Enhancing Implantable Electrodes’ Performance and Device Longevity
In recent decades, the medical device industry has been moving toward miniaturization of long-term implantable electrodes and microelectrode arrays to treat various cardiac, neurological, retinal and hearing disorders. Despite many advances, there are still numerous challenges with existing technologies that can effectively reduce the geometric surface area of implantable electrodes and microelectrode arrays to achieve miniaturization. Such challenges may result in electrodes and microelectrode arrays that perform sub-optimally and with potentially limited product life resulting in compromised treatment for the patient.
The use of electrochemically active biocompatible coatings, such as iridium oxide or titanium nitride, has been the subject of research and development for over a decade. Although studied and put to use, these coatings have their shortcomings, such as poor adhesion to the electrode surface, delamination and poor long-term durability.
Hierarchical surface restructuring technology, on the other hand, offers several technological advantages and performance benefits over the current state of the art. Surfaces prepared using this technology exhibit increased charge storage capacity and capacitance, as well as an overall reduction in the impedance of the electrodes and microelectrode arrays. Webinar attendees will learn more about the shortcomings of current sensing, stimulation and mapping electrode technologies and the benefits of hierarchical surface restructuring. Knowledge in hand, attendees can then be in a position to capitalize on this ground breaking technology.
Using ultra-short pulse lasers, this patented technology can significantly and cost-effectively increase the surface roughness and electrochemical surface area of electrodes. This, in turn, enhances the electrodes' electrochemical performance by several orders of magnitude minimizing the geometric surface area that enables miniaturization. In addition, ultra-short pulse lasers do not induce any damage, such as microcracking, surface debris or recast layers. Sign up today to ensure that you are on the leading edge as it relates to implantable electrodes.
Presented by
Shahram Amini, Ph.D.,
Director of R&D
Shahram Amini is currently the director of R&D at Pulse Technologies Inc. He has over twenty years of experience in new business development, technology innovation and commercialization of new materials and products. He is also a Visiting Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Rowan University and a Research Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Connecticut.
He earned a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Drexel University (2008) and M.Sc. & B.Sc. degrees in Metallurgy and Materials Science from Sharif University of Technology (1999) and Shiraz University (2003). His research interest and expertise are in design of hierarchical surfaces, coatings, thin films and hybrid surface solutions for medical devices and materials, measurements and manufacturing technologies for extreme and harsh environments.
