Automated EEG analysis with microcomputers.

The application of microcomputers for the detection of individual waveforms in the electroencephalogram is described. The waveform detection, which is completely implemented in a microcomputer, consists of filtering the EEG, determining the time between zero-crossing of each wave, measuring the amplitude of each wave, and then determining if the individual waves occur with a specified pattern. The method provides for the detection and quantification of the waveforms normally occurring in the sleep EEG and in petit mal epilepsy. The same algorithm is used for all waveforms, except that the filter, wave, and criteria are changed. The microcomputer can also be used to obtain a quantitative description of the individual waveforms.