Biocompatible Electric Muscle Stimulation Pads with Enhanced Skin Adhesion for Stable Signal Transmission During Varied Physical Movements

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel approach for designing and fabricating biocompatible and efficient electric muscle stimulation (EMS) pads. The EMS pads are composed of a CNF-CNT composite material dispersed in pure water, exhibiting both electrical conductivity and non-toxic properties. The CNF-CNT ink is spray-coated onto a urethane film and hot-melted using the hot-stam** process, resulting in a thin, flexible, and adhesive EMS electrode that is resistant to external deformation. By possessing high adhesion to human skin, the proposed EMS electrodes overcome the constraints of existing dry electrodes, thereby enabling the stable transmission of EMS signals even during varied physical movements during exercise. The proposed approach holds significant potential for wearable technology design, particularly for enhancing the user experience of fitness clothing and wearable technology for rehabilitation and physical therapy. Furthermore, this technology can be integrated with augmented reality (AR) to provide real-time feedback to users during exercise, thereby improving the overall workout experience.