An invention developed by Anne Clarke, TeleEEG Trustee and Neurophysiology Technologist, is the subject of a Correspondence letter – Pediatric Neurology. See: https://www.pedneur.com/article/S0887-8994(24)00257-1/abstract
Objective
Hospitals in Ethiopia and other resource-limited countries often experience shortages of medical equipment and supplies1, including Electroencephalogram (EEG) conductive paste. EEG conductive paste is a water-soluble glue used to adhere electrodes to the scalp to record electrical signals generated by the brain, which is an essential form of testing in neurology. Shortages of EEG paste interfere with timely diagnostic evaluation, which may further delay the diagnosis and management of neurological conditions like epilepsy in hospitals in Ethiopia. Limited access to EEG supplies is just one of the technological gaps that limit diagnosis and management for patients with epilepsy in low- and middle-income countries2. The goal of this project was to produce EEG conductive paste using common household materials for use in resource-limited settings where commercial paste is not readily available or affordable.
Methods
EEG paste was made using the recipe below. The homemade EEG paste was applied to patients at Black Lion (Tikur Anbessa) Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and compared to commercial product (Ten20 brand conductive paste).
EEG paste recipe: Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of Arabic gum in about ½ cup of water. Then, in a pan place a large spoonful of flour and a large spoonful of salt (about equal amounts of flour and salt). To the flour/salt mixture, add the dissolved Arabic gum in water and 1 spoonful of oil and start gentle heat. Stir over low heat until it forms a dough that is both elastic and conductive like paste. Let cool.
Results
Sample EEG studies were performed on patients at Black Lion Hospital using the homemade paste and interpreted by an epileptologist. Tracings between left and right hemispheres on the same patient using the two types of pastes (homemade vs commercial) showed similar amplitudes, frequencies, and morphologies of waveforms. Total cost to make 8 ounces of EEG paste from household products is about $2. Ten20 brand EEG paste in Ethiopia ranges between $90-$300 USD.
Conclusions
In resource-limited settings, homemade EEG conductive paste made from readily available household supplies (flour, salt, oil, water, and Arabic gum) is a practical, affordable and effective alternative to commercial EEG paste. This recipe may be a useful resource in lower- and middle-income health care systems by allowing EEGs to be performed in settings with supply shortages.
References
- Seifu T. The Study of Procurement, Utilization and Disposal of Medical Equipment in the Public Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [master’s thesis]. [Addis Ababa, Ethiopia]: St. Mary’s University; 2013. 70 p.
- Ali A, Dindoust D, Grant J, Clarke D. Delivering epilepsy care in low-resource settings: the role of technology. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2021 Dec;18(sup1):13-23. doi: 10.1080/17434440.2021.2013198. Epub 2021 Dec 7. PMID: 34851222.
Co-authors: Madeleine Hebert, MD1, Annah Adanene, MD1, Sisay Tefera, MD2, Ayalew Moges, MD2, Behaylu Yibe, MD2, Endayen Deginet, MD3, Meskerem Abatkun, MD3, Anne Clarke 4, Neal Sankhla, MD1.
1 Department of Neurology, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
2 Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3 Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
4 TeleEEG.org, Neurophysiology Technologist
Corresponding author: Madeleine Hebert, MD, Emory University, 100 Woodruff Circle, Suite 327, Atlanta, GA, 30322.
Declarations
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Pediatric Neurology Journal
Correspondence:
Volume 160 p30-31 November 2024
https://www.pedneur.com/article/S0887-8994(24)00257-1/abstract