MRI and CT Compatible Asymmetric Bilayer Hydrogel Electrodes for EEG-Based Brain Activity Monitoring

Abstract

The exploration of the multi-dimensional brain activity with high temporal resolution and spatial resolution is of great significance in the diagnosis of neurological disease and the study of brain science. Although the integration of EEG with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) provides a potential solution to achieve the brain-functional image with high spatiotemporal resolution, the critical issues of interface stability and magnetic compatibility remain challenges. Therefore, in this research, we proposed a conductive hydrogel EEG electrode with an asymmetrical bilayer structure, which shows the potential to overcome the challenges. Benefited from the bilayer structure with different moduli, the hydrogel electrode exhibits high biological and mechanical compatibility with the heterogeneous brain-electrode interface. As a result, the impedance can be reduced compared with conventional metal electrodes. In addition, the hydrogel-based ionic conductive electrodes, which are free from metal conductors, are compatible with MRI and CT. Therefore, it can obtain high spatiotemporal resolution multi-dimensional brain information in clinical settings. The research outcome provides a new approach for establishing a platform for early diagnosis of brain diseases and the study of brain science.