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Implantable microelectrodes with new electro-conductive materials for recording sympathetic neural discharge
Kanji Matsukawa1, Hidehiko Komine, Hirotsugu Tsuchimochi
1Department of Physiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Faculty of Medicine, Kasumi 1-2-3, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551 Japan. matsuk@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
We have developed two new types of bipolar cuff microelectrodes (volume size, 2-3 mm(3)) using electro-conductive rubber or water-absorbent polymer, either of which can be applied to measure sympathetic nerve activity in small animals. A renal nerve bundle of an anesthetized rat was inserted into the center hole of the electrode (diameter, 0.15 mm) through a slit and had good contact with the electrodes. Renal sympathetic nerve activity, which was verified by sympathetic ganglionic blockade, could be recorded using either type of implantable cuff electrode.