Three D printed Ear EEG Electrode design and its implementation

EEG is a method for non-invasive recording of skin potentials, which represents aggregated electrical activity in the brain from populations of temporally synchronized and spatially aligned neurons. The main clinical applications of EEG include sleep monitoring, screening of auditory nerve, epilepsy

Project Title

Three D printed Ear EEG Electrode design and its implementation

Project Area of Specialization

Wearables and Implantable

Project Summary

EEG is a method for non-invasive recording of skin potentials, which represents aggregated electrical activity in the brain from populations of temporally synchronized and spatially aligned neurons. The main clinical applications of EEG include sleep monitoring, screening of auditory nerve, epilepsy and determination of brain death etc. Electroencephalography (EEG) can be measured in real-life using wearable EEG equipment. Current wearable EEG devices are typically based on scalp electrodes, causing the devices to be visible and often uncomfortable to wear for long term recordings. Ear EEG is a method where EEG is recorded from electrodes placed in the ear. This project is based upon the designing of 3D printed Ear EEG electrode through 3D modeling and the purpose of the project is to record EEG signals which are acquired from electrodes placed on ear piece and to campare the normal EEG electrode signal from hospital with the designed one.  The Ear EEG supports non invasive long term recordings of  EEG in real life in a discreet way. Ear EEG addresses the practical challenges of non invasive and robust EEG acquisition in real life environments. The shape of Ear EEG devices is similar to the earpieces used for hearing aids and provides a discreet and comfortable way of recording EEG. Thus, a wearable EEG device, based on ear EEG, could be used formonitoring of EEG for several days. The Ear EEG has been validated through laboratory studies of event related EEG potentials. However, the vision is also to use the Ear EEG for real life acquisition of spontaneous EEG. The Ear EEG could most likely be utilized for the majority of the clinical and research applications.

Project Objectives

• The objective of our project is to design a 3D Ear EEG Electrode that record the EEG signals through ear. This allows quick and inexpensive electrode manufacturing.
• The wearable EEG has great advantages, in terms of less time consumption and user-friendliness, can be obtained by using dry contact electrodes, where no electrode gel is applied. However, dry contact electrodes impose new challenges that must be addressed to obtain a satisfying recording quality.
• The vision is also to use the 3D Ear EEG electrode could most likely be utilized for the majority of the clinical and research applications.

Project Implementation Method

Firstly the C.T scan of the ear canal has been taken in order to identify the dimensions of the inner ear.Through these dimensions we analyzed the width and height of the internal ear.

Then the electrode and ear piece design is manufactured by using software. The shape of the ear EEG devices is similar to the ear pieces used for hearing aids and provides a discreet and comfortable way of recording EEG. Earpieces for the study will be designed with a flexible joint between the ear-canal and the concha part of the earpiece. This enabled the ear-canal and concha part of the earpiece to move independently, facilitating less motion of the electrodes during movements.

The diameters of the electrode should be accurate to the size which is needed for pick up the signals through ear canal. Then after designing the structure of electrode and ear piece,3D printing will be performed. As such, the electrodes can be manufactured very inexpensively and on the spot, giving much easier access to dry EEG technology as well as does not require much time as compared to other techniques like moulding etc.

Aftre that the electrodes will be coated with a suitable conductive material for making it a dry contact ear EEG electrodes and it does not require any conductive gel in order to pick the brain signals. After this we will insert the electrodes into an earpiece that will cover the outer ear. The ear piece contains several holes to place electrodes in it.After detecting the signals through electrodes the signals then moved to the EEG machine and can be visualized. Then, comparison of signal between normal EEG electrode signal and an ear EEG electrode signal will be done.

3D printing of Ear EEG electrodes represents an authentic breakthrough for the development of dry medical electrodes. In fact, it allows a fast and low cost production of high precision. The proposed dry electrodes can reveal to be suitable and valid  for EEG recording and facilitating a growing interest in wearable EEG that can be used out of the lab for a wide range of applications. This project presents our work on the use of 3D printing to rapidly manufacture EEG electrodes. As a new and readily available manufacturing approach, our method provides a way for individual researchers to make their own electrodes in an easy and accessible way in order to detect the brain signals.

Benefits of the Project

• The compact and discreet nature of ear-EEG devices makes it suitable for real-life EEG monitoring.
• The demand for more comfortable and user friendly electrodes has led to the development of an increasing number of dry devices that can overcome the limitations of wet electrodes.
• However, the vision is also to use the 3D Ear EEG electrode could most likely be utilized for the majority of the clinical and research applications. Thereby, ear-EEG provides a noninvasive and discreet way of recording EEG, and has the potential to be used for long-term brain monitoring in real-life environments.

 At the conclusion, the ear-EEG recording device based on generic earpieces meets key patient needs (discreet, unobstrusive, user-friendly, robust) and that is low-cost and suitable for off-the-shelf use; thus promising great advantages for healthcare applications.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

• Detail report of literature review include the facts and figures related to previous studies, to take a critical look at the literature which demonstrates the relevance of the research.

• Results of ear canal dimensions could be taken accurately and precisely by the CT scan of the internal ear. From these results we will be able to design the earpiece and electrodes in a precise manner.
• Final design of earpiece and electrode include the design of earpiece for the study can be design with a flexible joint between the ear canal and concha part of the earpiece which enabled the ear canal and concha part of the earpiece to move independently , facilitating less motion of the electrodes during movement and silicon rubber will be used to make the earpiece while the electrode will be coated with the IrO2 for making the dry contact with the skin.
• Designing results of earpiece can be seen by using the CAD software application used in the preparation of many engineering plans for designing of 3D objects.
• Results of EEG signal will be acquired with the dry contact IrO2 coated electrodes inserted into flexible earpiece. Measurements will be acquired from the subject by placing the the earpiece into the ear.
• Analysis and results of compared signals refer to the comparison of normal/ scalp EEG electrode signal with the designed ear EEG electrode signal. As normal/ scalp EEG signal is consider as more accurate yet. So, further researches are required related to the ear EEG electrode to make the ear EEG device more accurate.
• Project result in form of report with pictorial representation. As report communicate information which has been compiled as a result of research and analysis of data for transmitting information with a clear and meaningful purpose to a specific audience.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Type of Industry

Health

Technologies

Wearables and Implantables

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People

Required Resources

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