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Abstract - This paper describes the design of a Data Acquisition whether or not a material performs without ill or toxic
(DAQ) system in the form of a single channel capacitive effect in a specific setting, in this case external contact
Electroencephalograph (EEG) sensor suite comprising hardware
and software modules. Through the use of Titanium Oxide (TiO2) with a subject’s skin. Stainless steel was chosen as the
coated Stainless steel discs, it has been possible to detect human electrode plate conductor. Grade 304 (the most common
bio-potentials without charge contact thus eliminating any grade of stainless steel) was utilised as the plate material.
potential safety risks involved with the use of bio-potential signal It was chosen due to its bio-compatibility, wide usage,
measurement. In this paper the capacitive interface has been
successfully demonstrated. Further development will assess the low cost and favourable conductivity when compared
quality of signals from within the human body obtained using the against other materials. To achieve the capacitive effect
capacitive electrodes. the discs had to be coated with a dielectric. Titanium
Oxide (TiO2) was chosen as the dielectric as it would not
I. INTRODUCTION only be resistant to corrosion in contact with sweat but
also provide acceptable electro-chemical properties [5].
One of the important tools the Electroencephalogram
(EEG) is used in the identification and characterisation (1)
of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and
encephalitis. Formula 1 shows a capacitor model formula, where C
is the capacitance, εr is the relative static permittivity
However traditionally used resistive electrodes constant of insulating dielectric, ε0 is the permittivity of
require a good electrical interface, mediated by the free space, A is the surface area of the plates and d is the
application of an electrolytic gel. This converts ionic distance of separation of the plates. This formula can be
current flow in the skins surface, into an electron flow used to estimate the amount of capacitive coupling
which can then be detected by an electronic amplifier present between a subject’s skin and an electrode.
[1].
A 1µm layer of Titanium Oxide with a 100ηm
Additionally before this gel is applied the subject’s adhesion layer of Titanium was selected to allow a
skin is normally abraded at the relevant sites to reduce sufficiently thick layer to withstand intense use and
skin impedances, a painful procedure if repeated, making provide a strong capacitive coupling. Using the capacitor
preparation an inconvenient and lengthy process. The gel model, equation 1, the approximate amount of capacitive
used also suffers from viscosity changes when in contact coupling that could be achieve by an electrode of
with the heat of the human body and dries out with diameter 1cm.
exposure to air. These problems cause artefacts and can
alter the results of the EEG. One of the implications this = 79.2nF (2)
has is the restriction on recording time.
Other calculated capacitive couplings are much smaller
Capacitive sensors are not the only proposed
than for these electrodes [6]. This would indicate that the
solution, alternate sensors for the recording of bio-
TiO2 coated electrodes would perform with an increased
potentials include resistive Active electrodes [2] and
signal to noise ratio.
Super-conducting Quantum Interference Devices
(SQUID) magnetometers [3].
IV. RESULTS
II. CONCEPT
Electrodes of 6cm diameter have been tested for
capacitive coupling. Figure 1 shows the effect of a
Capacitive electrodes do not require real charge
subject coming into contact with one and then both of
contact with the skin in order to detect bio-potentials [4]
the electrodes. As is visible touching one electrode
making them inherently safe. These electrodes detect
(period between samples 3000 – 5800) the amplitude
bio-potential signals via the variation of charge between
rises to approximately 0.5V with a visible higher
the skin and a conducting plate placed in close
frequency component.
proximity.
Frank Placido.
VI. REFERENCES