Zeto: Making the EEG Simple

Wrtten By:

Nathaniel Nguyen

and

Rosemary Chellakudam

Edited By:

Kushaal Rao

,

Mateo Pitkin

, and

Sherin Lajevardi

With the emergence of remote technology in the age of quarantine, we have seen a rise in the number of accessible products that imitate the complexity of the brain. This year in particular has shown us the incredible potential of technology and how it can be used to run our lives. Zeto, a neurotech company based in Santa Clara, builds off of this exact philosophy, seeking to provide consumers with high-quality, accessible, alternatives to traditional EEGs through their new product, the zEEG.

In the world of Neurotech, data is often visualized in wave form, resembling a consistent rhythm of sharp peaks and sudden dips through a process known as electroencephalography (EEG). Through a dense network of neurons, our brains are constantly transmitting subtle electrical signals across synapses. Single thoughts are formed through rhythmic bursts of activity across synapses. EEGs utilize a system of 16–25 electrodes placed around the brain which are capable of recording these neural impulses. From EEG data, brain activity can be extracted and analyzed for research or medical diagnosis, serving as a crucial component in understanding how the brain operates and as the backbone of several neural interface functions.

However, current EEG technology is very meticulous and difficult to set up and complete, typically requiring a setup time upwards of 25 minutes in order for a technician to apply all electrodes to the patient’s head using a sticky goo. By prioritizing both operator accessibility and user comfort, Zeto simplified the EEG process into a simple helmet. Structurally, like an average bike helmet, Zeto’s wireless EEG device serves as a convenient alternative to traditional EEG technology and is accessible to all individuals. While current EEG techniques require wired electrodes to be individually pasted onto specific areas of the patient’s head, Zeto’s headset eliminates this by creating an adaptable frame with pre-oriented electrodes in the correct position.

The simplified helmet utilizes dry electrodes to provide users with a low-mess and efficient method to retrieve EEG data.

The company is able to provide its users with these simplified helmets by utilizing a dry electrode method, which seemingly eliminates the need for the frequent intervention of medical professionals, a signature characteristic of EEGs. Typically made of stainless steel, the dry electrodes use the piece of metal as a conductor between the skin and the electrode to detect brain activity. The helmet is fitted with around 19 single-use, disposable electrodes and various padding and adjustment elements with hopes to remove discomfort. The FDA approved system boasts efficiency with significantly less prep and set up time compared to the traditional EEG. Given WiFi, the EEG can record data at any time and anywhere and transmitted to a cloud platform on any device with the latest version of Google Chrome for interpretation by neurologists, if needed.

Zeto’s current iteration of the helmet achieves much of the company’s goals, creating a convenient yet accurate EEG device. Today, the helmet is being used as a primary means for rapid diagnosis of several neurological disorders, especially epilepsy. By greatly reducing the current EEG setup time to 5 minutes and creating a wireless interface, Zeto’s helmet creates a more efficient turnaround time, minimizing any travel or seizure risk for epileptic patients. Zeto hopes to expand the potential for the helmet’s usage to more common disorders such as autism and narcolepsy, while also looking to rapidly identify concussions.

The zEEG, similar to the EEG, is able to successfully pick up brain activity as seen in the seizure episode depicted above.

The wet electrode method that is typically seen in EEG systems requires the application of a conductive gel, allowing for active and accurate results. This begs the question, how is the company able to compensate for accuracy using their dry electrode method? Zeto promises higher signal intensity for noise cancellation while still utilizing the dry electrode method. Zeto must have measures in place that allow for a firm skin to electrode contact with their self-adjustable helmets. Without this optimal contact, the readings would be more difficult to capture and interpret. Clarifying these expectations for the dry electrode method will allow Zeto to further reach their audience.

Overall, Zeto’s helmet technology will greatly improve accessibility to EEG technology. Whereas current EEG devices are limited to a medical setting, Zeto expands this boundary to an everyday environment. As Zeto looks to further improve, it seems extremely likely that the helmet will become a staple for collecting neural EEG data in the future.