A Physical and Virtual Head Phantom for Evaluating Human Performance using EEG Equipment

The goal of this project is to develop and deliver a rugged and portable human head/brain physical phantom that could be used for evaluation of existing and next generation EEG equipment. We will also develop, validate and deliver a virtual computational head phantom that could be used for evaluation of source localization. Computational models will be used to design both simple and anatomical head phantoms and the distribution and orientation of the dipole array within the head phantom as well as applied electrical signals needed to achieve typical EEG wave patterns measured in humans. In phase I, we will design and fabricate a prototype human head/brain phantom sufficient to test the fabrication process, selection of materials, implantation of dipole sources, testing of driving electronics and acquisition of EEG signals. The fabricated head phantom will be used for bench top experimental testing with and without environmental noise. At the end of phase I, an integrated prototype system will be delivered to the Army for independent evaluation. In phase II we will conduct iterative design and improvements of the new rugged and portable system of an instrumented human head/brain phantom. It will allow precise positioning of an array of intracranial dipole sources and digital control of the electronic signals. A neck model will be designed to mount the head phantom on commercially available manikins used in the vehicle safety design.