3.4 Post-Reading and Exercises

|

87

Biosignals

mechanic

acoustic

electro-

magnetic

chemical

optical

thermal

movement

facial ex-

pression

gesture

blood

pressure

language

body sounds

heart sounds

- PKG

flow noises

eye - EOG

brain - EEG,

EMG, fMRT

muscle - EMG

heart - EKG,

MKG

skin - EDA

ph-Wert

concentration

taste

smell

skin colouring

Biophotonen

body tem-

perature

Fig. 3.34: Taxonomy of biosignals.

therapy, real-time analysis in the clinical environment and basic research in addition

to functional analysis.

Screening attempts to identify diseases in large parts of the population at an early

stage by using methods of biosignal processing through a functional analysis, e.g.

measuring the electrical activity of the heart, in order to be able to take therapeutic

measures at an early stage. In real-time analysis, data streams generated during clin-

ical monitoring of intensive care patients are analysed online for crisis intervention,

for example, to trigger an alarm. Basic research is more concerned with the modelling

and simulation of measured variables such as blood pressure or the emergence and

propagation of action potentials in cells and nerve conduits. The methods required

for evaluation are presented in chapter 5 and deepened in selected applications in

chapter 6. The application of mathematical models of physiological processes in the

development of novel evaluation algorithms is steadily increasing in importance. An

introduction to simulation methods has already been given in section 3.2 on the basis

of the development of action potentials and autonomic heart activity.

3.4 Post-Reading and Exercises

Physiology and Electrical Activity of Nerve and Muscle Cells

1.

Describe possible diagnostic scenarios using an example from neurology. What

conclusions can the neurologist draw, for example, about the transmission of

stimuli?

2.

What special properties do phospholipids have? How do they manifest themselves

in aqueous solution? Describe the formation of a cell membrane and explain the

term "self-organisation".