Measuring ECG in the EEG Lab

ECG-recording with BIOSEMI

Computer Set-Up

• start right (stimulation PC) and left (EEG-PC) computer (password: lab,mat30)
• connect the battery to the BIOSEMI amplifier and switch it on (otherwise no signal will be shown on the EEG-PC)
• open programme actiview on EEG-PC

ECG Settings

ECG equipment

• electrodes (EXG1, EXG2, EXG3, CMS/DRL)
• sticky rings
• Q-tips
• ECG paste
• desinfection spray
• kleenex
• leukosilk tape

Electrode preparation

settings amplifier

• plug electrodes to the amplifier
• place sticky rings on electrode heads
• use Q-tips to apply ECG paste (pea sized) on each electrode head
• sterilize respective skin areas with disinfection spray - wait until skin is dry again! (otherwise electrodes won't stick properly)

Electrode configuration

ECG lead configuration

• EXG1: right thorax (lower coastal arch)
• EXG2: left thorax (lower coastal arch)
• EXG3: left foot (medial of inner ankle)
• CMS/DRL: right clavicle (CMS: medial, DLR: lateral)

Electrode placement

1. CMS/DRL:

!! NOTE: correct placement of these two electrodes is crucial for the whole recording since all other electrodes depend on them!!

• make sure the skin is dry before placing the electrodes
• place CMS/DRL electrodes on right clavicle first
• CMS electrode is placed central, DRL more lateral
• electrodes should be tightly positioned on the bone
• since clavicle is thin, pay attention that the whole electrode head is connected to the bone (without any air in between)
• if necessary, use leukosilk tape to stick electrodes more tightly
• check correct placement: if CMS/DRL are recording correctly, the blue lamp on the amplifier is continuously blue
• wrong placement: if the blue lamp is blinking blue, edit electrode placement

2. EXG electrodes:

• as soon as lamp is blue, the other electrodes can be placed

Actiview Settings

• load configuration file:

1. click on TCP Server -> press “load config file” (red box in the left upper corner)
   
2. select configuration file (create own file or choose existing “incasi_03”: configuration for recording 3-lead-ECG using external channels)
   
3. check TCP subset: None(0), check “Add 8 EX electrodes”
   
4. click “Start file”
   

Steps to set configuration file

• select save options:
  

select save options

1. save subset: Monopolar Displayed Channels
   
2. when using config file “incasi_03”: remove [x] add 8 EX, remove [x] add display
   
3. click OK
   

• choose file and click save
• recording is started and being saved (indicated by green “saving” buttom right corner)

Main Recording Display: Monopolar Display & Triggers