Safety
Read this before anyone puts it on.
⚠️
Octopus 16 is not a medical device and has not been certified by any regulator for use with the human body. It is a learning and experimentation tool. You use it at your own risk.
Rules
- Power bank only while worn. Wear Octopus 16 on battery power only, never while it's plugged into a computer or a wall charger. The board has no isolation from its power supply.
- Flash off the head. USB from a computer is only for flashing, with the board off the head.
- No diagnosis. Band power, focus and relax are uncalibrated learning indicators. Never use them for diagnosis, or as a measure of mood or ability.
- Implanted devices. Don't use it on a person with a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device without a physician's approval.
- Skin. Use clean, intact skin. Stop if the skin becomes irritated or the pins press too hard.
- Pin care. Press the pins straight down. Clean them with isopropyl alcohol, never oil or grease.
Power while worn
| Power source | While worn | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small 5 V power bank | ✅ Safe | The board is on its own battery, with no path to the mains. |
| Laptop USB | ❌ Not while worn | USB from a computer is only for flashing. A plugged-in laptop links the electrodes to the mains. |
| Wall charger | ❌ Never | Connects the person to the mains through the electrodes. |
In the classroom
- An adult checks the power source before each session.
- Flash and charge boards before the lesson, with the boards off the head.
- Clean the pins with isopropyl alcohol between users.
See also the general PiEEG safety and liabilities pages.