BIOPAC’s new Smart Amplifiers are the latest range of amplifier modules designed for use with the MP160 system. They offer improved performance and several other advantages over the previous amplifier models.
- Low noise – The amplifier is located away from the recording system and close to the subject. Unlike traditional amplifier systems, connections to the subject are made using very short electrode leads allowing minimal noise to enter the signal path prior to amplification. The amplified low-noise, high-level voltage signal is then fed to the data acquisition system. This setup largely eliminates the need to use filters to remove mains frequency noise and harmonics which could fall within the meaningful frequency range for certain signals (eg. EMG) and thereby lose valuable data.
- Convenient – A single long (3m), armoured, flexible lead is connected from the AMI100D module of the MP160 and the small, lightweight amplifier can be attached to the subject near to the recording location. This allows more freedom of movement in comparison to previous systems and helps to reduce movement artifacts.
- Easy to use – Automated setup in AcqKnowledge, with automatic detection of the amplifier modules attached and checkbox enabled setup of ancillary derived channels (eg heart rate from ECG). Plus, channels are automatically set to be plotted and included in input values display, with the initial visual range set to the min/max input range for that Smart Amplifier signal type, in appropriate units.
- Space saving – Previous wired amplifiers (C Series) comprise additional module boxes physically connected to the data acquisition system, therefore increasing the overall size of the system with the channel count. The D-Series Smart Amplifiers are simply plugged into the AMI100D module and therefore the overall size of the system itself is not affected by channel count, allowing more portability and fewer restrictions on device location.
- Grounding improvements – There are no longer special considerations required for subject grounding when recording EDA and biopotential simultaneously. You can also use multiple EDA amplifiers on the same subject because of the isolated input structure.
- Wide range of available modules –
- Biopotential Smart Amps: ECG (Heart rate, RR interval, and R-wave amplitude), EEG (Alpha, Beta, Theta, Delta, Gamma), EGG, EMG and fEMG (Integrated EMG, RMS), EOG (Derivative), ERS
- Transducer Smart Amps: EDA (Phasic EDA), PPG (Pulse Rate), RSP (Respiration rate [normal breathing], elevated respiration rate), and SKT Skin Temperature.
- Impedance Amps: NICO Noninvasive Cardiac Output (impedance (Z) and its derivative (dZ)); EBI100D Electrical Bioimpedance (Mag, Phase, derived dZ/dt)