Design and Analysis of Electrodes for Electrostimulation (TENS) Using the Technique of Film Printing and Embroidery in Textiles

Abstract

This article describes the development of transcutaneous nerve stimulating electrodes (TENS) by means of electrically conductive ink and conductive yarn. The scope of work covered a selection of three types of knitwear with a similar surface weight with different raw material composition. Stimulating electrodes were made by means of film printing and machine embroidery. The electrodes were verified after friction tests, washing, and mechanical deformation. Each process was followed by a check of the resistive properties and assessment of the sensations in order to evaluate their performance. Tests of the surface resistance of research materials confirmed the possibility of preparing textile electrodes for electrostimulation with the use of the film-printing technique and machine embroidery. Resistance of the electrodes made on all types of substrates ranged from approximately 1.00 × 10−2 Ω to around 2.00 × 102 Ω, while the electrodes are commercially available at the level of approximately 3.5 × 105 Ω. This paper underpins the validation of the conclusion that operational processes do not adversely affect the functioning of the developed textile electrodes.

Keywords

• electrodes
• carbon nanotubes
• graphene
• silver
• screen printing
• machine embroidery