Abstract: Electrodes for use in electroencephalographic recording, including consciousness and seizure monitoring applications, have novel features that speed, facilitate or enforce proper placement of the electrodes, including aligning tabs and arrowed aligning juts, color coding, and an insulating bridge between reference and ground electrodes which ensures a safe application distance between the conductive regions of the two electrodes in the event of cardiac defibrillation or to prevent shorting between the adjacent electrodes by preventing the conductive path to be shared. A method of using a set of four such electrodes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method provides closed-loop sedation, anesthesia, or analgesia by monitoring EEG and automatically adjusting the delivery of sedative, anesthetic, and/or analgesic drugs to maintain that desired or predetermined level of cortical at all echelons of care. The system and method further monitor the subject's cortical activity to detect occurrence of burst suppression which can be indicative of unsafe depth of anesthesia or sedation. Further, the system and methods provide for alteration or cessation of the administration of anesthesia or sedation based on the occurrence of burst suppression to mitigate harm to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to measuring electrical impedance, and particularly to measuring impedance of electrodes used to acquire physiological signals. The measurement of electrode impedance is typically performed to ensure proper electrode-to-skin contact, and thus verify the quality of the acquired signals. Electrode-to-skin contact impedance has also clinical utility for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis or treatment, as it can be used to measure skin conductivity, which is function of physiological processes. The present invention relates in particular to a substantially continuous method for performing such measurement. The measurement is performed in such a way that it does not affect the bioband, the range (or ranges) of frequencies that contains components used for diagnostic, prognostic, triage, and/or treatment purposes. The present invention therefore performs this impedance measurement without affecting the physiological signal while allowing for uninterrupted monitoring of said signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a physiological recording electrode, and, more particularly, to an EEG (electroencephalography) recording electrode that can be used without the need for numerous steps in preparing the subject's skin and the electrode itself. The invention further relates to a surface feature or penetrator with a size and shape which that will not bend or break, which limits the depth of application, and/or anchors the electrode or other device during normal application; and a packaging system comprising a well and electrolytic fluid for maintaining a coating of said electrolytic fluid on the surface feature or penetrator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brain dysfunction and seizure detector monitor and system, and a method of detecting brain dysfunction and/or seizure of a subject. The various embodiments of the system of the present invention were developed for the brain activity and preferably EEG monitoring of a single patient or multiple patients. Preferably, the system or monitor of the present invention also includes one or more seizure detection algorithms. The analysis method is specifically optimized to amplify abnormal brain activity and minimize normal background activity. This analysis yields a seizure index whose value is directly related to the current presence of ictal activity in the signal. In addition, a seizure probability index based on historical values of the aforementioned seizure index, is derived for diagnostic purposes. The seizure probability index quantifies the probability that the patient has exhibited abnormal brain activity since the beginning of the recording.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brain dysfunction and seizure detector monitor and system, and a method of detecting brain dysfunction and/or seizure of a subject. Preferably, the present invention also includes one or more seizure detection algorithms. The analysis method is specifically optimized to amplify abnormal brain activity and minimize normal background activity yielding a seizure index directly related to the current presence of ictal activity in the signal. Additionally, a seizure probability index based on historical values of the aforementioned seizure index, is derived for diagnostic purposes. The seizure probability index quantifies the probability that the patient has exhibited abnormal brain activity since the beginning of the recording. These indexes can be used in the context of emergency and/or clinical situations to assess the status and well-being of a patient's brain, or can be used to automatically administer treatment to stop the seizure before clinical signs appear.

Abstract: The present invention, herein is a method and apparatus that significantly limits the effect of high frequency (“HF”) interferences on acquired electro-physiological signals, such as the EEG and EMG. Preferably, this method comprises of two separate electronic circuitries and steps or electronics for processing the signals. One circuit is used to block the transmission of HF interferences to the instrumentation amplifiers. It is comprised of a front-end active filter, a low frequency electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) shield, and an isolation barrier interface which isolates the patient from earth ground. The second circuit is used to measure the difference in potential between the two isolated sides of the isolation barrier. This so-called “cross-barrier” voltage is directly representative of the interference level that the instrumentation amplifier is subjected to. This circuit is used to confirm that the acquired signals are not corrupted by the interference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a physiological recording electrode, and, more particularly, to an EEG (electroencephalography) recording electrode that can be used without the need for numerous steps in preparing the subject's skin and the electrode itself. The invention further relates to a surface feature or penetrator with a size and shape which that will not bend or break, which limits the depth of application, and/or anchors the electrode or other device during normal application; and a packaging system comprising a well and electrolytic fluid for maintaining a coating of said electrolytic fluid on the surface feature or penetrator.

Abstract: The present invention, herein is a method and apparatus that significantly limits the effect of high frequency (“HF”) interferences on acquired electro-physiological signals, such as the EEG and EMG. Preferably, this method comprises of two separate electronic circuitries and steps or electronics for processing the signals. One circuit is used to block the transmission of HF interferences to the instrumentation amplifiers. It is comprised of a front-end active filter, a low frequency electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) shield, and an isolation barrier interface which isolates the patient from earth ground. The second circuit is used to measure the difference in potential between the two isolated sides of the isolation barrier. This so-called “cross-barrier” voltage is directly representative of the interference level that the instrumentation amplifier is subjected to. This circuit is used to confirm that the acquired signals are not corrupted by the interference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a physiological recording electrode, and, more particularly, to an EEG (electroencephalography) recording electrode that can be used without the need for numerous steps in preparing the subject's skin and the electrode itself. The invention further relates to a surface feature or penetrator with a size and shape which that will not bend or break, which limits the depth of application, and/or anchors the electrode or other device during normal application; and a packaging system comprising a well and electrolytic fluid for maintaining a coating of said electrolytic fluid on the surface feature or penetrator.

Abstract: Electrodes for use in electroencephalographic recording, including consciousness and seizure monitoring applications, have novel features that speed, facilitate or enforce proper placement of the electrodes, including any of alignment indicators, tabs and juts, color coding, and an insulating bridge between reference and ground electrodes which ensures a safe application distance between the conductive regions of the two electrodes in the event of cardiac defibrillation. A method of using a set of at least four such electrodes is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) monitor and system capable of monitoring and displaying simultaneously neuropathological characteristic and activity of both sides of a subject's brain. The methods include various indices and examination of differences in these indices by which neurophysiological conditions or problems can be identified and treated. These methods, and the systems and devices using these methods preferably can be used for identifying these neurophysiological conditions or brain dysfunction with monitors and methods for seizure detection, for sedation monitoring, for anesthesia monitoring, and the like. These bilateral brain monitoring methods and systems, and the devices using these methods can be used by individuals or clinicians with little or no training in signal analysis or processing. These bilateral monitoring methods can also be used in a range of applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) monitor and system capable of monitoring and displaying simultaneously neuropathological characteristic and activity of both sides of a subject's brain. The methods include various indices and examination of differences in these indices by which neurophysiological conditions or problems can be identified and treated. These methods, and the systems and devices using these methods preferably can be used for identifying these neurophysiological conditions or brain dysfunction with monitors and methods for seizure detection, for sedation monitoring, for anesthesia monitoring, and the like. These bilateral brain monitoring methods and systems, and the devices using these methods can be used by individuals or clinicians with little or no training in signal analysis or processing. These bilateral monitoring methods can also be used in a range of applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a physiological recording electrode, and, more particularly, to an EEG (electroencephalography) recording electrode that can be used without the need for numerous steps in preparing the subject's skin and the electrode itself. The invention further relates to a surface feature or penetrator with a size and shape which that will not bend or break, which limits the depth of application, and/or anchors the electrode or other device during normal application; and a packaging system comprising a well and electrolytic fluid for maintaining a coating of said electrolytic fluid on the surface feature or penetrator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor the neurologic state of a patient undergoing general anesthesia is provided. Previous automated systems to monitor the neurologic state of a patient undergoing general anesthesia involve a significant time delay between the patient's true hypnotic state and the computed indices. The present invention reduces this time delay by using a different analysis technique applied to spontaneous EEG. A wavelet decomposition and statistical analysis of the observed EEG is conducted and compared to reference data to provide a numerical indicator. In addition, this indicator is more consistent with the patient's loss of consciousness indicated by the loss of count event than previous systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a physiological recording electrode, and, more particularly, to an EEG (electroencephalography) recording electrode that can be used without the need for numerous steps in preparing the subject's skin and the electrode itself. The invention further relates to a surface feature or penetrator with a size and shape which that will not bend or break, which limits the depth of application, and/or anchors the electrode or other device during normal application; and a packaging system comprising a well and electrolytic fluid for maintaining a coating of said electrolytic fluid on the surface feature or penetrator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brain dysfunction and seizure detector monitor and system, and a method of detecting brain dysfunction and/or seizure of a subject. The various embodiments of the system of the present invention were developed for the brain activity and preferably EEG monitoring of a single patient or multiple patients. Preferably, the system or monitor of the present invention also includes one or more seizure detection algorithms. The analysis method is specifically optimized to amplify abnormal brain activity and minimize normal background activity. This analysis yields a seizure index whose value is directly related to the current presence of ictal activity in the signal. In addition, a seizure probability index based on historical values of the aforementioned seizure index, is derived for diagnostic purposes. The seizure probability index quantifies the probability that the patient has exhibited abnormal brain activity since the beginning of the recording.

Abstract: Electrodes for use in electroencephalographic recording, including consciousness and seizure monitoring applications, have novel features that speed, facilitate or enforce proper placement of the electrodes, including aligning tabs and arrowed aligning juts, color coding, and an insulating bridge between reference and ground electrodes which ensures a safe application distance between the conductive regions of the two electrodes in the event of cardiac defibrillation. A method of using a set of four such electrodes is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention, herein is a method and apparatus that significantly limits the effect of high frequency (“HF”) interferences on acquired electro-physiological signals, such as the EEG and EMG. Preferably, this method comprises of two separate electronic circuitries and steps or electronics for processing the signals. One circuit is used to block the transmission of HF interferences to the instrumentation amplifiers. It is comprised of a front-end active filter, a low frequency electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) shield, and an isolation barrier interface which isolates the patient from earth ground. The second circuit is used to measure the difference in potential between the two isolated sides of the isolation barrier. This so-called “cross-barrier” voltage is directly representative of the interference level that the instrumentation amplifier is subjected to. This circuit is used to confirm that the acquired signals are not corrupted by the interference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to measuring electrical impedance, and particularly to measuring impedance of electrodes used to acquire physiological signals. The measurement of electrode impedance is typically performed to ensure proper electrode-to-skin contact, and thus verify the quality of the acquired signals. Electrode-to-skin contact impedance has also clinical utility for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis or treatment, as it can be used to measure skin conductivity, which is function of physiological processes. The present invention relates in particular to a substantially continuous method for performing such measurement. The measurement is performed in such a way that it does not affect the bioband, the range (or ranges) of frequencies that contains components used for diagnostic, prognostic, triage, and/or treatment purposes. The present invention therefore performs this impedance measurement without affecting the physiological signal while allowing for uninterrupted monitoring of said signal.