Optimal measurement of bioelectric events: development of multichannel, configurable, isolated, miniature instrumentation (AGN.3416)

The project is directed towards the development of universal instrumentation for the recording of all kinds of biopotentials. The research done in a previous project has made clear that there exists a general lack of knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the induction of high frequency interference and the behaviour of surface electrodes and their effect upon the recording of physiological signals. In addition, the present solution with miniature amplifiers based on onventional surface mount components connected to the electrodes with shielded cables is expensive and mechanically delicate. Finally, commercialization of the present systems is less attractive because they are too much restricted to specific applications. In this new project we intend to solve these problems.
The limitations of the recording technique related to electrodes, to high frequency interference and to stimulation artifacts in the recording of evoked potentials, will be the subject of research. Based on the outcome of this research, solid state circuits will be developed to allow an 'active electrode' solution: near the electrode an integrated circuit will be provided for amplification and interference rejection. The conditioning of all the measured signals will take place in a universal unit that will be configurable for the number of channels, the bandwidth, sample rate, etc.. The data from the battery powered front-end will be transmitted to the signal processing hardware and will be by optical fiber or by wireless infrared transmission, depending on the application. The utilization of these subjects will be initiated. The described universal system seems commercially highly promising if the development takes place in cooperation with the industry.

Resultaten van het onderzoek