Concentric Ring Electrodes Research Articles

Solving the general inter-ring distances optimization problem for concentric ring electrodes to improve Laplacian estimation

BackgroundSuperiority of noninvasive tripolar concentric ring electrodes over conventional disc electrodes in accuracy of surface Laplacian estimation has been demonstrated in a range of electrophysiological measurement applications. Recently, a general approach to Laplacian estimation for an (n + 1)-polar electrode with n rings using the (4n + 1)-point method has been proposed and used to introduce novel multipolar and variable inter-ring distances electrode configurations. While only linearly increasing and linearly decreasing inter-ring distances have been considered previously, this paper defines and solves the general inter-ring distances optimization problem for the (4n + 1)-point method.ResultsGeneral inter-ring distances optimization problem is solved for tripolar (n = 2) and quadripolar (n = 3) concentric ring electrode configurations through minimizing the truncation error of Laplacian estimation. For tripolar configuration with middle ring radius αr and outer ring radius r the optimal range of values for α was determined to be 0 < α ≤ 0.22 while for quadripolar configuration with an additional middle ring with radius βr the optimal range of values for α and β was determined by inequalities 0 < α < β < 1 and αβ ≤ 0.21. Finite element method modeling and full factorial analysis of variance were used to confirm statistical significance of Laplacian estimation accuracy improvement due to optimization of inter-ring distances (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsObtained results suggest the potential of using optimization of inter-ring distances to improve the accuracy of surface Laplacian estimation via concentric ring electrodes. Identical approach can be applied to solving corresponding inter-ring distances optimization problems for electrode configurations with higher numbers of concentric rings. Solutions of the proposed inter-ring distances optimization problem define the class of the optimized inter-ring distances electrode designs. These designs may result in improved noninvasive sensors for measurement systems that use concentric ring electrodes to acquire electrical signals such as from the brain, intestines, heart or uterus for diagnostic purposes.

Textile Concentric Ring Electrodes: Influence of Position and Electrode Size on Cardiac Activity Monitoring

Continuous ECG monitoring can play an important role in the rapid detection of pathological signatures and arrhythmias. Current systems use electrodes with limitations in wearable long-term applications and spatial selectivity. In this work, two sizes of textile concentric ring electrodes (TCRE42 and TCRE50) were developed and tested for monitoring cardiac activity. The low-cost devices were found to be easy to implement and to potentially have the advantages of textile electrodes for being lightweight, stretchable, adjustable, washable, and long-lasting. Both TCREs yielded similar signal detectability of different ECG waves. The optimal P wave recording area (OPA) for detecting signals was on the upper right chest. Although the absolute signal amplitude of TCRE records was smaller than that of lead II, normalized amplitude in the OPA is similar for T wave and higher for P wave. The TCREs also allowed better analysis of P wave morphology and were able to detect more right and left atrial depolarization waves. TCRE48 showed slightly better detectability, normalized amplitude, and spatial selectivity than TCRE50 within the OPA. The authors consider the TCRE suitable for use in ubiquitous mobile health care systems, especially for atrial activity monitoring and diagnosis.

Assessment of Respiratory Muscle Activity with Surface Electromyographic Signals Acquired by Concentric Ring Electrodes.

The assessment of respiratory muscle activity by surface electromyography (sEMG) is a promising noninvasive technique for the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The diaphragm is the most important muscle in breathing, although in forced inspiration other muscles, such as sternocleidomastoid, are activated and contribute to the respiratory process. The measurement of the sEMG in these muscles (sEMGdi and sEMGscm, respectively) by means of two electrodes in conventional bipolar configuration (BEs) is a common practice to evaluate the respiratory muscle activity and allows to indirectly quantify the level of muscular activation. However, the resulting signals are usually contaminated by electrocardiographic (ECG) activity, hindering the assessment of the activity of these muscles. sEMG signals can also be recorded using concentric ring electrodes (CREs). CREs have greater spatial resolution and attenuate distant bioelectrical interferences. In this scenario, the objective of this work has been to evaluate the applicability of CREs for the acquisition of sEMGdi and sEMGscm. For this purpose, both sEMG signals were recorded simultaneously with BEs and CREs in healthy subjects while performing an inspiratory load protocol. To evaluate the effect of the cardiac interference, the ratio between the mean power in inspiratory segments without ECG and the mean power in expiratory segments with ECG (Rcardio) was calculated. Additionally, the ratio between the mean power in inspiratory segments without ECG and the mean power in expiratory segments without ECG (Rinex) was also calculated. The results revealed that the Rcardio and bandwidth is greater in sEMG signals acquired with the CREs, while the Rinex is higher in the signals acquired with BEs. These results suggest that the use of CREs is a recommended alternative for the acquisition of sEMG in muscles with high cardiac interference, such as the diaphragm muscle.

An impedimetric bioaffinity sensing chip integrated with the long-range DC-biased AC electrokinetic centripetal vortex produced in a high conductivity solution.

Immunoreaction of specific antibodies to antigens is widely used in numerous immunoanalysis applications. However, diffusion-dominated transport in stationary solutions limits the rate and binding density of immunoreaction. This research describes the construction of chip-type concentric multi-double ring electrodes and single central disk electrode. A +1 V-biased 6 Vpp voltage was applied to the multi-double ring electrodes to induce a long-range DC-biased AC electrokinetic flow (ACEKF). The immunoreaction was quantified by electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS). Fluorescence-labeled secondary antibody (FLSA) and protein A were exemplified as an immunoreacting model to demonstrate the effect of ACEKF on immunoreaction efficiency. The results showed that FLSA binding can reach a plateau in 8 min with the DC-biased ACEKF vortex, and the increment of electron transfer resistance is 2.26 times larger than that obtained in the unstirred solution. The sensitivity of the calibration curves obtained by EIS detection with the aid of DC-biased ACEKF vortex is 1.51 times larger than that obtained in an unstirred solution. The label-free EIS-based sensing chip integrated with the long-range DC-biased ACEKF vortex promises to facilitate immunoreaction efficiency, which is beneficial for the development of a miniature and fast-detection in vitro diagnostic device.

A Flexible Multiring Concentric Electrode for Non-Invasive Identification of Intestinal Slow Waves.

Developing new types of optimized electrodes for specific biomedical applications can substantially improve the quality of the sensed signals. Concentric ring electrodes have been shown to provide enhanced spatial resolution to that of conventional disc electrodes. A sensor with different electrode sizes and configurations (monopolar, bipolar, etc.) that provides simultaneous records would be very helpful for studying the best signal-sensing arrangement. A 5-pole electrode with an inner disc and four concentric rings of different sizes was developed and tested on surface intestinal myoelectrical recordings from healthy humans. For good adaptation to a curved body surface, the electrode was screen-printed onto a flexible polyester substrate. To facilitate clinical use, it is self-adhesive, incorporates a single connector and can perform dry or wet (with gel) recordings. The results show it to be a versatile electrode that can evaluate the optimal configuration for the identification of the intestinal slow wave and reject undesired interference. A bipolar concentric record with an outer ring diameter of 30 mm, a foam-free adhesive material, and electrolytic gel gave the best results.

Textile Concentric Ring Electrodes for ECG Recording Based on Screen-Printing Technology.

Among many of the electrode designs used in electrocardiography (ECG), concentric ring electrodes (CREs) are one of the most promising due to their enhanced spatial resolution. Their development has undergone a great push due to their use in recent years; however, they are not yet widely used in clinical practice. CRE implementation in textiles will lead to a low cost, flexible, comfortable, and robust electrode capable of detecting high spatial resolution ECG signals. A textile CRE set has been designed and developed using screen-printing technology. This is a mature technology in the textile industry and, therefore, does not require heavy investments. Inks employed as conductive elements have been silver and a conducting polymer (poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate; PEDOT:PSS). Conducting polymers have biocompatibility advantages, they can be used with flexible substrates, and they are available for several printing technologies. CREs implemented with both inks have been compared by analyzing their electric features and their performance in detecting ECG signals. The results reveal that silver CREs present a higher average thickness and slightly lower skin-electrode impedance than PEDOT:PSS CREs. As for ECG recordings with subjects at rest, both CREs allowed the uptake of bipolar concentric ECG signals (BC-ECG) with signal-to-noise ratios similar to that of conventional ECG recordings. Regarding the saturation and alterations of ECGs captured with textile CREs caused by intentional subject movements, silver CREs presented a more stable response (fewer saturations and alterations) than those of PEDOT:PSS. Moreover, BC-ECG signals provided higher spatial resolution compared to conventional ECG. This improved spatial resolution was manifested in the identification of P1 and P2 waves of atrial activity in most of the BC-ECG signals. It can be concluded that textile silver CREs are more suitable than those of PEDOT:PSS for obtaining BC-ECG records. These developed textile electrodes bring the use of CREs closer to the clinical environment.

The Study of EHD Flow:Velocity and electrical power

Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) flow is the yield of the corona discharge. Corona discharge characterized by electrical phenomena that occur together in a gas medium under the influence of an electric field. In corona discharge, the electric field is not homogeneous due to the geometry of the electrode configuration. In this study, a pin-multi concentric ring electrode (P-MRE) and pin-single ring electrode (P-SRE) has been used as electrodes configuration. The objective of this research is to get the velocity of EHD flow and determining the electrical power of the EHD flow. EHD flow generated by a DC high voltage (up to 5 kV). The pin electrode was connected to a positive polarity and electrode ring/multi-concentric rings to negative polarity. Based on our result, we make a comparison of two types of corona configurations. The results were obtained that, EHD flow velocities with the P-MRE was greater than the P-SRE for the same distance and voltage. We found that u-P characteristics of EHD flow with the P-MRE and P-SRE follow relationship as u ∞ P1/3.

Development of recycling method for CD-ROM using pulsed power

This paper describes a new recycling method for metal-coated plastics. Pulsed power technology was used to remove a metal layer (aluminum) from CD-ROM. The progress of removal and the state of discharge were investigated in detail. In addition, the shadow picture method including a digital image processing was used to estimate removal amount. A pulsed power generator using magnetic pulse compression (MPC-PPG) with maximum storage energy of 40 J/pulse was used. Pulsed power was applied to concentric ring electrodes placed on the CD-ROM. Separation between electrodes was about 35 mm. Results show that almost all of the metal layer was removed under application of about 30 shots of pulse power. A strong correlation between the removed area measured by the shadow picture method and the removed mass was obtained, allowing the removed area and mass to be measured instantly by the shadow picture method. Furthermore, it was revealed that the discharge onset voltage increases with gap length between the electrodes and the aluminum layer left on the surface. Due to the surface flashover voltage between ring electrodes of about 80 kV, a pulsed power source output voltage larger than 80 kV is required.

Comparison of electrohysterogram signal measured by surface electrodes with different designs: A computational study with dipole band and abdomen models

Non-invasive measurement of uterine activity using electrohysterogram (EHG) surface electrodes has been attempted to monitor uterine contraction. This study aimed to computationally compare the performance of acquiring EHG signals using monopolar electrode and three types of Laplacian concentric ring electrodes (bipolar, quasi-bipolar and tri-polar). With the implementation of dipole band model and abdomen model, the performances of four electrodes in terms of the local sensitivity were quantified by potential attenuation. Furthermore, the effects of fat and muscle thickness on potential attenuation were evaluated using the bipolar and tri-polar electrodes with different radius. The results showed that all the four types of electrodes detected the simulated EHG signals with consistency. That the bipolar and tri-polar electrodes had greater attenuations than the others, and the shorter distance between the origin and location of dipole band at 20 dB attenuation, indicating that they had relatively better local sensitivity. In addition, ANOVA analysis showed that, for all the electrodes with different outer ring radius, the effects of fat and muscle on potential attenuation were significant (all p < 0.01). It is therefore concluded that the bipolar and tri-polar electrodes had higher local sensitivity than the others, indicating that they can be applied to detect EHG effectively.

Proof of concept Laplacian estimate derived for noninvasive tripolar concentric ring electrode with incorporated radius of the central disc and the widths of the concentric rings.

Tripolar concentric ring electrodes are showing great promise in a range of applications including braincomputer interface and seizure onset detection due to their superiority to conventional disc electrodes, in particular, in accuracy of surface Laplacian estimation. Recently, we proposed a general approach to estimation of the Laplacian for an (n + 1)-polar electrode with n rings using the (4n + 1)-point method for n ≥ 2 that allows cancellation of all the truncation terms up to the order of 2n. This approach has been used to introduce novel multipolar and variable inter-ring distances concentric ring electrode configurations verified using finite element method. The obtained results suggest their potential to improve Laplacian estimation compared to currently used constant interring distances tripolar concentric ring electrodes. One of the main limitations of the proposed (4n + 1)-point method is that the radius of the central disc and the widths of the concentric rings are not included and therefore cannot be optimized. This study incorporates these two parameters by representing the central disc and both concentric rings as clusters of points with specific radius and widths respectively as opposed to the currently used single point and concentric circles. A proof of concept Laplacian estimate is derived for a tripolar concentric ring electrode with non-negligible radius of the central disc and non-negligible widths of the concentric rings clearly demonstrating how both of these parameters can be incorporated into the (4n + 1)-point method.

Analysis of variance to assess statistical significance of Laplacian estimation accuracy improvement due to novel variable inter-ring distances concentric ring electrodes.

Concentric ring electrodes have shown promise in non-invasive electrophysiological measurement demonstrating their superiority to conventional disc electrodes, in particular, in accuracy of Laplacian estimation. Recently, we have proposed novel variable inter-ring distances concentric ring electrodes. Analytic and finite element method modeling results for linearly increasing distances electrode configurations suggested they may decrease the truncation error resulting in more accurate Laplacian estimates compared to currently used constant inter-ring distances configurations. This study assesses statistical significance of Laplacian estimation accuracy improvement due to novel variable inter-ring distances concentric ring electrodes. Full factorial design of analysis of variance was used with one categorical and two numerical factors: the inter-ring distances, the electrode diameter, and the number of concentric rings in the electrode. The response variables were the Relative Error and the Maximum Error of Laplacian estimation computed using a finite element method model for each of the combinations of levels of three factors. Effects of the main factors and their interactions on Relative Error and Maximum Error were assessed and the obtained results suggest that all three factors have statistically significant effects in the model confirming the potential of using inter-ring distances as a means of improving accuracy of Laplacian estimation.

Computation of Surface Laplacian for tri-polar ring electrodes on high-density realistic geometry head model.

Neural activity inside the human brain generate electrical signals that can be detected on the scalp. Electroencephalograph (EEG) is one of the most widely utilized techniques helping physicians and researchers to diagnose and understand various brain diseases. Due to its nature, EEG signals have very high temporal resolution but poor spatial resolution. To achieve higher spatial resolution, a novel tri-polar concentric ring electrode (TCRE) has been developed to directly measure Surface Laplacian (SL). The objective of the present study is to accurately calculate SL for TCRE based on a realistic geometry head model. A locally dense mesh was proposed to represent the head surface, where the local dense parts were to match the small structural components in TCRE. Other areas without dense mesh were used for the purpose of reducing computational load. We conducted computer simulations to evaluate the performance of the proposed mesh and evaluated possible numerical errors as compared with a low-density model. Finally, with achieved accuracy, we presented the computed forward lead field of SL for TCRE for the first time in a realistic geometry head model and demonstrated that it has better spatial resolution than computed SL from classic EEG recordings.

Identifying the effects of microsaccades in tripolar EEG signals.

Microsaccades are tiny, involuntary eye movements that occur during fixation, and they are necessary to human sight to maintain a sharp image and correct the effects of other fixational movements. Researchers have theorized and studied the effects of microsaccades on electroencephalography (EEG) signals to understand and eliminate the unwanted artifacts from EEG. The tripolar concentric ring electrode (TCRE) sensors are used to acquire TCRE EEG (tEEG). The tEEG detects extremely focal signals from directly below the TCRE sensor. We have noticed a slow wave frequency found in some tEEG recordings. Therefore, we conducted the current work to determine if there was a correlation between the slow wave in the tEEG and the microsaccades. This was done by analyzing the coherence of the frequency spectrums of both tEEG and eye movement in recordings where microsaccades are present. Our preliminary findings show that there is a correlation between the two.

An Integrated Operational Platform for Studying Colloidal Microsphere and Microdroplet Resonators

In this study, an integrated operation platform is proposed to study colloidal microsphere and microdroplet resonators on a chip. Via varying dielectrophoretic force induced on a specially designed concentric ring electrode, spherical optical resonators are able to be precisely controlled on their position relative to an integrated waveguide with resolution down to tens of nanometer, which is crucial to determine the coupling condition of the resonator. A solid-state polystyrene microsphere and an immersion oil droplet are demonstrated with ability to be freely operated in undercoupling, critical coupling, and overcoupling regimes. Through this platform, a metrology technique is reported to precisely measure the radius of a microdroplet by examining the resonant modes. This platform could be a useful tool to study optical resonance of spherical objects dispersed in water.

Enhancement of thin air jets produced by ring-shaped dielectric barrier discharges using an auxiliary electrode

A ring-shaped dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was explored as a small form factor ionic wind device. Using a concentric ring electrode geometry, the DBD produced a converging ionic wind that leads to a vertical flow away from the DBD electrodes. The vertical flow was channeled through an outlet nozzle to produce a thin air jet, and a grounded auxiliary electrode was placed at the nozzle to enhance the exit velocity. The inner diameter of the ring-shaped DBD electrode and the auxiliary electrode ranged 3.18–9.54 mm and 1.0–4.0 mm, respectively. Results showed that the auxiliary electrode generated an ionic wind velocity up to 3.7 m/s and increased the conversion efficiency from discharge to flow power by a factor of 30 by strengthening the electric field where the ions are accelerated.

Numerical study of segmented-electrode planar Orbitraps

This study proposes a planar geometry mass analyzer which has fields and performance like that of a reference Orbitrap.The planar geometry taken up for investigation consists of two planar surfaces with concentric ring electrodes on each facing surface. Appropriate potentials are applied to the individual rings for effecting trapping of ions. The study used both single particle and multi-particle simulations. In the multi-particle simulations spatial and energetic distribution as well as space charge effects in the ion ensemble have been incorporated. The performance of this planar geometry has been compared to that of a reference Orbitrap by computing (1) the variation in potential along the principle directions, (2) ion trajectories and (3) induced image currents in the two geometries. The potentials applied to the ring electrodes were optimized to improve the electric field inside the planar geometry.

A practical comparison of surface resistance test electrodes

Four surface resistance test electrodes are compared using a selection of materials under similar test conditions. The results vary considerably with some materials due to variation in surface resistivity. Using a relatively uniform material two concentric ring electrodes compliant with the same standard differed in results by a factor of 1.8. Silver stripe and copper tape electrodes gave results a factor 0.4 and 0.7 compared to the reference electrode. A 2-pin electrode gave results a factor 4.7 greater. The 2 pin probe cannot be expected to give similar results to the other electrodes for materials that have variable resistivity.

Safety of the Transcranial Focal Electrical Stimulation via Tripolar Concentric Ring Electrodes for Hippocampal CA3 Subregion Neurons in Rats

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects approximately one percent of the world population. Noninvasive electrical brain stimulation via tripolar concentric ring electrodes has been proposed as an alternative/complementary therapy for seizure control. Previous results suggest its efficacy attenuating acute seizures in penicillin, pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus, and pentylenetetrazole-induced rat seizure models and its safety for the rat scalp, cortical integrity, and memory formation. In this study, neuronal counting was used to assess possible tissue damage in rats (n = 36) due to the single dose or five doses (given every 24 hours) of stimulation on hippocampal CA3 subregion neurons 24 hours, one week, and one month after the last stimulation dose. Full factorial analysis of variance showed no statistically significant difference in the number of neurons between control and stimulation-treated animals (p = 0.71). Moreover, it showed no statistically significant differences due to the number of stimulation doses (p = 0.71) nor due to the delay after the last stimulation dose (p = 0.96). Obtained results suggest that stimulation at current parameters (50 mA, 200 μs, 300 Hz, biphasic, charge-balanced pulses for 2 minutes) does not induce neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA3 subregion of the brain.

Wireless sensor node for non-invasive high precision electrocardiographic signal acquisition based on a multi-ring electrode

Abstract Concentric ring electrodes (CRE) have been proposed for sensing bioelectrical activity with high spatial resolution. Computational studies have revealed that the CRE dimensions are closely related to the electric dipole depth they can sense, but further experimental confirmation is needed. We aimed to develop and test a wireless multichannel ECG recording system based on a new flexible multi-ring electrode and to check the influence of CRE dimensions on the acquired signals. The system provided high-precision ECG signals by a simple procedure. The bipolar concentric ECG signal amplitude and SNR increase with the CRE’s outer ring dimension. Differences in the signal morphologies, associated with different sensitivities to the location of the active dipoles, were also obtained in the case of diameters smaller than 34 mm. A system with several wireless sensor nodes developed could be easily used by clinical staff for non-invasive cardiac monitoring and diagnosis with high spatial and temporal resolution.

Analytic assessment of Laplacian estimates via novel variable interring distances concentric ring electrodes.

Noninvasive concentric ring electrodes are a promising alternative to conventional disc electrodes. Currently, superiority of tripolar concentric ring electrodes over disc electrodes, in particular, in accuracy of Laplacian estimation has been demonstrated in a range of applications. In our recent work we have shown that accuracy of Laplacian estimation can be improved with multipolar concentric ring electrodes using a general approach to estimation of the Laplacian for an (n + 1)-polar electrode with n rings using the (4n + 1)-point method for n ≥ 2. This paper takes the next step toward further improving the Laplacian estimate by proposing novel variable inter-ring distances concentric ring electrodes. Derived using a modified (4n + 1)-point method, linearly increasing inter-ring distances tripolar (n = 2) and quadripolar (n = 3) electrode configurations are analytically compared to their constant inter-ring distances counterparts using coefficients of the Taylor series truncation terms. Obtained results suggest that increasing inter-ring distances electrode configurations may decrease the truncation error of the Laplacian estimation resulting in more accurate Laplacian estimates compared to respective constant inter-ring distances configurations. For currently used tripolar electrode configuration the truncation error may be decreased more than two-fold while for the quadripolar more than seven-fold decrease is expected.