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Instrumentation for brain

function
X Ray equipment transmits high energy
electromagnetic waves and indicates relative
tissue density on a photographic plate
Eg Cerebral angiography, Cranial XRays, Brain
Scans, CT Scans
Ultrasonic equipment transmits high
frequency sound waves and indicate tissue
location by reflecting waves
Electrophysiological equipment detects low
voltage, low freq bioelectric signals that are
picked up by electrodes
Cerebral angiography
X-Ray technique to display brain structure and
detailed images of blood vessels with the aid
of a contrast medium
Radio opaque dyes that block X-Rays are
injected in an artery and dispersed
throughout the cerebrovascular tree
X-Ray images are taken at 1 sec intervals and
can reveal blockages and tumors

Nuclear medicine
Small amounts of short lived radioactive
isotopes are introduced into the
cardiovascular system
The concentrated radioactivity is
measured with a scintillation counter
Counter responds to impinging alpha,
beta or gamma rays given off by the
radioactive material
Cranial X-Rays
2 dimensional X-Ray exposures taken of
the cranium
Used to indicate fractures in cranial
bones and blood clots or tumors
Positive diagnosis can be made only
when the contrast is high
Brain scans
Radiographs that are taken through
successive scanning
Highly collimated X-Ray beams are used
Small contrast differences can be seen
Provide considerably more info than
simple cranial X-Ray exposures
Computed Tomography
CT scanning technique of recording
and processing a set of image
projections that represent a
reconstruction of the object scanned
Scanning system
Processing unit
Viewing part
Storage unit

Computed Tomography
To identify structural abnormalities (such as
abscesses, tumors, and hydrocephalus) in the
brain
To identify bleeding or evidence of strokes in
the brain
To identify ruptured or herniated disks in the
spine
To identify spinal fractures
To monitor the effects of radiation therapy on
brain cancer or of antibiotics on a brain
abscess

EEG
The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a
recording of the electrical activity of the
brain from 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.
Neuron Membrane potentials

Electroencephalography
The EEG is recorded between electrodes
placed in standard positions on the scalp and
has a typical amplitude of 2-100 microvolts
and a frequency spectrum from 0.1 to 60 Hz.
Most activity occurs within the following
frequency bands; delta (0.5 - 4 Hz), theta (4-
8 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz), beta (13-22 Hz) and
gamma (30-40 Hz).

EEG Frequency band
<100uV <10uV <20uV <2UuV

EEG
EEG activity in particular frequency bands is
often correlated with particular cognitive
states.
Signals in the alpha band, for example, are
associated with relaxation. Thus, an electrode
placed over the visual cortex that detects
alpha band signals is detecting visual
relaxation.
An electrode over the motor cortex picking up
alpha band signals is detecting motor
relaxation
EEG electrodes
EEG electrodes transform ionic currents
from cerebral tissue into electrical
currents. Electrodes used are
Scalp
Sphenoidal
Nasopharyngeal
Electrocorticographic
Intracerebral

10-20 EEG electrode placement system

EEG Machine (8 channel)

EEG Telemetry system

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