Miniaturized electroencephalographic scalp electrode for optimal wearing comfort.
OBJECTIVE
Current mainstream EEG electrode setups permit efficient recordings, but are often bulky and uncomfortable for subjects. Here we introduce a novel type of EEG electrode, which is designed for an optimal wearing comfort. The electrode is referred to as C-electrode where "C" stands for comfort.


METHODS
The C-electrode does not require any holder/cap for fixation on the head nor does it use traditional pads/lining of disposable electrodes - thus, it does not disturb subjects. Fixation of the C-electrode on the scalp is based entirely on the adhesive interaction between the very light C-electrode/wire construction (<35 mg) and a droplet of EEG paste/gel. Moreover, because of its miniaturization, both C-electrode (diameter 2-3mm) and a wire (diameter approximately 50 microm) are minimally (or not at all) visible to an external observer. EEG recordings with standard and C-electrodes were performed during rest condition, self-paced movements and median nerve stimulation.


RESULTS
The quality of EEG recordings for all three types of experimental conditions was similar for standard and C-electrodes, i.e., for near-DC recordings (Bereitschaftspotential), standard rest EEG spectra (1-45 Hz) and very fast oscillations approximately 600 Hz (somatosensory evoked potentials). The tests showed also that once being placed on a subject's head, C-electrodes can be used for 9h without any loss in EEG recording quality. Furthermore, we showed that C-electrodes can be effectively utilized for Brain-Computer Interfacing. C-electrodes proved to posses a high stability of mechanical fixation (stayed attached with 2.5 g accelerations). Subjects also reported not having any tactile sensations associated with wearing of C-electrodes.


CONCLUSIONS
C-electrodes provide optimal wearing comfort without any loss in the quality of EEG recordings.


CONCLUSIONS
We anticipate that C-electrodes can be used in a wide range of clinical, research and emerging neuro-technological environments.
Neurophysics Group, Department of Neurology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, D-12200 Berlin, Germany. vadim.nikulin@charite.de
Vadim V
VV
Nikulin
Jewgeni
J
Kegeles
Gabriel
G
Curio
D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000592:standards*; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008839:Microelectrodes / Q000592:standards*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D012535:Scalp / Q000502:physiology