Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2014
Neuromodulation devices such as deep brain stimulators (DBS), spinal cordstimulators (SCS) and cochlear implants (CIs) use electrodes in contact withtissue to deliver electrical pulses to targeted cells. In general, theneuromodulation industry has been evolving towards smaller, less invasivedevices. Improving power efficiency of these devices can reduce battery storagerequirements. Neuromodulation devices can realize significant power savings ifthe impedance to charge transfer at the electrode-tissue interface can bereduced. High electrochemical impedance at the surface of stimulationmicroelectrodes results in larger polarization voltages. Decreasing thispolarization voltage response can reduce power required to deliver the currentpulse. One approach to doing this is to reduce the electrochemical impedance atthe electrode surface. Previously we have reported on a novel electrochemicallydeposited 60:40% platinum-iridium (Pt-Ir) electrode material that lowered theelectrode impedance by two orders of magnitude or more.
This study compares power consumption of an electrochemically deposited Pt-Irstimulating microelectrode to that of standard Pt-Ir probe microelectrodeproduced using conventional techniques. Both electrodes were tested usingin-vitro in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution andin-vivo (live rat) models.