Iridium treatment of neuro-stimulating electrodes
US4721551A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25D7/00
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Microelectrodes of the art are limited to the charge density which can pass through them. The present invention discloses a method for electroplating iridium metal onto the surface of a metallic microelectrode for use in a biomedical prosthetic device, which method comprises: PA0 (a) placing the metallic microelectrode into an aqueous solution of iridium ion of between about 1 and 10 percent by weight; and PA0 (b) electroplating the microelectrode of step (a) using a current of between about 0.5 and 15 milliamps wherein said current is controlled by a current controller. In another aspect the method discloses in step (b) the current is also biased and simultaneously applied in a mode wherein the current is equivalent to an impressed voltage of between about 1.5 and 6.0 volts positive. In other aspects, the method also includes the following :A-after step (b): (c) conditioning the microelectrode after step (b) by heating at a temperature of between about ambient and 350.degree. C.; B-after step (c): (c-1) optionally subjecting the iridium-coated microelectrode of step to ultrasonic energy in the range of between about 1 and 20,000 hertz for between about 0.1 and 10 minutes in a phos…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.