Platinum-Iridium alloy is considered by many to be the “gold standard” for chronic recording and microstimulation due to its excellent electrochemical and mechanical characteristics.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Platinum-Iridium possesses lower concomitant impedance, higher charge transfer capacity, and improved electrochemical stability compared to tungsten and stainless steel.
Offers excellent and versatile microstimulation performance, allowing safe stimulation to be performed with small probe sizes.
Iridium content of alloy greatly improves mechanical hardness and stiffness, providing electrodes with a degree of bend resistance that approaches tungsten.
Greater cost than tungsten and eligoy or stainless steel, making it less appropriate for acute recording or non-intensive chronic recording.
Can be vulnerable to corrosion and dissolution with some intensive stimulation protocols.
These monopolar microelectrodes of MicroProbes are also available in Tungsten, Elgiloy (an alloy similar to stainless steel), and Pure Iridium metal. As an alternative we provide them with a thin coat of vapor-deposited Parylene-C insulation instead of the Polymide tubing. Each electrode is etched to a fine taper and tipped using a proprietary process to a specific impedance value. Four different tip profiles are also available to further fine-tune your electrode selection to your particular application.
We offer a variety of different tip alternatives for those that prefer a specialized electrode profile for their research.
The tip selection can provide subtle yet important changes to the performance of the electrode, as described below. It is recommended that first time users consider experimenting with different tip profiles to determine which works best for their recording or stimulation protocols.
Monopolar Electrodes, Platinum-Iridium, Blunted Tip (75 µm × 2") With Polymide Tubing
Item
Length
Shaft Diameter
Tip Diameter
Impedance
Applications
Pkg of 10
PI2PT30.01B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
3-5 µm
0.01 MΩ
MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim
PI2PT30.05B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
0.05 MΩ
PI2PT30.1B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
0.1 MΩ
PI2PT30.5B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
0.5 MΩ
Single & multiunit rec. & stim.
PI2PT31.0B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
3-4 µm
1.0 MΩ
PI2PT31.5B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
1.5 MΩ
PI2PT32.0B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
2.0 MΩ
PI2PT32.5B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
2.5 MΩ
Greater Selectivity - Small Cells
PI2PT33.0B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
3.0 MΩ
PI2PT35.0B3
51 mm
0.126 mm
5.0 MΩ
Monopolar Electrodes, Platinum-Iridium, Blunted Tip (125 µm × 2") With Polymide Tubing
Item
Length
Shaft Diameter
Tip Diameter
Impedance
Applications
Pkg of 10
PI2PT30.01B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
3-5 µm
0.01 MΩ
MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim
PI2PT30.05B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
0.05 MΩ
PI2PT30.1B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
0.1 MΩ
PI2PT30.5B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
0.5 MΩ
Single & multiunit rec. & stim.
PI2PT31.0B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
3-4 µm
1.0 MΩ
PI2PT31.5B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
1.5 MΩ
PI2PT32.0B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
2.0 MΩ
PI2PT32.5B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
2.5 MΩ
Greater Selectivity - Small Cells
PI2PT33.0B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
3.0 MΩ
PI2PT35.0B5
51 mm
0.216 mm
5.0 MΩ
Monopolar Electrodes, Platinum-Iridium, Blunted Tip (125 µm × 3") With Polymide Tubing
Item
Length
Shaft Diameter
Tip Diameter
Impedance
Applications
Pkg of 10
PI3PT30.01B5
76 mm
0.216 mm
3-5 µm
0.01 MΩ
MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim
PI3PT30.05B5
76 mm
0.216 mm
0.05 MΩ
PI3PT30.1B5
76 mm
0.216 mm
0.1 MΩ
PI3PT30.5B5
76 mm
0.216 mm
0.5 MΩ
Single & multiunit rec. & stim.
PI3PT31.0B5
76 mm
0.216 mm
3-4 µm
1.0 MΩ
PI3PT31.5B5
76 mm
0.216 mm
1.5 MΩ
PI3PT32.0B5
76 mm
0.216 mm
2.0 MΩ
PI3PT32.5B5
76 mm
0.216 mm
2.5 MΩ
Greater Selectivity - Small Cells
PI3PT33.0B5
76 mm
0.216 mm
3.0 MΩ
Monopolar Electrodes, Platinum-Iridium, Blunted Tip (225 µm × 2") With Polymide Tubing
Item
Length
Shaft Diameter
Tip Diameter
Impedance
Applications
Pkg of 10
PI2PT30.01B10
51 mm
0.370 mm
3-5 µm
0.01 MΩ
MultiUnit & ERP recording & Stim
PI2PT30.05B10
51 mm
0.370 mm
0.05 MΩ
PI2PT30.1B10
51 mm
0.370 mm
0.1 MΩ
PI2PT30.5B10
51 mm
0.370 mm
0.5 MΩ
Single & multiunit rec. & stim.
PI2PT31.0B10
51 mm
0.370 mm
3-4 µm
1.0 MΩ
PI2PT31.5B10
51 mm
0.370 mm
1.5 MΩ
PI2PT32.0B10
51 mm
0.370 mm
2.0 MΩ
PI2PT32.5B10
51 mm
0.370 mm
2.5 MΩ
Greater Selectivity - Small Cells
PI2PT33.0B10
51 mm
0.370 mm
3.0 MΩ
Common Tip Profiles:
A - STANDARD TIP PROFILE The standard tip profile features a sharp yet robust point that offers versatile performance and an effective balance between penetration and durability.B - BLUNTED TIP PROFILE The blunted electrodes are engineered to have a more rounded, bullet-shaped tip. For many applications the blunted tip can offer superior stimulation performance.H - HEAT TREATED TAPERED TIP PROFILE The heat-treated electrodes are intended for those investigators who must penetrate their probes through tough membranes, such as the dura mater of larger mammals.F - EXTRA FINE TIP PROFILE The extra-fine tip profile features a significantly sharper taper as well as a thinner insulation layer. Available in Tungsten only!
