Instrumentation, Electronics, and Signal Analysis

Abstract

Biological, physical, and chemical environment of the body tissues continually generates electromagnetic signals movements of which tell us about internal physiological changes in the body from which we can differentiate normal from abnormal phenomena. The physiological signals are minute in magnitude and hence must be amplified to recognize them visually. Amplification of essential signals and filtering of unwanted signals are the two most fundamental processes in understanding PSG and other neurophysiologic recording techniques. Using analog and now digital electronic devices, we can measure and analyze current flow and potential differences between different areas of the body and scalp to assess normal functions and alterations caused by disease. This chapter discusses briefly the basic electronics for sleep specialists and clinical neurophysiologists.