Desenvolvimento de eletrodo para monitoramento do nervo laríngeo recorrente.

Abstract

The larynx performs several functions in the body, being formed by numerous structures, among them the laryngeal nerves are monitored during head and neck procedures such as: thyroidectomy, craniotomy, arterial cervical fusion, skull and carotid base surgery performed with aid of laryngeal electrodes. These electrodes are devices formed by silver / silver chloride sensors on a polymeric substrate that are fixed in an endotracheal tube during surgical procedures and represents an economic and technological deficit to Brazil. Considering the above, the objective of this work is the development of an electrode for laryngeal nerve monitoring and comparison with a commercial laryngeal electrode. For this purpose silver particles were obtained by the electrodeposition technique, a conductive ink was prepared with these particles and the electrodes were produced with the microfabrication process by screen printing. They are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electrical conductivity and atomic force microscopy. The results of X-ray diffraction show the presence of silver in both the commercial and the developed electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy indicates a different morphology formation between the commercial and the developed electrode. The electrical conductivity was better in the commercial electrode, however, the values obtained in the developed electrode were satisfactory and have a potential for improvement. The atomic force microscopy shows a smaller topography and roughness in the commercial electrode, even so, the topography and roughness of the developed electrode shows a good uniformity and close to those presented by the commercial electrode. The results indicate the possibility of developing a surface electrode with national technology.