Difference between revisions of "Tips & Tricks"

From Neuroelectric's Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Clean up the mastoid area where you are going to attach the DRL/CMS electrodes (using Sticktrode adhesive electrodes))
Line 1: Line 1:
 
=Tips for EEG recording using Enobio or StarStim devices =
 
=Tips for EEG recording using Enobio or StarStim devices =
  
== Plan well before doing anything ==
+
== Plan your session well before starting ==
 +
You should have a clear plan covering all the details in your recording session.  Prepare to be patient. Setting up always takes a bit longer than expected, and when carrying out experiments ... the third time's the charm!
 +
 
 +
 
 
Where do you want to place the electrodes? For how long do you want to record? Do you have a good naming scheme for your EEG files? What data formats do you want to save? Do you need accelerometry data? Do you want a line filter applied to the data (if so 50 or 60 Hz?)?
 
Where do you want to place the electrodes? For how long do you want to record? Do you have a good naming scheme for your EEG files? What data formats do you want to save? Do you need accelerometry data? Do you want a line filter applied to the data (if so 50 or 60 Hz?)?
  
 
Do you have an '''electrode referencing''' scheme? You should include in your montage a solution for data referencing. Data will be recorded referenced to the device electrical ground (the CMS electrode), but for data analysis you should always reference the data to an electrode or to the electrode average.
 
Do you have an '''electrode referencing''' scheme? You should include in your montage a solution for data referencing. Data will be recorded referenced to the device electrical ground (the CMS electrode), but for data analysis you should always reference the data to an electrode or to the electrode average.
  
And finally .. prepare to be patient. Setting up always takes a bit longer than expected, and the third time is the charm!
 
  
 
== Place carefully the CMS and DRL electrodes ==
 
== Place carefully the CMS and DRL electrodes ==
Line 13: Line 15:
 
You can use a paper napkin with some water or alcohol. Removing grease and dry skin will help you get good signal.
 
You can use a paper napkin with some water or alcohol. Removing grease and dry skin will help you get good signal.
  
== Place the DRL/CMS electrodes close to each other, with the DRL on the bottom ==
+
Stick the DRL/CMS electrodes close to each other, with the DRL on the bottom.
These two Sticktrode electrodes should be close to each other but not touch. The CMS electrode should be on top and squarely on top of the mastoid bone. This will avoid contamination from blood vessels (ECG like signals).
+
These two Sticktrode electrodes should be '''close to each other but not touch.''' The CMS electrode should be on top and squarely on top of the mastoid bone. This will avoid contamination from blood vessels (ECG like signals).
  
 
== Avoid loose wires ==
 
== Avoid loose wires ==
Line 21: Line 23:
  
 
== About EEG signal quality measures in NIC ==
 
== About EEG signal quality measures in NIC ==
As of NIC v1.2, EEG signal quality measures for each electrode are provided in real time.
+
As of NIC v1.2, EEG signal quality measures for each electrode are provided in real time.
 +
 
 +
If all the channels are in yellow or red zone, you may have an issue with the CMS/DRL electrodes (they create the ground for measurements, so if they are misplaced all the signals will be affected).
 +
 
 +
If an electrode is misbehavig, check that it has a good contact and, if possible, add more gel (you can reach the site from another hole in the cap.
  
 
= Tips for great Stimulation sessions using StarStim =
 
= Tips for great Stimulation sessions using StarStim =

Revision as of 22:01, 10 October 2013

Tips for EEG recording using Enobio or StarStim devices

Plan your session well before starting

You should have a clear plan covering all the details in your recording session. Prepare to be patient. Setting up always takes a bit longer than expected, and when carrying out experiments ... the third time's the charm!


Where do you want to place the electrodes? For how long do you want to record? Do you have a good naming scheme for your EEG files? What data formats do you want to save? Do you need accelerometry data? Do you want a line filter applied to the data (if so 50 or 60 Hz?)?

Do you have an electrode referencing scheme? You should include in your montage a solution for data referencing. Data will be recorded referenced to the device electrical ground (the CMS electrode), but for data analysis you should always reference the data to an electrode or to the electrode average.


Place carefully the CMS and DRL electrodes

These two electrodes should go over the left or right mastoid (best to always stick to one side). First clean up the mastoid area where you are going to attach the DRL/CMS electrodes (using Sticktrode adhesive electrodes). You can use a paper napkin with some water or alcohol. Removing grease and dry skin will help you get good signal.

Stick the DRL/CMS electrodes close to each other, with the DRL on the bottom. These two Sticktrode electrodes should be close to each other but not touch. The CMS electrode should be on top and squarely on top of the mastoid bone. This will avoid contamination from blood vessels (ECG like signals).

Avoid loose wires

Try to have a tidy setup with few loose wires. Loose wires are more prone to creating noise from movement.


About EEG signal quality measures in NIC

As of NIC v1.2, EEG signal quality measures for each electrode are provided in real time.

If all the channels are in yellow or red zone, you may have an issue with the CMS/DRL electrodes (they create the ground for measurements, so if they are misplaced all the signals will be affected).

If an electrode is misbehavig, check that it has a good contact and, if possible, add more gel (you can reach the site from another hole in the cap.

Tips for great Stimulation sessions using StarStim

Using Sponge electrodes

Using Ag/AgCl Pi electrodes

The impedance test

Everything about electrodes for EEG and stimulation

Electrodes1.png

Please see http://www.neuroelectrics.com/sites/neuroelectrics.com/files/enobio/Electrodes_User_Manual.pdf for a description of our electrodes.

Caring for EEG electrodes

Electrodes2.png


Caring for stimulation electrodes

Electrodes3.png

Electrode duration

Other