Characterization of Screen Printed Ag-PDMS Flexible Electrode for Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

Abstract

Electrical Stimulation is vital for maintaining muscle tone and strength particularly in improving muscle conditions. However, commonly used electrodes for muscle stimulation are flat, solid and have a fixed curvature and therefore cannot conform to the surface of the body. In this paper, a newly developed silver (Ag)-Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) flexible electrode for electrical muscle stimulation was developed. The electrodes were fabricated using screen printing for both single and array designs. The Ag-PDMS composite was developed to allow electrode pattern to be transferred properly on the PDMS substrate because due to same material property.Subsequently, the Ag-PDMS sheet resistance (R) which related to the conductivity of the electrode, was characterized. The R increases each time strain was given to the substrate (0.1cm in each test) with the initial value of 0.7Ω and 75Ω for single and array electrode respectively.To evaluate the functionalities of the electrodes, the Mechanomyogram (MMG) signals were measured by using an equipment called USBamp and a commercial Electrical Muscle Stimulator. Results show that the functionality of the fabricated single electrodes were comparable to the commercial one.

Assessment of muscle activity using electrical stimulation and mechanomyography: a systematic review

“…As shown in Table 3 , six studies [ 38 – 43 ] have been determined to discuss the performance of developed electrodes and sensors in MMG and electrical muscle stimulation settings, further describing their ongoing development. In one study [ 38 ], a silver (Ag)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite was developed and used for electrical muscular activation. After fabrication, single and array electrodes were then used to excite the BB muscle.…”

An Analysis of a Flexible Dry Surface Electrodes

“…Thus making it a not preferable materials to use for the invasive electrodes. Moreover, polyimide substrate have the characteristic to absorb moisture, but this characteristic is not suitable for invasive electrode as it prone to cause failure in a rehabilitation process [7], [8]. This limitation however, might be useful in designing a non-invasive electrode design.…”

Development of a Flexible and Wearable Microelectrode Array Patch Using a Screen-Printed Masking Technique for Accelerated Wound Healing

“…15 Ibrahim et al have also fabricated an electrical neuromuscular stimulator patch using silver ink printed on a PDMS substrate. 16 Mostafalu et al from Wyss Institute have developed a flexible closed-loop on-demand drug delivery wound-healing patch using a screen-printed pH sensor integrated with the patch along with microheaters and temperature sensors. 3 Wang et al developed a screen-printed conductive hydrogel-based ePatch with infused silver nanowire for the treatment of diabetic wounds in rodents.…”

“…Ravichandran et al have developed a customized muscle ES neuro-prosthesis patch to stimulate targeted muscles by screen-printing silver ink as stimulation electrodes over a flexible Ecoflex substrate . Ibrahim et al have also fabricated an electrical neuromuscular stimulator patch using silver ink printed on a PDMS substrate . Mostafalu et al from Wyss Institute have developed a flexible closed-loop on-demand drug delivery wound-healing patch using a screen-printed pH sensor integrated with the patch along with microheaters and temperature sensors .…”