# US 9,872,979 B2 · Headset for treatment and assessment of medical conditions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,872,979 B2 - Document ID: US9872979B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/228,038 - Filed: 2016-08-04 - Published: 2016-11-24 - Granted: 2018-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: Neurolief Ltd. - Applicants: Neurolief Ltd. - Inventors: Amit Dar; Jonathan Bar-Or; Amir Cohen; Ron Belson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872979B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/0484: {Garment electrodes worn by the patient} - A61B 5/291: for electroencephalography [EEG] - A61B 5/6803: {Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles} - A61N 1/0476: {Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)} - A61N 1/0488: {Details about the lead} - A61N 1/0492: {Patch electrodes (A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence)} - A61N 1/36014: {External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes (external pacemakers A61N1/3625)} - A61N 1/3603: {Control systems} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A circumferential headset for use in delivering electrical stimulation to the skin surface of the head. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A headset for use in delivering electrical stimulation to a skin surface of a head of a user, the headset comprising: (a) a circumferential headset body, said body having a monolithic frame adapted to circumferentially fit around the head of the user, said body housing an electric circuit adapted to be connected to a power source; (b) at least one electrode base, mechanically and at least semi-rigidly connected to said headset body, and electrically associated with said electric circuit, said electrode base adapted to receive at least one electrode pad, and having: (i) a housing including a floor, and a flexible circumferential member surrounding said floor, and having a flexible circumferential wall extending generally above a perimeter of said floor, said wall ending in a circumferential rim; said floor and said flexible circumferential member forming a cavity adapted to receive an electrically conductive electrode pad; and (ii) an electrically conductive material, disposed at least partially above, or within, said floor; said conductive layer adapted to be electrically associated to an electrical circuit, by means of an electrical conductor, and, when said pad is inserted, to electrically communicate with said electrode pad; said rim and said flexible circumferential wall adapted such that a pressure exerted against said electrode base, generally perpendicular to said rim, and towards a skin surface of a user, urges said rim against said skin surface, to substantially fluidly seal between said cavity and an ambient or external environment; said headset body and said base adapted to orient an electrical stimulation surface of said pad towards the skin surface, during donning by the user; said headset body adapted such that, during said donning, said electrode base is urged towards the skin surface such that said electrode pad makes physical and electrical contact with the skin surface; said headset body and said electrode base adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrode base, with respect to said frame, is fixed in a specific predetermined position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The headset of claim 1, said circumferential headset body having a front section adapted to fit around a front portion of the head, said at least one of said at least one electrode base being a front electrode base disposed on said front portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The headset of claim 1, said frame including at least semi-rigid side components, bi-laterally disposed on said frame, and forming side portions of said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The headset of claim 1, said frame including at least a first bi-lateral size adjustment mechanism adapted to fixedly adjust said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The headset of claim 1, said headset body adapted to juxtapose a contact surface of an electrical device opposite or against the skin surface, wherein said electrical device is radially urged towards said skin surface such that a contact surface of said electrical device makes physical contact with said skin surface; said headset body adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said elastic headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrical device is fixed in a particular predetermined device position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The headset of claim 5, said electrical device including a sensor adapted to sense a body parameter associated with the head of the user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The headset of claim 1, said at least one electrode pad including: (a) a liquid-absorbent layer having a biocompatible, conductive contact surface, said contact surface adapted to be juxtaposed against the skin surface; (b) an electrically conductive layer having a broad first face juxtaposed against, or attached to, said liquid-absorbent layer, said conductive layer containing at least one electrically conductive material or element, said conductive layer adapted to transfer an electrical current from a broad second face, distal to said first face, to said liquid-absorbent layer, via said first face. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The headset of claim 7, said liquid-absorbent layer including at least one material selected from the group consisting of a non-woven fabric, felt or sponge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The headset of claim 7, said liquid-absorbent layer and said electrically conductive layer forming an integral structure. ### Claim 10 A headset for use in delivering electrical stimulation to a skin surface of a head of a user, the headset comprising: (a) a circumferential headset body, said body having a monolithic frame adapted to circumferentially fit around the head of the user, said body housing an electric circuit adapted to be connected to a power source; (b) at least one electrode base, mechanically and at least semi-rigidly connected to said headset body, and electrically associated with said electric circuit, said electrode base adapted to receive at least one electrode pad; said headset body and said base adapted to orient an electrical stimulation surface of said pad towards the skin surface, during donning by the user; said headset body adapted such that, during said donning, said electrode base is urged towards the skin surface such that said electrode pad makes physical and electrical contact with the skin surface; said headset body and said electrode base adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrode base, with respect to said frame, is fixed in a specific predetermined position; said circumferential headset body having a front section adapted to fit around a front portion of the head, said at least one of said at least one electrode base being a front electrode base disposed on said front portion, said front section being a front mechanical element that is physically distinct from said circumferential headset body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The headset of claim 10, said front mechanical element spanning at most 40% of a circumference of said circumferential headset body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The headset of claim 10, said frame including a positioning system for angular and longitudinal positioning of said headset body, said positioning system including at least one of: (a) at least one at least semi-rigid side component having an elongated element, forming a portion of said circumference, and adapted to fit above an ear of the user, to determine said longitudinal positioning; and (b) at least one element disposed generally perpendicular to said circumferential headset body, and adapted to engage a portion of the user's head so as to determine said angular positioning of said headset body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The headset of claim 10, said frame including at least semi-rigid side components, bi-laterally disposed on said frame, and forming side portions of said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The headset of claim 10, said frame including at least a first bi-lateral size adjustment mechanism adapted to fixedly adjust said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The headset of claim 10, said headset body adapted to juxtapose a contact surface of an electrical device opposite or against the skin surface, wherein said electrical device is radially urged towards said skin surface such that a contact surface of said electrical device makes physical contact with said skin surface; said headset body adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrical device is fixed in a particular predetermined device position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The headset of claim 15, said electrical device including a sensor adapted to sense a body parameter associated with the head of the user. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The headset of claim 10, said at least one electrode pad including: (a) a liquid-absorbent layer having a biocompatible, conductive contact surface, said contact surface adapted to be juxtaposed against the skin surface; (b) an electrically conductive layer having a broad first face juxtaposed against, or attached to, said liquid-absorbent layer, said conductive layer containing at least one electrically conductive material or element, said conductive layer adapted to transfer an electrical current from a broad second face, distal to said first face, to said liquid-absorbent layer, via said first face. ### Claim 18 A headset for use in delivering electrical stimulation to a skin surface of a head of a user, the headset comprising: (a) a circumferential headset body, said body having a monolithic frame adapted to circumferentially fit around the head of the user, said body housing an electric circuit adapted to be connected to a power source; (b) at least one electrode base, mechanically and at least semi-rigidly connected to said headset body, and electrically associated with said electric circuit, said electrode base adapted to receive at least one electrode pad; said headset body and said base adapted to orient an electrical stimulation surface of said pad towards the skin surface, during donning by the user; said headset body adapted such that, during said donning, said electrode base is urged towards the skin surface such that said electrode pad makes physical and electrical contact with the skin surface; said headset body and said electrode base adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrode base, with respect to said frame, is fixed in a specific predetermined position; said circumferential headset body having a rear section adapted to fit around a rear portion of the head, at least one of said at least one electrode base being a rear electrode base disposed on said rear portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The headset of claim 18, said rear section being a rear mechanical element that is physically distinct from said circumferential headset body. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The headset of claim 19, said rear mechanical element spanning at most 40% of a circumference of said circumferential headset body. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The headset of claim 18, said circumferential headset body having a front section adapted to fit around a front portion of the head, said at least one of said at least one electrode base being a front electrode base disposed on said front portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The headset of claim 18, said frame including at least semi-rigid side components, bi-laterally disposed on said frame, and forming side portions of said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The headset of claim 18, said frame including at least a first bi-lateral size adjustment mechanism adapted to fixedly adjust said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The headset of claim 18, said headset body adapted to juxtapose a contact surface of an electrical device opposite or against the skin surface, wherein said electrical device is radially urged towards said skin surface such that a contact surface of said electrical device makes physical contact with said skin surface; said headset body adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrical device is fixed in a particular predetermined device position. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The headset of claim 24, said electrical device including a sensor adapted to sense a body parameter associated with the head of the user. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The headset of claim 18, said at least one electrode pad including: (a) a liquid-absorbent layer having a biocompatible, conductive contact surface, said contact surface adapted to be juxtaposed against the skin surface; (b) an electrically conductive layer having a broad first face juxtaposed against, or attached to, said liquid-absorbent layer, said conductive layer containing at least one electrically conductive material or element, said conductive layer adapted to transfer an electrical current from a broad second face, distal to said first face, to said liquid-absorbent layer, via said first face. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The headset of claim 18, said frame including a positioning system for angular and longitudinal positioning of said headset body, said positioning system including at least one of: (a) at least one at least semi-rigid side component having an elongated element, forming a portion of said circumference, and adapted to fit above an ear of the user, to determine said longitudinal positioning; and (b) at least one element disposed generally perpendicular to said circumferential headset body, and adapted to engage a portion of the user's head so as to determine said angular positioning of said headset body. ### Claim 28 A headset for use in delivering electrical stimulation to a skin surface of a head of a user, the headset comprising: (a) a circumferential headset body, said body having a monolithic frame adapted to circumferentially fit around the head of the user, said body housing an electric circuit adapted to be connected to a power source (b) at least one electrode pad, said pad including: (i) a liquid-absorbent layer having a biocompatible contact surface, said contact surface adapted to be juxtaposed against the skin surface; (ii) an electrode backing, attached to said liquid-absorbent layer, said backing containing at least one electrically conductive material or element, said conductive material or element being electrically connected with said liquid-absorbent layer, when said liquid-absorbent layer is filled with liquid; (c) at least one electrode base, mechanically and at least semi-rigidly connected to said headset body, and electrically associated with said electric circuit, said electrode base adapted to receive at least one electrode pad; said headset body and said base adapted to orient an electrical stimulation surface of said pad towards the skin surface, during donning by the user; said headset body adapted such that, during said donning, said electrode base is urged towards the skin surface such that said electrode pad makes physical and electrical contact with the skin surface; said headset body and said electrode base adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrode base, with respect to said frame, is fixed in a specific predetermined position; said biocompatible contact surface having: (i) a long dimension (DL) having a maximum length of 20 mm to 55 mm; (ii) a narrow dimension (DN) having a maximum length of 10 mm to 25 mm; wherein a first side of a perimeter of said biocompatible contact surface has a generally concave contour having a concavity defined by first and second boundary points disposed at opposite ends of said concavity, wherein: A/L≧0.5 mm A being an area bounded by said line and said concavity; L being a length of a line between said boundary points; said length (L) being at least 10 mm; wherein a line disposed between a first point on said concave contour and a second point on said perimeter, on a side opposite said concave contour, and aligned in perpendicular fashion with respect to said contour at said first point, has a length H, and wherein, over an entirety of said concave contour, Hmax/Hmm≦2.5, Hmax being a maximum value of H over said entirety; and Hmin being a minimum value of H over said entirety. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The headset of claim 28, said at least one electrode pad including: (a) a liquid-absorbent layer having a biocompatible, conductive contact surface, said contact surface adapted to be juxtaposed against the skin surface; (b) an electrically conductive layer having a broad first face juxtaposed against, or attached to, said liquid-absorbent layer, said conductive layer containing at least one electrically conductive material or element, said conductive layer adapted to transfer an electrical current from a broad second face, distal to said first face, to said liquid-absorbent layer, via said first face. ### Claim 30 A headset for use in delivering electrical stimulation to a skin surface of a head of a user, the headset comprising: (a) a circumferential headset body, said body having a monolithic frame adapted to circumferentially fit around the head of the user, said body housing an electric circuit adapted to be connected to a power source; (b) at least one electrode base, mechanically and at least semi-rigidly connected to said headset body, and electrically associated with said electric circuit, said electrode base adapted to receive at least one electrode pad; said headset body and said base adapted to orient an electrical stimulation surface of said pad towards the skin surface, during donning by the user; said headset body adapted such that, during said donning, said electrode base is urged towards the skin surface such that said electrode pad makes physical and electrical contact with the skin surface; said headset body and said electrode base adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrode base, with respect to said frame, is fixed in a specific predetermined position; said at least one electrode pad including: (a) a liquid-absorbent layer having a biocompatible, conductive contact surface, said contact surface adapted to be juxtaposed against the skin surface; (b) an electrically conductive layer having a broad first face juxtaposed against, or attached to, said liquid-absorbent layer, said conductive layer containing at least one electrically conductive material or element, said conductive layer adapted to transfer an electrical current from a broad second face, distal to said first face, to said liquid-absorbent layer, via said first face; said electrically conductive layer including a layer of electrically conductive paint. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The headset of claim 30, said circumferential headset body having a front section adapted to fit around a front portion of the head, said at least one of said at least one electrode base being a front electrode base disposed on said front portion. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The headset of claim 30, said frame including at least semi-rigid side components, bi-laterally disposed on said frame, and forming side portions of said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The headset of claim 30, said frame including at least a first bi-lateral size adjustment mechanism adapted to fixedly adjust said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) The headset of claim 30, said headset body adapted to juxtapose a contact surface of an electrical device opposite or against the skin surface, wherein said electrical device is radially urged towards said skin surface such that a contact surface of said electrical device makes physical contact with said skin surface; said headset body adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrical device is fixed in a particular predetermined device position. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The headset of claim 34, said electrical device including a sensor adapted to sense a body parameter associated with the head of the user. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) The headset of claim 30, said frame including a positioning system for angular and longitudinal positioning of said headset body, said positioning system including at least one of: (a) at least one at least semi-rigid side component having an elongated element, forming a portion of said circumference, and adapted to fit above an ear of the user, to determine said longitudinal positioning; and (b) at least one element disposed generally perpendicular to said circumferential headset body, and adapted to engage a portion of the user's head so as to determine said angular positioning of said headset body. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) The headset of claim 30, wherein said layer of electrically conductive paint is disposed in a mesh pattern. ### Claim 38 (depends on 30) The headset of claim 30, wherein said layer of said flexible electrically conductive material comprises a carbon foil. ### Claim 39 A headset for use in delivering electrical stimulation to a skin surface of a head of a user, the headset comprising: (a) a circumferential headset body, said body having a monolithic frame adapted to circumferentially fit around the head of the user, said body housing an electric circuit adapted to be connected to a power source; (b) at least one electrode base, mechanically and at least semi-rigidly connected to said headset body, and electrically associated with said electric circuit, said electrode base adapted to receive at least one electrode pad; said headset body and said base adapted to orient an electrical stimulation surface of said pad towards the skin surface, during donning by the user; said headset body adapted such that, during said donning, said electrode base is urged towards the skin surface such that said electrode pad makes physical and electrical contact with the skin surface; said headset body and said electrode base adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrode base, with respect to said frame, is fixed in a specific predetermined position; said at least one electrode pad including: (a) a liquid-absorbent layer having a biocompatible, conductive contact surface, said contact surface adapted to be juxtaposed against the skin surface; (b) an electrically conductive layer having a broad first face juxtaposed against, or attached to, said liquid-absorbent layer, said conductive layer containing at least one electrically conductive material or element, said conductive layer adapted to transfer an electrical current from a broad second face, distal to said first face, to said liquid-absorbent layer, via said first face; said electrically conductive layer containing a carbon foil. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The headset of claim 39, said carbon foil having a resistivity within a range of 1-180 ohm/square or 30-100 ohm/square. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) The headset of claim 39, said circumferential headset body having a front section adapted to fit around a front portion of the head, said at least one of said at least one electrode base being a front electrode base disposed on said front portion. ### Claim 42 (depends on 39) The headset of claim 39, said frame including at least semi-rigid side components, bi-laterally disposed on said frame, and forming side portions of said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 43 (depends on 39) The headset of claim 39, said frame including at least a first bi-lateral size adjustment mechanism adapted to fixedly adjust said circumference of said headset body. ### Claim 44 (depends on 39) The headset of claim 39, said headset body adapted to juxtapose a contact surface of an electrical device opposite or against the skin surface, wherein said electrical device is radially urged towards said skin surface such that a contact surface of said electrical device makes physical contact with said skin surface; said headset body adapted such that for various degrees of pressure applied by said headset body to said head of said user, a circumferential position of said electrical device is fixed in a particular predetermined device position. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The headset of claim 44, said electrical device including a sensor adapted to sense a body parameter associated with the head of the user. ### Claim 46 (depends on 39) The headset of claim 39, said frame including a positioning system for angular and longitudinal positioning of said headset body, said positioning system including at least one of: (a) at least one at least semi-rigid side component having an elongated element, forming a portion of said circumference, and adapted to fit above an ear of the user, to determine said longitudinal positioning; and (b) at least one element disposed generally perpendicular to said circumferential headset body, and adapted to engage a portion of the user's head so as to determine said angular positioning of said headset body.