Portable, Battery Operated Multi-Modality Neurophysiology

Advances in laptop PC technology now make it feasible to develop a portable, digital neurophysiologic recording and analysis system that will fit in a standard briefcase and run on batteries. We have previously developed a powerful general-purpose software "virtual instrument" which is capable of recording, displaying and analyzing electroencephalography, electromyography, evoked potential and signal-triggered events, and performing ICU monitoring. All data collection modes and collection parametners are completely configurable, allowing any type of physiologic instrument to be emulated. The use of appropriate transducers can also allow recording and analysis of sleep, respiration, motion (kinesiology, ergonomic studies), intestinal motility and pH, and cardiac rhythm. The specific aims of Phase I are to port this instrument to run on a Laptop (80486) PC. Powerful generic data analysis capabilities existing within the current system will be proted to the PC as well. This will provide the basis for the Phase II development of an add-on box, which can be attached to the PC and will contain battery- powered analog amplifiers, stimulators, completing the instrument. Suitable analog technology will be investigated in Phase I, to allow a preliminary design for the box to be prepared.