Abstract: An electrolyte (70) for use in a single-use biomedical electrode assembly (A, B, C, D) designed for receiving body-generated electrical signals at a patient's skin surface includes: Component Range (%) Skin penetration agent 10-25  Thickener 0-10 Alkali metal or alkaline earth 1-13 metal chloride Alkali metal or alkali earth 1-13 metal nitrate Surfactant 0.001-5    Soluble silver salt, as silver   0-0.01 Buffer 0-10 Water Q.S. The skin penetration agent improves penetration of the outer, dead skin layers by the electrolyte, thereby improving pickup of minute electrical signals generated within the patient's body. A preferred skin penetration agent includes sodium 2-pyrrolidone-5 carboxylate at a concentration of 15-20% by weight of the electrolyte composition.