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Differences between the NICO100C and EBI100C

BIOPAC offers a noninvasive cardiac output amplifier (NICO100C) and an electrical bioimpedance amplifier (EBI100C).

  • NICO10C is more appropriate if you are primarily interested in recording cardiac output.
  • EBI100C is more suitable for general purpose bioimpedance measurements; however, EBI100C can also be used for cardiac output measurements.

The primary difference between the NICO100C and EBI100C is the signals that the amplifiers output. They both output two analog signals, but only one of the two signals is common to both amplifiers and that is the impedance signal. 

NICO100C Amplifier

Outputs: Z0 Magnitude of impedance and dZ/dt Derivative of impedance

The NICO100C module incorporates an internal, hardware-based, derivative function, which outputs dZ/dt simultaneously with Z (impedance magnitude). This internal derivative function also inverts the polarity of the dZ/dt signal so that it displays a positive-going peak, coincident with negative slopes indicated in Z, as per academic research convention.  

EBI100C Amplifier

Outputs: MAG Magnitude of impedance and PHS Phase of impedance

The EBI100C does not include an internal, hardware-based, derivative function for the Z (impedance magnitude) channel.  If dZ/dt is required, it can be determined on an AcqKnowledge calculation channel. Channel scaling can be employed to specify the dZ/dt polarity desired.

Associated Applications

Associated Application Notes

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Cardiac Output amplifier

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