POST-OPERATIVE ASSESSMENT OF TONGUE RECONSTRUCTION USING ULTRA-CONFORMAL, HIGH DENSITY TONGUE ELECTRODES

We report an ultra-conformal and high-density surface tongue electrodes with the overall thickness of 7 mu m using MEMS fabrication process. Based on the device, high quality electrical signals of the whole tongue dorsum can be monitored continuously, without bringing pain to patients or interfering with tongue movement, which is hard for the needle electrodes or traditional surface electrodes. Furthermore, this ultra-conformal and high-density tongue electrodes have been applied on the patients with tongue defect after glossectomy throughout the tongue reconstruction surgery. The analysis results of the recorded tongue electrical signals indicate that our method provides an easy and feasible way for surgeons to assess the effect of tongue cancer surgery and the post-operative recovery.