Secure on-line credit card services are provided by 2CheckOut.com. A single charge of US$49 shipping & handling for total order, with most items shipped by courier with on-line tracking. Items other than electrodes can be returned within 30-days subject to a $49 restocking fee, and less the s/h fee.
Complete EEG, HEG & HRV System Packages

Pendant EEG Kit US$1,160 Quantity More Info... A complete system for 2 channel eeg/ekg/hrv/scp/orf training. Kit includes Pendant EEG, electrode kit, electrode paste and BioExplorer software.	Pendant pIR Kit US$1,515 Quantity More Info... A complete system for pIR ("passive infra red") HEG (hemo-encephalography) training. Kit includes Pendant pIR HEG, pIR HEG headband & BioExplorer software. HEG designs are included on CD.	Pendant nIR Kit US$1,515 Quantity More Info... A complete system for nIR ("near infra red") HEG (hemo-encephalography) training. Kit includes Pendant nIR HEG, nIR HEG headband & BioExplorer software. HEG designs are included on CD.	Pulse1 HRV Kit US$539 Quantity More Info... A complete system for Heart Rate Variability training. Kit includes PN Pulse 1 PPG finger sensor and BioExplorer software. HRV & breath training designs are included on USB Flash drive supplied. The PN Pulse 1 finger sensor connects to your computer via the USB port. It requires PC software such as BioExplorer and BioEra to operate. It measures pulse rates and SPO2 oxygenation levels.	Pulse3 HRV Kit US$799 Quantity More Info... A complete system for Heart Rate Variability training. Kit includes the advanced PN Pulse 3 PPG finger sensor and BioExplorer software. HRV & breath training designs are included on USB Flash drive supplied. The PN Pulse 3 PPG sensor can operate standalone with multi-color PPG trace, memory storage & SPO2 alarms when measuring SPO2 levels, or it can connect via cable or wireless to PC software such as BioExplorer or BioEra for HRV training.

Pocket A3 EEG Kit US$1,860 Quantity More Info... A complete system for 2 channel eeg/ekg/hrv/scp/orf training, either standalone or with BioExplorer software. Expandable to other modalities. Kit includes Pocket A3, electrode & paste kit, & BioExplorer software.	Pocket A3 pIR Kit US$2,215 Quantity More Info... A complete system for pIR ("passive infra red") HEG (hemo-encephalography) training, either standalone or with BioExplorer software. Expandable to other modalities. Kit includes Pocket A3, HEG pIR headband, & BioExplorer software.	Pocket A3 nIR Kit US$2,215 Quantity More Info... A complete system for nIR ("near infra red") HEG (hemo-encephalography) training, either standalone or with BioExplorer software. Expandable to other modalities. Kit includes Pocket A3, HEG nIR headband, & BioExplorer software.	Pocket A3 EEG+nIR+pIR Kit US$2,850 Quantity More Info... A complete system for multi-modal (pIR & nIR HEG and EEG) training, either standalone or with BioExplorer software. Kit includes Pocket A3, HEG pIR & nIR headbands, electrode & paste kit & BioExplorer software.
Pod Only

Pendant EEG Pod US$595 Quantity More Info... The Pendant EEG is a wireless 2 channel bio-potential amplifier. It has an adjustable upper frequency of 40/48/56Hz and a low frequency of 1.6Hz (hi gain) and 0.1 Hz (lo gain), making it suitable for eeg, ekg/hrv, scp and Othmer ORF modalities. For example, the unit can do Ch1 EEG and Ch2 HRV. A Biofeedback software application (not included) is also required (some designs are included in the accompanying CD). Pod includes wireless dongle for communication with PC. It is powered by a single AAA battery supplied. The Pendant EEG should not be used with gold (plated) electrodes - pure silver, tin or Ag-AgCl electrodes only.	Pendant pIR Pod US$595 Quantity More Info... The Pendant HEG pIR ("passive infra red") reads the signal generated by the Jeff Carmen pIR headband and sends it wirelessly to a PC. The pIR headband measures brain metabolism (heat) in a particular IR band. The Pendant pIR can also read thermocouple-type sensors to measure skin temperature. A Biofeedback software application is also required (some designs are included in the accompanying CD). Pod includes wireless dongle for communication with PC. The Pendant is powered by a single AAA rechargeable battery included.	Pendant nIR Pod US$595 Quantity More Info... The Pendant HEG nIR ("near infra red") reads the signal generated by the Hershel Toomim nIR headband and sends it wirelessly to a PC. The nIR headband measures brain blood oxygenation(blood color) using oximeter principles. A Biofeedback software application is also required (some designs are included in the accompanying CD). Pod includes wireless dongle for communication with PC. The Pendant is powered by a single AAA rechargeable battery included.	Pocket A3 Pod US$1,295 Quantity More Info... The Pocket A3 is a 4 channel wireless and standalone bio-potential amplifier. It supports 2 channel EEG (with EMG artefact detection), pIR HEG and nIR HEG, all concurrently. As a standalone device it can provide feedback thru tones and chimes to headphones or thru some simple screen displays like 'pong'. As a wireless device it can provide bio-potential signals to biofeedback software applications (some designs are included in the accompanying CD). The unit also supports binaural beats. It is powered by 2 AA batteries supplied. The Pocket A3 should not be used with gold (plated) electrodes - use pure silver, tin or Ag-AgCl electrodes only.
PC Software Only

BioExplorer US$425 Quantity More Info... Windows program for real-time biophysical data acquisition, processing, and display. The real power of BioExplorer comes from the ability to connect signal processing and display objects any way you want. Feedback presentation includes DVD control, video & audio file control, and some Flash-based games. Includes BioReview for post-session review recording the time, date, electrode locations, and subject name with each session. Requires a hardware USB dongle (for copy protection). BioExplorer has a large installed user base - users can distribute designs by email.	BioEra US$249 Quantity More Info... BioEra is a java-based visual designer for analyzing bio-signals in real time. It can be used with any bio-feedback device that has ability to send bio data to computer. BioEra provides highest performance, flexibility and options not found in any other software. It can process dozens of channels simultaneously in real time, many types of biofeedback devices can be operated together all in the same time. Single design with 1000 elements and 3D display can utilize as little as 2% of the processor (tested on Pentium 4, 2.4GHz).
Sensors Only

Pendant EEG Electrodes Kit US$140 Quantity More Info... This electrode kit is particular to the Pendant EEG - it has short (24" & 15") electrode leads most convenient for the Pendant which is often connected around the neck. Kit includes 4 scalp electrodes,3 earclip electrodes, 1 link for linked ear montage, & tube of Conductive Paste. Electrodes are high purity tin for long life.	Pocket A3 Electrodes Kit US$140 Quantity More Info... This electrode kit is for general purpose - it has 36" lead length. Kit includes 4 scalp electrodes,3 earclip electrodes, 1 link for linked ear montage, & a large tube of Conductive Paste. Electrodes are high purity tin for long life.	passive IR (PIR) HEG Headband US$495 Quantity More Info... The pIR ("passive infra red") HEG (hemo-encephalography) headband measures brain metabolism (heat) in a particular IR band in accordance with Jeff Carmen's original design. In general, increasing temperature equates to increasing mental activation. It is mostly used centrally (Fpz in the 10-20 system).	near infrared (nIR) active HEG Headband US$495 Quantity More Info... The nIR ("near infra red") HEG (hemo-encephalography) headband measures brain blood oxygenation(blood color) using oximeter principles under the patent from Biocomp Research Laboratories. It can be used differentially (across the forehead from F7 to F8 (in the 10-20 system) according to particular training objectives.	PN Pulse 1 Heart Rate Variability Finger Sensor US$139 Quantity More Info... The PN Pulse 1 PPG finger sensor for computer based HRV & breath training as well as SPO2 monitoring. The PN Pulse 1 finger sensor connects to your computer via a USB port cable supplied. . It measures pulse rates and SPO2 oxygenation levels. PC software can derive HRV training screens from this data. Pulse 1 requires PC software such as BioExplorer and BioEra to operate. It cannot operate standalone (see Pulse 3 for this functionality). PC software is not included (see the "kit" above for packages including software).	PN Pulse 2 HRV Sensor incl wireless US$399 Quantity More Info... The advanced PN Pulse 3 PPG finger sensor for HRV & breath training and standalone SPO2 monitoring. It has a very nice color LCD display for measuring SPO2 levels, complete with internal data recording and alarm settings, or it can connect via cable or wireless to PC software such as BioExplorer or BioEra for HRV training. Li battery recharged from a computer USB port. Wireless range is greater than 25m, but note that only one wireless system can operate in a space. For operating multiple systems in the same space, use the USB cable provided. Software not included (see the "kit" above for packages including software).
Accessories

Wireless Dongle US$29.00 Quantity More Info... The wireless dongle is required by the PC to receive the wireless signal from the Pendant or Pocket. A wireless dongle is included with all pods. This item is for replacement of a broken or lost dongle. The PC operating system sees each dongle as a unique device, so a new driver is to be installed with each new dongle. If you have more than one Pendant or Pocket, only one dongle is required unless you wish to operate both devices concurrently. There are 8 wireless channels possible, so up to 8 Pendants or Pockets can be operated in the same room. The Windows driver for the dongle can be found on the CD which accompanied the pod, or it can be downloaded from the "drivers" tab on this site.	Skin Temp. Sensor US$29.00 Quantity More Info... K-type Thermocouple suitable for both the Pendant pIR and the Pocket A3 pIR headset socket. For use with training finger surface temperature & for calibrating Pendant pIR (AAA).	Jumper/Link US$29.00 Quantity More Info... This eeg electrode jumper is included in the electrode kits. This item for for replacement of lost jumpers. The jumper allows for two reference channels to be linked together. This is done typically when those references are the left and right earlobe- linking them together better approximates a passive or neutral reference.	TP adaptor for the Pocket A1 US$29.00 Quantity More Info... This "touch proof" adaptor is for the older Pocket A1 only. It allows the A1 to interface with indistry-standard electrodes. Not that the two reference electrodes are permanently connected together at the adaptor.
Service

Equipment Repairs US$29.00 Quantity More Info... There is a service fee for repair of units out of 6 month warranty. A separate fee to cover the cost of return shipping by courier will be added at the end of the purchase transaction. Sould a unit be unrepairable, the client will be offered an upgrade to the latest equivalent unit at a discount of 20% to normal price. When returning an item please mark the package "return for repair" and "Value $10" to expedite thru customs (important!) We _strongly_ recommend that you use USPS Express Mail Service (EMS) as a low cost courier which offers on-line tracking. Please then advise tracking number to us by email. Shipping address is: Pocket Neurobics 12 Coreen Ave, Terrey Hills 2084, Sydney Australia, ph+61 407499710

Manuals

	- Technical & User Manuals for the Pods

Size	Pocket & Pendant First - Time Installation Procedure
100KB	pn_quick_guide	describes kit items and the one-time installation of the Windows driver for rthe wireless dongle, and BioExplorer installation.
Size	Pendant (AAA battery Version)
400KB	User_Manual	describes Pendant EEG (AAA), Pendant pIR (AAA) & Pendant nIR (AAA) operation including programming and rf channel changing. This unit has three buttons and an on/off button.
Size	Pendant (9V battery version)
300KB	User_Manual	describes Pendant EEG (9V), Pendant pIR (9V) and the Pendant nIR (9V) operation including programming and rf channel changing.
Size	Pocket A3
3MB	User_Manual	describes Pocket A3 modalities: EEG/nIR & pIR HE, including programming and rf channel changing.
400KB	Technical Manual	describestechncial operation of the Pocket A3.

Instruction Videos

	- a brief introduction to products and installation procedures. Right click on the link and "save target As..." to your hard-drive. These files are very large and require a broadband internet connection!

Size	.wmv Video Files
100MB	Install_kit_description	describes contents of Pocket & Pendant kits and how the parts connect
79MB	Install_Dongle&BE	describes install of Windows driver for wireless dongle and install of BioExplorer and its initial configuration
37MB	Operation_Pendant	describes basic operation of the Pendant - selecting wireless channels, changing profiles
114MB	Operation_PocketA3	describes basic operation of the Pocket, focussing on the menu screens

Frequently Asked Questions

BioExplorer status bar reports "Connecting..." even though the Pendant/Pocket is switched on?

When BioExplorer reports "Connecting.." and never "Connected" then the first thing to check is the green light on the wireless dongle. With the Pendant/Pocket switched off, the light should be off, then blink on every four seconds or so to indicate the wireless channel number that the dongle is tuned to (one blink for channel 1 etc).
When the Pendant/Pocket is switched on, the green light on the wireless dongle should change to mostly on, and blink off every four seconds.

To be connected, both the Pendant/Pocket and the dongle need to be on the same wireless channel, that is, the number of blinks on the Pendant and the dongle need to be the same (on the Pocket the channel number is indicated on the lower right corner of the screen when operating.)

If they are not, to change the wireless channel number see the User Manual for information (download from the "Manuals" page), Channel 1 is the default and is recommended unless there are multiple units in the same room.

BioExplorer status bar reports "No Port"?

If you have not installed the driver for the wireless dongle, then please refer to the User Manual (or download from the Manuals page).

"No Port" means that the Pocket or Pendant driver inside BioExplorer is pointing at the wrong COM port. Open BioEXplorer Device Manager (see the "BioEXplorer" drop down menu), click on the Pendant or Pocket driver then select "Properties". Expand the COM port list and select the highest numbered COM port (eg "COM5"). This is probably the most recently installed COM port and is likely to be the COM port assigned to a recently installed wireless dongle. Click "OK" and with the Pendant or Pocket operating, BioExplorer should now report "connected".

If not, this is not the correct COM port and you will need to discover which COM port has been assigned to the wireless dongle by Windows. To do this, press Windows "Start" logo and go to Windows Control Panel. Select "Device Manager" then expand "Ports". There should be an entry for "wireless dongle" and a COM port assignment. In the BioEXplorer Properties box for the Pocket/Pendant driver, choose that COM port number. BioExplorer should now report "connected".

If Windows Device Manager does not have an entry for "wireless dongle" then refer to the User Manual to install the driver.

Can't get BioExplorer to recognise a DVD player codec?

Probably the most common problem BioExporer users have is getting the DVD decoder to work correctly. This has typically involved trying the commercial products WinDVD8+ or PowerDVD8+, and then installing the other if the first did not work.

To address this, Larry at BioExplorer has advised that the freeware decoder DScaler is compatible, and we at PN have successfully installed the DScaler in our Vista machines and Mac's running the Windows XP emulator Parallels 3.0. DScaler can be downloaded here..

If your current DVD decoders are working fine, then there is no reason to change. DScaler is now included on the PN CD/memory stick.

Having installed the new decoder, go to the 'BioExplorer' drop down menu, select 'Preferences..' and the 'DVD Settings' tab, then from the drop down lists of Video and Audio decoders, choose the 'DScaler' entries. Then go to the 'Video' tab and choose 'Prefer VMR7'. Restart BioExplorer. See imqages below..

DScaler_Video

DScaler_audio

DScaler_VMR7

Note that your BioExplorer designs should be using the 'DVD Player' object and not the 'WM DVD Player' object. Also note that under Parallels emulation, the BioExplorer 'DVD Player' object reports 'vmr off', meaning that some capability, like resizing the screen under biofeedback control, is not available.

For Windows 64bit systems only, there are reports that this AMD64 DScaler driver works ok.

There are also reliable reports that K-lite Basic, another free decoder, also works well on XP and Vista, although this has not been verified.

Wireless dongle driver install failed?

Preferred method to install the wireless dongle driveris to allow Windows 'New Hardware Found' wizard to execute automaticallyto find the driver in Windows (on-line) central repository. If the computer is not on-line or there are problems, then run this auto-installing program. This single driver is used for all Windows platforrms and for both Pendant and Pocket products. The auto-install programshould run before the wireless dongle is plugged into a USB port for a first time. Both alternatives will take a few minutes to execute. When installing automatically, allow the wizard to execute twice.

If there has been an unsuccessful attempt to install the driver then...

First, inspect the Windows Control Panel function "Add/Remove Programs" (XP) or "Programs and Features" (Vista). Look for "Windows Driver Package - Pocket Neurobics". If there are entries there, simply right click then select "uninstall". Then re-attempt driver intallation.

Second, should there not be entries as above, then inspec the Windows Device Manager (accessible via the Windows Control Panel) and look for drivers which have a question mark or exclamation mark next to them, right click and uninstall. Remove and replace the dongle to have the wizard go thru the procedure again.

After successful installation, in the Windows Device Manager you will see “pocket neurobics wireless dongle” under USB Controllers and under Serial Ports. The serial port listing will also tell you the COM port that windows has assigned to the dongle and this is the sole piece of information you need to advise PC applciations such as the BioExplorer Device Manager. The COM port assigned may differ from one computer to the next. Done once there should be no further issues.

The wireless link requires installation of a special Windows driver. This is a one-time operation. Wireless Pendant & Pocket devices use a common 'serial-USB-wireless' dongle. The dongle behaves similarly to USB-serial adaptor cables: a Windows driver is installed and thereafter it appears to Windows applications as a conventional serial "COM" port.

In Vista, when I try to install the program from the memory stick, it says, "the requested operation requires elevation" and nothing happnes?

Vista requires you to “elevate” if you do not have enough rights to install and run programs (meaning, you have a limited user account). In order to run and install programs in Vista, you MUST have administrator rights and have the appropriate rights in the UAC. (if you go to All Programs, Accessories, right click Command Prompt and click Run as administrator, it should work). Since creating another user account may create havoc for some users, I recommend you simply shut off the UAC (User Account Control) nagging pseudo protection that ships with Vista:
To disable UAC open the Control Panel/User Accounts then click Turn User Account Control on or off.

elevate

Uncheck the box. Click OK then Reboot!
elevate2

BioExplorer status bar reports "Sync Error"?

Occasional flashes of "Sync Error" in the BioExplorer status bar is normal, especially when there is movment in the vicinity of the Pendant or Pocket. However if sync errors persist then this is symptomatic of some issues with the wireless link between the Pendant/Pocket and the wireless dongle.

The wireless link works best if there is 'line of sight' between the dongle and the Pendant/Pocket. Check that this is so. If necessary, use a USB extender cable for the dongle.

If the problem persists then it may be due to wireless interference. Most common source of interference is from wireless LANs although if your system is on the default wireless Channel 1, then it is normally OK. If on Channel 1, try switching to Channel 3 or 4.

The problem might also arise from noise USB cables, so if the dongle is connected to a mini USB hub, try connecting the dongle directly to the PC USB port.

System works OK for a period then one or other channel goes flat-line?

Next time a channel goes flat-line, try lifting feet off the ground. If the signal restores, then the problem is probably excessive 50/60Hz interference. This may originate in the computer or other electrical equipment, or come from the walls and the ceiling, particularly if in a concrete building. You may need to re-arrange furniture and electrical items. If the dongle is plugged into a mini USB hub, try connecting it directly to the computer USB port.

The other candidate here is the electrodes. We don't believe that 'prepping' the skin is necessary, altho we do think it good practice to rub the scalp vigorously with a finger-tip of paste. Then use abundant paste on the electrode itself.

Also note that for one channel operation, always use eeg channel 1. Using channel 2 and not channel 1 will cause random flatlining.

How do I change the upper frequency setting on the Pendant EEG/Pocket between 40/48/56Hz, and why is there a choice of 128/256/512 sampling rates?

The low frequency response of the Pendant is fixed. For the older Pendant EEG (9V battery) the low frequency response hass fallen by 30% at 1.6Hz. For the newer Pendant EEG (AAA battery) the low frequency response has fallen by 30% at 0.1Hz. Extending the low frequency response from 1.6Hz to 0.1 Hz allows the AAA battery version to better support EKG & HRV), SCP and the new Othmer VLF Optimal Reward Frequency protocols. It is, however, more susceptible to low frequency artefacts such as electrode half-cell potential drift and motion artefacts. We recommend that if using the AAA battery version and it is not being used for the aforementioned protocols, then the protocol design on the PC (eg BioEra or BioExplorer) should feature a high pass filter set to 1.6Hz to mimic the older Pendant EEG.

The high frequency response of the Pendant and Pockets is variable to either 40Hz, 48Hz, or 56Hz. 40Hz is the default. On the Pocket, this frequency can be changed in the Pocket menus. On the Pendant EEG, this change is effected by first setting the Pendant to Program Mode (refer Pendant User Manual), then selecting a "profile" from the drop-down list available in the utility buried in the Pendant EEG driver, found in the "BioExplorer" drop-down list under "Devices". Having selected "Properties" for the Pendant EEG driver, and selecting a tab called "Pendant", choose the high frequency response and sampling rate from the drop-down list. Then select the "Set Profile" button and the new Profile will be uploaded over the wireless link to the Pendant. If the upload was successful, after a few seconds the Pendant will switch to Pod Mode and start transmitting data. If unsuccessful, the Pendant will stay in Program Mode awaiting another attempt.

Which High Frequency Response to choose? Unless interested in Gamma frequencies, we recommend that the Pocket and Pendant remain at the default setting of 40Hz. If interested in Gamma frequencies then Australia and European countries (50Hz mains frequency) can change the setting to 48Hz. This setting will not fully attenuate the 50Hz interfering signal but will be quite servicable for training Gamma. If in North America or Japan (60Hz mains countries) then the setting can be changed to 48Hz or 56Hz. The 56Hz setting will not fully attenuate the 60Hz interfering signal but will be quite servicable. The 56Hz setting will not attenuate a 50Hz interfering signal at all, and performance of the unit may be impaired.

Which sampling rate to choose? Generally the default setting of 256 samples per second is fine for all applications. In the presence of a strong interfering signal (such as some wireless LANs) or when extra range is desired (say for sports performance applications) then 128sps might be preferred.

How do I calibrate the temperature reading of the Pendant pIR HEG (AAA battery version)?

Note that there is a calibration capability with the AAA battery version, and not the (older) 9V battery version.

The Pendant pIR HEG (AAA) is calibrated at the factory using a thermocouple placed under the tongue, setting it to 97degF. This should give an accuracy of about 0.5degF. Thermocouples are available for sale from our store at a modest cost - and they can also be used for finger warming biofeedback using the Pendant pIR.

Since there is some variation of readings from pIR Headset to pIR Headset which is not compensated for at the factory, the user may wish to adjust the calibration for their particualr headset. Since there is a variation in reading from one part of the forehead to another, we recommend that if calibrating to compensate for the headset, that it is best to calibrate all pIR Pendants against a common reference Pendant which you so label and keep for this purpose. This does not ensure absolute accuracy buit does ensure that the variation from unit to unit is controlled.

To calibrate the Pendant pIR HEG (AAA) select the third mode (LED turns vellow) then use the Up and Down buttons to vary the readout until the desired result is achieved.

What is the Low Frequency Response of the Pocket and the Pendant?

The Pocket A3 and the Pendant EEG (9V battery version) have a frequency response down to 1.6Hz. The new Pendant EEG (operating from a AAA battery) has a response down to 0.1Hz.

The decision to choose 1.6Hz as the lower frequency response is
(i) not a reflection of quality or cost since choosing a lower frequency has a zero cost impact
(ii) in consideration of the large artifacts present in this band, particularly movement artifact and electrode offset potential artifact
(iii) has served well over a number of years.

(ii) above mandates that one needs to be particularly cautious with electrode hygiene, and I would highly recommend that those wishing to exercise protocols in this band to use silver-silver chloride electrodes as these exhibit a small electrode offset potential.

[The electrode offset potential or "half-cell effect" is as a result of the electrode being a metal and the paste being an electrolyte - the elements that comprise a battery.]

Given the interest in the Othmer's VLF Optimal Response Frequency protocol, slow cortical potentials, and combining EEG with HRV training, the new Pendant EEG (AAA) has a response down to 0.1 Hz facilitating each of these modalities.

I note that the Othmers are now sometimes choosing sub-0.1Hz frequencies. INote that the lower one goes in frequency, the more acute is the problem with artifacts. I believe,tho that the low-frequency response of the Pendant is about the same as the EEG Info Amplifier. I would not, tho, recommend going below 0.1 Hz.

For those not using the above three modalities but using a new Pendant EEG (AAA), I would recommend that one places a low frequency high pass filter set to 1.6Hz in the BioExplorer or BioEra design just after the Source object, to produce a response similar to the old Pendant and the Pocket A3.

Why can you not use the gold plated electrodes with the Pendant EEG?

Because of the 'plating'. Silver & Tin electrodes are usually pure, that's why there is almost price parity with gold. When the gold plating wears or is scratched it exposes a (usually) metallic base. The two metals plus an electrolyte (conductive paste) gives you a battery. This battery voltage is outside the operating range of the Pendant and Pocket. Some older AC-coupled designs could handle this voltage (with some other compromises involved) and some newer designs can also support the wide voltage.

It's an engineering compromise in the end. The Pendant EEG and the Pocket placed greater importance on better 50/60Hz suppression.

Do I need to clean the electrodes?

In the case of pure Tin or Silver electrodes we recommend storing the electrodes in saline solution - distilled water with salt added to saturation. If for personal use, then there is no need to clean off the paste. If the electrodes are shared, then warm saline solution should dissolve the paste. In difficult cases, simply wipe off excess paste before dunking in the saline solution. Note that storing the electrodes in the saline solution should reduce the time required to achieve chemical equilibrium of the electrode-paste-scalp connection.

Filter response - shall we keep the delay as low as possible to guarantee the EEG signal are processed in a "real time" situation or control it to a certain level to make a balance between the delay and the distortion of the magnitude?

Firstly, the significance of delay depends on what you are training and the nature of the feedback presentation (DVD, game, robot etc). HEG is inherently sluggish anyway (changes in blood perfusion) and added delays in filtering are less significant Training Gamma, on the other hand, needs to be fast to capture the transient signals. Alpha & Beta & Theta training sit in the middle. In general its best to have simple filters (ie ‘low order’ filters, with Butterworth a good choice) with less delay and distortion and accept that there is not good rejection of nearby frequencies (ie an alpha filter will pass some beta and theta but at a reduced level). However if you are doing Coherence training then you need to be careful with distortion of the phase response as this will affect the coherence reading. So here you would generally be prepared to accept longer delays to get a linear phase response (ie constant delay across the frequency band). We can note that the FIR filter guarantees no phase distortion and is a good choice, but there is considerable delay.

Is the battery charger also for AAA batteries?

A flick of a switch will convert the battery charger from AA to AAA operation: USB charger

Vista64: Is there a driver for the Wireless Dongle for Vista 64-bit operating system?

We now have a single, auto-installing driver package for all Windows platforrms and for all PN products. To installl the wireless dongle driver, download and run this self-extracting file. For more info, see the "drivers" tab.

Can PN products and BioEXplorer work on the MAC?

We do not have direct experience with this. Our understanding form other who have been successful, if a solution works in the "parallel" config in MAC, it should work with "boot-camp" even better. But cannot guarantee at this point. We are not sure whether the new auto-inatalling driver for the wireless dongle will work ok or not.

Will the delay thru a filter be lowered with a faster computer?

NO! – it’s a physics thing. Actually this phenomenon is a manifestation of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

BioExplorer Design Library

	BioExplorer is excellent PC-based neurofeedback software which supports both the Pocket & Pendants. BioExplorer has excellent graphics & is simply without peer in its flexibility in creating protocols. Below we provide a number of proforma 'designs' which can be downloaded into BioExplorer's Design sub-directory. This library will be expanded over time. User's are invited to share their favourite designs by posting here.

	pnPulse Sensor HRV & SPO2 Designs
	design file	images	setup required
11/09 NEW	PN_PPG_ HRV_RSA- Baroreflex_Resonance_Video		HRV training with breath pacing. Choice of SDNN, LF or LF/HF as the controlled variable. Video file used to present the feedback to the client. Uses pnPulse 1/2/3 finger sensor.


11/09 NEW	PN_PPG_ HRV_RSA- Baroreflex_Resonance_DVD		HRV training with breath pacing. Choice of SDNN, LF or LF/HF as the controlled variable. DVD used to present the feedback to the client. Uses pnPulse 1/2/3 finger sensor.

11/09 NEW	PN_SPO2		Simple design for monitoring SPO2 blood oxygenation levels and Pulse rate. Uses pnPulse 1/2/3 finger sensor.

	Pendant HEG : nIR (Toomim) + pIR (Carmen) Designs
	design file	images	setup required

01/06	Pendant HEG_Video Common design for both Jeff Carmen's passive Infrared HEG system & Hershel Toomim's near Infrared system		HEG w. Video file feedback turn on Pendant HEG, ensuring Pendant & Dongle are on the same RF channel. Use BEx's Pendant EEG driver.

01/06	Pendant_HEG_DVD Common design for both Jeff Carmen's passive Infrared HEG system & Hershel Toomim's near Infrared system		HEG w. DVD (movie) feedback turn on Pendant HEG, ensuring Pendant & Dongle are on the same RF channel. Use BEx's Pendant EEG driver.

	Pendant HEG nIR only (Toomim) Designs


07/05	Pendant_HEGnIR_Video_AI Hershel Toomim's new HEG Attention Index		HEG w. Video (.mpg) feedback turn on Pendant HEG nIR, ensuring Pendant & Dongle are on the same RF channel. Use BEx's Pendant EEG driver.

	Pendant EEG Designs
08/05	PN_PendantEEG_ORF1_DVD		Optimal Response Frequency Training with DVD as feedback presentation -------------------------------------------------------- Channel 1 is used for EEG training. EEG training is a single, adjustable reward band with multiband variance-controlled reward inhibit. When used as a bipolar montage the design is suitable for standard or very low frequency (down to 0.1Hz) Optimal Reward Frequency Training. The EEG protocol can control either DVD Play/Pause or Screen Brightness, under Button control. ElectrodePlacement: Active1: Scalp (eg T3) Reference1: Scalp (eg T4) Neutral: Either Earlobe
08/05 NEW	PN_PendantEEG_HRV_RSA1		Respiratory (RSA) Resonant HRV Training ------------------------------------------------- One channel HRV increase training using either HRV standard deviation or LF/HF ratio as the controlled variable. This design is intended for HRV training at normal breathing rates. See separate design for Baroreflex Resonant (6 breaths PM) training. Features false triggering detection on the pulse detect circuit. ElectrodePlacement: Active : Left Finger Reference : Left Earlobe Neutral : Right Earlobe

	Pocket HEG/EEG Designs

12/05	Pocket_HEG_Video both nIR & pIR HEG HEG Baseline has fine tune buttons	screen design	HEG w. video file player - uses HEG baseline capture button, and has overall session gain average v1.00 beta3+ BioExplorer, MPEG video files on Pocket-I select Preset "HEG Fine 1ch", & set infrared link to "raw->PC".

12/05	Pocket_HEG_DVD both nIR & pIR HEG HEG Baseline has fine tune buttons	screen design	HEG w. DVD - uses HEG baseline capture button, and has overall session gain average v1.00 beta3+ BioExplorer, & PC with DVD player on Pocket-I select Preset "HEG Fine 1ch", & set infrared link to "raw->PC".

11/04	Pocket_ HEGnIR_Video_AI with Hershel's new HEG Attention Index		HEG Attention Index w. Video file feedback v1.00 beta3+ BioExplorer, MPEG video files on Pocket-I select Preset "HEG Fine 1ch", & set infrared link to "raw->PC".

11/04	Pocket_HEGnIR_DVD_AI with Hershel's new HEG Attention Index		HEG Attention Index w. DVD feedback v1.00 beta3+ BioExplorer, & PC with DVD player on Pocket-I select Preset "HEG Fine 1ch", & set infrared link to "raw->PC".

03/04	Pocket_HEGnIR_1ch_GM1 contact George Martin gmartin@usfamily.net for further designs & tailored video files	screen design	by George Martin HEG w. Video file & Midi f/b v0.99+ BioExplorer on Pocket-I select Preset "HEG Fine 1ch", & set infrared link to "raw->PC".

	Pocket_1Augment_2Inhibit_DVD		1ch EEG - Classic Augment of SMR and broadband inhibit on Pocket-I, set EEG mode, 1ch operation & set wireless link to "Raw->PC". Electrodes bipolar (nom C3,C4 & two earlobes)

	Pocket_SMR_bipolar_1	screen design	Accepts 2ch eeg from A-I, then takes difference to obtain bipolar (or inter-hemispheric) w Video/audio f/b. EMG artefact detection. on Pocket-I, set EEG mode, 2ch operation & set wireless link to "Raw->PC". Electrodes bipolar (nom C3,C4 & two earlobes)


	Sweep_of EEG_Band		sweeps a signal from 0Hz to 50Hz to allow testing of protocols
	Pocket_HEG_EEG_correlation	screen design	ex. of BioExplorer used for research: this design looks for correlations between HEG and common EEG ratios

	Pocket-II Designs
	SMR_2chBipolar	screen design session	2ch biplar, each SMP/theta, summed to control video feedback on A-II, set 4ch operation (let BioExplorer do differencing), set infrared to "eeg->PC"

BioEra Design Library

	BioEra is excellent PC-based neurofeedback software which supports both the Pocket & Pendants. BioEra is multi-platform, and comes in both a Lite version (free) and a sophisticated low cost 'Pro' version. Below we provide a number of proforma 'designs' which can be downloaded into BioEra's Design sub-directory. The designs indicate which version of BioEra is required to run them. This library will be expanded over time. User's are invited to share their favourite designs by posting here. Under Construction!

	Pendant HEG pIR (Carmen) Designs
	design file	images	setup required

	Pendant HEGpIR_Video Jeff Carmen's passive Infrared HEG system		HEG w. Video file feedback turn on Pendant HEG pIR, ensuring Pendant & Dongle are on the same RF channel. Use BEra's Pendant EEG driver.

	Pendant_HEGpIR_DVD Jeff Carmen's passive Infrared HEG system		HEG w. DVD (movie) feedback turn on Pendant HEG pIR, ensuring Pendant & Dongle are on the same RF channel. Use BEra's Pendant EEG driver.

	Pendant HEG nIR (Toomim) Designs

	Pendant_HEGnIR_DVD Hershel Toomim's near Infrared HEG system		HEG w. DVD (movie) feedback turn on Pendant HEG nIR, ensuring Pendant & Dongle are on the same RF channel. Use BEra's Pendant EEG driver.

	Pendant_HEGnIR_Video Hershel Toomim's near Infrared HEG system		HEG w. Video (.mpg) feedback turn on Pendant HEG nIR, ensuring Pendant & Dongle are on the same RF channel. Use BEra's Pendant EEG driver.



	Pendant EEG Designs


	Pocket HEG/EEG Designs





NEW!	Pocket_HEGnIR_DVD HEG Baseline has fine tune buttons	screen design	HEG w. DVD - uses HEG baseline capture button, and has overall session gain average v1.00 beta3+ BioExplorer, & PC with DVD player on Pocket-I select Preset "HEG Fine 1ch", & set infrared link to "raw->PC".

NEW!	Pocket_HEGnIR_Video HEG Baseline has fine tune buttons	screen design	HEG w. video file player - uses HEG baseline capture button, and has overall session gain average v1.00 beta3+ BioExplorer, MPEG video files on Pocket-I select Preset "HEG Fine 1ch", & set infrared link to "raw->PC".

BioExplorer & BioEra Videos

	- a selection of video files which are suitable as feedback mechanisms. Video files can be saved in BioExplorer's or BioEra's Media sub-directory. Note that some of these video files may be subject to copyright restrictions.

Rating	Video Files
9+	trapped.mpg	mouse trap, animated; maybe divide into segments
9+	slide.mpg	Robot slippery slide
9+	/terranim_a.mpg	lakes flyby
9+	bsm0.mpg	vertically rotating disk
9	unicycle	don't fall!
9	candy_cloud.mpeg	horizontally rotating cloud
9	flyby50.mpeg	dragon flying thru valley & into sun
9	lasertest.mpg	cartoon animation of laser gun firing
9	04.mpg	Robot slippery slide
8	enterprise.mpg	Starship Enterprise: earth -> warp speed
8	Dancing_Lights	Instrumental
8	shoemaker_levy	look out Neptune!
8	reflections	stringline wave reflections
8	golf_tragic0	a tragic trilogy
8	golf_tragic1	a tragic trilogy
8	golf_tragic2	a tragic trilogy
8	unicycle	build your own unicycle
8	robotix walker	run for your life!
8	destruction	evacuate the planet - now
8	ho-morph.mpg	human to orangutan morph
8	julia_spiraal.avi	fractal
8	lh-morph.mpg	lion to horse morph
8	zoomride.avi	fractal
8	video_vanite.mpg	dining room flyby
8	sfbay.mpg	bay bridge flyby
8	falldown.mpg	...I fall down, no problem - animation
8	03.avi	Perpetual Motion animation
8	Dixie.wmv	Dixie on beer bottles animation
8	Dragon-pilot.avi	kid-friendly dragon
8	Darwinator.mpg	Social engineering principles explained..:-)
8	dryrun.mpg	Just stupid. Remove electrodes, sit back & laugh
8	RunnerUp.avi	Chair gymnastics
7	speed.mpg	Spirit of St Louis
7	Hole	Psychodelic NEW!
7	TwoDolphins.mpg	two very relaxed dolphins
7	deepzoom.avi	fractal
7	enterprise2.mov	Starship Enterprise: earth -> warp speed (at night :-))
7	topbottom.mpg	brain slicing
7	Vulcan.mpg	flying dragon
7	BoilT=9.820.mpg	boiling animation
7	Bi-deer.avi	Alien deer stampede!
7	Piston.avi	Motorcycle piston animation
7	sri.mpg	space to California flyby
7	rocket.mpg	rocket launch close-up
6	bkb.mpg	3D checkers board
6	cavity.mpg	3D half-brain
6	usa.mpg	USA flyby
6	drip.mpg	I'd call it a leak - animation
5	night5.mpeg	hmmm... art maybe
5	plainv.mpg	neck arteries rotate
5	brain.mpg	brain slicing
Rating	Audio Files
9	Shakuhachi.wav
7	Wind.wav
9	Garden.wav
8	Fire.wav
9	Rain.wav
6	fly.wav
6	chimes.wav
6	chord.wav
7	ding.wav
5	tone_440.wav

Wireless Dongle Driver Installation

- XP/Vista/Win7, 32/64bit, Pendant/Pocket

The wireless link requires installation of a special Windows driver. This is a one-time operation. Wireless Pendant & Pocket devices use a common 'serial-USB-wireless' dongle. The dongle behaves similarly to USB-serial adaptor cables: a Windows driver is installed and thereafter it appears to Windows applications as a conventional serial "COM" port.

This single driver is used for all Windows platforrms and for both the Pendant and Pocket products. The driver is certified by Windows and is included in the Windows on-line repository. This means that if the computer is on-line, then plugging in the Wireless Dongle for the first time will invoke the Windows 'New Found Hardware' wizard, which can be allowed to automatically find and install the driver from the central repository.

If the computer is not on-line, then download and run this self-extracting file. Run this file prior to installing the dongle into a USB port for the first time. Once the file has executed, the dongle can be plugged in.

As part of the driver installation, Windows will allocate the next available COM port to the Wireless Dongle. PC applications such as BioExplorer will need to be informed which COM port has been allocated to the Pendant or Pocket driver. You can observe this by clicking on the pop-up that appears once the dongle is plugged in (the pop-up tracks driver installation progress), or after the driver has been installed, you can open Windows Device Manager (accessible thru the Control Panel) and inspect the COM port allocations. You will find an entry under Ports (COM & LPT) for "Pocket Neurobics Wireless Dongle" and the COM port allocation will be displayed next to it. Other parameters assocaited with the COM port need not change, but for reference we can note that the settings are:

Baud rate: 38400
Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1
Parity: None
Flow Control: None

Should it be necessary to remove this driver from your PC, you will find an entry in the Windows Control Panel function "Add/Remove Programs" (XP) or "Programs and Features" (Vista/Win7). Look for "Windows Driver Package - Pocket Neurobics". Simply right click then select "uninstall".

pnPulse Sensor Driver Installation - 32/64bit, XP/Vista or Windows7

pnPulse Sensor plugs into a USB Port. The Windows driver to interface to the Sensor will be automatically installed by Windows' 'New Hardward Found' wizard when the Sensor is first plugged in to the computer. If the computer is not connected to the internet or there are problems with the installation, then these self-installing executables can be used. There is one file for XP & Vista operating systems, and a separate file for the Windows 7 operating system.

pnPulse_Vista&XP, or
pnPulse_Win7

A Serial Port ‘COM port’ is allocated to the pnPulse driver by Windows. In BioExlorer’s Devices window, add the pnPulse device, and within it, set the COM port number assigned by Windows.

Firmware Version Upgrade Options

Firmware upgrades for the Pocket & Pendant devices can be downloaded from this site.

Having downloaded the file, there are then three options for uploading these files over the wireless link to the device:

Pocket Neurobics Firmware Loader (to download see below)

'BioExplorer' software - under the 'devices' menu item, right click on the Pendant EEG device (not the A1 or Pocket device), then select the Pendant tab, and finally select "Uploaf Firmware.." Select the updated firmware file that you had earlier downloaded from below.

'BioEra' biofeedback software includes a 'tool' menu specific for these tasks, including the ability to rapidly change the sampling rate and the eeg signal bandwidth of the Pendant devices.

In all cases, if the upload was successful, then the unit will automatically reboot itself, and if the upload was unsuccessful, then the unit will sit waiting for another attempt - simply reload the firmware file using the loader and try again.

Instructions for downloading new Pocket-I firmware upgrades using Pocket-Neurobic Firmware Loader Utility (for Windows)

Download this self-extracting zip file (5MB) into a temp directory, then run setup.exe. This is a one-time operation.

firmwareloader.exe

If you receive an error message: 'msstdfmt.dll cannot be found', download it to your c:\windows\system directory. It may be also necessary to register this file by going to Run.. and entering: c:\windows\system\regsvr32 msstdfmt.dll

	The Loader has a short help file to explain its configuration.
	Then download the latest firmware from the table below & place in the same directory as the Loader:

Pocket A3 wireless

Your current version:

Your upgrade option:

Enhancements:

v1.0 +

v3.3x

	fixes HEG lsb bug
	support for pIR HEG (new hardware only)
	eeg signal bandwidth changed to 40/48/56Hz, and fixes bug with old 40Hz setting
	new factory-preset menus to better support usage with PC applications

Wireless Dongle

Your current version:

Your upgrade option:

Enhancements:

v2.0+

v2.5x

	debug: occasional lock-up when firmware upgrading
	remote rf channel change disabled - too confusing

Your current version:

Your upgrade option:

Enhancements:

Pendant EEG (AAA battery only!) profiles

Note: select Programming Mode on the Pendant prior to initiating firmware upload....

all

v3.3x_256sps_40Hz

occasional low level noise on ch2

Pendant nIR HEG (AAA battery only!) firmware

Note: select Programming Mode on the Pendant prior to initiating firmware upload....

all

v3.1x_nIR

very minor bug correction related to LED operation

Pendant pIR HEG (AAA battery only!)

Note: select Programming Mode on the Pendant prior to initiating firmware upload....

all

v3.2x_pIR

minor bug correction: occasional low level noise on ch2 (battery monitoring)

Pendant EEG (9V battery only!) profiles

all

v2.4x_256sps_40Hz

	adjusted 48Hz eeg bw to 47Hz
	bat volt detection refined
	gain value in o/h adjusted
	Note: Beta testers with prototype units (ie no on/off switch) should NOT download this file\