Metal Microelectrodes Basics

Superior microelectrodes for outstanding extracellular recording — tungsten, iridium, platinum-iridium, and Elgiloy®

Click here to view the Metal Microelectrode Selection Guide

Types of Metal Electrodes

WPI offers a large variety of metal electrodes and they come in three basic styles (profiles). The selection guide that follows references the three electrode profiles. In addition, concentric bipolar electrodes are also discussed, as well as some of the options offered for the metal electrodes.

NOTE: The electrode diagrams below are not shown to scale. 

Profile A

 ProfileASingleelectrodes

Profile B

ProfileBBipolarelectrodes

Profile C

 ProfileCSingleElectrodeWpolymideTubing 

Concentric Bipolar Electrodes

These electrodes are excellent for shielded macro recording, as well as evoked potentials. They are especially well suited for bipolar stimulation. The tungsten electrode is sharpened to a point and is 75μm in diameter. The outer stainless steel conductor is insulated with Polyimide tubing to within 0.2mm of the end of the stainless steel tube. This electrode is also available without the outer Polyimide insulation.

ConcentricElectrodes

This figure shows an insulated metal conductor with an exposed concentric surface. 


Metal Electrode Options

Exposed Tip Dimensions (nominal)

WPI electrodesmade from a variety of metals and tip diameters to offer the nominalimpedance ratings you require. Use the table below to determine whichtype of electrode will meet your criteria.

Nominal
Impedance
Tungsten
Elgiloy

Platinum
Iridium

Pure
Iridium
 0.1 MegΩ   100µ  120µ  60µ  45µ
 0.5MegΩ  55µ  66µ  18µ  14µ
 1.0MegΩ  30µ  36µ  10µ  10µ
 2.0MegΩ  12µ  15µ  6µ  5µ
 5.0MegΩ  5µ  6µ  3µ  2.5µ

Kapton (KT) Tubing

Kapton* tubing, indicated by “KT” in the part number, extends from the connector to within 5mmof the tip, providing stiffness and additional insulation to the electrode shaft. Kapton-
clad electrodes are recommended when the electrode is to be inserted through a cannula for extra deeppenetration.

Metal electrode Kapton (KT) Tubin

Heat Treated Tip

The Heat Treated Tip (see image below) is ideal for penetrating tough membranes. (It is not recommended for chronic implantation.) This process is performed using a microforge in which the heating element is positioned in close proximity to the tip in order to melt the Parylene-C distal to the exposed metal. It provides a smooth transition and produces better adherence of the Parylene-C to the metal.

Both the KT and non-KT electrodes are heat-treatable. The heattreatment is applied only to the parylene coating. The heat melts the paryleneso it feathers down  Heat Treated Tipclose to the shank near where the tip is exposed. This removes the abrupt edge where the parylene has been removed tocreate the tip exposure. The purpose is to prevent the parylene fromdelaminating from the electrode during implantation into tissue which couldcatch on the edge.  Heat treatment does not work well in chronicapplications, because the feather edge is susceptible to fluid intrusion overtime, which will alter the impedance characteristics of the electrodeunfavorably.

To have your electrodes heat treated, just add the suffix “H” to any of the “KT” numbers on the facing page. This treatment incurs an additional cost. Please call for pricing.

* Parylene is a trade mark of Union Carbide. Kapton is a trade mark of DuPont. Elgiloy is a trade mark of Elgiloy Ltd.

Gold Plated Pins

Gold-plated pins (WPI #5482) and sockets (WPI #5483) may be attached to 24-, 26- or 28-gauge wire.

Gold Plated Pins

Additional Accessories

  Additional Accessories, 5470, 5468, 5469, 5470, 300102

300102  Micromanipulator holder, 4 in., 2mm to 0.031 socket
5468    2 mm receptacle to 0.031-inch jack (for Omega-TipZ
5469  Adapts mini banana plug (DAM80) to 0.031-inch receptacle (metal microelectrode)
5470  0.031-inch jack, 28 ga. wire, 12 inch (pkg of 4)
5482 Pins, 0.031-inch, gold-plated (pkg of 50)
5483 Sockets, 0.031-inch gold-plated (pkg of 50)