Micromachined electrodes for biopotential measurements

• We describe the microfabrication, packaging and testing of a micromachined dry biopotential electrode, (i.e., where electrolytic gel is not required). It consists of an array of micro-dimensioned, very sharp spikes, (i.e., needles) designed for penetration of human skin which circumvent high impedance problems associated with layers of tbe outer skin. The spikes are etched in silicon by deep reactive ion etching and are subsequently covered with a silver-silverchloride (Ag-AgCl) double layer. The electrode-skin-electrode impedance of dry spiked electrodes having a size of 4 x 4 mm(2) is reduced compared to standard electrodes using electrolytic gel and having a comparable size, Recorded low amplitude biopotentials resulting from the activity of the brain, (i.e, EEG signals) are of high quality, even for spiked electrodes as small as 2 x 2 mm(2). The spiked electrode offers a promising alternative to standard electrodes in biomedical applications and is of interest in research of nem biomedical methods.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Annan teknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Other Engineering and Technologies (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

biopotential

deep reactive ion etching

microneedles

skin applied dry

electrode

spikes

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)