Skin impedance reduction for electrophysiology measurements using ultrasonic skin permeation: initial report and comparison to current methods.

Ultrasonic skin permeation using the SonoPrep (Sontra Medical Corporation, Franklin, MA) device was evaluated as a methodto reduce skin impedance for electrophystology measurements. SonoPrep treatment was compared to QuikPrep (Quinton , Inc, Bothell, WA) and mechanical abrasion with the Kendall Excel electrode release liner (Tyco Healthcare, Mansfield, MA). Five skin sites for each prepping method were treated on the backs of 10 volunteer subjects. Skin impedance was measured across the sites over 24 hours at times equal to 0 to 7 hours, 23 hours, and 24 hours. Average skin impedance for all sites and times following treatment with SonoPrep war 1.9 kiloohms (komega), with QuikPrep was 18. 7komega, and with Excel abrasion was 97.2 komega. Skin impedance was stable for 24 hours following SonoPrep treatment and declined initially following QuikPrep. Skin impedance decilned continually following Excel abrasive preparation. SonoPrep ultrasonic skin permeation reduces skin impedance to significantly decreased levels in a reproducibly consistent manner.