Factors affecting degradation of sputtered iridium oxide used for neuroprosthetic applications

Neural electrodes represent the direct interface between the biological and the electronic system. Electrodes are used for both recording of neural signals and stimulation of nerves and muscles. It is critical that the electrode material is biocompatible and electrically and mechanically stable so that the electrode neither dissolve/degrade while stimulation of neural tissue, nor change its properties. In this study, sputtered iridium oxide films (SIROF) was deposited on the tips of the Utah electrode arrays and SIROF damage threshold was established in vitro and degradation factors were studied.