Dry and insulating electrodes experienced 40 dB and 34 dB less static interference than wet electrodes, and lower motion artefact levels by 8.2 dB and 6.8 dB respectively at the end of trials.
Do dry and insulating bioelectric recording electrodes perform comparably to wet electrodes in terms of interference and motion artefact?
Dry and insulating bioelectric recording electrodes demonstrate superior resistance to static interference and motion artefact compared to conventional wet electrodes over time, supporting their viability for prolonged biosignal recording.
Alternatives to conventional wet electrode types are keenly sought for biomedical use and physiological research, especially when prolonged recording of biosignals is demanded. This paper describes a quantitative comparison of three types of bioelectrode (wet, dry and insulating) based on tests involving electrode impedance, static interference and motion artefact induced by various means. Data were collected simultaneously, and in the same physical environment for all electrode types. Results indicate that in many situations the performance of dry and insulating electrodes compares favourably with wet electrodes. The influence of non-stationary electric fields on shielded dry and insulating electrode types was compared to wet types. It was observed that interference experienced by dry and insulating electrode types was 40 dB and 34 dB less than that experienced by wet electrode types. Similarly, the effect of motion artefact on dry and insulating electrodes was compared to wet types. Artefact levels for dry and insulating electrodes were significantly higher than those for wet types at the beginning of trials conducted. By the end of the trial periods artefact levels for dry and insulating types were lower than wet electrodes by an average of 8.2 dB and 6.8 dB respectively. The reservations expressed in other studies regarding the viability of dry and insulating electrodes for reliable sensing of biosignals are not supported by the work described here.
Searle et al. (Mon,) conducted a other in Biosignal recording. Dry and insulating electrodes vs. Wet electrodes was evaluated on Electrode impedance, static interference and motion artefact. Dry and insulating electrodes experienced 40 dB and 34 dB less static interference than wet electrodes, and lower motion artefact levels by 8.2 dB and 6.8 dB respectively at the end of trials.