Researchers have developed a 3D-printed EEG electrode that’s almost invisible.
There are always new 3D-print applications, and this is certainly one that’s quite interesting. It solves a number of issues with current electrodes used to monitor brain activity.
Today’s electrodes are bulky and interfere with the patient’s hair. They also require conductive gel to be applied, which can dry out and is often messy, particularly with nearby hair. They really aren’t suitable for daily use, which is a requirement in some medical situations.
The new concept is to 3D-print a hairlike electrode using a direct ink writing approach. The new device is only 0.3mm in diameter, similar to human hair, and can be stretched up to 200% of its original length without failure. It can also be coloured using biocompatible dyes to match the patient’s hair. The material used is an electrically conductive hydrogel.
The resulting electrode can be easily worn by patients for long periods without issue.
While this initial effort was focused on simply making the electrode, there are implications. This technology could certainly be used to 3D-print more functional wearables that electrically interact with the wearer in various ways.
Another possibility is the development of more wearable brain-to-computer interfaces. That capability alone could generate plenty of 3D-printed applications.
Via Nature
