Products

Neuroband

Dr. Diane® has developed the Neuroband™, a neurofeedback headband that can be used to achieve optimum Neurofeedback, Discovery 24-Channel, Z-Score training, Othmer, LENS and various Assessments: QEEG, Mini-Q and Q Assessment.

Clinical trials using the Neuroband™ EEG version are currently being done at the EEG and Seizure Unit of Brigham Women's Hospital, Boston MA.

This is the only headband of its type on the market. Unlike other types of headbands that do not allow for the precise placement of the electrodes, Dr. Diane's® Neuroband™ is precise.

What is Neuroband™?
A Neuroband™ is a neurofeedback devise that allows customized adjustment and placement of electrodes in an electrode holder (pocket) without the use of conductive paste. It is made of substantially non-stretchable, washable and/or dry cleanable material. It is designed for comfort and customizing electrode placement, whether standard or active electrode, to be placed anywhere on the scalp. There are additional cross straps to allow for multi-channel placement and allow EEG or QEEG use. The electrodes are placed in an electrode holder (pocket) that comprises of felt, cotton, chamois and gauze. The active electrodes are encased in a chamois backing.

Why do we use Neuroband™?
Traditionally, neurofeedback, EEG and QEEG are done with skin prepping gel, and a conductive paste or gel. Removal often entails using alcohol and other products. For individuals who, due to sensitivity to touch or pressure, such as someone with a brain injury, brain surgery, this can often be extremely uncomfortable. The Electrocap, used for EEG or QEEG, is a stretchy cap that is very confining to individuals who are dealing with autism and the pressure may cause pain to people with fibromyalgia, brain surgery, chronic pain and brain injury.

Training and consulting services available for the professional and home user of Neurofeedback equimpment.

History and theory of Neuroband™
The clinical use of neurofeedback was first done by Dr. Barry Sterman for the treatment of epilepsy. The placement of electrodes was done by preparing the scalp with a mild abrasive followed by conductive paste. Removal of the conductive paste is done with small amounts of rubbing alcohol. Years later, BrainMaster Technology developed the Flextrode, which used velcro straps and plastic rings that held the electrodes in specific locations. Instead of conductive paste, the means of conduction was cotton gauze around the electrodes that were soaked in a saline solution.

This product, and a similar product (Flexcap) developed by Dr. Eduardo Rocatti, M.D., are very effective, however both are fixed locations that use plastic rings to hold the electrodes. The majority of my patients have some form of neurological, chronic illness, pain or trauma, resulting in skin, scalp sensitivity. This was especially true for my patients with fibromyalgia. All my patients complained about the use of the conductive paste.

I tried both the Flextrode and Flexcap only to have my patients complain about the hard plastic. Also, both of these products were limited to location of placement. Thus, I decided to develop the neuroband, which uses the concept of all the methods; ease of placement as with the conductive paste, comfort of the velcro band and use of saline solution. After 2 1/2 years of trial and error with various products and types of velcro, felt and chamois, I found that using a belting material along with specific types of velcro and English Chamois, I was able to make a product that would stand up to repeated use, have excellent impedance for excellent conductivity and was comfortable enough to allow the patient to be able to fall sound asleep during alpha/theta training.

When using the Neuroband™ for collective data as used in EEG, Mini-Q, or QEEG, there is a need for a minimum of 16-48 leads. The QEEG and medical version allow for up to 48 active electrodes to be placed on the scalp at the same time. Recently, many of the manufacturers have gone from an open pin board to a plug-in device, which uses a ribbon type active electrode with 19-24 pin devices into the various QEEG recording devices. Traditionally, the use of an Electrocap would be used. However, again the pressure of such a cap on an individual with chronic pain or brain injury can often be intolerable. Thus, the manufacturers of the Electrocap have developed a customized ribbon with 19 electrodes that will fit the QEEG version. Thus, the QEEG version can now be used on any manufactured type as an alternative to the traditional Electrocap.

How does Neuroband™ work?
Once a neurofeedback protocol is determined, such as 1-4 channel training, the specific location of the electrodes are found on the patient's head. The Chamois electrodes are saturated with the following Saline solution or by using Electrode Mist. The Chamois pockets are placed either on the inside of the headband or on one of 3 cross-straps. These cross-straps can be placed in either a vertical or horizontal position to cover the entire head.

Saline Solution - Home Made

Saline Solution (Water and Salt from the Kitchen, we have used for 2 years, with no problem, very good signal.)

European Formula

2 Coffee spoons in 100 cc of water & add 1 drop baby shampoo to help break surface tension and you might need less salt.

USA Formula

1 measuring teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup water plus 1 drop baby shampoo.

Other Options

Bausch and Lomb for sensitive eye plus baby shampoo.
Electro Mist

Key features of the Neuroband™ are:

Ease of use: no parting the hair, no neuroprep needed, no need for alcohol clean up
Comfortable to those with skin or head sensitivities
One size fits all (fully adjustable)
Lightweight strapping with Velcro and highest quality English Chamois/felt lead pockets
Clean - fully re-usable: Easy to wash. No sticky paste to clean out of electrodes.
Applied with a saline solution rather than Neuro-paste
Can be applied in one minute or less and removed in seconds

Different Types of Neurobands™

There are 4 varieties of the Neuroband™:
1-2 channel training- most commonly used.
2-4 channel training- can be easily used with Zscore training.
Mini-Q and QEEG -19 leads- Data collection and Zscore training.
EEG- 48 leads - Used for hospital sleep studies.

Benefits of using Neuroband™
It allows for ease, comfort and customizing for individuals. No need to prep the scalp or use conductive paste. Just soak the chamois and put it on the location you want. It takes one minute to put on and seconds to remove without any cleanup.

For questions regarding the Neuroband™ feel free to email neuroband@drdiane.com.