US 4,736,751 AGranted

Brain wave source network location scanning method and system

AssigneeEEG Systems Laboratory

InventorsAlan S. Gevins, Nelson H. Morgan, Douglas S. Greer

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Abstract

A method and system is provided for the analysis of a human subject's brain wave activity on a statistical basis using a digital computer. The location of portions of the subject's brain and the location of at least 32, and for example 265, external scalp sensors are digitally recorded and stored in computer memory. The subject receives a set of stimuli which evoke brain waves (evoked potential EP or evoked magnetic fields EF) which, along with the location data, are statistically analyzed to indicate the brain sites giving rise to the activity. The brain site activity, and the time interrelationships of brain waves as they progress between brain sites, are displayed on a three-dimensional model or other three-dimensional perspective display.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A method to display the location and inter-area temporal relationships of a human subject's brain neural activity, comprising the steps of:

(i) determining and recording the three-dimensional location of selected portions of the subject's head and internal portions of the subject's brain and recording said locations using a three-dimensional anatomical scan instrument to provide anatomical location data;
(ii) positioning a plurality of at least 32 sensors external to the subject's scalp and proximate to the subject's scalp to detect analog brain neural activity detectable proximate to the surface of the scalp;
(iii) determining the three-dimensional positions of the sensors, converting the said sensor position determinations into digital data, and storing the said sensor position digital data in computer storage means;
(iv) providing a set of predetermined stimuli to the subject;
(v) detecting the subject's analog brain signals at the sensors during delivery of said stimuli and amplifying said analog signals;
converting the analog signals into digital data and storing said digital data in computer storage means;
(vi) statistically analyzing (a) the said anatomical location data, (b) the said sensor position data, and (c) said stored brain signal digital data, to provide a set of statistical indications which represent generators of brain neural activity at sites within the brain and their temporal interrelationship;
and
(vii) displaying said statistical indications on a three-dimensional perspective display of at least part of a human brain, the brain portions of said display corresponding in location to the brain portion locations provided by the scan instrument.

6 more elements

A system to display the location and inter-area temporal relationships of a human subject's brain neural activity, comprising:

(i) brain scan means to determine and record the three-dimensional location of selected internal portions of the subject's brain and head by viewing said selected brain portions in a three-dimensional scan;
(ii) a plurality of at least 32 sensors adapted to be positioned proximate the subject's scalp to detect analog brain neural activity detectable proximate to the surface of the scalp;
(iii) means for determining the three-dimensional positions of the sensors, converting the said position determinations into digital data, and storing the said position digital data in computer storage means;
(iv) means for providing a set of predetermined stimuli to the subject;
(v) means connected to said sensors for detecting and amplifying the subject's analog brain signals which are responsive to said stimuli, converting the analog signals into brain signal digital data and storing said brain signal digital data in computer storage;
(vi) means for statistically analyzing the stored brain signal digital data to provide a set of statistical indications of brain activity representing temporal interrelationships between sensor positions;
and
(vii) a three-dimensional perspective display means having head and brain portions for displaying said statistical indications as lines between sensor positions;
wherein the said head and brain portions on said display means correspond in location to the sensor positions.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.