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MEG Data Acquisition Checklist

Click on the checklists to mark your progress through data collection.

Prepare Control Room & MSR

  • Check functioning of stimulus and response equipment.

    • Select the correct Stim PC via KVM.
      • Press button 1 to connect to the OLD Stim PC.
      • Press button 3 to connect to the NEW Stim PC.
        • LED Meanings
        • Green/Dark for connected PCs, but not active.
        • Green/Red for connected PCs actively using the KVM.
        • Dark/Dark for no connection.
    • Select the correct Parallel Port via the Parallel Port (PP) Switch Box.
      • Use PP Switch position A to connect STI101 to the OLD Stim PC (PP Base Memory Address: BFF8)
      • Use PP Switch position B to connect STI101 to the NEW Stim PC (PP Base Memory Address: CFF8)

  • Check Gantry position. Move from Liquefaction (25) position to usage position - [Moving the Gantry]

  • Check experimental paradigm.

    • Check the PROPixx projector is "awake" (make sure lens cover is removed).
      • Start the VPutil program, from the Stim Desktop shortcut, and type...
      • (ANY DEVICE) > ppx a - should respond with "PROPixx is in awake mode"
      • To "sleep" the projector ...
      • (ANY DEVICE) > ppx s - should respond with "PROPixx is in sleep mode"
      • Please do not leave the PROPixx projector in "awake" mode when not in use e.g. overnight!
        • NOTE: ppx a / ppx s didn't work on one occasion. PROPixx needed a full power off/on to reset.
    • Check that the stimuli and responses are as expected.
    • Check arrival of triggers in MEG recording.
      • NOTE: New Stim PC PP card has a different Base Memory Address than the OLD Stim PC.
        • Change any, e.g. MATLAB, code on the NEW Stim PC, referencing the PP Base Memory Address to...
          • CFF8 ... e.g. in initialiseParallelPort.m

  • Start subject preparation, items to have ready/available.

    • Label electrodes for EOG (2), ECG (2) and any other (i.e. EMG) electrodes. Have some additional ready in case you have to redo them.
    • NOTE: Reusable and disposable electrodes are available.
    • Electrode gel (in 20ml syringes - use the caulking gun to fill them.) We also have 12ml curved tip syringes now available.
    • Cut tape ready for attaching electrodes to skin (Tegaderm tape)
    • Tape for securing electrodes (Micropore tape) and small double-sided discs.
    • If using an EEG cap, check it over for damaged electrodes. Makes sure it's clean and dry.
    • Set up the Digitizer chair, away from any metal. Attach the receiver cube to the back of the chair. The cable has to point downwards.
    • The locations of our various consumable items can be found here

  • Check the MSR for any unwanted items that could cause artefacts and remove them.

  • Check that the participant monitoring camera and microphone are working correctly.

Prepare MEG system

  • Prepare system.
  • Check quality of channels.
    • Click "Noisy Channels" for more information
  • Select or create project.
    • Check or select acquisition parameters.
    • Check or create online averaging parameters'
  • Create subject.

Prepare subject

  • Offer bathroom break.
  • Explain preparation procedure.
  • Explain experiment.
  • Let subject read and sign informed consent.
  • Have subject remove metal objects, and do a comprehensive check with both metal detectors. Subject to change into scrubs if necessary (show subject to Changing Room and show scrubs sizes that are available).
    • We are trying to reduce our laundry bill so only use scrubs if necessary e.g. metal in clothing.
  • cClean hands with Alcohol Gel Sanitizer.

Attach electrodes

Check impedance of electrodes

Attach HPI coils

Digitize head-coordinate system

Digitize HPI coils

Digitize headshape

Prepare the subject in the MSR

Start recording

Finishing recording session

Tidying Up