SALINE ELECTRODE CAP FOR LONG-TERM ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH MONITORING AND LONG-TERM ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH MONITORING METHOD

The present application relates to a saline electrode cap for long-term EEG monitoring; the saline electrode cap comprises a cap body, electrode sets, and electrode conductive mediums, the cap body is provided with a plurality of electrode set installation holes which are distributed according to the international 10-20 EEG positioning system standard, the electrode sets are installed in electrode set installation holes; the electrode conductive mediums are arranged in electrode sets and is in contact with a scalp of a subject; buffer members are installed at an end of electrode sets where the electrode conductive medium is installed and are in contact with the scalp of the subject. The saline electrode cap of the present application can reduce the squeezing degree of the electrode cap and a head of the subject on the electrode conductive mediums, the electrode conductive mediums can be prevented from rapidly losing water due to squeezing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Chinese application serial No. CN202211189396.X filed on Sep. 28, 2022, and Chinese application serial No. CN 202222581042.1 filed on Sep. 28, 2022, the contents of the above identified applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to electroencephalograph monitoring technology, and particularly relates to a saline electrode cap for long-term EEG monitoring and a method for long-term electroencephalograph monitoring.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Electroencephalographs (EEG) are waveforms of brain electrical signals monitored and recorded by sticking several electrodes onto a scalp according to rules, and are important information for the research and diagnosis of current mental diseases. In most hospitals in domestic, the routine EEG examination time is usually only 20-30 minutes, rarely including the records of sleep stages and episodic events, so its diagnostic value is greatly limited. With the advancement of science and technology, the application of long-term video EGG monitoring capable of recording videos while EGG monitoring is more and more extensive in EGG diagnosis, and software in the long-term video EGG monitoring allows EGG and a video image at each moment to be in one-to-one correspondence, so that a doctor can watch a synchronous video of a subject while watching the EGG, and the accuracy of the examination result is greatly improved.

During EEG monitoring, placing positions of electrodes on a head of the subject are usually according to a international 10-20 system (each electrode is 10% or 20% of a total distance away from the adjacent electrode), which requires medical technicians to measure, calculate and position at the head of the subject in order to install the electrodes accurately. The traditional measurement positioning generally requires two medical technicians to cooperate with each other, the fixing way of electrodes is relatively cumbersome, and the positioning, installing and subsequent disassembly of the electrodes result in a waste of manpower and time. Chinese patent application CN107582052A discloses an electrode cap, wherein a plurality of electrodes are installed on a cap body of the electrode cap, and the electrodes are distributed according to the international 10-20 system and are in contact with the scalp of the subject by means of a sponge soaked with saline, thereby performing EGG monitoring. When the electrode cap is worn on the head of the subject, the sponge soaked with saline easily loses water due to squeezing, which affects monitoring effect; and the sponge will gradually dry up with the increase of monitoring time, resulting in poor conductivity and unstable signals.

In the prior art, there are also electrode caps for EEG detection by coating a conductive paste. Although the electrode caps coated with the conductive paste do not affect monitoring effect due to squeezing and are suitable for long-term monitoring, the gel on the scalp is not easy to remove after monitoring, and the cleaning is very troublesome.

Although Chinese patent application CN113855033A discloses a saline electrode EEG cap easy to assemble and disassemble and capable of flexibly positioning and replenishing, a circle of depressions is arranged at a top of an electrode body, and small hole channels which lead to a bottom sponge core are formed in bottoms of the depressions. During monitoring, the liquid is replenished through small holes to prolong the collocation time.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The application provides a saline electrode cap for long-term EEG monitoring and a long-term EEG monitoring method.

A first aspect of the application provides a saline electrode cap for long-term EEG monitoring, which is worn on a head of a subject and connected with an EEG monitoring equipment, wherein the saline electrode cap comprises:a cap body provided with a plurality of electrode set installation holes distributed according to the international 10-20 system, the electrode set installation holes being arranged in a manner of penetrating through the cap body;a plurality of electrode sets, wherein the electrode sets are installed in the electrode set installation holes, first ends of the electrode sets are located at an outer side of the cap body, and second ends of the electrode sets are located at an inner side of the cap body;a plurality of electrode slices, wherein the electrode slices are installed on the electrode sets, and the electrode slices are connected with the EGG monitoring equipment through an electrode harness;a plurality of electrode conductive mediums, wherein the electrode conductive mediums are installed at the second ends of the electrode sets and are in contact with the electrode slices installed on the same electrode sets, and one ends, far away from the electrode slices, of the electrode conductive mediums are in contact with a scalp of a subject; anda plurality of buffer members which are arranged at the second ends of the electrode sets.

In some of the embodiments, electrode grooves in which the electrode slices are installed are formed in the first ends of the electrode sets; the electrode sets are provided with electrode conductive medium cabins in which the electrode conductive mediums are installed, each electrode conductive medium cabin is provided with a first opening and a second opening, the second openings of the electrode conductive medium cabins are arranged toward the inner side of the cap body so that the electrode conductive mediums are in contact with the scalp of the subject; and the first openings of the electrode conductive medium cabins are communicated with the electrode grooves, so that the electrode slices are in contact with the electrode conductive mediums.

In some of the embodiments, a height of each electrode conductive medium is higher than that of the second opening of each electrode conductive medium cabin, each buffer member surrounds a periphery of the electrode conductive medium cabin, and a height of each buffer member is lower than that of each electrode conductive medium, and is the same as that of the second opening.

In some of the embodiments, a fixed end for fixing the electrode conductive medium is arranged in each electrode conductive medium cabin, and the fixed end is connected to the electrode set.

In some of the embodiments, each electrode conductive medium comprises cotton and a U-shaped sponge, the cotton is close to the first opening of the electrode conductive medium cabin, and is in contact with the electrode slice; and the U-shaped sponge is close to the second opening of the electrode conductive medium cabin, and the U-shaped sponge is in contact with the scalp of the subject and is clamped to the fixed end.

In some of the embodiments, each electrode set is provided with a supplementing hole for supplementing normal saline, and the supplementing hole is located at one side close to the outer side of the cap body and is communicated with the electrode groove.

In some of the embodiments, an insertion direction of each electrode groove is perpendicular to a penetration direction of each electrode conductive medium cabin, one end of each electrode groove along the insertion direction is a closed end, and the other end of each electrode groove along the insertion direction is an electrode insertion hole for allowing insertion of the electrode slice.

In some of the embodiments, a groove is formed in a periphery of each electrode set, and is clamped with the electrode set installation hole.

In some of the embodiments, the electrode harness is connected with the EEG monitoring equipment through a connector, and a female terminal is arranged at one end, far away from the electrode slices, of the electrode harness; the connector is provided with a male terminal, and the female terminal is connected with the male terminal.

In some of the embodiments, the cap body is provided with a plurality of air holes, and the air holes are arranged adjacent to the electrode set installation holes, so that the buffer members can be installed on the electrode sets through the air holes.

A second aspect of the application provides a long-term EEG monitoring method, which adopts the saline electrode cap for long-term EEG monitoring as described above, wherein the method comprises the following steps:assembling an electrode cap: wherein electrode sets are installed in electrode set installation holes of a cap body; first ends of the electrode sets are located at an outer side of the cap body, and second ends of the electrode sets are located at an inner side of the cap body; and electrode conductive mediums are installed at the second ends of the electrode sets;soaking the assembled electrode cap in normal saline for a period of time, and then taking it out and wiping off excess water on a surface of the cap body;wearing the soaked electrode cap on a head of a subject, and allowing the electrode conductive mediums to be in contact with a scalp of the subject;installing buffer members at the second ends of the electrode sets;connecting electrode harness with an EEG monitoring equipment for displaying monitoring information; andinstalling the electrode slices at the first ends of the electrode sets, and allowing the electrode slices to be in contact with the electrode conductive mediums installed on the same electrode sets.

In some of the embodiments, each electrode set is provided with a supplementing hole for supplementing normal saline, and the supplementing hole is located at the outer side the cap body and is communicated with the electrode groove;normal saline is supplemented to the electrode conductive mediums through the supplementing holes; by observing an impedance value of each electrode slice on the EEG monitoring equipment, it can be judged whether it is necessary to stop supplementing, the impedance value will gradually decrease with the supplementing of normal saline and finally reach a constant value, and after the impedance value is stable, stop the supplementing of normal saline.

The application also provides a long-term EEG monitoring method, which adopts the saline electrode cap for long-term EEG monitoring as described above, wherein the method comprises the following steps:S1, installing electrode conductive mediums into electrode sets, then installing the electrode sets into a cap body, soaking the assembled electrode cap in normal saline for 10-15 minutes, and then taking it out and wiping off excess water on a surface of the cap body;S2, wearing the electrode cap on a head of a subject, and allowing the electrode conductive mediums to be in contact with a scalp of the subject;S3, installing buffer members at one ends of the electrode sets where the electrode conductive mediums are installed, and allowing the buffer members to be in contact with the scalp of the subject;S4, correspondingly installing the electrode slices on the electrode sets, and allowing the electrode slices to be in contact with the electrode conductive mediums installed in the electrode sets;S5, letting the subject lie in a bed and starting long-term EEG monitoring; andS6: after the monitoring is finished, removing the electrode cap from the head of the subject.

In some of these embodiments, during monitoring process, if the EEG monitoring equipment shows that an impedance value increases abnormally, normal saline is supplement from the supplementing holes, and when the impedance value displayed by the EEG monitoring equipment tends to be stable, supplementing of normal saline is stopped.

Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects: according to the saline electrode cap provided by the present application, the buffer members can increase the contact area between the electrode sets and the scalp of the subject, prevent the electrode conductive mediums from losing water too quickly, alleviate the oppressing sensation of the electrode sets on the head of the subject, and reduce the discomfort caused to the head of the subject. According to the long-term EEG monitoring method provided by the application, the squeezing degree of the electrode cap and the head of the subject on the electrode conductive mediums can be reduced, the electrode conductive mediums can be prevented from rapidly losing water due to squeezing, at the same time the oppressing sensation on the head of the subject can be reduced, the discomfort of the subject in the long-term EEG monitoring process can be reduced, the monitoring method is simple and easy to operate, and the electrode slices are quickly positioned and fixed in a simple way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The following is a detailed and complete description for the technical solutions of specific embodiments of the present application in combination with drawings. Apparently, the embodiments are only description for part implementations of the present application, not all implementation of the present application. Based on the general concept of the present application, the embodiments acquired by the person skilled in the art should fall within the protection scope defined by claims of the present application.

In the description of the present application, it is to be noted that the direction or positional relationships indicated by terms “center”, “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “bottom”, “top”, “inner”, “outer” and the like are based on the positional relationships in drawing, these terms are merely used to facilitate the description of the present application and simplify the description, yet do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in particular orientation, and therefore should not be interpreted as a limitation on this application.

In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that terms “first”, “second” are merely used for descriptive purpose and should not be interpreted to indicate or imply the relative importance or implicitly indicate the number of technical features indicated. Thus, the features defined by “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

In the description of the present application, it is to be noted that, unless clearly indicates otherwise, terms “install”, “connect”, “connection” shall be generally understood, such as, may be fixed connection, detachable connection or integrated connection, may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through intermediate media, or inner communication of two components. For the person skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application may be interpreted according to specific circumstance.

As shown inFIG.1, a method of positioning electrode slices according to the international 10-20 system is as follows:

Anterior-posterior positions: An anterior-posterior connecting line from the nasal root to the inion (Iz) is divided into 10 equal parts, and a first 10% of a total distance of the connecting line is measured from the nasal root upwards, which point is a frontal pole middle point FPz, and a last 10% of the total distance is measured from the inion zero upwards, which point is an midline occipital Oz. By taking 20% of the total distance being a spacing between FPz and Oz, a midline frontal Fz, a midline center Cz and a midline posterior Pz are determined from front to back.

Horizontal position: A connecting line between highest points of left and right auricles are divided into 10 equal parts, and 10% of a total distance of the connecting line is measured upward from left and right earholes respectively, to obtain a left mid-temporal T3and a right mid-temporal T4; between T3and T4, by taking 20% of the total distance of the connecting line being a spacing, a left center C3and a right center C4are determined respectively, and Cz is at a midpoint of this line.

Lateral position: From FPz to the back, a left connecting line and a right connecting line are formed by connecting to Oz via T3and T4, respectively. A first 10% of a total distance of the left connecting line is measured from FPz towards the left rear to determine a left frontal pole FP1, and a first 10% of the total distance of the right connecting line is measured towards the right rear to determine a right frontal pole FP2; a first 10% of the total distance is measured from Oz towards the left front to determine a left occiput O1, and a first 10% of the total distance is measured towards the right front to determine a right occiput O2; between FP1and O1, and between FP2and O2, a left front oanterior F7, a right front oanterior F8, a left posterior temporal T5, and a right posterior temporal T6are determined at a spacing of 20% of the total distance. T3and T4are respectively located at midpoints of the connecting lines on the two sides.

A left forehead F3and a right forehead F4are located at a midpoint of a connecting line between Fz and F7and at a midpoint of a connecting line between Fz and F8, respectively; and a left parietal P3and a right parietal P4are located at a midpoint of a connecting line between Pz and T5and at a midpoint of a connecting line between Pz and T6, respectively.

The characteristics of the 10-20 system are that the arrangement of electrodes is proportional to a size and shape of a skull, positions of the electrodes are consistent with an anatomical relationship of cerebral cortex, and names of the electrodes are also consistent with anatomical partitions of a brain. According to an electrode placement method of the 10-20 system, eight points are selected at each of left and right, namely, a frontal pole, a frontal, a lateral frontal, a center, a parietal, occipital, a mid-temporal and a posterior temporal, and three points are selected at the midline, namely, a forehead, a center and a parietal, these points together with left and right earlobe reference electrodes are in a total of 21 electrodes placed.

For convenience of description, a side of the saline electrode cap close to the scalp is called an inner side, and a side of the saline electrode cap far away from the scalp is called an outer side, which is opposite to the inner side.

As shown inFIGS.2-11, in an exemplary embodiment of the saline electrode cap for long-term EEG monitoring of the present application, the saline electrode cap is worn on the head of the subject and connected with the EEG monitoring equipment; the saline electrode cap comprises a cap body1, electrode sets2, electrode slices5, electrode conductive mediums7and buffer members6, wherein the cap body1is provided with a plurality of electrode set installation holes10which are distributed according to the international 10-20 EEG positioning system standard, and the cap body1is a housing structure with a cavity at the inner side. When the subject wears the saline electrode cap, the head of the subject is in contact with a side wall of the cavity, and the electrode set installation holes10are formed in a manner of penetrating through the cap body1. The number of the electrode sets2corresponds to the number of the electrode set installation holes10, and the electrode sets2are correspondingly installed in the electrode set installation holes10. Each of the electrode slices5is installed in each electrode set2, and each electrode slice5is connected with the EEG monitoring equipment through an electrode harness3. Each of the electrode conductive mediums7is arranged in each electrode set2; the electrode conductive medium7and the electrode slice5installed on the same electrode set2are in contact with each other, and one end, far away from the electrode slice5, of each electrode conductive medium7is in contact with the scalp of the subject, so that the electrode slice5is connected with the scalp of the subject through saline. Each electrode set2is located at the inner side71of the cap body, and is sleeved with the buffer member6. The buffer members6can increase a contact area between the electrode sets2and the scalp of the subject, alleviate the oppressing sensation of the electrode sets2on the head of the subject, and reduce the discomfort caused to the head of the subject.

In view of the softness and elasticity of medical silicone material, the cap body1is made of medical silicone material to make the cap body1better fit the head of the subject, thus improving the accuracy rate of monitoring and the comfort level of the subject when wearing. The cap body1is integrally formed, so as to omit a complicated manual installing process and reduce the production cost; moreover, the cap body1can be soaked and cleaned integrally, and is convenient to use. The cap body1is provided with a chin strap11for fixing the cap body1, two ends of the chin strap11are made of webbing, the chin strap11is connected to ear sides of the cap body1through buckles or snaps, and the webbing has strong tensile force and wear resistance, so that the friction force and the service life at a connecting part of the chin strap11can be increased and prolonged, and the firmness of the chin strap11is improved; and a middle part of the chin belt11is made of breathable composite fabric, and is provided with a plurality of vent holes so as to facilitate the ventilation of skin. The cap body1is also provided with a plurality of air holes12, the air holes12are staggered with the electrode set installation holes10, so that the electrode sets2are installed into the electrode set installation holes and the buffer members6are installed at the electrode sets2, through the air holes12. Hair of a long-haired subject can be placed on the outer side of the cap body1through the air holes12, so that the electrode slices5can be in contact with the scalp of the subject.

The air holes12are arranged corresponding to the electrode set installation holes10, each electrode set installation hole10at least has one adjacent air hole12. In some of the embodiments, the air holes12are arranged around the electrode set installation holes10.

As shown inFIG.2, earholes13are formed in two sides of the cap body1. The earholes13can be used for ears of the subject to extend out, so that the ears are prevented from being pressed by the cap body, and the comfort level of wearing and long-term monitoring can be improved, and at the same time, the earholes can also be used for positioning the cap body when wearing. In some of the embodiments, a position of inion zero (Iz) is marked on the cap body for quick positioning when wearing.

As shown inFIG.2toFIG.7, each electrode set2is used for the installing of the electrode slice5and the electrode conductive medium7, a groove25is formed at a periphery of the electrode set2, and the groove25is clamped with the electrode set installation hole10, so that a first end21of the electrode set2is located at the outer side of the cap body1, and a second end22of the electrode set2is located at the inner side of the cap body1. The cap body1made of medical silicone material can facilitate the installing and disinstalling of the electrode set2. A electrode groove202in which the electrode slice5is installed is arranged at the first end21of each electrode set2, and the electrode slice5is plugged into the electrode groove202, so that the installing and disinstalling of the electrode slice5are facilitated. Each electrode set2is provided with an electrode conductive medium cabin26in which the electrode conductive medium7is installed; the electrode conductive medium cabin26is located inside the cap body1; the electrode conductive medium cabin26has two openings, namely, a first opening261and a second opening262; the first opening261of the electrode conductive medium cabin26is communicated with the electrode groove202, so that the electrode slice is in contact with the electrode conductive medium7; and the second opening262of the electrode conductive medium cabin26is arranged toward the inner side of the cap body1, so that the electrode conductive medium7installed in the electrode conductive medium cabin26can be in contact with the scalp of the subject. A penetration direction of each electrode conductive medium cabin26is from the first opening261to the second opening262or from the second opening263to the first opening261. Each electrode conductive medium7protrudes from the second opening262of each electrode conductive medium cabin26. A height of each electrode conductive medium7is higher than that of an outer edge, facing the second opening262of the cap body1, of each electrode conductive medium cabin26, so that the electrode conductive mediums7can be in contact with the scalp of the subject when the subject wears the saline electrode cap. The direction in which the electrode groove202allows the electrode slice5inserted into the electrode groove202is regarded as an insertion direction of the electrode groove. As shown inFIG.3, the insertion direction of the electrode groove202is perpendicular to the penetration direction of the electrode conductive medium cabin26, a tail end of the electrode groove202in the insertion direction is closed, which is called a closed end221, to prevent the electrode slice5from penetrating through the tail end, and a starting end of the electrode groove202along the insertion direction is opened, which is called an electrode insertion hole222, into which the electrode slice5is to be inserted. Each electrode slice5is inserted into the electrode groove202from the electrode insertion hole of the electrode groove202in a direction toward the closed end of the electrode groove202, so that the electrode slice5is installed in the electrode set2. One side of each electrode groove202close to the inner side of the cap body1is communicated with the electrode conductive medium cabin26, so that the electrode slice5is in contact with the electrode conductive medium7. A fixed end23for fixing the electrode conductive medium7is arranged in each electrode conductive medium cabin26, and the fixed end23is connected to the electrode set2so as to fix the electrode conductive medium7.

In some of the embodiments, the electrode set2is provided with a supplementing hole201for supplementing saline, and the supplementing hole201is located at the outer side of the cap body1and is communicated with the electrode groove202, so that the saline supplemented from the supplementing hole201can enter the electrode conductive medium cabin26through the electrode groove202and be absorbed by the electrode conductive medium7. The electrode set2is made of medical silicone material, which is soft, elastic and comfortable. When the electrode slice5is plugged in and out and placed in the electrode groove202, the electrode groove202will not cause wear and damage to the electrode slice5.

As shown inFIG.3, in some of the embodiments, each electrode conductive medium7comprises cotton71and a U-shaped sponge72, wherein the cotton71and the U-shaped sponge72are sequentially arranged in the electrode conductive medium cabin26, the cotton71is in contact with the electrode slice5, the U-shaped sponge72is located at one side, close to the inner side of the cap body1, of the cotton71, for directly being in contact with the scalp of the subject, and the U-shaped sponge72is installed on the electrode set2through the fixed end23.

As shown inFIG.5, in some of these embodiments, each electrode conductive medium7comprises cotton71, an U-shaped sponge72wrapped outside the cotton71, and a wet compress cotton73wrapped outside the U-shaped sponge72. Wet compress cotton is wrapped outside the U-shaped sponge. The addition of wet compress cotton can effectively improve the water absorption and water retention of the electrode conductive medium and the wet compress cotton is soft and has both permeability and wear resistance.

In some of these embodiments, as shown inFIGS.5and6, side wall260of the electrode conductive medium cabin is an inward concave arc, that is, the arc protrudes outward, the second opening262of the electrode conductive medium cabin has a first bent part263bent towards outside of the electrode conductive medium cabin and a second bent part264bent towards inside of the electrode conductive medium cabin, and ends of the first bent part263and the second bent part264facing the first opening are connected with each other261; the first bent part263is located at an inner side of the second bent part264. Therefore, the first bent part263is connected with the wet compress cotton73, which can make the electrode conductive medium7more firmly fixed in the electrode conductive medium cabin26. The second bent part264is close to the scalp, which can effectively prevent the hair of other parts of the subject from contacting with the electrode conductive medium. If the hair contacts with the salt water in the electrode conductive medium, the surface tension of the water will be damaged, and the salt water will be sucked out, affecting its water retention.

The fixed end23is an annular structure with a cavity in the middle, and the cotton71is clamped in the cavity of the fixed end23; a fixing groove24is formed at an outer side of the fixed end23; the fixing groove24is located in the electrode conductive medium cabin26; and the U-shaped sponge72is connected with the fixing groove24through a fastening ring8. One end of the fixed end23faces the first opening261, another end of the fixed end23faces the second opening262, and the fixing groove24is located at the end of the fixed end23facing the second opening262. When the electrode conductive medium7is installed at the electrode set2, the cotton71is clamped in the cavity of the fixed end23, then the cotton71is forced to be in contact with the electrode slice5, the U-shaped sponge72coats the periphery of one end, where the fixing groove24is arranged, of the fixed end23, the U-shaped sponge72is clamped with the fixing groove24through the fastening ring8, and a closed end of the U-shaped sponge72protrudes from the electrode conductive medium cabin26and can be in contact with the scalp of the subject. By arranging the fastening ring8, the cotton71and the U-shaped sponge72can be more firmly installed at the electrode set2, the firmness of the cotton and the U-shaped sponge cannot be affected after being soaked in saline for many times, and the replacement of the U-shaped sponge72is facilitated. The sponge72is U-shaped, and the U-shaped sponge72coats the periphery of the fixing groove24to limit and block the cotton71, so as to prevent the cotton71from falling off from the electrode conductive medium cabin26. An outer wall of the U-shaped sponge72is clung to a side wall of the electrode conductive medium cabin26and is slightly higher than an outer edge of an electrode insertion hole of the electrode conductive medium cabin26facing toward the inner side of the cap body1, with the purpose of reducing the exposed area of the U-shaped sponge72, thereby reducing a water loss rate of the U-shaped sponge72. The cotton71has strong water absorption, and the U-shaped sponge72not only has excellent water absorption, but also has good elasticity, and is not prone to crack and deformation. By combining the cotton71with the U-shaped sponge72, the water retention can be improved as much as possible while keeping the comfort level of the subject. The cotton71is divided into a first portion711and a second portion712, the first portion711is close to the inner side of the cap body, and an outer contour of the first portion711is larger than an inner contour of the fixed end23, so that the first portion711is limited by the fixed end to prevent a situation that the cotton shifts too much when being squeezed and thus the transfer of saline between the cotton and the U-shaped sponge is affected.

As shown inFIGS.10and11, the buffer members6are used to increase the contact area between the electrode sets2and the scalp of the subject and alleviate the pressure of the saline electrode cap on the scalp of the subject. When the subject wears the saline electrode cap, if only the electrode sets2and the electrode conductive mediums7installed in the electrode sets2are in contact with the scalp of the subject, and the contact area is small, so that the weights of the cap body1, the electrode slice5and other components are applied to the scalp of the subject through the electrode sets2and the electrode conductive mediums7, and the electrode conductive mediums7will be compressed when stressed. If the saline electrode cap of this embodiment is not provided with the buffer members, its weight is applied to the scalp of the subject through the second openings of the electrode conductive medium cabins26, so that a great oppressing sensation is generated on the scalp of the subject, causing discomfort to the head of the subject. The buffer member6is an annular structure with a through hole61in the middle, the buffer member6surrounds a periphery of the electrode conductive medium cabin26, a height of each buffer member6is the same as that of the second opening of each electrode conductive medium cabin26and is lower than that of each electrode conductive medium7, so that the buffer member6can exert a function of buffering the pressure on the head of the subject by the buffer electrode set2without affecting the contact between the electrode conductive medium7and the scalp of the subject. The buffer member6is made of a non-bibulous elastic material. When the subject is subjected to EEG monitoring, the electrode cap is worn on the head of the subject, and the U-shaped sponges72will lose water due to squeezing. With the support of the buffer members6, the squeezing degree of the cap body1and the head of the subject on the U-shaped sponges72can be reduced, and the U-shaped sponges72can be prevented from losing water too much due to excessive squeezing. That is, on the premise of not hindering the U-shaped sponges72from being in contact with the scalp of the subject, the buffer members6can prevent the U-shaped sponges72from losing water quickly due to squeezing, and at the same time, can increase the contact area between the electrode sets2and the scalp, alleviate the oppressing sensation on the head of the subject, and improve the comfort level of the subject during long-term monitoring.

As shown inFIG.8toFIG.9, the electrode harness3is used to connect the electrode slices5with the EEG monitoring equipment, wherein the electrode harness3is connected with the EEG monitoring equipment through a connector4; the electrode harness3comprises several electrode wires, each electrode slice5is correspondingly connected with one electrode wire, one end of the electrode wire far away from the electrode slice5is connected with a female terminal31, the connector4is provided with several male terminals41, the male terminals41are connected with the female terminals31in one-to-one correspondence, and the electrode wires are connected with the connector4through the connection between the male terminals41and the female terminals31. The male terminals41are plug pins that can be plugged with the female terminals31, so as to facilitate the connection between the male terminals41and the female terminals31. The electrode slice5is a metal electrode slice, which is connected to the electrode wire by welding or crimping, and the connecting part is protected by injection molding, so that the firmness of the connecting part between each electrode slice5and each electrode wire can be improved and waterproofing can be achieved effectively. All the electrode wires are fixed into a bundle by using a cable tie or a sleeve net, so as to prevent the monitoring effect from being affected by the winding and knotting of the wire harness, and it is convenient for operators to use. When one of the electrode slices5or electrode wires is damaged, the corresponding female terminal31can be disassembled and replaced by a single one, so that the time and labor are saved, the maintenance and replacement costs are reduced, and the waste of resources is reduced. By connecting with the EEG monitoring equipment through the connector4, the electrode harness3can be quickly plugged with and unplugged from the EEG monitoring equipment.

The electrode set installation holes distributed according to the international 10-20 EEG positioning system standard are reserved in the cap body1, and the electrode sets2are installed by using the electrode set installation holes to realize the rapid positioning and installing of the electrode slices5; the electrode slices5are connected with the scalp of the subject through the electrode conductive mediums7, so as to perform EEG monitoring; and buffer members6are provided at contact regions between the electrode sets2and the scalp of the subject to alleviate the pressure on the scalp of the subject.

As shown inFIGS.2-9, in an exemplary embodiment of the long-term EEG monitoring method of the present application, the long-term EEG monitoring method comprises the following steps:assembling an electrode cap: the electrode cap comprises a cap body1, an electrode sets2and an electrode conductive mediums7, the electrode sets2are installed in electrode set installation holes10of the cap body1, and the electrode conductive mediums7are installed in the electrode sets2.

The assembled electrode cap is soaked in normal saline for a period of time and then taken out and excess water on a surface of cap body1is wiped off. It should be noted that each electrode conductive medium7is in contact with the scalp after absorbing normal saline, after the monitoring is finished, the subject does not need to excessively clean the contact portion between the scalp and the electrode conductive medium7, but only needs to wipe dry, and after the saline evaporates, the scalp will not be sticky and uncomfortable.

The soaked electrode cap is worn on the head of the subject, a position of the cap body1on the head of the subject is adjusted, and the electrode conductive mediums7are allowed to be in contact with the scalp of the subject. During wearing, sleeve the earholes13on two sides of the saline electrode cap to left and right ears of the subject respectively, then a position of the inion zero (Iz) at the back of the cap body is adjusted to a place aligned with the inion zero of the head of the subject, and the left and right sides of the cap body are adjusted to be aligned, so as to facilitate the subsequent positioning of electrode slices.

The buffer member6is installed at an end of each electrode set2where the electrode conductive medium7is installed, so that the electrode cap is at a certain distance from the head of the subject, thereby reducing the pressure of the electrode cap and the head of the subject on the electrode conductive medium7and preventing the electrode conductive medium7from rapidly losing water due to squeezing. It should be noted that the buffer members6can also increase the contact area between the electrode sets2and the scalp of the subject, so as to reduce the oppressing sensation of the electrode cap on the head of the subject. It should also be noted that after the electrode cap is worn on the head of the subject, the electrode conductive mediums7will be compressed, and after the buffer members6are installed, the buffer members6will allow the cap body1to have a certain distance from the head of the subject to prevent the electrode conductive mediums7from being further compressed.

Electrode slices5are connected with the EEG monitoring equipment for displaying monitoring information.

Each electrode slice5is installed at one end, facing an outer side of the cap body1, of the electrode set2, and each electrode slice5is brought into contact with the electrode conductive medium7installed in the electrode set2.

It should be noted that, after a period of monitoring, the electrode conductive medium7is likely to dry up and lose water, which will affect the monitoring effect of the electrode slice5. Therefore, the electrode conductive medium7can be supplemented with normal saline through the supplementing hole201, formed in the outer side of the cap body, of the electrode set2, so as to maintain the water content of the electrode conductive medium7. By communicating the supplementing hole201with the electrode groove202and communicating the electrode groove202with the electrode conductive medium cabin26, the normal saline supplemented from the supplementing hole201can enter the electrode conductive medium cabin26through the electrode groove202and be sucked by the electrode conductive medium7. Each electrode slice5on the EEG monitoring equipment displays an impedance value, when the water of the electrode conductive medium7decreases, the corresponding impedance value will increase. With the supplementing of normal saline, the impedance value will gradually decrease, and finally reach a certain stable value. When the normal saline is supplemented to the electrode conductive medium7, the impedance value of each electrode slice5on the EGG monitoring device needs to be observed, and the supplementing is stopped after the impedance value is stable, so that the excessive normal saline supplement is prevented.

As shown inFIG.2, the electrode slices5are connected with the EEG monitoring equipment through an electrode harness3; when the electrode slices5are installed, whether the electrode slices5are faulty or not can be judged by the EEG information displayed by the EEG monitoring equipment; and after the electrode slices5are installed, the electrode slices5are faulty if the EEG monitoring equipment displays no information or displays information abnormally. The EEG monitoring equipment is used to generate an electroencephalogram and related videos, and the information displayed by the EEG monitoring equipment comprises: impedance values corresponding to the electrode slices5and a waveform curve including several numerical values. When the EEG monitoring equipment does not display numerical values or the numerical values are displayed unstably, the reasons are that: in one aspect, the electrode slice may be damaged, in which case it needs to be replaced with a new electrode slice5, and in the other aspect, it may be caused by the lack of water in the electrode conductive medium7. But the lack of water in the electrode conductive medium7will not cause the numerical value corresponding to only one electrode slice5to be not displayed or be unstable, so if the numerical value corresponding to only one electrode slice5is not displayed or is unstable, the electrode slice5may be damaged, and if the numerical values corresponding to multiple electrode slices5are not displayed or are unstable, it may be caused by the lack of water in the electrode conductive medium7. It belongs to the prior art to judge whether the electrode slice5is faulty through the information displayed by the EEG monitoring equipment, so it will not be repeated here.

As shown inFIG.2, the cap body1is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes12. In the step of installing the buffer members6at the electrode sets2, since the electrode cap is worn on the head of the subject and adjusted to a proper position, at this time, the arrangement of the air holes12can make the cap body1partially turn over, to achieve the effect that on the premise of not disassembling the electrode sets2, the buffer members6can be installed at one ends, facing an inner side of the cap body1, of the electrode sets2without being interfered by the cap body1. Moreover, for subjects with long hair, they can place their hair on the outer side of the cap body1through the air holes12, so that the electrode slices can be in contact with the scalp.

As shown inFIG.3, the electrode conductive mediums7are used to absorb normal saline, so that the electrode slices5can be in contact with the scalp of the subject through normal saline, thereby performing EEG monitoring.

In the above long-term EEG monitoring method, as shown inFIG.3, FIG. andFIG.11, when each buffer member is arranged at the inner side of the cap body1, the fact that the electrode conductive medium7is not attached to the scalp is easily caused, so that a situation that the monitoring effect is affected; and since the electrode set2often needs to be installed and disinstalled, if the buffer member is provided at the electrode set2, the installing and disinstalling of the electrode set2may be affected. According to the saline electrode cap provided by the present application, the buffer member6is designed as an annular structure with a through hole in the middle, and the buffer member6surrounds a periphery of the electrode conductive medium cabin26of each electrode set2, so that the buffer member6can be installed on or disinstalled from the electrode set2, and then the buffer member6can be installed and disinstalled along with the electrode set2. A diameter of a middle through hole of each buffer member6is the same as that of the periphery of each electrode conductive medium cabin26, so that the buffer member6is closely clung to an outer wall of the electrode conductive medium cabin26; an outer diameter of the buffer member6is twice that of the electrode set2, and a height of the buffer member6is the same as that of an outer edge of an electrode insertion hole, facing the inner side of the cap body1, of the electrode conductive medium cabin26, but lower than that of the electrode conductive medium7, so that the buffer member6can buffer the pressure of the electrode set2on the head of the subject while not affecting the contact between the electrode conductive medium7and the scalp of the subject. The buffer members6are made of non-bibulous elastic materials, so that the buffer members6can be clamped to the electrode sets2. When the subject is subjected to EEG monitoring, the electrode cap is worn on the head of the subject, and an U-shaped sponges72will be compressed by squeezing. On the premise of not hindering the U-shaped sponges72from being in contact the scalp of the subject, the buffer members6can prevent the U-shaped sponges72from being squeezed excessively and prevent the U-shaped sponges72from losing water quickly due to squeezing, and at the same time, the buffer members6can also reduce the pressure of the electrode cap on the head of the subject by increasing the contact area between the electrode sets2and the scalp, and improve the comfort level of the subject during long-term monitoring.

The above long-term EEG monitoring method will be described in detail in combination with specific embodiments, including the following steps:S1, installing electrode conductive mediums into electrode sets, then installing the electrode sets into a cap body, soaking the assembled electrode cap in normal saline for 10-15 minutes, and then taking it out and wiping off excess water on a surface of the cap body;S2, putting the electrode cap on a head of a subject, and allowing the electrode conductive mediums to be in contact with a scalp of the subject;S3, installing buffer members at one ends of the electrode sets where the electrode conductive mediums are installed, and allowing the buffer members to be in contact with the scalp of the subject;S4, correspondingly installing the electrode slices on the electrode sets, and allowing the electrode slices to be in contact with the electrode conductive mediums installed in the electrode sets;S5, letting the subject lie in a bed and starting long-term EEG monitoring; andS6: after the monitoring is finished, removing the electrode cap from the head of the subject.

In some of these embodiments, during monitoring process, if the EEG monitoring equipment shows that an impedance value increases abnormally, normal saline is supplement from the supplementing holes201, and when the impedance value displayed by the EEG monitoring equipment tends to be stable, and the supplementing of normal saline is stopped.

The information displayed on the EEG monitoring equipment is observed while the electrode slice5is installed, in order to replace the damaged electrode slice5in time and avoid affecting the monitoring effect due to using the unqualified electrode slice5; and it is ensured that all electrode slices5are qualified, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of long-term EEG monitoring. It should be noted that, in a practical application, the electrode conductive mediums7, the electrode sets2and the cap body1can be assembled into a whole in advance, so that it is not necessary to reassemble every time the EEG monitoring is performed, and it is not necessary to disassemble every time after the EEG monitoring is completed, in order to shorten the monitoring time and improve the monitoring efficiency; even, the electrode conductive mediums7, the electrode sets2, the cap body1and the electrode slices can be assembled into a whole in advance and soaked in saline together as the electrode slices5need to be in contact with saline during monitoring; however, the electrode conductive mediums7need to be installed at the electrode sets2before being soaked, with the purpose of avoiding a situation that the soaked electrode conductive mediums7cannot be installed at the electrode sets2due to water absorption and expansion. It should also be noted that brain waves are transmitted to the EGG monitoring device through the electrode slices5to generate an electroencephalogram or related video, which belongs to the prior art and will not be repeated here.

In addition, it should be noted that when the U-shaped sponge72is damaged and needs to be replaced for the electrode cap assembled in advance, the replacement steps are as follows. Firstly, a damaged electrode set2on which a to-be-replaced U-shaped sponge72is to be installed is removed together with the U-shaped sponge72; then, the fastening ring8is pulled open and removed, and cotton71and the U-shaped sponge72can be separated from the electrode set2immediately; then, an intact U-shaped sponge72is taken, the cotton71is put in the electrode conductive medium cabin26, the U-shaped sponge72wraps around the exterior of the cotton71, and then the fastening ring8penetrates through the U-shaped sponge72to be clamped into a fixing groove24of the fixed end23, at which time the U-shaped sponge72is fixed to the electrode set2; and finally, a groove25of the electrode set2is clamped into the electrode set installation hole, thereby completing the replacement of the U-shaped sponge72. When the electrode slice5or the electrode wire is damaged, the replacement steps are as follows. Firstly, a damaged electrode slice5(or electrode wire) is taken out of the electrode set2; then, a housing of the connector4is disassembled with a screwdriver tool, the housing of the connector4is opened, and the female terminal31at the other end corresponding to the damaged electrode slice5(or electrode wire) is pulled out of the connector4; then an intact electrode wire is taken and its female terminal31is connected with the corresponding male terminal41of the connector4in a plug-in manner; and finally, a screwdriver is used to assemble the housing of the connector4, thereby completing the replacement of the electrode slice5(or electrode wire).

According to the long-term EEG monitoring method provided by the above embodiment, the electrode slices5are quickly positioned and installed by using the electrode cap, so that the positioning time of the electrode slices5in a monitoring process is shortened and a fixing mode of the electrode slices5is simplified; the buffer member6surrounds the periphery of one end of each electrode set2where the electrode conductive medium7is installed, so that the oppressing sensation of the electrode cap on the head of the subject is reduced without affecting the contact between the electrode conductive medium7and the scalp of the subject; with the arrangement of the fixed end23in the electrode conductive medium cabin26for fixing the electrode conductive medium7, the electrode conductive medium7can be in close contact with the scalp of the subject with the cooperation of the buffer member6and the fixed end23, and will not lose water quickly due to squeezing, and at the same time, the electrode conductive medium7is installed in the electrode conductive medium cabin26by the fixed end23, so that the area of the electrode conductive medium7exposed to the air is reduced and the water loss speed is decreased. The supplementing holes21are formed in the electrode sets2to supplement the normal saline of the electrode conductive mediums7. The air holes12are formed in the cap body1, so that the electrode sets2and the buffer members6can be installed conveniently, and the influence of the hair of the long-haired subject on the monitoring results of the electrode slices5is reduced. In addition, the cap body1is integrally formed by medical silicone material, and is constructed according to a human head so that the cap can better fit the head of the subject, the monitoring accuracy rate is increased and the comfort level of the subject when wearing is improved. The integrally formed cap body1is low in cost, is not prone to cracking, can be soaked and cleaned as a whole, and is convenient to use. The electrode set2is also made of elastic silica gel, so that the comfort level of the subject when wearing is improved, the replacement of the electrode set2is facilitated, and the electrode slices5cannot be worn and damaged; by dividing each electrode conductive medium7into the cotton71and the U-shaped sponge72, the water retention of the electrode conductive medium can be improved as much as possible on the premise of maintaining the comfort level; and the female terminal31is provided at one end of each electrode wire, and the female terminal31is connected with the male terminal41in a plug-in manner, so that the electrode slice5or the electrode wire can be easily replaced.

With the adoption of the long-term EEG monitoring method described above, the pressing force of the electrode cap and the head of the subject on the electrode conductive medium7can be reduced, the electrode conductive medium7can be prevented from rapidly losing water due to squeezing, and the oppressing sensation on the head of the subject can also be reduced; and the saline can be supplemented to the electrode conductive medium7in real time in the monitoring process, so that the EEG monitoring for a long time is facilitated, the monitoring result is accurate, and the monitoring method is simple and easy to operate.

Finally, it should be noted that each embodiment in this specification is described in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences with other embodiments, and the same and similar parts of each embodiment can be referred to each other.

The above embodiments are only used to explain the technical solution of the present application rather than limit it; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the specific embodiments of the present application can still be modified or some technical features can be replaced equivalently; without departing from the spirit of the technical solution of the present application, it should be covered in the scope of the technical solution claimed by the present application.