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training service packages
Silverline Research offers the most innovative and dedicated research training support for integrating tES, fNIRS and EEG
Whether you are interested in developing advanced level closed-loop tES projects or just want to setup fNIRS and/or EEG experiments, Silverline offers 2 levels of training support packages to help you through the difficult research and development decision making processes:
Standard Training Package (20hrs research support)
Research training support provided by Silverline Research will include training to help setup the tES, fNIRS, EEG cap integration and software synchronization for any compatible tES, EEG, and fNIRS system, including remote access to the OptEStim training platform for demonstrations of advanced level fNIRS/EEG online analysis and closed loop tES protocols. Specific advice/training on fNIRS, EEG and tES experimental setup, design and analysis methods provided upon request. The 20hrs of research support includes face-to-face online meetings of 1-2hr duration each plus any additional time allocated to perform research and interpretation services of designs and data outside the allocated online meetings.
Premium Training Package (40hrs research support)
The Premium Package will include the same research training support services as the Standard Service Package with an additional 20hrs of dedicated research training support for more demanding projects and to support research teams over the duration of a research project. Collaboration options are also possible on reasonable request for additional research support time.
Details of the Service Packages:
Silverline Research works with you initially via email and then via online videoconferencing platforms such as Skype, Zoom or Teamviewer (or any other choice) to determine your research and equipment, and software needs.
tES-fNIRS/EEG cap configuration: Silverline Research will help develop an optimal single cap tES/EEG-fNIRS layout for your experiments taking into consideration the spatial and physiological constraints of adding fNIRS optodes onto a standard EEG-tES montage. Furthermore, advice will be provided to optimise a tES/fNIRS-EEG montage based on the type of tES electrodes, whether convention large rubber/sponge or high density type electrodes.
Silverline has expertise in synchronization of different EEG and fNIRS systems through lab streaming layer (LSL) protocol that provides time stamped tES, fNIRS and EEG events on independent device software. LSL timestamped events allow independent analysis of the EEG and fNIRS data through standard open-source analysis packages (EEGlab and Homer3, respectively) with corresponding time stamped event markers.
Based on the specific Service Package time allocation, tES experimental setup/design and fNIRS/EEG analysis methods (eg., EEG-EEGlab and fNIRS-Homer3) training/support will be provided through 1-2hr online training sessions.
For advanced level tES-fNIRS/EEG experimental designs, the OptEStim platform will be used to train and test the simultaneous fNIRS and EEG experiments with/without tES. Details of OptEStim software platform are provide in the following section.
OptEStim is a cross-platform advanced level software application for real-time analytics and closed-loop tES using EEG and fNIRS
Real-time EEG-fNIRS monitoring and analytics
OptEStim platform offers advanced software-level capabilities for brain-state determination on an easy-to-use graphical user interface that allows real-time monitoring and analysis of EEG and fNIRS metrics using the streaming feature (e.g. EEG-Alpha peak, COG and fNIRS-O2Hbmean), including heart rate (HR) and variability (HRV) from fNIRS signals.
Closed-Loop control of tES with EEG-fNIRS
OptEStim platform provides different open-loop (i.e., standard tES protocols) and closed-loop (Entrainment and Conditional programs included) programs to run experiments using the Starstim tES parameters (tDCS, tACS, tRNS and hybrid tDCS/tACS/tRNS) using EEG and/or fNIRS metrics as user-defined thresholds to close the loop. The Entrainment closed-loop program allows the user to define the EEG metric (e.g., initial Alpha peak power) to close the loop; while the Conditional closed-loop program allows both EEG (e.g., Alpha COG, Gamma peak power) and fNIRS (Mean O2Hb, HHb, HR, HRV) metrics to set the threshold for tES.
Quickly learn advanced level tES-fNIRS/EEG experimental designs
This OptEStim platform offers the simplest and quickest way to get started on leading advanced brain state monitoring and closed-loop experiments without the demanding software development and training times. Therefore enabling faster tES protocol development and pilot testing of protocols for further research and clinical projects. Bespoke closed-loop programs can be developed for your specific research needs.
OptEStim software (Beta) provides:
Synchronous tracking of brain activity (EEG) and hemodynamics (fNIRS)
instant visualizations of EEG-fNIRS analytics
Open-loop, Entrainment and Conditional closed-loop programs
Results of session as raw and detailed EEG and fNIRS analytics of all channels are provided in csv format
OptEStim is currently in Beta mode, which is provided as a service of the Silverline Training packages. OptEStim is currently configured with the Starstim fNIRS system. Requests for demonstration of the OptEStim software with the Starstim fNIRS system are provided by our partner Artinis Medical Systems
Silverline Research also offers a collaboration option to integrate OptEStim into a prospective closed-loop research project
The Starstim fNIRS system is a research and clinical grade tES-EEG-fNIRS system that allows for wearable and wireless neurostimulation (tES) experiments concurrently monitored by two independent non-invasive brain monitoring technologies (EEG/fNIRS).
This Starstim fNIRS Integration incorporates the multi-channel Neuroelectrics tES/EEG (Starstim) and Artinis Medical Systems fNIRS (Octamon/Brite) systems in one single headcap with Silverline Research providing integration training support on developing the cap layout and software synchronization, including a dedicated research support service to train researchers to get their project up and running efficiently from equipement installation to experimental setup/design and analysis/pulication of results.
Silverline Research provides a dedicated training package for the Starstim fNIRS integration, which is an included add-on when purchasing a Starstim fNIRS system through our partner Artinis Medical Systems
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