Projects:2014S1-26 Brain Computer Interface Control for Biomedical Applications

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The aim of this project is to interpret EEG signals corresponding to lifting and dropping from an individual who has lost the use of their arms due to stroke using an Emotiv EPOC headset and categorize these signals with the use of a brain computer interface which sends them to an applicator that provides sensory feedback to the brain. This is a completely new project and does not expand on any previous projects. The final outcome is to achieve a brain computer interface(BCI) to rehabilitate stroke patients, allowing them to regain independent movement of their arms. This project is a proof of concept, and future teams at the University of Adelaide will be able to expand on the already existing hardware and software this project will produce.

Project information

The rehabilitation of stroke victims' arms is a major development and allows them to lead a quality of life similar to before the stroke. Our Brain Computer Interface will assist stroke victims to regain control of their arms. In order to do this we utilise two key techniques. Electroencephalography and Neuroplasticity. The electroencephalogram is a measure of brain waves. It is a test that provides evidence of how the brain functions over time and is used in the evaluation of brain disorders. This includes weakening of specific parts of the body such as weakness associated with a stroke. EEG signals are recorded by placing multiple electrodes on the scalp. In relation to the project the Emotiv EPOC headset is used to retrieve the EEG signals using 14 electrodes placed on the head and two reference electrodes. The headsets software development kit Emotiv Education Edition then allows the interpretation of these signals, identifying them as lifting or dropping.

Neuroplasticity refers to the potential that the brain has to reorganize by creating new neural pathways to adapt, as it needs. The role of neuroplasticity is widely recognized in healthy development, learning, memory, and recovery from brain damage. In relation to the project it is hoped that we can rehabilitate the neural pathways in stroke victims brains. This will be done by the user thinking of lifting or dropping their arms. The applicator will recognise which EEG signal has come through and lift or drop accordingly causing new neural pathways to be made in the brain as the user's arm has moved when a certain thought is imagined.

The project involves two major areas of work. The first is the design and construction of an applicator which the user will be able to rest their arm in and is controlled by their thoughts. The second is the creation of code on a PC and for an Arduino which will allow EEG signals to be identified and sent through from the PC to the applicator.

Outline of proposed work

  • Obtain Emotiv EPOC headset and SDK.
  • Obtain a control device to interface between PC and applicator

Anthony Reveruzzi

  • Research EEG and Nueroplasticity. Learn about how they work/how they can be integrated into the project to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Research and find the best software to use to interpret EEG signals effectively and allow them to be communicated to other programs.
  • Once software is chosen, discover how to interpret the EEG signals coming from the headset to relate to a user lifting or dropping their arm.
  • Discover how the software communicates with other applications. The required communications are with the Arduino IDE and Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express.
  • Create code in Visual C++ which will recognize if a lift signal or drop signal has come from the Emotiv SDK.
  • Create code in Visual C++ which will send through information about which signal can through to the Arduino chip.
  • Create code in Visual C++ which will implement a training mode in the Emotiv SDK. The user must train the SDK before it is able to accurately pick up which EEG signals are coming from the headset.
  • Create code in Visual C++ which will implement a challenge mode allowing stroke victims to be prompted to do an exercise and then are able to check their score afterwards.

Benjamin Traeger

  • Acquire Autodesk software for development of applicator schematics.
  • Draw up basic designs of how the applicator will look.
  • Gather information about the average length and weight of a humans arm. This will determine the length the rest will need to be and the material that will be required to hold the arm. This will also give information on how powerful a motor will have to be to lift and drop a human arm.
  • Acquire a suitable motor.
  • Acquire a suitable battery which can power this motor.
  • Create applicator design in Autodesk to be given to the workshop.
  • Construct applicator.

High-Level Plan

  • Phase 1
    • Headset Configuration/Data acquisition
    • Research brain computer interfaces and how they can be implemented.
    • Research EEG and Nueroplasticity.
  • Phase 2
    • Create a design for an applicator used to move the user's arm up and down.
    • Create code in order to interpret, decipher and send the relevant data from the headset to the applicator to make it move.
  • Phase 3
    • Construction of the applicator.
    • Software and hardware integration.
    • Final changes to code to ensure requirements are met.
  • Phase 4
    • Testing to ensure the applicator is safe and functions correctly.

Project Status

  • Signals are able to be trained and interpreted using the EPOC headset within the created programs console.
  • Communication between the program and the Arduino has been established to power the motor in either direction once the relevant signal has been detected.
  • Extra power is delivered to the motor via an external battery which is connected via the Arduino Motor Shield.
  • Design of Applicator has been completed and is under construction at the workshop.
  • User interfacing has been added to the program including Audio prompts.
  • Challenge mode has been added to the program to give users a feedback score on their attempted movements.
  • A windscreen wiper motor has been acquired to move the applicator.
  • The Arudino UNO R3 has been acquired.
  • A 12V rechargeable battery has been acquired to power the motor.
  • The Arudino Motor Shield R3 has been acquired.
  • Above parts have been combined to move the motor clockwise or anti-clockwise.
  • User Manual has been completed.

Products and Outcomes

System interaction of the brain computer interface.
  • Applicator has been created which assists in moving the stroke victims arm up or down.
  • BCI interface program has been created to interface between the Emotiv EPOC headset and the applicator to move the arm when the appropriate thought is detected.
  • Aims to assist in the rehabilitation of stroke victims by providing neural feedback which helps stimulate nueroplasticity.
  • The project will be able to be improved and modified for similar applications by final year students in the future.

Deliverables

  • Proposal seminar
  • Progress report
  • Final seminar
  • Final report
  • Poster
  • User Manual
  • Project exhibition

Team

Group members

  • Mr Anthony Reveruzzi
  • Mr Benjamin Traeger

Supervisors

  • Associate Professor Mathias Baumert
  • Mr David Bowler

Resources

  • Emotiv EPOC Nueroheadset
  • Applicator
  • Standard PC or Laptop
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express
  • Emotiv Education Edition SDK v2.0.0.20
  • Arduino UNO R3
  • Arduino UNO Motor Shield R3
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