Head-mounted physiological signal monitoring system, devices and methods

A dry electrode method of providing health information to a subject comprising:

• placing on the subject's head a headgear apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals, the headgear apparatus comprising a hat, helmet, earpiece or eyeglasses adapted to fit snugly to, and place light pressure on, the head or in an ear of a subject, a plurality of dry electrodes each comprising a lower surface adapted to contact the subject's skin, the dry electrodes being disposed along and connected to the headgear, and at least one other physiological sensor of a different type than electrophysiological, the dry electrodes each comprising a plurality of low aspect ratio protruding surface features on the lower surface;
• measuring with the dry electrodes of the headgear apparatus at least one electrophysiological signal;
• substantially simultaneously, measuring with the at least one other physiological sensor at least one non-electrophysiological signal indicative of a physiological parameter;
• deriving at least one physiological metric using at least in part both the at least one electrophysiological signal and the at least one non-electrophysiological signal, wherein the metric is indicative of metabolism, heat loss, calories expended, stress, alertness, or sleep stage;
• and
• amplifying and filtering the electrophysiological signals to produce ECG signals.

A dry electrode method of collecting electrocardiogram (ECG) signals of a subject comprising:

• placing on the subject's head a headgear apparatus for acquiring electrophysiological signals, the headgear apparatus comprising a hat, helmet, earpiece or eyeglasses adapted to fit snugly to, and place light pressure on, the head or in an ear of a subject, and a plurality of dry electrodes each comprising a lower surface adapted to contact the subject's skin, the dry electrodes being disposed along and connected to the headgear, the dry electrodes each comprising a plurality of low aspect ratio protruding surface features on the lower surface;
• measuring with the dry electrodes of the headgear apparatus at least two electrophysiological signals, at least one electrophysiological signal being an ECG signal;
• and
• transmitting or storing the ECG signals for collection,
• wherein the headgear apparatus further comprises at least one other physiological sensor adapted to acquire a non-electrophysiological signal, and further comprising the step of deriving at least one other metric based at least in part on the ECG signals and at least in part on the non-electrophysiological signal, the at least one other metric selected from the group consisting of stress, preparedness, calories expended, oxygen consumption (VO2), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), energy expenditure, and respiratory quotient.