ANJALAI AMMAL MAHALINGAM ENGINEERING COLLEGE-KOVILVENNI 614 403

Max Marks: 50 Internal Assessment Test-I Date & Session:

Time: 2 Hours III Year / V Semester - EEE Subject code: OMD551
Prepared by: Basics Of Biomedical Instrumentation Register Number

Instructions: (i) Answer all the questions.

Part A (10 x 2 = 20)
Qn No Question
1 Define bioelectric potential?
A voltage produced by a tissue of the body, particularly muscle tissue during a contraction.
Bioelectric potential are generated at a cellular level, that is each cell is a minute voltage
generator .because positive and negative ions tend to concentrate unequally inside and outside the cell
wall, a potential difference is established and the cell becomes a tiny biological battery.
2 Explain all or nothing law.
The all-or-none law is the principle that the strength by which a nerve or muscle fiber responds to a
stimulus is independent of the strength of the stimulus. If that stimulus exceeds the threshold potential,
the nerve or muscle fiber will give a complete response; otherwise, there is no response.
3 Define action and Resting Potential.
Action potential: it is defined as the change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an
impulse along the membrane of a cell.
Resting potential: It is defined as the electric potential of an excitable cell relative to its surroundings
when not stimulated or involved in passage of an impulse. It ranges from -60 mV to -100 mV.
4 List the salient features of needle electrodes.
• A fine wire through which electrical current may flow when attached to a power source; used to
carry high frequency electrical currents that create heat or destroy diseased tissue (called radiofrequency
ablation) or seal blood vessels.
• There are two types of needle electrodes: a simple straight needle; and a straight, hollow needle
that contains several retractable electrodes that extend when needed.
• Needle electrodes may also be a part of devices that monitor electrical activity for diagnostic
purposes such as in the performance of electromyography and nerve conduction studies.
5 Define absolute refractory period and Relative refractory period?
Action potential: it is defined as the change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an
impulse along the membrane of a cell.
Resting potential: It is defined as the electric potential of an excitable cell relative to its surroundings
when not stimulated or involved in passage of an impulse. It ranges from -60 mV to -100 mV.
6 Draw the Einthoven’s triangle for defining ECG leads.

7 What is the purpose of 50 Hz notch filter in bio signal measurement?

In human bio-potential recordings, it is common practice to apply a 50/60 Hz notch filter to reduce this
kind of interference. In such cases, there is no considerable distortion observed on the recorded signal.
 Several kinds of notch filters (analog and digital) were implemented for evaluation of the distortion caused
on ECG signals.
8 List out the clinical significance and applications of EEG signal.
Seizure disorders (such as epilepsy)
Head Injury
Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
Brain Tumor
Encephalopathy (disease that causes brain dysfunction)
Memory Problems
Sleep Disorders
Stroke
Dementia
9 Compare the unipolar and bipolar mode of bio-signal measurement.
Bipolar leads:
It utilize a single positive and a single negative electrode between which electrical potentials are
measured.
The term “bipolar” indicated that the signal swings above and below some reference point.
Unipolar leads:
It have a single positive recording electrode and utilize a combination of the other electrodes to serve
as a composite electrode.
Unipolar signals swing from zero to positive full-scale, thus having only a positive polarity.
10 Discuss the uses of EMG?
Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's
stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities.
An EMG test helps find out if muscles are responding the right way to nerve signals. Nerve
conduction studies help diagnose nerve damage or disease.
Tests that use electrodes to detect, translate, and record the electrical signals in your muscles and
nerve cells while they're active and at rest.

11(a) Explain any four types of surface electrodes in detail.

Surface electrode
Generally larger area surface electrodes are to sense ECG potentials and smaller area surface
electrodes are used to sense EEG and EMG potentials.

There are different types:

a) Metal plate electrode
b) Suction cup electrode
c) Adhesive tape electrode
d) Multipoint electrode
e) Floating electrode
 (or)
11(b) How does the electrode – electrolyte skin interface influence the behaviour of the practical electrodes?
Electrode – Electrolyte Interface
Electrode discharges some metallic ions into electrolytic solution
x`Increase in free electrons in electrode
Increase in positive cations (electric charge) in solution;or
Ions in solution combine with metallic electrodes
Decrease in free electrons in electrode
Decrease in positive cations in solution.
As a result, a charge gradient builds up between the electrode and electrolyte and this in turn
creates a potential difference
General Ionic Equations

where n and m are less valences

If the electrode is of the same material as the cations, then this material gets oxidized and enters
the electrolyte as a cation and electrons remain at the electrode & flow in the external circuit;
If anion can be oxidized at the electrode to form a neutral atom, one or two electrons are given
to the electrode.

12 (a) Explain how action potential is generated in a cell? Also discuss about its method of propagation.
The principal ions involved with the phenomena of producing cell potentials are sodium
(Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl–). The membrane of excitable cells readily permits the entry
of K+ and Cl–but impedes the flow of Na+ even though there may be a very high concentration
gradiant of sodium across the cell membrane. This results in the concentration of the sodium ion more
on the outside of the cell membrane than on the inside.
Since sodium is a positive ion, in its resting state, a cell has a negative charge along the inner
surface of its membrane and a positive charge along the outer portion. The unequal charge distribution
 is a result of certain electrochemical reactions and processes occurring within the living cell and the
potential measured is called the Resting Potential.
The cell in such a condition is said to be Polarized. A decrease in this resting membrane
potential difference is called depolarization. The distribution of positively charged ions on the outer
surface and negatively charged ions inside the cell membrane results in the difference of potential
across it and the cell becomes, in effect, a tiny biological battery.

(or)
12(b) Describe the electrical properties of metal and glass microelectrodes with neat illustration.
13(a) Explain about the standard positions for EEG recording. And also write note on various EEG waves.
Mark points at 10,20,20,20,20 and 10% of the total nasion –inion distance. These points are , ,
, and .
Mark point at 10,20,20,20,20 and 10% of the total distance between the pre-auricular points.
These points are , , , , and . In these odd numbered points and are on the left and even
numbered points , and are on the right.
Measure the distance between and along the great circle passing through and mark points at
10,20,20,20,20 and 10% of this distance. These are positions of , and
Repeat this procedure on the right side and mark the positions of , and .
Measure the distance between and along the the great circle passing through and mark points
at 25%intervals. These [points give the positions of , and .
The ground reference electrode is a metal clip on the earlobe.
Repeat this procedure on the right side and mark the positions of , and .
Check that , , , and are equidistant along the transverse circle passing through , and and
check that , , , and are equidistant along the transverse circle passing through and . Further there
are nasopharyngeal electrodes and and ear electrode and .
Before placing the electrode, the scalp is cleaned, lightly abraded and electrode paste is applied
between the electrode and the skin. By this application of electrode paste, the contact impedance is less
than 10 k .
Generally disc like surface electrodes are used. In some cases, needle electrode are inserted in
the scalp to pick up EEG.

(or)
13(b) Explain the different standard 12 lead systems in ECG waveform recordings.
An Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that checks how your heart is functioning by measuring
the electrical activity of the heart. For every heartbeat, an electrical impulse (or wave) travels through
your heart. This wave causes the muscle to squeeze and pump blood from the heart.
Electrocardiograph is a machine used for electrocardiography. Electrocardiography (ECG or
EKG) is the process of recording the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time using electrodes
placed over the skin.

Limb leads