CALL FOR PROJECT COLLABORATION
******************************
Development of a high performance IBM/MAC based
biomedical data acquisition system
(January 4, 1995)
The IBEGROUP (Internet Biomedical Engineering group) consists of
dedicated engineering and medical professionals who seek to apply new
technologies, develop international contacts and make a non-profit
contribution to the science of biomedical instrumentation.
This is believed to be the first non-profit distributed product
development project on the Internet and promises to be an interesting and
challenging venture.
Scientists, engineers, medical researchers, educators, equipment and
component manufacturers, and DAS users who feel they may be able to
contribute to the project are invited to join (see registration form
appended to this document).
THE CURRENT PROJECT
The project aims to develop a high performance, IBM/MAC based, 32/128
channel biomedical data acquisition system for research and clinical use
(i.e. for EEG, ERP and EMG). The idea is to integrate all functions and
produce a reasonably priced unit that can be used in university research
laboratories. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of researchers who
could benefit from such a DAS.
The formulation of the final system specifications will be a group
effort, however, tentative features would be: expandable to 128 channels,
DC-5KHz BW, LP/HP/Notch filters, ultra low noise input stage, remotely
programable, optional fibre optic or RF telemetry link to computer, high
speed IBM/MAC computer interface, certification for medical use, and
basic software to facilitate use with existing software packages. Since
medical EEG/ERP work is one of the more demanding applications for a DAS
the system would be optimized for this type of research, however, it
would be suitable for many other applications as well.
A from the ground up design approach will be used and it is hoped that
new and innovative techniques will be introduced. Components and modules
for the system will be designed, and the final system will be assembled,
at various sites around the world. The final phase will include
manufacturing units for those interested. Further dissemination of
techniques developed and the possible manufacturing of the DAS will be a
topic for group discussion.
To stimulate interdisciplinary discussions the IBEGROUP welcomes
participation from a variety of engineering and medical disciplines.
Specific electronic design expertise sought includes: ultra low noise
amplifier design, low power, filter design, fiber optic communication, RF
telemetry, micro-electronics, ASIC/PAL design, hardware/software IBM/MAC
computer interfacing, SMT, circuit miniaturization, prototyping and
measurement, circuit simulation, CAD, and manufacturing.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Many of us can get quite excited about the potential uses for the new
technical developments we read about but, at the same time, many of us
are frustrated by the fact that we do not have the means or resources to
apply these new developments in a practical design or product.
This project aims to pool ideas and resources from around the world and
promote the application of 'edge of technology' developments and produce
a biomedical data acquisition system that will benefit the non-profit
segment of our societies (i.e. education and non-profit research).
In more general terms the project objectives could be stated as:
(1) Make a contribution to the science of biomedical instrumentation,
(2) provide biomedical engineers with an opportunity to develop
interdisciplinary contacts worldwide,
(3) produce a superior biomedical data acquisition system for our
educational, clinical and medical research communities, and
(4) refine the art of product development, from conception to
manufacturing.
PROJECT ORGANIZATION
A Project Management team schedules and coordinates project activities.
The IBEGROUP listserve list is used to discuss major design issues and
coordinate the Development teams. This is a closed list and admission is
through a simple registration procedure. Communications on this list will
follow a list protocol, have technical focus, and will only deal with
project related issues.
A separate listserve list is used by Project Management to discuss
organizational matters. This is a closed list and only members of the
Project Management team will be added to this list.
The EDESIGN listserve list will be used to discuss electronic design and
development issues. This list has already about 300 subscribers, mostly
electronic designers. This is an open list and anybody can subscribe.
A number of automatic archives and a variety of manually-maintained data
bases will be kept on acadvm1.uottawa.ca to allow late joiners to catch
up on project activities.
FUNDING
Funding will be sought through grants, sponsors, and support from users
of biomedical DASs. A Funding Committee may be formed to assist
participants in the preparation of funding requests.
PROJECT STATUS
The project was formally launched on January 4, 1995. It is led by a
team of engineering professionals (currently seven members - we are
looking for more help). To date the project has about fifty participants
from a wide variety of engineering and medical backgrounds. Recruitment
will be an ongoing effort throughout the life of the project and the
number of participants is expected to grow to several hundred.
LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION
This is a voluntary project and project participants can determine their
own degree of involvement.
Critical contributions will be made by the Development teams, without
their contributions this project can not succeed. Their work may be
funded through grants or be linked to an educational program and will
require a real commitment in terms of time and effort. Development teams
may be rewarded in terms of academic credit, publications, and
professional recognition.
A significant number of participants will limit their participation to
providing consultation, taking part in brainstorming sessions, and
provide a forum for the Development teams. The IBEGROUP invites
participation from prominent scientists and researchers to fill this
need.
Prototyping sites and measurement laboratories will be needed to assemble
and test circuits and modules. This work may take place at educational
and/or non-profit research institutions or may be contracted out.
HOW TO JOIN THE IBEGROUP
To join the project please complete the registration form below and email
it to the IBEGROUP Project Coordinator.
Virtually yours,
Herman van den Bergen
VDBERGEN at ACADVM1.UOTTAWA.CA
------------------------------- cut here --------------------------------
IBEGROUP REGISTRATION FORM
Please attach your resume and/or include a description of your areas
of expertise. Thank you.
Do we have your permission to add the information below to our expertise
database (accessible by all participants)?
Please answer Yes or No:
Name:
Title:
Email address:
Home address:
Tel:
Fax:
Employer or self employed:
Company name and address:
Tel:
Fax:
* Would you like to be part of the Project Management team (please
elaborate)?
* Please describe as fully as you can your experience in your
preferred area of participation:
* Would your employer be interested in this project, if so, why?
* What is your experience in biomedical equipment design?
* Do you have prototyping/testing experience?
* What resources do you have that could help us with our
project (i.e. labs, workshops, testing facilities, team
support, company support, etc.)?
* Would you like to develop a DAS system for your own laboratory?
* Do you know any others that might be interested in acquiring
a system (quantity brings the cost down!):
* Your comments on the merits of this project:
--
Herman van den Bergen - email: vdbergen at acadvm1.uottawa.ca
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
