Development of an Active Dry EEG Electrode Using an Impedance-Converting Circuit

Background: A dry-type electrode is an alternative to the conventional wet-type electrode, because it can be applied without any skin preparation, such as a conductive electrolyte. However, because a dry-type electrode without electrolyte has high electrode-to-skin impedance, an impedance-converting amplifier is typically used to minimize the distortion of the bioelectric signal. In this study, we developed an active dry electroencephalography (EEG) electrode using an impedance converter, and compared its performance with a conventional Ag/AgCl EEG electrode. Methods: We developed an active dry electrode with an impedance converter using a chopper-stabilized operational amplifier. Two electrodes, a conventional Ag/AgCl electrode and our active electrode, were used to acquire EEG signals simultaneously, and the performance was tested in terms of (1)the electrode impedance, (2) raw data quality, and (3) the robustness of any artifacts. Results: The contact impedance of the developed electrode was lower than that of the Ag/AgCl electrode (0.3±0.1 vs. 2.7±0.7 kΩ, respectively). The EEG signal and power spectrum were similar for both electrodes. Additionally, our electrode had a lower 60-Hz component than the Ag/AgCl electrode (16.64 vs. 24.33 dB, respectively). The change in potential of the developed electrode with a physical stimulus was lower than for the Ag/AgCl electrode (58.7±30.6 vs. 81.0±19.1 μV, respectively), and the difference was close to statistical significance (P=0.07). Conclusions: Our electrode can be used to replace Ag/AgCl electrodes, when EEG recording is emergently required, such as in emergency rooms or in intensive care units.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2011-01/102/2014017262/10SEQ:10PERF_CD:SNU2011-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:2014017262ADJUST_YN:YEMP_ID:A079623DEPT_CD:801CITE_RATE:0DEPT_NM:의학과SCOPUS_YN:NCONFIRM:

Instrumentación para neuroprótesis vestibles

La tesis pretende contribuir al conocimiento en adquisición de biopotenciales mediante técnicas no invasivas con aplicación a neuroprótesis (NPs). Las NPs son dispositivos que, interactuando con el cuerpo humano, permiten recuperar o reemplazar capacidades perdidas o disminuidas incrementando drásticamente la comodidad e independencia de las personas. Por lo tanto es de interés que las NPs se utilicen de forma muy sencilla y sin asistencia profesional, en correspondencia con el paradigma de los sistemas ``vestibles''. El objetivo general de la tesis es desarrollar etapas de instrumentación que permitan adquirir biopotenciales útiles a las NPs en forma robusta en las condiciones de medida impuestas por los sistemas vestibles. Por lo tanto, se desarrollan sistemas de adquisición de señal mixta en el estado del arte como plataformas para validar los modelos y circuitos de acondicionamiento propuestos, y se diseñan, implementan y verifican experimentalmente circuitos de acondicionamiento analógico que permiten enfrentar este desafío. En primer lugar, se desarrolla un circuito de realimentación de modo común con ganancia aumentada como estrategia general para la robustez frente a interferencia electromagnética. En segundo lugar se proponen electrodos activos para la medición de señales de electromiograma, desarrollando herramientas de análisis e implementando amplificadores para electrodos de múltiples contactos. Finalmente, los electrodos secos son el factor clave del registro de biopotenciales en sistemas vestibles. Por lo tanto, se desarrolla un electrodo activo con impedancia de entrada aumentada utilizando bootstrap de fuente y conservando una topología de baja complejidad.This thesis contributes to the topic of non-invasive biopotential acquisition techniques applied to Neuroprostheses (NPs). NPs are technological devices that, through interaction with the body, allow to recover or replace lost or diminished capabilities, thus dramatically increasing the comfort and independence of a person. It is desirable for NPs to be able to be used in a simple manner without professional assistance, in correspondence with the paradigm of wearable devices. The general objective of the thesis is to develop instrumentation circuits which allow to acquire the biopotential signals that NPs need robustly, even under the measurement conditions imposed by wearable systems. Therefore, state of the art mixed-signal acquisition systems are developed as a platform upon which models and conditioning circuits can be validated, and a set of analog conditioning circuits are designed, implemented, and experimentally tested. First, a common mode feedback circuit with increased gain is developed as a general strategy for increased robustness against electromagnetic interference. Next, active electrodes for electromyography signal measurement are proposed. An analysis tool as well as an implementation alternative for multiple-input electrodes are proposed. Finally, dry-contact electrodes are a key factor in wearable biopotential measurements. Hence, an active electrode with increased input impedance is developed using power supply bootstrapping and a low complexity topology.Facultad de Ingenierí

Novel Bidirectional Body - Machine Interface to Control Upper Limb Prosthesis

Objective. The journey of a bionic prosthetic user is characterized by the opportunities and limitations involved in adopting a device (the prosthesis) that should enable activities of daily living (ADL). Within this context, experiencing a bionic hand as a functional (and, possibly, embodied) limb constitutes the premise for mitigating the risk of its abandonment through the continuous use of the device. To achieve such a result, different aspects must be considered for making the artificial limb an effective support for carrying out ADLs. Among them, intuitive and robust control is fundamental to improving amputees’ quality of life using upper limb prostheses. Still, as artificial proprioception is essential to perceive the prosthesis movement without constant visual attention, a good control framework may not be enough to restore practical functionality to the limb. To overcome this, bidirectional communication between the user and the prosthesis has been recently introduced and is a requirement of utmost importance in developing prosthetic hands. Indeed, closing the control loop between the user and a prosthesis by providing artificial sensory feedback is a fundamental step towards the complete restoration of the lost sensory-motor functions. Within my PhD work, I proposed the development of a more controllable and sensitive human-like hand prosthesis, i.e., the Hannes prosthetic hand, to improve its usability and effectiveness. Approach. To achieve the objectives of this thesis work, I developed a modular and scalable software and firmware architecture to control the Hannes prosthetic multi-Degree of Freedom (DoF) system and to fit all users’ needs (hand aperture, wrist rotation, and wrist flexion in different combinations). On top of this, I developed several Pattern Recognition (PR) algorithms to translate electromyographic (EMG) activity into complex movements. However, stability and repeatability were still unmet requirements in multi-DoF upper limb systems; hence, I started by investigating different strategies to produce a more robust control. To do this, EMG signals were collected from trans-radial amputees using an array of up to six sensors placed over the skin. Secondly, I developed a vibrotactile system to implement haptic feedback to restore proprioception and create a bidirectional connection between the user and the prosthesis. Similarly, I implemented an object stiffness detection to restore tactile sensation able to connect the user with the external word. This closed-loop control between EMG and vibration feedback is essential to implementing a Bidirectional Body - Machine Interface to impact amputees’ daily life strongly. For each of these three activities: (i) implementation of robust pattern recognition control algorithms, (ii) restoration of proprioception, and (iii) restoration of the feeling of the grasped object's stiffness, I performed a study where data from healthy subjects and amputees was collected, in order to demonstrate the efficacy and usability of my implementations. In each study, I evaluated both the algorithms and the subjects’ ability to use the prosthesis by means of the F1Score parameter (offline) and the Target Achievement Control test-TAC (online). With this test, I analyzed the error rate, path efficiency, and time efficiency in completing different tasks. Main results. Among the several tested methods for Pattern Recognition, the Non-Linear Logistic Regression (NLR) resulted to be the best algorithm in terms of F1Score (99%, robustness), whereas the minimum number of electrodes needed for its functioning was determined to be 4 in the conducted offline analyses. Further, I demonstrated that its low computational burden allowed its implementation and integration on a microcontroller running at a sampling frequency of 300Hz (efficiency). Finally, the online implementation allowed the subject to simultaneously control the Hannes prosthesis DoFs, in a bioinspired and human-like way. In addition, I performed further tests with the same NLR-based control by endowing it with closed-loop proprioceptive feedback. In this scenario, the results achieved during the TAC test obtained an error rate of 15% and a path efficiency of 60% in experiments where no sources of information were available (no visual and no audio feedback). Such results demonstrated an improvement in the controllability of the system with an impact on user experience. Significance. The obtained results confirmed the hypothesis of improving robustness and efficiency of a prosthetic control thanks to of the implemented closed-loop approach. The bidirectional communication between the user and the prosthesis is capable to restore the loss of sensory functionality, with promising implications on direct translation in the clinical practice

Procesamiento de señales aplicado a dispositivos de ayuda para personas con discapacidades motoras

Las afecciones motrices más graves, que involucran la parálisis o pérdida de los miembros, pueden imposibilitar a quien las padece para la realización de tareas de índole doméstico, necesitando ayuda externa para concretárlas. El avance tecnológico ha abierto una carrera incesante en el desarrollo de dispositivos que permiten aumentar el grado de autonomía del discapacitado, aún en personas con afecciones neurológicas y motrices severas, a las que se les suma la pérdida de la capacidad del habla. En la presente tesis se estudian los dispositivos de ayuda que son controlados por los usuarios a partir de señales biopotenciales que los mismos pueden modular a voluntad. La medición de biopotenciales requiere de técnicas analógicas para reducir el impacto del ruido y la interferencia electromagnética en la calidad de las señales, dado los bajos niveles de tensión y las altas impedancias que presentan los biopotenciales. Una vez medidas las señales de interés se aplican técnicas digitales para detectar las órdenes voluntarias del usuario codificadas de distintas maneras en dichas señales biológicas. En la primera parte de esta tesis se analizan problemáticas de la instrumentación de biopotenciales aplicada a dispositivos de ayuda, como las condiciones de acoplamiento de interferencia en entornos domésticos y distintas técnicas para la reducción de la tensión de modo común. También se evalúa la posibilidad de adquirir los biopotenciales en forma aislada mediante electrodos capacitivos. En la segunda parte de la tesis se plantea como caso particular de aplicación, un dispositivo de ayuda de tipo switch controlado por señales de EMG. Se realizó un análisis de distintas técnicas de procesamiento de la señal de EMG para la detección de contracciones y se proponen nuevos métodos de procesamiento que mejoran la robustez de la detección ante cambios en los niveles de ruido y de señal. Finalmente los temas tratados a lo largo de la tesis se integran en la implementación de un prototipo de dispositivo de ayuda de tipo switch controlado por señales de EMG, robusto ante distintas condiciones de uso y que prácticamente no requiere calibración ni ajustes para operar sobre distintos músculos y usuarios.Facultad de Ingenierí

Technology 2002: the Third National Technology Transfer Conference and Exposition, Volume 1

The proceedings from the conference are presented. The topics covered include the following: computer technology, advanced manufacturing, materials science, biotechnology, and electronics

OEXP exploration studies technical report. Volume 3: Special reports, studies, and indepth systems assessments

The Office of Exploration (OEXP) at NASA has been tasked with defining and recommending alternatives for an early 1990's national decision on a focused program of manned exploration of the Solar System. The Mission analysis and System Engineering (MASE) group, which is managed by the Exploration Studies Office at the Johnson Space Center, is responsible for coordinating the technical studies necessary for accomplishing such a task. This technical report, produced by the MASE, describes the process used to conduct exploration studies and discusses the mission developed in a case study approach. The four case studies developed in FY88 include: (1) a manned expedition to PHOBOS; (2) a manned expedition to MARS; (3) a lunar surface observatory; and a lunar outpost to early Mars evolution. The final outcome of this effort is a set of programmatic and technical conclusions and recommendations for the following year's work

Topical Workshop on Electronics for Particle Physics

The purpose of the workshop was to present results and original concepts for electronics research and development relevant to particle physics experiments as well as accelerator and beam instrumentation at future facilities; to review the status of electronics for the LHC experiments; to identify and encourage common efforts for the development of electronics; and to promote information exchange and collaboration in the relevant engineering and physics communities