Monopolar Platinum-Iridium Microelectrodes, Heat Treated Tapered Tip (MicroProbes)

Description

Platinum-Iridium alloy is considered by many to be the “gold standard” for chronic recording and microstimulation due to its excellent electrochemical and mechanical characteristics.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Platinum-Iridium possesses lower concomitant impedance, higher charge transfer capacity, and improved electrochemical stability compared to tungsten and stainless steel.
Offers excellent and versatile microstimulation performance, allowing safe stimulation to be performed with small probe sizes.
Iridium content of alloy greatly improves mechanical hardness and stiffness, providing electrodes with a degree of bend resistance that approaches tungsten.

Greater cost than tungsten and eligoy or stainless steel, making it less appropriate for acute recording or non-intensive chronic recording.
Can be vulnerable to corrosion and dissolution with some intensive stimulation protocols.

The monopolar microelectrodes of MicroProbes are also available in Tungsten, Elgiloy (an alloy similar to stainless steel), and Pure Iridium metal. The electrodes are insulated with a thin film of vapor-deposited Parylene-C. As an option we provide them surrounded by Polymide tubing. Each electrode is etched to a fine taper and tipped using a proprietary process to a specific impedance value. Four different tip profiles are also available to further fine-tune your electrode selection to your particular application.

We offer a variety of different tip alternatives for those that prefer a specialized electrode profile for their research.

The tip selection can provide subtle yet important changes to the performance of the electrode, as described below. It is recommended that first time users consider experimenting with different tip profiles to determine which works best for their recording or stimulation protocols.

For some applications concentric or bipolar electrodes (stereotrodes) are useful.

Monopolar Electrodes, Platinum-Iridium, Heat Treated Tapered Tip
(75 µm × 2")

Item	Length	Shaft Diameter	Tip Diameter	Impedance	Applications	Pkg of 10
PI20030.01H3	51 mm	0.081 mm	1-2 µm	0.01 MΩ	MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim
PI20030.05H3	51 mm	0.081 mm		0.05 MΩ
PI20030.1H3	51 mm	0.081 mm		0.1 MΩ
PI20030.5H3	51 mm	0.081 mm		0.5 MΩ	Single & multiunit rec. & stim.
PI20031.0H3	51 mm	0.081 mm	1 µm	1.0 MΩ
PI20031.5H3	51 mm	0.081 mm		1.5 MΩ
PI20032.0H3	51 mm	0.081 mm		2.0 MΩ
PI20032.5H3	51 mm	0.081 mm		2.5 MΩ	Greater Selectivity - Small Cells
PI20033.0H3	51 mm	0.081 mm		3.0 MΩ
PI20035.0H3	51 mm	0.081 mm		5.0 MΩ

Monopolar Electrodes, Platinum-Iridium, Heat Treated Tapered Tip
(125 µm × 2")

Item	Length	Shaft Diameter	Tip Diameter	Impedance	Applications	Pkg of 10
PI20030.01H5	51 mm	0.127 mm	1-2 µm	0.01 MΩ	MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim
PI20030.05H5	51 mm	0.127 mm		0.05 MΩ
PI20030.1H5	51 mm	0.127 mm		0.1 MΩ
PI20030.5H5	51 mm	0.127 mm		0.5 MΩ	Single & multiunit rec. & stim.
PI20031.0H5	51 mm	0.127 mm	1 µm	1.0 MΩ
PI20031.5H5	51 mm	0.127 mm		1.5 MΩ
PI20032.0H5	51 mm	0.127 mm		2.0 MΩ
PI20032.5H5	51 mm	0.127 mm		2.5 MΩ	Greater Selectivity - Small Cells
PI20033.0H5	51 mm	0.127 mm		3.0 MΩ
PI20035.0H5	51 mm	0.127 mm		5.0 MΩ

Monopolar Electrodes, Platinum-Iridium, Heat Treated Tapered Tip
(125 µm × 3")

Item	Length	Shaft Diameter	Tip Diameter	Impedance	Applications	Pkg of 10
PI30030.01H5	76 mm	0.127 mm	1-2 µm	0.01 MΩ	MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim
PI30030.05H5	76 mm	0.127 mm		0.05 MΩ
PI30030.1H5	76 mm	0.127 mm		0.1 MΩ
PI30030.5H5	76 mm	0.127 mm		0.5 MΩ	Single & multiunit rec. & stim.
PI30031.0H5	76 mm	0.127 mm	1 µm	1.0 MΩ
PI30031.5H5	76 mm	0.127 mm		1.5 MΩ
PI30032.0H5	76 mm	0.127 mm		2.0 MΩ
PI30032.5H5	76 mm	0.127 mm		2.5 MΩ	Greater Selectivity - Small Cells
PI30033.0H5	76 mm	0.127 mm		3.0 MΩ	Greater Selectivity - Small Cells

Monopolar Electrodes, Platinum-Iridium, Heat Treated Tapered Tip
(225 µm × 2")

Item	Length	Shaft Diameter	Tip Diameter	Impedance	Applications	Pkg of 10
PI20030.01H10	51 mm	0.231 mm	1-2 µm	0.01 MΩ	MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim
PI20030.05H10	51 mm	0.231 mm		0.05 MΩ
PI20030.1H10	51 mm	0.231 mm		0.1 MΩ
PI20030.5H10	51 mm	0.231 mm		0.5 MΩ	Single & multiunit rec. & stim.
PI20031.0H10	51 mm	0.231 mm	1 µm	1.0 MΩ
PI20031.5H10	51 mm	0.231 mm		1.5 MΩ
PI20032.0H10	51 mm	0.231 mm		2.0 MΩ
PI20032.5H10	51 mm	0.231 mm		2.5 MΩ	Greater Selectivity - Small Cells
PI20033.0H10	51 mm	0.231 mm		3.0 MΩ	Greater Selectivity - Small Cells

Common Tip Profiles:

A - STANDARD TIP PROFILE
The standard tip profile features a sharp yet robust point that offers versatile performance and an effective balance between penetration and durability.

B - BLUNTED TIP PROFILE
The blunted electrodes are engineered to have a more rounded, bullet-shaped tip. For many applications the blunted tip can offer superior stimulation performance.

H - HEAT TREATED TAPERED TIP PROFILE
The heat-treated electrodes are intended for those investigators who must penetrate their probes through tough membranes, such as the dura mater of larger mammals.

F - EXTRA FINE TIP PROFILE
The extra-fine tip profile features a significantly sharper taper as well as a thinner insulation layer. Available in Tungsten only!

Also see:

Selecting the Optimum Electrode Configuration

Platinum-Iridium Electrodes, Heat Treated Tapered Tip

Also see: