Headset and electrodes for sensing bioelectrical potential and methods of operation thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are medical devices for sensing bioelectrical potential including an electroencephalography (EEG) headset, electrodes compatible therewith, and methods of operation thereof. The headset can comprise a left junction and a right junction, a plurality of length-adjustable bands connecting the left junction and the right junction, and a number of electrodes. Each of the electrodes can comprise an electrode body coupled to one of the plurality of length-adjustable bands and a detachable electrode tip configured to be detachably coupled to the electrode body. The electrode tip can comprise an electrode tip body, one or more deflectable electrode legs coupled to the electrode tip body, and a conductive cushioning material coupled to a segment of at least one of the one or more electrode legs. The conductive cushioning material can retain or be saturated with one or more conductors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A headset for sensing bioelectrical potential, comprising:
 a left junction and a right junction;   a plurality of length-adjustable bands connecting the left junction and the right junction; and   an electrode comprising:
 an electrode body coupled to one of the plurality of length-adjustable bands; and 
 a detachable electrode tip configured to be detachably coupled to the electrode body, wherein the electrode tip comprises:
 an electrode tip body, and 
 one or more electrode legs coupled to the electrode tip body, wherein the electrode legs have a non-biased configuration and a splayed configuration, and wherein the electrode legs are configured to translate into the splayed configuration when the headset is worn by a user. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The headset of  claim 1 , further comprising a conductive cushioning material coupled to a segment of at least one of the one or more electrode legs, wherein the conductive cushioning material retains or is saturated with one or more conductors. 
     
     
         3 . The headset of  claim 1 , wherein each of the length-adjustable bands comprises an arched segment, wherein the arched segment of one of the length-adjustable bands is separated from the arched segment of an immediately adjacent length-adjustable band by a gap or void space. 
     
     
         4 . The headset of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of length-adjustable bands comprises at least:
 a frontal band positioned closest to a nasion of a user when the headset is worn on a head of the user;   a coronal band positioned closest to a vertex of the user;   an occipital band positioned closest to an inion of the user;   an antero-bregmatic band positioned in between the frontal band and the coronal band; and   a parietal band positioned in between the coronal band and the occipital band.   
     
     
         5 . The headset of  claim 1 , wherein each of the electrode legs has a leg longitudinal axis, wherein the leg longitudinal axes of the electrode legs are substantially parallel to one another when the electrode legs are in the non-biased configuration, and wherein the leg longitudinal axes of the electrode legs are substantially non-parallel to one another when the electrode legs are in the splayed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The headset of  claim 1 , further comprising electrode arms coupled to the electrode tip body, wherein each of the electrode arms comprises a proximal arm end and a distal arm end. 
     
     
         7 . The headset of  claim 6 , wherein the electrode arms curve along a spiral pattern or trajectory such that each of the electrode arms curve in at least one of a clockwise or left-handed rotational direction and a counterclockwise or right-handed rotational direction. 
     
     
         8 . The headset of  claim 6 , wherein the distal arm end is substantially planar or of the same vertical height as the proximal arm end. 
     
     
         9 . The headset of  claim 6 , wherein the distal arm end is vertically lower or below the proximal arm end. 
     
     
         10 . The headset of  claim 6 , further comprising lateral struts extending radially from the electrode tip body, wherein at least one of the lateral struts couple at least one of the electrode arms to the electrode tip body. 
     
     
         11 . The headset of  claim 10 , wherein the electrode tip body has a substantially circular transverse cross-section, and wherein the lateral struts are coupled to the electrode tip body at positions arranged uniformly around a circumference of the electrode tip body. 
     
     
         12 . The headset of  claim 1 , wherein each of the electrode legs is an elongate rod having a leg diameter, a leg proximal end, and leg distal end, wherein each of the electrode legs is coupled to an electrode foot at the leg distal end. 
     
     
         13 . The headset of  claim 12 , wherein the electrode foot has a maximum foot diameter, and wherein the maximum foot diameter is greater than the leg diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The headset of  claim 12 , wherein each of the electrode legs has a leg height as measured from the leg proximal end to the leg distal end, wherein the electrode foot has a foot proximal end, a foot distal end, and a foot height as measured from the foot proximal end to the foot distal end, wherein the leg height is greater than the foot height. 
     
     
         15 . The headset of  claim 14 , wherein a ratio of the foot height to the leg height is between about 1:1 and 1:10. 
     
     
         16 . An electrode for sensing bioelectrical potential, comprising:
 an electrode body comprising a first ferromagnetic component positioned at a distal end of the electrode body; and   a detachable electrode tip comprising:
 an electrode tip body comprising a second ferromagnetic component configured to magnetically couple to the first ferromagnetic component to attach the electrode tip to the electrode body, and 
 one or more electrode legs coupled to the electrode tip body. 
   
     
     
         17 . The electrode of  claim 16 , wherein the second ferromagnetic component is encased within the electrode tip body. 
     
     
         18 . The electrode of  claim 17 , wherein the electrode tip body comprises a cup-shaped portion surrounding a hollow center, wherein the second ferromagnetic component is encased within a portion of the electrode tip body in proximity to a bottom surface of the cup-shaped portion, and wherein the cup-shaped portion is configured to couple to and surround at least part of the first ferromagnetic component. 
     
     
         19 . The electrode of  claim 16 , wherein the second ferromagnetic component is at least one of a permanent magnet and a ferromagnetic metal. 
     
     
         20 . An electrode tip for sensing bioelectrical potentials, comprising:
 an electrode tip body;   one or more electrode legs coupled to the electrode tip body; and   a conductive cushioning material coupled to a segment of at least one of the one or more electrode legs, wherein the conductive cushioning material retains or is saturated with one or more conductors.