Headset for bio-signals acquisition

Abstract

A headset for acquiring a bio-signal from a subject, includes a hub; at least 3 flexible branches, each branch having a first end extending from the hub and a second free end, the 3 flexible branches defining an opening formed by the relative position of the free ends; and at least 3 electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is located on each of the 3 flexible branches, the electrodes being configured for acquiring a bio-signal; the 3 flexible branches having a collapsed state; and an expanded state wherein the 3 electrodes are in contact with the scalp of the subject; and the headset is expanded from its collapsed state to its expanded state by placing the free ends on the top of the subject's head, and progressively lowering and sliding the same while contacting the scalp until the hub is contacted with the top of the head of the subject.

1 . A headset for acquisition of a bio-signal from a subject, comprising:
 a hub ( 4 );   at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ), each branch having a first end ( 1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ) extending from the hub ( 4 ) and a second free end ( 1   b ,  2   b ,  3   b ), the at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) defining an opening formed by the relative position of said free ends ( 1   b ,  2   b ,  3   b ); and   at least 3 electrodes ( 5 ), wherein at least one electrode ( 5 ) is located on each of the at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ), said electrodes ( 5 ) being configured for acquiring a bio-signal;   
       wherein the at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) have a collapsed state; and an expanded state wherein the at least 3 electrodes ( 5 ) are in contact with the scalp of said subject; and the headset is expanded from its collapsed state to its expanded state by placing the free ends ( 1   b ,  2   b ,  3   b ) on the top of head of the subject and progressively lowering and sliding the same with contact to the scalp until the hub ( 4 ) is contacted with the top of the head of the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein one dimension of the opening in the expanded state is at least 1.5 times higher than said dimension in the collapsed state. 
     
     
         3 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein each flexible branch ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) exhibits an angle between the expanded configuration and the collapsed configuration ranging from 2° to 70°. 
     
     
         4 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the electrodes ( 5 ) comprises at least one pin ( 6 ) having a first free end comprising a skin contact interface ( 8 ) and a second end connected to at least one flexure element ( 7 ). 
     
     
         5 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the electrodes ( 5 ) comprise at least two pins ( 6 ) having a first free end comprising a skin contact interface ( 8 ) and a second end connected to at least one flexure element ( 7 ). 
     
     
         6 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) are resiliently deformable. 
     
     
         7 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) are made of a polypropylene or a silicon based material. 
     
     
         8 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least 3 electrodes ( 5 ) comprise a ground electrode, a reference electrode, and at least one acquisition electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least 3 electrodes ( 5 ) comprise at least one dry electrode. 
     
     
         10 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least 3 electrodes ( 5 ) are configured to carry out an electroencephalography (EEG), and/or optionally electromyography (EMG), electrooculography (EOG) or electrocardiography (ECG). 
     
     
         11 . The headset according to  claim 1 , wherein the headset is modular. 
     
     
         12 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , being further connected to a bio-signal processor for analyzing and interpreting the measured bio-signal. 
     
     
         13 . The headset device according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one earphone. 
     
     
         14 . The headset device according to  claim 1 , wherein the headset device comprises an electronic circuit ( 13 ) for acquiring a bio-signal comprising an amplifier, an A/D converter and a signal filter. 
     
     
         15 . The headset device according to  claim 1  further comprising a wireless transmitter and/or receiver. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing neurofeedback to at least one subject, the method comprising the following steps:
 placing on the top of the head of a subject an headset for bio-signal acquisition comprising:
 a hub ( 4 ); 
 at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ), each branch having a first end ( 1   a ,  2   a ,  3   a ) extending from the hub ( 4 ) and a second free end ( 1   b ,  2   b ,  3   b ), the at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) defining an opening formed by the relative position of said free ends ( 1   b ,  2   b ,  3   b ); and 
 at least 3 electrodes ( 5 ), wherein at least one electrode ( 5 ) is located on each of the at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ), said electrodes ( 5 ) being configured for acquiring a bio-signal; 
   
       wherein the at least 3 flexible branches ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) have a collapsed state; and an expanded state wherein the at least 3 electrodes ( 5 ) are in contact with the scalp of said subject; and
 progressively lowering and sliding the free ends ( 1   b ,  2   b ,  3   b ) with contact to the scalp until the hub ( 4 ) is contacted with the top of the head of the subject; 
 acquiring a bio-signal using the headset; 
 analyzing the bio-signal; and 
 providing a feedback to said subject in accordance with the measured bio-signal. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of providing neurofeedback according to  claim 16 , wherein the analysis of the bio-signal comprises correlating the bio-signal with a specific mental state and providing the subject with a feedback comprising at least one suggestion for improving the subject mental state. 
     
     
         18 . The method of providing neurofeedback according to  claim 16 , wherein the feedback is a tactile, visual or auditory feedback.