Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40485199›Full record

ArticleArtificial organs2025

Simulating the Use of Discontinuous Patterned Hydrogel to Improve Inter-Electrode Resistance on Electrode Arrays.

Mark L Reeves, T Jamie Healey, Avril D McCarthy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Artificial organs, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Mark L ReevesClinical Engineering, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4928-5196
T Jamie HealeyClinical Engineering, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4352-5857
Avril D McCarthyClinical Engineering, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8144-9480

Funding

National Institute for Health and Care Research NIHR201642
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundA novel form of sensory stimulation aiming to treat spasticity has been developed, and a clinical trial is currently underway. This uses an electrode array controlled by a programmable 64-channel stimulator to spatially vary the electrical stimulation over time. However, when a continuous layer of hydrogel interfaces between the array and skin, stimulation spreads, causing lower current densities applied over larger areas of tissue. A new approach was developed, modeled, and tested, utilizing discontinuous patterned hydrogel to improve inter-electrode resistance on electrode arrays.

methodsFinite-difference modeling was used to estimate stimulation distribution within the hydrogel and subcutaneous tissue under the electrode array. Repeated simulations modeled changes due to variations in hydrogel, skin, and subcutaneous tissue resistivity. Properties of both continuous sheets and patterned hydrogel were used for the simulation. Physical prototypes of the continuous and patterned hydrogel were manufactured and tested for comparison with the simulation.

resultsSimulation results showed a reduced spread of stimulation between electrodes when using the discontinuous patterned hydrogel compared to the continuous hydrogel. This was demonstrated consistently for all variations in hydrogel, skin, and subcutaneous tissue resistivity. Laboratory testing supported the simulation results and suggested the improved performance of the patterned hydrogel, compared with the continuous hydrogel, may become more substantial over time.

conclusionsWhile the simulation only approximates the stimulation distribution on electrode arrays, the results do show potential benefits of utilizing discontinuous patterned hydrogel to increase inter-electrode resistance. Laboratory testing and initial feedback from the clinical trial support the results indicated in the simulations.

Indexed as

Electric Stimulation TherapyHydrogelsComputer SimulationElectric ImpedanceElectric StimulationElectrodesEquipment DesignHumansHydrogelselectrical stimulationelectrode arrayinter‐electrode resistancepatterned hydrogelstimulation current density

Identifiers

PMID40485199
PMCPMC12902729

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.