Abstract
A form of cathodic protection has been developed for controlling the corrosion of stainless steel electrodes during electrical stimulation. The protection is achieved by using biphasic stimulation pulses with a slight (<-1%) charge imbalance in favor of the cathodic phase. Testsin vitro indicate that the “safe” charge limit (the charge density per phase at which corrosion first becomes serious) can be at least tripled by the use of imbalanced pulses. If confirmed by testsin vivo, this result may find application in the field of intramuscular stimulation where the present “safe” charge limit for stainless steel electrodes (#40 μC cm−2) does not permit an adequate range of stimulation intensities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brummer, S. B., McHardy, J., and Turner, M. Electrical stimulation with Pt electrodes: Trace analysis for dissolved Pt and other dissolved electrochemical products.Brain, Behavior and Evolution 1977,14, 10.
Hambrecht, F. T., and Frank, K. The future possibilities for neural control. In L. Martin (Ed.),Advances in electronics and electron physics. New York: Academic Press, 1975,38, 55–81.
I.U.P.A.C.Spectrophotometric data for colorimetric analysis. London: Butterworths, 1963. P. 201.
Mortimer, J. T. Intramuscular electrical stimulation of skeletal muscle. Functional neuromuscular stimulation program, Contract NIH NINDS 72 2314. Report for June 1974–January 1975. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McHardy, J., Geller, D. & Brummer, S.B. An approach to corrosion control during electrical stimulation. Ann Biomed Eng 5, 144–149 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364014
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364014