Abstract
We proposed new electrodes that are applicable for electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring under freshwater- and saltwater-immersion conditions. Our proposed electrodes are made of graphite pencil lead (GPL), a general-purpose writing pencil. We have fabricated two types of electrode: a pencil lead solid type (PLS) electrode and a pencil lead powder type (PLP) electrode. In order to assess the qualities of the PLS and PLP electrodes, we compared their performance with that of a commercial Ag/AgCl electrode, under a total of seven different conditions: dry, freshwater immersion with/without movement, post-freshwater wet condition, saltwater immersion with/without movement, and post-saltwater wet condition. In both dry and post-freshwater wet conditions, all ECG-recorded PQRST waves were clearly discernible, with all types of electrodes, Ag/AgCl, PLS, and PLP. On the other hand, under the freshwater- and saltwater-immersion conditions with/without movement, as well as post-saltwater wet conditions, we found that the proposed PLS and PLP electrodes provided better ECG waveform quality, with significant statistical differences compared with the quality provided by Ag/AgCl electrodes.
Highlights
One of the most important methods of monitoring vital signs that track an individual’s health is using an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
We evaluated graphite pencil lead (GPL)
We have developed two types of dry electrodes from GPL and evaluated the usability of our electrodes in the seven different conditions: dry condition, freshwater immersion with/without movement condition, post-freshwater condition, saltwater immersion with/without movement condition, and post-saltwater condition
Summary
One of the most important methods of monitoring vital signs that track an individual’s health is using an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) It provides meaningful information regarding person’s heart performance and functionality. Efferent sympathetic and vagal activities directed to the sinus node are characterized by discharges, largely synchronous with each cardiac cycle, which can be modulated by central and peripheral oscillators. These mechanisms generate rhythmic fluctuations in efferent neural discharge, which manifest short and long-term oscillations in the heart period. We have described the fabrication process, the impedance characteristics, and the quality evaluation of the ECG morphology in each condition
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