Minimally invasive device to detect focal seizure activity

A minimally invasive sub-scalp device (Minder^® system) can capture continuous EEG data and detect focal seizure activity. This monitoring system captured all seizure events identified during the video-EEG period. Devices implanted beneath the scalp may be of considerable clinical utility in forecasting seizures.

Prof. Mark Cook (University of Melbourne, Australia) stated there is a clear need for a long-term recording system in patients with epilepsy. “These patients are often unaware of their seizures, which may both complicate diagnosis and optimisation of treatment.” Potentially, it could be used for safety alerts and seizure forecasting. They could have a role in clinical trials as well. So far, such systems have been relatively invasive. Ideally, the device would be inserted as a day procedure and involve an unobtrusive external unit such as a smartphone to store and process data. Prof. Cook's group developed such a minimally invasive system themselves, the Minder system, a sub-scalp device. Four electrode contacts are deployed in a coronal plane posterior to the vertex, providing 2 channels of data. EEG data is continuously captured and transferred to a smartphone, from where it is accessible remotely by internet.

Prof. Cook presented preliminary results of a registered clinical trial of the Minder system in 9 patients with refractory epilepsy with at least 1 seizure weekly [1]. Recordings were compared to a 1-week in-patient video-EEG monitoring session for 4 of these subjects. EEG recordings from both systems were reviewed blindly by 2 neurologists. The procedures were uncomplicated and well tolerated, without any significant complications and with excellent compliance. High-quality EEG data was captured continuously. The monitoring system captured all 31 events identified during the video-EEG period from the 4 subjects. Two events were initially identified on the system alone. Of the 20 patient-reported events, 12 were not associated with clinical or EEG changes on either system. Prof. Cook added that seizure forecasting is feasible using this system.

1. Cook M, et al. Preliminary experience using a minimally invasive sub-scalp device for ultra-long term seizure monitoring. EPR-311, EAN 2021 Virtual Congress, 19–22 June.

 

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Posted on 18 August 202117 May 2024