Comparison of electrode position marking procedures on the cranial surface.

Area of Science:

• Neurophysiology
• Medical Devices
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Conventional electrode marking methods can be time-consuming and lack precision.
• Accurate electrode placement is critical for reliable neurophysiological diagnostic tests.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the accuracy, time efficiency, and usability of the EPlacement system against the conventional tape measure (TM) method for electrode marking.
• To evaluate the EPlacement device's potential to streamline neurophysiological monitoring procedures.

Main Methods:

• Ten healthcare professionals marked electrode positions on mannequin heads and adult volunteers using both EPlacement and TM methods.
• Electrode placement accuracy was assessed using precision scanning with structured light.
• Time taken and usability feedback were collected for each method across three neurophysiological tests.

Main Results:

• EPlacement improved electrode position accuracy by 34% (1.7 mm) along key anatomical lines and 77% (12.5 mm) using an approximate method compared to TM.
• The EPlacement system reduced the time spent per test by an average of 1 minute.
• Healthcare professionals reported positive feedback on the usability of the EPlacement device.

Conclusions:

• The EPlacement device offers superior accuracy and reduced time requirements for electrode marking compared to conventional methods.
• The system's ease of use and improved efficiency suggest it can facilitate complex electrode marking tasks.
• EPlacement has the potential for widespread clinical adoption, contributing to better patient outcomes in neurophysiological diagnostics.