BIO POTENTIAL ELECTRODES

ELECTRODES
What is an electrode? Device that converts ionic potentials into electronic potentials They are employed to pick up signals from our body. They play the role of transducers

Electrode-Skin Interface Model

Ehe

Electrode

Cd

Rd Sweat glands and ducts EP CP RP

Gel

Rs Ese

Epidermis Ce Re

Dermis and subcutaneous layer

Ru

Figure:A body-surface electrode is placed against skin, showing the total electrical equivalent circuit obtained in this situation. Each circuit element on the right is at approximately the same level at which the physical process that it represents would be in the left-hand diagram.

Types of electrodes
MICROELECTRODES: Used to measure near or within the cell SKIN SURFACE ELECTRODES: Used to measure from the surface of the skin NEEDLE ELECTRODES: Used to penetrate the skin

MICRO ELECTRODE
They are normally used to measure the potential within a single cell. The microelectrodes are very small in diameter and so it will not damage the human cell. Microelectrodes are classified into Metallic & Non-Metallic

MICROELECTRODE

 The metal microelectrodes are formed by electrolytically etching the tip of fine tungsten filament into a minute structure. ELECTROPOINTING.

Bioelectric potentials requires two electrodes, the voltage measured is difference between potential of microelectrode & reference electrode

A Insulation Cell membrane Cd + + +N = - Nucleus C + C - = Cytoplasm + N + + + + Electrode R resistance s + + + + Metal rod Tissue fluid Membrane potential + B

Reference electrode

+ -- + + - - - + + +

Lead wire C w capacitance

A
To amplifier

Cd2 Shaft
MetalRma electrolyte interface

capacitance

Cma Cdi Ema

Cytoplasm resistance

Cd1

Cmb

Rmb Reference
electrode model

Emb Ri Emp
Cell membrane

Re Tissue fluid
resistance Shank capacitance

SIMPLIFIED EQUIVALENT CKT

Rma Emp Membrane and action potential A Cma 0 Cd + Cw E B

Ema - Emb

 Area of reference electrode is many times greater than metals electrode tip(cross section is small) ,its impedance is negligible Impedance of microelectrode 1 area of tip Electrode output is coupled with amplifier Input impedance is not high HIGH PASS FILTER

MICROPIPET

 It consists of glass micropipet whose diameter= 1 micrometer Pipet is filled with electrolyte 3M of KCl (usually). A thin flexible metal wire is inserted to stem of micropipet ClAg,Stainless steel or tungsten

SIMPLIFIED EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT

 When micropipet is coupled with amplifier then membrane potential is coupled with High series resistance & moderate shunt capacitance Impedance of electrode places a limit on response time of circuit & it behaves like LOW PASS FILTER

SURFACE ELECTRODES
The surface electrodes are used to measure the potential available from the surface of the skin and used to sense the potential from heart, brain and nerves. The smaller area surface electrodes are used to measure EEG,EMG potentials and the larger area surface electrodes are used to measure ECGpotentials. Depends on construction, the surface electrodes are classified into 1. Metal plate electrode 2. Suction cup electrode 3. Adhesive tape electrode 4. Multipoint electrode 5. Floating electrode

METAL PLATE ELECTRODE

It is made up of Ag-AgCl (Silver-Silver Chloride). It is used to pick up ECG from the limb lead positions. It is fixed to the skin surface by means of conductive gel &rubber belt. Resistance value range 2 to 10 K ohms

METAL DISC ELECTRODE: It is made up of Ag-AgCl. It is used to pick up EEG from the scalp. It is fixed to the scalp by means of adhesive tape.

Disposable foam-pad electrode:

It is made up of Ag-AgCl. It is used to pick up ECG or EEG for those patients with contagious skin diseases. It is fixed to the skin surface by means of adhesive tapes attached to the electrode

Suction Electrodes
Well suited for attachment to flat surface body & to regions underlying tissue is soft. A paste is introduced into the cup, & only rim is in contact with the skin.

FLOATING ELECTRODE

Principle of this electrode is to eliminate movement artifact by avoiding direct contact of metal with skin Conductive path is electrolyte paste, which forms electrolyte bridge Generally attached to skin by two adhesive rings, which adhere to both the plastic surface of electrode & skin

MULTIPOINT ELECTRODE
Practical electrode used for ECG easurement. It contains active points Low resistance is established

NEEDLE ELECTRODE
Used to record peripheral nerve action potential (electroneurography) Needle resembles medicine dropper Consists of fine insulated wires with bare tips, which is in contact with muscle or tissue Reminder of wire is insulated Wire electrodes of copper or platinum are often used for EMG pick up

 Metal-electrolyte interface takes place between the un-insulated tip of wire & electrolytes of the body. unipolar electrode measures the potential at the point of contact with respect to reference. bipolar electrode one wire is active electrode & other acts as reference

Simplified equivalent circuit of a Needle type EMG electrode pair and equivalent circuit of the input stage of an amplifier

DEPTH ELECTRODE
Used to study the electrical activity of neurons in superficial layers of brain. It consists of teflon insulated platinum(90%)iridum (10%)alloy wires, bounded to central supporting stainless steel wire which acts as indifferent electrode Electrode rests on subcortial nerve cells Area=0.5mm2 Used to inject medicine into brain Used to measure oxygen tension