Medical electrodes made from wires, plates and metal snaps transfer electrical currents to the body for sensing or simulation purposes. Testing by using electrodes helps doctors examine and diagnose diseases or other conditions affecting the body. Electrodes placed a patient's scalp monitor brain wave activity, and can be effective for testing diseases such as Alzheimer's. Electrocardiography exams also use electrodes to monitor the heart for disease or damage. Electrodes are also used to assess muscular response in an electromyography, and eye movement during electronystagmography and electroretinography tests.

The overall makeup of electrodes consists of lead that conducts the electrical current, a metal component to keep the electrodes in place and a gel or paste that assists in conducting the electrodes. Electrodes can be placed on the skin or inserted internally to analyze organs or tissues during surgery. Most electrodes are disposable, while some must be sterilized according to the manufacturer’s instructions. As a medical technician, health care or an electrodes provider:

1. Seek electrodes information so that you can supply the right kinds of electrodes.

2. Find electrodes that are disposable or can be sterilized after every procedure.

3. Choose electrodes brands and accessories from an electrodes list provided by manufacturers or distributors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find electrodes information to help narrow your choices

Understanding the use and the kinds of electrodes available can help you choose the right equipment.

I recommend: Advanced Probing Systems manufactures electrodes for medical use. Learn about electrodes used for medical and sensing at Brady Medical. Find electrodes information, such as how they work, at Ercon.

Choose disposable or reusable electrodes

Some medical and surgical electrodes can be discarded after each use. If you choose electrodes that aren't disposable, then remember to sterilize them after each test.

I recommend: Hi-Tech Products features electrodes with latex-free adhesives and pressure-sensitive capabilities. Pepin Manufacturing markets high-quality cloth-backed disposable and reusable electrodes.

Select your products from an electrodes list

Product selection listings allow you to choose from a wide variety of electrodes and other supplies.

I recommend: 3M offers biomedical electrodes for long- and short-term monitoring applications. ABTECH Scientific distributes an electrodes list that includes planar electrodes, miniature electrodes and other laboratory products for medical and testing needs. Electrodes provider Ambu supplies electrodes for use in different interest areas, such as long-term monitoring, respiratory care or cardiology.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Guidelines apply for using electrodes if you're a health care provider or technician. Clean the patient's skin with soap and water before and after using the electrodes. Also, do not apply electrodes to broken skin as this can interfere with analysis. Trim or shave any hair, if necessary, before applying electrodes to the skin.
• •  Other types of electrodes include gold, silver, tin or stainless steel reusable discs, needle electrodes used for electromyography, headbands and saline.