Contactless sensors for Surface Electromyography

Muscle activity can be monitored by measuring the surface electromyography (SEMG) signal at the surface of the body. The SEMG signal is a combination of several activation signals sent through the muscle fibers triggering the contraction of the muscle. SEMG enables to access those signals non-invasively. Usually, metal plate electrodes in combination with electrolytic gel are placed in direct contact with the skin to measure SEMG. For prolonged monitoring of the muscle activity, this type of electrodes is not comfortable and can cause skin irritation. In this paper, we demonstrate capacitive electrodes capable of sensing the SEMG signal. These contactless electrodes do not require direct contact with the skin and thus they can be suitable for prolonged monitoring of the muscle activity