Wireless EEG Data Could Warn of Impending Seizures
From: Sensors Magazine - 08/2005 - page 8

Some epileptics can sense an approaching grand mal seizure, but the vast
majority are not so fortunate. They can fall off a ladder, spill hot liquids
onto themselves, or drive into a serious traffic accident. Moreover, many
cannot be helped by medication or surgery. Researchers at ORNL are working on
a device that might provide forewarning of a seizure and give epileptics a
head-up that might save their lives. 

The research team consists of Lee Hively and Kara Kruse of the Computational
Sciences and Engineering Div., Vladimir Protopopescu of the Computer Science
and Mathematics Div., and Nancy Munro of the Life Sciences Div. Their
prototype, SeizAlert, is an inexpensive, compact, wearable device that in a
commercial implementation will obtain electroencephalogram data from wireless
sensors on the wearer's scalp and transmit the information to a device that
interprets it in real time. 

Contact:
Lee Hively
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN
865/574-7188
hively@ornl.gov

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SeizAlert, developed by ORNL's Lee Hively and Kara Kruse of the Computational
Sciences and Engineering Division, Vladimir Protopopescu of the Computer
Science and Mathematics Division and Nancy Munro of the Life Sciences
Division.  

SeizAlert is a low-cost compact wearable prototype device designed to alert
the wearer and medical personnel of an impending epileptic seizure. In a
real-life implementation, the alerting device would obtain
electroencephalogram data from wireless sensors on the wearer's scalp and
transmit that data to a device that interprets this information in real time.
Because epilepsy afflicts millions of people in the United States alone and
many cannot be treated with medication or surgery, SeizAlert has significant
medical, scientific and economic importance. Protopopescu is a repeat winner.  

http://www.ornl.gov/info/press_releases/get_press_release.cfm?ReleaseNumber=mr20050630-00

Links:

Forecasting Epileptic Seizures
http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v33_2_00/forecasting.htm

Frequently Asked Questions about SeizAlert
http://computing.ornl.gov/cse_home/staff/hively/faqs.shtml

