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Conformable Wearable Electrodes: From Fabrication to Electrophysiological Assessment
Published on: July 22, 2022
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Printed dry electrode for neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for e-textile.
Youssif Merhi1, Pablo F Betancur2, Teresa S Ripolles2
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark. shweta@ece.au.dk.
Nanoscale
|February 23, 2023
Summary
This study presents a novel, biocompatible neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device using printed electrodes on textiles to prevent muscle atrophy. The textile-based NMES solution offers a comfortable, irritation-free alternative for preserving muscle mass.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Muscle atrophy is a significant complication of immobilization and critical illness, leading to extended recovery times and higher mortality rates.
- Existing neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) devices often utilize gel electrodes that can cause skin irritation, limiting long-term use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, biocompatible NMES solution for preserving muscle mass.
- To create a textile-integrated, dry electrode system that minimizes skin irritation and enhances patient comfort.
- To evaluate the performance and efficacy of the developed NMES system in a clinical setting.
Main Methods:
- Development and printing of conductive electrodes directly onto a compressive stocking textile.
- Characterization of electrode biocompatibility, mechanical properties (Young's modulus: 0.39 MPa), and print quality based on substrate roughness.
- Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis to compare the performance of printed electrodes against commercial gel electrodes.
- In-hospital investigation of the NMES solution's effectiveness in mitigating muscle atrophy.
Main Results:
- Successfully printed biocompatible, dry electrodes onto a textile, enabling over seven days of use without skin inflammation.
- Demonstrated superior interfacial performance and improved series resistance of the printed electrodes compared to commercial alternatives via EIS.
- Achieved good mechanical compatibility between the electrodes and skin.
- Observed promising results in preliminary hospital-based evaluations for preventing muscle atrophy.
Conclusions:
- A novel textile-integrated NMES system with printed, dry, biocompatible electrodes has been successfully developed.
- This innovative solution offers a comfortable and effective alternative to traditional NMES devices, addressing issues of skin irritation.
- The printed electrode technology shows significant potential for preserving muscle mass in patients suffering from immobilization or critical illness, warranting further clinical investigation.
