EXTERNAL EAR CANAL ELECTRODE AND METHOD OF STIMULATING/ RECORDING ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM THE NEURAL/NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEM

摘要

An electrode (10) adapted to be utilized within the external ear canal (46) for applying/recording electrical signals to/from the neural/neuromuscular system of a person having an external ear canal (46) and adjacent tympanic membrane (48). The electrode (10) utilizes an elongated flexible body (12) having a proximate end (14) and a distal end (16). A compressible material (18) is mounted at the distal end (16) of the body (12) and an electrically conductive gel (20) is carried by the compressible material (18). An electrical conductor (22) communicates with the body (12) and electrically couples the conductive gel (20) to the proximate end (14) of the electrode (10). A method (30) of stimulating the neural/neuromuscular system of a person comprising the steps of inserting (32) an electrode (10) of this design into the external ear canal (46) with the electrode (10) being positioned with the electrically conductive gel (20) proximate the tympanic membrane (48) or tympano-meatal annulus (50). A second return electrode is applied (34) to the body and an electrical stimulus signal is applied (36) to the electrode pair. A method (38) of recording electrical signals from the neural/neuromuscular system of a person having a body and an external ear canal (46) and adjacent tympanic membrane (48) utilizes the steps of inserting (40) an electrode (10) of this design into the external ear canal (46) of the person with the electrode (10) being positioned with the electrically conductive gel (20) proximate the tympanic membrane (48). A second reference electrode is applied (42) to the body of the person and electrical signals are then recorded (44) from the electrode pair.