University of Wisconsin – Madison

Engineering Projects In Community Service

BIOFEEDBACK / STRESS MANAGEMENT

May 9, 2001

Professor John Webster, Advisor

Department of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Dan Muller, Client
Department of Medicine and Med Micro/Immunology
Group Members
Electrodes: Electronics:
Ben Birkenstock Steve Almasi
Ji Choe Jacob Feala
Elizabeth Nee William Lau
Christy Palmer Sarah Michaels

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

 Placement of electrodes confirmed

 Existing products
 Ordered FlexTrodes system

 Investigated HydroDot electrodes

 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

[from Gevins, 1994].

 Signal Processing

v(t)
original signal filtered signal rectified signal averaged signal

[from Gevins, 1994].

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

 High common mode rejection ratio

 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

 Starts with high pitched tone

 User chooses to train for alpha or theta state
 Pitch varies in proportion to strength of
desired state
 Feedback Target
Strategy
1. High pitch 3.
2. *Attained Ideal Deep
Meditative State*
High Volume Lower pitch
Lower Volume Silence

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

 Pitch change easy to detect

 Vibrations, thermal signals, artificial tones

less effective
Changing Tone
 Pros  Cons
 Technically simple  “tone deafness”

 Less distracting  Intrusive sound

than music
 Easy to detect pitch

change
Questions?