PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF POLYGRAPH MACHINE AND ITS ATTACHMENT

LIE DETECTOR – is an instrument that monitors a person’s physiological reactions.

POLYGRAPH RECORD – changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse strength, galvanic skin
reflex, and upper and lower breathing patterns.

SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (SNS) – or “self-defense”, a mechanism when the

questions ask on the test.

MAJOR PARTS OF POLYGRAPH MACHINE

1. PNEUMOGRAPH COMPONENT
The pneumograph component is used to record the changes in breathing of the subject. It
is made up of two units: (1) the pneumograph chest assembly which is composed of the rubber
convoluted tube and beaded chain tubing. The pneumograph tube considerably expands and
contracts as the subject’s breath. (2) The pneumograph recording unit consists of a frame brass
bellows, crankshaft, centershaft, adjustable fulcrum, bearing with adjusting screw pen travel,
vent, limiting screw, pen cradle and pen centering control. Volume changes in the chest caused
by breathing transmitted by the chest assemble to the recording unit. These activate the bellows
which move forward and backward pushing the crankshaft. The crankshaft apply a torque to the
centershaft upon which the pen cradle is attached. The forward and backward right movement is
recorded on the chart paper.

Pneumograph component records changes of breathing of the subject consists of

transducers and pneumograph tubes which are fastened around the subject’s abdominal and
thoracic part of the body.

NATURE OF PNEUMOGRAPH PATTERN

The respiratory pattern on the chart is the pneumograph tracing which composed of
expiration and inspiration stroke with the usual amplitude of ½ to ¾ inch. It is a combination of
the expiration and inspiration strokes that comprises one complete respiratory cycle. The
pneumograph tracing is classified as either normal or abnormal.

2. CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH COMPONENT
The cardiosphygmograph component is used to record changes of blood pressure and
pulse rate of the subject. It is composed of the blood pressure cuff assembly, pump bulb
assembly, sphygmomanometer vent, renosance control, and the recording unit. The blood
pressure cuff assembly when attached to the right arm of a subject transmit impulse from the
brachial artery. The pump bulb assembly inflates the system and a hose connects the blood
pressure cuff through which the blood pressure changes and passed into the recording unit. The
sphygmomanometer indicates the air pressure present in the system in millimeters of mercury.
The vent provides the means by which air in the system can be released. The renosance control
provided the means for reducing or increasing the amount of air pressure to reach the tambour
unit and thus reduce or increase the amplitude of pen excursions. A centering control is provided
for adjusting the tracing so that the blood pressure pattern would be on the guideline. The
recording unit records the pulse rate and blood pressure changes on the chart paper through a 5
inch recording pen.

BLOOD PRESSURE – refers to the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the
arteries, it is an important diagnosis index, especially of circulating function.

TWO POINTS OF BLOOD PRESSURE

a. HIGH POINT – called “systole” at which the heart contracts to empty its blood into
the circulation.
b. LOW POINT – called “diastole” at which the heart relaxes to FN with blood returned
by the circulation.

BLOOD PRESSURE OF A NORMAL PERSON

80/45 – infant
120/80 – at the age 30
140/85 – at the age 40

NATURE OF CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH
The sensitivity of the heart during questioning is recorded as shown in cardio-tracing.
Cardio pen is recorded the systolic stroke, diastolic stroke. It has 72-80 beats per minute.
Pneumograph section is the most sensitive of all the three sections of the instrument.

3. GALVANOGRAPH COMPONENT
The galvanograph component is used to record the skin resistance of the subject to a very
small amount of electricity. It is composed of the finger or palm electrode assembly, amplier
unit, and the galvano-meter recorded unit. The finger electrode connects the subject to the
instrument in such a manner that his skin resistance is a circuit element of the polygraph. It
consists of finger electrode plate with retainer bonds and connecting plug. The amplifier unit
working on the “Wheatstone bridge” principle detects any changes in the skin resistance of the
subject, amplifier it furnish current to operate the galvanometer. The recording unit of the
galvanometer converts the electrical energy to the mechanical energy. Electric current flowing
through the galvanometer causes the mechanical movement of a 7 inch recording pen. The
overall function of the galvanograph is to detect changes in the skin resistance of the subject,
amplify this changes, and record it on the chart.

NATURE OF GALVANOGRAPH

Galvo pen is much longer than pneumo or cardio pens, it runs about four (4) to seven (7)
seconds. It is either manual or self centering. Eighty percent effective than the manual or
normal setting, 30 percent of accurate chart interpretation is lost.

4. KYMOGRAPH COMPONENT
 The kymograph component is sometimes referred as a CHART DRIVE MODULE, time
at the rate of six (6) inches per minute. A chart roll is about 100 feet long, 6 inches with ½ inch
margin apart.
Kymograph component is a motor that pulls or drives the chart paper under the recording
pen simultaneously at the rate of 6 to 12 inches per minute. It is also a chart or paper feed
mechanism. The chart must travel at a uniform speed to facilitate valid interpretations. The
parts composed of the paper well writing table, paper guide rails, paper roller assembly with
sprockets, chart feed switch, AC power input connector, and all 5 volt GC cycle synchronous
motor.
Chart paper is driven fast the recording penshaft at uniform speed of 6 inches per minute.
Chart rolls is about 100 feet holes spaced ¼ inch interval and vertical line at 1/10 inch intervals
with heavy line at ½ inch interval. Each ½ inch division across the paper represents 5 seconds of
time. Pulse rate per minute may then be computed by multiplying of the beats counted is one
division by 12.

OTHER PARTS OF POLYGRAPH MACHINE

1. Pen lifter – raises or lowers pens to 3 positions.
2. Program pacer – programmable cueing device for question and answering spacing.
3. Paper tear bar – provides cutting edge for convenient removal of charts.
4. Foam pen hold down – keeps pen in place when instrument is being transferred.
5. Attached compartment – storage for all forms and supplies.
6. Accessory storage and optional calibration checking fixture - slightly smaller in executive
ultra scribe.
7. Subject connections – stylish grouping provides neat, professional appearance.
8. Mechanical pneumo module – recording part of mechanical pneumo channel.
9. Paper storage compartment holds the spare rolls of chart paper.
10. Galvanic skin response module recording part of GSR channel.
11. Multi-function module selectable recording can be used as:
a. electronic pneumo-channel
b. electronic cardio channel
c. cardio activity monitor
d. cardio or tech or other accessories
12. Mechanical cardio channel recording part of mechanical cardio module.
13. AC power receptacle power cords connects here, international standard.
14. Power switch and circuit breaker applies power to instrument.
15. Chart drive roller lever lifts chart drive roller for paper changes.
16. Power analyzer automatically indicates whether wall-outlets is properly wired.
17. Stimulus marker marks significant events on the chart.
18. Sphygmomanometer dial read operating pressure of cardio channels.
19. Pneumo 1 – pneumatic connection for upper (thoracic)
20. Pneumo 2 – pneumatic connection for lower (abdominal)
21. Cuff pneumatic connection for cardio channel subject cuff tubing
22. Pump pneumatic connection for hand pump used to inflate subject cuff.
23. Mechanical cardio switch – disengages mechanical cardio module from pneumatic system
for low pressure electronic cardio operation.