Biopotential fiber sensor

We have developed a new biopotential fiber sensor (BFS) technology as an alternative to traditional wet-gel Ag/AgCl electrodes in long-term monitoring applications. Biopotential fiber sensor technology uses proprietary method of bonding copper sulfide to the surface of acrylic fibers, thus creating an electrically conductive medium (10(-1) Omega/cm). Surface modified bundles of acrylic fibers form stable biopotential sensors when doped with proprietary ink comprising organic acids and nano particles of Ag and AgCl. Biopotential fiber sensors are characterized by a small footprint 0.1 mm(2) and low mass of 0.005 g. Biopotential fiber sensor systems are disposable I-piece assemblies combining the functions of the electrodes, lead wires and a patient cable. Methods: The electric performance characteristics of BFS were obtained according to American National Standards Institute/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation EC-12:2000 standard and compared with Ag/AgCl wet-gel electrodes. The noise characteristics were determined from 250 hours of 3-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) data recorded with BFS over a period of 10 days from healthy volunteers. Results: The BFS direct current offset voltage was 0.11 mV and alternate current impedance at 10 Hz was 22 Omega. The sensors average longevity on the body surface with no deiachments was at least 7 days. BFS demonstrated high immunity to motion and electric field-induced artifacts. Conclusions: Biopotential fiber sensors are well suited for routine long-term ECG monitoring applications because of increased patient comfort through integration of the electrode, lead wire, and a patient cable, which function into one disposable BFS fiber assembly. Biopotential fiber sensor have electrical characteristics comparable to Ag/AgCl wet electrodes. We observed an improved ECG signal quality, reduced frequent electrode detachments, reduced wire clutter and entanglement, and improved sensor adherence to the skin over longer periods of time. (C) 2006 Published by Elsevier Inc.