Adhesive Electrodes

How to choose the right ECG electrode for your application?

Before you start your ECG, you have to choose the optimal ECG electrode for your application. To do this, you need to consider following points:

Question 1: Solid gel or wet gel ECG electrodes?

To decide which gel type the electrode should have, we need to know which ECG examination is to be performed. and how long it takes. The main ECG examinations are as follow:

• Resting ECG: takes 1 to 5 minutes
• Exercise ECG: takes 10 to 20 minutes
• PSG ECG (ECG during polysomnography): takes 8 to 12 hours
• Long term ECG: takes 24 hours, but sometimes longer

For short term ECGs (up to 1 hour application) such as resting ECG and exercise ECG, you can use ECG electrodes with wet gel. These electrodes are designed for rapid monitoring. But ECG electrodes with solid or hydrogel can be also used for short term monitoring.

For long term ECGs (many hours or days), you need to use ECG electrodes with solid gel or optimized hydrogel.

Question 2: Foam or non-woven (cloth) ECG electrodes?

There are two main carrier materials for ECG electrodes:

1. Foam ECG Electrodes are robustly built electrodes which provide a stable connection and reliable ECG tracing. In case of cleaning and disinfection of skin during hospitalization, the foam electrodes seem to be the best choice because the foam layer will protect the sensor and gel from cleaning fluids and disinfectants.

1. Non-woven (cloth) ECG Electrodes are based on breathable fleece material that provides more comfort for skin during long term ECG monitoring. The non-woven electrodes have a certain degree of flexibility so that they offer more patient comfort during movement. For sensitive skin or pediatric applications, the non-woven electrodes are the electrodes of choice.

Question 3: Can I use any electrode during the X-ray examination?

No! By using normal ECG electrodes with metal/silver snap, you have to remove the electrode before X-ray. But if you use the ECG electrodes with carbon snap (radiolucent electrodes), there is do not need to remove electrodes during X-ray. The carbon snap will not interfere with X-ray Imaging System.