Sponge-based electrode system for simultaneous EEG-fMRI: The R-Net MR is here!
by Dr. Tracy Warbrick | Application Specialist EEG-fMRI (Brain Products)
& Dr. Michael Schubert | Product Manager (Brain Products)
We are delighted to announce that our R-Net MR is now available to order. The R-Net MR complements our existing MR-related products by offering a quick EEG setup with no skin preparation and no gel residuals.
The R-Net MR is based on the same principles as the regular R-Net. It consists of saltwater sponges and passive Ag/AgCl electrodes housed in a durable and flexible silicone structure. The MR version of the R-Net also has current limiting resistors for safe recordings in the MRI environment and has a gel-based ECG electrode with a carbon lead wire.
The R-Net MR is available in configurations of 32, 64, 96, and 128 channels. It is available in four adult sizes (55, 57, 59, and 61 cm) and three children’s sizes (49, 51, and 53 cm). In addition, carbon wire loops can be added. The R-Net MR is intended for use with the BrainAmp MR (plus) and can be used in scanners up to 3T. Its use is subject to our general 3T EEG-fMRI safety guidelines, and it can easily be added to your current EEG-fMRI setup without any additional safety considerations.
Is the R-Net MR for me?
It is exciting to offer the R-Net MR, so let’s cover a few key points that differentiate it from our gel-based BrainCap MR to help you decide which one is the right solution for you. Sponge-based electrode systems allow for quick preparation and for some EEG applications a fast gel-free preparation is essential, for example, in some clinical research populations. In contrast, gel-based electrodes take longer to prepare but the gel reduces the contact impedance between the skin and electrode, allowing for a higher quality signal to be recorded. The sponge-based electrode system does not offer the same contact between skin and electrode that a gel-based electrode allows. This is an important factor when choosing between a sponge-based system or a gel-based system in a challenging recording environment like an MRI scanner. Consequently, you should consider which factors are most important for your research. If speed is critical then the R-Net MR is for you, on the other hand, if you can afford the preparation time associated with gel-based electrodes, you will reach lower impedances and record EEG data with a better signal to noise ratio with the BrainCap MR.
By offering the R-Net MR in addition to the BrainCap MR we are providing the flexibility to choose the right solution for your research needs. Importantly, we are also here to provide advice on which of our EEG-fMRI solutions is the best one for you.
We are happy to discuss your research needs and whether this new solution is a good one for your particular studies.