US 12,440,142 B2
Electrode configuration to record ear electroencephalogram (EEG) during sleep and wakefulness
Gary Nelson Garcia Molina, Madison, WI (US); James Edward Barber, Avon, OH (US); Boomika Kalyan, Pittsburgh, PA (US); Antonio Aquino, Harrison City, PA (US); Rebecca Lynn Blice, Akron, OH (US); Jason Grant Tilk, Cleveland Heights, OH (US); and Vikki Nowak, Cleveland Heights, OH (US)
Assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., Eindhoven (NL)
Filed by KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., Eindhoven (NL)
Filed on Dec. 4, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/112,505.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/945,507, filed on Dec. 9, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0169391 A1, Jun. 10, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 5/291 (2021.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/251 (2021.01); A61B 5/372 (2021.01)
CPC A61B 5/291 (2021.01) [A61B 5/251 (2021.01); A61B 5/372 (2021.01); A61B 5/6817 (2013.01); A61B 5/725 (2013.01); A61B 5/4806 (2013.01); A61B 2562/0209 (2013.01); A61B 2562/04 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for generating an ear electroencephalogram (EEG) signal from an ear of a patient, comprising:
a housing including a cover and an electronics casing, wherein the cover and the electronics casing are formed separately from another and both have a generally pear-shape, and are structured to be fit together to form a composite body, wherein the cover includes a first main body member defining a wide portion of the generally pear shape of the cover, and a female component connected to a narrow portion of the pear shape of the cover, wherein a first planar surface of the first main body member is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the female component, and wherein the electronic casing includes a second main body member defining a wide portion the general pear shape of the electronic casing, and a male component connected to a narrow portion of the pear shape of the electronic casing, wherein a second planar surface of the second main body member is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the male component, and wherein the male component is structured to be received within the female component when the cover and the electronics casing are fit together;
a first electrode provided on the female component, wherein the female component is structured to be received within an ear canal of the ear, and wherein the first electrode is structured to be disposed against a first surface of the ear canal when the female component is received within the ear canal for generating a first ear canal signal;
a loop member connected to the first planar surface such that the loop extends from the first planar surface is a direction that in generally the same direction that the second female component extends from the cover;
a second electrode provided on the loop member, wherein the loop member is structured to be received within a concha of the ear when the female component is received within the ear canal, and wherein the second electrode is structured to be disposed against a surface of the concha when the second portion is received within the concha for generating a concha signal; and
electronic circuitry provided within the electronics casing, the electronic circuitry being structured and configured to receive the first ear canal signal and the concha signal and to generate a first in ear signal based on the first ear canal signal and the concha signal.