Phyosilgy

PfliJgers Archiv

Pflfigers Arch. 380, 283 (1979)

EuropeanJournal of

9 by Springer-Verlag 1979

Instruments and Techniques Production of Elastic Electrodes for Nerve Stimulation T. Sakaguchi, A. Warashina, and A. Niijima Department of Physiology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata City, Japan

Abstract. For better evoking and monitoring electrical

activities of visceral nerves, a elastic electrode made of conductive plastic and silicone gum is developed. Key words: Electric stimulation Visceral nerve.

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Electrodes

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In electrophysiological experiments, one frequently needs electrodes for evoking and monitoring electrical activities of nerve branches in situ. However, there are certain degree technical problems: A mechanical injury of the nerve due to friction by setting the electrode has to be avoided without losing the contact between the electrode and the nerve. In order to minimize such troubles, we have developed an electrode made of elastic materials, silicone sheet and electrically conductive plastic. The electrode has been successfully used in our laboratory to stimulate various parts of the visceral nerve in the rat. A pellet of silicone gum (Shift Etsu Chemical. Co., Tokyo, K E 45-RTV) was flattened on a slide glass to a thickness of about 0.2 mm. It became solidified into a strip of elastic sheet in 24 h at r o o m temperature. Two narrow films (0.7 m m wide) of the conductive plastic (a product of Hozan. Co., Osaka), the ends of which were connected with leading wires by twisting together, were laid in parallel with 0.8 m m of separation on the silicone sheet. They were covered with a layer of the silicone gum. After solidified, a middle portion of the upper layer of the silicone was carefully shaved with a razor blade so that the surface of the conductive plastic could be exposed to make an active contact with the nerve. The final exterior was shaped as necessary after whole piece was detached from the slide glass (Fig. 1 A). The resistence of the conductive part was about 20 kohm.

On a practical use, the active part of the electrode wrapped round the nerve and both ends of the inactive parts were pinched together with a micro-vascular forceps as shown in Fig. 1 B. The advantage of this electrode is as follows: 1. Softness of the electrode prevents the nerve from mechanical damage. 2. N o failure of electrical stimulation of nerve is expected in spite of movement in the visceral organ, since the flat surface of the conductive part makes two dimensional contacts with the nerve. Hence, it is suitable for the intended purpose in electrophysiological experiments.

A

Conductive plastic

I

I

10ram

B

~N

erve

Fig. 1. A Appearance of the electrode. B Practical application of the electrode to the nerve

0031-6768/79/0380/0283/$ 01.00

Production of elastic electrodes for nerve stimulation.

Phyosilgy PfliJgers Archiv Pflfigers Arch. 380, 283 (1979) EuropeanJournal of 9 by Springer-Verlag 1979 Instruments and Techniques Production of...
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