EEG monitoring system consisting of nonirritating sponge-type electrodes, amplifiers, and a battery-powered wireless transmitter, all mounted in the subjects helmet, obtains electroencephalograms /EEGs/ of pilots and astronauts performing tasks under stress. After a quick initial fitting, the helmet can be removed and replaced without adjustments

Westbrook, R. M.

Zuccaro, J. J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Screw Cap 
Ag Contact 
\g-Ag Cl Disk 
mpressed Ag Powder 
d Glass Disk 
Acetate Sponge 
Rubber 0-Rir 
Silastic Insert 
Electrode PastE 
November 1966	 Brief 66-10536 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Helmet System Broadcasts Electroencephalograms of Wearer 
The problem: 
To develop an improved system for obtaining 
electroencephalograms (EEG's) of pilots and astro-
nauts performing tasks under stress. In the past, 
electrodes were cemented to the scalp and were 
uncomfortable, irritated the scalp, and took as long 
as an hour to attach. Furthermore, the wires to the 
readout equipment restricted the subject's motions. 
The solution: 
An EEG monitoring system consisting of non-
irritating sponge-type electrodes, amplifiers, and a 
battery-powered wireless transmitter, all mounted in 
the subject's helmet. No preparation of the scalp is 
required. After a quick initial fitting, the helmet can 
be removed and replaced without further adjustment. 
There are no external wires.
How it's done: 
A flight helmet is modified to contain the EEG 
electrodes and the electronic components. The ele-
ments of the system fit conveniently in the helmet 
and do not impair its usefulness as a protective device. 
The key element in this system is the EEG elec-
trode, which consists of a flexible portion that rests 
against the scalp and a rigid portion that fits securely 
in the helmet and is connected to the amplifier. The 
flexible portion consists of a hollow-core cellulose 
acetate sponge impregnated with an electrode paste. 
The rigid portion consists of the following: a disk of 
fritted glass wetted with a saline solution; a disk of 
compressed silver powder; a disk of Ag—AgCl; and a 
solid silver contact which connects with the amplifier. 
Fitted to the subject, the sponge portion containing 
the electrode paste contacts the scalp with a light 
(continued overical) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000534 2020-03-11T17:43:36+00:00Z
steady pressure. This member can accommodate a 
certain amount of relative motion between the scalp 
and the helmet without altering the electrical prop-
erties of the connection or distorting the signal. 
The remaining elements of the system are a pair 
of miniature biomedical amplifiers, a pair of com-
mercially available FM subcarrier oscillators, a minia-
ture PM transmitter operating at 108 MHz, and 
standard miniature mercury cells that provide 90 
hours of continuous operation. 
Notes: 
1. The helmet shell comes in three basic sizes, and 
by selection of liner size and length of replaceable 
sponge, the helmet can be adapted to any subject. 
Initial fitting requires only about five minutes.
2. Experiments with a variety of subjects (some with 
thick hair, with and without hairoil, and some 
bald) have been made in the laboratory, in flights 
of a T-33 airplane, and in centrifuge .runs. The 
data obtained have been consistent with EEG 
records obtained with carefully applied metallic 
electrodes. 
3. A related innovation is described in NASA Tech 
Brief B65-10203, July 1965. 
4. Inquiries may also be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Ames Research Center 
Moffett Field, California 94035 
Reference: B66-10536 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
GP, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Source: Richard M. Westbrook and
Joseph J. Zuccaro
(ARC-70) 
Brief 66-10536	 Category 01


Helmet system broadcasts electroencephalograms of wearer

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