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Electrical signals
Current Anaesthesia and Critical Care
(1998) 9, 105
© 1998 HarcourtBrace & Co. Ltd
Editorial
Electrical signals
Electricity is central to our everyday lifestyles. A plethora of electrically operated gadgets exists to make life easier, from phones and computers to washing machines and cars. The human body also makes extensive use of electricity for communication, signalling and the activation of various processes. Many of these signals can be detected, recorded, analysed and, in some cases, modified. They can be used in diagnosis, treatment, or as research tools. This issue focuses on some of those signals and processes. The first article examines the generation of the electrical signal from nerves and muscles, and how it may be used clinically. The second article follows logically on and seeks to examine some of the more complex processing techniques that can be used in order to extend our knowledge. Signal processing and analysis is almost a science in itself, so this article confines itself to the simpler areas of this extensive subject.
The third and fourth articles examine aspects of electrical activity within the brain. The EEG is the basic currency of activity within the brain, although its measurement and analysis are extremely complex. Changes owing to anaesthesia are difficult to follow, although probably represent the ultimate in brain activity monitoring during anaesthesia. Auditory evoked responses have been developed as a possible means of measuring brain activity during anaesthesia and the fourth article explores this interesting field. Many other electrical signals and processes exist within the body, e.g. in the heart, and other areas of the nervous system. It has, unfortunately, not been possible to be fully comprehensive and include all of them. They have, however, either been covered in previous issues or are scheduled to be visited in the future.
Brian J. Pollard, Departmentof Anaesthesia, The Universityof Manchester, ManchesterRoyalInfirmary,OxfordRoad, Manchester M13 9 WL, UK 105
(1998) 9, 105
© 1998 HarcourtBrace & Co. Ltd
Editorial
Electrical signals
Electricity is central to our everyday lifestyles. A plethora of electrically operated gadgets exists to make life easier, from phones and computers to washing machines and cars. The human body also makes extensive use of electricity for communication, signalling and the activation of various processes. Many of these signals can be detected, recorded, analysed and, in some cases, modified. They can be used in diagnosis, treatment, or as research tools. This issue focuses on some of those signals and processes. The first article examines the generation of the electrical signal from nerves and muscles, and how it may be used clinically. The second article follows logically on and seeks to examine some of the more complex processing techniques that can be used in order to extend our knowledge. Signal processing and analysis is almost a science in itself, so this article confines itself to the simpler areas of this extensive subject.
The third and fourth articles examine aspects of electrical activity within the brain. The EEG is the basic currency of activity within the brain, although its measurement and analysis are extremely complex. Changes owing to anaesthesia are difficult to follow, although probably represent the ultimate in brain activity monitoring during anaesthesia. Auditory evoked responses have been developed as a possible means of measuring brain activity during anaesthesia and the fourth article explores this interesting field. Many other electrical signals and processes exist within the body, e.g. in the heart, and other areas of the nervous system. It has, unfortunately, not been possible to be fully comprehensive and include all of them. They have, however, either been covered in previous issues or are scheduled to be visited in the future.
Brian J. Pollard, Departmentof Anaesthesia, The Universityof Manchester, ManchesterRoyalInfirmary,OxfordRoad, Manchester M13 9 WL, UK 105