1118), and an optical disk drive 1120 (eg, a CD-ROM disk). (for reading 1122 or for reading from or writing to other high capacity optical media such as DVD). The hard disk drive 1114 , the magnetic disk drive 1116 , and the optical disk drive 1120 are connected to the system bus 1108 by the hard disk drive interface 1124 , the magnetic disk drive interface 1126 , and the optical drive interface 1128 , respectively. ) can be connected to The interface 1124 for implementing an external drive includes at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interface technologies.

These drives and their associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and the like. In the case of computer 1102, drives and media correspond to storing any data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of computer readable media above refers to HDDs, removable magnetic disks, and removable optical media such as CDs or DVDs, those skilled in the art will use zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, etc. It will be appreciated that other tangible computer-readable media such as etc. may also be used in the exemplary operating environment and any such media may include computer-executable instructions for performing the methods of the present disclosure.

A number of program modules may be stored in the drive and RAM 1112 , including an operating system 1130 , one or more application programs 1132 , other program modules 1134 , and program data 1136 . All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data may also be cached in RAM 1112 . It will be appreciated that the present disclosure may be implemented in various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user may enter commands and information into the computer 1102 via one or more wired/wireless input devices, for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard 1138 and a mouse 1140 . Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, IR remote control, joystick, game pad, stylus pen, touch screen, and the like. Although these and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 1104 through an input device interface 1142 that is connected to the system bus 1108, parallel ports, IEEE 1394 serial ports, game ports, USB ports, IR interfaces, It may be connected by other interfaces, etc.

A monitor 1144 or other type of display device is also coupled to the system bus 1108 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1146 . In addition to the monitor 1144, the computer typically includes other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, and the like.

Computer 1102 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s) 1148 via wired and/or wireless communications. Remote computer(s) 1148 may be workstations, computing device computers, routers, personal computers, portable computers, microprocessor-based entertainment devices, peer devices, or other common network nodes, and are typically connected to computer 1102 . Although it includes many or all of the components described for it, only memory storage device 1150 is shown for simplicity. The logical connections shown include wired/wireless connections to a local area network (LAN) 1152 and/or a larger network, eg, a wide area network (WAN) 1154 . Such LAN and WAN networking environments are common in offices and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which can be connected to a worldwide computer network, for example, the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1102 is connected to the local network 1152 through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter 1156 . Adapter 1156 may facilitate wired or wireless communication to LAN 1152 , which also includes a wireless access point installed therein for communicating with wireless adapter 1156 . When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1102 may include a modem 1158, be connected to a communication computing device on the WAN 1154, or establish communications over the WAN 1154, such as over the Internet. have other means. A modem 1158 , which may be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, is coupled to the system bus 1108 via a serial port interface 1142 . In a networked environment, program modules described for computer 1102 or portions thereof may be stored in remote memory/storage device 1150 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communication link between the computers may be used.

Computer 1102 may be associated with any wireless device or object that is deployed and operates in wireless communication, for example, printers, scanners, desktop and/or portable computers, portable data assistants (PDAs), communications satellites, wireless detectable tags. It operates to communicate with any device or place, and phone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technologies. Accordingly, the communication may be a predefined structure as in a conventional network or may simply be an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) makes it possible to connect to the Internet, etc. without a wire. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology such as cell phones that allows these devices, eg, computers, to transmit and receive data indoors and outdoors, ie anywhere within range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use a radio technology called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, and high-speed wireless connections. Wi-Fi can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (using IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks may operate in unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, for example, at 11 Mbps (802.11a) or 54 Mbps (802.11b) data rates, or in products that include both bands (dual band). have.

One of ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure will understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, instructions, information, signals, bits, symbols and chips that may be referenced in the above description are voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields particles or particles, or any combination thereof.

Those of ordinary skill in the art of the present disclosure will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein include electronic hardware, (convenience For this purpose, it will be understood that it may be implemented by various forms of program or design code (referred to herein as "software") or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. A person skilled in the art of the present disclosure may implement the described functionality in various ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments presented herein may be implemented as methods, apparatus, or articles of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques. The term “article of manufacture” includes a computer program, carrier, or media accessible from any computer-readable device. For example, computer-readable media include magnetic storage devices (eg, hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic strips, etc.), optical disks (eg, CDs, DVDs, etc.), smart cards, and flash memory. devices (eg, EEPROMs, cards, sticks, key drives, etc.). Also, various storage media presented herein include one or more devices and/or other machine-readable media for storing information.

It is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the presented processes is an example of exemplary approaches. Based on design priorities, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged within the scope of the present disclosure. The appended method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, but are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The description of the presented embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented herein, but is to be construed in the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features presented herein.

Claims (14)

A wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device comprising:
one or more sensor boards adjacent to the user's scalp surface to acquire brain activity data;
a base core including one or more fixing pins for fixing and coupling the one or more sensor boards to at least one region facing the surface of the user's scalp; and
a main board that transmits a control signal to each of the one or more sensor boards and acquires a brain image image based on the brain activity data received from each of the one or more sensor boards;
including, and
Each of the one or more sensor boards,
Containing an EEG module that acquires data on electrical changes in the brain,
The brain wave test module,
A module for monitoring electrical activity of the brain, comprising an electrode for measuring a voltage generated based on the electrical activity of the user's brain, and measuring the voltage measured at the electrode and another electrode adjacent to the electrode Detecting the electrical activity of the brain through the difference between the voltages,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
The method of claim 1,
Each of the one or more sensor boards,
a near-infrared spectroscopy module for acquiring data on brain activity through functional near-infrared spectroscopy;
a transcranial stimulation module for adjusting nerve activity in the brain through electrical stimulation; and
a sub-control module for controlling at least one of the near-infrared spectroscopy module, the EEG module, and the transcranial stimulation module based on the control signal of the main board;
further comprising,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
3. The method of claim 2,
The brain activity data is
generated based on at least one of data on the brain activity and data on electrical changes in the brain,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
3. The method of claim 2,
The near-infrared spectroscopy module,
a light source adjacent to the surface of the user's scalp and outputting light in an internal direction of the user;
a photodetector configured to obtain a detection signal returned in response to the light inside the user's body; and
a potentiometer for determining an output level of light output from each of the one or more light sources;
including,
The main board is
generating a calibration table based on a detection signal for each output level of the light, and determining an optimal light output level for each of the one or more light sources based on the generated calibration table,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
5. The method of claim 4,
The photodetector is
Forming one or more channels with each of the at least one or more light sources to obtain a detection signal corresponding to the light output from the at least one or more light sources,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
5. The method of claim 4,
The main board is
A control signal for sequentially increasing the output level of light output from the light source is generated and transmitted to the sub control module,
receiving one or more detection signals returned according to a change in the output level of the light through the photo detector, and
generating the calibration table based on one or more detection signals according to a change in the light output level of the light;
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
5. The method of claim 4,
The calibration table is
Information on a change in the output level of light output from each of the one or more light sources and information on one or more detection signals detected by the one or more photo detectors in response to the change in the output level of the light,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
5. The method of claim 4,
The main board is
Based on information about one or more detection signals acquired by a photodetector matched with the light source according to a change in the output level of the light source through the calibration table, the light output level at which the one or more detection signals are maximum is identified determining the light output level as the optimal light output level for the light source,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
delete 3. The method of claim 2,
The transcranial stimulation module,
Stimulating the user's brain by generating an electric current adjacent to the user's scalp surface in order to induce a change in the user's brain activity data,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
11. The method of claim 10,
The transcranial stimulation module,
a transcranial direct current stimulation unit for inducing a change in potential of the cerebral cortex through electrical stimulation by generating a direct current adjacent to the user's scalp surface; and
a transcranial alternating current stimulation unit for inducing changes in brain vibration by generating alternating currents of different frequencies adjacent to the surface of the user's scalp;
containing,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
The method of claim 1,
Each of the one or more sensor boards,
Including two near-infrared spectroscopy modules, four EEG modules and eight transcranial stimulation modules,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
The method of claim 1,
The base core is
It is provided with a bendable material to maximize the contact area corresponding to the shape of the user's scalp,
The main board is
Recognizing that the sensor board is fixedly coupled to at least one of the one or more fixing pins based on position identification information for each of the one or more fixing pins provided in the base core,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.
The method of claim 1,
a network unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from the user terminal;
further comprising,
Wearable brain stimulation and image acquisition device.

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