Hello,
I've been working on a personal project for a little over a year now. It's
been slow going because I've had to construct a lab from scratch. I
finally
got a decent oscilloscope (BK 2120B @[EMAIL PROTECTED]
30Mhz) and have been working to test
my ideas.
Essentially I've been conducting experiments in bio-feedback and
involuntary
physiological responses. I'm using a DT-9812 USB data acquisition module
from Data Translation, and a variety of piezo-film sensors, electronic
stethoscopes, and thermocouples to monitor physiological responses. But I
would also like to monitor galvanic skin response at a variety of
locations
on the human body and, if feasable, I would like to capture neuro-muscular
impulses.
For galvanic skin response, I can do this easily enough with a standard
DVM.
But, to capture this data with the DT-9812 I need to introduce a current
into a human body and I need to know what current levels are safe for such
measurements. I would appreciate links to technical data regarding these
measurements and tolerance of the human body to current and voltage. If
possible, I would like to see schematics, or pre-built (and inexpensive)
sensors that could be readily used for this purpose. So far, I've been
experimenting with opto-isolators enabling a voltage/current source from a
low-level battery to reduce/eliminate the possibility of catastrophic
electric shock.
For neuro-muscular inmpulse I've thought of building my own sensors. I've
considered building a "transponder" to transmit a set of low-level carrier
signals across the path of neural medians and using a "receiver" to
capture
and isolate any neuro-muscular "noise" from the received carrier signal,
the
resulting noise thus representing neuro-muscular activity. But, if there
are
already sensor assemblies that can do this, and that would be compatible
with the input requirements of the DT-9812, I would rather not re-invent
the
wheel...so to speak. Also, if such sensor assemblies exist, I am a lone
developer on a fixed, disabled veteran's income, and I need such
assemblies
to be within my budget.
Obviously, I am not a professional in the bio-medical field. I am just an
amateur developer and I admit that it has been well over 15 years since
I've
done any serious hardware work. Alhough, before becoming disabled, I did
work as a military-trained engineering technician in a variety of R&D labs
in the 70's and 80's. Most of that work was in computer peripherals and
computer graphics.
While I don't want to discuss the specifics of what I'm trying to
accomplish, part of my goal is to integrate these sensors into a full or
partial body suit and capture their data in near-real-time for my own
bio-feedback purposes.
If anyone can provide me with info or links regarding technical data,
schematics, bio-medical sensors, etc. I would be very appreciative.
Thanks,
thistlewait@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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