An Air Ionization Biopotential Electrode

A new type of biopotential electrode is proposed based on an air ionization principle. Advantages of this electrode include a dc response and the ability to make measurements without contacting the skin, eliminating the need for troublesome electrode pastes. The electrode uses an alpha-particle emitting radioisotope, a nonhazardous, nonpenetrating form of radiation, to ionize the air gap between an electrometer input and the skin. The dc response of the electrode is used in this study to investigate the origin of skin potentials which are a problem in the measurement of current-of-injury phenomena associated with infarcted heart tissue.