San Diego Mesa College

NDTE 101 Lab

September 7th, 2021
Instruction: Electrode Application
EEG electrode application:
A.Topics and Techniques:
1. Electrode types:
a. Conventional
b. Special
2. Pastes: Ten20 and Elefix
3. Application:
a. Apply electrodes with minimal amount of paste
b. Center electrode
c. Press down at the stem
d. Pat guaze square down over the electrode and paste
 Electrode types (Yamada, pages 6-8):
Conventional (discs): Special (subdermal):

https://rochestersuperstore.com/content/LifeSync-Rochester-Neuro-Product-Catalog-2019.pdf
Rochester Electro Medical, Inc.

https://rochestersuperstore.com/content/LifeSync-Rochester-Neuro-Product-Catalog-2019.pdf
Rochester Electro Medical, Inc.

https://www.mvapmed.com/
MVAP Medical Supplies, Inc.
Electrode types (Yamada, pages 6-8) cont.:

Surgical: subdural strips and grids Surgical: stereo depth

https://adtechmedical.com/depth-electrodes
Ad-Tech Medical Instrument Corporation

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/CT-image-of-depth-
http://www.pmtcorp.com/cortac.html
electrodes-implantation-scheme_fig1_236837484
PMT Corporation
Below are 2 common types of electrode paste:

1. Nuprep by Weaver and Company:

 White tub and tubes
 8 and 4 ounce tubs, 8 ounce tubes, single use 15
gm cups
 Water soluble
 Safe no contraindication except those with skin
allergies
 Sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium
carbonate as conductive properties
 Off-white-opaque, no odor

2. Elefix by Nihon Khoden:

 White tub and tubes
 400 gm tubs and 180 gm tubes
 Safe no contraindication except those with skin
allergies
 Softer than Ten20 paste
 Sodium chloride and calcium carbonate as
conductive properties
 Cream color (light yellowish-brown), no odor
Video of electrode application:
Note:
Video here
1. Do not dispense too much paste. Use a little less than
a medicine cup.
2. Scoop into the electrode a little more that what fills the
electrode. Do not use too much.
3. Center electrode in middle of cross marks.
4. Press down at the stem of the electrode, firmly seating
the electrode on the scalp.
5. Pat guaze square firmly down over and around the
electrode.
6. See Canvas module link to video:
Place the electrodes on the same side of the head as the head box is on first:
Angle the electrodes towards the Pz electrode so that all the electrodes come together in a single line making it
easier to bundle:
Secure the electrodes to the head so they do not fall off and bundle the electrodes and headbox together to
decrease electrical interference:
Electrode Application Review and Miscellaneous Notes:

1. Electrode paste is used to conduct the brain waves from the scalp into the electrode. It also
serves as a weak adhesive to keep the electrode affixed to the scalp.
2. There are different electrodes used for recording brain activity: conventional, special and surgical.
3. Do not dispense too much paste. Use only what is needed.
4. Use only a little more paste than what fills the electrode.
5. Center electrode in middle of cross marks.
6. Press down at the stem of the electrode, firmly seating the electrode on the scalp.
7. Pat guaze square firmly down over and around the electrode.
8. Secure the electrodes to the patient’s head with guaze wrap.
9. To avoid electrical interference, the electrodes should be bundled, along with the headbox, next to
the patient’s head.
 Electrode Application Review and Miscellaneous Notes:
Notes:

1. If you have a patient who moves a lot during a rsEEG, ex.: confused or agitated, wrap a stretch guaze
wrap around their head to hold the electrodes in place.
2. It is common for young children (infants and toddlers) or some confused patients to move their heads
back and forth during electrode application, sometimes rubbing off the O1 and O2. In this case, save
those two electrodes for last. Then wrap their heads to keep the electrodes in place.
3. It is probably best to place the electrodes on one side, posterior to anterior first, midline, ground and
reference electrodes second, and the other side, posterior to anterior, last. Apply the electrodes on the
same side of the head that the head box is on first. That way the electrodes won’t cross your work-space
around the head when placing the other side.
4. Some labs use conductive gel instead of electrode paste for LTM. The electrodes are re-gelled every 4-6
hours with a syringe and blunt-tipped needle. If electrode paste is used as the conductive agent,
electrode impedances are checked at regular intervals, or when there appears to be electrode artifact
from high impedances. In the latter case, the electrode patch is removed and reapplied after the paste is
replenished in the electrode.
5. Many labs who perform LTM use the “gold standard” collodion glue to affix the electrodes. Other labs
use methods such as Tensive adhesive or Cover Roll heat sensitive tape combined with a stretch guaze
roll or stretch tubing.
6. Subdermal electrodes are used for LTM in some labs because they are quick to apply. A small amount of
collodion is applied a the stem to hold the electrode in place.