Measuring Skin Electrical Potential With the Kelvin Probe: Minimizing Noise

NCT01399879 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 5R21AT005249
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 24
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The Scanning Kelvin Probe measures surface electrical potential without actually touching the skin. This is a pilot study to evaluate methods of minimizing noise during Scanning Kelvin Probe measurements. This project will focus specifically on noise arising from physical movement and environmental electrical field.

Conditions

Healthy State

Keywords

Surface potential; Electrical; Motion stabilization

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Variability in surface electrical potential measurements

  This study focuses on the ability of the Kelvin Probe to measure skin electrical potential. Because it does so without touching the skin, it is prone to noise - specifically physical movement and surrounding electrical noise. The variability in surface electrical potential is a way to determine how stable the measurements are. It can be determined immediately after testing - and will be used in data analyses (comparing across study volunteers) approximately 24 weeks after testing is complete.

  Within 24 hours of testing

Study Arms (1)

Healthy Volunteers

Other: Faraday cage, movement stabilization

Interventions

Faraday cage, movement stabilization OTHER

The Faraday cage is a copper-mesh cage that surrounds the device and test site. It helps eliminate surrounding electrical noise. Movement stabilization will be achieved by placing a velcro strap over the arm to minimize random movements.

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy volunteers

You may qualify if:

• Age greater than 18 years

You may not qualify if:

• chronic medical condition requiring daily medications (hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, etc)
• movement disorders/tremors
• extensive scars on the hand
• latex-allergies
• cardiac implantation, metallic joint/bone replacements (defibrillator or pacemaker)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Massachusetts General Hospital: lead

Study Officials

• Andrew C Ahn, MD MPH

  Massachusetts General Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 25, 2011
• First Posted: July 22, 2011
• Study Start: September 1, 2010
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2011
• Study Completion: February 1, 2011
• Last Updated: July 22, 2011

Record last verified: 2011-07