Measuring and monitoring brain waves to analyze why people have problems with sleeping isn’t an easy task. Normally, patients need to be examined in special laboratories and wear head sets with up to eight electrodes over a certain period of time. But now Osaka-based Siix Corporation and the Osaka Bioscience Institute Foundation have developed a simple device that makes it possible to measure and monitor sleep-related brain waves in the comfort of your own home.

As you can see on the picture, the device isn’t much bigger than a box of cigarettes and fits on the head, meaning patients are able to use the device in their own beds when they sleep. Siix says it only records brain waves, but if you add electrodes the device can be used for monitoring your breathing patterns and eyeball movements as well.

The company works on making the device even smaller and aims at commercializing it as early as spring 2010, targeting medical facilities and designers of sleep-related furniture.

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]