An electronic device for accurate quantification of neuronal mass activity based on a digital integration method.

Quantification of different kinds of neuronal mass activity was performed using an integrative method. For this purpose an electronic device was designed and constructed which is based on a fully digital approach. High precision of the method and an easy way to interface with a digital computer are the advantages of this strategy when compared to other techniques. Performance of quantification and the possibility of the universal use of the device are demonstrated by two examples. (1) Quantitative analysis of whole nerve bundle activity is demonstrated in the case of phrenic nerve mass activity. (2) The usefulness of the digital integrator is further verified in quantification of theta waves of the human EEG as a rather different field of application. In addition, the device is valuable as a tool for the analysis of EMGs. The described digital integrator has many advantages compared to conventional analog integrators, such as autorange feature, very high dynamic range, excellent long-term stability, in principle unlimited integration times and interface capability to a digital computer; it avoids all problems associated with the application of high-impedance integrator operational amplifiers.