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BIOPAC ICG Training

Last modified by SOLO SA on 2026/03/24 14:17

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Contents

Introduction

This training is intended for researchers and students who want to learn how to measure ICG with the BIOPAC system.  

This page can be used in three ways: 

  • As a guide for trainers delivering ICG training 
  • As a digital handout for trainees 
  • As reference material when running an ICG study with BIOPAC  

 This training assumes all equipment is already correctly set up and connected. If you need assistance with hardware setup, please contact labsupport@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.  

Estimated duration: ~ 30 minutes 

Learning Goals

By the end of this training, you will be able to: 

  • Have basic knowledge about BIOPAC  
  • Know what ICG is 
  • Understand how the BIOPAC equipment is set up and how to use it safely 
  • Prepare a participant and apply 8 ICG electrodes correctly 
  • Use AcqKnowledge to record ICG data 
  • Obtain good data 

Not included in this training: 

  • Experimental design 
  • Physiological data analysis 

Materials

The following is required for this training: 

  • BIOPAC equipment including an ICG module (NICO-R or NICO100D). The BIOPAC should be connected to a PC on which AcqKnowledge is installed.
  • Disposable electrodes (Ag/AgCl) (the amount is dependent on the equipment used)
  • Scrub gel (NuPrep)
  • Non-woven swabs
  • Gloves
  • Incidin OxyWipe
Nuprep_scrub_gel_edited2.jpg

NuPrep scrubgel

electrodes_ecg_edted2.jpg

Ag/AgCI electrodes

Step-by-Step Training Plan

Introduction to ICG, BIOPAC and AcqKnowledge

  1. Read the Introduction section of the ICG page to obtain a basic understanding of ICG. 
  2. On the BIOPAC page read the following sections: 
  3. Open AcqKnowledge and follow the Creating an AcqKnowledge template instructions to create a template for your ICG module.  
    • On SSH/FSW Lab PCs, create your own folder in C:\ExperimentData (e.g. “Training”).  
    • Save your template as Graph Template (.gtl) in your folder. 

Participant setup

Follow the skin preparation and electrode placement parts of the Protocol described on the ICG page. Make sure to involve the participant in the process: 

  • Explain what ICG measures 
  • Describe the skin preparation and electrode placement process 
  • Ask for consent before touching the participant or preparing their skin 
  • Remind the participant they can stop at any time 

Recording the ICG signal

  1. Open the AcqKnowledge template you created earlier. 
  2. Start the recording.  
  3. Explore AcqKnowledge features: 
    • Use the magnifying glass to zoom into the ICG waveform. 
    • Right-click the graph > Autoscale Single Waveform or Autoscale Waveforms. 
    • See additional helpful options in the Preferences and View section on the AcqKnowledge page. 
  4. Read the Tips & Tricks on the ICG page. See what happens when:  
    • The participant moves around. 
    • One of the electrodes comes loose. 
    • For the wireless module (NICO-R), see what happens when the receiver and transmitter lose connection, i.e. move the participant with the transmitter away from the receiver. When the connection starts to deteriorate, the signal will show short flat lines. 

Clean-up

  1. Stop the recording and save the recording in the folder you created in C:\ExperimentData. Make sure to save the file as Graph (.acq) file. Close AcqKnowledge. 
  2. Follow the Cleaning up section on the ICG page. 
  3. Turn off the BIOPAC. 

Further considerations

Safety

Review general safety information for participant-based research here: Safety - SOLO Research Wiki. 

Markers

Event markers are crucial when measuring physiological data.  

See: 

Equipment choice

BIOPAC has wired (NICO100D) and wireless (NICO-R) ICG options. In most studies, any of these modules can be used. Wireless equipment may be preferred when participants need to move around (but beware of movement artifacts in the ICG signal). Note that wireless connections may drop if the participant moves too far from the receiver. In most cases, it does not matter which equipment is used. 

Compatibility with other signals and equipment

ICG measurements can often be combined with many other signals and equipment such as EEG, ECG, skin conductance, respiration, blood pressure, fEMG, virtual reality, etc. When you want to measure multiple signals with BIOPAC, consult the Grounding section on the BIOPAC page. 

Analysis options

Several software options exist for preprocessing and analyzing ICG data collected with BIOPAC.  

  • We recommend checking out the PhysioData Toolbox, which allows for easy batch-processing of ICG data.  

Experimental design

Make sure to consider your preferred measurement outcome when designing your experiment. Analysis metrics to consider include stroke volume, cardiac output, and systolic time intervals.  

Please check the literature for current recommendations. 

Further reading