PEDOT coated microelectrode arrays for chronic neural recording and stimulation

Abstract

The efficacy of conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coatings was tested on microelectrodes for neural recording and stimulation. In vitro tests revealed that PEDOT coated electrodes were capable of injecting 15 times the charge of Platinum Iridium (PtIr) electrodes and Iridium Oxide (IrOx) coated electrodes when using constant current stimulation at zero voltage bias. Furthermore, in vivo chronic testing in rats revealed that PEDOT coated electrodes showed higher signal to noise recordings and superior charge capacity compared to PtIr electrodes.