KR20150061609A - Brain signal detecting and brain stimulating system - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for measuring brainwaves and stimulating a brain includes: a first electrode part which applies microcurrent for stimulating a brain; and a second electrode part which is connected with the first electrode part and measures brainwaves received from the brain. The second electrode part includes a blocking filter which blocks the microcurrent.

Description

[0001] BRAIN SIGNAL DETECTING AND BRAIN STIMULATING SYSTEM [0002]

The present invention relates to an EEG measurement and a brain stimulation system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrated system that is implemented as a single system and can simultaneously perform brain wave measurement and brain stimulation.

The brain is the internal organs of the human head and is the supreme central organs of the nervous system and is divided into the cerebrum, cerebellum, middle brain, leg brain, and soft tissue. In addition, the brain generates EEG signals, which are the signals measured in the epidermis of the brain as the sum of neuron activity levels.

As a method for measuring the state of the brain, an EEG (electroencephalogram) test in which a pad having an electrode on the scalp is attached to measure an EEG received from an electrode or a brain is photographed at various angles using radiation or ultrasound CT scans to examine, and MRI scans to photograph the brain by magnetic resonance.

Various concepts are known in the field of nerve stimulation of brain structures. Brain stimulation, which achieves a certain purpose by stimulating the brain, is called invasive brain stimulation and non-invasive brain stimulation Respectively.

Inflammatory brain stimulation is a method of penetrating an electrode into the brain through surgery and applying an electrical signal. Non-wet brain stimulation is a method of achieving a predetermined effect by stimulating the brain without invading the electrode into the skull.

Specific cerebral stimulation may be induced by deep electrical stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial electrical stimulation (TES), and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) And transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS).

In particular, in the case of tricuspid regurgitation (tDCS), a weak continuous DC is applied through two large area electrodes above the scalp. This results in a small change in the membrane potential of the cortical neurons and a change in the firing rate, thereby affecting its excitation level. To be precise, it is increased or decreased depending on the polarity of the stimulus. In the case of anodic stimulation (the anode is near the cell body or dendritic processes), depolarization is caused by increased membrane potential and firing rate, thereby increasing excitability. In the case of cathode stimulation, neurons are hyperpolarized as a result of lowered membrane potential and firing rate.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1094350

Conventional EEG devices include a module for stimulating the brain and a module for collecting and analyzing the EEG sensed by the brain, so that only a simple and constant stimulus is applied regardless of the state of the brain. In particular, in order to achieve a desired result by activating a specific region of the brain, it is necessary to stimulate a specific region with an appropriate current according to a user's state, but it is difficult to implement a device including a module for stimulating an existing brain.

In addition, since the module for stimulating the brain is constituted based on the wet electrode, and the module for collecting and analyzing the brain waves sensed by the brain is constructed based on the dry electrode, it is difficult to integrate each electrode integrally, The electrode has to be large in impedance so that the microcurrent applied to the brain spreads to an even region, whereas the dry electrode has a low impedance so that the microvoltage received from the brain can be clearly detected.

Specifically, the module for stimulating the brain is composed of a wet electrode, and uses an electrolyte having an impedance of k ohms so that the micro current applied to the brain spreads to an even region. On the other hand, Modules may also employ dry electrodes using wet electrodes or low impedance conductive materials that use an electrolyte with a low impedance of from a few nanometers to a few hundreds of ohms to clearly detect the microvoltage received from the brain. Due to these conflicting characteristics, the electrode used in the module for stimulating the brain and the electrode of the module for collecting and analyzing the EEG are not integrated together.

Furthermore, when a module for stimulating the brain and a module for collecting and analyzing EEG sensed by the brain are disposed adjacent to each other, an interference phenomenon occurs, and the current applied to the brain from the stimulation module is read by the sensing module And it is difficult to measure the EEG accurately.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a single integrated brain wave measurement and brain stimulation system by sharing electrodes for measurement and stimulation or arranging the electrodes so that they are in close contact with each other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a brain stimulation system and a brain wave measurement system capable of simultaneously measuring the brain waves and stimulating the brain while monitoring the measurement state of the brain waves to control the degree of stimulation of the brain in real time will be.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to store EEGs of various clients under a specific condition and to form a database thereof and to perform EEG measurement for analyzing a state of a specific group of EEG based on the EEG signals of a plurality of users at the same time And a brain stimulation system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an EEG and brain stimulation system including a first electrode unit for applying a microcurrent for stimulating the brain and a second electrode unit connected to the first electrode unit, And a second electrode unit for measuring an EEG signal received from the second electrode unit, wherein the second electrode unit includes a blocking filter for blocking the microcurrent.

The EEG measurement and brain stimulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode unit for applying a microcurrent for stimulating the brain or measuring an EEG signal received from the brain, And a measurement unit connected to the first electrode unit to receive the EEG signal, wherein the measurement unit includes a cutoff filter for blocking the micro current.

The microcurrent may be a direct current (DC), and the EEG signal may be an alternating current (AC).

The cut-off filter may be a DC blocking filter.

The first electrode portion may include a solid electrolyte layer directly contacting the scalp and a conductive layer connected to one surface of the solid electrolyte layer. The solid electrolyte layer and the conductive layer are flexible and have a curved surface shape corresponding to the scalp Can be varied.

The first electrode portion includes a wet electrolyte layer directly contacting the scalp and a waterproof type conductive layer connected to one surface of the solid electrolyte layer.

Wherein the first electrode unit is configured to generate 1k? Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 20k. ≪ / RTI >

The first electrode unit may include a first sub-electrode disposed in the frontal region and measuring a first brain wave, and a second sub-electrode disposed in an area other than the frontal region to measure a second brain wave.

And a measuring unit for receiving the first brain wave and the second brain wave.

The measuring unit may extract the third EEG from the difference between the first EEG and the second EEG.

The first electrode unit may control the microcurrent based on the EEG signal.

The EEG and brain stimulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a first device including a stimulation unit for generating microcurrent for stimulating the brain and a measurement unit for measuring an EEG signal received from the brain, And a controller for receiving and managing data including the EEG signal from the first device.

The first device may be a headset type worn on the head, and the second device may be a mobile device.

The first device or the second device may control the microcurrent based on the brain wave signal.

And a server for communicating with the first device or the second device and receiving the EEG signals and managing a plurality of measurement data.

The server may analyze a state of a specific group of EEG based on the EEG signals of a plurality of users at the same time.

The first device or the second device may further include a monitoring unit for displaying the EEG signal or the micro current.

The measuring unit may include a capacitor filter for blocking the microcurrent.

The measurement unit may include an anti-phase noise output module for changing the phase of the noise vibration and outputting the anti-phase noise output module.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide one integrated brain wave measurement and brain stimulation system by sharing the electrodes for measurement and stimulation, or arranging the electrodes so that they are in close contact with each other.

In addition, it is possible to provide a brain stimulation system and a brain wave measurement system that can measure the brain stimulation level in real time by monitoring the measurement state of the brain waves while simultaneously measuring the brain waves and stimulating the brain.

In addition, the brain waves of various clients under specific conditions can be stored and converted into a database, and the brain wave states of a specific group can be analyzed on the basis of the brain waves of a plurality of users at the same time.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an EEG measurement and brain stimulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an EEG measurement and brain stimulation system to which a blocking filter is added in the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a block diagram illustrating an EEG measurement and brain stimulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram illustrating an EEG measurement and brain stimulation system to which a blocking filter is added in the embodiment of FIG.
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode unit of an EEG and brain stimulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode unit of an EEG and brain stimulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode unit of an EEG and brain stimulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode unit of an EEG and brain stimulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a block diagram illustrating an inter-device communication structure of an EEG and a brain stimulation system according to embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of the system of Fig.
11 is a block diagram illustrating a plurality of data collection structures of an EEG and brain stimulation system according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a monitoring unit of an EEG measurement and brain stimulation system according to embodiments of the present invention.
13 and 14 are views showing the detailed structure of the magnetic pole portion and the measurement portion of the first device according to the embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a graph showing an image showing the erythema of the forehead when the brain stimulation is performed using the conventional dry tDCS electrode, and an image showing the erythema of the brain when the brain stimulation is performed using the stimulation unit of the first device according to the embodiments of the present invention This image shows the erythema distribution of the forehead.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used in a sense commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, commonly used predefined terms are not ideally or excessively interpreted unless explicitly defined otherwise.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. The terms " comprises "and / or" comprising "used in the specification do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements in addition to the stated element.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an EEG measurement and brain stimulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The brain stimulation system and brain stimulation system according to the present embodiment includes an electrode unit 100 and a control unit 400. The electrode unit 100 includes a first electrode unit 110 for applying a microcurrent for stimulating the brain, And a second electrode unit 120 connected to or separated from the first electrode unit 110 and measuring an EEG signal received from the brain.

The electrode unit 100 may be disposed at the head portion of the target object S. Particularly, the first electrode unit 110 and the second electrode unit 120 may be disposed at the frontal portion of the target object S. The electrode unit 100 may include a contact electrode that directly contacts the scalp or skin and may include a predetermined circuit and power supply for transferring an electrical signal to the contact electrode or receiving an electrical signal from the contact electrode .

The second electrode unit 120 for measuring an EEG signal from the target object S does not necessarily have to be in close contact with the frontal scalp region of the skin of the subject S, Can be used as a capacitor to measure an unexposed state of the brain.

The second electrode unit 120 measures an EEG signal with respect to the brain state, and the EEG signal can include various signals in addition to the electrical signal, thereby detecting a signal generated from the brain. For example, signals from the brain can be measured in a variety of ways, such as ultrasound or MRI. In this case, the second electrode unit 120 may have a detection structure corresponding to the type of each signal, and the second electrode unit 120 may be of a non-contact type that does not contact the scalp.

The EEG signal received by the second electrode unit 120 may be, for example, an EEG, an electroencephalogram, a near-infrared signal, an impedance signal, an acoustic signal, And may include a magnetic signal, a mechanical signal, a chemical signal, an optical signal, an ultrasonic signal, and the like.

Similarly, the first electrode unit 110 for applying a microcurrent to the target object S may be in contact with the scalp of the target object S in a direct current application method such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) The first electrode unit 110 needs to be in close contact with the scalp of the subject S when applying a microcurrent to the frontal lobe using a method such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) none.

The material of the electrode unit 100 is not limited, and may be composed of a conductive metal or a non-metallic material. Each of the first and second electrode units 110 and 120 may include a plurality of electrodes. When the first device 500 (see FIG. 9) including the electrode unit 100 is worn on two sides, Such that the electrode unit 100 is located at a position where electrical stimulation can be applied to at least one of the lateral prefrontal region, the lateral prefrontal cortex region, the prefrontal cortex region, the primary motor cortex region, the temporal region, (Not shown).

The electrode unit 100 includes a first electrode unit 110 for applying a minute current and a second electrode unit 120 for measuring an EEG signal from the human body. A three-electrode portion (not shown) may be further included.

The control unit 400 receives an EEG signal output from the terminal device 100 and generates and outputs an electric stimulation signal with a plurality of electrodes attached at two specific positions according to the frequency value of the electric signal, And outputs the brain wave sensor driving signal to the brain wave sensor 310 for sensing the brain wave signal at a specific position of the brain wave sensor 310.

In some other embodiments, the control unit 400 may include a transformer, a plurality of frequency filters, and a plurality of rectifying units. The transformer transforms the voltage magnitude of the electric signal output from the electrode unit 100 to a predetermined ratio and outputs the transformed voltage. The plurality of frequency filters have different frequency passbands and receive the electric signals outputted through the transformer, respectively, and then pass or block the electric signals according to the frequency values of the electric signals. The plurality of rectifying portions may be electrically connected to each of the plurality of frequency filters. At the same time, the electric signal passing through the frequency filter electrically connected to each of the plurality of rectifying sections is rectified and the rectified signal is outputted. When a rectified signal is outputted from the rectifying part electrically connected to the electrode part 100, the rectified signal operates as a driving signal of a signal amplifying part (not shown), and detects an EEG signal at two specific positions (Not shown) may be amplified and output through a signal amplification unit (not shown).

The control unit 400 analyzes the EEG signal received from the second electrode unit 120 constituting the electrode unit 100 to analyze the current state of the target object S and analyzes the current state of the target object S, And may transmit a control command reflecting the sensed range to the first electrode unit 110. The first electrode unit 110 receives a predetermined stimulus and generates a microcurrent corresponding to an appropriate stimulation range to obtain a predetermined stimulation effect from the target S.

Alternatively, the control unit 400 may transmit a control signal to the first electrode unit 110 to generate and output an electric signal having a predetermined frequency value according to a user selection signal.

The user's selection signal indicates a user's selection of which electric stimulation to perform among various electric stimulation types or a user's selection of whether to perform an EEG signal detection through the second electrode unit 120 And one or a plurality of frequency values may be set in advance according to a user's selection signal.

The control unit 400 may be electrically connected to the electrode unit 100, may be spaced apart from the electrode unit 100 in some other embodiments, or may be included in different apparatuses.

Referring to FIG. 2, the second electrode unit 120 of the electrode unit 100 further includes a cut-off filter 130 that cuts off the current. When a minute current is applied from the first electrode unit 110 to the frontal region in a state in which the first electrode unit 110 and the second electrode unit 120 share or adjacent to each other, The second electrode unit 120 may be sensed as it is. In this case, the controller 400 may fail to analyze a proper EEG signal.

Therefore, the cutoff filter 130 is provided at the front end of the second electrode unit 120 for measuring the EEG signal, so that the current applied from the first electrode unit 110 is directly transmitted through the second electrode unit 120, Information can be prevented from being transmitted to the control unit 400.

Specifically, the microcurrent generated from the first electrode unit 110 to stimulate the frontal lobe using the tidal DC stimulation (tDCS) is a direct current (DC), while the microcurrent generated from the second electrode unit 120 The signal may be alternating current (AC). Therefore, the DC blocking filter may be formed as the cut-off filter 130 and disposed at the front end of the second electrode unit 120.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an EEG measurement and brain stimulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The brain stimulation system and brain stimulation system according to the present embodiment includes a first electrode unit 110 in which the electrode unit 100 is one electrode and the first electrode unit 110 is connected to the stimulation unit 200, (300) share each other.

That is, the first electrode unit 110 applies a microcurrent for stimulating the brain or measures an EEG signal received from the brain, and the stimulation unit 200 is connected to the first electrode unit 110 to control the microcurrent And the measuring unit 300 may be connected to the first electrode unit 110 to receive an EEG signal sensed by the target object S. [

As in the previous embodiment, a cutoff filter 310 for blocking the inflow of a minute current and the distortion of EEG data transmitted to the target object S through the first electrode unit 110 by the stimulating unit 200. A cutoff filter 310 is provided at the front end of the measuring unit 300 for measuring an EEG signal and the EEG information distorted through the measuring unit 300 is directly transmitted to the controller 400 . The microcurrent generated from the stimulating unit 200 may be a direct current (DC), and the EEG signal received from the measuring unit 300 may be an alternating current (AC). Therefore, the DC blocking filter may be configured as a cutoff filter 310 and disposed at the front end of the measurement unit 300.

The stimulating portion 200 may include a high voltage module, a stabilization module, a limiting module, an output module, or a current / voltage measurement module. The stimulating unit 200 may stimulate a specific part by providing a specific signal to the user's brain, and may specifically activate the function of the specific part through a micro current or the like. During the stimulation process, the current / voltage measurement module, which constantly monitors whether the current and voltage for stimulation are normal, can be blocked to prevent excessive current from being applied to the scalp.

The measuring unit 300 may include a blocking filter, a noise processing module, an amplification module, or a reverse phase noise output module. The measuring unit 300 collects EEG signals sensed by the brain, removes noise signals other than brain waves, or separates the noise flowing through the scalp and neutralizes the signals in opposite phases.

The detailed configuration of the stimulating unit 200 and the measuring unit 300 will be described later with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG.

Hereinafter, the structure of the electrode unit according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. As shown in the drawings, the electrode unit 100 includes a first electrode unit 110 and a second electrode unit 120, and a surface of the first electrode unit 110 and the second electrode unit 120, The two electrode portions 120 may share one another, or may be in contact with the skin separately.

The first electrode unit 110 may include an electrolyte layer 111 directly contacting the scalp and a conductive layer 112 connected to one surface of the electrolyte layer 111. The electrolyte layer 111 may be a solid electrolyte layer or a wet electrolyte layer, and the electrolyte layer 111 and the conductive layer 112 may be flexible and curved in shape corresponding to the scalp. When the electrolyte layer 111 is a wet electrolyte layer, the first electrode circuit 113 or the second electrode circuits 121, 122, 123, and 124 may include a waterproof protective layer. Or the first electrode unit 110 or the second electrode unit 120 may be directly waterproofed.

For example, the electrolyte layer 111 may be composed of a hydrogel layer including a gel type electrolyte, and the conductive layer 112 may be formed of a flexible conductive fabric layer However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the electrolyte layer 111 may be formed in any form including a soft and electrolyte, and the conductive layer 112 may be made of a flexible conductive material Without limitation.

In some other embodiments, a conductive adhesive may be interposed between the electrolyte layer 111 and the conductive layer 112. The conductive adhesive layer may have an adhesive force of 300 gf / cm or more so as to physically and electrically connect the electrolyte layer 111 and the conductive layer 112. The conductive adhesive layer may be interposed at a ratio of 20% to 50% of the total area of the electrolyte layer 111 or the conductive layer 112. The AC impedance is maintained at 0 k? To 2 k? At 10 Hz or more of the conductive adhesive layer, Can be maintained at 0 k? To 3 k ?.

In some other embodiments, the first electrode unit 110 may include an electrolyte layer having an impedance value of 1 k? To 20 k? In the brain stimulation process. That is, even if the electrolyte layer 111 is not a solid electrolyte, the brain stimulation system can be configured when only the impedance value is included in the range.

In some other embodiments, the electrolyte layer 111 is a chlorine ion (Cl ^-), it may be a solid, including, not to feel a foreign body sensation or the adhesion to the skin, for adhesive examples to represent the adhesive strength of less than 200gf / cm electrolyte layer ( 111 may be treated. At this time, the AC impedance is maintained at 0 k? To 2 k? At 10 Hz or more of the electrolyte layer 111, and the DC impedance can be maintained at 2 k? To 5 k ?.

Further, in some other embodiments, the conductive layer 112 may be formed of a conductive metal, a conductive polymer, a polymer containing a conductive filler, or silicon, in addition to the conductive fabric, The AC impedance is maintained at 0 k? To 1 k? At 10 Hz or more of the resonator 112, and the DC impedance can be maintained at 0 k? To 1 k ?.

The second electrode unit 120 may include a circuit board 121, a sensing electrode 122 formed on the circuit board 121, a sensing circuit 123 connected to the sensing electrode 122, and a sensing filter 124. have.

5, the second electrode unit 120 is stacked on the first electrode unit 110, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 6, The first electrode unit 110 and the second electrode unit 120 may be disposed on the inner surface of the first electrode unit 110 and the second electrode unit 120 may be exposed on the outer surface of the first electrode unit 110 as shown in FIG. And the second electrode unit 120 may be in contact with the skin at the same time.

8, only the sensing electrode 122 is built in the first electrode unit 110, and the sensing circuit 123 and the sensing filter 124, which are connected to the sensing electrode 122, 121).

9 and 10 are block diagrams illustrating an inter-device communication structure of an EEG measurement and brain stimulation system according to embodiments of the present invention. The first electrode unit 100 includes first sub-electrodes 511 and 512 arranged in frontal regions A and B and measuring a first EEG voltage, for example, a first sub-electrode 511 and 512, , D), and may include a second sub-electrode 521, 522 for measuring a second EEG, for example, a second fine voltage. For example, the EEG measurement and brain stimulation system according to embodiments of the present invention performs brain wave measurement and brain stimulation through the A region and the B region of the frontal lobe, and the reference voltage A reference voltage detecting may be performed. Since the human body has a constant noise voltage (second EEG) as well as a voltage (first EEG) caused by the EEG generated by the brain, a reference electrode is arranged to measure the EEG voltage can do.

The controller 400 may further include a controller 400 receiving the first and second EEG waves. The controller 400 may extract the third EEG from the differences between the first and second EEG waves. That is, the controller 400 measures the amount of fine voltages generated by the actual brain waves based on the second EEG measured in the other region (near the ear) where the EEG measured by the frontal lobe has no or little effect on the EEG And the brain waves can be precisely extracted based on this.

The first electrode unit 100 can control the microcurrent generated through the stimulation unit 200 based on the thus calculated EEG signal.

9, the first device 500 including the stimulation unit 200 for generating a microcurrent for stimulating the brain and the measurement unit 300 for measuring an EEG signal received from the brain may be directly And a second device 600 including a control unit for performing an interaction with a brain region and receiving and managing data including an EEG signal or an EEG signal from the first device 500.

10, the first device 500 may be a headset type worn on the head, and the second device 600 may be a mobile device or any type of terminal device capable of communicating with the first device 500 . The first device 500 or the second device 600 can control the microcurrent based on the brain wave signal. That is, the first device 500 itself can analyze the EEG signal to automatically or manually control the micro current, transmit the EEG signal to the second device 600, analyze the EEG signal on the second device 600 And generate a signal for controlling the microcurrent and transfer the signal to the first device 500 to control the microcurrent.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a block diagram illustrating a plurality of data collection structures of an EEG and brain stimulation system according to embodiments of the present invention. The server 700 may further include a server 700 that communicates with the first device 500 or the second device 600 and receives a brain wave signal to manage a plurality of measurement data. The server 700 can analyze the state of a specific group of EEG based on the EEG signals received from the plurality of users' devices 600_1, 600_2, and 600_3 of the same time. A time stamp can be used for the EEG signal or the reference signal to synchronize the EEG.

In addition, the server 700 may further include a controller for executing a microcurrent algorithm corresponding to a specific group of electroencephalogram states. The microcontroller may further include a microcurrent control signal derived from the microcurrent algorithm, (600). Accordingly, the server 700 can control a plurality of devices according to the state of the brain waves of a specific group to obtain a desired effect.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first device 500 or the second device 600 may further include a monitoring unit 610 for displaying an EEG signal or a brain activity index calculated therefrom. In the illustrated example, the monitoring unit 610 is disposed in the second device 600, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The brain activity index may be data including, for example, a response analysis using a sensory evoked potential, a concentration through various electroencephalogram band analysis, various emotional states or kinds of brain waves.

The user can directly check his / her brain wave state by referring to the monitoring unit 610 and control the stimulating unit 300 in real time according to the result of the monitoring unit 610 to determine an appropriate stimulus intensity or pattern .

13 and 14, there is shown a detailed structure of the magnetic pole portion 200 and the measurement portion 300 of the first device according to the embodiments of the present invention.

The stimulation unit 200 may include one or more of a high voltage module 210, a stabilization module 220, a restriction module 230, an output module 240, and a current / voltage measurement module 250.

The high voltage module 210 generates an initial voltage current for stimulating the frontal lobe, and the initial voltage current may have a characteristic of 20 V or less and several mA or less, but is not limited thereto.

The stabilization module 220 may stabilize the initial voltage current. For example, the stabilization module 220 may convert the initial voltage current into a fine current. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The fine current conversion process may be omitted, 240 may be performed.

The limiting module 230 compares the current value sensed by the current / voltage measurement module 250 with a preset overcurrent value and blocks the output of the electrical stimulation signal when the current value is greater than the overcurrent value. Thus, it is possible to prevent the electric stimulation signal having a strength higher than a predetermined stimulus intensity from being transmitted to the user's skin.

The output module 240 may receive a current from the stabilization module 220 and output a preset voltage or current.

The current / voltage measurement module 250 may monitor the output status by measuring the voltage or current value output from the output module 240 in real time, and may control the status of the minute current applied to the current user through the display unit or the like. can do.

The measuring unit 300 includes a blocking filter 310 for blocking a minute current generated in the stimulation unit 200 to measure a precise EEG signal, a noise processing module 320 for separating a common noise from one or more EEG signals, An amplification module 330 for amplifying the EEG signal removed from the scalp, and a reverse phase noise output module 340 for canceling the noise components flowing through the scalp.

The cut-off filter 310 may be a DC blocking filter circuit when performing brain stimulation with a DC current. However, the noise processing module 320 may be a software filter that receives the brain stimulation signal and removes the brain stimulation signal when the brain stimulation is performed using the AC current or the pulse current in the same frequency band as the measured brain waves. And / or the common noise component that is common to the EEG signals measured at one or more electrodes of the measurement unit 300 may be separated and removed from each EEG signal.

The amplification module 330 can amplify the amplitude to facilitate measurement of noise-canceled EEG.

The anti-phase noise output module 340 may change the phase of the noise vibration to output one or more measurement electrodes so that the common noise component extracted from the noise processing module 320 may be reduced or canceled in the scalp.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown an image (left) showing the erythema distribution of the forehead when the brain stimulation is performed using the conventional dry tDCS electrode, and an image (left) using the stimulation unit of the first device according to the embodiments of the present invention An image (right) showing the erythema distribution of the forehead when stimulation is performed is shown.

As shown in the drawing, when a brain stimulation current is applied to the forehead due to a low impedance of a conventional dry electrode, burning sensation may occur and erythema due to skin damage may occur. The first electrode part 110 of the first device according to the present embodiment is provided with the electrolyte layer 111 and the conductive layer 112 so that the optimal wet environment for performing the tDCS And the second electrode unit 120, which is to be measured in the form of a dry electrode, may coexist with the first electrode unit 110. Accordingly, when a brain stimulation current is applied through the first electrode unit 110 of the first device according to the present embodiment, the skin irritation is greatly reduced and erythema may not occur as shown in the right image.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, such modifications or variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

100:
200:
300:
400:
500: first device
600: second device
700: Server

Claims (18)

A first electrode unit for applying a fine current for stimulating the brain; And
And a second electrode unit disposed adjacent to or adjacent to the first electrode unit for measuring an EEG received from the brain,
Wherein the second electrode unit comprises:
A cutoff filter for blocking the minute current applied by the first electrode unit when the application of the fine current by the first electrode unit and the measurement of the EEG by the second electrode unit are performed at the same time,
An amplification module for amplifying noise-canceled EEG signals
/ RTI >
Wherein the cut-off filter is provided at a front end of the second electrode portion,
Wherein the microcurrent is a direct current (DC), the brain wave is an alternating current (AC)
Wherein the cut-off filter is a DC blocking filter. A first electrode unit for applying a fine current for stimulating the brain or measuring an EEG received from the brain;
A magnetic pole part connected to the first electrode part to control the micro current; And
And a measurement unit connected to the first electrode unit to receive the brain waves,
Wherein the measuring unit comprises:
A cutoff filter for blocking the microcurrent applied by the first electrode unit when control of the microcurrent by the stimulating unit and reception of the brainwave by the measuring unit are performed at the same time,
An amplification module for amplifying noise-canceled EEG signals
/ RTI >
Wherein the cut-off filter is provided at a front end of the measurement unit,
Wherein the microcurrent is a direct current (DC), the brain wave is an alternating current (AC)
Wherein the cut-off filter is a DC blocking filter. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the first electrode unit includes an electrolyte layer having a predetermined impedance value in a brain stimulation process. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the first electrode unit comprises:
An electrolyte layer directly contacting the scalp and
And a conductive layer connected to one side of the electrolyte layer. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the electrolyte layer and the conductive layer are flexible and the shape of the curved surface is variable corresponding to the scalp. 5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising a conductive adhesive layer connecting the electrolyte layer and the conductive layer. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the first electrode portion includes a wet electrolyte layer directly contacting the scalp,
Wherein the first electrode portion or the second electrode portion includes a waterproof protective layer. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the first electrode unit comprises:
A first sub-electrode disposed in the frontal region for measuring a first EEG;
And a second sub-electrode arranged in a region other than the frontal region to measure a second EEG. 9. The method of claim 8,
And a controller for receiving the first brain wave and the second brain wave,
Wherein the controller extracts a third brain wave from the difference between the first brain wave and the second brain wave. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the first electrode unit comprises:
And controls the microcurrent based on the brain wave. A first device including a stimulation unit for generating a microcurrent for stimulating the brain and a measurement unit for measuring the brain waves received from the brain;
And a controller for receiving and managing data including the brain waves from the first device,
Wherein the measuring unit comprises:
A cutoff filter for blocking the microcurrent generated by the stimulation unit when generation of the microcurrent by the stimulation unit and reception of the brainwave by the measurement unit are performed at the same time,
An amplification module for amplifying noise-canceled EEG signals
/ RTI >
Wherein the cut-off filter is provided at a front end of the measurement unit,
Wherein the microcurrent is a direct current (DC), the brain wave is an alternating current (AC)
Wherein the cut-off filter is a DC blocking filter. 12. The method of claim 11,
The first device is a headset type worn on the head,
Wherein the second device is a mobile device. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the first device or the second device controls the microcurrent based on the brain waves. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a server for communicating with the first device or the second device and receiving the EEG to manage a plurality of measurement data. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the server analyzes a brain wave state of a specific group based on the brain waves of a plurality of users of the same time period. 15. The method of claim 14,
The server sends a fine current control signal corresponding to a particular group of EEG states to the first device or the second device, 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the first device or the second device further comprises a monitoring unit for displaying an index calculated using the brain waves or the brain waves. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the measuring unit further comprises an anti-phase noise output module for changing and outputting the phase of the noise vibration.

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