U.S. patent application number 16/866208 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-21 for system and method for characterizing brain states during general anesthesia and sedation using phase-amplitude modulation.
The applicant listed for this patent is THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Emery N. Brown, Eran A. Mukamel, Patrick L. Purdon.
Application Number | 20210015422 16/866208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005123346 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210015422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Purdon; Patrick L. ; et
al. |
January 21, 2021 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING BRAIN STATES DURING GENERAL
ANESTHESIA AND SEDATION USING PHASE-AMPLITUDE MODULATION
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring and/or controlling a state of
consciousness of a subject experiencing anesthesia are provided. In
some aspects, the system includes a plurality of sensors placed
about the subject and configured to acquire electroencephalogram
("EEG") data therefrom while the subject is receiving anesthesia,
and at least one processor configured to receive the EEG data from
the plurality of sensors, and perform a phase-amplitude coupling
analysis using the received EEG data to determine a phase-amplitude
frequency distribution. The at least one processor is also
configured to identify a state of consciousness of the subject
using the determined phase-amplitude frequency distribution, and
generate a report indicative of the state of consciousness of the
subject.
Inventors: |
Purdon; Patrick L.;
(Somerville, MA) ; Mukamel; Eran A.; (La Jolla,
CA) ; Brown; Emery N.; (Boston, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION |
Boston |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005123346 |
Appl. No.: |
16/866208 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15111002 |
Jul 12, 2016 |
10674956 |
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PCT/US15/11304 |
Jan 14, 2015 |
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16866208 |
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61927104 |
Jan 14, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/4821 20130101;
A61B 5/374 20210101; A61B 5/742 20130101; A61B 5/4839 20130101;
A61B 5/316 20210101; A61B 5/291 20210101; A61B 5/7246 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A61B 5/0478 20060101 A61B005/0478; A61B 5/048 20060101
A61B005/048; A61B 5/04 20060101 A61B005/04 |
Claims
1. A system for monitoring consciousness of a subject experiencing
anesthesia, the system comprising: a plurality of sensors placed
about the subject and configured to acquire electroencephalogram
("EEG") data therefrom while the subject is receiving anesthesia;
at least one processor configured to: receive the EEG data from the
plurality of sensors; perform a phase-amplitude coupling analysis
using the received EEG data to determine a phase-amplitude
frequency distribution; identify a state of consciousness of the
subject using the determined phase-amplitude frequency
distribution; and generate a report indicative of the state of
consciousness of the subject.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further
configured to determine a baseline phase-amplitude frequency
distribution.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein identifying the state of
consciousness of the subject further comprises comparing the
phase-amplitude frequency distribution to the baseline
phase-amplitude frequency distribution.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further
configured to determine a polarity of a phase-coupling modulation
associated with the received EEG data.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein identifying the state of
consciousness of the subject further comprises comparing the
polarity of the phase-coupling modulation to a baseline polarity of
the phase-amplitude modulation.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further
configured to determine a spatial distribution of phase-amplitude
coupling using the received EEG data.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein identifying the state of
consciousness of the subject further comprises correlating a dose
of anesthesia with the determined phase-amplitude frequency
distribution.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein identifying the state of
consciousness of the subject further comprises determining
trough-max and peak-max modulation patterns.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the trough- and peak-max
modulation patterns are correlated with distinct neural circuits to
reflect distinct states of unconsciousness.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein a transition into a trough-max
modulation from a state of peak-max or intermediate state between
trough- and peak-max indicates that the subject is recovering
consciousness.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the trough-max state localized
to anterior cingulate and frontal cortices indicates that a degree
of internal consciousness may be present in the subject.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein a transition to a peak-max state
indicates a deeper level of impaired consciousness.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the peak-max state is
identified as a state that precedes burst suppression.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein the trough-max and peak-max
modulation patterns are related to the likelihood that the subject
could regain consciousness when presented external stimuli.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on, claims priority to, and
incorporates herein by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/927,104, filed Jan. 14, 2014, and entitled,
"SYSTEM AND METHOD CHARACTERIZING BRAIN STATES DURING GENERAL
ANESTHESIA AND SEDATION USING PHASE-AMPLITUDE MODULATION."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to systems and
method for monitoring a state of a subject and, more particularly,
to systems and methods for appropriate monitoring and controlling
states of a subject receiving a dose of anesthetic compound(s) or,
more colloquially, receiving a dose of "anesthesia" or
sedation.
[0003] Although the molecular actions of many anesthetic drugs at
specific receptors are known, alterations in network dynamics that
disrupt information processing and produce unconsciousness have
remained elusive. Typically, loss of consciousness is accompanied
by increased electroencephalogram ("EEG") power across a broad
range of frequencies less than 40 Hz. Traditional analyses,
including visual interpretation of EEG traces and time-frequency
power spectral analysis, are computationally simple and play a
central role in neurophysiology and clinical EEG applications.
However, power spectral analysis treats the EEG as a collection of
independent frequency bands, offering limited insight into the
modulation of network activity as a whole. Because cortical
networks frequently express oscillations in multiple frequency
bands simultaneously, nonlinear biophysical processes, such as
neuronal spiking, induce cross-frequency coupling, which is
undetectable by spectral analysis. Identifying global brain states,
such as sleep stages or general anesthesia-induced unconsciousness,
remains a significant challenge for understanding cortical
dynamics. Moreover, an EEG-based framework for understanding brain
state transitions during general anesthesia will be critical for
improving subject monitoring to avoid complications, such as
intra-operative awareness.
[0004] Given the above, there remains a need for systems and
methods that accurately characterize brain states of subjects
subjected to anesthesia or sedation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present disclosure provides systems and methods directed
to monitoring and controlling subjects using acquired physiological
data, for use in certain medical procedures, such as general
anesthesia and sedation. Specifically, the present invention
provides systems and methods.
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a system
for monitoring and/or controlling a state of consciousness of a
subject experiencing anesthesia are provided. The system includes a
plurality of sensors placed about the subject and configured to
acquire electroencephalogram ("EEG") data therefrom while the
subject is receiving anesthesia, and at least one processor
configured to receive the EEG data from the plurality of sensors,
and perform a phase-amplitude coupling analysis using the received
EEG data to determine a phase-amplitude frequency distribution. The
at least one processor is also configured to identify a state of
consciousness of the subject using the determined phase-amplitude
frequency distribution, and generate a report indicative of the
state of consciousness of the subject.
[0007] The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will
appear from the following description. In the description,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration a
preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not
necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, however, and
reference is made therefore to the claims and herein for
interpreting the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will hereafter be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals denote like elements.
[0009] FIG. 1A is schematic block diagram of an example
physiological monitoring system, in accordance with aspects of the
present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 1B is schematic block diagram of another example
physiological monitoring systems, in accordance with aspects of the
present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example system for use in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the steps in a process,
in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an example physiological monitoring system, in
accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a graphical illustration showing a phase-coupling
transition during general anesthesia using profopol.
[0015] FIG. 6A are graphical illustrations showing phase-amplitude
couplings for a number of subjects during anesthesia.
[0016] FIG. 6B is a graphical illustration showing a mean coupling
pattern across a population of subjects at various drug
concentrations.
[0017] FIG. 6C is a graphical illustration showing mean
concentration of propofol at loss of consciousness, recovery of
consciousness, and during trough-max and peak-max epochs.
[0018] FIG. 6D is a graphical illustration showing median
modulation index and modulation phase across a population of
subjects as a function of the center of the frequency based used
for phase and amplitude.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a graphical illustration showing that peak-max
coupling is not identical with burst suppression brain state.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a graphical illustration showing spatial
distribution of phase-amplitude coupling at baseline, trough-max
and peak-max epochs.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a graphical illustration showing average
modulation index at cortical patches estimated by source
localization analysis of EEG signals.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a graphical illustration of locations of
intracranial cortical surface electrodes mapped to an average
cortical surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Rhythmic oscillations shape cortical dynamics during active
behavior, sleep, and general anesthesia. Among other signatures,
cross-frequency phase-amplitude coupling is a prominent feature of
cortical oscillations, but its role in organizing conscious and
unconscious brain states is poorly understood. Using high-density
EEG and intracranial electrocorticography during gradual induction
of propofol general anesthesia in humans, the present disclosure
describes results from rapid drug-induced transitions between
distinct states with distinct phase-amplitude coupling and cortical
source distributions. These distinct states of phase-amplitude
coupling reflect different states of arousal or consciousness.
These results, provide objective electrophysiological landmarks of
distinct unconscious brain states, and could be used to help
improve EEG-based monitoring during general anesthesia and
sedation, as will be described.
[0024] In particular, the present disclosure recognizes that
information necessary for accurately identifying and characterizing
distinct global brain states may be contained in patterns of
coupling between distinct frequency bands. Thus, systems and
methods are provided herein that implement such information, and
other information, for purposes of monitoring and controlling a
subject during administration of anesthesia or sedation.
[0025] In particular, one form of cross-frequency interaction is
phase-amplitude coupling, in which power within one frequency band
waxes and wanes at specific phases of an underlying,
lower-frequency rhythm. Phase-amplitude coupling is widespread
during sleep, waking, and general anesthesia, and has been related
to attention and behavior in human and primate cortex. In previous
work by the inventors using scalp EEG recordings during
propofol-induced general anesthesia, two forms of coupling were
discovered between the phase of low-frequency activity ("LFA"),
which is typically in a frequency range roughly between 0.1 to 2
Hz, and the amplitude of rhythms in a frequency range roughly
between 8 and 14 Hz. In particular, one form of coupling can occur
during the transitions to and from an unconscious state, herein
referred to as "trough-max", whereas another can occur at deep
levels of unconsciousness, herein referred to as "peak-max." The
cortical networks involved in these distinct modulation patterns,
their frequency dependence, and their relationship to other brain
states, such as burst suppression, are presently unclear.
[0026] Therefore, results from investigations of cortical
generators of such modulation patterns are presented herein using
source localization analyses and intracranial electrocorticography.
In addition, analysis of their frequency dependence is performed,
demonstrating effects on individual subjects, and clarifying their
relationship to burst suppression. In particular, findings show
that patterns of cross-frequency coupling reflect dynamics within
distinct cortical networks and identify transitions in global brain
states.
[0027] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate
example subject monitoring systems and sensors that can be used to
provide monitoring of a subject, for instance, during
administration anesthesia, sedation, or other medical
procedure.
[0028] For example, FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a monitoring
system 10. Specifically, using monitoring system 10, a subject 12
is monitored using a sensor assembly 13 included therein, which can
transmit various signals over a cable 15 or other communication
link or medium to a physiological monitor 17. The physiological
monitor 17 includes a processor 19 and, optionally, a display 11
for reporting a variety of information, such as information related
to the condition of the subject 12, state of consciousness or
transitions from states of consciousness of the subject 12, as well
as other states of the subject 12. In some designs, the monitoring
system 10 may be a portable monitoring system. In other designs,
the monitoring system 10 may be a pod without a display, and
adapted to provide physiological parameter data to a display.
[0029] The sensor assembly 13 can include one or more sensing
elements such as, for example, electrical EEG sensors, or the like.
The sensor assembly 13 can generate respective signals by measuring
physiological parameters of the subject 12. The signals are then
processed by one or more processors 19. The one or more processors
19 then communicate the processed signal to the display 11, if
provided, or other logically connected output. In an embodiment,
the display 11 is incorporated in the physiological monitor 17. In
another embodiment, the display 11 is separate from the
physiological monitor 17.
[0030] For clarity, a single block is used to illustrate the sensor
assembly 13 shown in FIG. 1A. However, it should be understood that
the sensor assembly 13 shown is intended to represent one or more
sensors configured for placement at a variety of locations about
the skull of the subject 12 and acquire various physiological
signals. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly 13 can include
sensors of one type, such as EEG sensor. In other embodiments, the
sensor assembly 13 can include multiple types of sensors, such as
EEG sensors, brain oxygenation sensors, optical sensors, galvanic
skin response sensors, and so on. In each of the foregoing
embodiments, additional sensors of different types are also
optionally included. Other combinations of numbers and types of
sensors are also suitable for use with the monitoring system
10.
[0031] In some embodiments of the system shown in FIG. 1A, all of
the hardware used to receive and process signals from the sensors
are housed within the same housing. In other embodiments, some of
the hardware used to receive and process signals is housed within a
separate housing. In addition, the physiological monitor 17 of
certain embodiments includes hardware, software, or both hardware
and software, whether in one housing or multiple housings, used to
receive and process the signals transmitted by the sensor assembly
13.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1B, the sensor assembly 13 can include a
cable 25. The cable 25 can include three conductors, for example,
within an electrical shielding. One conductor 26 can provide power
to a physiological monitor 17, one conductor 28 can provide a
ground signal to the physiological monitor 17, and one conductor 28
can transmit signals from one sensor in the sensor assembly 13 to
the physiological monitor 17. For multiple sensors, one or more
additional cables 25 can be provided.
[0033] In some embodiments, the ground signal is an earth ground,
but in other embodiments, the ground signal is a subject ground,
sometimes referred to as a subject reference, a subject reference
signal, a return, or a subject return. In some embodiments, the
cable 25 carries two conductors within an electrical shielding
layer, and the shielding layer acts as the ground conductor.
Electrical interfaces 23 in the cable 25 can enable the cable to
electrically connect to electrical interfaces 21 in a connector 20
of the physiological monitor 17. In another embodiment, the sensor
13 and the physiological monitor 17 communicate wirelessly.
[0034] Processor 19 may be configured to perform a number of steps
for processing and analyzing data received from the sensor assembly
13. In particular, process 19 can be configured to assemble the
data in any number of forms, including waveforms, spectrograms,
coherograms, modulograms, and so on. Also, processor 19 can perform
a phase-amplitude coupling analysis to determine a phase-amplitude
frequency distribution, and/or a phase-amplitude coupling spatial
distribution, in accordance with the present disclosure.
Additionally, processor 19 may also be configured to identify other
signal markers or signatures associated with the received the data
using various analysis methods, including waveform analyses,
spectral analyses, frequency analyses, coherence analyses and so
on. For example, signal markers or signatures can include various
signal amplitudes, phases, frequencies, power spectra, frequency
distributions, spatial distribution, and so forth.
[0035] In some configurations, systems shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may
further include a memory, database or other data storage locations
(not shown), accessible by processor 19, to include reference
information or other data. Specifically, such reference information
can include reference listings or look-up tables including signals,
signal markers or signatures associated with specific anesthetic
drugs, treatments conditions, and the like. In some aspects, such
reference information can be used by the processor 19, optionally
including user input or selections, to identify states of
consciousness of a subject. In particular, processor 19 may process
and analyze acquired data to determine signal markers, signatures
or patterns, including phase-amplitude coupling frequency patterns,
spatial distribution patterns, phase-amplitude modulation polarity
patterns, and so on. Subsequently, subject states of consciousness
may be identified by performing a comparison of the determined
signal markers, signatures or patterns with those categorized in
the reference.
[0036] In other aspects, processor 19 may identify states of
consciousness of a subject by acquiring and/or processing baseline
data, such as baseline phase-amplitude frequency distribution data,
a baseline polarity of the phase-amplitude modulation, and so on.
States of consciousness may then be identified by processor 19 by
performing a comparison of the baseline data to the data received
from the sensor assembly 13, for instance, while undergoing a
medical procedure, such as receiving anesthesia or sedation.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, an example system 200 for use in
carrying out steps associated with identifying or characterizing
states of a subject, in accordance with the present disclosure, is
illustrated. The system 200 includes an input 202, a pre-processor
204, a phase-amplitude analysis engine 206, a state analyzer 208,
and an output 210. Some or all of the modules of the system 200 can
be implemented by a patient monitor as described above with respect
to FIG. 1.
[0038] The pre-processor 204 may be designed to carry out any
number of processing steps for operation of the system 200. In
addition, the pre-processor 204 may be configured to receive and
pre-process data received from the input 202. In some aspects,
pre-processor 204 may be configured to assemble the received data
into in any number of forms, including time series waveforms. In
addition, the pre-processor 204 may be configured to perform any
desirable noise rejection to filter any interfering signals
associated with the data, as well as well as select components, for
example, frequency components, associated with the data.
[0039] In some aspects, the pre-processor 204 may also be
configured to receive an indication via the input 202, such as
information related to administration of an anesthesia compound or
compounds, and/or an indication related to a particular subject
profile, such as a subject's age, height, weight, gender, or the
like, as well as drug administration information, such as timing,
dose, rate, and the like.
[0040] In addition to the pre-processor 204, the system 200 may
further include a phase-amplitude analysis engine 206, in
communication with the pre-processor 202, designed to receive
pre-processed data from the pre-processor 202 and carry out steps
necessary for a phase-amplitude analysis, in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure, as well as other analyses. In
some aspects, may be configured to assemble modulograms,
spectrograms, coherograms, and so on, using data received from the
pre-processor 206.
[0041] As a result, the phase-amplitude analysis engine 206 may
provide data related to phase-amplitude frequency distributions,
polarity of a phase-coupling modulation, spatial distribution of
phase-amplitude modulation, and so on, which may then be used by
the brain state analyzer 208 to determine brain state(s) of the
subject. For example, the brain state analyzer 208 may identify
states of consciousness or sedation during administration of a drug
with anesthetic properties, such as a loss of consciousness, a
recovery from consciousness, or a level of consciousness, as well
as confidence indications related to the determined state(s). In
some aspects, the brain state analyzer 208 may utilize reference or
baseline data, as described, in determining brain state(s) of the
subject.
[0042] Information related to the determined state(s) may then be
relayed to the output 210, along with any other desired
information, in any shape or form, intermittently or in real-time.
In some aspects, the output 210 may include a display configured to
provide information or indicators with respect to denoised spectral
decompositions, that may be formulated using spectrogram
representations, either intermittently or in real time.
[0043] Turning now to FIG. 3, a process 300 in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Beginning with process
block 302, any amount of physiological data may be obtained,
including EEG data acquired from various locations about a
subject's skull using, for example, using systems described with
respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B. In some aspects, the physiological data
may include baseline data.
[0044] Then at process block 304, a phase-amplitude coupling
analysis, along with other analyses, may be performed using the
received data. In particular, a number of phase-amplitude
modulograms M(t, .phi.) may be constructed, as detailed below,
which characterize the relative amplitude of activity in a
frequency band f.sub.amp, as a function of the phase of the rhythm
in band f.sub.ph. This can include processing received EEG signals,
x(t), by applying a band-pass filter to extract each frequency band
of interest, x.sub.b(t), where b refers to the amplitude frequency
band or phase frequency band. Preferably, filters may chosen to
adequately isolate these frequency bands while allowing temporal
resolution of changes in phase-amplitude coupling, which occur
within about 2 min or less. A symmetric finite impulse response
filters may be used using a least-squares approach. For example,
using a MATLAB function firls; f.sub.ph passband=0.1-1 Hz,
transition bands=0.085-0.1 and 1-1.15 Hz, attenuation in stop band
dB, filter order 2207; f.sub.amp, passband=8-13.9 Hz, transition
bands=5.9-8.0 and 13.9-16.0 Hz, attenuation in stop band .gtoreq.60
dB, filter order 513. However, it may be appreciated that other
frequencies filters, and other processing parameters may be
utilized. A Hilbert transform may then be used to extract the
instantaneous amplitude and phase.
[0045] Specifically a modulogram may be computed by assigning a
given temporal sample to one of, say, N=18 equally spaced phase
bins based on the instantaneous value of .psi..sub.ph(t), although
other values are possible, and then averaging the corresponding
values of A.sub.amp(t) within say a 2 min epoch as follows:
M ( t , .phi. ) = .intg. t - .delta. t 2 t + .delta. t 2 .intg.
.phi. - .delta. t 2 .phi. + .delta. t 2 A amp ( t ' ) .delta. (
.psi. ph ( t ' ) - .phi. ' ) d .phi. ' dt ' .intg. t - .delta. t 2
t + .delta. t 2 A amp ( t ' ) dt ' ; ( 1 ) ##EQU00001##
[0046] where .delta.(t)=120 s and .delta..phi.=2 .pi./N. Note
that
n = 1 N M ( t , .phi. n ) = 1 , .phi. n = 2 .pi. n / N ,
##EQU00002##
so that M(t, .phi.) is normalized over phase bins. To reduce noise
in estimated modulagrams, the value of M(t, .phi.) may be averaged
from multiple electrode locations. For example, six frontal
electrodes Fz in the standard montages may be averaged.
[0047] A modulation index, MI(t) may be defined as follows:
MI ( t ) = n = 1 N M ( t , .phi. n ) log 2 M ( t , .phi. n ) 1 / N
. ( 2 ) ##EQU00003##
[0048] A statistical significance may be assessed by performing a
permutation test. For instance, a number of random time shifts,
.DELTA.t, may be sampled from a uniform distribution on an
interval, for example, between -60 sec and +60 sec. The value for
MI.sub.perm(t) may then be computed using the original phase,
.psi..sub.phh(t), and the shifted amplitude, A.sub.amp(t-.DELTA.t).
MI(t) may then be deemed significant if it exceeding, for instance,
95% of the permuted values, MI.sub.perm(t). A bootstrap calculation
could also be performed to assess statistical significance or
compute confidence intervals.
[0049] In case of significant coupling, a phase of the frequency
band f.sub.ph at which the amplitude of the frequency band
f.sub.amp is greatest can be determined by finding the phase of the
sinusoid that best fit the modulogram at each time point as
follows:
.PHI. ( t ) .ident. arg [ n = 1 N e i .phi. n M ( t , .phi. n ) ] .
( 3 ) ##EQU00004##
[0050] In some aspects, an analysis of a spatial distribution of
phase-amplitude coupling may also be performed at process block 204
using data obtained from multiple sensor locations about the
subject's head. In particular, a scalp topography of
phase-amplitude coupling and EEG power may be performed, generating
scalp patterns or maps. In some aspects, combined maps across
multiple subjects may be produced, for example, by taking a median
of the population data.
[0051] To estimate the spatial distribution of cortical currents
responsible for peak- and trough-max EEG coupling, for instance, a
source localization analysis of the EEG signal may be performed
using the minimum norm estimate (MNE) followed by phase-amplitude
coupling analysis of the estimated cortical current sources. For
instance, Freesurfer software may be used to reconstruct tissue
surfaces for the forward model based on high-resolution structural
images, for example, obtainable using a magnetic resonance imaging
system. A three layer boundary element forward model may be
constructed using MNE software.
[0052] Localization analysis may use a reduced-dimension source
space of say 1284 patches of uniform current density, each for
example, 1.25 cm in diameter, although other values may be
possible. Source current time series estimated by MNE may then be
used to calculate the MI, as described above. In some aspects, to
test significance within each patch, phase and amplitude may be
resampled from within each subject's trough- or peak-max epoch to
construct a null distribution for the MI. In some aspects, these
may be combined across a number of subjects using surface-based
registration to obtain an average cortical surface map. A p-value
for each patch was may be obtained by fitting a .gamma.
distribution to the group average null distribution; validity of
the .gamma. distribution may be confirmed using Pearson's
.chi..sup.2 test (for instance, at 95% confidence level). The
p-values may be used to control the false discovery rate.
[0053] Referring again to FIG. 3, at process block 306, states of
consciousness of the subject may then be identified using
information obtained from analyses performed at process block 304.
For instance, determined information at process block 306 may
include phase-amplitude frequency distributions, polarity of a
phase-coupling modulation, spatial distribution of phase-amplitude
modulation, and so on.
[0054] Then at process block 308 a report may be generated, for
example, in the form a printed report or, preferably, a real-time
display. The report may include raw or processed data, signature
information, r indications related to current or future brain
states or levels of consciousness. Displayed signature information
or determined states may be in the form of waveforms, spectrograms,
coherograms, modulograms, probability curves, maps, indices and so
forth.
[0055] Specifically now referring to FIG. 4, an example system 400
in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated, for use
in monitoring and/or controlling a state of a subject during a
medical procedure, or as result of an injury, pathology or other
condition. In some aspects, the system 400 could be used to guide
or control, as non-limiting examples, medically-induced coma,
anesthesia, or sedation. In other aspects, the system 400 could be
used to guide or control medically-induced hypothermia, for
instance during hypothermia treatment after cardiac arrest, or
during cardiac surgery.
[0056] The system 400 includes a subject monitoring device 412 that
may include multiple physiological sensors, such as EEG sensors.
However, it is contemplated that the subject monitoring device 412
may incorporate other sensors including blood oxygenation sensors,
temperature sensors, acoustic respiration monitoring sensors,
galvanic skin response sensors and so forth.
[0057] The subject monitoring device 412 is connected via a cable
414 to communicate with a monitoring system 416, which may be a
portable system or device, and provides input of physiological data
acquired from a subject to the monitoring system 416.
Alternatively, the cable 414 and similar connections can be
replaced by wireless connections between components. The monitoring
system 416 may be configured to receive raw signals acquired by the
sensors and assemble, and even display, the raw or processed
signals or information derived therefrom.
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the monitoring system 416 may be
further connected to a dedicated analysis system 418. In some
aspects, the analysis system 418 may receive the data from the
monitoring system 416, and perform a phase-amplitude coupling
analysis to identify brain states of the subject, such as levels of
consciousness, and generate a report, for example, as a printed
report or, preferably, a real-time display of signature information
and identified states. In some aspects, the subject monitoring
device 412 may be in communication with a portable processing
system 410, for instance, as described with reference to FIG. 2,
which may be configured for perform any number of processing steps,
such as identifying and/or relaying information relating to brain
states of a subject. Although shown as separate systems in FIG. 4,
it is also contemplated that components and/or functionalities
monitoring system 418 and analysis system 418 and system 400 may be
combined or integrated.
[0059] In some configurations, the system 400 may also include a
treatment system 420. The treatment system 420 may be coupled to
the analysis system 418 and monitoring system 416, such that the
system 400 forms a closed-loop monitoring and control system. Such
a closed-loop monitoring and control system may capable of a wide
range of operation, and may include a user interface 422, or user
input, to allow a user to configure the closed-loop monitoring and
control system, receive feedback from the closed-loop monitoring
and control system, and, if needed reconfigure and/or override the
closed-loop monitoring and control system.
[0060] In some configurations, the treatment system 420 may include
a drug delivery system not only able to control the administration
of anesthetic compounds for the purpose of placing the subject in a
state of reduced consciousness influenced by the anesthetic
compounds, such as general anesthesia or sedation, but can also
implement and reflect systems and methods for bringing a subject to
and from a state of greater or lesser consciousness. In other
configurations the treatment system 420 may include a hypothermia
treatment system. Other treatments may be administered or
facilitated by the treatment system 420 as well.
[0061] The above-described systems and methods may be further
understood by way of example. This example is offered for
illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope
of the present invention in any way. Indeed, various modifications
of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing
description and the following examples and fall within the scope of
the appended claims. For example, specific examples of brain
states, medical conditions, levels of anesthesia or sedation and so
on, in association with specific drugs and medical procedures are
provided, although it will be appreciated that other drugs, doses,
states, conditions and procedures, may be considered within the
scope of the present invention. Furthermore, examples are given
with respect to specific indicators related to brain states,
although it may be understood that other indicators and
combinations thereof may also be considered within the scope of the
present invention. Likewise, specific process parameters and
methods are recited that may be altered or varied based on
variables such as signal amplitude, phase, frequency, duration and
so forth.
EXAMPLE
[0062] Ten healthy volunteers (5 male) were induced and allowed
recovery from general anesthesia using the intravenous anesthetic
propofol (2,6 di-isopropyl-phenol). Propofol concentration
increased in steps from 0 to 5 mcg/ml every 14 min, followed by
gradual reduction (see FIG. 1a). A 64 channel EEG data was acquired
using a BrainVision MRI Plus system (BrainAmp MRPlus,
Brain-Products) with sampling rate 5 kHz, resolution density (see
FIG. 1c) was computed using a multitaper method (window 0.5 microV
least significant bit, and bandwidth 0.016-1000 Hz. Galvanic skin
response and plethysmography (PowerLab; AD Instruments) was also
recorded. Electrodes, amplifiers, and filter settings provided
accurate and unbiased recording of the entire frequency range
analyzed in this study (0.1-50 Hz). A Bayesian method was used to
estimate the time-varying probability of response (see FIG. 1b).
The time of loss of consciousness (LOC), tLOC, and return of
consciousness (ROC), tROC, were defined as the first and last times
at which the median response probability was less than 0.05.
[0063] EEG data were re-referenced using a Laplacian montage by
subtracting the mean of each channel's nearest neighbors. The
Laplacian montage improves spatial localization of focal sources
but attenuates EEG components with low spatial frequencies. Because
these components tend to have low temporal frequencies, it was also
found to attenuate low temporal frequencies. It was verified that
the reference choice had a minor impact on measurement of
phase-amplitude coupling by repeating the analysis using the
average of mastoid electrodes as a reference. Raw signals, x.sub.lo
(t), were first smoothed using an anti-aliasing filter and
down-sampled to 250 Hz. Ultra-low-frequency drift was removed by
subtracting a piecewise quadratic spline fit to the signal with
knots every 15 s. Bad channels were rejected by visual inspection.
A conservative procedure was adopted to remove low-frequency, large
amplitude EEG artifacts caused by movements while subjects were
awake. The low-frequency signal, x.sub.lo(t) was extracted by
applying a band-pass filter (0.2-6 Hz), down-sampling to 5 Hz, and
then applying a medial filter (window size 30 s) to |x.sub.lo(t)|.
Artifacts were defined as any time points for which |x.sub.lo(t)|
was at least 10-fold greater than this local threshold. Data within
.+-.5 s of any artifact on each channel was excluded. Power
spectral density (see FIG. 1c) was computed using a multitaper
method (2 sec window size and 3 tapers).
[0064] In addition, eight subjects (5 male) with epilepsy
intractable to medication were implanted with intracranial subdural
electrocorticography ("ECoG") electrodes for clinical monitoring (1
cm spacing, AdTech). Electrode placement was determined by clinical
criteria, and covered regions within temporal, frontal, and
parietal cortices (7 of 8 patients in the left hemisphere).
Recordings were collected during surgery for electrode explanation.
Anesthesia was administered as a bolus of propofol according to
standard clinical protocol based on the anesthesiologist's clinical
judgment. ECOoG data was sampled at 500 Hz with a single reference
placed facing the dura in the posterior parietal region. After
visual rejection of bad channels, the same analysis of EEG data was
applied, as described above. Individual MR and CT images were used
to localize electrodes with respect to the cortical surface. These
locations were mapped to an average reference brain and combined
across subjects for display.
[0065] Results obtained indicate that the general anesthetic drug
propofol evokes distinct unconscious brain states with opposite
patterns of phase-amplitude coupling and unique source
distributions, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Specifically, during
controlled administration of profol (FIG. 5A) power spectral
analysis showed that .beta. power (12-20 Hz) increases at
subanesthetic concentrations before loss of consciousness ("LOC"),
followed by a sustained increase in low frequency activity ("LFA")
(0.1-1 Hz), and a frontally organized .alpha. rhythm (8-14 Hz)
throughout the period of unconsciousness (FIG. 5C). By analyzing
cross-frequency phase-amplitude coupling, it was discovered that
the frontal .alpha. rhythm waxes and wanes at specific phases of
the LFA during unconsciousness (FIG. 1D; gray bars). This coupling
is also visible in raw EEG traces (FIGS. 5E and 5E).
[0066] Two distinct patterns of phase-amplitude coupling were
observed during the unconscious period. At the threshold propofol
concentration for LOC, c.sub.LOC, .alpha. amplitude was largest
during the surface-negative phase of the LFA (trough-max). After an
increase in propofol concentration, the phase-amplitude
relationship abruptly reversed, with maximum .alpha. amplitude at
the surface-positive phase of the LFA (peak-max). The transition
between trough- and peak-max coupling occurred within a few
minutes, after which the peak-max pattern remained until the
propofol concentration was reduced. The change in phase-amplitude
coupling did not coincide with the major increase in low-frequency
EEG power, which occurred at LOC (FIG. 5C). This highlights the
need for cross-frequency analysis to detect the shift in network
dynamics.
[0067] All of study subjects (n=10) showed significant trough-max
coupling during the transition to and/or recovery from
un-consciousness, and eight showed significant peak-max coupling at
the highest propofol concentrations (5 microg/ml) (FIGS. 6A-C).
Overall, coupling was significant at frontal locations during 67%
of unconscious epochs; only 11% were significant before propofol
administration. The median modulation index ("MI"), a measure of
coupling strength, doubled from 6.times.10.sup.-3 bits at baseline
to 12.times.10.sup.-3 bits after LOC (p<10-3, Mann-Whitney U
test).
[0068] The frequency dependence of phase-amplitude coupling was
also examined Although significant phase-amplitude coupling was
observed in some subjects while they were awake before LOC (FIG.
5A), overall coupling before propofol administration was not
consistent across subjects for any of the frequencies tested
(0.2-50 Hz; FIGS. 6D-E). After LOC, phase-amplitude coupling was
concentrated within the LFA and .alpha. bands. Trough-max coupling
linked LFA and S phase (0.4-4 Hz) with and .alpha. low .beta.
amplitude (8.3-17 Hz). During peak-max epochs, separate patterns of
coupling were found between a amplitude and the LFA (0.1-1 Hz) and
8 (1-4 Hz) bands. .alpha. amplitude being the highest at the peaks
of the LFA, whereas coupling to the .delta. band peaked about
-.pi./2, (FIG. 6D)
[0069] Profound unconsciousness during general anesthesia, coma,
and hypothermia can evoke a burst suppression pattern in which
high-frequency activity alternates with isoelectric periods. Burst
suppression is a distinct state from sleep slow waves and slow
oscillations during general anesthesia, which are more regular and
alternate at a faster rate. In the present study, 4 of 10 subjects
entered a state of burst suppression at the highest propofol
concentration. These subjects exhibited peak-max coupling during
both burst suppression and non-burst suppression epochs (FIG. 7).
Peak-max coupling is therefore not simply a consequence of burst
suppression but in stead represents a network state, which can
occur at lower anesthetic drug doses, and also during the active
burst period during burst suppression.
[0070] Peak- and trough-max coupling had distinct spatial profiles
over the scalp and across cortical regions. Traditional
frequency-band analysis has identified the occipital-to-frontal
shift in low-frequency (<40 Hz) scalp EEG power as a hallmark of
general anesthesia. During the transition to unconsciousness,
herein it was found that trough-max coupling of a amplitude with
LFA phase was likewise concentrated at frontal electrodes (FIG. 8).
However, peak-max coupling dominated activity throughout frontal,
temporal, and posterocentral regions. Each subject's anatomical MRI
was used to reconstruct cranial tissue surfaces and perform
biophysical model-based source localization using a minimum norm
estimation algorithm (FIG. 9). This procedure is biased toward
distributed cortical sources, so these results represent a
conservative estimate of localization. Significant trough-max
coupling in anterior cingulate and frontal cortices bilaterally was
found, whereas peak-max coupling extended throughout much of the
cortex and was strongest in frontal and temporal lobes.
[0071] To directly examine the cortical sources of phase-amplitude
coupled activity with high spatial resolution, intra-cranial ECoG
data was recorded using subdural electrode grids in 8 epilepsy
subjects during induction of general anesthesia with propofol (605
total electrodes). After LOC, significant coupling appeared in
frontal, occipital, and temporal cortices (FIG. 10). The sign of
the referential ECoG varies depending on the geometry of local
sources, resulting in a bimodal distribution of coupling phase
concentrated at 0 and .pi. (FIG. 10).
[0072] Data herein that propofol consistently evokes two distinct
cortical states with opposite phase-amplitude coupling. These EEG
patterns appear in a stereotyped progression during the induction
of and recovery from unconsciousness. In contrast with
phase-amplitude coupling observed during waking and sleep states,
the patterns observed herein critically involve the frontal a
rhythm, which is a hallmark of general anesthesia. Peak-max
coupling resembles the well-studied slow oscillation, in which
scalp-positive waves are associated with transient activated
cortical UP/ON states showing increased broadband EEG, local field
potential power, and multiunit activity, whereas scalp-negative
waves are associated with quiescent DOWN/OFF states. It was found
that peak-max coupling does not require a burst suppression
activity pattern. Rather, peak-max coupling may be a general
signature of unconsciousness in the cortex that precedes the onset
of burst suppression.
[0073] The trough-max pattern parallels reports of increased
cortical excitability and attention during the surface-negative
phase of slow cortical potentials. This pattern is localized in
anterior cingulate and frontal cortices, the most rostral portion
of an ascending arousal system, including brainstem, thalamic, and
cortical networks that becomes more metabolically active during
emergence from propofol-induced unconsciousness. Activity in
anterior cingulate and frontal cortices also covaries with
spontaneous fluctuations in internal awareness; the trough-max
pattern might therefore be associated with propofol-induced changes
in circuits mediating internal awareness.
[0074] The transition identified herein in cortical dynamics shows
that unconsciousness during propofol general anesthesia is not a
unitary brain state. Instead, propofol evokes at least two distinct
states with opposite patterns of cross-frequency phase-amplitude
coupling that engage different cortical networks. The fact that
these opposing modulation patterns are mutually exclusive, with
distinct spatial distributions, suggests that alternation between
widespread cortical ON and OFF states during peak-max coupling
begins only after disruption of the frontal trough-max pattern.
These objective EEG landmarks enable reliable interpretation of the
physiology and functional significance of cortical activity during
unconsciousness.
[0075] FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B show that the state of phase-amplitude
modulation reflects varying levels of unconsciousness with
increasing or decreasing anesthetic drug dose. These figures show
that with increasing drug levels, and decreasing probability of
response, the phase amplitude modulation state changes from
trough-max to peak-max, passing through an intermediate state where
neither trough- nor peak-max modulation are present. FIGS. 8 and 9
show that the trough- and peak-max modulation patterns reflect
activity within distinct neural circuits, and thus reflect distinct
states of unconsciousness with different properties that may be
clinically desired or clinically disadvantageous, depending on the
context. This information could be used to monitor and manage
sedation and general anesthesia by clinicians as well as by
automated control algorithms. For instance, if an anesthesiologist
observed that the patient transitioned into trough-max modulation
from a deeper state (peak-max or the intermediate state between
trough- and peak-max), it would indicate that the patient was
recovering consciousness. The trough-max state is localized to
anterior cingulate and frontal cortices, which imply that a degree
of internal consciousness may be present in patients displaying
this pattern of modulation. Such patients in a trough-max state
could be aroused to responsiveness by external stimuli.
Consequently, during surgery under general anesthesia, the
trough-max state might reflect an inadequate state of impaired
consciousness for the clinical situation. In contrast, for surgical
or medical procedures requiring only sedation or monitored
anesthesia care, where it might be desirable to have the patient
respond to verbal or tactile stimuli and regain consciousness
quickly, the trough-max state could reflect a
clinically-appropriate state of impaired consciousness.
[0076] The peak-max state, as well as the intermediate state
between trough-and peak-max, reflects a deeper level of impaired
consciousness, in which it may not be possible to be aroused to
responsiveness by external stimuli. Such brain states might
therefore be highly appropriate clinically for surgery under
general anesthesia where patients must remain unconscious or
unaware. Because the peak-max state precedes burst suppression, it
could be used as an indicator to prevent over-administration of
anesthetics into a burst suppression state.
[0077] A similar rationale could be employed to administer sedation
to patients in the intensive care unit. The trough-max modulation
signal could be used to establish a state of sedation where
patients are unconscious but can be aroused to consciousness with
verbal or tactile stimuli. The state in-between trough- and
peak-max, as well as peak-max itself, could be an indicator of
either deep sedation, or sedation that is too deep if lighter
sedation is clinically indicated.
[0078] Clinical criteria as described above could be implemented in
automated control algorithms to maintain brain states indicated by
phase-amplitude modulation during general anesthesia or
sedation.
[0079] The frequency distribution for phase-amplitude modulation,
as represented in FIG. 6D, for instance, could be used to help
identify different drugs used in anesthesia or other applications.
For instance, different drugs may show different frequencies for
phase, or different frequencies for amplitude, over which
phase-amplitude modulation is present. Moreover, the specific phase
relationship, indicated by the modulation phase in FIG. 6D, may
differ according to drug. In anesthesia and intensive care
applications where multiple drugs are being used, this ability to
distinguish between different drugs could be used to help identify
which drug in a given combination is working in a dominant fashion.
Such a determination could then be used to help adjust the
combination of drugs begin administered, or guide future
administration of drugs given the kinetics of the drug presently
being administered.
[0080] The various configurations presented above are merely
examples and are in no way meant to limit the scope of this
disclosure. Variations of the configurations described herein will
be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, such
variations being within the intended scope of the present
application. In particular, features from one or more of the
above-described configurations may be selected to create
alternative configurations comprised of a sub-combination of
features that may not be explicitly described above. In addition,
features from one or more of the above-described configurations may
be selected and combined to create alternative configurations
comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly
described above. Features suitable for such combinations and
sub-combinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in
the art upon review of the present application as a whole. The
subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends
to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.
* * * * *