title: Thin-film electroencephalographic electrodes using multi-walled carbon nanotubes are effective for neurosurgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intraoperative morphological and functional monitoring is essential for safe neurosurgery. Functional monitoring is based on electroencephalography (EEG), which uses silver electrodes. However, these electrodes generate metal artifacts as silver blocks X-rays, creating white radial lines on computed tomography (CT) images during surgery. Thick electrodes interfere with surgical procedures. Thus, thinner and lighter electrodes are ideal for intraoperative use.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors developed thin brain electrodes using carbon nanotubes that were formed into thin sheets and connected to electrical wires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nanotube sheets were soft and fitted the curve of the head very well. When attached to the head using paste, the impedance of the newly developed electrodes was 5 kΩ or lower, which was similar to that of conventional metal electrodes. These electrodes can be used in combination with intraoperative CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or cerebral angiography. Somatosensory-evoked potentials, auditory brainstem responses, and visually evoked potentials were clearly identified in ten volunteers. The electrodes, without any artifacts that distort images, did not interfere with X-rays, CT, or MR images. They also did not cause skin damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carbon nanotube electrodes may be ideal for neurosurgery.
authors.forename: Kousuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Awara
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Fukui, 23 Shimoaizuki Eiheijimatsuoka, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193, Japan. kitai@u-fukui.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Ryuhei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kitai
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isozaki
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Neishi
authors.forename: Kenichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kikuta
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fushisato
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kawamoto
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004566:Electrodes; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008422:Materials Testing; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D012834:Silver; D002244:Carbon