New electrode materials for arthroscopic probes

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This Alliance project is a collaboration between the group of Prof. Fabio Cicoira (Polytechnique Montréal) and Biomomentum Inc., a Canadian company based in Laval (QC), which produces and commercializes arthroscopic probes and mechanical testers. Biomomentum Inc. is developing a new arthroscopic probe, to be used for the precise and non-destructive assessment of articular cartilage. The current device uses an array of 37 Au electrodes on a spherical indenter to assess the electrical potentials generated during the compression of knee cartilage. The spherical shape of the probe and the lack of selectivity of the currently used fabrication technique leads to some performance limitations. To ensure reliable measurements of the electrical potential of each microelectrode, a complex electronic circuit with high input impedance is used. The electrical stability of such circuit requires additional electrical shielding and a well-controlled microelectrode impedance spectrum. Decreasing the interfacial impedance of microelectrodes is expected to improve electrical stability, provide better protection against environmental disturbances seen during arthroscopy and increase the signal-to-noise ratio in the quantitative assessment of cartilage properties.In this project, we will explore an innovative technology, based on electrochemical deposition of Au or a conductive polymer, to improve the performance of the arthroscopic probe. Such coatings, applied to each micro electrode, are expected to lead to lower and more reproducible impedance values. The impedance of the electrodes will be assessed first in physiological solution and successively in artificial cartilage. This project is expected to be very beneficial to Canadians. A reliable instrument capable of identifying early changes in cartilage will be a valuable tool for evaluating the effectiveness of disease modifying agents for osteoarthritis, in addition to guiding early interventions to prevent joint replacement, leading to significant reduction in costs for the Canadian healthcare system.