Electro Encephalograph

A Report Presented to the Faculty,

Electronics Engineering Department,
School of Engineering and Architecture,
Saint Louis University

In Partial Fulfillment of the Course,

Medical and Bio-Electronics Engineering
(ECE 523)

Submitted by:
Luiejen Marc A. Gascon

Schedule:
7:30 – 12:00 WTH

Submitted to:

Faculty Facilitator

Date of Submission:
4/12/2021

Acknowledgement

1|Page
I would like to thank my parents for supporting and giving what I need. My classmates for giving new
ideas and lessons as they present their own topics. My instructor Engr. Jefferson Walcien for teaching us
lessons about Biomedical Engineering. I also thank God for keeping me safe from the virus and for
providing everything I need in order to overcome any obstruction.

Preface / Foreword
This written report is about Electroencephalograph. Electroencephalograph also known as EEG is a
monitoring method to record electrical activity of the brain. The functions, history and the principles of
how this device works will be discussed in this document. After learning the components its block
diagram and schematic diagram. The components inside the device will be explained. The data read by
this device will also be described and discussed.
The Applications and the Future development of the encephalogram will also be shown in this document.

Table of Contents
Page 1: Cover Page
Page 2: Acknowledgement
Page 2: Preface / Foreword
Page 2: Table of contents
Page 3: Definition of Terms
Page 3: Introduction / Background
Page 4: Topic Presentation / Discussion
Page 4: Schematic Diagram / Functional Block Diagram
Page 8: Discussion of Functions and Applications
Page 9: Future Breakthrough
Page 9: Summary / Conclusion / Recommendation
Page 9: Appendices
Page 11: Bibliography

Definition of Terms
1. Electroencephalogram - is an electrophysiological monitoring method to record electrical activity of
the brain. It is typically noninvasive, with the electrodes placed along the scalp, although invasive
electrodes are sometimes used, as in electrocorticography, sometimes called intracranial EEG.

2|Page
2. Interictal epileptiform discharges - are pathological hypersynchronous patterns of brain activity that are
localized in patients with focal epilepsy.
3. Jackbox - a connection box containing one or more jacks into which a piece of electric equipment (as a
telephone or loudspeaker) may be plugged.
4. Galvanometer - A galvanometer is an electromechanical instrument used for detecting and indicating
an electric current.
5. 10-20 electrode system - The 10-20 System of Electrode Placement is a method used to describe the
location of scalp electrodes. The 10-20 system is based on the relationship between the location of an
electrode and the underlying area of cerebral cortex. Each point on this figure to the left indicates a
possible electrode position.
6. Electrodes – electrodes consist of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto your scalp. The
electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity of your brain cells.
7. Amplifier - an electronic device for increasing the amplitude of electrical signals.

Introduction / Background
Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a recording of the electrical activity of the brain using electrodes attached
to the scalp. The first recordings were made by Hans Berger in 1929 although similar studies had been
carried out in animals as early as 1870. The nerve cells in the brain produce signals that are called action
potentials. These action potentials move from one cell to another across a gap called the synapse. Special
chemicals called neurotransmitters help the signals to move across the gap. There are two types of
neurotransmitters, one will help the action potential to move to the next cell, the other will stop it moving
to another nerve cell.
The brain normally works hard to keep an equal amount of each of these neurotransmitters in the brain.
EEG activity is quite small, measured in microvolts (µV) with the main frequencies of interest up to
approximately 30 Hertz (Hz).
EEG is a relatively inexpensive, non-invasive, and completely passive recording technique. It has an
excellent temporal resolution as it can take hundreds to thousands of snapshots of electric activity across
multiple sensors within a single second. This makes EEG an ideal candidate to study the signals generated
by the brain.
Topic Presentation / Discussion

Historical Account
There are two discoveries that sparked the creation of electroencephalogram. First is the discovery of
Richard Caton in July 1875. Richard Caton observed electrical impulses using a galvanometer, which is a
type of instrument that measures current. The second discovery was the study of Ernst von Fleischl-
Marxow about evoked potentials, linking the activities in the nervous system to muscle movements.
These two discoveries was used by Hans Berger as the foundation for his discovery, which is the
electroencephalogram.

3|Page
He used a galvanometer, silver foil as electrodes and capillary electrometer to capture the first Alpha and
Beta brainwaves.
After the discovery of Hans Berger, Gray Walters a British Scientist created the toposcope which is also
an electroencephalogram with more electrodes along with ray tubes. This invention was used for brain
mapping. The data given by this discovery allowed researchers and neurologists to analyze relationships
between mental work to brain activity.
Today the electroencephalogram is used in detection and brain imaging. It is also used in medical
applications to diagnose patients with psychological or mental illnesses.

Schematic Diagram / Functional Block Diagram

Sample Circuit of an EEG

4|Page
The circuit above shows the gain on each stage and the components of a two channel EEG. The circuit
contains Differential amplifiers and different types of filters.

Discussion of each part/ component and its technical operation

The electrodes are placed on the scalp of the subject. The positioning of the electrodes is important in
order to achieve a proper data. The electrodes gather electrical impulses from the brain. After the
detection of the electrodes the current signal will travel to the electrode montage selector. The electrode
montage selector controls which electrodes will be detected and differentiated. After the electrode
montage selector the signal will travel through an amplifier with built in filters. The amplifiers are made
from differential operational amplifiers. Differential Op-amps will differentiate the two inputs and
amplify the signal at its output. The signal will be amplified and filtered several times using high gains in
order for the signal to be conveyed clearly. After the amplification the signals is displayed either by a
Digital or Ink-writing Unit. If the displayed option is the Digital the signal will first need to be converted
from analog signal to digital signal using an Analog to Digital converter. The digital signal will be
displayed by the oscilloscope or a computer.

Brain Waves

5|Page
The types of signal displayed by the oscilloscope or writer units can be categorized into four types. First
is the Alpha waves which operates from 8 Hz to less than 13 Hz. Alpha waves is commonly the output
signal if the subject is awake or relaxed. Second is the Beta waves, the Beta waves has frequency range of
13 Hz to 30 Hz. This type of wave can be seen if the patient is either awake or excited. Third is called
theta wave, this brain wave is from 4 Hz to less than 8 Hz. This signal is present during light sleep. The
last type of brain wave is Delta brain wave. Delta waves have frequencies less than 4 Hz this is present in
deep sleep. As we can see the less activity of the brain the lower the frequency of the brain waves
recorded.

10 – 20 Electrode placement system

6|Page
This is the 10 – 20 electrode system. Is the international method of placement of electrodes on the scalp
when conducting EEG exam. This was develop to ensure that the data gathered can be reproduced, and
effectively analyzed and compared using scientific methods. The 10 and 20 refer to the fact that the
distances between adjacent electrodes are either 10% or 20% of the total front to back or Right to left
distance of the skull. Therefore, before the exam the patient will undergo a head measurement exam.

Further discussion on EEG amplifiers

A minimum of 25 electrode inputs (21 on the scalp. the system reference ground. and 2 extra) are
recommended and 32 electrode inputs (9 extra electrodes) are preferred when recording.
The input impedance should be greater than 10 mega-ohms. The common mode rejection ratio should be
at least 100 dB for each input.
The EEG amplifiers convert the weak signals from the brain into a more discernible signal for the output
device. They are differential amplifiers that are useful when measuring relatively low-level signals. In
some designs, the amplifiers are set up of a pair of electrodes detects the electrical signal from the body.
Wires connected to the electrodes transfer the signal to the first section of the amplifier. The buffer
amplifier. Here the signal is electronically stabilized and amplified by a factor of five to 10 A differential
pre-amplifier is next in line that filters and amplifies the signal by a factor of 10-100 After going through
these amplifiers. The signals are multiplied by hundreds or thousands of times.

Since the brain produces different signals at different points on the skull, multiple electrodes are used.
The number of channels that an EEG machine has is related to the number of electrodes used. The more
channels, the more detailed the brainwave picture. For each amplifier on the EEG machine two electrodes
are attached. The amplifier is able to translate the different incoming signals and cancels ones that are
identical. This means that the output from the machine is actually the difference in electrical activity

7|Page
picked up by the two electrodes. Therefore, the placement for each electrode is critical because the closer
they are to each other, the less differences in the brainwaves that will be recorded.

Discussion of Functions and Applications

 Neuromarketing - In the field of neuromarketing, economists use EEG research to detect brain
processes that drive consumer decisions, brain areas that are active when we purchase a
product/service, and mental states that the respective person is in when exploring physical or
virtual stores.

 Human Factors - Originating from Psychology, the field of Human Factors focuses on workplace
optimization; both with respect to tools and interfaces as well as social interaction. In this area,
EEG research is used to identify brain processes related to specific personality traits such as
intro-/extroversion or social anxiety.

 Social Interaction - Humans are social agents – we spend a majority of our lives interacting with
others. In social interaction research, brain processes related to social perception, self-evaluation,
and social behavior are investigated. Importantly, social interactions and communication are not
passive forms of processing incoming stimuli. Whenever we talk to others or solve problems
together, we have to “sync up” with our partners. To study the brain processes underlying the
synchronization of conversations and actions, EEG researchers use a method referred to as
“hyperscanning” to record data from multiple people at once, allowing them to gain deeper
insights into leadership and team interactions.

 Clinical and Psychiatric Studies - Whenever brain processes are impaired (e.g., lesions, genetic
dysfunctions, diseases), deficits in behavioral, attentional and cognitive processing can be
observed. Clinical and psychiatric fields use EEG to evaluate the patients’ cognitive states,
determine lesion sites, and classify symptoms. Also, EEG is heavily used to evaluate the effect of
medical and psychological treatment (e.g., in cognitive-behavioral therapy). More and more
therapies utilize virtual reality technology and record EEG data to monitor how the patients’
brains improve over time.

Future Breakthrough
The EEG will continue to improve because of the rapid advancement of technology. New ideas will be
brought to life. Some of the engineers and scientist predicts that EEG will be used for Brain Computer
Interfaces or BCI. This will gives rise to very powerful and targeted EEG applications to steer devices
using brain activity. This can, for instance, help paralyzed patients steer their wheelchairs or move a
cursor on a screen. BCI technology can also be used for military scenarios where soldiers are equipped
with an exoskeleton and EEG cap, allowing them to move, lift and carry very heavy items simply based
on brain activity.

Summary / Conclusion / Recommendation

8|Page
Electro encephalogram have contributed a lot in medical and also in technological advancement of
humanity. The discoveries of the scientists was combined to create this technology. Electronics engineers
also have a big role in the development of this device because without the creation of the circuit and the
electronic devices this device will never be created. The device is currently used in medical purposed and
also in military purposes. In the future the electroencephalogram will have the ability to wirelessly control
machines, wheelchairs, games, vehicles etc. This will lead to easier control with minimal effort which is
the main purpose of machines.

Appendices
Operational Amplifiers

Differential Operational Amplifier

9|Page
A differential amplifier also known as difference amplifier is a useful op-amp configuration that amplifies
the difference between the input voltages applied.

Bibliography
Electronics Hub Administrator. (2019, February 1). Differential Amplifier. Retrieved from Electronics
Hub: https://www.electronicshub.org/differential-amplifier/#:~:text=A%20differential

10 | P a g e
 %20amplifier%20also%20known,between%20the%20input%20voltages%20applied.&text=But
%20due%20to%20mismatch%20in,a%20finite%20common%20mode%20gain.
Knowing Anatomy. (2020, August 22). Electroencephalogram (EEG) | Waves | Physiology. Retrieved
from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFghQLm2ND8
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). EEG (electroencephalogram). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/eeg/about/pac-20393875
The editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2017, October 31). Electroencephalograpy. Retrieved from
Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/science/electroencephalography
the University of Illinois. (n.d.). History of EEG. Retrieved from publish illinois:
https://publish.illinois.edu/bmesemgveeg/history-of-the-eeg/
Wikipedia researchers. (2017). 10–20 system (EEG). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10%E2%80%9320_system_(EEG)

11 | P a g e