Validation of Polymer-Based Screen-Printed Textile Electrodes for Surface EMG Detection

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• Advancements in textile electrodes are crucial for improving electrophysiological signal detection.
• Surface electromyography (sEMG) is vital for rehabilitation, training, and muscle function assessment.
• Existing gelled electrodes have limitations in long-term use and comfort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the performance of novel polymer-based screen-printed textile electrodes for sEMG detection.
• To compare the efficacy of these textile electrodes against conventional disposable gelled electrodes.
• To assess the potential of textile electrodes in clinical and wellness monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Developed textile electrodes by depositing PEDOT:PSS onto cotton fabric.
• Evaluated functional and electrical characteristics under dry, solid hydrogel, and saline solution skin-interface conditions.
• Compared noise amplitude, electrode-skin impedance, and sEMG signal shape with conventional electrodes.

Main Results:

• Textile electrodes showed high similarity in noise amplitude and impedance to conventional electrodes with hydrogel or saline.
• Electrically induced sEMG signal shape comparison yielded over 97% similarity across all conditions.
• Preliminary dynamic tests (walking) confirmed feasibility for sEMG monitoring up to 35 minutes with saline.

Conclusions:

• Screen-printed textile electrodes are a viable and cost-effective alternative to conventional gelled electrodes for sEMG.
• The developed electrodes meet textile industry production requirements.
• This technology offers new possibilities for wearable sEMG monitoring in clinical and wellness settings.