United States Patent (19) 11) 3,951,134

Malech (45 Apr. 20, 1976

(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR 3,555,529 | | 1971 Brown et al...................... 128/2. 1 R
REMOTELY MONITORING AND 3,773,049 1 1/1973 Rabichev et al.................... 1281 C
ALTERING BRAN WAVES 3,796,208 3/1974 Bloice.................................. 128/2 S
75) Inventor: Robert G. Malech, Plainview, N.Y. Primary Examiner-William E. Kamm
73 Assignee: Dorne & Margolin Inc., Bohemia, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Darby & Darby
N.Y.
22) Filed: Aug. 5, 1974 (57) ABSTRACT
21 ) Appl. No.: 494,518 Apparatus for and method of sensing brain waves at a
position remote from a subject whereby electromag
netic signals of different frequencies are simulta
(52) U.S. Cl............................................... 128/2.1 B neously transmitted to the brain of the subject in
51 Int. Cl.’............................................ A61 B 5/04 which the signals interfere with one another to yield a
58) Field of Search................. 128/l C, 1 R, 2.1 B, waveform which is modulated by the subject's brain
128/2. 1 R, 419 R, 422 R, 420, 404, 2 R, 2 S, waves. The interference waveform which is represen
2.05 R, 2.05 V, 2.05 F, 2.06 R; 340,248 A, tative of the brain wave activity is re-transmitted by
258 A, 258 B, 258 D, 229 the brain to a receiver where it is demodulated and
amplified. The demodulated waveform is then dis
56) References Cited played for visual viewing and routed to a computer for
UNITED STATES PATENTS further processing and analysis. The demodulated
2,860,627 l 1958 Harden et al.................... 128/2.1 B waveform also can be used to produce a compensating
3,096,768 7/1963 Griffith, Jr.......................... 128/420 signal which is transmitted back to the brain to effect
3,233,450 2/1966 Fry................................... 28/2. R a desired change in electrical activity therein.
3,483,860 12/1969 Namerow ... ... 12812.05 F
3,495,596 21970 Condict............................... 12871 C 11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures

48 50 58

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U.S. Patent April 20, 1976 Sheet 1 of 2 3,951,134

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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
MONITORING AND ALTERING BRAIN WAVES Other and further objects of the invention will appear
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION from the following description and the accompanying
drawings, which form part of the instant specification
Medical science has found brain waves to be a useful and which are to be read in conjunction therewith, and
barometer of organic functions. Measurements of elec in which like reference numerals are used to indicate
trical activity in the brain have been instrumental in like parts in the various views;
detecting physical and psychic disorder, measuring O
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the interconnec
stress, determining sleep patterns, and monitoring body tion of the components of the apparatus of the inven
metabolism. tion;
The present art for measurement of brain waves em FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing signal flow in one
ploys electroencephalographs including probes with embodiment of the apparatus.
sensors which are attached to the skull of the subject 15 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
under study at points proximate to the regions of the EMBODIMENT
brain being monitored. Electrical contact between the
sensors and apparatus employed to process the de Referring to the drawings, specifically FIG. 1, a high
tected brain waves is maintained by a plurality of wires frequency transmitter 2 produces and supplies two
extending from the sensors to the apparatus. The ne 20
electromagnetic wave signals through suitable coupling
cessity for physically attaching the measuring appara means 14 to an antenna 4. The signals are directed by
tus to the subject imposes several limitations on the the antenna 4 to the skull 6 of the subject 8 being exam
measurement process. The subject may experience ined. The two signals from the antenna 4, which travel
discomfort, particulary if the measurements are to be independently, penetrate the skull 6 and impinge upon
made over extended periods of time. His bodily move the tissue of the brain 10.
25 Within the tissue of the brain 10, the signals combine,
ments are restricted and he is generally confined to the
immediate vicinity of the measuring apparatus. Fur much in the manner of a conventional mixing process
thermore, measurements cannot be made while the technique, with each section of the brain having a dif
subject is conscious without his awareness. The com ferent modulating action. The resulting waveform of
prehensiveness of the measurements is also limited the two signals has its greatest amplitude when the two
30 signals are in phase and thus reinforcing one another.
since the finite number of probes employed to monitor When the signals are exactly 180 out of phase the
local regions of brain wave activity do not permit ob
servation of the total brain wave profile in a single test. combination produces a resultant waveform of mini
mum amplitude. If the amplitudes of the two signals
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION transmitted to the subject are maintained at identical
35 levels, the resultant interference waveform, absent
The present invention relates to apparatus and a influences of external radiation, may be expected to
method for monitoring brain waves wherein all compo assume zero intensity when maximum interference
nents of the apparatus employed are remote from the occurs, the number of such points being equal to the
test subject. More specifically, high frequency trans difference in frequencies of the incident signals. How
mitters are operated to radiate electromagnetic energy 40 ever, interference by radiation from electrical activity
of different frequencies through antennas which are within the brain 10 causes the waveform resulting from
capable of scanning the entire brain of the test subject interference of the two transmitted signals to vary from
or any desired region thereof. The signals of different the expected result, i.e., the interference waveform is
frequencies penetrate the skull of the subject and im modulated by the brain waves. It is believed that this is
pinge upon the brain where they mix to yield an inter 45
due to the fact that brain waves produce electric
ference wave modulated by radiations from the brain's charges each of which has a component of electromag
natural electrical activity. The modulated interference netic radiation associated with it. The electromagnetic
wave is re-transmitted by the brain and received by an radiation produced by the brain waves in turn reacts
antenna at a remote station where it is demodulated, with the signals transmitted to the brain from the exter
and processed to provide a profile of the suject's brain 50 nal source.
waves. In addition to passively monitoring his brain The modulated interference waveform is re-transmit
waves, the subject's neurological processes may be ted from the brain 10, back through the skull 6. A
affected by transmitting to his brain, through a trans quantity of energy is re-transmitted sufficient to enable
mitter, compensating signals. The latter signals can be it to be picked up by the antenna 4. This can be con
derived from the received and processed brain waves. 55 trolled, within limits, by adjusting the absolute and
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION relative intensities of the signals, originally transmitted
to the brain. Of course, the level of the transmitted
It is therefore an object of the invention to remotely energy should be kept below that which may be harm
monitor electrical activity in the entire brain or se ful to the subject.
lected local regions thereof with a single measurement. 60 The antenna passes the received signal to a receiver
Another object is the monitoring of a subject's brain 12 through the antenna electronics 14. Within the re
wave activity through transmission and reception of ceiver the wave is amplified by conventional RF ampli
electromagnetic waves. fiers 16 and demodulated by conventional detector and
Still another object is to monitor brain wave activity modulator electronics 18. The demodulated wave, rep
from a position remote from the subject. 65 resenting the intra-brain electrical activity, is amplified
A further object is to provide a method and appara by amplifiers 20 and the resulting information in elec
tus for affecting brain wave activity by transmittin tronic form is stored in buffer circuitry 22. From the
electromagnetic signals thereto. . . s. buffers 22 the information is fed to a suitable visual
 3,951,134
3 4
display 24, for example one employing a cathode ray mechanically, e.g., by a reversing motor, or electroni
tube, light emitting diodes, liquid crystals, or a mechan cally, e.g., by energizing elements in the antenna in
ical plotter. The information may also be channeled to proper synchronization. Thus, the antenna(s) can be of
a computer 26 for further processing and analysis with either fixed or rotary conventional types.
the output of the computer displayed by heretofore A second 100 MHz signal derived from output termi
mentioned suitable means. nal 37 of the three-way power divider 34 is applied to
In addition to channeling its information to display a circulator 38 and emerges therefrom with a desired
devices 24, the computer 26 can also produce signals to phase shift. The circulator 38 can be of any conven
control an auxiliary transmitter 28. Transmitter 28 is tional type wherein a signal applied to an input port
used to produce a compensating signal which is trans 10 emerges from an output port with an appropriate phase
mitted to the brain 10 of the subject 8 by the antenna shift. The 100 MHz signal is then transmitted to the
4. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the brain 10 of the subject being monitored via the antenna
compensating signal is derived as a function of the 43 as the second component of the dual signal trans
received brain wave signals, although it can be pro mission. The antenna 43 can be of conventional type
duced separately. The compensating signals affect elec 15 similar to antenna 41 herebefore described. As previ
trical activity within the brain 10. ously noted, these two antennas may be combined in a
Various configurations of suitable apparatus and single unit.
electronic circuitry may be utilized to form the system The transmitted 100 and 210 MHz signal compo
generally shown in FIG. 1 and one of the many possible nents mix within the tissue in the brain 10 and interfere
configurations is illustrated in FIG. 2. In the example 20 with one another yielding a signal of a frequency of 110
shown therein, two signals, one of 100 MHz and the MHz, the difference in frequencies of the two incident
other of 210 MHz are transmitted simultaneously and components, modulated by electromagnetic emissions
combine in the brain 10 to form a resultant wave of from the brain, i.e., the brain wave activity being moni
frequency equal to the difference in frequencies of the tored. This modulated 110 MHz signal is radiated into
incident signals, i.e., 110 MHz. The sum of the two 25 Space.
incident frequencies is also available, but is discarded The 110 MHz signal, modulated by brain wave activ
in subsequent filtering. The 100 MHz signal is obtained ity, is picked up by an antenna 45 and channeled back
at the output 37 of an RF power divider 34 into which through the circulator 38 where it undergoes an appro
a 100 MHz signal generated by an oscillator 30 is in priate phase shift. The circulator 38 isolates the trans
jected. The oscillator 30 is of a conventional type em 30 mitted signals from the received signal. Any suitable
ploying either crystals for fixed frequency circuits or a diplexer or duplexer can be used. The antenna 45 can
tunable circuit set to oscillate at 100 MHz. It can be a be of conventional type similar to antennas 41 and 43.
pulse generator, square wave generator or sinusoidal It can be combined with them in a single unit or it can
wave generator. The RF power divider can be any be separate. The received modulated 110 MHz signal is
conventional VHF, UHF or SHF frequency range de 35 then applied to a band pass filter 42, to eliminate unde
vice constructed to provide, at each of three outputs, a sirable harmonics and extraneous noise, and the fil
signal identical in frequency to that applied to its input. tered 110 MHz signal is inserted into a mixer 44 into
The 210 MHz signal is derived from the same 100 which has also been introduced a component of the
MHz oscillator 30 and RF power divider 34 as the 100 100 MHz signal from the source 30 distributed by the
MHz signal, operating in concert with a frequency 40 RF power divider 34. The filter 42 can be any conven
doubler 36 and 10 MHz oscillator 32. The frequency tional band pass filter. The mixer 44 may also be of
doubler can be any conventional device which provides conventional type similar to the mixer 40 herebefore
at its output a signal with frequency equal to twice the described.
frequency of a signal applied at its input. The 10 MHz The 100 MHz and 110 MHz signals combine in the
oscillator can also be of conventional type similar to 45 mixer 44 to yield a signal of frequency equal to the
the 100 MHz oscillator herebefore described. A 100 difference in frequencies of the two component signals,
MHz signal from the output 39 of the RF power divider i.e., 10 MHz still modulated by the monitored brain
34 is fed through the frequency doubler 36 and the wave activity. The 10 MHz signal is amplified in an IF
resulting 200 MHz signal is applied to a mixer 40. The amplifier 46 and channeled to a demodulator 48. The
mixer 40 can be any conventional VHF, UHF or SHF 50 IF amplifier and demodulator 48 can both be of con
frequency range device capable of accepting two input ventional types. The type of demodulator selected will
signals of differing frequencies and providing two out depend on the characteristics of the signals transmitted
put signals with frequencies equal to the sum and dif to and received from the brain, and the information
ference in frequencies respectively of the input signals. desired to be obtained. The brain may modulate the
A 10 MHz signal from the oscillator 32 is also applied 55 amplitude, frequency and/or phase of the interference
to the mixer 40. The 200 MHz signal from the doubler waveform. Certain of these parameters will be more
36 and the 10 MHz signal from the oscillator 32 com sensitive to corresponding brain wave characteristics
bine in the mixer 40 to form a signal with a frequency than others. Selection of amplitude, frequency or phase
of 210 MHz equal to the sum of the frequencies of the demodulation means is governed by the choice of brain
200 MHz and 10 MHz signals. 60 wave characteristic to be monitored. If desired, several
The 210 MHz signal is one of the signals transmitted different types of demodulators can be provided and
to the brain 10 of the subject being monitored. In the used alternately or at the same time.
arrangement shown in FIG. 2, an antenna 41 is used to The demodulated signal which is representative of
transmit the 210 MHz signal and another antenna 43 is 65 the monitored brain wave activity is passed through
used to transmit the 100 MHz signal. Of course, a single audio amplifiers 50 a, b, c which may be of conven
antenna capable of operating at 100 MHz and 210 tional type where it is amplified and routed to displays
MHz frequencies may be used to transmit both signals. 58 a, b, c and a computer 60. The displays 58 a, b, c
The scan angle, direction and rate may be controlled present the raw brain wave signals from the amplifiers
 3,951,134
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50 a, b, c. The computer 60 processes, the amplified Modulation of the interference signal retransmitted
brain-wave signals to derive information suitable for by the brain may be of amplitude, frequency and/or
viewing, e.g., by suppressing, compressing, or expand phase. Appropriate demodulators may be used to deci
ing elements thereof, or combining them with other pher the subject's brain activity and select components
information-bearing signals and presents that informa of his brain waves may be analyzed by computer to
tion on a display 62. The displays can be conventional determine his mental state and monitor his thought
ones such as the types herebefore mentioned employ processes. .
ing electronic visual displays or mechanical plotters As will be appreciated by those familiar with the art,
58b. The computer can also be of conventional type, apparatus and method of the subject: invention has
either analog or digital, or a hybrid. O numerous uses. Persons in critical positions such as
A profile of the entire brain wave emission pattern drivers and pilots can be continuously monitored with
may be monitored or select areas of the brain may be provision for activation of an emergency device in the
observed in a single measurement simply by altering event of human failure. Seizures, sleepiness and dream
the scan angle and direction of the antennas. There is ing can be detected. Bodily functions such as pulse
no physical contact between the subject and the moni 15 rate, heartbeat reqularity and others also can be moni
toring apparatus. The computer 60 also can determine tored and occurrences of hallucinations can be de
a compensating waveform for transmission to the brain tected. The system also permits medical diagnoses of
10 to alter the natural brain waves in a desired fashion. patients, inaccessible to physicians, from remote sta
The closed loop compensating system permits instanta tions.
neous and continuous modification of the brain wave 20 What is claimed is:
response pattern. 1. Brain wave monitoring apparatus comprising
In performing the brain wave pattern modification means for producing a base frequency signal,
function, the computer 60 can be furnished with an means for producing a first signal having a frequency
external standard signal from a source 70 representa related to that of the base frequency and at a pre
tive of brain wave activity associated with a desired 25 determined phase related thereto,
nuerological response. The region of the brain respon means for transmitting both said base frequency and
sible for the response is monitored and the received said first signals to the brain of the subject being
signal, indicative of the brain wave activity therein, is monitored,
compared with the standard signal. The computer 60 is means for receiving a second signal transmitted by
programmed to determine a compensating signal, re 30
the brain of the subject being monitored in re
sponsive to the difference between the standard signal sponse to both said base frequency and said first
and received signal. The compensating signal, when signals,
transmitted to the monitored region of the brain, mod mixing means for producing from said base fre
ulates the natural brain wave activity therein toward a quency signal and said received second signal a
reproduction of the standard signal, thereby changing 35 response signal having a frequency related to that
the neurological response (5f the subject. of the base frequency, and
The computer 60 controls an auxiliary transmitter 64 means for interpreting said response signal.
which transmits the compensating signal to the brain 10 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 where said receiving
of the subject via an antenna 66. The transmitter 64 is means comprises
of the high frequency type commonly used in radar 40 means for isolating the transmitted signals from the
applications. The antenna 66 can be similar to antennas received second signals.
4, 43 and 45 and can be combined with them. 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising a band
Through these means, brain wave activity may be al pass filter with an input connected to said isolating
tered and deviations from a desired norm may be com means and an output connected to said mixing means.
pensated. Brain waves may be monitored and control 45 4. Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising means
signals transmitted to the brain from a remote station. for amplifying said response signal.
It is to be noted that the configuration described is 5. Apparatus as in claim 4 further comprising means
one of many possibilities which may be formulated for demodulating said amplified response signal.
without departing from the spirit of my invention. The 50 6. Apparatus as in claim 5 further comprising inter
transmitters can be monostratic or bistatic. They also preting means connected to the output of said demodu
can be single, dual, or multiple frequency devices. The lator means.
transmitted signal can be continuous wave, pulse, FM, 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising
or any combination of these as well as other transmis means for producing an electromagnetic wave con
sion forms. Typical operating frequencies for the trans trol signal dependent on said response signal, and
mitters range from 1 MHz to 40 GHz but may be al 55 means for transmitting said control signal to the brain
tered to suit the particular function being monitored of said subject.
and the characteristics of the specific subject. 8. Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said transmitting
The individual components of the system for moni means comprises means for directing the electromag
toring and controlling brain wave activity may be of netic wave control signal to a predetermined part of the
conventional type commonly employed in radar sys- 60 brain.
tens. 9. A process for monitoring brain wave activity of a
Various subassemblies of the brain wave monitoring subject comprising the steps of
and control apparatus may be added, substituted or transmitting at least two electromagnetic energy sig
combined. Thus, separate antennas or a single multi nals of different frequencies to the brain of the
mode antenna may be used for transmission and recep 65 subject being monitored,
tion. Additional displays and computers may be added receiving an electromagnetic energy signal resulting
to present and analyze select components of the moni from the mixing of said two signals in the brain
tored brain waves. modulated by the brain wave activity and retrans
 3,951,134
7 8
mitted by the brain in response to said transmitted comparing said received electromagnetic energy sig
energy signals, and, nals with said standard signal,
interpreting said received signal. producing a compensating signal corresponding to
10. A process as in claim 9 further comprising the the comparison between said received electrogag
step of transmitting a further electromagnetic wave netic energy signals and the standard signal, and
signal to the brain to vary the brain wave activity. transmitting the compensating signals to the brain of
11. A process as in claim 10 wherein the step of
transmitting the further signals comprises the subject being monitored.
obtaining a standard signal, ck ck : ck