Head-Shaped Neurological Simulator System

To address the Army need for a neurological simulator, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Head-shaped Neurological Simulator (NEUROSIM) system, based on a unique frequency synthesis algorithm and development of novel synthetic head phantom material. The innovative NEUROSIM system design allows generation of human EEG-like patterns (alpha, beta, theta, delta, and gamma waves in the range of 100 microvolts and 50 Hz) on the surface of a head-shaped physical model. As a result, researchers can use standard EEG caps and equipment to quantify external noise sources during actual field experiments and develop an artifact model to eliminate unwanted and unexpected noise sources from measured field data. Ruggedized packaging makes NEUROSIM long-lasting and maintenance-free, significantly reducing operational and ownership cost. The wireless design and user-friendly software makes it easy to program various brain states and user-defined wave patterns. In Phase I, POC will develop an engineering design and assemble a proof-of-concept prototype to demonstrate NEUROSIM feasibility by simulating EEG-like voltages on a head model. In Phase II, POC will develop two rugged, portable, field-usable, and digitally programmable working models of NEUROSIM with a technology readiness level (TRL) 4-5 for testing and verification at the Army Research Lab.