# 388: Brains Generate EMF

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2021-09-30
- Length: 1h 01m
- Episode: 388
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/388

## Summary

Alan Cohen, author of 'Prototype to Product' and medical device consultant, discusses the development of VolksEEG, an open-source electroencephalogram (EEG) designed for research and eventual clinical use. He details the hardware architecture, including the Texas Instruments ADS1299 chip and the Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Sense, and explains the regulatory strategy of targeting an Institutional Review Board (IRB) clearance before pursuing FDA certification. Cohen also addresses the challenges of open-source licensing, supply chain shortages, and the specific engineering constraints of building safe, low-amplitude signal acquisition systems.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [1:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf#t=73) VolksEEG Project Goals and Clinical Context
- [5:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf#t=342) EEG Signal Physics and Sensor Requirements
- [10:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf#t=602) FDA Regulatory Strategy and Cost Estimates
- [18:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf#t=1084) Hardware Architecture and Component Selection
- [30:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf#t=1811) Firmware Language Debate: Arduino vs. C++
- [46:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf#t=2787) Open Source Licensing and IP Protection
- [55:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf#t=3338) Medical Device Development Challenges and Volunteers

## Topics

- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- VolksEEG (product)
- Texas Instruments (company)
- ADS1299 (chip)
- Adafruit (company)
- Feather nRF52840 Sense (product)
- Helpful Engineering (company)
- RespiraWorks (company)
- Mass General Brigham (company)
- Arduino (tool)
- MicroPython (tool)
- C# (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Jean Rintoul](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-24-an-interview-with-jean-rintoul) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Zach Fredin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-06-an-interview-with-zach-fredin) (The Amp Hour)
- [Chairs, Sparks and Devices - Optional Olent Obreption](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption) (The Amp Hour)
- [Someone is watching...we think - Horme Hostility Hypochondriac](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-02-26-someone-is-watching-we-think-horme-hostility-hypochondriac) (The Amp Hour)
- [AD620, DesignSpark, Instrumentation Amplifier - The Rant Rhetorical](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-03-15-ad620-designspark-instrumentation-amplifier-the-rant-rhetorical) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-09-30-388-brains-generate-emf. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.