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BrainAmp MR Operating and Reference Manual for use in MR environment | Version 019 | September 29, 2016
Chapter 1 Installation instructions for the conduct of combined EEG-
fMRI measurements
This chapter describes the installation steps that are required if you only want to perform com-
bined EEG-fMRI measurements. These mainly relate to the establishment of the interfaces to
the scanner. On the one hand, these interfaces synchronize the systems using the SyncBox
and, on the other, serve to allow simultaneous recording of volume triggers provided by the
scanner.
You will find a detailed description of the additional installation steps that have to be per-
formed in order to be able to operate the amplifier system in the BrainAmp Operating and Ref-
erence Manual for use in laboratory environment. (This also indicates the installation
procedure to be followed if you only want to use your MR amplifier under laboratory condi-
tions.) This is available for download from our web site at http://www.brainproducts.com/
downloads.php.
The amplifiers are operated using the BrainVision Recorder recording software. Make sure that
the most recent version of the Recorder is installed on your computer. If you need it, the most
recent version can be downloaded from our web site under the link http://www.brainprod-
ucts.com/downloads.php.
You will find information on
the software configuration for
the SyncBox in the Recorder
User Manual.
The technical data for the
SyncBox can be found in the
BrainAmp Operating and Ref-
erence Manual for use in lab-
oratory environment.
1.1 Synchronizing the systems using the SyncBox
The SyncBox is used in order to synchronize the sampling rate of the amplifier with the scanner
clock system. The aim is to achieve phase synchronicity between the two clock systems. Only
in this way is it subsequently possible to achieve optimum correction of the artifacts in the EEG
data that are caused by the scanner.
The SyncBox system comprises the SyncBox Main Unit (see Figure 1-5 on page 21) and the Syn-
cBox Scanner Interface (interface between the Main Unit and the MR scanner, see Figure 1-2 on
page 20).
The SyncBox Scanner Interface directly receives pulses coming from the scanner's gradient
clock board. It is equipped with two BNC connector plugs. (Siemens scanners do not use BNC
connectors and require a special adapter that is supplied with the SyncBox.)
The SyncBox system is not suitable for use in an MR environment. You must therefore
always use the SyncBox Main Unit and the SyncBox Scanner Interface outside the scan-
ner room.
Always route the cables to the SyncBox Main Unit and the SyncBox Scanner Interface outside
the scanner room.
A physical connection must be established between the SyncBox Scanner Interface and a suit-
able clock signal output from the scanner in order to use the SyncBox.