Advantages of ECG EEG EMG | disadvantages of ECG EEG EMG

This page covers advantages and disadvantages of ECG, EEG and EMG. It mentions ECG
advantages, EEG advantages, EMG advantages, ECG disadvantages, EEG disadvantages and
EMG disadvantages.

Introduction:
ECG stands for Electro-cardiogram, EEG stands for Electro-encephalogram and EMG stands
for Electro-myography. These are biomedical tests used for checking health related status of
various body parts of human beings.

ECG test: Used to test irregularities in the heart.

EEG test: Used to test abnormalities in the brain.
EMG test: Used to test skeletal muscles.

Benefits or advantages of ECG

Following are the benefits or advantages of ECG :

➨It is highly diagnostic method as it represents data in topographic form.
➨It is highly informative And provide informations such as chest pain, shortness of breath,
abdominal pain etc.
➨It can detect any silent cardiac condition which could be result of surgery and anesthesia.
➨It analyzes signal from heart and produces result in graphical form.
➨It is safe method.
➨It is inexpensive method.
➨It is easy to perform.
➨The ECG equipments are widely available.
➨Cloud computing has made dta available to remote doctors with minimum time. This saves
cost of separate investments in cloud computing infrastructures.
Drawbacks or disadvantages of ECG

Following are the disadvantages of ECG :

➨It provides static picture which may not reflect severe underlying heart issues related to
patients.
➨It uses wires and probes for testing, it restricts body movement.

Benefits or advantages of EEG

Following are the benefits or advantages of EEG :

➨Low cost
➨Low morbidity
➨Readily repeatable
➨Portable
➨Provides some spatial or localization information
➨Though it is measure of brain function, it supplements neuroimaging studies.
➨It provides direct evidence of epileptic abnormality.
➨It is the only test which shows abnormalities in epileptic patients.

Drawbacks or disadvantages of EEG

Following are the disadvantages of EEG:

➨Low spatial resolution on scalp.
➨Determines neural activity poorly below the upper layers of brain.
➨It requires long time to connect subject with the EEG machine.
➨S/N ratio is poor.
➨It detects cortical dysfunction but rarely discloses its etiology.
➨It has lower sensitivity.
➨It is subject to both electrical and physiological artifacts.
➨Small or deep lesions might not produce EEG abnormality.
➨Influenced by state of alertness, hypoglycaemia, drugs.
➨may falsely localize epileptogenic zone.
Benefits or advantages of EMG

EMG is indicator for muscle activation and deactivation. EMG signal ranges from 7 to 20 Hz
based on size of muscle with amplitude in the range from 50 µV to 30 mV.

Following are the benefits or advantages of EMG:

➨EMG machine detects electrical potential produced by muscle cells when these cells are
electrically or neurologically activated.
➨The monitored signals are converted into electrical form which can be turned into speech.
➨It can be used for diagnosis of neurogenic or myogenic diseases.

Drawbacks or disadvantages of EMG

Following are the disadvantages of EMG:

➨As this method requires needle electrodes to be inserted through skin into muscle tissue, it
is painful method.
➨The method monitors nerve roots only.
➨The method gives less accurate results due to disturbance from surroundings when surface
electrodes are used.

Telemetry Biopotential (ECG, EMG, EEG) Data

Biopotential telemetry measures the electrical potential between two
electrodes/leads. Depending on where the leads are placed, biopotential telemetry can be
used to measure long-term electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG) and
electromyogram (EMG) in rats and mice. The Rat Telemetry System offers solutions for the
long term recording of a single biopotential signal using our TR50B or simultaneous
recording of two biopotential signals (e.g. EEG+EMG) with our TR50BB telemeters. For
mice, Mouse Telemetry offers the MT10B telemeter for the long term recording of a single
biopotential signal.

Electrocardiography – ECG or EKG

ECG records the net change in electrical activity across the heart with each heartbeat over
time. Under normal conditions, the mechanical activity is temporally linked with the
electrical activity. Changes in the electrical potential from the depolarization of the
myocardium result in muscular contraction in the region of depolarization while
repolarization results in the relaxation. The wave of depolarization in each heart beat
originates from the sinoatrial node, travels through the atria to the atrial-ventricular node,
then travels down the ventricular septum and up walls of the ventricles.

The P, QRS and T waves recorded in an ECG represent the change in electrical potential
during the depolarization of the atria, the depolarization of the ventricles (and the
simultaneous repolarization of the atria), and the repolarization of the ventricles respectively.

Clinically, ECG is recorded using 12 lead positions to generate information about how the
electrical activity propagates in 3 dimensions. In rats and mice, telemetry ECG is often
recorded using two electrodes recording a single lead configuration. Depending on the
position of the electrodes and lead configuration, different ECG profiles are seen. The
modified lead II position of an ECG in a rat is shown in the figure below. The lead wire
positions have been adjusted slightly from the standard lead II position, which is most in line
with the ventricles, to improve signal quality when the rat or mouse is moving around.
Adjusting the position of the electrodes to record from different ECG lead
configurations changes the relative size of the P, QRS and T waves, which allows detailed
focus on one event. Good muscle contact will be required for large clean telemetry ECG
signals as electrical conductance through connective tissue is poor. It is also
important to keep the lead wires together as far as practical and avoid curling the leads into a
loop to minimize interference from ambient electrical noise.

The most common use for ECG is the measurement of heart rate, which can be calculated by
the number of R waves in a given period of time. In addition to the detection of the heart
rate, the ECG can be used to record:

 heart rate variability (R-R intervals)

 duration of depolarization of the atria (P wave duration) or ventricles (QRS duration)
 arrhythmias and counts of P, QRS, T waves
 electrical conductance across the heart and waveform abnormalities
 relative amplitudes of the waveforms can also be calculated

These measurements can be useful in basic cardiovascular physiology, behavioral or

pharmacological/toxicology studies.

Download a 5-minute segment of rat arterial pressure and ECG (modified lead II) acquired
using Rat Telemetry here. The data file is in LabChart format, to open the file, LabChart
Reader is available as a free download at the ADInstruments webpage. For more information
on the surgical implantation procedure, please visit our Knowledge Center for detailed
instructions and surgical videos.

Electromyography - EMG
EMG records the electrical potential and the change in potential (electrical activity) across
the skeletal muscle. The electrical potential changes during contraction and relaxation of the
skeletal muscle as the muscle depolarizes and then repolarizes. EMG can be used to assess
the muscle contraction, mechanics or inferring movement rates across the muscle. For
example, attaching the lead wires to the diaphragm allows for the measurement of respiration
rate, while attachment of the lead wires to the gluteus maximus muscle can be used to assess
walking or movement. Other potential applications include measurement of gastrointestinal
peristaltic movements and movement of specific muscles such as nuchal EMG.

Below is an example of the EMG signal recorded from the gluteus maximus muscle in a
walking rat.
EMG can be recorded from a muscle or muscle groups, provided that the size of the muscle is
large enough for the attachment of the two electrodes with a gap to prevent contact between
the electrodes. It is important that the electrodes do not contact as this results in electrical
shortening, and a signal will not be detected. It is also important that the electrodes are tied
securely to the muscle that is being recorded from to minimize movement artifacts.

Telemetry is advantageous over tethered systems for measuring EMG as the rats and mice are
allowed to move freely in their home cage eliminating behavioral adaptations to tethering. The
battery of the rat telemeters also allows recording of EMG away from the home cage and
tethers, opening up opportunities such as EMG recordings during behavioral tests. Rat
biopotential telemeters provide up to 4 hours of continuous data transmission powered by a
rechargeable battery when the rat telemeter is not actively being powered by the SmartPad.

Electroencephalography - EEG

EEG records the electrical activity over an area of brain tissue. Electrical activity in the brain
is generated by depolarization of neurons. As the electrical activity provided by a single neuron
is too small to be detected, recorded telemetry EEG represents the summation of electrical
activity from a large number of neurons in an area. Electrodes can be placed on the surface of
the brain for cortical surface EEG, or deeper into the tissue to measure from a particular area
of interest. EEG can be applied to the study of neurological disorders, such as seizure detection
or epilepsy studies and pharmacological studies into neurostimulating drugs. EEG can also be
used in behavioral research to study brain activity patterns in response to stimuli or in
studies of sleep-wake cycles. Both the Rat and Mouse Telemetry Systems allow recording of
EEG from animals living in their home cages free from the stress and restriction of using
tethers.Below is an example of EEG recorded in a rat using the TR50BB telemeter with
simultaneous nuchal EMG recordings in a study of the sleep-wake cycle.

In addition to EMG, it is possible to record EEG in conjunction with brain oxygen (TR50B +
TR57Y) or intracranial pressure (TRM54PB) using the Rat Telemetry System.
What Is EMG (Electromyography) and How Does It Work?

EMG (electromyography) records the movement of our muscles. It is based on the simple fact
that whenever a muscle contracts, a burst of electric activity is generated which propagates
through adjacent tissue and bone and can be recorded from neighboring skin areas.

Electromyography (EMG) is an electrodiagnostic medicine technique for evaluating and

recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. EMG is performed using an
instrument called an electromyograph to produce a record called an electromyogram. An
electromyograph detects the electric potential generated by muscle cells when these cells are
electrically or neurologically activated. The signals can be analyzed to detect medical
abnormalities, activation level, or recruitment order, or to analyze the biomechanics of human
or animal movement.

How do muscles move?

The process of course begins in the brain. Triggering muscle movements begins in the motor
cortex, where neural activity (a series of action potentials) signals to the spinal cord, and the
information about the movement is conveyed to the relevant muscle via motor neurons [1].
This begins with upper motor neurons, that carry the signal to lower motor neurons.

The lower motor neurons are the actual instigators of muscle movement, as they innervate the
muscle directly at the neuromuscular junction. This innervation causes the release of Calcium
ions within the muscle, ultimately creating a mechanical change in the tension of the muscle
[1, 2]. As this process involves depolarization (a change in the electrochemical gradient), the
difference in current can be detected by EMG.

What information does EMG provide?

As EMG activity (measured in microvolts) is linearly related to the amount of muscle

contraction as well as the number of contracted muscles – or in other words, the stronger the
muscle contraction and the higher the number of activated muscles, the higher the recorded
voltage amplitude will be.

As EMG activity is even measurable when we do not display obvious actions or even inhibit
certain behaviours, EMG recordings represent an additional source of information into
cognitive-behavioural processing which would be hidden based on pure observation.

While EMG is clearly helpful in understanding how people move, the use of fEMG (facial
electromyography, in which EMG signals are recorded from the muscles of the face), can also
provide information about facial expressions.

How to get started with EMG

 Use surface electrodes

o Surface EMG is a completely non-invasive technology that allows you to easily
place EMG electrodes with stickers to the skin.
 o As these electrodes are non-invasive, EMG is an ideal method for monitoring
physiological processes without interfering established routines and movement
patterns.
o In order to obtain high-quality data, keep in mind to always clean the recording
sites and remove makeup using alcohol rubs.

 Place EMG electrodes over muscle groups of interest

o Admittedly, this requires a certain level of anatomic knowledge. Only if you
know the muscle regimes involved in a specific action you will be able to get
valid and reliable signals.
o Facial EMG recordings, for example, are complicated by the fact that there are
43 muscles in the face. Most of these are controlled by the seventh cranial nerve
(the “facial nerve”), which routes from the cerebral cortex to five primary
branches (temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular and cervical).
o Each branch innervates muscles in different face areas, allowing for intricate
facial twists and contortions.

 Select an appropriate reference site

o EMG data is collected as the voltage difference between recording site and
reference site, therefore selecting an appropriate reference site is as important
as the actual recording site.
o We recommend placing EMG reference channels at bony body parts such as an
elbow, hip or collar bones.
 Use short electrode cables/leads
o In order to minimize the amount of electrical noise picked up from surrounding
power sources, keep the length of the cables that connect the recording
electrodes with the amplifier/recording device as short as possible.
o

ECG

The P wave looks at the atria. The QRS complex looks at the ventricles and the T wave
evaluates the recovery stage of the ventricles while they are refilling with blood.

The time it takes for electricity to travel from the SA node to the AV node is measured by the
PR interval. The QRS interval measures electrical travel time through the ventricles and the
QT interval measures how long it takes for the ventricles to recover and prepare to beat again.

Basic P-QRS-T wave sequence: Strip shows a simple sequence where M equals 1.0 millivolts.

The computers imbedded in most ECG machines are able to measure the time it takes for the
electrical impulse to travel from the SA node to the ventricles. These measurements can help
the doctor assess heart rate and some types of heart block.
As the heart undergoes depolarization and repolarization, the electrical currents that are
generated spread not only within the heart, but also throughout the body. This electrical activity
generated by the heart can be measured by an array of electrodes placed on the body surface.
The recorded tracing is called an electrocardiogram (ECG, or EKG). A "typical" ECG tracing
is shown to the right. The different waves that comprise the ECG represent the sequence of
depolarization and repolarization of the atria and ventricles. The ECG is recorded at a speed of
25 mm/sec (5 large squares/sec), and the voltages are calibrated so that 1 mV = 10 mm (2 large
squares) in the vertical direction. Therefore, each small 1-mm square represents 0.04 sec (40
msec) in time and 0.10 mV in voltage. Because the recording speed is standardized, one can
calculate the heart rate from the intervals between different waves.
P wave (atrial depolarization)

The P wave represents the wave of depolarization that spreads from the SA node throughout
the atria, and is usually 0.08 to 0.10 seconds (80-100 ms) in duration. The brief isoelectric (zero
voltage) period after the P wave represents the time in which the impulse is traveling within
the AV node (where the conduction velocity is greatly retarded) and the bundle of His. Atrial
rate can be calculated by determining the time interval between P waves. Click here to see how
atrial rate is calculated.

The period of time from the onset of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex is termed
the P-R interval, which normally ranges from 0.12 to 0.20 seconds in duration. This interval
represents the time between the onset of atrial depolarization and the onset of ventricular
depolarization. If the P-R interval is >0.20 sec, there is an AV conduction block, which is called
a first-degree heart block if each impulse from the atria is still able to be conducted into the
ventricles.

QRS complex (ventricular depolarization)

The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization. Ventricular rate can be calculated by
determining the time interval between QRS complexes. Click here to see how ventricular rate
is calculated.

The duration of the QRS complex is normally 0.06 to 0.10 seconds. This relatively short
duration indicates that ventricular depolarization
normally occurs very rapidly. If the QRS complex is
prolonged (> 0.10 sec), conduction is impaired
within the ventricles. This can occur with bundle
branch blocks or whenever a ventricular foci
(abnormal pacemaker site) becomes the pacemaker
driving the ventricle. Such an ectopic foci nearly
always results in impulses being conducted over
slower pathways within the heart, thereby increasing
the time for depolarization and the duration of the
QRS complex.

The shape of the QRS complex in the above figure is idealized. In fact, the shape changes
depending on which recording electrodes are being used. The shape also changes when there
is abnormal conduction of electrical impulses within the ventricles. The figure to the right
summarizes the nomenclature used to define the different components of the QRS complex as
may occur in different ECG recording leads and/or with abnormal conduction within the
ventricles.

ST segment

The isoelectric period (ST segment) following the QRS and ending at the beginning of the
Twave is the time at which both ventricles are completely depolarized. This segment roughly
corresponds to the plateau phase of the ventricular action potentials. The ST segment is very
important in the diagnosis of ventricular ischemia or hypoxia because under those conditions,
the ST segment can become either depressed or elevated.
T and U waves

The T wave represents ventricular repolarization.

Generally, the T wave exhibits a positive deflection. The
reason for this is that the last cells to depolarize in the
ventricles are the first to repolarize. This occurs because
the last cells to depolarize are located in the subepicardial
region of the ventricles and these cells have shorter action
potentials than found in the subendocardial regions of the
ventricular wall. So, although the depolarization of the
subepicardial cells occurs after the subendocardial cells,
the subepicardial cells undergo phase 3 repolarization
before the subendocardial cells. Therefore, repolarization
waves generally are oriented opposite of depolarization
waves (green versus red arrows in figure), and
repolarization waves moving away from a postive
recording electrode produce a positive voltage.

The T wave is longer in duration than the QRS complex that represents depolarization. The
longer duration occurs because conduction of the repolarization wave is slower than the wave
of depolarization. The reason for this is that the repolarization wave does not utilize the high-
velocity bundle branch and purkinje system, and therefore primarily relies on cell-to-cell
conduction.

Sometimes a small positive U wave may be seen following the T wave (not shown in figure at
top of page). This wave represents the last remnants of ventricular repolarization. Inverted T
waves or prominent U waves indicates underlying pathology or conditions affecting
repolarization.

Q-T interval

The Q-T interval represents the time for both ventricular depolarization and repolarization to
occur, and therefore roughly estimates the duration of an average ventricular action potential.
This interval can range from 0.20 to 0.40 seconds depending upon heart rate. At high heart
rates, ventricular action potentials shorten in duration, which decreases the Q-T interval.
Because prolonged Q-T intervals can be diagnostic for susceptibility to certain types of
tachyarrhythmias, it is important to determine if a given Q-T interval is excessively long. In
practice, the Q-T interval is expressed as a "corrected Q-T (QTc)" by taking the Q-T interval
and dividing it by the square root of the R-R interval (interval between ventricular
depolarizations). This allows an assessment of the Q-T interval that is independent of heart
rate. Normal corrected Q-Tc intervals are 0.44 seconds or less.

There is no distinctly visible wave representing atrial repolarization in the ECG because it
occurs during ventricular depolarization. Because the wave of atrial repolarization is relatively
small in amplitude (i.e., has low voltage), it is masked by the much larger ventricular-generated
QRS complex.
EEG

Electroencephalography (EEG) is an electrophysiological monitoring method to record electrical

activity of the brain. It is typically noninvasive, with the electrodes placed along the scalp, although
invasive electrodes are sometimes used such as in electrocorticography. EEG measures voltage
fluctuations resulting from ionic current within the neurons of the brain.[1] In clinical contexts, EEG
refers to the recording of the brain's spontaneous electrical activity over a period of time, [1] as
recorded from multiple electrodes placed on the scalp. Diagnostic applications generally focus either
on event-related potentials or on the spectral content of EEG. The former investigates potential
fluctuations time locked to an event like stimulus onset or button press. The latter analyses the type
of neural oscillations (popularly called "brain waves") that can be observed in EEG signals in the
frequency domain.

The resting membrane potential of a neuron is about -70 mV (mV=millivolt) - this means that the
inside of the neuron is 70 mV less than the outside. At rest, there are relatively more sodium ions
outside the neuron and more potassium ions inside that neuron.

Delta waves

Theta waves

Alpha waves

Beta waves

Gamma waves

1. Delta is the frequency range up to 4 Hz. It tends to be the highest in amplitude and the
slowest waves
2. Theta is the frequency range from 4 Hz to 7 Hz. Theta is seen normally in young children
3. Alpha is the frequency range from 7 Hz to 13 Hz
4. Beta is the frequency range from 14 Hz to about 30 Hz. It is seen usually on both sides in
symmetrical distribution
5. Gamma is the frequency range approximately 30–100 Hz.
XRay Machine

The heart of an X-ray machine is an electrode pair -- a cathode and an anode -- that sits
inside a glass vacuum tube. The cathode is a heated filament, like you might find in an
older fluorescent lamp. The machine passes current through the filament, heating it up. The
heat sputters electrons off of the filament surface. The positively-charged anode, a flat disc
made of tungsten, draws the electrons across the tube.

The voltage difference between the cathode and anode is extremely high, so the electrons fly
through the tube with a great deal of force. When a speeding electron collides with a tungsten
atom, it knocks loose an electron in one of the atom's lower orbitals. An electron in a higher
orbital immediately falls to the lower energy level, releasing its extra energy in the form of a
photon. It's a big drop, so the photon has a high energy level -- it is an X-ray photon.

The free electron collides with the tungsten atom, knocking an electron out of a lower orbital. A
higher orbital electron fills the empty position, releasing its excess energy as a photon.

Free electrons can also generate photons without hitting an atom. An atom's nucleus may
attract a speeding electron just enough to alter its course. Like a comet whipping around the
sun, the electron slows down and changes direction as it speeds past the atom. This "braking"
action causes the electron to emit excess energy in the form of an X-ray photon.
 The free electron is attracted to the tungsten atom nucleus. As the electron speeds past, the
nucleus alters its course. The electron loses energy, which it releases as an X-ray photon.

Contrast Media
In a normal X-ray picture, most soft tissue doesn't show up clearly. To focus in on organs, or to examine
the blood vessels that make up the circulatory system, doctors must introduce contrast media into the
body.
Contrast media are liquids that absorb X-rays more effectively than the surrounding tissue. To bring
organs in the digestive and endocrine systems into focus, a patient will swallow a contrast media
mixture, typically a barium compound. If the doctors want to examine blood vessels or other elements
in the circulatory system, they will inject contrast media into the patient's bloodstream.

Contrast media are often used in conjunction with a fluoroscope. In fluoroscopy, the X-rays pass
through the body onto a fluorescent screen, creating a moving X-ray image. Doctors may use
fluoroscopy to trace the passage of contrast media through the body. Doctors can also record the
moving X-ray images on film or video.

The high-impact collisions involved in X-ray production generate a lot of heat. A motor rotates the
anode to keep it from melting (the electron beam isn't always focused on the same area). A cool oil bath
surrounding the envelope also absorbs heat.

The entire mechanism is surrounded by a thick lead shield. This keeps the X-rays from escaping in all
directions. A small window in the shield lets some of the X-ray photons escape in a narrow beam. The
beam passes through a series of filters on its way to the patient.

A camera on the other side of the patient records the pattern of X-ray light that passes all the way
through the patient's body. The X-ray camera uses the same film technology as an ordinary camera, but
X-ray light sets off the chemical reaction instead of visible light. (See How Photographic Film Works
to learn about this process.)

Generally, doctors keep the film image as a negative. That is, the areas that are exposed to more light
appear darker and the areas that are exposed to less light appear lighter. Hard material, such as bone,
appears white, and softer material appears black or gray. Doctors can bring different materials into focus
by varying the intensity of the X-ray beam.
Pacemaker

Healthy adults have normal resting heart rates of 60 to 100 beats per minute, and any change to that rate
-- everything from beating too fast, too slow or even irregularly -- may indicate a medical problem.
When it's an ongoing problem it could mean faulty electrical signaling within the heart.

We're all born with a 'pacemaker'. It's called the sinoatrial node (SA node), a small area at the top of the
right atrium (upper chamber) of the heart. The SA node automatically generates an electrical signal that
causes the upper chambers of the heart to contract. This signal begins in the SA node and travels to the
atrioventricular node (AV node, which is also the SA node's back-up). The AV node acts like a relay
station for the signal, slows down the electrical signal as it moves on to the lower chambers of the heart,
while the atria contracts. With each contraction blood is pumped through the body.

In some people, the heart's electrical system -- called the cardiac conduction system -- misfires. A
pacemaker is often able to correct and regulate the problem. One of the most common reasons for
needing a pacemaker is a condition called sick sinus syndrome, where the heart's SA node becomes
diseased and is unable to keep the heart beating fast enough.

The Pacemaker

A pacemaker is an electronic device used to prevent a heart from beating abnormally. It's a generator
made up of a battery and computer circuitry housed in a metal casing. The casing is implanted under
the skin in the upper chest or shoulder region. Pacemaker wires are threaded through the veins of the
shoulder and guided into the heart with the help of X-rays. Once the wires are positioned in the heart
they are hooked up to the generator.

The first permanent pacemaker implant happened in 1958. Today there are three basic types of
pacemakers:

 Single-chamber pacemakers, which carry electrical pulses from the generator to the right
ventricle of the heart.
 Dual-chamber pacemakers, which carry electrical pulses from the generator to both the right
ventricle and right atrium of the heart. Dual-chamber devices coordinate the timing of the right
ventricle and right atrium contractions.
 Biventricular pacemakers add a third piece to the system. These devices, called cardiac
resynchronization therapy (CRT), deliver electrical pulses from the generator to the right
atrium, right ventricle and to the left ventricle as well.

There are two main types of pacemaker programming: demand and rate-responsive. A demand
pacemaker is designed to sense when the heart needs assistance by measuring each heartbeat and firing
when the heartbeat becomes too slow or misses a beat. Rate-responsive pacemakers adjust heart rates
depending on the patient's level of activity. They measure the SA node rate but also breathing, blood
temperature and other factors.

Today's permanent pacemakers last at least 6 to 10 years depending on how frequently the device has
to work. Every time a pacemaker is triggered it drains its battery. Occasionally a temporary pacemaker
is used, usually during a patient's recovery from a heart attack or during an emergency situation to
immediately speed up a slow heart rate. Temporary pacemakers are similar to permanent types except
they aren't usually implanted in the body.