Electrodes

A good example of how our various technologies contribute to one high-tech component is an electrode used in cardiac or neurological stimulation. The following processes contribute to a product which has optimized stimulation as well as improved sensing characteristics:

• Wire, tube, rod & strip
• Coiling
• Tip grinding
• Micro machining
• EDM & laser cutting
• Shape sintering
• Micro porous coating

The shapes of these electrodes are as manifold as the applications, which include standard tips and rings, helixes for active fixation leads and shock coils for defibrillators, miniature size electrodes for left heart stimulation and ribbon electrodes for neurological stimulation.

Special Technologies
To manufacture these electrodes we have developed specialized technologies such as grinding a three-face facet or a sharp conical tip on a helix. Another example is using a CNC to cut thin (10µm, 0.0004” thick) ribbon for custom shaped neurological electrodes. Other processes are EDM and laser cutting for various micro structures, as well as laser welding for more complicated products such as shock coils.

Micro-Porous Coatings
All types of electrodes can be coated with micro-porous coatings such as TiN, IrOx, Ir, and Pt. They can additionally be covered with isolated layers or oxidation protection. These coatings will ensure that you will receive exactly the characteristics needed to lower the impedance, improve the sensing ability of the device, and direct the stimulating pulse where most effective.