Method and System for Monitoring Brain Function and Intracranial Pressure

Abstract

Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide improved, automated monitoring of brain function. In embodiments, a multimodal, multi-sensor monitoring device may provide to monitoring of the full spectrum of brain function. In an embodiment, a system for monitoring brain function of a subject may include an apparatus for mounting a plurality of stimulus and response sensors on a head of the subject, including a cognizance stimuli-sensor suite, a physiologic sensor suite, and advance monitoring devices such as a transcranial Doppler puck, an electroencephalograph monitor, and an optic nerve sheath parameter sensor.

1 . A portable system for monitoring brain function of a subject, comprising:
 an apparatus for mounting a plurality of stimulus devices and a plurality of response sensors on a head of the subject, the plurality of stimulus devices including at least one cognizance stimulus device selected from a group of cognizance stimulus devices comprising a speaker to provide auditory stimuli to the subject and a display to provide visual stimuli to the subject, and the plurality of response sensors including at least one cognizance sensor selected from a group of cognizance sensors comprising a microphone to record sounds made by the subject, a camera to record eye position and movement of the subject, and a touch/motion sensor to receive input from the subject;   a processor and memory for executing and storing program instructions to provide stimuli to the subject using the plurality of stimulus devices, to receive responses of the subject recorded by the plurality of response sensors, and to process the received responses to generate response information; and   a display to display the response information,   
     
     
         2 . The system of claim I , further comprising communications circuitry to transmit the received responses and generated response information and to receive information relating to stimuli to he provided to the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors further includes at least one physiological sensor selected from a group of physiological sensors comprising a vibration sensor, a heart rate monitor, a blood oxygen saturation sensor, a temperature sensor, a head position sensor, and a vibration microphone. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensor removes background vibration artifacts from other sensors' signals, 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a transcranial Doppler device, an electroencephalograph monitor device, and an optic nerve sheath diameter measurement device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the optic nerve sheath diameter measurement device comprises,
 a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers to scan across the optic nerve sheath;   a processor in communication with the ultrasonic transducer for receiving and processing data obtained from the two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers, wherein the processor calculates the volume of segments of an optical nerve of a subject and optionally produces a three dimensional image of the optical nerve on a graphical display in communication with the processor; and   a power supply coupled to the two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor contains an algorithm for calculating the volume of segments of the optic nerve. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers comprises lights for aligning the transducer with the optic nerve sheath, 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a pair of goggles. 
     
     
         10 . A portable telemedicine system for monitoring brain function of a subject, comprising:
 a pair of goggles housing a plurality of stimulus devices, a plurality of response sensors, and an external display screen, wherein the plurality of stimulus devices comprise a speaker to provide auditory stimuli to the subject and an internal display to provide visual stimuli to the subject, and the plurality of response sensors comprise a microphone to record sounds made by the subject, a camera to record eye position and movement of the subject, and a touch/motion sensor to receive input from the subject, and wherein the external display screen displays the received information; and   a processor and memory for executing and storing program instructions to provide stimuli to the subject using the plurality of stimulus devices, to receive responses of the subject recorded by the plurality of response sensors, and to process the received responses to generate response information.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising communications circuitry to transmit the received responses and generated response information and to receive information relating to stimuli to be provided to the subject. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sensors further includes at least one physiological sensor selected from a group of physiological sensors comprising a vibration sensor, a heart rate monitor, a blood oxygen saturation sensor, a temperature sensor, a head position sensor, and a vibration microphone. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the vibration sensor removes background vibration artifacts from other sensors' signals. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sensors are used to monitor the subject's level of consciousness. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one of a transcranial Doppler device, an electroencephalograph monitor device, and an optic nerve sheath diameter measurement device, 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the transcranial Doppler device, electroencephalograph monitor device, and optic nerve sheath diameter measurement device are only activated after the subject has been determined to be unconscious. 
     
     
         17 . A method for automatic monitoring of brain function in a subject in need thereof comprising,
 placing the apparatus of  claim 10  onto the head of a subject in need of monitoring,   providing stimuli to the subject through one of the plurality of stimulus devices,   recording the subject's response or lack of response to the stimuli, and   displaying the subject's response on the external screen,   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the subject is in a mass casualty environment, is being transported, or is undergoing surgery.