NeXus-32 - Wireless Bluetooth Biofeedback (Pricing is determined by US Dollar/Euro conversion-call today!)

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Table of Contents:

Nexus-32 Features

Features and Benefits of the Nexus System

About BioTrace Software

Application Overview

About Biofeedback

Biofeedback Applications

About Neurofeedback

  

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NeXus-32! Meet the top of the line of our next generation NeXus series! This system features full blown 32 channel multi-modal recording including 24 channels for EEG and SCP! Using fast USB 2.0 and fiber optics, it offers up to 2048 samples per second on all EEG channels @ 24 bit resolution. The system is also equipped for flash memory recording (without a PC) up to 24 hours. An ideal system for physiological research or advanced clinical use. Add on top of that: a high level of portability!

Note: NeXus-32 is certified as a Class 2 A. (EU)

More Channels & Modalities

The standard configuration of the NeXus-32 offers 24 channels of EEG (true DC) including SCP (slow cortical potential) with an additional 8 channels for all auxiliary modalities. Thereby it is not only a full QEEG system, but a truly multi-modal system. Ideal for QEEG, neurophysiological research as well as clinical applications.

The standard configuration of the NeXus-32 supports:

▪24 uni-polar channels of EEG (DC-EEG & SCP)

▪4 bi-polar EXG channels for EMG, ECG, or EOG

▪3 Auxiliary channels for Respiration, BVP, SC/GSR and Temperature in any combination.

▪1 Digital channel for Oximetry and 1 trigger input (for ERP and EP)

Other configurations: The NeXus-32 can (on special request) be ordered with different configurations, like 24 bi-polar EMG (EXG) channels instead of 24 uni-polar EEGs, or a full set of 32 uni-polar EEGs. It could also be configured with 32 Auxiliary channels for any combination of the sensors mentioned above. Please contact us for details on the availability of other non-standard configurations.

More Precision

Not only does the NeXus-32 deliver more versatility than every other system available, it handles each task with unmatched speed and precision.

▪ Through 32 independent 24-bit AD converters you get higher bandwidth, more dynamic range (over 100,000 microvolts) and better resolution.

▪ The NeXus-32 has been designed with a 1Khz trigger input that clinicians can use to digitally record events. (NeXus-32 is prepared for event related potentials and evoked potentials)

▪ Advantages of 24 bit: Some signals like skin temperature or skin conductance and also EMG amplitude will not always be resolved very well by 12-14 bit systems. Where these signals may flatline on others systems, the NeXus-10 still shows activity. Micro-physiological changes of for instance 1/10000th degree celsius temperature can still be resolved by NeXus-32''s ultra high 24 bit resolution. 24 bit resolution also has the advantage that the full DC range is available for monitoring (including SCP''s) while the EEG is recorded. Built-in Electrode check: before and during a session (without interruption) the electrode can be checked for the quality of connection to the skin. Instead of using a impedance check which interferes with the EEG signals, NeXus-32 uses DC offset checking which is done online and does not interfere with the signals.

Less Artifact and Noise

As with the NeXus-10 and NeXus-16, the NeXus-32 uses our special carbon coated cables in combination with active shielding. This implies that notch filters (50/60Hz) are not required anymore, movement artifact is virtually absent and noise levels are lower than with non-shielded cables.

When using EEG caps (for QEEG or brain mapping) each individual EEG channel has it''s own active shield from the system up to the very end of the electrode-cup. For this price/performance ratio, that is quite unique. Most 16-32 EEG channel systems use single wire cables without active shielding, leading to movement artifacts and increased 50/60 Hz noise. NeXus-32 amplifier noise is very low by design.

No notch filters: which implies that for EEG and EMG the full range from DC to about 800 HZ is available without distortion or loss of signals in the lower frequency ranges.

More Sensors

The NeXus-32 supports a wide and expanding series of physiological sensors that offer higher precision and more modalities than most other systems on the market. NeXus-32 can measure electrophysiological signals at high speed (EEG/EMG/ECG/EOG etc.) up to 2048 samples/sec. In addition to that it can record auxiliary sensors in flexible configurations that you define within the software.

Current Electrophysiological signals that are supported:

▪EEG, DC-EEG and SCP (Slow cortical potentials). Hardware is ready for ERP''s.

▪EMG (surface) for both raw EMG signals up to 1 Khz and rms Amplitude signals

▪ECG/EKG (high dynamic range and up to 2048 samples/sec)

▪EOG (True DC Electro-Oculography)

▪EDR (DC skin potentials)

Auxiliary sensors:

NEW sensors currently under development for 2006:

Please click here to view the sensor offered for the NeXus system.

For research purposes: we do customer specific sensor solutions too. If you want to connect your own special sensors to NeXus-32, please contact us for more information.

Applications & QEEG functionality

The NeXus-32 is shipped with a special extended version of BioTrace that supports up to 32 EEG channels, support neuromapping (brain-mapping) and features QEEG data export built-in. EEG data can be exported to several standard EEG formats and imported into QEEG software solutions for further analysis, like SKIL, EureKa (Novatech) and in the future also NeuroGuide.

Clinical applications: all the biofeedback and neurofeedback applications that the NeXus-10 supports are also included in the NeXus-32 hardware and software (BioTrace). NeXus-32 is capable of the same clinical applications as NeXus-10.

More Flexibility for Researchers

The NeXus-32 is configurable in terms of sensors, software, drivers and interfacing.

Researchers often ask us if they can interface their own software to the NeXus-10. The answer is YES! If you agree to sign a 1 page NDA (for non-commercial use) we will provide you with the information you need to read real time data or offline data into your own software. There are four options: (for research purposes only)

Note: Writing your low level software drivers is only recommended for advanced users or experienced software developers.

More Technical Support

When you purchase software or hardware from Stens, you always receive free technical support for one year from the date of purchase.

The level of technical support we offer is another unique feature of our organization. We offer full-time technical support from indivduals with  expertise in the capabilities, installation and operation of the leading biofeedback instruments we offer.

Our technical support staff is available Monday-Friday by phone, between the hours of 10am and 4pm. If you prefer to reach us by email, we will respond to your questions within 48 hours.

When you contact our tech support staff, please have your account number ready, and the version number of any software you have questions about; this will make our response to you faster and solving your problems easier.

If you would like to email a question to our tech support staff now, please CLICK HERE.

About BioTrace Software

BioTrace is our third generation software platform for physiological monitoring, data analysis, signal processing and clinical biofeedback-neurofeedback. It is built from ground up, to be highly accessible for beginning users while offering a rich and deep set of functions for the more advanced user. It has been designed for optimal support of the NeXus-10, NeXus-16, and NeXus-32 systems and offers true dual monitor functionality so you need only one computer to run separate clinician and client screens.

Navigating up to 12 screens is a breeze: as simple as pressing one function key. BioTrace is highly configurable allowing you to edit and change settings on the fly, without having to stop or restart a session. The graphical display is optimized with smooth and fast graphics for low latency feedback.

View Computer Requirements (PDF)

More User Friendly

BioTrace features the most intuitive interface on the market, delivering point-and-click simplicity that fully supports the work of both clinicians and researchers.

▪ BioTrace comes preloaded with screens and protocols and doesn''t require a degree in computer science to get started.

▪ Seamlessly change settings without interruption, for more efficient and effective sessions.

▪ One program allows for the management of all the software''s functionality; no more switching from program to program.

▪ An integrated, fully functional protocol and screen-building editor allows users to build customizable protocols and screens with a few clicks of the mouse.

Note: for users of BioGraph''s 2.X (16 bit) BioTrace for NeXus will offer an easy upgrade path because both softwares have been programmed by Mind Media.

More Multi-Media

BioTrace is built around a state-of-the-art DirectX accelerated graphics platform that is faster and more responsive than anything on the market.

▪ True dual monitor support for two independent screens connected to a single workstation, creating maximum visual impact.

▪  Support for a full suite of multi-media formats, including DVD; MPEG, WMV, AVI video; and MP3, WMA, and WAV and flash media.

▪ New instruments include Fast Spectrogram, 3D Mandalas, digital water effect instruments, and multi-linegraphs. True biofeedback-driven computer games get children''s attention.

▪ 88 virtual data channels with 64-bit floating precision.

▪ Smooth and pleasing graphics in up to 16 million colors.

Note: BioTrace allows you to import multi-media video files, sounds, MP3, texts, macromedia flash animations and other media for use in your own screens and applications.

More Flexibility

BioTrace allows the clinician to easily manage input in virtually any format.

▪ Client and session database and session reporting functionality are part of an improved session review mode allows users to edit extended sessions with trend graphics.

▪ Function keys can be easily programmed to execute seamless, on-the-fly switching among up to 12 screens, allowing the user to instantly change feedback parameters and digital filter settings.

▪ All formats can be captured in real time for data recording and review.

▪ Features an extensive library of data processing, digital filtering, and statistical and mathematical functions as well as several feedback-controlled computer games designed just for younger clients.


More Scalability

Like the NeXus-10, BioTrace has been designed to be on the cutting edge...both today and tomorrow.

▪ Full compatibility with the latest Windows™ XP SP2 environment as well as with legacy 16 bit MultiTrace/BioGraph™ 2.X sessions (versions up to december 2003)

▪ A platform that''s built to grow with available technology will keep BioTrace on the cutting edge for years to come.

More Clinical Applications

BioTrace supports many physiological applications and protocols. For the researcher it offers flexible live data acquisition, data export (to Excel/MatLab/SPSS), quick statistics, and editable screens & protocols. For the clinician/therapist, a short summary of supported applications are listed below:

▪ Neurofeedback: Attention Training, Slow  Cortical Potentials (SCP!)

▪ Migraine and Tension Headache protocols

▪ Respiration training

▪ HRV (heart rate variability) training, analysis & printed reports.

▪ Neuromusculair reeducation

▪ Stress management, relaxation training

▪ Pelvic Floor training (EMG)

▪ Neurophysiology: ERP (event related potentials) & QEEG (NeXus-32)

Note: you can also build your own protocols based on EEG, EMG, ECG, Respiration etc. through the integrated screen and protocol editor.

Research, Psychophysiology and Biofeedback

BioTrace for NeXus-10, 16 and 32 is used in the field of physiological research, psychophysiology, neurophysiology and clinical biofeedback/neurofeedback.

Note: You can read a short summary of recent publications in the PDF files on the right. In total there are over 5000 documents, publications or reviews listed on the PubMed website involving biofeedback or neurofeedback.

A list of publications: biofeedback

A list of publications: neurofeedback

Application Overview:

A short list of clinical applications is shown below. This list is not complete, but serves as an example of what our equipment is used for by clinicians, therapists and trainers:

Clinical Applications:

▪Attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD)
▪Epilepsy
▪Essential Hypertension
▪Hyperventilation and overbreathing
▪Heart Rate Variability (HRV) training
▪Chronic tension headache and migraine
▪Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
▪Raynauds disease
▪Stress related disorders
▪Pelvic Floor training (Myofeedback)

Training Applications:

▪Performance enhancement in sports
▪Stress management
▪Mental performance enhancement

This is only a short list of applications. The American Association for applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) has published a longer list which you can find here: AAPB List of Disorders.

About Biofeedback

Another word for Biofeedback is ''physiological feedback'' or ''clinical psychophysiology''. Biofeedback actually refers to those clinical applications where physiological signals from the body are used for visual or auditory feedback during a therapy or training session. This method was first used in the seventies and has been subject of thorough scientific research ever since. Over 5000 scientific publications can be found in the pubmed library on the Internet.

Stress related disorders

Biofeedback is particularly useful when applied to stress-related disorders or health problems that related to ''behavior'' or ''lifestyle''. There is a growing number of people that suffer from health problems which were in the past described as having a significant ''psychosomatic'' component. Examples are chronic tension headache, hyperventilation, migraines, essential hypertension, RSI, burn-out, stress related palpitations and so on. Health problems like these often require a multidisciplinary approach. Biofeedback can be applied very well there.

Research (some samples: 1, 2, 3 ) has indicated that chronic stress can lead to (serious) health problems. Chronic stress often leads to overactivation of the sympathic nervous system. This part of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for functions such as; the acceleration of the heart rate, the constriction of blood vessels, the raising of the bloodpressure and more. Stress also impacts the hormonal system.

Our body is constantly balancing itself in order to reach a state that is known as ''homeostasis''. However our ''behavior'' or the way we deal with chronic stress can interfere with that process and can actually be harmful or even damaging. Our immune system responds (negatively) to long term chronic stress as well.

So what can Biofeedback do?

Biofeedback & Stress

Biofeedback shows the physiological effects of stress and our ''behavior'' directly as they occur. In the hands of a trained clinician or therapist, a biofeedback system becomes a powerful tool that visualizes the effects of stress or ''behavior'' and helps the client to go through a learning process. In this process the client becomes aware of these effects work out in their body and how they can make the required ''behavioral'' or ''lifestyle'' changes.

An example: a client has developed a habit to build up chronic tension in the neck and shoulder muscles (upper trapezius) and has chronic headaches as a consequence. Often, pain killers do not do much good in that case. They mainly suppress the resulting phenomena (pain) but do not change much about the root cause. The tension is visually displayed on a computer screen and through EMG- Biofeedback the client learns to become aware of this tension and release it before it leads to cramps, painful muscles or headaches. By making these ''behavioral'' changes the headaches may occur less often or even disappear altogether.

The advantage of Biofeedback...

With Biofeedback a clinician can actually help a client to become aware of the effects of chronic behavior that is at the root of a health problem. In the example of the headache patient, the EMG level of the neck and shoulder muscles level may chronically be too high. After a while this causes restricted bloodflow, fatigue, build-up of waste products and finally pain. The client can observe their EMG level as they apply relaxation techniques and immediately see (feedback) the results. This same technique applies to other health problems such as for instance: overbreathing and hyperventilation, blood flow problems, bruxism and essential hypertension. The main principles are:

Disadvantages?

The main advantage of biofeedback is also it''s disadvantage! It is a clinical method or form of therapy which requires that the client is actively participating. In most cases behavioral changes can not be achieved by a ''pill'' or on command. It involves a learning process and thus requires time and motivation. There are 4 important factors that are required in order for any clinical form of biofeedback to be effective:

▪Reliable Equipment
▪A trained and experienced clinician / therapist
▪A motivated client / patient
▪Enough time (sessions)

When these conditions are fulfilled, biofeedback has proven to be an effective method for applications such as the ones mentioned above. It is also a safe method that has no (known) negative side effects.

Biofeedback Applications

In the past 20 years, Biofeedback has successfully been researched and applied in the following fields:

▪ Chronic tension headaches
▪ Migraine
▪ Raynaud''s Syndrome
▪ Essential Hypertension
▪ Attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD)
▪ Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
▪ Performance Enhancement (Sports)
▪ Anxiety
▪ Overbreathing & hyperventilation
▪ Incontinence
▪ Low back pain
▪ Bruxism
▪ Seizure disorders (Epilepsy)
▪ Addictions (Alcoholism)

This is only a short list of applications. The American Association for applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) has published a longer list which you can find here: AAPB List of Disorders.

 Biofeedback is powerful, but it is not magic!

Please note that the Stens Corporation only sells it''s medical products to health professionals with the proper medical or clinical background. In the hands of a properly trained clinician, biofeedback can effectively help in the treatment of many health problems that are stress or lifestyle related or psychosomatic in nature.

Caution: Biofeedback and Neurofeedback are backed up by over 25 years of thorough scientific research and clinical experience. However there are still people around who make unsubstantiated claims and promote biofeedback and neurofeedback as if they can do ''magic''. We disagree. If you have questions about specific forms of biofeedback therapy, we advise you contact one of the organizations in our list of weblinks and verify whether biofeedback of neurofeedback can actually help in the field you are interested in.

Training & Workshops

For researchers, medical users and health professionals, we offer the possibility of in-house training and installation of biofeedback equipment. We also invite you to take a look at our Biofeedback and Neurofeedback workshops. These offer an excellent opportunity for health professionals to get to know more about the clinical applications of biofeedback.

About Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback (or EEG Biofeedback) is a method that uses feedback of the electrical activity of the brain (the EEG) in order to retrain and recondition brainwave patterns. The EEG activity can be observed in several frequency bands whose activity correlate with states of attention, alertness, drowsiness and sleep. Numerous studes have indicated that by training the brainwave activity directly, the level of attention or mental states such as relaxation and anxiety can be changed or positively conditioned.

Neurofeedback is based on the so called "operant conditioning" which involves immediate reward of desirable behavior or states and discouragement of undesirable behavior or states. Essentially therefore it is a learning process where the state of the EEG is constantly monitored and fed-back. Because it is a learning process, there are no known negative side effects and is generally considered a safe method.

How does it work?

Neurofeedback is traditionally based on feedback of brainwave activity in the Theta (4-8), Alpha (8-12), SMR (12-15) and Beta (16-30) frequency bands. A number of electrodes are placed on the head (using standardized locations) and the amplitude or power of these frequency bands are fed back with a graphical display or auditory feedback. Slow brainwave activity may indicate a state of inattention or drowsiness. If that is undesirable, the slow wave activity may trained ''down'' and ''faster'' brainwave activity is rewarded.

Slow Cortical Potentials

Most of our equipment is also able to do neurofeedback with ultra slow brainwave activity or slow cortical potentials. (SCP''s) Recent European research has indicated that by training the SCP it is possible to improve attention and reduce seizure frequency.

Wideband Neurofeedback

For EEG, the NeXus series of products support a wide frequency band from DC (0Hz) to 100Hz or even higher. Because NeXus requires no notch filters (50/60Hz) its means the entire frequency band, including real gamma (35-45 Hz) is available.

Clinical Applications

Neurofeedback has been tested and tried for many types of applications but only a few applications have been backed up by sufficient research. These applications include:

▪ Attention disorders & Learning Disabilities
▪ Epilepsy and seizure disorders
▪ Alcoholism and drug abuse

There are indications that Neurofeedback  is also useful for treatment of anxiety, depression and sleep disorders, but we believe these areas require more research before anything more definitive can be said. The Stens Corporation  has over 12 years of experience in the Neurofeedback field. Our conclusion is that Neurofeedback is very promising for some applications, but we always tell people not to expect miracles. Since it is essentially a learning process, using the state of the EEG, it requires time and motivation in order to be effective.

What is QEEG?

Quantitative EEG is based on a statistical and numerical analysis of the digital EEG. Usually a large number of EEG channels are recorded (typically 16-32) by using an EEG cap. After recording the digital EEG data is then de-artifacted and exported to special QEEG database analysis software. This software performs a digital analysis of the EEG and compares the statistical results against a large database of children and adult EEGs in order to assess any deviations. The results are displayed numerically and in the form of topographical EEG maps.

QEEG is used as a neurometric method of assessing variations in the brain function. It is complementary to Neurofeedback training. We advise that only experts use QEEG. The NeXus-32 system supports QEEG recordings of up to 24 or 32 EEG channels.

Should I use Neurofeedback?

We advise any clinician or health professional who is interested in neurofeedback, to first study this field, read the literature and go through several workshops before considering offering it to clients/patients. We strongly advise that only health professionals who have suffficient training or a medical background (for instance neuro-psychologists, neurologists psychiatrists or pediatricians) apply this technique.

Our advice: when you actually use the equipment on patients, only use equipment that has medical certification and is proven to be safe and reliable. Some NFB equipment on the EU market does not have medical certification or even CE marking. If you use such ''illegal'' equipment you should know that you are taking a risk. We advise parents to always check whether the therapist has sufficient experience with neurofeedback (3 years or more) and uses equipment that has full medical certification!

Neurofeedback for Children

BioTrace offers real-time Neurofeedback using computer games and DVD multimedia...

Our systems can be used for neurofeedback training with adults or children. For children we have developed custom design computer games (used inside BioTrace ) that respond to EEG activity and the level of attention observed in the EEG signals.

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We also recommend: NeXus-4, NeXus-16, NeXus-10, NeXus Trigger Interface, Sensors, EXG Sensor, Oximetry Sensor

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