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Development of a platinized platinum/iridium electrode for use in vitro

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Abstract

Silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes possess excellent electrical properties for measuring the electrical activity of gastrointestinal smooth muscle but exert toxic effects on this tissue in vitro. We thus developed a platinum electrode for use in vitro, the construction of these electrodes relying upon the formation of a glass-platinum/iridium seal. The platinum/iridium (Pt/Ir) electrodes were platinized using a current density of 0.45 mA mm−2. The electrode impedance at 0.01 Hz showed a minimum with platinization current-time products greater than 500 mA s mm−2. However, deposits in excess of 600 mA s mm−2 were readily removed by mechanical abrasion and proved unsatisfactory. Optimal platinization was obtained with a deposit of platinum-black corresponding to a current-time product of 550 mA s mm−2. Optimally-platinized electrodes (geometric surface area 0.11 mm2) had a stable and reproducible potential with a drift of less than 1 μV min−1 and a lower impedance than optimally chlorided silver electrodes (geometric surface area 0.46 mm2) at frequencies higher than 0.25 Hz. The platinized Pt/Ir electrodes were used to record the electrical activity of gastrointestinal smooth muscle in vitro.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, 2D4.47 Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, T6G 2B7, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Kenneth R. Cote & Richard C. Gill

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  1. Kenneth R. Cote
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  2. Richard C. Gill
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Cote, K.R., Gill, R.C. Development of a platinized platinum/iridium electrode for use in vitro. Ann Biomed Eng 15, 419–426 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02363562

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02363562

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