Verification, electrode activation, and electrical testing of high-channel count microelectrode arrays

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Title Verification, electrode activation, and electrical testing of high-channel count microelectrode arrays
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Engineering
Department Biomedical Engineering
Author Perry, Justin
Date 2008-12
Description The Utah (Slanted) Electrode Array (U(S)EA) provides a high-density, microelectrode interface for neural recording and stimulation. Device efficacy and longevity is crucial to successful implementation. Determining an array's potential efficacy prior to implantation would prevent low-quality arrays from being used. In addition, determining the failure modes of an array would be useful to manufacturers for improving array quality. The array verification process included soaking the arrays in phosphate-buffered saline. Five failure-mode analysis tests were developed to investigate the failure modes of nonimpedance-stable arrays. Also investigated as a potential failure mode was silicone-coated and non-silicone coated array lead wires. Twenty-four of the 40 arrays verified exhibited impedance decreases greater than 15 %. However, array quality improved substantially during the study. Of the arrays investigated for failure modes, the failure-mode analysis tests suggest that changes in front-side insulation tended to dominate the cause of impedance drops, although other failure modes were seen. In some cases, nonsilicone coated leads wires failed quickly and catastrophically, but the alternative silicone-coated lead wires provided improved longevity and starting impedance. Arrays can further be improved by electrochemically activating iridium-tipped electrodes. These microelectrodes provide a low-impedance, high-charge capacity.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Implants, Artificial; Microelectrodes; Neural stimulation
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "Verification, electrode activation, and electrical testing of high-channel count microelectrode arrays" J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections, RD14.5 2008 .P48
Rights Management © Justin Perry
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 109,323 bytes
Identifier us-etd2,97987
Source Original: University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections
ARK ark:/87278/s6wm1v2d
Setname ir_etd
ID 193562
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6wm1v2d
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