Hardware Operation

MSR (Magnetically Shielded Room) & Subject Support

The Magnetically Shielded Room is designed to shield out or reduce the influence of environmental noise (i.e., the earth’s magnetic field, cars, elevators, etc) on the MEG signal. The walls consist of a layer of a special metal which has a high magnetic permeability (Mu Metal) and two layers of copper. Although the MSR greatly reduces the contribution of environmental noise, it does not adequately shield out lower frequency noise.

Overhead Lighting

• Turn the lights on in the MSR by depressing the square green button on the VAC Power Supply Unit which is located on the bottom shelf of the stand outside the MSR.
• Dimming the lights in the MSR - Use the Brightness (black) knob to dim the light.

Door Operation

• Closing the Door:

-Push the door up to the door frame as far as possible.

-Press (until the air locks activate) then quickly release the OPEN/CLOSE BUTTON to seal the door.

• Opening the Door:

-Press (until the air locks release) then quickly release the OPEN/CLOSE BUTTON (Black Button).

-Pull the door open.

-If the door fails to open, press the EMERGENCY OFF BUTTON (Red button) located on the outside and the inside of the MSR.

-If the door fails to open when using the Emergency Off Button, then insert the EMERGENCY DOOR KEY in the upper and lower EMERGENCY UNLOCK (Yellow) keyholes and turn. This will manually release the door locks. Keys and keyholes are located on both sides of the MSR door.

Positioning a Subject in the Chair

The gantry should be at 15 degree tilt in the upright (sitting) position.

• Move the attached Visual Stimulus Screen up out of the way by loosening the black knob (located on the gantry mounting bar) before placing a subject in the chair.
• Plug the Head Coil Cables into the appropriate color-coded locations on the Head Localization Module. *Route the right Head Coil Cable around the back of the subject’s neck so that it does not lie across the subject’s chest. Route the other two cables in front of the subject’s neck so that they do not touch the subject’s chest.

Head Coil Cables
Nasion	Right Ear	Left Ear
Yellow	Red	Blue

• Note: If the head coil cables are placed in the wrong jack or placed on the wrong anatomical location the coil locations will be skewed and the calibration will fail. Repeat the calibration after changing the jacks the correct location in the jack box or switching the coils to the correct location on the subject.
• Mounting the Electrode Jack Box onto the amplifier when performing EEG:
• Touch the Static Discharge Button on the Amplifier Unit.
• If the Gain Calibration Card (Shorting Plug - small green circuit board) is situated on the Amplifier Unit, carefully remove it before connecting the Electrode Jack Box.
• Connect the Electrode Jack Box to the amplifier Unit. Align the corner with the brackets on the amplifier. Press down firmly.
• Never check impedances using the Grass Impedance Meter when the jack box is connected to the MEG system amplifier.
• Place the Stabilizing Head cuff:
• Open the valve stem and squeeze all the air out of the head cuff so that it is completely deflated.
• Close the valves.
• Place the protective head cover (cap) over the subject’s head.
• Place the Stabilizing Head cuff on the subject’s head so that the red cross mark is at the center front of the forehead and the connecting tubing is at center back. *Make sure the bladders are positioned so that they lie flat inside the headband.
• Pull the head cuff over the ears.
• The “Y” shaped top piece should be placed so that the cross bar is at the back of the head and the other two arms of the “Y” are at the sides of the head.
• Adjust the top straps with the Velcro so that the headband does not cover the eyes.
• Place the hoses so that they run down the back of the neck; behind the chair.
• There are two pump valves; one to inflate the front of the bladder and the other to inflate the side bladders.
• Instruct the subject to hold the pumps which will be inflated when the subject is properly raised up and inserted into the dewar.
• Place a rolled up towel or pillow under the knees and so that the subject does not slide down in the chair.

Chair Adjustments

The chair is a pneumatic-hydraulic unit and there may be a 2-3 second delay when turning controls from the unlocked to the locked position or when making chair adjustments. After making any adjustment using the hand wheel or valve allow the air pressure to equalize. Turn the hand wheel and valves slowly when making any adjustments. There are two kinds of controls:

-The Hand Wheel which controls the directions and rate of movement and

-The Valve which controls which adjustment is selected or activated.

• Chair Movement / Positioning - The BRAKE Valve locks the chair on the track and thus controls the back and forward movement of the chair; located on the side panel.

-Slowly turn the brake valve to the unlocked position.

-Physically push the chair back or forward so that the subject’s head is positioned directly under the gantry; the back of the head should at the back of the dewar. Check the subject’s posture. Ask the subject to scoot their hips all the way back in the chair so that they are sitting upright in the chair.

-After adjusting the chair set the valve to the locked position to prevent movement of the chair. The valve should always be in this position unless adjustments are being made.

-Check to make sure the optical cables are not on the track before moving the chair.

• Chair Backrest Tilt Adjustment - The upper valve controls the TILT of the chair backrest; located on the front panel.

-Slowly turn the Tilt Control Valve to the unlocked position.

-Adjust the backrest so the subject is sitting upright in the chair and their head is positioned directly over the hips. It is important make sure the subject is comfortable and therefore reduce the potential for fatigue.

-Turn the hand wheel:

-Clockwise  to make the backrest move forward.

-Counter-clockwise  for backward motions.

-Turn the Tilt Control Valve to locked position. It should always be in this position unless adjustments are being made.

• Chair Height Adjustment - The lower valve controls the HEIGHT of the chair; located on the front panel.

-Slowly turn the Height Control Valve to the unlocked position.

-Position the subject so that his/her head is at or near the top of the dewar. *When near the top of the dewar periodically ask the subject to raise himself/herself up in the dewar to determine how much room is remaining. Do not raise the chair while the subject is rising up in the chair.

-Turn the Hand Wheel:

-Clockwise  to make the chair move upward.

-Counter-clockwise for downward motions.

-Turn the Height Adjust Valve to locked position unless adjustments are being made.

*Care should be exercised when adjusting the chair height while a subject is seated under the gantry. Until completely familiar with the operation of the chair adjust the chair very slowly in small increments.

Subject Head Placement

It is important that the subject's head is centered in the dewar helmet.

• Instruct the subject to inflate the Stabilizing Head cuff to a comfortable level after positioning the subject’s head into the dewar helmet.
• Instruct the subject to squeeze both pumps at the same time to inflate the front and side bladders simultaneously until his/her head feels comfortable (moderately confined) in the helmet.
• When both bladders are inflated fold the tubing and clamp at fold so that air can not leak out.
• Move the hand pumps to a location near the wall as far away from the dewar helmet as the tubing allows. Place the pumps so that they are stationary and there is no movement in the clamp or the pumps.
• Tape the Head Coil Cables to the side of the dewar. *If applicable, tape the EEG Electrode Cables to the side of the dewar as far away from the Head Coil Cables as possible.
• Place a Chin Head Movement Monitor using tape to give the subject feedback regarding head movement. Attach tape to each side of the dewar. The tape should just barely touch the subject’s chin. *This step is optional.
• Adjust the stimulus.
• Instruct the subject regarding the task.
• Allow the subject to practice the task.
• Begin recording.
• When done recording deflate the bladder by opening the pump valves. Some external pressure may have to be applied to deflate the air bladders fully.
• Also move the chair forward, place the chair backrest in the upright position.

Installing the Bed for Supine Recording

The gantry should be at a 90 degree tilt for supine recording.

• Never operate the gantry while a subject’s head is in the helmet.
• Raise the screen.
• Lower the Gantry to 90o tilt (horizontal position). Gantry Controls are located on the right side of base. The controls require the operator to use both hands to operate. If either handle is released the gantry motion will stop.
• Raise the Brake Control Lever (lower / long handle).
• Then raise the Direction Control Lever (upper / shorter handle). This will release the brake.
• Then move the Direction Control Lever in the downward direction.
• Using the Angle Indicator readout located on the gantry near the front pivot point position the gantry at 900.
• Release the Direction Control Lever to stop the motion. Release the Brake Control Lever.
• Slide the chair forward.
• Recline the chair backrest to approximately a 45o tilt.
• Remove the arm rest from the chair. The back cushion may be removed or left in place.
• If the bed will have its angle adjusted place the Roller Wheel Assembly. If the chair back cushion has been left in place, first slide the backrest cushion to its lowest position. Mount the Roller Wheel Assembly to the exposed seat back support plate.
• Using two people, lift the bed by the ends using the hand grips which are mounted to the under side of the bed.
• Set the bed onto the unpadded armrests of the chair. Align the holes.
• Insert the four mounting bolts, which are tied to the base of the bed, through the holes in the bed base into the holes in the chair armrests.
• All four bolts should be screwed in a couple of turns and fully tightened when all four are engaged.
• Install bed side rail on one side. One side rail must be in place before allowing a subject to get onto the bed. Tighten rail clamp to secure.
• Raise the bed so that it is level with the dewar.
• Slide the bed back so that it rests against the dewar.
• Lift the bed above the optical cables and any other sensitive equipment.

Positioning a Subject on the Bed

Before the subject gets on the bed the step stool should be in place against the base of the bed and a guardrail should be in placed on the far side of the bed.

• Place a sheet over the bed. Place a towel at the head of the bed.
• Cover the Foam Pad Pillow and place inside the dewar.
• Place the step stool on the opposite side of the rail to assist the subject in getting onto the bed.
• Place a protective cap over the subject’s head.
• Have the subject sit on the edge of the bed then lie down. Care should be taken so that the subject does not bump his head on the screen or the dewar.
• Ask the subject to bend his knees and use his legs to scoot himself up so that his head is inside the dewar.
• Place a towel or pillow case over the subject’s head to restrict head movement.
• Place a rolled up towel or pillow under the subject’s knees so that there is no pressure exerted on the back, tailbone, or knees.
• Place the head coil cables so that they do not lie across the subject’s chest. Plug into the jack box.
• Once the subject is on the bed, place the side rail on the remaining side. Tighten the rail clamp to secure.
• If necessary, make sure the ancillary mirror has been placed in the 2nd (middle) wall mirror slot.
• The LCD projector image should be reversed / inverted to allow for the extra mirror bounce:
• From the LCD Projector touchpad (or using the remote):
  • Press MENU.
  • Press  /  to select the “PRJ Mode”.
  • Press  /  to select desired projection mode (Rear / Reversed image).
  • Press MENU to exit.
• Re-position the ceiling mirror. Adjust the wall mirror.
• Begin Data Acquisition.
• When finished, remove the bed, move the chair forward, place the backrest in the upright position, replace the arm rest and back cushion.
• Position the gantry at 15 degrees.

Subject Monitoring Inside the MSR

The operator can converse with and monitor the activities of the subject inside the MSR by:

• Voice Intercom / Parabolic Microphone / Flat Speaker
• Infrared Lighting for video in darkness
• Video Display at the operator console
• Video Cameras
• Video Display Monitor: Used to monitor a subject inside the MSR. Located at the acquisition workstation / operator’s console.
  • Press the on/off switch is located on the front panel.
  • Press the channel button once to access the next channels.
  • Continue to press to access other channels.

• Always monitor the subject via the Video Display Monitor when running a study.

THE SUBJECT MUST BE OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES DURING TESTING.

• Voice Intercom: Used to communicate and listen to a subject inside the MSR. The Intercom Electronics Box is located on the acquisition workstation / operator’s console. (There are no intercom controls inside the MSR, just a parabolic microphone and flat speaker).
• Press the Red power button to turn on the Intercom Electronics Box to listen to a subject inside the MSR.
• To speak to a subject who is inside the MSR press the PUSH TO TALK button located on the front of the Intercom Electronics Box. (Release the button to talk to the subject.)
• Adjust the volume in the MSR or at the Console by using the volume control knobs located on the front of the Intercom Electronics Box.
• Infrared Lighting: Illuminates a subject inside the MSR when recording in a dark environment so that the subject may be seen via the Video Display Monitor. The Control box is located on the stand outside the MSR.
• Press the Red On/Off switch to turn on the power for the Infrared Light Power Supply (SEC 1212).
• Video Cameras: Used to view a subject who is inside the MSR on the Video Display Monitor. Located inside the MSR; reposition manually.

a. Press the channel button located on the Video Display Monitor to change from Camera 1 to Camera 2. Channel 1 Camera 1 (Infrared) Channel 2 Camera 2 (Color)

• See Video Display Monitor for details.

Video Display Monitor
Channel 1	Camera 1	Infrared Camera
Channel 2	Camera 2	Color
Channel 3	Camera 2	VCR Playback (connected to Color Camera)
Channel 4	(Blank)