Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Webster Biofeedback
Webster Biofeedback
May 9, 2001
Feedback:
Chris Koenigs
Amy Li
Problem Statement
To design and build a portable, inexpensive
electroencephalogram (EEG) device that
would enable users to monitor brain states
during meditation.
Meditation
Self-induced calming of mind and body
Linked to health benefits
ADD
Blood pressure
Creativity
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Electrodes attached to
scalp
Action potentials of
cells amplified and
averaged
Oscilloscope provides
visual representation
of brain wave signals
Brain Wave States
Beta: waking activity
(above 13 Hz)
Alpha: relaxed, eyes
closed (8-13 Hz)
Theta: drowsy,
dreamlike (4-7 Hz)
Delta: deep sleep
(below 4 Hz)
Meditation can alter
brain waves over time
Subgroups
Electrodes
Determine number, type, placement and
attachment of electrodes
Electronics
Design and build circuitry
Feedback
Determine system of feedback to user
Basic Design Concept
Electrodes
Elizabeth Nee
Electrode Selection
Style Type of electrolyte
Reusable Gel
Disposable Paste
Dry/active Saline
Hydrogel
Electrode Placement
theta—central
alpha—occipital
Current Design
Pros Cons
Inconspicuous Possible noise
Not distracting to user
Problems
Adjustable
achieving good
Easy to place properly
contact through
long hair
side view
rear view
Accomplishments This Semester
Research
Full EEG electrode set-up not necessary
Existing products
Ordered FlexTrodes system
Tested device
Electronics
Steve Almasi
General Specifications
Portable
Small
Lightweight
Battery powered
Inexpensive
Most existing products > $700
Measure strength of alpha ( a) and theta (J)
Provide feedback
Dominant state
Strength of dominant state
Signal Flow Diagram
rectifier voltage- audio output
filter + controlled
(4-8 Hz) averager oscillator
electrodes amplifier
rectifier
filter +
(8-13 Hz) averager
v(t)
original signal filtered signal rectified signal averaged signal
t
Amplifier Specifications
High input impedance
High noise rejection
Amplify 10-100 V input signal
Minimal power consumption
Low cost
Amplifier Design
Test Results
Gain of approximately 19,000 at 10 Hz
Attenuated DC offset
Filter Specifications
Distinguish alpha, theta bands
Low complexity
Minimal power consumption
Low cost
Alpha Circuit
Theta Circuit
Test Results
Frequency Response of Theta Filter
600
500
Ampitude (mV)
400
300
200
100
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Hz
Feedback
Amy Li
Specifications
Make meditation more fulfilling
Pleasant, easy to understand feedback
Low cost
Technically feasible
Feedback Essential Points
4.
If
Pitch and meditative
volume increases state is lost
5. again
01/25/24
Feedback Circuit - Summing
Amplifier
Feedback Circuit - Variable Gain
Amplifier
Research Results
Best performed with eyes closed
Auditory signals most effective
Volume change difficult to detect
than music
Easy to detect pitch
change
Questions?