www.photosonix.com NeXisTM Owner's manual Table of Contents Read This First​3 Warning​3 Features​3 What is included​3 Nexis EEG Connectors and Labels​5 Getting started/Nexis EEG Setup​6 Connecting the stimulation glasses​7 Magnetic (MagStim) Connections​7 External connections to the Nexis EEG​8 Entrain Frequency, Dual FRQ & Suppress​9 Nexis Control Program System Requirements:​9 Nexis Control Program Installation​9 Nexis Stimulation modes​11 Disentrainment​11 Entrain Frequency​11 Dual Frequency​12 Suppress​12 Battery and charger specifications​13 Recharging the battery:​14 Warranty​14 Returns, Service And Repair​14 Read This First A Welcome from Photosonix: Thank you for selecting the Nexis. It is a quality product with state-of-the-art features and will give many years of service and exciting adventures as you learn to use it to influence your mood, mental state, and energy level. Pulsating light or sound patterns have been used for thousands of years in almost all cultures to evoke emotional responses, from exciting a crowd to assisting in meditation to encouraging sleep. The techniques are part of folk knowledge, and science is just beginning to find out why they work. So, as you begin to use light and sound stimulation, you embark on a voyage of discovery and exploration. The use of these technologies is entirely safe for most people, and no side effects are known, but they are not for everyone — please read the warning on this page carefully: Warning Use while seated or lying down. Be sure that you or anyone else who will use the Nexis are not subject to epilepsy or visual photosensitivity, using a pacemaker, suffering heart disorders, or currently taking stimulants, tranquilizers, or psychotropic medications, including alcohol or drugs. Even if you have never had a seizure, there is a slight chance you are photosensitive, and this device can cause one. For more seizure information, see our website at www.photosonix.com and look up the Medical Disclaimer link. Currently at: http://www.photosonix.comimedical-disclaimer/libr While using the Nexis EEG, immediately stop your stimulation session if you feel uncomfortable or are bothered by the flashing lights (or other stimulation modes). Your Photosonix unit is designed for avocational and entertainment use. No medical claims are made for Photosonix products, express or implied. Photosonix products are not medical devices and should not be used to relieve any medical condition. Please consult with your practitioner before use for any other purpose, as the machine is not intended as a replacement for medical or psychological treatment. In addition, this device is not intended to affect the structure or any function of the body. Features Thank you for selecting the Nexis EEG. Nexis EEG both an EEG and a stimulation product. It has state-of-the-art features and will give many years of service and exciting adventures as you learn to use it to influence your mood, mental state, and energy level. Here are the main features of Nexis EEG: - EEG and Stimulation in a Single Package - True Real-time EEG and Stimulation. - Two Differential EEG Channels. - Realtime Stimulation Output - Compatible with Visible Light/Infrared/Magnetism Stimulation glasses. - Four Realtime Stimulation Modes: o Disentrainment o Entrain Specific Frequency o Dual Frequency (Two different lfet/right frequencies via Hemistim stimulation glasses.) o Suppress - Built in Battery - Patient Electrical Isolation - Ready to Go Nexis Control Program to Control the Device What is included Kit includes Nexis Amplifier and charger, Hemistim glasses, Prolific USB cable, and an adapter to connect left and right ears to the shared reference port on the amplifier. An electrode kit with paste and skin prep is available for sale on the website for users who do not have them already. Specialized glasses such as Magstim and Amber and Green colored glasses are available on the website. Please verify that your Nexis EEG arrived in good condition and includes all materials listed on your Packing List. Here is what typically comes with a Nexis EEG • Nexis EEG (black metal box about 9"x4"x1") • 9 VDC battery charger in a cardboard box • Hemistim white light flashing glasses, 3.5 mm double male stereo connection wire, and nose pads and sheet all in a protective sleeve • Printed Nexis EEG User Manual • DB-9 Serial Port Cable or Prolific USB to Serial Converter cable Nexis EEG Connectors and Labels 1 "Nexis EEG by Photosonix" label 6 RUN (Nexis EEG is ON, LED flashes when internal battery needs charging) EEG Electrodes on the Front: No Color Description 2 Red Right 3 Black Reference 4 Green Left 5 White Ground Back: No Name Type Description 7 COMPORT 9-pin female Serial Communications Cable Connection 8 Solid O Female Minijack Stimulation Glasses Connection 9 LIGHT STIM Wheel Knob Stimulation Glasses Intensity Control 10 ON/OFF Push Button Power Switch 11 PWR Jack AC Adapter 12 CHG Led Indicates device is charging 13 SERIAL NUMBER (on Nexis EEG bottom side) Getting started/Nexis EEG Setup Using this top-of-the-line stimulation and relaxation device is very easy to use daily! However, installation and setup are required before you get to the "easy" daily use: • If you experience difficulties while getting started, we will help you. Please first check *** Troubleshooting Tips and FAQs • Read the Warnings chapter. These contain vital guidance to inform and protect you and your loved ones. See: Read This First. • Verify that your Nexis EEG was received in good condition and includes all materials listed on your Packing List. See *** Supplied Equipment. If something is amiss with your new Nexis EEG, email or call us as soon as possible. See *** Warranty Service and Repair *** • Choose a comfortable sitting area near the Nexis EEG and your computer. Note: No computer is required if you only run DISENTRAINMENT stimulation sessions. • Review all the Nexis EEG features. See *** Nexis EEG Features.' • Connect accessory parts to the Nexis EEG. See Nexis EEG Connectors and Labels. • Charge the battery overnight or for several hours before first using the Nexis. EEG. See *** Battery.' • Disconnect the battery charger before turning the Nexis EEG ON. The Nexis EEG will not operate while connected to the battery charger for user safety. • Decide what kind of stimulation you want to run. See *** Nexis EEG Stimulation Modes Described *** • If you are running a "DISENTRAINMENT" Session: o Connect the five EEG electrodes to the user's head using EEG electrode paste. See *** EEG Electrode Placement and Glasses for DISENTRAINMENT Stimulation *** o The chosen stimulation glasses are connected to the Nexis EEG via the 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack. See *** Stimulation Glasses Types *** and connection I: in " Nexis EEG Connections '). o Turn the Nexis EEG ON using the ON-OFF switch on the back of the Nexis EEG. See 10:' Nexis EEG Features *** o Your DISENTRAINMENT stimulation starts immediately as no user configuration is required—it is easy-peasy! o Adjust the Flashing Light Stimulation Glasses' intensity for user comfort (brighter is not better) before putting them on the user. Magnetic Stimulation Glasses are used at full intensity. See 8: and 9: in 'Nexis EEG Features" o The DISENTRAINMENT stimulation session will run until you turn the Nexis EEG OFF. See 10: in *** Nexis EEG Features *** • You will need a computer running the Nexis Control Program to run stimulation modes; ENTRAIN FREQUENCY, DUAL FREQUENCY, and SUPPRESS. The computer sends session setup and start commands to the Nexis EEG for the three stimulation modes: o Install the provided Nexis Control software. See *** Nexis Control Software Installation.' o Connect the Nexis EEG to your computer. See *** Nexis EEG Connections*** o Turn the Nexis EEG ON using the ON-OFF switch on the back of the Nexis EEG. See *** Nexis EEG Features.' o Run the Nexis Control Program on your computer to Setup and Start the desired Stimulation mode. See *** Using the Nexis Control Program *** o Select your desired stimulation mode. See 'Nexis EEG Stimulation Modes Described *** o Configure your desired stimulation session. See *** Nexis EEG Stimulation Modes' Connecting the stimulation glasses Connect the desired stimulation glasses to the Nexis EEG (see 'Stimulation Glasses Types' and *** Nexis EEG Features *** for this section): For Hemistim Light stimulation sessions: • Adjust the LIGHT Stimulation intensity control (behind "LIGHT" on the backside of the Nexis EEG) for user comfort (brighter is not better). For Magnetic (Mag) stimulation sessions: • Adjust the LIGHT Stimulation intensity control (behind "LIGHT" on the backside of the Nexis EEG) to its maximum setting. • You can visually verify the correct session setup using the Flashing Light glasses for a few seconds—verify the light pattern looks reasonable for what you want to do. • When doing the quick visual check, note that Hemistim Glasses show the LEFT stimulation flashes on the left side of both eye holes and the RIGHT stimulation flashes on the right side of both eye holes. • Adjust the LIGHT Stimulation intensity control (behind "LIGHT" on the backside of the Nexis EEG) to its maximum setting. • Finally, replace the Flashing Light glasses with the appropriate Magnetic glasses. • Start a timer for the stimulation session to avoid running long with the stimulation session. • The user puts on the stimulation glasses after the LIGHT Stimulation intensity has been adjusted for their comfort. Once the glasses are on, further adjustments may be needed for Flashing Lights glasses intensity—remember, user comfort comes first. • For MagStim Glasses, the intensity is to be set to the maximum. • Enjoy!!! Magnetic (MagStim) Connections This section explains all the external connections to the Nexis EEG needed for each stimulation mode. A: RIGHT (RED): The right side of the head EEG channel cup electrode. REF (BLACK): Reference Signal B: Y-connector base connects to the Nexis REF plug. 2x C: Both ear clips connect to the y-connector. 2x D: Both ear clips connect to the user's respective ear lobes. E: LEFT (GREEN): The left side of the head EEG channel cup electrode. F: GND (WHITE): The ground electrode connects anywhere on the user's body. External connections to the Nexis EEG The following connections to the Nexis EEG are needed for each stimulation mode *** DISENTRAINMENT Stimulation Session Connections *** For a description of the DISENTRAINMENT stimulation mode, see "* Nexis EEG Stimulation Modes Described *** Here are the Disentrainment Stimulation Session Connections: A: RIGHT (RED): The right side of the head EEG channel cup electrode. REF (BLACK): Reference signal (BLACK). B: Y-connector base connects to the Nexis REF plug. 2x C: Both ear clips connect to the y-connector. 2x D: Both ear clips connect to the user's respective ear lobes. E: LEFT (GREEN): The left side of head EEG channel cup electrode. F: GND (WHITE): The ground electrode connects anywhere on the user's body. I: STIMULATION GLASSES Light and magnetic J: Battery Charger Charge the Nexis EEG overnight before first use; Disconnect the battery charger before using the Nexis EEG *** Nexis EEG ENTRAIN FREQUENCY, DUAL FREQUENCY, and SUPPRESS Session Connections *** For a description of the ENTRAIN FREQUENCY, DUAL FREQUENCY, and SUPPRESS stimulation modes, see *** Nexis EEG Stimulation Modes Described *** Entrain Frequency, Dual FRQ & Suppress G: COM PORT cable to YOUR COMPUTER. Use the provided USB-to-serial/COM CONVERTER cable (usually black) to connect the Nexis EEG to one of your computer's type-A USB ports (this cable carries computer-generated session commands and EEG brain wave data to/from the Nexis EEG) H: YOUR COMPUTER running the Nexis Control Program I: STIMULATION GLASSES LED light, infrared, and magnetic J: Battery Charger charge the Nexis EEG overnight before first use; disconnect the battery charger before using the Nexis EEG Nexis Control Program System Requirements: • Windows 10, 64-bit • Microsoft .Net version 4.7.2 • An available USB 2.0 port for connecting the USB-to-serial/COM port cable. Nexis Control Program Installation • Install cable Drivers: If you are using the Prolific USB-to-Serial converter, make sure that device drivers are properly installed in your computer: o Automatic Install: ▪ Connect your Prolific 2303 chipset USB-to-Serial/COM cable to an available USB port on your computer. ▪ If Windows detects and correctly installs the software drivers for the Prolific 2303 chipset USB-to-Serial/COM cable, then skip the next step for Manually Installing the USB-to-serial/COM drivers. o Manually install: ▪ Remove the USB-to-serial/COM cable from your computer. ▪ Go to the downloaded serial cable driver installer. The name of the installer is; PL2303_DriverInstaller_1181_20170504.exe, or something with a similar name. ▪ Run the installer. ▪ When the install is finished, insert the USB-to-serial/COM cable into a free USB port on the computer. Windows should now detect and automatically install the appropriate drivers. • Connect Cable: Connect the USB-to-Serial/COM cable to the Nexis EEG • Install .NET Framework: If you do not have .NET framework already installed on your computer, you also need to install .NET. The minimum required .NET version is; NET Framework 4.7.2. You can install .NET from this link: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework • Install the Nexis Control Program o Download the Nexis Control installer from this link: https://eegworks.com/download o The name of the downloaded file is NexisControl_Setup. o Run the installer. o If you see a blue window. Select “More Info” and then “Run Anyway”: o After the quick installation, you will see the Nexis Control Window: • Be sure the Nexis EEG is disconnected from the battery charger (see item 11 in ’Nexis EEG Features’. • Turn on the Nexis EEG with the back side push button behind the top surface ON OFF label (see 10: in *** Nexis EEG Features ***) o If the RUN light flashes (indicating low battery voltage—about 5.5 volts) (see 6: in *** Nexis EEG Features ***), then you should charge its internal battery overnight or for a few hours before use (see 11: in *** Nexis EEG Features ***). Turn the Nexis EEG OFF before connecting the battery charger (see 10: in ‘Nexis EEG Features’). Connecting the battery charger while the Nexis is ON will disable any current protocol in progress. When the battery charger is removed and your Nexis EEG is still connected to the computer with Nexis Control Program still running, you should be able to run your most recently selected protocol without reselecting it. • Re-Open the Nexis Control Program using the desktop shortcut (if you already closed it). • You should see the connection sttaus turns to green and you can also see the battery level: Nexis Stimulation modes There are four Nexis EEG Stimulation Modes. You can pick the stimulation mode to use using your experience or the descriptions below: Disentrainment Disentrainment is a proprietary Nexis EEG entrainment stimulation algorithm that tends to reduce the amplitude of the user's dominant EEG frequency. The Nexis EEG algorithm measures the user's EEG in real-time and stimulates the brain using flashes of light/infrared/magnetism to reduce the power of the dominant frequency. The goal is to lower the overall power used in the user's brain. Efficient brains use less power to do their work, and this can help the user relax and let go as the brain stops trying to work so hard (while still being more efficient). When one is more interested in an external and more focused awareness, Disentrainment can help reduce the power of the lower frequency brain waves. This is because the regular dominant frequency of a brain tends to be the lower frequencies—these are usually associated with open internal awareness and deep relaxation. Beta waves can make us focused and alert. However, if we prefer to be calm and relaxed, we can suppress the power of the beta brain waves. In order to start the Disentrainment protocol, using the Nexis Control Program, select “Disentrainment” from the protocol list and then push the send button: Entrain Frequency Entrainment delivers the same steady sensory stimulation frequency to both sides of the brain. Rhythmic, steady stimulation of the brain with flashing lights, pulsing sounds, and low-level magnetic pulses at a specified frequency has been found to increase the power of the brain waves at the stimulation frequency. It has long been known that changing the brain waves changes the quality of consciousness. We have found that certain stimulation frequencies produce pleasant changes in mood or mental alertness. The Nexis EEG is a tool to help users explore changing consciousness. Entrainment is a well-known phenomenon, and Google has many articles describing it. In order to start the Entrain Frequency protocol, using the Nexis Control Program, select “Entrain Frequency” from the protocol list, select the desired frequency, and then push the send button: Dual Frequency Dual-frequency stimulation produces two different light stimulation frequencies to the right and left sides of the brain via Hemistim stimulation glasses. Standard stimulation glasses will not work for this stimulation mode. Biofeedback therapists have found that the right hemisphere tends to have a somewhat lower dominant frequency than the left hemisphere. To account for this, dual-frequency stimulation allows users to stimulate each brain hemisphere at different frequencies. Dual-frequency allows different frequencies to the right and left sides (while Entrainment provides the same frequency to both sides). The Right and Left frequencies are set independently: Suppress Randomly selected pulse times and widths, selected from the specified frequency band and with a flat distribution, are used to stimulate the brain. Suppress is a different form of Disentrainment that suppresses brain activity in any one of several pre-defined frequency bands. In addition, different stimulation timing relationships between the Right and Left hemispheres are also available. Examples: • Theta waves can be very relaxing and very mellow. However, too much Theta can make us foggy. Reducing the power of theta brain waves can wake us up. • Beta waves can make us focused and alert. However, if we prefer to be calm and relaxed, we can suppress the power of the beta brain waves. Battery and charger specifications You cannot run the Nexis EEG with the Battery Charger connected. When the battery is down to about 1 or 2 hours left, the RUN light starts blinking when it is down to about 5.5 volts. To prolong battery life, recharge the battery before it entirely runs down. A good practice is to recharge the Nexis EEG overnight. The system's constant voltage charging circuit protects the battery when the Battery Charger is left connected, so it will not hurt to leave the Battery Charger plugged in longer than the required charge time. If you misplace your Battery Charger and need a replacement, the Nexis runs on a 9 volts DC (VDC), 200-500 mA, AC Adapter with a 2.1 mm plug (with the positive pole inside the plug). After a few years, you may need a new battery. Since the battery used in Nexis EEG is not a standard item at most battery stores, please call for factory service when a replacement is required. After years of use, your battery may no longer charge correctly—this happens with reliable equipment built to last years and years. If the battery no longer charges satisfactorily, don't hesitate to contact Photosonix to replace and dispose of the old battery. The battery is not user-replaceable. Recharging the battery: The system can operate for 3-6 hours, powered by the internal battery. Recharging the battery takes about 5 hours by connecting the AC adapter to the unit with the unit powering off. You can run the Nova Pro 100 with the AC adapter connected, but do not count the time as recharge time. A good practice is to recharge overnight. To prolong battery life, recharge the battery before completely run down. The constant voltage charging circuit of the Nexis protects the battery when the AC adapter is left on, so it will not hurt to leave the AC adapter plugged in longer than the required charge time. Running down the battery will not lose internal memory of your personal prefer­ence settings or custom programs. in the event you misplace your AC Adapter and need a replacement, the Nexis runs on a 9V 300-500mA AC Adapter with a 2.1mm plug with positive inside. Warranty Nexis Is constructed with high quality components, high standards of workmanship, and thoroughly tested before shipment. Nonetheless, failures are possible and warranty service may be required. WARRANTY DURATION Photosonix systems are warranted to the original consumer purchaser for a period of one year from the original purchase date. Returns, Service And Repair Contact Photosonix customer service prior to returning any unit for repair and assessment, to get a return number and confirm the return address. For warranty service and/or repair information as well as the cost of out of warranty repairs, please contact our customer service. You can do so via telephone 1-800-258-2566 (in the USA), by visiting our web site and link to the repair information page and also via email If advised to send a unit in, be sure to include a legible return address and phone number. We strongly recommend that you insure the product prior to shipping. PHOTOSONIX Nexis Made in the USA microfilm Inc. PHOTOSONIX Nexis is designed and manufactured by Microfirm inc., 3301 East 19th Street, Signal Hill, California, USA. 1-800-258-2566 (USA) 1-562-981-8800 (International) mind@photosonix.com Manual and software copyright Microfirm Inc. 2021 PHOTOSONIX is a Trade Mark of Microfirm Inc. www.photosonix.com