Pilot Experiments and Hardware Design of Smart Electrooculographic Headband for People With Muscular Paralysis
Helena Kosnacova, Dušan Horváth, Maximilián Strémy, Michal Sobota, Patrik Bartos, Martin Jagelka, Tomas Zavodnik, Diana Vitazkova, Erik Foltan, Neven Vrček, Erik Vavrinský · IEEE Access · 2024
Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from a motor disability, impeding their ability to perform daily tasks independently. Thanks to modern technologies, such as electrooculography (EOG), it is possible to provide them with a tool enhancing their quality of life. EOG, an electrophysiological method, detects DC potentials influenced by eye movements, making it particularly advantageous for individuals with motor impairments who retain ocular mobility. The article describes pilot experiments that includes the basic design of electrodes configuration for peripheral solutions, their optimization and the addition of sensors to measure other vital physiological parameters such as photoplethysmography (PPG) and electrocardiography (ECG) on demand. We tested all the EOG methodologies and connections that our device should contain with the help of Mindmedia Nexus-10 MKII, PPG signals with the Analog Devices MAXM86146 optical biosensor module and ECG with the Texas Instruments ADS1299 biopotential circuit. The evaluation and filtering of the collected data was carried out in the MATLAB environment. In the final, we present a hardware concept based on a new approach that, unlike the standard EOG, incorporates 3 large-area conductive fabric electrodes in a headband for practical and comfort long-term non-manual human-machine interface (HMI). Our measurements are crucial for monitoring the patient’s health status, mood variations, and can help prevent complications or speed up treatment. The primary goal of this research was present our innovative concept and confirm its feasibility, bringing us closer to the realization of a fully developed and functional device.