Patent Description:
The present specification generally relates to the field of neuro-monitoring applications and more specifically to a system and method for managing a large number of electrodes in such applications.

Several medical procedures involve deploying multiple sensors on the human body for the recording and monitoring of data required for patient care. Information, such as vital health parameters, cardiac activity, bio-chemical activity, electrical activity in the brain, gastric activity and physiological data, is usually recorded through on-body or implanted sensors/electrodes which are controlled through a wired or wireless link. Typical patient monitoring systems comprise a control unit connected through a wire to one or more electrodes coupled to the specific body parts of the patient. In some applications, such as with pulse oximeter or EKG (electrocardiograph) devices, the electrodes coupled to the body are easily managed as there are not too many (fewer number of electrodes). However, with applications that require a large number of electrodes to be coupled to the human body, the overall set up, placement and management of electrodes is a cumbersome process.

Neuromonitoring is the use of electrophysiological methods, such as electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and evoked potentials, to monitor the functional integrity of certain neural structures (e.g., nerves, spinal cord and parts of the brain) during surgery. The purpose of neuromonitoring is to reduce the risk to the patient of iatrogenic damage to the nervous system, and/or to provide functional guidance to the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Generally, neuromonitoring procedures such as EEG involve a large number of electrodes coupled to the human body. In an EEG procedure, the electrodes are used to record and monitor the electrical activity corresponding to various parts of the brain for detection and treatment of various ailments such as epilepsy, sleep disorders and coma. EEG procedures are either non-invasive or invasive. In non-invasive EEG, a number of electrodes are deployed on the human scalp for recording electrical activity in portions of the underlying brain. In invasive EEG, through surgical intervention, the electrodes are placed directly over sections of the brain, in the form of a strip or grid, or are positioned in the deeper areas of the brain. Each of these electrodes is coupled to a wire lead which, in turn, is connected to a control unit adapted to receive and transmit electrical signals. The electrical activity pattern captured by various electrodes is analyzed using standard algorithms to localize or spot the portion of brain which is responsible for causing the specific ailment.

The number of electrodes in EEG systems typically varies between <NUM> and <NUM>. Increasing the number of electrodes in EEG procedures helps decrease the localization error and thus more ably assist the physician to better plan for surgical procedures. Accordingly, advanced EEG systems involve a high density electrode configuration with up to <NUM> electrodes for separately mapping the electrical activity corresponding to every portion of the brain. However, the overall set up and verification process becomes more time consuming and error prone as the number of electrodes increases in the EEG procedures.

In neuromonitoring, as each electrode is positioned at a different location to capture the electrical activity in its vicinity, the input recorded from each electrode has to be processed independently. The system is required to recognize the identity of each electrode and accordingly process the input received from that electrode. To achieve this, it is important that each electrode is coupled to the correct input channel in the control unit of the neuromonitoring system. However, in practical scenarios, it is possible that, while connecting a large number of electrodes to respective input channels, the medical care provider connects an electrode to a wrong input channel. This could result in making the entire process faulty. Therefore, in high density electrode configurations, the set up process is time consuming as the connection corresponding to each electrode needs to be separately established and then verified for integrity before starting the procedure. In practice, the time required to set up and verify large numbers of connecting leads prevents following the best practice of checking all electrodes and verifying their integrity before starting the procedure and hence compromises the quality of medical care.

Surgical applications in EEG also use grid electrodes which inherently combine multiple leads (up to16) into a single connector, which is then attached to an adapter with <NUM> individual leads, and then to an amplifier that has inputs for each individual channel. However, when a patient is monitored with an EEG system having <NUM>+ electrodes, even grouping these electrodes results in more than a dozen adapters and the connections corresponding to these adapters needs to be individually verified every time before starting a procedure.

European Patent Application Publication Number <CIT> discloses a physiological electrical signal connector system with one connector connected to an electrode set and another connector connected to a digital signal convertor which leads to a patient monitor. Each type of electrode set has a specific code identified with it and when connected to the digital signal convertor, the connector code is recognized by the digital signal convertor. The connector code is then relayed to the monitor which will self-configure based on the identified code.

European Patent Application Publication Number <CIT> discloses an automatic sensor position recognition system comprising: a position recognition unit located at pre-determined positions on a person's body and bearing a unique identification; a sensor bearing a unique identification; a communication unit assigned to the sensor and being in communication with the position recognition unit and the sensor; a data processing unit in communication with the communication unit; and a database being in communication with the data processing system and comprising the correlation of the unique identification of the position recognition unit and the pre-determined position of the position recognition unit.

United States Patent Application Publication Number <CIT> discloses a method and apparatus for the collection of physiological data from a patient. An electrode assembly comprises an external label identifying an anatomical location and an electrode identifying circuitry that produces a signal indicative of the anatomical location to which the electrode assembly is to be attached. The electrode assembly transmits both the collected physiological signal and the identification signal to a data monitor for collection and processing physiological data.

German Patent Application Publication Number <CIT> discloses a medical electrode for receiving bioelectric signals of a muscle, in particular a heart muscle, via the skin of a human or animal. The medical electrode has: a metal contact for connection to an electrode cable; an electrically conductive electrode plate for receiving the bioelectric signals; a contact means for making electrical contact between the electrode plate and the skin; and an electronic circuit having a memory for storing electrode-related data.

Therefore, the current neuromonitoring medical devices involving a large number of electrodes do not provide an easy and convenient way for physicians to deploy such systems. These systems suffer from significant risk of unreliable measurements due to incorrect connections. There is significant risk of error in deploying such systems. Further, deployment of such systems is time consuming which prevents following the best practices and therefore compromises the quality of medical care.

Devices and systems are required which are convenient to use and do not consume too much time for deployment. Such devices and systems should automatically recognize the position or identity of various electrodes and associate the electrodes with a specific input channel, thereby not requiring the physician to manually map each electrode with a specific input channel.

In some embodiments, the present specification discloses a system for neuromonitoring comprising: a plurality of electrode groups wherein each group comprises electrodes, each of said electrodes in each group having at least one of a similar monitoring functionality type and a similar deployment location; a plurality of connectors wherein each connector comprises an electronically accessible memory and wherein a unique identification code is stored in each electronically accessible memory and wherein each electrode group of said plurality of electrode groups is coupled to at least one connector of said plurality of connectors; and, a control unit comprising at least one receiving unit configured for receiving said plurality of connectors, establishing an identity of each connector of said plurality of connectors by identifying each unique identification code associated with each connector of said plurality of connectors, and configuring the system to associate each electrode with a corresponding input channel in the control unit based on said unique identification code.

Optionally, said unique identification code is in a <NUM> bit GUID format.

Optionally, said at least one receiving unit comprises a plurality of input sockets configured to receive one or more connectors of said plurality of connectors.

According to the invention, said one or more connectors are configured to be coupled to any of the plurality of input sockets of said at least one receiving unit.

Optionally, said connector has a designated output pin which is configured to transmit information related to the unique identification code to said control unit.

Optionally, the information related to the unique identification code is formatted as a bar code or a radio frequency code (RFID).

Optionally, the information related to the identification code is stored using multiple pins that are configured as dip switches comprising resistors.

Optionally, each of said plurality of connectors is configured to be inserted in said receiving unit using at least two different orientations.

Optionally, each of said plurality of connectors has two designated output pins which are configured to transmit information related to the unique identification code and an orientation of the connector to said control unit.

Optionally, the two designated output pins are maintained at different polarities or voltage levels to indicate the orientation of the connector as inserted in a receiving unit.

Optionally, a physical position of said two designated output pins is different in each of two orientations.

Optionally, electrodes included in any one electrode group are coupled to inputs of the connector in a predefined order.

Optionally, said electrodes are configured in groups of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> electrodes.

Optionally, said system is configured to perform an EEG or EMG procedure.

In some embodiments, the present specification discloses a method for neuromonitoring comprising: providing a plurality of electrodes for deploying on different portions of a human body; arranging said electrodes in a plurality of electrode groups wherein each group comprises electrodes having at least one of a similar monitoring functionality type and a similar deployment location; coupling the electrodes of each one of said plurality of electrode groups with one connector of a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector comprises a unique identification code stored in an electronically accessible memory in said connector; coupling each connector of said plurality of connectors with at least one receiving unit in communication with a system control unit; establishing the identity of each connector of said plurality of connectors from its unique identification code, wherein said receiving unit is configured to establish said identity by identifying each unique identification code associated with each connector of said plurality of connectors; and, configuring the system to associate each electrode with its corresponding input channel in said control unit based on said unique identification code.

Optionally, said at least one receiving unit comprises input sockets in which one or more said connectors can be inserted.

Optionally, said connectors are connectors are configured to be coupled to any of the inputs of said at least one receiving unit.

Optionally, said connector has a designated output pin which is configured to transmit information related to the unique identification code to said control unit. Optionally, the information related to identification code is communicated through a bar code or a radio frequency code (RFID).

Optionally, each of said plurality of connectors is configured to be inserted in in said at least one receiving unit using at least two different orientations, wherein said at least two different orientations comprise at least a first orientation and at least a second orientation, wherein said second orientation is rotated <NUM> degrees about a horizontal axis with respect to said at least first orientation.

Optionally, each of said plurality of connectors has two designated output pins which are configured to transmit information related to the identification code and an orientation of the connector to said control unit.

Optionally, a physical position of said two designated output pins is different in each of said at least two orientations.

Optionally, electrodes included in any one of said group of electrodes are coupled to inputs of the connector in a predefined order.

Optionally, said electrodes are combined in groups of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> electrodes.

Optionally, said method is configured to perform an EEG or EMG procedure.

In some embodiments, the present specification is directed toward a medical system for monitoring of patient data comprising: a plurality of electrode groups configured to be attached to a body of a patient wherein each electrode group in said plurality of electrode groups comprises electrodes of a similar type having at least one of a similar monitoring functionality type and a similar deployment location; a plurality of connectors wherein each connector comprises an electronically accessible memory and wherein a unique identification code is stored in each electronically accessible memory and wherein each electrode group of said plurality of electrode groups is coupled to at least one connector of said plurality of connectors; and, a control unit comprising at least one receiving unit configured for receiving said plurality of connectors, establishing an identity of each of said plurality of connectors by identifying each unique identification code associated with each of said plurality of connectors, and configuring the system to relate each electrode with its corresponding input channel in the control unit based on said identification code, wherein relate is defined as placing the electrode in electrical communication with the corresponding input channel.

Optionally, said medical system is configured to be used for neuromonitoring applications.

Optionally, said medical system is configured to be used for an EKG procedure.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout.

The system, devices, and methods described below disclose a novel electrode management solution for neuromonitoring applications such as electroencephalography (EEG) procedures. Systems and methods are disclosed which provide a highly reliable and convenient method for electrode management in such applications. In embodiments of the disclosed system, the physician is not required to manually match each electrode lead with its corresponding input channel on the system control unit, significantly reducing the set up time. The electrodes are not directly connected with the input channels in the control unit or the amplifier of the neuromonitoring system. Rather, the control unit is coupled to electrodes with the help of unique connectors and corresponding receiving sockets which enable automatic detection of the electrodes, including their type and deployment location. Once the electrodes are identified, the control unit reconfigures the system to automatically correlate, associate, assign, or 'map', each electrode with its corresponding input channel in the control unit, wherein correlate, associate, assign, relate, or map is defined as placing a specific electrode in electrical communication with the corresponding specific input channel in the control unit. The connectors and receiving sockets insure the control unit will recognize each electrode properly and process information received from each electrode correctly with respect to the electrodes placement position on the patient's body, regardless of where the connector is inserted into the receiving socket.

In embodiments, the electrodes are arranged into a plurality of groups such that the electrodes of similar type, based on their similar monitoring functionality and similar deployment location on a human body, are included in the same group. For purposes of the present specification, the term "similar monitoring functionality" shall mean electrodes that are used for similar neuromonitoring modalities. For example, electrodes used for studies including, but not limited to, electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and evoked potentials are gathered into groups of similar monitoring functionality. Accordingly, all electrodes being used for an EEG constitute electrodes having a similar monitoring functionality and are expressly differentiated from (and therefore do not have similar monitoring functionality as) those electrodes being used for other modalities, such as an EMG. For purposes of the present specification, the term "similar deployment location" shall mean electrodes that are positioned together in a specific area on a patient's head or scalp. For example, electrodes configured to be placed on a front, back, left side, or right side of a patient's scalp would be gathered into groups of similar deployment location based on each area. Accordingly, all electrodes being deployed in front side of a patient's scalp constitute electrodes having a similar deployment location and are expressly differentiated from (and therefore do not have a similar deployment location as) those electrodes being deployed on the back side, left side, or right side of the patient's scalp, each of those being different deployment locations.

Subsequently, each group of electrodes is mapped to a separate connector in a predefined order and all such connectors are coupled with a receiving socket on the system control unit. When a group of electrodes are mapped to a connector, the exact position and type of each electrode in that group is standardized, as the electrodes are coupled to a connecter in a predefined order, and the connector is assigned a unique identification code or ID. The connectors and the receiving sockets have an identity (ID) read capability such that when any connector is inserted in the receiving socket, the receiving socket can identify the connector from its unique identification code or ID and based on the identity of the connector, the specific location and type of all the electrodes mapped to this connector are established. The ID information is carried explicitly by the connector, and not implicitly by the receptacle. The ID information is stored in electronically accessible memory on the connector. In various embodiments, the memory is any one or combination of non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and volatile memory, such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and static random-access memory (SRAM). The electrodes of a group and the connector are never separated, and if the connector is reinserted elsewhere on an array of available inputs, the system will remap the inputs to the correct channels. The ID information is for all electrodes in a group, which, in some embodiments, is <NUM> at a time, compared to one electrode at a time which is encountered in current systems. The information needed to determine where the electrode is attached is a function of both the connector (using its unique ID) and either a pre-defined setup (for example, in the case of a <NUM>/<NUM> system headcap) or a setup specified on a per connector basis by the user to a computer system.

In embodiments, when a connector is coupled with a receiving socket, the medical system requests for the information on the electrodes coupled to each input of that connector. The user subsequently provides information on the various electrodes coupled to the specific inputs of the connector. In an embodiment, the user manually inserts this information (or selects the data from a list of available options) through an electronic keyboard or keypad coupled with the medical system. Once the user provides this information, the exact position and type of each electrode in a group coupled with a specific connector is standardized. In some alternate embodiments, the standardized information related to exact order in which electrodes are coupled to each connector is provided to the medical system before inserting the connectors in the receiving socket.

The receiving socket comprises a bank of input points and is configured such that various connectors having unique IDs and representing separate groups of electrodes can be inserted in any of the inputs on the receiving socket. Once the receiving socket establishes an electrical connection with a connector, it can read the unique ID of the connector to establish its identity. On establishing the identity of the connector, the system is able to recognize the type and specific location of various electrodes mapped to the connector.

Using the concept of connectors with unique ID as disclosed herein, the position of the electrodes in a specific group is standardized with respect to the connector. The electrodes from the same group are coupled to inputs of the connector in a pre-defined sequence and the system reading the unique ID of the connector assigns the correct meaning (electrode type and location) to each input. The medical care provider has to just take care that the electrodes corresponding to a single connecter are mapped in the same pre-defined sequence or order before each procedure. Once identified, the electrode groups can be removed and reinserted in any available slot without error. The system will note the new connection and assign the correct meaning to the input. Handling electrode leads in small groups makes the entire set up process less cumbersome in case of high density electrode applications, such as EEG procedures involving over <NUM> electrodes. In conventional systems, if the electrical connectors corresponding to electrodes are removed and reinserted into receptacles located within the medical device, each electrical connector has to be reinserted into exactly the same receptacle or the electrode body site to channel display will be incorrect. However, in the above disclosed system, the user can remove the various connectors from the medical device and can reinsert these connectors in any of the input points in the receiving sockets.

An exemplary beneficial use of the connector systems of the present specification is with an MRI procedure. During an MRI, the monitoring system amplifier inputs need to be disconnected from the amplifier itself as the amplifier is not allowed into the intense magnetic fields generated by the MRI machine. Disconnecting and reconnecting <NUM> leads for such a procedure is time consuming and error prone. Such a laborious process can preclude the use of an MRI procedure, even if it is the preferred imaging technique. If an amplifier fails, the leads would need to be moved. In a set of <NUM> non-identified individual leads, the process is not only error prone, but each channel would have to be remapped manually, and in some systems, the channels have to be used consecutively, so the 'abandoned' channels continue to be displayed. In the identified connector systems of the present specification, there is less chance for error in reconnecting the leads and the process is much quicker.

It should be noted herein that any feature or component described in association with a specific embodiment may be used and implemented with any other embodiment unless clearly indicated otherwise.

<FIG> show a block diagram of a conventional medical system <NUM> comprising a large number of electrodes deployed on a patient <NUM> body. The medical device <NUM> represents any conventional neuromonitoring medical system which comprises a large number of electrodes, such as an EEG (electroencephalography) system, which is used for monitoring the neurological state of a patient for diagnosis and preventive treatment of certain diseases and for monitoring patients during anesthesia, among other procedures. As shown in <FIG>, the medical device <NUM> is coupled to the patient <NUM> through a plurality of electrical leads <NUM> such that each of the leads <NUM> is coupled to an electrode (not shown) positioned at an appropriate location on the body of the patient. In applications that require a large number of electrodes to be coupled to the human body, the setup, placement and management of electrodes is a cumbersome process. As each electrode is positioned at a different location to capture the electrical activity in its vicinity, the input recorded from each electrode has to be processed independently. Therefore, the system is required to recognize the identity of each of the electrical leads <NUM> and accordingly process the input received from it. After positioning any electrode at its required location on the body of the patient <NUM>, the user is required to correctly insert the electrode lead <NUM> corresponding to each electrode in a specific input channel configured for that electrode in the medical device <NUM>. In case the number of electrodes is small, for example, less than ten or fifteen, it is possible for the user to identify and connect electrodes with the correct input channels. However, as the number of electrodes increases, this process become very difficult and is prone to error. Further, even if the electrodes are coupled to the correct input slots in the medical device <NUM>, it is practically very difficult and time consuming to recheck and verify the integrity of each connection before every procedure. Usually, in such high density configurations, the set up process is so time consuming that in some circumstances, for example during a surgical procedure, the user completely or partially skips the step of checking each connection for integrity until after the surgery is finished, which increases the possibility of error in the procedure.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of an illustrative medical system <NUM> comprising a large number of electrodes deployed on the body of a patient <NUM> as disclosed in an embodiment. The medical device <NUM> comprises a number of electrodes (not shown) coupled to the body of the patient <NUM> through a plurality of electrical leads <NUM>. In neuromonitoring medical procedures such as EEG, the electrodes come in groups such that the electrodes in a specific group have similarities in terms of their input signal and positioning. In the systems and methods described herein, the electrodes and the corresponding electrical leads <NUM> are also arranged in a plurality of groups such as 203a, 203b,. ,203n such that each of these groups comprises electrodes of similar type and location and is configured independently. In the disclosed arrangement, instead of directly connecting the medical device <NUM> with the deployed electrodes, the electrodes are arranged in groups and each group is coupled to the medical device <NUM> through a connector205 having a unique ID. Each of the groups of electrical leads 203a, 203b,. ,203n (representing electrodes of similar type and location) is coupled to a corresponding connector 205a, 205b,. , 205n such that the group of electrical leads 203a is coupled to the connector 205a, the group of electrical leads 203b is coupled to the connector 205b, and similarly the group of electrical leads 203n is coupled to the connector 205n. The various connectors 205a, 205b. , 205n are connected with a receiving socket <NUM> which is coupled to the medical device <NUM>. The receiving socket <NUM> comprises a bank of inputs and is configured to receive the connectors 205a, 205b,. ,205n in any of these inputs. Each of the connectors 205a, 205b,. ,205n has an independent identity and the receiving socket <NUM> is configured to establish the identity of any such connector when the same is connected with it. By establishing the identity of any connector <NUM>, the system <NUM> is able to identify the various electrodes, including their type and location, coupled to each connector <NUM>. All the electrodes coupled to a single connector <NUM> belong to the same group and are hence interchangeable in terms of their signal conditioning requirements. The anatomic positions of the patient connected electrodes coupled to the corresponding electrical leads <NUM> are always in the same defined input sequence on connector <NUM>. Further, as the receiving socket <NUM> is configured to identify any connector <NUM> from its unique ID and, therefore, the group of electrodes coupled to that connector <NUM>, the connectors can be plugged into any of the inputs in receiving socket <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the connectors 205a, 205b,. ,205n comprise a designated pre-defined identification output point/pin such that, when any connector is plugged into the receiving socket <NUM>, the receiving socket <NUM> reads the information received from the output pin to establish the identity of the connector <NUM>. Once the identity of a connector <NUM> is established, the system <NUM> recognizes the set of electrodes mapped with that connector <NUM> and reconfigures itself to automatically correlate, associate or map each electrode with its corresponding input channel.

Using the concept of handling electrodes in independent groups as described above, instead of manually mapping each electrode with its corresponding input channel in the medical device <NUM>, the user only needs to ensure that the electrodes belonging to the same group are coupled to the same connector in the same order. This occurs by default when the inputs are part of a mechanically defined grid or strip. Subsequently, the user can insert multiple such connectors in a receiving socket in any of its inputs. The disclosed method significantly reduces the set up time required before starting any medical procedure as the conventional process of manually mapping electrodes with input channels is very tedious and time consuming. Disclosed systems and methods also reduce the risk of error by obviating the human involvement in mapping of electrodes with corresponding input channels.

The number of electrodes coupled to any of the connectors <NUM> can vary and is dependent on the actual medical requirement. Usually, the electrodes which are deployed in the similar location and receive similar input signal can only be grouped and coupled to a single connector. In medical procedures such as an EEG, the electrodes come in groups of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> electrodes, wherein each such group is targeted towards a specific part of the brain. In such cases, multiple different sized connectors are deployed which are capable of supporting the above mentioned groups of electrodes.

<FIG> shows an exemplary connector <NUM> and a receiving socket <NUM> in an embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> comprises a plurality of signal output pins <NUM> which corresponds to a plurality of electrodes (not shown) deployed on the body of the patient with the help of the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is coupled to the plurality of electrodes through one or more electrical leads (not shown). In some embodiments, the connector <NUM> is coupled to the electrodes through a wireless communication link. In embodiments, each connector, such as the connector <NUM>, has a unique identity and is coupled to a plurality of electrodes which are included in the same group. When the electrodes are classified in the same group, it means their input signals are of the same type and their relative positions are fully defined. These electrodes are connected to the input terminals of the connector in a specific pre-defined order. <FIG> shows an 'n' channel connector <NUM>, which means that the connector <NUM> can accommodate an electrode group with maximum number of n electrodes wherein n is any natural number. In commercial applications, the value of n is usually <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, such that the corresponding number of electrodes can be coupled to a single connector.

In an embodiment, the connector <NUM> comprises a specific identification (ID) output pin <NUM> which is used to establish the unique identity (ID) of the connector <NUM>. The receiving socket <NUM> comprises a bank of signal input points or sockets <NUM> which are configured to receive the signal output pins <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. Usually, a receiving socket, such as the receiving socket <NUM>, comprises enough input points to receive multiple connectors. In practical applications involving high density electrodes, the number of input points is over <NUM>. The receiving socket <NUM> is coupled to a control unit/amplifier (not shown) which is used to control the entire system. In an embodiment, the receiving socket <NUM> comprises a separate ID input socket <NUM> which is configured to receive the ID output pin <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is inserted in the receiving socket <NUM> such that the ID output pin <NUM> is received in the ID input socket <NUM> and the signal output pins <NUM> are received in a subset of signal input sockets <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of receiving sockets <NUM> and a plurality of connectors <NUM> wherein any connector <NUM> can be inserted into any receiving socket <NUM> such that the ID output pin <NUM> aligns with and inserts into a corresponding ID input socket <NUM>.

Once the identity of the connector <NUM> is established, the system is able to identify the type and location of all the electrodes coupled to the connector <NUM> irrespective of the set of input sockets <NUM> in which the connector <NUM> is inserted. Once the electrodes are identified, the control unit coupled to the receiving socket <NUM> reconfigures the system to automatically correlate, associate, assign or map each electrode with its corresponding input channel.

Each of the connectors, such as the connector <NUM>, has a unique ID (identity). This identification information is stored in the connector <NUM> and is accessible to the system from its identification (ID) output pin <NUM>. The ID information specifies the type and relative location of each electrode in the connector <NUM>. In embodiments, the ID field comprises a GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) which is a standard format comprising <NUM>-bit data and is used as an identifier in the computer software. It may also contain other device specific information about the attached device. Once a GUID is assigned, each input can be uniquely identified thereafter. In embodiments, the GUID data is stored in an inbuilt memory device in the connector <NUM> and, optionally, the memory device is an EPROM storage device. In some embodiments, the GUID is a digital ID which stores additional metadata with the electrode such as checksums, productions dates and authenticity. In other embodiments, the same electrode information is stored using multiple pins used like dip switches (combinations = <NUM>**n, i.e. <NUM> connections would give <NUM> combinations), with a resistor whose value represents the input type (i.e. <NUM> combinations per resistor), with a multiple pin multiple resistor (<NUM> combinations with <NUM> pins), or with a bar code that could be read automatically. In other embodiments, the identification information is communicated through an RFID stored in the connector.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> is shown as a male electrical connector and the corresponding receiving socket <NUM> is shown as a female electrical connector. In other embodiments, the connector is configured as a female connector and the receiving socket is configured as a male connector.

In another embodiment shown in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> is configured such that the ID output pin <NUM> is aligned parallel to, but not in series with, the set of signal output pins <NUM>. The corresponding receiving socket <NUM> is configured such that instead of only one ID input socket, the receiving socket <NUM> comprises a plurality of ID input sockets <NUM> which are aligned parallel to the set of signal input sockets <NUM>. The connector <NUM> and the receiving socket <NUM> shown in <FIG> are configured such that the connector <NUM> can be inserted in any of the input sockets <NUM> provided the ID output pin <NUM> is received by at least of the ID input sockets <NUM>.

In medical procedures, the electrodes are classified in groups wherein the electrodes belonging to the same group are of similar type and are deployed in a similar location. In EEG procedures, the electrodes come in groups of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> electrodes, wherein each such group is targeted towards a specific part of the brain. If connectors of the same size are used for all electrode groups, several input channels will go to waste in the case of connectors that are mapped to groups having fewer numbers of electrodes. To allow high utilization of input channels, in embodiments, the electrodes are organized in small groups and the connectors are designed in different sizes which provide the flexibility to support the electrode groups of varying sizes.

<FIG> shows an illustration of connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of different sizes. As shown in <FIG>, connector <NUM> comprises an ID output pin <NUM> and a set of four output pins <NUM> which can support an electrode group comprising up to four electrodes. Connector <NUM> comprises eight output pins <NUM> so in case the number of electrodes is more than four and less than or equal to eight, the user can deploy connector <NUM> instead of the connector <NUM>. Similarly, connector <NUM>, having <NUM> output pins can support up to <NUM> electrodes and connector <NUM>, having <NUM> output pins, can support up to <NUM> electrodes. Connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> also include ID output pins <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> respectively. Instead of using connectors of a single size, the user can deploy connectors of multiple sizes, thereby reducing the space requirement in actual procedures. All the connectors have an ID output pin <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> which is used to identify the unique identity of a connector which the system will use to correlate, assign, or associate all electrodes mapped through a connector with their correct channels. In some embodiments, referring to connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the output pins are grouped into groups of four channels. For example, connector <NUM> includes two four-pin groups 422a and 422b of output pins <NUM>, connector <NUM> includes three four-pin groups 432a, 432b, and 432c of output pins <NUM>, and connector <NUM> includes four four-pin groups 442a, 442b, 442c, and 442d of output pins <NUM>. A receiving socket is capable of accepting any of the connectors to be plugged in anywhere along its bank of inputs. Each connector needs only a single ID and the socket is configured to identify any connector in any position.

In embodiments, connectors and the corresponding receiving socket comprise mechanisms to ensure that there is no misalignment when the connector is coupled with the receiving socket. In embodiments, multiple connector types are provided to be used with different kinds of products. In embodiments, certain inputs of the connectors are provided with enhanced capabilities, such as lower noise, higher offset voltage tolerance or differential inputs, and the user is required to plug inputs needing such capabilities into a subset of connector locations. In some embodiments, not every input has the same requirements and the amplifier or signal processing needed is different for those inputs. If the physical connector is inserted into an input whose channel did not support the function, then the system could notify the user to choose a different input that did support the function. In some embodiments, the system includes a subset of channels that have more capability and could accept either normal or enhanced inputs. These channels would still support non-enhanced inputs to allow better channel utilization. In some embodiments, SpO<NUM> or otherwise not supported input types are configured to a small number of inputs. In other embodiments, pressure inputs, for example, plug into a different bank of identified connectors set up for pressure measurements instead of voltage measurements.

In embodiments, apart from the unique ID, certain other information is stored in the connectors, such as the authentication information, production dates of the connector and the electrodes corresponding to each connector.

<FIG> shows an exemplary illustration of an eight channel connector <NUM> deployed to support an eight input depth electrode <NUM> in an EEG procedure. As shown in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> comprises an ID output pin <NUM> and a set of eight output pins <NUM> which means that the connector <NUM> can support up to eight electrodes. The connector <NUM> is coupled to an eight input depth electrode <NUM> through a set of electrical leads <NUM>. In some embodiments, the depth electrode <NUM> is coupled to the connector <NUM> via one or more intermediate connectors <NUM>, <NUM>. The intermediate connectors <NUM>, <NUM> provide the system with greater flexibility when dealing with the limited geometry involved in surgical procedures. In other embodiments, the system does not include intermediate connectors and the electrodes couple directly with the connector and the ID information is very specific to the electrode (for example, electrode caps, respiratory belts, and EKG inputs). The depth electrode <NUM> is positioned in the cortex area of the brain <NUM>. The connector <NUM> has a unique ID (identity) stored in an inbuilt memory. In an embodiment, the unique ID comprises a <NUM> bit GUID and is stored in an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory) device in the connector <NUM>. When the connector <NUM> is plugged in a receiving socket, the system reads the ID information from the EPROM memory device through ID output pin <NUM> and establishes the identity of the eight input depth electrode <NUM> coupled to the connector <NUM>. The system accordingly configures itself (and reconfigures itself if the connectors are removed and re-inserted in another position) to correlate or associate the correct inputs of the depth electrode <NUM> with their corresponding input channels.

<FIG> shows a detailed illustration of the eight channel connector <NUM> deployed to support an eight input depth electrode <NUM> in an EEG procedure as depicted in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> is coupled to the depth electrode <NUM> through an electrical lead <NUM>. In <FIG>, the intermediate connector <NUM> comprises a ring contact connector which is configured to receive a wire <NUM> with multiple ring contacts such that each ring contact is coupled to one of a plurality of inputs of the eight input depth electrode <NUM>. The wire <NUM> comprises a set of ring contacts <NUM> such that as the wire <NUM> is inserted into the intermediate connector <NUM>, each of these ring contacts <NUM> establishes an electrical contact with one of the eight ring shaped receptacles 503a in the intermediate connector <NUM>. The electrical lead <NUM> comprises multiple conductors <NUM> inside it wherein each such conductor <NUM> acts as a separate electrical communication channel between the depth electrode <NUM> and eight channel connector <NUM>. An exploded view of the lead <NUM> is shown as 506a which comprises eight different electrical conductors <NUM>. As described above, the intermediate connector <NUM> uses ring contact receptacles and provides the system with greater flexibility in dealing with electrodes, such as the depth electrode <NUM>. In some embodiments, connector <NUM> is used in different configurations.

<FIG> shows a <NUM> electrode grid <NUM> deployed on a brain <NUM> using the connectors disclosed in this specification. As shown in <FIG>, the electrode grid <NUM> comprises <NUM> electrodes which are deployed on various portions of the brain <NUM>. The electrode grid <NUM> is deployed through an invasive surgery. The <NUM> electrodes are arranged in four groups with each group comprising <NUM> electrodes. The first group of <NUM> electrodes is coupled to a <NUM> channel connector <NUM> through a first electrical lead <NUM>. The second group of <NUM> electrodes is coupled to a <NUM> channel connector <NUM> through a second electrical lead <NUM>. The third group of <NUM> electrodes is coupled to a <NUM> channel connector <NUM> through a third electrical lead <NUM>. The fourth group of <NUM> electrodes is coupled to a <NUM> channel connector <NUM> through a fourth electrical lead <NUM>. In some embodiments, each lead <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is connected to its respective connector <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> via an intermediate connector <NUM>. The intermediate connectors <NUM> provide the system with greater flexibility when dealing with the limited geometry involved in surgical procedures. Each of the connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> has a unique ID which is stored in an inbuilt memory in the corresponding connector. In an embodiment, the ID of various connectors comprises a <NUM> bit GUID which can be read by the system when the corresponding connector is plugged in a receiving socket of the system control device. Connector <NUM> comprises a first GUID <NUM>, connector <NUM> comprises a second GUID <NUM>, connector <NUM> comprises a third GUID <NUM> and connector <NUM> comprises a fourth GUID <NUM>. When any of the connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is plugged in a receiving socket, the system reads its GUID information and establishes the identity of connector. Subsequently, the system configures itself to correlate or associate the electrodes mapped to the corresponding connector with the correct input channels.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in one embodiment of configuring a system using the connectors disclosed in the present specification. As shown in <FIG>, at step <NUM>, the electrodes are arranged into a plurality of groups such that electrodes of similar type and deployment location are included in the same group. The electrodes in the same group have similarities in terms of their input channel and positioning and are coupled to the same connector in a specific sequence.

At step <NUM>, based on the number of electrodes in each group, a connector of appropriate size is selected for each electrode group. The connector should have a number of input channels greater than or equal to the number of electrodes in the electrode group supported by it. At step <NUM>, electrodes are connected with the corresponding connectors. At step <NUM>, the information related to the order in which the electrodes are coupled to each connector is provided to the control unit. At step <NUM>, the connectors are connected with a receiving socket in the control unit of the medical device. At step <NUM>, the system establishes the identity of all connectors using the unique ID information stored in each connector. At step <NUM>, the system configures itself to correlate or associate each electrode with its corresponding input channel in the control unit. At step <NUM>, the system set up is complete and procedure can be started. In some embodiments, step <NUM> is executed after step <NUM> when the system requests for information about the electrode group coupled with a connector at a run time after a connector is inserted in the receiving socket and the user subsequently provides this information to the control unit.

<FIG> shows a control unit <NUM> of a <NUM> channel neuromonitoring EEG system having receiving sockets <NUM> which are configured to receive multiple connectors. As shown in <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> of the medical system comprises a plurality of receiving sockets <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> comprises <NUM> input channels and can therefore support the same number of electrodes. In control unit <NUM>, the receiving sockets <NUM> corresponding to the <NUM> input channels are divided into eight columns such that each column corresponds to <NUM> input channels. The control unit <NUM> is coupled to a data acquisition system through cable <NUM>. <FIG> shows the medical system of <FIG> being used for monitoring the neurological state of a patient. As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of electrodes <NUM> are positioned over the head of a patient <NUM> to monitor the electrical activity of brain. The electrodes <NUM> are arranged into groups such that each group comprises electrodes of same type. These multiple groups of electrodes are coupled to separate connectors, such as the connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The electrodes <NUM> are coupled to connectors <NUM> though a plurality of electrical leads <NUM>. The connectors <NUM> are coupled to the receiving sockets <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Each of the connectors <NUM> has a unique identity which is stored in the connector in the form of a GUID. The receiving sockets <NUM> are configured to read the GUID information of each connector and establish its identity. After establishing the identity of connectors <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> configures the system to correlate or associate each of the electrodes <NUM> with its corresponding input channel in the control unit <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the connectors and receiving sockets of the systems of the present specification are 'keyed' in such a way so that the connectors can be inserted into the receiving sockets at several locations, but cannot be inserted backwards or at an invalid location. For example, in some embodiments, a connector is configured such that it can be inserted in a top-up or bottom-up orientation, with respect to its horizontal axis, into a receiving socket, but only at discrete locations in the receiving socket. In an embodiment, the receiving socket is configured to detect the orientation of the connector and the ID of the connector. In another embodiment, the pins are duplicated on both top and bottom sides of the connector. Some embodiments of keyed connector and receiving socket connections are described with reference to <FIG> below and are intended to be exemplary in nature and not limiting with respect to the present specification.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an illustration of exemplary embodiments of connectors <NUM>, <NUM> and receiving sockets <NUM>, <NUM>. The connectors <NUM>, <NUM> and receiving sockets <NUM>, <NUM> are configured with design features to allow for only one orientation during connection. Referring to <FIG>, connector <NUM> includes a pair of 'keys' or ridges <NUM> at its top surface with align with notches <NUM> in the receiving socket <NUM> to ensure the connector <NUM> is inserted correctly into the receiving socket <NUM>. In embodiments, the connector <NUM> has one design element, such as the ridge <NUM>, for every four signal input pins and the receiving socket <NUM> has multiple notches, such as the notch <NUM>,such that the connector <NUM> can be received at multiple locations along the receiving socket <NUM> occupying <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> input sockets. In the above embodiment, the connector <NUM> comprises one design element or ridge <NUM> and the receiving socket has one notch <NUM> for every four number of signal input pins. In other embodiments, the number of signal input pins corresponding to each design element or ridge <NUM> is of a different multiple, for example, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, and the notch <NUM> of the receiving socket <NUM> is configured accordingly to support the corresponding structure of the connector <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the connector <NUM> is provided with an asymmetric distribution of pins <NUM> which corresponds with a matching asymmetric distribution of receptacles <NUM> on the receiving socket <NUM> to ensure the connector <NUM> is inserted correctly into the receiving socket <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, an ID output pin <NUM> on the connector <NUM> is positioned separate from the set of pins <NUM> and aligns with an ID input socket <NUM> separate from the set of receptacles <NUM> on the receiving socket <NUM> to ensure proper alignment and identification.

<FIG> illustrates a connector <NUM> which can be used in dual orientations in accordance with an embodiment of the present specification. A first side 1010a and a second side 1010b of a connector <NUM> are depicted in <FIG>. In an exemplary embodiment, the connector <NUM> comprises four output signal pins <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and two ID pins <NUM> and <NUM>. The first side 1010a comprises the output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and the ID pin <NUM>. The second side 1010b comprises the output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and the ID pin <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> can be coupled to the receiving unit or socket <NUM> in two different orientations. A first front-on view 1020a depicts the first side 1010a of the connector <NUM> oriented to a 'top' surface <NUM> and the second side 1010b oriented to a 'bottom' surface <NUM>. View 1020a of the connector <NUM> depicts the positioning of the various output signal pins and the ID pins in a first orientation, with output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and ID pin <NUM> positioned on said 'top' surface <NUM> and output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and ID pin <NUM> positioned on said 'bottom' surface <NUM>. A second front-on view 1020b depicts the second side 1010b of the connector <NUM> oriented to said 'top' surface <NUM> and the first side 1010a oriented to said 'bottom' surface <NUM>. View 1020b depicts the positioning of the various output signal pins and the ID pins in a second orientation, with output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and ID pin <NUM> positioned on said 'top' surface <NUM> and output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and ID pin <NUM> positioned on said 'bottom' surface <NUM>. In the second view 1020b, the connector <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees about its horizontal axis or Z axis <NUM> as compared to its position in the first view 1020a.

As shown in <FIG>, the first and the second views 1020a, 1020b of connector <NUM>, respectively depicting first and second configurations, are horizontally flipped images of each other, about the Z axis <NUM>, and hence it is not possible to distinguish one orientation from another from the physical structure. In the disclosed system, the receiving unit <NUM> detects the orientation of the connector <NUM> based on the polarities of the ID pins. In <FIG>, the two ID pins <NUM>, <NUM> have opposite polarities such that ID pin <NUM> has a positive polarity and ID pin <NUM> has a negative polarity. In other embodiments, ID pin <NUM> has the negative polarity and ID pin <NUM> has the positive polarity. When the connector <NUM> is inserted in the receiving unit <NUM>, depicted in a front-on view 1030a, the various output signal pins and the ID pins of the connector <NUM> establish contact with the various input mating sockets or pins in the receiving unit <NUM>. When the connector <NUM> is inserted in the receiving unit <NUM> in the first orientation, as shown in view 1020a, the ID pin <NUM> establishes contact with the ID input pin <NUM> and the ID pin <NUM> establishes contact with the ID input pin <NUM> of the receiving unit <NUM>. Alternatively, when the connector <NUM> is inserted in the receiving unit <NUM> in the second orientation, as shown in view 1020b, the ID pin <NUM> establishes contact with the ID input pin <NUM> and the ID pin <NUM> establishes contact with the ID input pin <NUM> of the receiving unit <NUM>. The system reads the respective polarities of the ID pins in contact with the ID inputs sockets <NUM> and <NUM> and hence detects the orientation of the connector <NUM> as inserted in the receiving socket <NUM>. Subsequently, the system reconfigures itself to automatically map each input with its corresponding input channel.

The system disclosed in <FIG> uses two ID pins with opposite polarities. In some embodiments, the polarities of the two ID pins are not opposite and the two ID pins are just maintained at different voltage levels and the identity of the ID pins is detected based on the signal/voltage received from the corresponding ID pins. Once the system identifies and distinguishes the two ID pins, the orientation of the connector as inserted in the receiving socket is detected. The system disclosed in <FIG> comprises four output signal pins, however, in other embodiments, the number of output signal pins present in the connector is different, such as less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM>, including <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more.

<FIG> illustrates a connector <NUM> which can be used in dual orientations in accordance with another embodiment of the present specification. A first side 1110a and a second side 1110b of a connector <NUM> are depicted in <FIG>. The connector <NUM> comprises four output signal pins <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and two ID pins <NUM> and <NUM>. The first side 1110a comprises the output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and the ID pin <NUM>. The second side 1110b comprises the output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and the ID pin <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> can be coupled to the receiving unit or socket <NUM> in two different orientations. A first front-on view 1120a depicts the first side 1110a of the connector <NUM> oriented to a 'top' surface <NUM> and the second side 1110b oriented to a 'bottom' surface <NUM>. View 1120a of the connector <NUM> depicts the positioning of the various output signal pins and the ID pins in a first orientation, with output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and ID pin <NUM> positioned on said 'top' surface <NUM> and output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and ID pin <NUM> positioned on said 'bottom' surface <NUM>. A second front-on view 1120b depicts the second side 1110b of the connector <NUM> oriented to said 'top' surface <NUM> and the first side 1110a oriented to said 'bottom' surface <NUM>. View 1120b depicts the positioning of the various output signal pins and the ID pins in a second orientation, with output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and ID pin <NUM> positioned on said 'top' surface <NUM> and output signal pins <NUM> and <NUM> and ID pin <NUM> positioned on said 'bottom' surface <NUM>. In the second view 1120b, the connector <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees about its horizontal axis or Z axis <NUM> as compared to its position in the first view 1120a.

When the connector <NUM> is inserted in the receiving unit <NUM>, the various output signal pins and the ID pins of the connector <NUM> establish contact with the various mating sockets or pins in the receiving unit <NUM>. In the system disclosed in <FIG>, the receiving unit <NUM>, shown in a front-on view 1130a, detects the orientation of the connector <NUM> based on the location of the ID pins <NUM> and <NUM>. When the connector <NUM> is inserted in the receiving unit <NUM> in the first orientation, as shown in view 1120a, the ID pin <NUM> establishes contact with the ID input pin 1109a and the ID pin <NUM> establishes contact with the ID input pin 1109b of the receiving unit <NUM>. Alternatively, when the connector <NUM> is inserted in the receiving unit <NUM> in the second orientation, as shown in view 1120b, the ID pin <NUM> establishes contact with the ID input pin 1108a and the ID pin <NUM> establishes contact with the ID input pin 1108b of the receiving unit <NUM>. The system verifies the positions of the ID pins <NUM> and <NUM> and detects the orientation of the connector <NUM> as inserted in the receiving socket <NUM> based on these positions. Subsequently, the system reconfigures itself to automatically map each input with its corresponding input channel.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, and the systems, devices, and methods can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein, while shown for use in neuromonitoring procedures may be applied to systems, devices, and methods to be used in other types of medical procedures for monitoring or treatment of diseases.

Claim 1:
A system for neuromonitoring comprising:
a plurality of electrode groups (203a) wherein each group comprises electrodes (<NUM>), each of said electrodes in each group having at least one of a similar monitoring functionality type or a similar deployment location and wherein different ones of the plurality of electrode groups have at least one of a different monitoring functionality or a different deployment location;
a plurality of connectors (<NUM>) wherein each connector comprises an electronically accessible memory and wherein a unique identification code is stored in each electronically accessible memory and wherein each electrode group of said plurality of electrode groups is coupled to at least one connector of said plurality of connectors; and,
a control unit (<NUM>) wherein the control unit comprises at least one receiving unit (<NUM>) having a plurality of input sockets (<NUM>) configured to receive one or more connectors of the plurality of connectors, wherein the one or more connectors are configured to be coupled to any of the plurality of input sockets and characterized in that the at least one receiving unit is configured to establish an identity of each connector of said plurality of connectors by identifying each unique identification code associated with each connector of said plurality of connectors, and configure the system to associate each electrode with a corresponding input channel in the control unit based on said unique identification code.