Sensor construction

'Sensor construction' is defined as: the (mechanical) construction which is used to integrate the electrodes, the cables and (if applicable) the pre-amplifier. It is expected that the construction (and its mass) do not directly effect the SEMG characteristics. There are nevertheless some potential indirect effects which can disturb or interfere with the recorded SEMG pattern:

- if the construction of the sensor is such that IED can vary during muscle contraction this will modulate the amplitude, shape and width of the action potentials and will consequently affect the interference pattern both with respect to its amplitude and frequency characteristics.

-if the construction of the sensor is such that electrodes and cables can move, there is the potential risk for movement artefacts (due to pulling of cables or inertia of the construction).

SENIAM recommendations for sensor construction

The SENIAM recommendations for sensors restrict to bipolar sensors only. 'Sensor construction' is defined as: the (mechanical) construction which is used to integrate the electrodes, the cables and (if applicable) the pre-amplifier.

SENIAM recommends a construction with fixed inter electrode distance, built from light weight material. Cables need to be fixed using (double sided) tape or elastic band in such a manner that pulling artefacts can be avoided.
If in fast dynamic contractions the sensor construction causes too much (movement) artefacts (due to inertia of the construction), SENIAM recommends to fix the inter electrode distance using (double sided) tape or rings.