What is the minimum recommended digital resolution according to the AASM?

The minimum recommended digital resolution according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is indeed 12 bits per sample. This level of resolution is crucial for accurately capturing the nuances of physiological signals in sleep studies, such as EEG, EOG, and EMG. A resolution of 12 bits allows for 4096 different voltage levels, which provides finer detail in the signals compared to lower bit depths.

This increased resolution is particularly important in polysomnography, as it ensures that the complex waveforms associated with sleep stages and disturbances are recorded with sufficient fidelity. It enables more precise analysis of sleep architecture, helping technologists and clinicians make better-informed diagnoses and treatment plans. Ensuring at least 12 bits per sample minimizes the risk of losing critical information and enhances the overall quality of the sleep data collected.