This course identifies the main areas of digital recording equipment and analogue to digital conversion (ADC)  used in EEG recording and can be applied for most Neurophysiological recording apparatus. We will look at the recording requirements of the digital apparatus as well as the display options.  

A summary of the content is given below:

• The digital EEG
• Digital recording equipment
• Analogue to digital conversion

The lesson notes will often refer to the EEG machine, however most of these principles apply to all neurophysiology recording apparatus and neurophysiological signals such as evoked potentials (EP) , sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) and compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) to name a few.

The EEG machine is a very sensitive measuring device, the working of which can be altered by various factors including mechanical components, setting choices and environmental influences.  The result of these changes can be that faults occur in the recording, faults that are not always easily recognised.  Digital EEG apparatus are numerically driven by specific software, so mechanical faults, or faults caused by failing moving parts are no longer a concern.  Machine settings and environmental influences are however, still a cause for changes to the recorded data.

It is therefore necessary that the technologist /scientist who is working with the machine know the technical characteristics and check these regularly.  In this course we will be discussing the EEG apparatus, the filter systems and the output system of the EEG apparatus. 

Areas of Research in alignment with ANSA Inc EEG and Evoked Potential Competency Statements

• Describe analogue to digital conversion recording techniques
• Identify the recording parameters and how they differ from display parameters including sensitivity and filters
• Preparation
• Perform routine maintenance of equipment.
• Prepare and check equipment is working according to manufacturer’s specifications. 
• Identify and correct minor equipment faults.
• Identify the process for repair of more complex faults.
• Equipment
  • Amplifiers
    • identify and explain the implication and use of frequency filters on the EEG
    • identify the routine acquisition parameters
    • explain the technique of referential recording