KR102634090B1 - Head cap for simultaneous measurement of EEG and cerebral blood flow using transcranial doppler - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a headset member having a plurality of probe mounting holes that form an annular shape corresponding to the circumference of the subject's head and on which transcranial ultrasound probes are mounted at corresponding points along the circumference, and is mounted on the probe mounting hole of the headset member, A plurality of transcranial ultrasound probes that selectively measure cerebral blood flow, and a plurality of electrodes that form a dome shape to surround the subject's head, are joined at the lower side along the upper side of the headset member, and have EEG electrodes mounted on the inner side. A cap member with a mounting portion formed thereon, a plurality of EEG electrodes mounted on the electrode mounting portions to selectively measure EEG, and provided on one of the headset member and the cap member, the EEG electrodes and a transcranial ultrasound probe. It includes a communication box that is electrically connected to the EEG electrodes and transcranial ultrasound probes and transmits the results measured by the EEG electrodes and transcranial ultrasound probes to the main computer, so that the EEG electrodes and transcranial ultrasound probes can be connected to the subject's head in a short time without mutual interference. Not only can it be attached to the device, but even an unskilled person can quickly place the EEG electrodes and transcranial ultrasound probes at the appropriate positions, and the transcranial ultrasound probe can be selectively rotated on its axis to obtain accurate measurement results without interference from the EEG electrodes. We provide a head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using brain waves and transcranial ultrasound.

Description

Head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound {Head cap for simultaneous measurement of EEG and cerebral blood flow using transcranial doppler}

The present invention relates to a head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound. More specifically, it relates to a head cap for fixing a transcranial ultrasound probe and an EEG electrode in close contact with an international 10-20 electrode system. , includes a cap member for fixing, and allows the EEG electrodes and transcranial ultrasound probe to be attached to the subject's head in a short time without mutual interference, and even an unskilled person can quickly place the EEG electrodes and transcranial ultrasound probe in the appropriate position. This relates to a head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using deployable EEG and transcranial ultrasound.

Typically, the measuring electrode (Electrode), which is essentially used when measuring brain waves, is a wire connected to a disk-shaped electrode (Ag-Agcl) with a diameter of 5 to 12 mm, and the surface is covered with conductive paste or gel. It is measured by attaching it to a certain part of the scalp (usually there is a 10-20 system that divides the head circumference into equal parts of 10% or 20% and attaching about 20 electrodes) and fixing it by covering it with gauze.

In addition, a skilled person is required to perform the above mounting work quickly and accurately, it is difficult for an unskilled person to do, and a considerable amount of time is required to attach the measuring electrode.

Meanwhile, in recent years, a cap for measuring brain waves has been developed to solve the above-described conventional inconveniences.

That is, after providing a flexible cap that can be worn over the head and having a chin-up strap, a plurality of electrodes are fixed in advance to key points of the cap.

When a cap is placed on the measuring person's head, the positions of the pre-fixed electrodes are in contact with the required positions, so there is no need to attach the electrodes one by one and a skilled person is not required. However, there are the following shortcomings.

The electrodes fixed to each part protrude from the cap in a constant state, so when the subject's head has a sunken part on the surface or has curly or permed hair, some electrodes may not reach the epidermis.

In addition, as mentioned above, because some electrodes do not contact the epidermis, the chin strap is tightened as strongly as possible, which is unreasonable because it not only causes pain but also causes stress to the subject.

In particular, when using a conventional cap, there is a problem that the subject must select an appropriate size for each subject because the head shape of the subject is different.

In other words, if an appropriate cap is not worn according to the head size of an infant, adult, male, female, or race, the area where the electrodes installed on the cap do not accurately contact the skin surface of the head may be uneven across the entire head. This may occur, and this may have a negative effect on causing pain and distorting signals, and there is a problem of increasing the subject's discomfort.

In addition, representative tests that can non-invasively evaluate brain function and activity in clinical settings, especially at the bedside, include electroencephalography (EEG) and cerebral blood flow measurement using transcranial ultrasound (transcranial doppler (TCD)).

TCD also requires a skilled examiner to measure cerebral blood flow by fixing an ultrasound probe using the hand or a fixed headset, so both EEG and TCD measurements require a skilled examiner.

Neurovascular coupling or neurovascular unit (NVU) is known to be a phenomenon in which blood flow changes physiologically depending on the activity of nerve cells, and changes in NVU are known to occur in various neurological diseases.

Therefore, several previous studies have suggested methods such as using functional MRI or near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to confirm NVU for specific situations.

However, the above-mentioned method has the disadvantage that long-term monitoring is relatively difficult, that it can only be performed in specific locations, like fMRI, or that it requires relatively expensive and unfamiliar equipment, like NIRS.

Prior literature related to the present invention includes Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1542115 (July 30, 2015).

The present invention aims to simultaneously measure cerebral blood flow using EEG and TCD. Not only can an EEG electrode and a transcranial ultrasound probe be attached to the subject's head in a short period of time without mutual interference, but even an unskilled person can place the EEG electrode at the relevant location. Simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound, which can quickly place transcranial ultrasound probes and selectively rotate the transcranial ultrasound probe to produce accurate measurement results without interference from EEG electrodes. The purpose is to provide a head cap for.

The head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound according to the present invention is mounted on the subject's head, forming an annular shape corresponding to the circumference of the subject's head, and a transcranial ultrasound probe at the corresponding point along the circumference. A headset member having a plurality of probe mounting holes to which a is mounted; A plurality of transcranial ultrasound probes mounted on the probe mounting port of the headset member to selectively measure cerebral blood flow; A cap member formed in a dome shape to surround the subject's head, the lower side of which is joined along the upper side of the headset member, and the inner side of which is formed with a plurality of electrode mounting portions on which brain wave electrodes are mounted; A plurality of brain wave electrodes mounted on the electrode mounting units to selectively measure brain waves; and is provided on any one of the headset member and the cap member, and is electrically connected to the EEG electrodes and the transcranial ultrasound probes, and transmits the results measured by the EEG electrodes and the transcranial ultrasound probes to the main computer. It includes a communication box, wherein the probe mounting device includes a dial fixing member provided at a point around the headset member where the transcranial ultrasound probe is located; a dial member having a coronal shape that is selectively rotatably coupled to the dial fixing member and selectively rotates the transcranial ultrasound probe entering the hollow; A tightening member that is screwed to the other side of the dial member and reduces the inner diameter of the other side of the dial member according to the screwed length, thereby allowing the transcranial ultrasound probe that has entered the hollow of the dial member to be fixed to the dial member; Includes.

At this time, it is preferable that the probe mounting device according to the present invention is provided so that the transcranial ultrasound probe can rotate at a corresponding angle.

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In addition, the plurality of electrode mounting units according to the present invention are arranged at each corresponding point so that brain wave electrodes can be arranged in accordance with the international 10-20 electrode system.

At this time, the plurality of electrode mounting units according to the present invention are connected to each other with an elastic wire, and as the wire is pulled to one side, the EEG electrode is tightly fixed to the corresponding point.

The effects of the head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound according to the present invention are as follows.

Not only can the EEG electrodes and the transcranial ultrasound probe be attached to the subject's head quickly without mutual interference, but even an unskilled person can quickly place the EEG electrodes and the transcranial ultrasound probe at the appropriate location.

In addition, the transcranial ultrasound probe can be selectively rotated on its axis, allowing accurate measurement results to be obtained by rotating the transcranial ultrasound probe in a fixed state without the need for repeated attachment and detachment of the transcranial ultrasound probe.

Figure 1 is a side view showing a subject wearing a head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front view showing a subject wearing a head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a plan view showing a subject wearing a head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a probe mounting device and a dial member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a reference diagram showing a state in which a transcranial ultrasound probe is coupled to a probe mounting device and a dial member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a reference diagram showing a state in which a transcranial ultrasound probe is coupled to a probe mounting device and a dial member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a reference diagram showing the state of coupling the brain wave electrode to the electrode mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and the inventor should appropriately define the concept of terms in order to explain his or her invention in the best way. Based on the principle of definability, it must be interpreted with meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent the entire technical idea of the present invention, so at the time of filing this application, they can be replaced by equivalent equivalents. It should be understood that variations may exist.

The present invention aims to simultaneously measure cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound, and includes a headset member that fixes a transcranial ultrasound probe, and a cap member that closely adheres and fixes the EEG electrodes in accordance with the international 10-20 electrode system. , EEG and transcranial ultrasound probes can be attached to the subject's head in a short time without mutual interference, and even an unskilled person can quickly place the EEG electrodes and transcranial ultrasound probes at the appropriate location. The head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using ultrasound is as follows, referring to the drawings.

The head cap 10 for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 includes a headset member 100, a transcranial ultrasound probe 200, and It includes a cap member 300, brain wave electrodes 400, and a communication box 500. First, the headset member 100 is mounted on the subject's head. It forms an annular shape corresponding to the circumference, and is provided with a plurality of probe mounting holes 110 on which the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 is mounted at corresponding points along the circumference.

At this time, the probe mounting device 110 is preferably provided at positions corresponding to the temporal and occipital parts of the head along the circumference of the annular headset member 110.

In addition, the probe mounting device 110 allows the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 to rotate at a corresponding angle, and for this purpose, it includes a dial member 130 for fixing the transcranial ultrasound probe 200, As the dial member 130 is rotated, the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 rotates at the corresponding angle.

Here, if we look at the probe mounting device 110 in more detail, it is as follows.

The probe mounting port 110 forms a through hole 101 through which the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 penetrates at a point on the circumference of the headset member 100 where the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 is located, A dial fixing member 111 is provided in the through hole 101.

The dial fixing member 111 is plate-shaped and forms a coupling hole 112 corresponding to the through hole 101 at its center, and the longitudinal cross-section along the periphery of the coupling hole 112 is '┓'. The coupling flange 113 forming the shape is extended.

At this time, a wave-shaped elastic member 120 is provided along the inner peripheral surface of the end side of the coupling flange 113, and the coupling flange 113 provided with the wave-shaped elastic member 120 is provided on one side of the dial member 130. This is combined.

The dial member 130 has a hollow tubular shape, and on one side thereof, a receiving groove 131 is formed to receive the end of the coupling flange 113 provided with a wave-shaped elastic member 120, and the receiving groove is formed. Inside (131), a plurality of protrusions (132) are arranged radially at regular intervals.

Therefore, the end of the coupling flange 113 provided with the wave-shaped elastic member 120 is accommodated in the receiving groove 131 of the dial member 130, so that the dial member 130 is attached to the dial fixing member 111. It is preferably rotatably fixed, and at this time, the protrusions 132 formed in the receiving groove 131 are respectively positioned in the concave portions of the wave-shaped elastic member 120.

Therefore, the dial member 130 can be rotated in the forward or reverse direction by holding the circumference of the dial member 130 with the user's hand, and the protrusions 132 formed in the receiving groove 131 are recessed into the wave-shaped elastic member 120. As each part is positioned, the dial member 130 can maintain its rotated angle state.

In addition, the dial member 130 forms a fixing protrusion 133 along the inner peripheral surface of the other side of the hollow so as to fix the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 that has entered the hollow, and the inner diameter of the other end is selectively To enable reduction, a plurality of cutting lines 134 having a length in the longitudinal direction of the hollow are formed at regular intervals, so that the other side of the dial member 130 is divided into a plurality of equal parts.

At this time, a first inclined surface 135 whose thickness becomes thinner as it goes from one side to the other is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the other side of the dial member 130, and a first threaded surface 136 is formed behind the first inclined surface 135 along the length. ) is formed, and the fastening member 140 is screwed together by the first thread surface 136.

The tightening member 140 forms an annular shape to surround the outer periphery of the other side of the dial member 130 like a nut, and forms a second inclined surface 141 corresponding to the first inclined surface 135 on the inner peripheral surface, A second threaded surface 142 is formed near the second inclined surface 141, which is screwed to the first threaded surface 136.

Here, the second inclined surface 141 is in contact with the first inclined surface 135, and when the tightening member 140 is tightened by rotating in the forward direction, the first inclined surface 135 of the dial member 130 becomes the second inclined surface 135. As the other end of the dial member 130, which is divided into two parts, slides along the inclined surface 141 and tilts toward the center, the inner diameter of the other end of the dial member 130 gradually decreases, thereby reducing the size of the dial member 130. The transcranial ultrasound probe (200) that has entered the hollow is bitten and fixed.

Thereafter, when the tightening member 140 is rotated in the reverse direction, the second inclined surface 141 of the tightening member 140 moves to the other side, and the other end of the divided dial member 130 returns to its original position due to its own elasticity. As it returns, the inner diameter of the other end of the dial member 130 expands to its original state, and the fixation of the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 is released.

And the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 is mounted on the probe mounting port 110 of the headset member 100 to selectively measure cerebral blood flow.

At this time, the end of the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 interviews the subject's head circumference to measure occlusion of cerebral blood vessels outside the skull and the blood flow rate, and as a result of the measurement, changes in blood flow direction and blood flow waveform can be observed. there is.

In addition, the cap member 300 forms a dome shape to surround the subject's head, and when the lower side of the cap member 300 is joined along the upper side of the headset member 100, EEG electrodes 400 are formed on the inner side. ) forms a plurality of electrode mounting portions 310 on which are mounted.

At this time, the cap member 300 is preferably made of a mesh network to have elasticity, and the electrode mounting portions 310 are each configured to arrange the brain wave electrodes 400 in accordance with the international 10-20 electrode system, which is an international regulation. It is placed at a point, and the electrode mounting parts 310 are connected to each other like a mesh with an elastic wire 320. The wire 320 can be pulled to one side and tied, or the wire 320 can be pulled to one side or used as a Boa Closure System. It may include a winder (not shown) that selectively winds the wire 320, and a winding dial 330 that selectively rotates the winder through manipulation by a user from the outside.

As the wire 320 is pulled, the brain wave electrodes 400 mounted on the electrode mounting units 310 are tightly fixed to the corresponding points.

More specifically, the electrode mounting portions 310 are connected to each other with an elastic wire 320, and as the wire 320 is pulled to one side, the brain wave electrode 400 is connected to the electrode according to the international 10-20 electrode system. It is tightly fixed to the relevant point without leaving its proportional position.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a fixing hole 311 is formed in the electrode mounting portion 310 through which the lead wire of the EEG electrode 400 passes, and the EEG electrode 400 is formed to protrude from the fixing hole 311. It includes a fixture 312 that secures 400.

At this time, a fixing clip 410 corresponding to the fixture 312 is formed on the EEG electrode 400. The fixing clip 410 is tightly coupled to the fixture 312 and surrounds the fixture 312. , It is formed to protrude at a point of the EEG electrode 400 that comes into contact with the electrode mounting portion 310.

In addition, the center of the fixing clip 410 of the brain wave electrode 400 is provided with a lead wire that passes through the fixing hole 311 of the electrode mounting part 310 and is electrically connected to the communication box 500.

Therefore, the EEG electrode 400 exposes the lead wire to the outside through the fixing hole 311 of the electrode mounting part 310, and then clamps the fixing clip 410 to the fixture 312 to form the electrode mounting part 310. ), and the lead wire of the brain wave electrode 400 passing through the fixing hole 311 is electrically connected to the communication box 500.

The communication box 500 is provided on one of the headset member 100 and the cap member 300, and is electrically connected to the EEG electrodes 400 and the transcranial ultrasound probes 200. The results measured by the brain wave electrodes 400 and the transcranial ultrasound probe 200 are transmitted to the main computer (not shown).

At this time, the communication box 500 is preferably provided with a mounting means (not shown) such as Velcro or a mounting hook so that it can be attached and detached to any one of the headset member 100 and the cap member 300.

The communication box 500 has a built-in battery for power supply, a control circuit board for control signals and communication with the main computer (not shown), and a plug is coupled to one side to control the built-in control. It forms a plug socket that electrically connects to the circuit board, and can be provided with an antenna for wireless communication.

In addition, the communication box 500 is formed to protrude to be located at about the crown of the subject's head, which is the upper center of the cap member 300, so that when the wearer is active or lies down, the communication box 500 protrudes into the activity. It is desirable not to be restricted.

A head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention is used to predict the prognosis or coronary heart disease of patients who require real-time nerve and cerebrovascular measurements, for example, patients resuscitated after cardiopulmonary arrest. Its main use will be for arterial bypass surgery or monitoring patients with syncope, and it can also be used as a test to determine lateralization of brain function.

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the attached patent claims.

10: head cap 100: headset member
101: Through hole 110: Probe mounting hole
111: dial fixing member 112: coupling hole
113: Coupling flange 120: Wave-shaped elastic member
130: Dial member 131: Receiving groove
132: projection 133: fixing projection
134: cutting line 135: first slope
136: First threaded surface 140: Fastening member
141: second slope 142: second screw slope
200: Transcranial ultrasound probe 300: Cap member
310: Electrode mounting part 311: Fixing hole
312: fixture 320: wire
330: winding dial 400: brain wave electrode
410: Fixed clip 500: Communication box

Claims (7)

A headset member mounted on the subject's head, forming an annular shape corresponding to the circumference of the subject's head, and having a plurality of probe mounting holes into which transcranial ultrasound probes are mounted at corresponding points along the circumference;
A plurality of transcranial ultrasound probes mounted on the probe mounting port of the headset member to selectively measure cerebral blood flow;
A cap member formed in a dome shape to surround the subject's head, the lower side of which is joined along the upper side of the headset member, and the inner side of which is formed with a plurality of electrode mounting portions on which brain wave electrodes are mounted;
A plurality of brain wave electrodes mounted on the electrode mounting units to selectively measure brain waves; and
It is provided on any one of the headset member and the cap member, and is electrically connected to the EEG electrodes and transcranial ultrasound probes, and transmits the results measured by the EEG electrodes and transcranial ultrasound probes to the main computer. Including a communication box,
The probe attachment is
a dial fixing member provided around the headset member at a point where the transcranial ultrasound probe is located;
a dial member having a coronal shape that is selectively rotatably coupled to the dial fixing member and selectively rotates the transcranial ultrasound probe entering the hollow;
A tightening member that is screwed to the other side of the dial member and reduces the inner diameter of the other side of the dial member according to the screwed length, thereby allowing the transcranial ultrasound probe that has entered the hollow of the dial member to be fixed to the dial member; Headcap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound.
In claim 1,
The probe attachment is
A head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound, in which the transcranial ultrasound probe is equipped to rotate axially at a corresponding angle.
In claim 2,
The probe attachment is
A head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound provided at points corresponding to the left and right temporal regions of the subject's head among the circumference of the headset.
delete delete In claim 1,
The plurality of electrode mounting units
A head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound placed at each relevant point to enable the arrangement of EEG electrodes in response to the international 10-20 electrode system.
In claim 6,
The plurality of electrode mounting units
A head cap for simultaneous measurement of cerebral blood flow using EEG and transcranial ultrasound that is connected to each other with an elastic wire, and as the wire is pulled to one side, the EEG electrode is tightly fixed to the corresponding point.

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