Abstract:
A method for implementing a sensor measurement system is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a plurality of generally identical modular sensor arrays each having a single array connector, applying two of the plurality of modular sensor arrays to a patient such that the two modular sensor arrays can receive biopotential signals from the patient, and coupling the array connector of each of the two modular sensor arrays with a monitor such that the two modular sensor arrays can transmit the biopotential signals to the monitor and the monitor can convey information pertaining to the biopotential signals in a selectable form. A corresponding sensor measurement system is also provided.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to a sensor measurement system having a modular electrode array, and a method for implementing the sensor measurement system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Electroencephalography (EEG) is a well established method for assessing brain function by picking up weak biosignals generated in the brain. To obtain the biosignals, multiple electrodes are placed on a patient&#39;s head in accordance with a recognized protocol. The electrodes are generally individually coupled to a monitor with a series of wires. The monitor is configured to display information pertaining to the biosignals in a selectable form. 
         [0003]    One protocol for placing the electrodes involves the placement of a relatively large number of electrodes (e.g., 20 electrodes) at predetermined locations on the patient&#39;s scalp. A problem with this protocol is that it is inconvenient to attach such a large number of electrodes. More precisely, applying each electrode to the patient takes time and skill, requires skin preparation, and is especially difficult for patients with thick hair. Additionally, individually forming the electrical connections between each electrode and a monitor is a time consuming process that is subject to human error. As an example, unless each electrode is properly connected to an appropriate monitor input, the information conveyed by the monitor may be imprecise or unclear. 
         [0004]    Another protocol for placing electrodes involves the placement of a relatively small number of electrodes (e.g., 3 electrodes) that are generally positioned on the patient&#39;s forehead. It should be appreciated that systems having fewer electrodes are easier to apply to the patient, easier to connect to the monitor, and are less prone to human error when being connected to the monitor. One problem with systems incorporating a relatively small number of electrodes is that they generally convey less information than comparable systems having additional electrodes. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, a method for implementing a sensor measurement system includes providing a plurality of generally identical modular sensor arrays each having a single array connector, applying two of the plurality of modular sensor arrays to a patient such that the two modular sensor arrays can receive biopotential signals from the patient, and coupling the array connector of each of the two modular sensor arrays with a monitor such that the two modular sensor arrays can transmit the biopotential signals to the monitor and the monitor can convey information pertaining to the biopotential signals in a selectable form. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a method for implementing a sensor measurement system includes providing a first modular sensor array having a first plurality of electrodes and a first array connector, and providing a second modular sensor array generally identical to the first modular sensor array. The second modular sensor array has a second plurality of electrodes and a second array connector. The method also includes applying the first plurality of electrodes and the second plurality of electrodes to a patient such that the first modular sensor array and the second modular sensor array can receive biopotential signals from the patient. The method also includes coupling the first array connector and the second array connector with a monitor such that the first modular sensor array and the second modular sensor array can transmit the biopotential signals to the monitor and the monitor can convey information pertaining to the biopotential signals in a selectable form. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a sensor measurement system includes a monitor, and a first modular sensor array operatively connected to the monitor. The first modular sensor array has a first plurality of electrodes. The sensor measurement system also includes a second modular sensor array operatively connected to the monitor. The second modular sensor array is generally identical to the first modular sensor array. The second modular sensor array has a second plurality of electrodes. The first plurality of electrodes and the second plurality of electrodes are adapted to transmit biopotential signals from a patient to the monitor so that the monitor can convey information pertaining to the biopotential signals in a selectable form. 
         [0009]    Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a modular sensor array in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a sensor measurement system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a sensor measurement system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating the modular sensor array of  FIG. 1  attached to a patient; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating two of the modular sensor arrays of  FIG. 1  attached to a patient. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a modular sensor array  10  is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The modular sensor array  10  is referred to as being “modular” because it defines a standardized unit that may be implemented individually or in combination with other generally identical devices. The modular sensor array  10  is referred to as being an “array” because it comprises multiple sensors (e.g., the electrodes  12 ). 
         [0017]    The modular sensor array  10  is depicted as including three electrodes  12 , however it should be appreciate that alternate embodiments may include other types of sensors and/or additional sensors. Each electrode  12  is operatively connected to a conductor  14 . The conductors  14  are each configured to transmit biopotential signals from a respective electrode  12 . The electrodes  12  and conductors  14  may be formed of a conductive material suitable for receiving and transmitting signals such as, for example, metallic foil or wire, vapor deposited or printed metallic layers, etc. The conductors  14  each include a first end that is connected to a respective electrode  12 , and a second end that is connected to an array connector  16 . An adhesive material  18  is generally disposed around the periphery of each electrode  12  in order to secure the electrodes  12  to a patient. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a sensor measurement system  20  is shown. The sensor measurement system  20  will hereinafter be described in accordance with an embodiment having two modular sensor arrays, however, it should be appreciated that alternate embodiments may incorporate additional or fewer modular sensor arrays. The two modular sensor arrays shown in  FIG. 2  are generally identical to the modular sensor array  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and will therefore be identified using base reference numbers consistent with those of  FIG. 1  and a unique alphanumeric suffix. 
         [0019]    The sensor measurement system  20  includes a first modular sensor array  10   a  and a generally identical second modular sensor array  10   b.  An array connector  16   a  of the first modular sensor array  10   a  is coupled with a first monitor connector  22 , and an array connector  16   b  of the second modular sensor array  10   b  is coupled with a second monitor connector  24 . According to the illustrated embodiment, the array connectors  16   a,    16   b  are male type connectors that are insertably coupled with female type monitor connectors  22 ,  24 . It should, however, be appreciated that the connectors  16   a,    16   b,    22  and  24  may include any known device configured to establish an electrical connection. The first and second monitor connectors  22 ,  24  are respectively coupled with a first and second monitor cable  26 ,  28 , and the first and second monitor cables  26 ,  28  are coupled with a monitor  30 . Accordingly, the first and second modular sensor arrays  10   a,    10   b  transmit boipotential signals from a patient through the cables  26 ,  28 , respectively, and to the monitor  30  which is configured to display electroencephalogram (EEG) data in a desired form. 
         [0020]    According to an embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a sensor measurement system  32  includes a single monitor cable  34  having a dual input monitor connector  36  configured to couple the modular sensor arrays  10   a,    10   b  with a monitor  38 . The dual input monitor connector  36  includes a first input port  40  adapted to accommodate the array connector  16   a,  and a second input port  42  adapted to accommodate the array connector  16   b.  In all other respects, the sensor measurement system  32  is similar to the sensor measurement system  20  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , it can be seen that a single modular sensor array  10  may be implemented for applications requiring less detailed information, and multiple modular sensor arrays  10  can be implemented for applications requiring more detailed information. Therefore, the modular sensor array  10  provides a single device that is flexible enough to accommodate a variety of different applications in a convenient and efficient manner. As an example, the modular sensor arrays  10  can be sterilized and pre-packaged, and thereafter stored in a common location and identified by a common part number. Accordingly, a user can conveniently obtain one or more modular sensor arrays  10  from a single location whereas it may have previously been necessary to acquire a plurality of different components (e.g., electrodes, conductors, connectors, adhesive) from a plurality of different locations. Additionally, by using a common part number, it is less burdensome for a hospital to inventory and track the modular sensor arrays  10 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an electrode placement for a single modular sensor array embodiment is illustrated. When only one modular sensor array  10  is implemented, the electrodes  12  may be attached to the forehead  44  of a patient  46  in the manner shown. The array connector  16  can then be connected to one of the monitor connectors  22 ,  24  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) or inserted into one of the ports  40 ,  42  of a dual input monitor connector  36  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) to couple the modular sensor array  10  with a monitor. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an electrode placement for a dual modular sensor array embodiment is illustrated. The electrode placement depicted in  FIG. 5  is sometimes referred to as a “sub-hairline montage” because the electrodes  12  are all applied below the patient&#39;s hairline. Advantageously, the sub-hairline montage requires minimal skin preparation, it obviates the need for hair removal, and it prevents the patient&#39;s hair from interfering with biopotential signal reception. It should, however, be appreciated that the, electrode placement shown in  FIG. 5  and described hereinafter is provided for illustrative purposes, and that alternate electrode placements may be envisioned. 
         [0024]    When two modular sensor arrays  10  are implemented, four of the electrodes  12  can be attached to the patient&#39;s forehead  48  in a spaced apart manner and the remaining two electrodes  12  can be attached to opposing sides of the patient&#39;s neck  50  below and in close proximity to the patient&#39;s ears  52 . Advantageously, the implementation of two generally identical modular sensor arrays  10  on a single patient  54  can provide more detailed information than a system incorporating only three electrodes. Additionally, a sensor measurement system incorporating the modular sensor arrays  10  is easily applied to a patient (ease of application), and less prone to application error (correctness of application). The ease of application and the correctness of application of the modular sensor arrays  10  will hereinafter be described in detail. 
         [0025]    The modular sensor array&#39;s ease of application can be illustrated by the following example and with reference to  FIG. 5 . A user can obtain two pre-packaged modular sensor arrays  10  from a common location. Thereafter, each pre-packaged modular sensor array  10  can be individually opened and applied to the patient  54  in the manner described hereinabove. The array connectors  16  of the two pre-packaged modular sensor arrays  10  can then be coupled with a complementary monitor connection device such as the monitor connectors  22 ,  24  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) or the dual input monitor connector  36  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). This example shows that a system incorporating the modular sensor arrays  10  may be more easily applied than a conventional system wherein a user obtains a plurality of different components (e.g., electrodes, conductors, connectors, adhesive) from a plurality of different locations, applies six electrodes to a patient, and then individually couples each of the six electrodes with a monitor. 
         [0026]    The modular sensor array&#39;s correctness of application is related in part to the fact that each modular sensor array  10  can be coupled to a monitor using a single array connector  16 . Therefore, a system incorporating two modular sensor arrays  10  only requires the formation of two electrical connections in order to couple all six electrodes  12  with a monitor. It should be appreciated that a user is less likely to improperly form one of the two electrical connections required for a system incorporating the modular sensor arrays  10  than to improperly form one of the six electrical connections of a conventional system. In other words, the likelihood that a user will improperly form an electrical connection is directly proportional to the number of electrical connections the user must form. 
         [0027]    While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should not limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.