Richard Pflanzer, Ph.D.

Biopac Student Lab® Lesson 10 Associate Professor Emeritus

Indiana University School of Medicine
ELECTROOCULOGRAM (EOG) I Purdue University School of Science
42 Aero Camino, Goleta, CA 93117
Procedure
Rev. 12292017 William McMullen
www.biopac.com Vice President, BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

II. EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVES

1) Record EOG and compare eye movements during real and simulated tracking of a pendulum.
2) Record EOG and compare eye movements during real and during simulated tracking of an object in the vertical
plane.
3) Record and compare the “saccadic” eye movements when reading three different ways; silently (easy,) silently
(challenging) and aloud (challenging).
III. MATERIALS
· 2 x BIOPAC Electrode Lead Set (SS2L) · Optional: BIOPAC Adhesive Tape (TAPE
· BIOPAC Disposable Electrodes (EL503,) 6 2)—use to tape wires to reduce cable strain
electrodes per subject · Pendulum: Can be made by attaching any
· BIOPAC Electrode Gel (GEL1) and object (i.e. 50 gm force calibration weight)
Abrasive Pad (ELPAD) to approx. 61 cm (24 inches) of string.
· Optional: BIOPAC Skin Prep Gel · Pen or other real object for vertical tracking
(ELPREP) or alcohol prep
· Passages for reading: Passage 1 – easily understandable (i.e., entertainment article)
Passage 2 – challenging material (i.e., scientific article)
Note A sample reading passage in printable PDF format is available in the lesson Help menu.
· Biopac Student Lab System: BSL 4 software, MP36, MP35 or MP45 hardware
· Computer System (Windows or Mac)
IV. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

A. SETUP
FAST TRACK Setup Detailed Explanation of Setup Steps
1. Turn the computer ON.
· If using an MP36/35 unit, turn it OFF.
· If using an MP45, make sure USB cable is
connected and “Ready” light is ON.
2. Plug the Electrode Lead Sets (SS2L) in as
follows:
Horizontal lead — CH 1
Vertical lead — CH 2
3. Turn ON the MP36/35 unit.

Fig. 10.6 MP3X (top) and MP45 (bottom) equipment connections

Setup continues…

Page P-1 ©BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

Page P-2 L10 – EOG-I Biopac Student Lab 4

4. Gently clean and abrade skin. § Clean electrode sites with

5. Attach six electrodes to Subject’s face as ELPREP skin prep gel or
shown in Fig. 10.7. alcohol before abrading.
§ Always apply a drop of gel
IMPORTANT (GEL1) to the sponge portion
For accurate recordings, attach the of electrodes before attaching.
electrodes so they are horizontally and
vertically aligned. § Attach one electrode above the
right eye and one below, such
that they are aligned vertically.
§ Attach one electrode to the
right of the right eye and one to
the left of the left eye, so they
Fig. 10.7 Proper electrode placement align horizontally.
§ The other two electrodes are
for ground, and alignment is
not critical.
For optimal electrode contact, place electrodes on skin at least five
minutes before start of Calibration.
6. Clip CH 1 Electrode Lead Set (SS2L) in the § Drape the electrode lead cables
horizontal placement, following the color behind the ears, as shown, to
code (Fig. 10.8). give proper cable strain relief.
§ Connect the electrode cable clip
to a convenient location to help
relieve cable strain.
§ Electrodes must lay flat on
skin.

Fig. 10.8 Horizontal (CH 1) Lead

Placement

7. Clip CH 2 Electrode Lead Set (SS2L) in the

vertical placement, following the color code
(Fig. 10.9).

Fig. 10.9 Vertical (CH 2) Lead

Placement

Setup continues…
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8. Start the Biopac Student Lab Program. Start Biopac Student Lab by double-clicking the Desktop shortcut.

9. Choose lesson “L10 – Electrooculogram

(EOG) I” and click OK.
10. Type in a unique filename and click OK.
No two people can have the same filename, so use a unique identifier,
such as Subject’s nickname or student ID#.
11. Optional: Set Preferences. A folder will be created using the filename. This same filename can be
used in other lessons to place the Subject’s data in a common folder.
· Choose File > Lesson Preferences.
This lesson has optional Preferences for data and display while
· Select an option.
recording. Per your Lab Instructor’s guidelines, you may set:
· Select an option and click OK. Grids: Show or hide gridlines
Lesson Recordings: Specific recordings may be omitted based on
instructor’s preferences.

END OF SETUP
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B. CALIBRATION
The Calibration procedure establishes the hardware’s internal parameters (such as gain, offset, and scaling) and is critical for
optimal performance. Pay close attention to Calibration.

FAST TRACK Calibration Detailed Explanation of Calibration Steps

1. Subject is seated, relaxed, breathing § Subject should sit with arms relaxed at side of body, legs flexed at
normally, and facing away from monitor. knee and feet supported.
· Carefully review upcoming steps. § Subject prepares to move eyes horizontally and vertically for
Calibration procedure.

2. Click Calibrate. § Subject must try to keep head still and avoid blinking.
3. Subject must: § Calibration lasts 20 seconds.
· Complete four horizontal eye movement
cycles (extreme left-extreme right-return
to center) and four vertical eye
movement cycles (extreme up-extreme
down-return to center).
· Wait for Calibration to stop.

Fig. 10.10 Proper head positioning

4. Verify recording resembles example data. The four cycles of horizontal and vertical eye movement should be
· If similar, click Continue and proceed to clearly visible in the appropriate data channel.
Data Recording.
· If necessary, click Redo Calibration.

Fig. 10.11 Example Calibration data

If recording does not resemble Example Data…
§ If data is flatline, check all connections to MP unit.
§ If there is excessive noise or baseline drift, check that electrodes
are making good contact with the skin (lying flat) and that leads
are not pulling on the electrodes.
§ If Subject blinked, resulting in a large data spike, redo the
calibration.

END OF CALIBRATION
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C. DATA RECORDING
FAST TRACK Recording Detailed Explanation of Recording Steps
1. Prepare for the recordings. Seven data recordings will be acquired*:
Recording 1 – 2: real and simulated pendulum
Recording 3 – 4: real and simulated vertical tracking
Recording 5 – 6: read silently (easy and challenging)
Recording 7: read aloud (challenging)
*IMPORTANT
This procedure assumes that all lesson recordings are enabled in lesson
Preferences, which may not be the case for your lab. Always match the
recording title to the recording reference in the journal and disregard any
references to excluded recordings.
For all recordings, the Subject is seated and relaxed, facing away from
the monitor.
Hints for obtaining optimal data:
§ Review recording steps in advance.
§ Make sure all electrodes are making good contact with skin (lying
flat) and that leads are not pulling on the electrodes.
§ Subject must remain in a seated, relaxed state for all recordings.
§ Subject must keep head still, move only eyes and try to avoid
blinking.
§ In order to record sufficient amplitude variation, eye movements
should be as large as possible. When tracking a moving object, eye
movements should cover a significant portion of the visual range
along at least one axis. When reading, the reading material must be
held as close to the Subject as possible, while maintaining focus.
Pendulum
2. Prepare for the recording.
· Director holds pendulum in front of
Subject, ready to release (Fig. 10.12).
· Subject must focus on pendulum.
· Review recording steps.

Fig. 10.12 Pendulum positioning

Details...
§ Subject should be seated about 25 cm (10 inches) from pendulum—
adjust as necessary to maintain focus.
§ Bottom of pendulum swing should align with bottom of Subject’s
nose.
§ Pendulum should be lifted approximately 45 degrees to Subject’s
right while maintaining a taut string, ready to release when recording
starts.
Recording continues… § Director must hold pendulum string at a constant position.
Page P-6 L10 – EOG-I Biopac Student Lab 4

3. Click Record.
· Director releases pendulum.
4. Subject tracks pendulum with eyes only.
5. Wait for pendulum to stop swinging.
6. Click Suspend.
7. Verify recording resembles the example There should be cyclical variation in the data and the amplitude should
data. progressively decrease. The Horizontal data should display greater
· If similar, click Continue and proceed to amplitude variation than the Vertical data.
the next recording.

Fig. 10.13 Example Pendulum data

If recording does not resemble Example Data...
§ If data is flatline, check all connections to MP unit.
§ If there is excessive noise or baseline drift, check that electrodes are
making good contact (lying flat) and that leads are not pulling on the
electrodes.
§ If there is not sufficient amplitude variation, make sure that the
horizontal range of the pendulum swing covers a large portion of the
Subject’s visual range.
§ If Subject blinked, resulting in a large data spike, redo the recording.
· If necessary, click Redo. Click Redo and repeat Steps 2 – 7 if necessary.
· If all required recordings have been Note that once Redo is clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.
completed, click Done.
Simulate Pendulum
8. Prepare for the recording.
· Subject prepares to simulate eye-
tracking an imaginary pendulum.
· Subject places eyes at the 2 o’clock This simulates the starting position of the pendulum.
position
· Review recording steps.
9. Click Record.
10. Subject tracks an imaginary pendulum with Subject must try to visualize the pendulum movement of the previous
decreasing swing cycles. recording and track the imaginary pendulum with the eyes only. The
11. Director observes horizontal channel until initial swing should take up a large portion of the Subject’s visual range
there is little or no eye movement. along the horizontal axis and each successive swing should be reduced in
amplitude until the eyes are still.
12. Click Suspend.

Recording continues…
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13. Verify recording resembles the example There should be cyclical variation in the Horizontal data and the
data. amplitude should progressively decrease.
· If similar, click Continue and proceed to
the next recording.

Fig. 10.14 Example Simulated Pendulum data

· If necessary, click Redo. Data would be different for reasons detailed in Step 7.
Click Redo and repeat Steps 8 – 13 if necessary.
Note that when Redo is clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.
Vertical Tracking
14. Prepare for the recording Director holds pen centered with the eyes - adjust as necessary to
· Director positions a pen about 25 cm (10 maintain focus (Fig. 10.15). Subject must pick a focal point on the pen
inches) from Subject. and track its movement WITHOUT moving head.
· Subject tracks pen. Director determines (and mentally notes) the upper and lower edges of
the Subject’s visual field by moving the pen up and down until Subject
· Director moves pen vertically up and indicates it is out of view.
down to determine the limits of the
Director returns pen to a center position (eyes looking straight ahead)
Subject’s visual range.
and the recording is ready to begin.
· Review recording steps.

Fig. 10.15 Vertical tracking positioning

Recording continues…
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15. Click Record. Subject must track pen movement with the eyes only, trying not to move
head or blink.
16. Subject tracks pen while Director moves it Director moves the pen through five vertical tracking cycles as follows:
from center to upper and lower edges of
§ From center to upper then lower edges of visual field and then back
visual field.
to center.
· Repeat for a total of five cycles.
17. Click Suspend.

18. Verify recording resembles the example The five cycles should be clearly visible in the Vertical channel data.
data.
· If similar, click Continue and proceed to
the next recording.

Fig. 10.16 Example Vertical Tracking data

If recording does not resemble Example Data...
§ If data is flatline, check all connections to MP unit.
§ If there is excessive noise or baseline drift, check that electrodes are
making good contact (lying flat) and that leads are not pulling on the
electrodes.
§ If there is not sufficient amplitude variation, make sure that the
vertical range of the pen covers the Subject’s visual range.
§ If Subject blinked, resulting in a large data spike, redo the recording.
· If necessary, click Redo. Click Redo and repeat Steps 14 – 18 if necessary.
· If all required recordings have been Note that once Redo is clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.
completed, click Done.
Simulate Vertical Tracking
19. Prepare for the recording.
· Subject centers eyes and prepares to
simulate vertical eye-tracking.
· Review recording steps.
20. Click Record.
21. Subject tracks an imaginary pen moving Subject tracks the imaginary pen with eyes only, imagining the pen
vertically through visual field for five moving to the upper then lower edges of visual field, then returning to
cycles. center. This upper/lower cycle should be repeated five times.
22. Director observes vertical channel until
there is little or no eye movement.
23. Click Suspend.

Recording continues…
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24. Verify recording resembles the example The five cycles should be clearly visible in the Vertical channel data.
data.
· If similar, click Continue and proceed to
the next recording.

Fig. 10.17 Example Simulated Vertical Tracking data

· If necessary, click Redo. Data would be different for reasons detailed in Step 18.
Click Redo and repeat Steps 19 – 24 if necessary.
Note that when Redo is clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.
Read Silently (Easy)
25. Prepare for the recording This passage should be easy to read. The upper passage will be used for
· Director holds reading material centered this recording. You may hide the lower passage by folding the paper in
in front of Subject as close as possible, half.
while maintaining focus (Fig. 10.18).
· Review recording steps.

Fig. 10.18 Reading material positioning

Details...
§ Subject must be able to read entire passage without moving head.
§ Subject must keep head still, move only eyes, and try to avoid
blinking.
§ Director must hold the reading material as still as possible.
26. Click Record.
27. Subject reads material silently and
announces when finished.
28. Click Suspend.

Recording continues…
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29. Verify recording resembles the example There should be a visible “saw tooth” pattern in the Horizontal data.
data.
· If similar, click Continue and proceed to
the next recording.

Fig. 10.19 Example Read Silently (Easy) data

If recording does not resemble Example Data...
§ If data is flatline, check all connections to MP unit.
§ If there is excessive noise or baseline drift, check that electrodes are
making good contact (lying flat) and that leads are not pulling on the
electrodes.
§ If there is not sufficient amplitude variation, make sure that the
reading material was held as close as possible to the Subject’s face
while maintaining focus.
§ Make sure the Director held the reading material as still as possible.
§ If Subject blinked, resulting in a large data spike, redo the
recording.
· If necessary, click Redo. Click Redo and repeat Steps 25 – 29 if necessary.
· If all required recordings have been Note that once Redo is clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.
completed, click Done.

Read Silently (Challenging)

30. Prepare for the recording. This passage should be more challenging then that from “Read Silently
· Director holds reading material centered (Easy).” You may hide the upper passage by folding the paper in half.
in front of Subject as close as possible, Review the “Details” listed in Step 25.
while maintaining focus.
· Review recording steps.
31. Click Record.
32. Subject reads material silently and
announces when finished.
33. Click Suspend.
34. Verify recording resembles the example There should be a visible “saw tooth” pattern in the Horizontal data.
data.
· If similar, click Continue and proceed to
the next recording.

Fig. 10.20 Example Read Silently (Challenging) data

· If necessary, click Redo. Data would be different for the reasons detailed in Step 29.
· If all required recordings have been Click Redo and repeat Steps 30 – 34 if necessary.
completed, click Done. Note that when Redo is clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.
Recording continues…
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Read Aloud (Challenging)

35. Prepare for the recording This passage should be the same as that used in “Read Silently
(Challenging).”
· Director holds reading material centered Review the “Details” listed in Step 25.
in front of Subject as close as possible,
while maintaining focus.
· Review recording steps.
36. Click Record.
37. Subject reads passage aloud. Subject reads passage aloud until material is complete. Subject should
try to minimize mouth and jaw movement as this can add signal artifact
38. Click Suspend.
to the EOG.

39. Verify recording resembles example data. The Horizontal data will most likely show less of a consistent pattern
· If similar, click Continue to proceed to than in the Read silently recordings.
optional recording section, or Done to
finish the lesson.

Fig. 10.21 Example Read Aloud (Challenging) data

· If necessary, click Redo. Data might be different for the reasons detailed in Step 29.
If the signal is too difficult to interpret, redo and have the Subject use
less mouth and jaw movement.
Click Redo and repeat Steps 35 – 39 if necessary. Note that when Redo
is clicked, the most recent recording will be erased.

Recording continues…
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OPTIONAL ACTIVE LEARNING PORTION With this lesson you may record additional data by clicking Continue
following the last recording. Design an experiment to test or verify a
scientific principle(s) related to topics covered in this lesson.
Design Your Experiment
Use a separate sheet to detail your experiment design, and be sure to
address these main points:
A. Hypothesis
Describe the scientific principle to be tested or verified.
B. Materials
List the materials you will use to complete your investigation.
C. Method
Describe the experimental procedure—be sure to number each step
to make it easy to follow during recording.
Run Your Experiment
D. Set Up
Set up the equipment and prepare the subject for your experiment.
E. Record
Use the Continue, Record and Suspend buttons to record as much
data as necessary for your experiment.
Click Done when you have completed all of the recordings
required for your experiment.
Analyze Your Experiment
F. Set measurements relevant to your experiment and record the
results in a Data Report.
40. After clicking Done, choose an option and If choosing the Record from another Subject option:
click OK. § Repeat Setup Steps 4 – 7, and then proceed to Calibration.
41. Remove the electrodes. Remove the electrode cable pinch connectors and peel off all electrodes.
Discard the electrodes. (BIOPAC electrodes are not reusable.) Wash the
electrode gel residue from the skin, using soap and water. The electrodes
may leave a slight ring on the skin for a few hours which is quite normal.

END OF RECORDING