Showing posts with label data aquisition hardware. Show all posts
Wearable | Pitch Perfect Analysis
Pitch determines the level of influence on listener perception, physiological arousal, attention, and memory, according to new research published in Human Communication Research (June 2017). Professors at the Communication Department and Department of Translation and Language Sciences at Universitat Pompeu Fabra and the Institute for Communication Research at Indiana University conducted the joint study to examine intonation’s impact on interpersonal influence with self-report analyses and memory tests.BIOPAC’s BioNomadix helped the researchers discover the psychophysiological signs of comprehension and autonomic arousal. Physiological data aided the researchers in understanding participant attention, offering an objective analysis of the participant’s experience. Each participant identified as female and listened to both narrative and informative commercials, with varying intonation, while wearing BIOPAC’s technology. The participants' retention and cognitive processing suggest that tone does affect interpersonal influence. Commercials, with a unique level of intonation (or the most varying), proved to have the highest standards of influence. The more varying in pitch or tone, the more likely participants were to process and recall information in the commercials. BIOPAC’s BioNomadix allowed the researchers to record wireless EDA from the participants, capturing electrical responses to communication within participants to improve understandings of effective communication. Specifically, BioNomadix wirelessly recorded response data from a wearable transmitter to measure the arousal and attention of participants by capturing their skin conductance response after exposure to stimuli. This type of research will continue evolving media communication and interpersonal influence systems for anyone interested in effective communication strategies. The study’s breakthrough research offers an incentive for further study into the cognitive processing of audio communication.
Wireless | Influence of Gender on Muscle Activity
Muscle mechanical energy expenditure shows the neuromotor strategies used by the nervous system to analyze human locomotion tasks and is directly related to its efficiency. Kaur, Shilpi, Bhatia, and Joshi investigated the impact of gender on the activity of agonist-antagonist muscles during maximum knee and ankle contraction in males and females. Twenty right leg dominant male and female adult volunteers were recruited in the study. Limb dominance was determined according to which leg the individual chooses and relies on to carry out the activities. Movements of knee and ankle used for the maximum contractions were knee flexion and extension, and ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. EMG Signals were recorded wirelessly from the selected ipsilateral and contralateral muscles of both the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs of all subjects. Recordings used BIOPAC multi-channel Wireless EMG and the collected data was stored using AcqKnowledge software included with the data recording system. Results showed that there is no significant influence of gender on agonist-antagonist muscle energy expenditure during maximum knee contraction. For ankle contractions, gender has significant influence on energy expenditure during maximum ankle dorsiflexion. Researchers found that these results are helpful in understanding gender related differences in the energy expenditure of selected muscles during maximum knee and ankle contractions. The wireless BioNomadix modules used by the researchers permitted free movement for the knee and ankle movements required of the study. The Dynamometry-EMG BioNomadix Pair has matched transmitter and receiver module specifically designed to measure one or both signals. These units interface with the MP150 and data acquisition and AcqKnowledge software, allowing advanced analysis for multiple applications and supporting acquisition of a broad range of signals and measurements. Both channels have extremely high-resolution EMG and Dynamometry waveforms at the receiver’s output. The pair emulates a “wired” connection from the computer to subject, in terms of quality, but with all the benefits of a fully-wireless recording system.
Wireless Data | Sitting and Muscle Weakness
Wireless, Wearable | Quality of Life Technologies
There is a major concern growing in the medical community that the ratio of health workers to population size is decreasing. This means that the number of available doctors and medical professionals is starting to become too small to handle the number of people needing medical help. Technologies are therefore being created to help bridge the gap that is being created. These “Quality of Life Technologies” (QoLTs) have been developed to help monitor the health of people. While these technologies have been able to provide physiological support to individuals, the same could not be said for mental symptoms. If QoLTs could move into the realm of psychology and self-therapy, they could help improve the mood and quality of life for patients. A group of researchers from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest and the University of Lincoln recently published a paper that presents a machine learning approach for stress detection using wearable physiological amplifiers. To induce stress in participants, the researchers had them perform both a public speaking and cognitive task, which according to previous research these tasks caused the highest increase in measurable signals.
For their experimental setup, they used a BIOPAC BioNomadix BN-PPGED wireless transducer, hooked up to an MP150 data acquisition system, to record both EDA and PPG signals. They then used AcqKnowledge 4 software to extract both the PPG autocorrelation signal and Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Their results provided accurate stress detection in individuals. Their analysis marks a good starting point toward real-time mood detection, which could lead to people improving their quality of life. One way they could improve their experimental setup however, would be to use the BioNomadix Logger. This device allows for up to 24 hours of high quality data logging allowing the researchers to analyze a subject’s data from when they encountered stressful situations outside the lab.
Logging Physiological Data | Data Acquisition
Logging subject
data has never been easier than with the advent of wireless subject recording
devices. Quality wireless products allow for accurate readings on a subject’s
physiology in ways tethered devices cannot. Now with products like the Mobita
wearable biopotential system, data logging is simpler than ever before. Mobita
is a physiological signal amplifier system that can record up to 32 channels of
high-fidelity wireless biopotential data, including ECG, EEG, EGG, EMG, and EOG
data. The Mobita also contains an onboard accelerometer that allows for, along
with AcqKnowledge’s Actigraphy feature, evaluation of a subject’s
activity levels.
Together with AcqKnowledge software, the system can be
quickly configured to do the work of multiple systems without the added cost of
multiple amplifiers. Simply disconnect one header and
snap on a new configuration for a completely different application. The
system has the option to either log data locally for later download or
telemeter back to a computer running AcqKnowledge for real-time display.
The Mobita can easily switch between either live or logged mode to suit your
research protocol. Using the built-in WiFi telemetry allows for a wide range of
mobile subject recordings. The system has flash disk recording for up to 16 GB
allowing large chunks of data to be stored and kept for back-up. Mobita is also
a very flexible, wearable system due to its technical power and small size. Don’t let the system’s small size and rechargeable battery power operation fool
you—the Mobita has the power to record up to 32 channels at up to 2K s/s and is
fully integrated with AcqKnowledge. The system features a rugged
construction making it well suited for tough and demanding measurement
situations. The Mobita system is sturdy, dustproof, and most importantly is
kept safe in its waterproof enclosure. The Mobita is the premier wireless
biopotential system that is uniquely suited for a variety of applications such
as psychology, neuromarketing, sports, ambulatory testing, and many more. See
Mobita Systems Biopotentials Noninvasive Cardiac Output | Data Acquisition
Noninvasive
Cardiac Output (NICO) measures can be determined by employing electrical
bioimpedance (EBI) measurement techniques. Electrical bioimpedance is the
characteristic impedance of a volume
of tissue and fluid. For Cardiac Output measures, the
relevant tissue includes the heart and the immediate surrounding volume of the
thorax, and the relevant fluid is blood.
The electrical
impedance of the thorax (Zt) can be thought of as composed of two impedance
types:
- The base impedance (Zo) corresponding to non-time varying tissues, such as muscle, bone and fat. Zo is measured when the pulsatile volume is minimal.
- The delta impedance (dZ) corresponding to time-varying fluid volume (blood).
Zt drops with
each pulsatile volume of blood ejected from the heart. dZ/dt is the magnitude
of the largest impedance change during systole.
Noninvasive
cardiac output amplifiers incorporate a precision high-frequency current
source, which injects a very small (400 microamp rms) current through the
measurement tissue volume defined by the placement of a set of current source
electrodes. A separate set of monitoring electrodes measures the voltage
developed across the tissue volume. Because the current is constant, the
voltage measured is proportional to the characteristics of the biological
impedance of the tissue volume.
BIOPAC data
acquisition hardware for recording real-time Noninvasive Cardiac Output
parameters include tethered amplifiers such as the NICO100C (or NICO100C-MRI
for fMRI environments), EBI100C, or SS31L, or the wireless BioNomadix BN-NICO.
Hardware
simultaneously measures impedance magnitude and phase, and may
incorporate an internal derivative function to output dZ/dt simultaneously with
Z; an AcqKnowledge calculation channel can also be used to determine
dZ/dt. The internal derivative function inverts the polarity of the dZ/dt
signal so that it displays a positive-going peak, coincident with negative
slopes indicated in Z, as per academic research convention.
Disposable
Ag/AgCl Paired Electrodes (EL500) are recommended for bioimpedance and cardiac
output studies. Paired electrodes provide fixed spacing between the dual
contacts and are pre-gelled with hypo-allergenic, wet liquid gel electrolyte
(10% chloride salt); the gel cavity is situated between electrode and skin
surfaces and helps reduce motion artifact.
The impact of
movement artifacts on recorded data is a significant methodological concern in
impedance cardiography; Ensemble Averaging tools in AcqKnowledge provide
an automated strategy to remove these artifacts. Watch a demo now!
Data Hardware & Software Platforms
Data
acquisition hardware and software requirements vary widely based on experiment
protocol, classroom setup, field studies, etc. BIOPAC data acquisition hardware
platforms support wired, wireless, and fMRI setups, for human or animal
subjects, with powerful, intuitive data software for research and teaching
applications. Use with a variety of amplifiers, stimulators, triggers,
transducers, gas analysis modules, and/or electrodes to acquire life science
signals, including
ECG, EEG, EOG, EMG, EGG, EDA, Respiration, Pulse, Temperature, Impedance
Cardiography, Force, Accelerometry, Goniometry, Dynamometry, Gyro, and more.
Combine data hardware for multi-subject or multi-parameter
protocols.
Research hardware platforms are fully-integrated with AcqKnowledge® data acquisition software, which provides automated routines for data scoring, measurement, and reporting, and can support multiple hardware units. Teaching platforms include Biopac Student Lab software with media-rich tutorial style guide lessons for specified objectives, plus active learning options for student-designed experiments and advanced analysis.
Wired (tethered) data acquisition hardware platforms include the MP150 and MP36R Research Systems. The MP150 16-channel system with universal amplifier provides high resolution (16 bit), high-speed acquisition (400 kHz aggregate) with16 analog inputs and two analog outputs, digital I/O lines (to automatically control other TTL level equipment), and online calculation channels. The MP36R 4-channel research system with built-in amplifiers provides four analog inputs and one analog output, I/O port for digital devices, calculation channels, trigger port, headphone jack, and electrode impedance checker. The MP36R supports software-controlled amplifiers and calculation channels.
Mobita® 32-channel
wearable wireless systems are
ideal for biopotential applications that demand subject mobility and data
logging. The Mobita EEG System uses water electrodes—no skin prep or gels
required. Record live data into AcqKnowledge or log to an internal
storage card for later upload into AcqKnowledge; modes are easily
switched to suit specific protocols.
B-Alert
X10® Wireless Systems
provide nine channels of high fidelity EEG plus ECG, and data software
for cognitive state metrics software is available. The stand-alone system easily
interfaces with MP150 Research System to synchronize with other physiological
data.
BioHarness® with AcqKnowledge is a lightweight, non-restrictive data logger and telemetry system to monitor, record, and analyze a variety of physiological parameters, including ECG, respiration, posture, and acceleration.
Stellar®
Small Animal Telemetry
Licenses with AcqKnowledge
control wireless data acquisition
from Stellar Implantable Telemetry Systems. The
easy-to-configure Animal Scheduler works for a subset or complete group of
conscious, unrestrained small animals for long term recordings.
Multiple
display modes can be viewed simultaneously, and signal conditioning tools (e.g.,
filtering and artifact removal) can be
applied.
These and other BIOPAC data hardware and software solutions are used in thousands of labs worldwide and cited in thousands of publications. Learn more about research systems and teaching systems.
Research hardware platforms are fully-integrated with AcqKnowledge® data acquisition software, which provides automated routines for data scoring, measurement, and reporting, and can support multiple hardware units. Teaching platforms include Biopac Student Lab software with media-rich tutorial style guide lessons for specified objectives, plus active learning options for student-designed experiments and advanced analysis.
Wired (tethered) data acquisition hardware platforms include the MP150 and MP36R Research Systems. The MP150 16-channel system with universal amplifier provides high resolution (16 bit), high-speed acquisition (400 kHz aggregate) with16 analog inputs and two analog outputs, digital I/O lines (to automatically control other TTL level equipment), and online calculation channels. The MP36R 4-channel research system with built-in amplifiers provides four analog inputs and one analog output, I/O port for digital devices, calculation channels, trigger port, headphone jack, and electrode impedance checker. The MP36R supports software-controlled amplifiers and calculation channels.
Wireless data
hardware includes options for live or logged data:
BioNomadix
wireless, wearable physiology monitoring devices noninvasively record
high-quality, full-bandwidth data while comfortably allowing subjects to move
freely in natural indoor environments. Digital transmission and transducers
placed close to the signal source provide excellent signal quality. Record
up to 16 channels of BioNomadix data with a BIOPAC MP150 System—the system also
works with multiple MP150 systems or third-party data acquisition hardware via
an isolated power supply module.
B-Alert
X10® Wireless Systems
provide nine channels of high fidelity EEG plus ECG, and data software
for cognitive state metrics software is available. The stand-alone system easily
interfaces with MP150 Research System to synchronize with other physiological
data.BioHarness® with AcqKnowledge is a lightweight, non-restrictive data logger and telemetry system to monitor, record, and analyze a variety of physiological parameters, including ECG, respiration, posture, and acceleration.
These and other BIOPAC data hardware and software solutions are used in thousands of labs worldwide and cited in thousands of publications. Learn more about research systems and teaching systems.
Biomechanics Transducers | Data Acquisition
Biomechanics
data can include measures of force and motion of body position, posture, and
joint movement over a wide range of static and dynamic conditions. Biomechanics
measurements are meaningful for a wide variety of research applications, such as
biomedical engineering, exercise physiology, sports training or rehab, and
ergonomics (for characteristics of a specific work activity or environment).
Biomechanics transducers include goniometers, torsiometers, and
accelerometers. Transducers are unobtrusive and lightweight, and can be worn
comfortably and undetected under clothing or attached to external
equipment—leaving the subject to move freely in the normal
environment.
Biomechanics transducers connect directly to the BIOPAC Acquisition Unit as part of an MP or BSL System. For a more complete physiological analysis, additional signals can be recorded (e.g., EMG, respiration, heart rate) and video data can be tightly-synchronized for a clear and detailed view of the biomechanics of a movement with the subject’s physiological data.
Goniometers incorporate gauge elements that measure bending strain along or around a particular axis and transform angular position into a proportional electrical signal. The gauge mechanism allows for accurate measurement of polycentric joints. As the joint moves through a determined angle, the relative linear distance between the two mounting positions will change. A telescopic endblock prevents the measuring element from becoming over-stretched or buckled as the limb moves. The bending strain is proportional to the sum total angular shift along the axis. Because the bending force is extremely small, the output signal is uniquely a proportional function of the angular shift.
Twin-axis goniometers measure rotation about two orthogonal planes
simultaneously to record limb angular movement, such as adequate bending in the
elbows or knees, unsafe rounding in the lower spine, wrist or ankle
flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, radial/ulnar deviations, etc.
Single-axis goniometers measure the angle in one plane only and are used to
record digit joint movement of fingers, thumb or
toes.
Torsiometers measure rotation about a single axis (e.g., forearm pronation/supination) to record angular twisting (as opposed to bending) of the torso, spine or neck.
Tri-Axial Accelerometers are high level output transducers that provide three outputs to measure acceleration along the X-, Y- and Z-axes simultaneously. To reliably record head tilt, place an accelerometer on the head. To measure accelerations when performing slow movements, such as walking and hand tremor, ±5 G accelerometers are optimal; ±50 G are more suitable for quick movements, such as swinging a tennis racket.
For applications where quick or rapid movements are involved, fit a “sock” bandage over the whole sensor and interconnect lead. For accurate results from long recordings, use double-sided adhesive between the endblocks and skin, and place single-sided adhesive tape over the top of the endblocks. No tape should come into contact with the spring. The connection lead should also be taped down near the sensor element.
Biomechanics transducers connect directly to the BIOPAC Acquisition Unit as part of an MP or BSL System. For a more complete physiological analysis, additional signals can be recorded (e.g., EMG, respiration, heart rate) and video data can be tightly-synchronized for a clear and detailed view of the biomechanics of a movement with the subject’s physiological data.
Goniometers incorporate gauge elements that measure bending strain along or around a particular axis and transform angular position into a proportional electrical signal. The gauge mechanism allows for accurate measurement of polycentric joints. As the joint moves through a determined angle, the relative linear distance between the two mounting positions will change. A telescopic endblock prevents the measuring element from becoming over-stretched or buckled as the limb moves. The bending strain is proportional to the sum total angular shift along the axis. Because the bending force is extremely small, the output signal is uniquely a proportional function of the angular shift.
Torsiometers measure rotation about a single axis (e.g., forearm pronation/supination) to record angular twisting (as opposed to bending) of the torso, spine or neck.
Tri-Axial Accelerometers are high level output transducers that provide three outputs to measure acceleration along the X-, Y- and Z-axes simultaneously. To reliably record head tilt, place an accelerometer on the head. To measure accelerations when performing slow movements, such as walking and hand tremor, ±5 G accelerometers are optimal; ±50 G are more suitable for quick movements, such as swinging a tennis racket.
For applications where quick or rapid movements are involved, fit a “sock” bandage over the whole sensor and interconnect lead. For accurate results from long recordings, use double-sided adhesive between the endblocks and skin, and place single-sided adhesive tape over the top of the endblocks. No tape should come into contact with the spring. The connection lead should also be taped down near the sensor element.
End the Complications of Data Acquisition Hardware
Data
Acquisition and analysis for the life sciences has improved immensely from the
days of chart recorders and oscilloscopes. Remember when data had to be scored
by hand, and marked and measured with a ruler? The old technology of the past
has given way to sophisticated
data acquisition hardware and data
acquisition software platforms of the present day that allow researchers to
record, display, and analyze data intuitively with easy-to-use hardware and
simple pull-down software menus.
Data
Acquisition hardware is no longer complicated equipment, full of knobs, dials
and switches — rather it is easy to use, flexible and available for a wide
range of application areas. Wireless
data acquisition hardware allows of recording of mobile or ambulatory
subjects in real world environments or virtual reality paradigms. Data can be
streamed live or logged to an internal storage for later upload. Data
acquisition hardware is also available for specialty applications like fMRI,
now researchers can record
physiology in the MRI to examine subject responses during functional
magnetic resonance imaging tests.
After
acquiring physiological data, researchers can use data acquisition software
with automated analysis
routines to mark, score, and output results from the data. Data acquisition
software is intuitive and feature rich, with real-time display options,
real-time calculation channels, and post acquisition analysis tools including
cycle detectors, rate calculators, frequency and power analysis and specific
automated analysis routines for signals such as ECG, EMG, EEG, Blood Pressure,
ICG, EDA, and more!