Handheld Point-of-Care EEG Diagnostic Device

Background

• Problem: Rapid assessment of brain function is challenging in acute clinical settings. Traditional EEG requires setup time, equipment, and specialized personnel, delaying diagnosis in critical conditions such as non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), stroke, and encephalopathy.
• Solution: A portable point-of-care EEG device that allows clinicians to quickly gather electroencephalographic data in under a minute using a handheld, flexible matrix of dry electrodes. The clinician can sweep the device across the scalp (similar to ultrasound) to collect dynamic, localized brain activity data. It enables both lateralization and diffuse pattern detection for the rapid diagnosis of neurological emergencies.
• Unique Value Proposition: Unlike static or wearable EEG devices (e.g., Ceribell), this technology is clinician-operated, enabling flexibility and immediacy. It requires only a few physical electrodes but can simulate a virtually infinite array through motion-based data acquisition. It may also be coupled with AI or remote support for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and guidance, making it ideal for use by clinicians at any training level.

Technology Overview

Access to EEG diagnostics at the point of care remains limited in speed and accessibility, especially in high-acuity environments such as ICUs, ambulances, or underserved hospitals.

IU researchers have developed a handheld diagnostic tool is a portable EEG (electroencephalography) device designed for rapid brain monitoring at the point-of-care. The device utilizes an array of flexible, dry electrodes embedded on a movable matrix. Clinicians can move it across the scalp—much like an ultrasound probe—to dynamically collect brainwave data, reducing setup time and enabling assessments in less than a minute.

It can identify focal (e.g., lateralization changes) and diffuse brain abnormalities (e.g., encephalopathy), making it useful for diagnosing NCSE, stroke, ICH, and other conditions. It also holds potential for use as a modified EKG device and in somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) testing when placed on the limbs or chest.

Coupled with artificial intelligence or remote provider guidance, the device improves accessibility and usability across a range of care environments.

Lead PI for 2023‑087 technology: Sergiu Abramovici

Benefits

• Motion-based EEG acquisition simulating a high-density electrode array.
• Portable, clinician-operated; no full cap or setup needed.
• AI-guided and/or remotely supervised usability.
• Rapid diagnostic EEG access in under 1 minute.
• Facilitates early intervention in neurologic emergencies.

Applications

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
• Emergency Departments.
• Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
• Neurology Clinics.
• Military/Field Medicine.
• Global Health / Low-Resource Settings.

Opportunity

This technology is open to feedback