novel plastic clip for cup electrodes on ear lobe
wjcroft
Mount Shasta, CA
With their new line of amps, Pocket-Neurobics began selling this cute plastic clip for firmly attaching a cup electrode to the ear.
This is really well done and better than the average double cup electrode gizmo used for ear clip electrodes, which is expensive.
https://bio-medical.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=+ear+electrodes
I've looked all around online for where these are coming from. Could be something originated with Pocket Neurobics. But more likely I think these are coming from somewhere in China and we just havent figured out where.
If the source of these does not turn up, this would probably be a suitable project for a Makerbot or Thinkiverse item. The cup electrode 'snaps' into the groove on these clips. There appear to be two identical halves of the clip, and a plastic C-spring that holds them together. Only one cup electrode need be used.
Why is the ear lobe electrode connection important? It is used by nearly all neurofeedback practitioners as the reference electrode. Vs. placing the reference on the head somewhere. Yes, some of the consumer grade headsets are trying to skirt this issue, but the ear lobe or mastoid bone (area behind ear) offer many advantages for obtaining the cleanest readings of 10-20 points.
Single channel neurofeedback just uses one of these ear clips. Two or more channel neurofeedback uses an ear clip reference on each ear, then connects those together in what is called "linked ear" configuration. This is typically done with a short jumper wire at the connection box.
This is really well done and better than the average double cup electrode gizmo used for ear clip electrodes, which is expensive.
https://bio-medical.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=+ear+electrodes
I've looked all around online for where these are coming from. Could be something originated with Pocket Neurobics. But more likely I think these are coming from somewhere in China and we just havent figured out where.
If the source of these does not turn up, this would probably be a suitable project for a Makerbot or Thinkiverse item. The cup electrode 'snaps' into the groove on these clips. There appear to be two identical halves of the clip, and a plastic C-spring that holds them together. Only one cup electrode need be used.
Why is the ear lobe electrode connection important? It is used by nearly all neurofeedback practitioners as the reference electrode. Vs. placing the reference on the head somewhere. Yes, some of the consumer grade headsets are trying to skirt this issue, but the ear lobe or mastoid bone (area behind ear) offer many advantages for obtaining the cleanest readings of 10-20 points.
Single channel neurofeedback just uses one of these ear clips. Two or more channel neurofeedback uses an ear clip reference on each ear, then connects those together in what is called "linked ear" configuration. This is typically done with a short jumper wire at the connection box.
Comments
I also wasn't aware of Pocket-Neurobics in general. That's a cool product line that they have.
Thanks for sharing.
Chip
http://easycap.brainproducts.com/e/products/products.htm#2
On that same page they also show a cute design based on a thumbscrew. The tip of the screw looks like is pointed and mates with the indentation on the sensor. Most cup electrodes have a hole like this as well. Claim is this is actually more comfortable than a spring tension, because gripping force is customizable.
Myself, I actually use these clips and Ag-AgCl buttons. Designed to work with snap type sensor holders. Spring tension is very mild and never a problem.
Made by Multibiosensors and sold by Stens.
http://stens-biofeedback.com/collections/parts-and-supplies/products/mb-ear-clip-set
http://stens-biofeedback.com/collections/parts-and-supplies/products/mb-pellets (extra buttons, $.50 ea)
I have a velcro based saline system that uses these same buttons, post below links to that site showing how it is constructed.
William
I know this is an old thread. But I would love to find a file to 3d print some ear clips. Particularly those shown by wjcroft that are sold by stens. I just bought a few, and with shipping and duty to Canada I paid $300 for 8 of them. I would far rather print my own going forward.
Blake, hi.
Wow, indeed a thread from 2013. This is the current STENS link,
https://store.stens-biofeedback.com/products/ear-clip-set-w-electrodes
https://store.stens-biofeedback.com/products/stens-ear-clip-electrodes
https://store.stens-biofeedback.com/pages/parts-and-supplies
At $22 for two clips and 10 replacement disk electrodes, that's not bad. $5 for a pack with 10 more disks. I find these disks last a long time. Your customs and shipping must be atrocious. These are actually made by Multibiosensors, was my understanding. But do not see it listed here,
https://www.multibiosensors.com/products.html
Possibly a custom item for STENS. But you might enquire on bulk pricing with either STENS or Multibio. Plastic I think is ABS not PLA. Injection molded to quite smooth specs. 3D printing small items generally creates lots of small ridges. Which sometimes do not slide or hinge well.
William
This type of ear clip just arrived with the QWiz and I did have a puzzle getting it to snap in place but got it to work with some force. Is paste necessary also with this type?
(https://openbci.com/forum/uploads/editor/dy/3fik63qpxwym.jpg )
Paul, hi. I believe the original setups with the Q-Wiz are utilizing paste or saline. Pete van Deusen's new cap system may come with its own saline based clips.
https://brain-trainer.com/product-category/products/caps-sensors-supplies/
I use the STENS clips with my velcro saline system, by interposing a tiny square of saline soaked chamois cloth.
https://sites.google.com/site/biofeedbackpages/velcro-sensors
Since the Q-Wiz ear clips utilize cup electrodes, it's likely they were aiming at paste.
William
Thanks William!
Hello
I read the article in the forum. It doesn't have to be an OpenBCI ear-clip electrode.
We want to make comfortable ear electrodes. Therefore, our design is not in the form of pinching our ears. So only one side of the electrode touches the ear. Is there any problem with the measurement?
Thought I would chime in, I did end up making a simple file to mimic the Stens type of ear clips that can be 3d printed.
I did find the one from Stens didn't open wide enough for some ears, and we had to stretch the ear lobe to get them on. Mine can open much bigger, which I like. For a spring, you can use a spring from most click pens (one spring can be cut in half for 2 sensors). I just bought some springs off Amazon for something like $15CAD for 100 (which could also be cut in half to make 2 each). Then, a small metal rod is needed to connect the top and bottom pieces. An ordinary paper clip was good for 4 ear clips. So, I got a bit creative, but am very happy with the outcome. Can't beat the price now.
Hi Necksa,
Are you saying you have an ear clip design of your own? For sale or 3D printer specs? Link? Just about any ear clip electrode can work. The double-cups are kind of dated now. Just using one side is fine. As long as you have a good conductive skin connection. This is achieved with either dry silver chloride surface, or any type of metal and some form of conductive paste, gel, saline, that makes a good skin interface. Be sure NOT to mix electrode metal types between ear and head. For example silver and gold. This can cause galvanic battery effects.
William
Blake, cool. Please post a link to your CAD file(s). I assume you use the STENS pellets.
Here is a link to access it in Tinkercad for anyone interested: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/cN6CKFqYHzr-ear-clip/edit?sharecode=4k6N_kCAUopZH7gFdZ10UiaBfndFbyByuZuxGmOalyo