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. 2023 Feb;146(1):79-91.
doi: 10.1007/s10633-022-09911-w. Epub 2022 Nov 27.

VEP examination with new portable device

Miroslav Kuba  1 , Jan Kremláček  2 , František Vít  2 , Zuzana Kubová  2 , Jana Langrová  2 , Jana Szanyi  2 , Marie Chutná  2
Affiliations

VEP examination with new portable device

Miroslav Kuba et al. Doc Ophthalmol. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: We developed a new portable device called "VEPpeak" for the examination of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to extend VEP examination beyond specialized electrophysiological laboratories and to simplify the use of this objective, noninvasive, and low-cost method for diagnostics of visual and central nervous system dysfunctions.

Methods: VEPpeak consists of a plastic headset with a total weight of 390 g containing four EEG amplifiers, an A/D converter, a control unit, and a visual LED stimulator built in the front, vertically adjustable peak. The device is powered and controlled via USB connection from a standard PC/notebook using custom software for visual stimuli generation and for VEP recording and processing. Up to four electrodes can be placed at any scalp location or in combination with two dry electrodes incorporated into the headset. External visual stimulators, such as a tablet, can be used with synchronization. Feasibility and validation studies were conducted with 86 healthy subjects and 76 neuro-ophthalmological patients including 67 who were during the same session also tested with a conventional VEP system.

Results: VEPpeak recordings to standard (pattern-reversal) and non-standard (motion-onset, red-green alternation) were robust and repeatable and obtained also in immobilized patients. Good comparability of results was achieved between VEPpeak and standard examination. Some systematic differences in peak latencies and amplitudes are consistent with differences in stimulus characteristics of the two compared systems.

Discussion: VEPpeak provides an inexpensive system for clinical use requiring portability. In addition to ISCEV standard VEP protocols, free choice of stimuli and bio-signal recordings make the device universal for many electrophysiological purposes.

Keywords: Cognitive ERP; Motion-onset; Pattern-reversal; VEP diagnostics; VEP portable device; VEPpeak.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or nonfinancial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge, or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Left—the latest version of the portable VEPpeak device with accessories (control notebook and external stimulator tablet). Right—detailed view on the built-in LED stimulator and two pre-frontal dry recording electrodes (circular targets)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Arrangement of VEP examination with the built-in LED stimulator (left) and in an immobilized patient (right) with the use of the external stimulator in the adjustable holder
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Comparison of the efficiency of central and peripheral motion-onset stimulations in top-two pre-frontal leads and bottom-two parieto-occipital leads Central stimulation activates mainly the occipital and parietal cortex, the stimulation in the lower periphery (outside the central 20°) provides the largest amplitudes at both pre-frontal electrodes
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Display of average pattern-reversal VEP from the 20 single responses Oz-A1 lead has the dominant positivity at 110 ms and inter-peak amplitudes of 16 and 15 µV. In the right part of the screen, VEP recording settings are available
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Example of overlapping VEPs for intra-/inter-individual comparisons Twice-repeated monocular VEPs are displayed (left eye in green/gray, right eye in blue). The shape of pattern-reversal and red-green alternation VEPs is similar, with slightly longer latencies in red-green VEP. Pattern-reversal has here a detectable response (negativity) in pre-frontal electrodes (upper two)
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Correlation between pattern-reversal VEP latencies from standard laboratory examination and VEPpeak in 94 eyes of neuro-ophthalmological patients
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