Stretchable bio-potential electrode with self-similar serpentine structure for continuous, long-term, stable ECG recordings

Current stretchable surface electrodes have attracted more and more attentions owing to their potential applications in the fields of biological signal monitoring, wearable human-machine interface (HMI) and Internet of Things (IoT). The paper presents that stretchable bio-potential electrode is designed with the second order self-similar serpentine structure to continuous, long-term, stable ECG signal recordings which is conformal contact with the soft skin surface. FEM and experiments have validated >30% deformability of the surface electrode with second order self-similar structure. The continuous 48 h electrocardiograms (ECG) signal recording experiments have been demonstrated by the stretchable electrodes. Meanwhile, robustness and stability of ECG signal are validated by the stretchable bio-potential electrodes when the external strain is applied to the body surface. The stretchable bio-potential electrode could be integrated to biological signal monitoring and human machine interface capabilities for the future research.