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View Full Version : "Measure Biosignals Reliably In The Himalayas"


Brad Adrian
03-11-2004, 12:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.gtec.at/products/g.MOBIlab/gMOBIlab.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.gtec.at/products/g.MOBIlab/gMOBIlab.htm</a><br /><br /></div>Every now and then, you see a news headline or product tagline that just makes you go "Huh?!?" That was exactly my reaction when I first saw this description of a way to use Pocket PCs to gather biosignals (brain wave activity) while climbing the highest mountains on Earth.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/gmobilab.jpg" /><br /><br />"g.MOBIlab is g.tec's portable biosignal acquisition and analysis system. It is the perfect tool for recording multimodal biosignal data on a standard Pocket PC. This allows investigation of brain-, heart-, muscle-activity, eye movement, respiration, galvanic skin response and other body signals."<br /><br />Apparently, there is some huge, untapped Nepalese multimodal biosignal recording market that I've been unaware of, because the <a href="http://www.gtec.at/index.htm">g-MOBilab Web site</a> goes on the describe a <a href="http://www.gtec.at/news/HighestBCI.htm">Himalayan expedition</a> in which a Pocket PC was used to gather biosignal data at climbing altitudes of up to <b><i>5600 meters</i></b> (Yes, I double-checked that number!). That's about 18,000 feet American! I mean, do they even have AIR at that altitude?!?<br /><br />On a more serious side, I do think it's pretty neat seeing the new ways that people are finding to put Pocket PCs to work. A lot of the applications on the gMOBilab site are actually pretty cool, like systems that link GPS data to the biosignal data. I guess that way, the next time I'm in the Himalayas you could tell exactly where I was when I collapsed from lack of oxygen.

jizmo
03-11-2004, 02:10 PM
This allows investigation of brain-, heart-, muscle-activity, eye movement, respiration, galvanic skin response and other body signals.

All this - plus it looks stylish on you?

:lol:

/jizmo

Paul Martin
03-11-2004, 02:12 PM
The question I would ask is would it be light enough? I know that high-altitude climbers are careful to the ounce. Not a climber myself, but I've been an interested reader of accounts of those who do. My only thought would be that either a) it's an effort to objectively monitor the real-time health of a climber, perhaps saving lives or b) useful for study of the humban body's reaction to a high-altitude climate.

I wonder how these results might be helpful for future medical programs for those either deprived of oxygen, brain trauma, etc. Coming to an ER near you..... :D

That being said, it ultimate lies in the category.... WBIC!

Brad Adrian
03-11-2004, 02:18 PM
All this - plus it looks stylish on you?
Can you see me wearing this AND my eVEST?

jizmo
03-11-2004, 02:21 PM
Can you see me wearing this AND my eVEST?

Actually .. I could :D

/jizmo

ctmagnus
03-11-2004, 10:22 PM
I'd love to see this improve to the point that the helmet is much more discreet and the other equipment is smaller, or even integrated with Bluetooth. Imagine measuring a hockey player's biosignal data immediately before s/he gives/recieves a bodycheck that gets him/her a three week suspension/recovery.

Another scenario: having an EEG or similar test done, when all the recipient wears is a simple helmet with no wires attached. Scenarios like this would make patients feel much more comfortable about having this type of exam performed.