Vivosonic SOAP - Adaptive Processing Technology

SOAP™ Adaptive Processing (SNR-Optimized Adaptive Processing) is the result of extensive research and development at Vivosonic. It is an evolution of advanced digital signal processing algorithms that use Kalman Weighted Averaging techniques. This innovative technology applies sophisticated noise filtering algorithms which dramatically reduce artifacts from muscular and ocular electrophysiological activity, as well as electromagnetic interference, in evoked potential responses. Together with the Amplitrode® and VivoLink™ wireless recording technology, SOAP™ provides superior response detection under non-ideal conditions and facilitates non-sedated ABR measurement.

• Clear waveforms in less time
• Better handling of myogenic artifacts
• Eliminates the need to adjust gain
• No signal clipping or signal saturation
• No rejection artifact setting

SOAP™ Adaptive Processing uses advanced digital signal processing algorithms based on Kalman filtering techniques. It combines patented and proprietary digital signal processing algorithms that adapt to the characteristics and level of noise thereby reducing the myogenic and electromagnetic interference in auditory brainstem responses.

Conventional averaging techniques that rely on artifact rejection to reduce noise in the signal, typically weight all remaining sweeps equally. This means that sweeps with high noise content have the same impact on waveform morphology as sweeps with less noise.

As with Kalman Weighted Averaging techniques, SOAP™ has no artifact rejection. Instead, sweeps are included in the recording and assigned a weighting based on its noise content. Groups of sweeps with less noise are assigned a much greater weighting than sweeps with higher amplitude noise. Thus, noisy responses have less of an impact on the waveform morphology. By including all sweeps, and by weighting them according to the noise content, a much clearer ABR waveform is obtained in less time.

In addition to averaging, adaptive processing methods are used throughout the measurement. The system recalculates all weightings according to the noise content and the relationship between sweeps (covariance). This very active and unique dynamic weighting system provides much cleaner waveforms in much less time.