Characterization of screen-printed textile electrodes for EMG signal acquisition

In the last years, the variety of textile electrodes developed for electrocardiogram (ECG) or electromyogram (EMG) signal detection is rapidly increasing. In this work, we report the development and testing of screen-printed textile electrodes based on PEDOT: PSS that could be created variating, with high geometrical resolution, the physical properties of any textile substrate. These electrodes could be applied on the skin with a medical tape or embedded in a smart shirt. In both cases, a layer of saline between the electrode and the skin is required to reduce the electrode-skin impedance. The quality of EMG signals detected with the developed electrodes was tested in either electrically-induced or voluntary, dynamic contractions. Results demonstrate that screen-printed textile electrodes could be an alternative solution to standard electrodes for the detection of electrophysiological signals. Screen-printed, textile electrodes find a potential application in long term EMG measurements, a condition in which skin irritations are often associated with the use of metallic electrodes.