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Cleaning EEG caps / Makeup & EEG gel removal

Please do not use the toilet sinks for any of the following purposes.

Cleaning EEG caps

Use the ground floor shower (just outside the MEG corridor) sink, or the first floor shower sink for cleaning the EEG caps.

Clean the caps immediately after each use, ideally before the electrolyte gel/paste starts drying.

The dried gel reduces the signal tranductance of an electrode and is a common reason for bad impedance/bad signal strength.

  • Fill sink with lukewarm water.
  • Submerge only the cap. DO NOT allow the connector boxes/end connectors to get wet. Let the cap sit in the water for a few minutes.
  • In case of more persistent/greasy stains, use mild detergents, pure soap, or baby shampoo, and clean the caps in lukewarm soapy water.
    • Rinse thoroughly with water after cleaning.
    • DO NOT use dish detergents - will alter the electrode surface.
  • Clean the gel from the electrodes using a cotton swab or soft toothbrush.
    • Alternatively, run each electrode, in turn, under running lukewarm water.
      The water pressure will force most of the gel from the electrodes.
  • Rinse the cap thoroughly, BUT CAREFULLY!! See Handling and Maintenance information section below.
  • Blot dry using a towel, or green paper towel.
  • Place green paper towel on the correctly-sized polystyrene head (which can found in a box on top of the cupboards in Side Room), and carefully fit the cap over it to dry.
    • Make sure the connector boxes/end connectors are kept away from any chance of water drippage.
  • When the cap is dry, replace it in its box, and put box back in the right-hand white cabinet in the Control Room.
  • Return the polystyrene head to its box on the cupboard.

Note

A small hairdryer may also be used to quickly dry a cap. However, use only the warm setting. The high or hot settings on some hair dryers are too hot and will weaken the elastic material - severely shortening the cap life.

  • A disinfectant for the EEG caps - Perfektan TB (found on shelf in right-hand white cabinet in Control Room) is available if required.
    • Follow the instructions with/on the bottle.
      • Use the minimum concentration and soak for the the minimum time required. Make sure that the cap is fully immersed in the disinfectant.
      • Do not leave the cap in the disinfecting solution longer than necessary.
      • Do not let the connector boxes/end connectors get wet.
    • Rinse the cap in clean water thoroughly afterwards.
    • Leave cap to dry as above.

Any disinfection is more stressful to the materials than simple cleaning. However, caps and electrodes will not be ruined by disinfection. Rather, disinfection will accelerate premature aging of the cap.
Dry air by itself is a very good disinfectant. Most viruses and bacteria will not survive in a dry environment at room temperature for more than a few minutes.

Info

Handling and Maintenance

  • The lifespan of our EEG caps, and our reusable electrodes/HPI coils, depends on handling.
  • The most critical spot of an EEG cap electrode is where the elastic cable goes into the solid electrode housing and into the plug - please DO NOT overstretch/overbend this section.
  • EEG caps are, and will stay, non-magnetic if handled correctly. However, they do contain soft metals which will become magnetic if exposed to a magnetic field.
    • NEVER take the caps near an MR-scanner.
    • Avoid placing the cap near an incandescent light bulb, or a Mains power wall socket.
    • Do not allow caps to get dusty - ordinary household dust can be ferromagnetic.
  • If the electrodes in the cap do become (slightly) magnetised, in the majority of cases they can be made MEG-compatible again by simply rewashing/cleaning the cap.

Makeup and Electrode Gel removal

Escort Participant to one of the shower rooms to wash off any electrode gel, or for makeup removal prior to Acquiring.
Remember to take swipe card!

  • Towel and hair dryer are in the Changing Room wardrobe.
  • Makeup removal cotton pads, Micellar water are available.
  • Leave the used towel on the drying rack in the Changing Room for MEG Support to deal with.