A group of US researchers has developed a hair-like tool for long-term, non-invasive electrical activity monitoring of the brain.

According to the Penn State University researchers, the flexible and lightweight electrode adheres directly to the scalp and produces steady, high-quality recordings of the impulses coming from the brain.

Instead of the conventional metal electrodes, electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring may soon resemble a strand of hair, a network of wires, and sticky adhesives.

In order to assess problems that impact the blood vessels and blood flow in the brain, sleep disorders, seizures, and other conditions, physicians may need to observe brain waves for extended periods of time.

In a report published in the journal npc biomedical innovations, the researchers detailed the novel electrodes, which demonstrated steady performance for more than 24 hours of continuous usage.

According to the researchers, this technique has potential applications in clinical health care as well as consumer health and wellness goods.

According to Tao Zhou, senior author of the study that was published in the journal npj Biomedical Innovations, “this electrode allows for more consistent and reliable monitoring of EEG signals and can be worn without being noticeable, which enhances both functionality and patient comfort.” According to Zhou, EEG monitoring is a popular technique for assessing the electrical activity of the brain.

However, the conventional EEG monitoring procedure may be a laborious and somewhat untidy affair. It is challenging to employ for ongoing, long-term monitoring due to its limitations.

Additionally inflexible, the traditional EEG electrodes may move when a person turns their head even a little, which might affect the consistency of the data.

The study team created a tiny monitoring tool that resembles a hair strand and is composed of 3D-printed hydrogel material in order to overcome these constraints.

The electrode is at one end. It resembles a tiny dot that receives electrical impulses from the scalp and sends them to the brain. The electrode is connected to the monitoring system via a long, thin component that resembles wire.

Additionally, the electrode adheres directly to the scalp using a 3D-printable bioadhesive ink, eliminating the need for gloopy gels or other skin preparation methods.

By doing this, the signal quality is improved by reducing the distance between the electrode and scalp.

Because of its lightweight, flexible, and elastic design, the device may be worn for extended periods of time and remains in place even while combing hair or putting on and taking off a baseball cap. This makes it appropriate for chronic monitoring.

The scientists discovered that the novel device’s performance was comparable to that of gold electrodes, which are now the industry standard for EEG electrodes.

Nonetheless, the hairlike electrode remained more in touch with the skin and continued to function dependably for more than twenty-four hours without experiencing any deterioration in signal quality.

“The electrodes haven’t moved, so you don’t need to worry about whether the impedance or electrode position has changed,” Zhou said.