Biopotential measurement including electroporation of tissue surface

Weaver, James C. Pliquett, Uwe Vanbever, Rita [UCL] Gowrishankar, Thiruvallur R. Zewert, Thomas E

A method for measuring biopotential of an organism includes electroporating a portion of a tissue surface of the organism. The biopotential of the organism is then measured with electrodes at the electroporated portion of the organism. The portion of the organism that is electroporated can be, for example, a skin surface of the organism. A resistance-decreasing agent, such as heparin, sodium thiosulfate, thioglycolic acid solution and dithioglycolic acid can be applied to the tissue surface to facilitate reduction in electrical resistance. Another example of a resistance-decreasing agent is a keratin-disrupting agent, such as sulforhodamine. Examples of suitable biopotential measurements include electrocardiographic, electroencephalographic, electromyographic, electrohysterographic and elctrokymographic measurements. The method decreases skin resistance to diminish unwanted electrical voltages that compete with biopotential measurements, thereby significantly improving the biopotent.