A noninvasive intraoral electromyographic electrode for genioglossus muscle.

We have developed an intraoral bipolar surface electrode for the genioglossus muscle. The electrode, made from an athletic mouthguard and dental impression material, was fitted to the lower teeth. Electrode wires, bared at the tip, were positioned on the bottom of the mouthpiece to lie in contact with the superior surface of the genioglossus just behind the teeth. The electromyographic activity of the genioglossus, simultaneously obtained from the surface electrode and conventional intramuscular electrodes, was compared during quiet breathing, CO2 rebreathing, and a variety of tongue movements. The two types of electrodes recorded similar patterns of muscle activity, and spectral analyses of the signals revealed similar and highly coherent frequency spectra. We conclude that the surface electrode satisfactorily reflects the bioelectrical activity of the genioglossus. The mouthpiece electrode has the further advantage that quantitative comparisons can be made among recordings made in different experimental sessions, since the fit of the mouthpiece to the teeth assures a constant relationship of the electrode to the genioglossus muscle.