Fundamental aspects of development and production of devices and systems for psychophysiological examination

Abstract

Social tension of recent years has caused a significant load on the human nervous system. Therefore, mental and psychophysiological monitoring becomes rather an urgent problem. One of the methods of such monitoring is psychophysiological examinations of normal and pathological activity, of the central nervous system (CNS). Such examination allows CNS characteristics to be assessed at the level of the entire behavioral pattern, rather than individual behavioral events.During the 60-year history of VNIIMP, instrumental methods and devices for monitoring human CNS functions have been developing for more than 30 years. Psychophysiological devices and methods were developed in VNIIMP by academicians P. I~ Anokhin and A. I. Berg [1, 2, 16], the contribution of the Anokhin's school being especially significant. Anokhin's theory of functional systems can be used as a conceptual basis for methods and devices for psychophysiological examinations. According to P. K. Anokhin himself, the theory of functional systems bridges a gap between physiology and psychology. Anokhin's followers also significantly contributed to the solution of this problem [11][12][13][14][15]. The theoretical findings are implemented in new devices and methods for monitoring functions of higher nervous activity (HNA).Since 1966 a number of pioneering works have been performed in VNIIMP for computer-assisted monitoring of human behavior and elucidation of its mechanisms. A number of devices have been developed on the principles of systemic organization of physiological functions: Adaptron, Emoskop, Otbor, PFK-01, Ritmotest, Mnemotest, Binatest, Psikhomat, Ataksitest, Stabilotest, etc. [6, 7, 10, 11, 15, 16]. These devices were industrially produced in collaboration with the former COMECON countries.It should be noted that in addition to VNIIMP, a number of other medical organizations and leading specialists also significantly contributed to the development of psychophysiological monitoring and psychoengineering, new methods of biomedical engineering [3, 4, 7, 8].Psychophysiological devices and systems are presently extensively used as broad-purpose universal instruments for monitoring human HNA in outpatient and inpatient settings, dispensaries, diagnostic centers, etc. They are used in narcology, toxicology, pedagogy, sports, vocational training, expertise, basic research, physiology, psychology, etc.A new generation of universal and specialized devices for psychophysiological research is presently in progress in leading organizations of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. These devices implement the following principles: -Anok.hin's theory of functional systems can be used as a conceptual basis of a model for spatial and temporal prognosis, standardization of methods and devices for psychophysiological examinations. The implementation of the model allows such important CNS parameters as attention, memory, lability, etc. to be monitored; -the experience accumulated in VNIIMP in the developmen...

Instruments for psychophysiological examination of higher mental functions in children and adolescents—from devices and systems to medical engineering technologies of diagnosis, rehabilitation, and monitoring

“…The theory of functional systems, medical cybernetics, neuropsychology, and systemic psychology (P. K. Anokhin, A. I. Berg, A. R. Luriya, and B. F. Lomov) provided the theoretical basis for these studies [1,3,5,6,14,17]. The use of these principles allowed the main requirements for the development of psychophysiological devices to be put forward.…”

Medical engineering computer technologies for testing cognitive functions in children

“…Medical devices and systems designed to simulate integral target-oriented behavior controlled by a func-tional system under special conditions are required for psychophysiotogical studies of the higher nervous activity of children of different age [3].…”

Development of instrumental technologies for assessing higher mental functions in normal and pathological states

“…Our experience in development of medical devices as well as results of clinical trials allowed the principles of development of devices and PPE systems to be put forward [2]. In the next stage of this process, problemoriented PPE devices and systems are planned for development.…”

“…The use of these principles allowed the main requirements for the development of psychophysiological devices to be put forward [2].…”

“…Both conventional and new methods and devices for psychophysiological examinations (PPE) have been developed at this organization for many years [2].…”