Starting in 1990 at Vilnius, Lithuania, Neurotechnology develops high-precision algorithms and software build using deep neural networks and other AI-related technologies. The company launched the BrainAccess Development Kit today. This kit offers a variety of new applications like full dry-contact electroencephalography (EEG), electroencephalograph, EEG signal acquisition, and some example algorithms for processing software and brain-computer interface (BCI).
This opens the door for new ways to work with computers. The application creators can now have solutions in which user controls a computer or any other electronic device through activities such as eye movements, visual focus, relaxation state or other subtle changes that show up in their EEG signal patterns.
The mainstream EEG method uses “wet” electrodes, which need a gel and clear scalp to have proper electrical contact. This makes the process tedious, confusing, and not something you can go through every day.
Consequently, it is not possible to perform EEG without clinical or laboratory environment. With Neurotechnology’s dry electrode technology, users will no longer need a gel or any scalp procedure beforehand. These Electrodes are shape-conforming and provide better electric conductivity and ease of use.
Dr. Osvaldas Putkis is the project lead for this new device at Neurotechnology. Commenting on this technology, he said that EEG offers a cheap and effective way for scientists to measure brain activity for various applications, but it has a few caveats.
In his words, “two things are needed for EEG to become practical enough for widespread adoption and everyday BCI use. One is efficient dry-contact electrodes for measurement. Secondly, miniaturization of electroencephalographs with a high number of acquisition channels.”
BrainAccess Development Kit Details:
The BrainAccess MINI from Neurotechnology is a small form factor portable electroencephalograph with 16 acquisition channels, wireless connectivity, and about 10-hours of battery-powered operation time. BrainAccess MODULAR electroencephalograph features a modular architecture with 32-128 acquisition channels, which give high-density electrode coverage of the cerebral cortex.
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There are two variants for the BranAccess Development kit from Neurotechnology, the standard version, and an Extended version. With the standard version, users get the BrainAccess MINI electroencephalograph and the BrainAccess BAND.
Inside the BrainAccess BAND come dry-contact electrodes for measuring brain activity over the forehead and occipital regions. Also included is a BrainAccess CAP with 16 dry-contact electrodes that are used as an alternative method of standard coverage of the cerebral cortex.
For the extended version, you will get the BrainAccess MODULAR electroencephalograph with 32 acquisition channels and the BrainAccess CAP with 32 shape-conforming dry-contact electrodes. Users can also expand the acquisition channels in Brain Access MODULAR to a maximum of 128 channels. With this kit, the developers get high-density coverage of all cerebral cortex regions necessary for the development of more complex BCI experiments or applications.
Software Support:
Both variants of the kit com with proprietary software for EEG data acquisition and processing. It also features a bunch of BCI algorithms and BrainAccess Core Library. Which provides an interface with BrainAccess electroencephalographs and allows for direct access to recorded EEG data. The BrainAccess BCI Library Includes some examples and basic BCI programs. The currently included algorithms are the motion classifier algorithm, SSVEP detector algorithm, and the alpha detector algorithm.
The motion classifier algorithm recognizes EEG signal patterns like eye blinks, eye movements upwards and downwards and teeth clenching. While the SSVEP or Steady-State Evoked Potential detector algorithm shows the user different frequencies of visual flicker and determines which flicker the user is visually focusing on.
Lastly, The alpha detector algorithm estimates the level of alpha brainwaves generated by the user. The level of alpha brainwaves increases when a person is relaxed and has their eyes closed. It decreases when a person is in a state of alert concentration. These are just some of the pre-included APIs; meanwhile, there are countless other medical and technological applications of this product possible in the future.