Medical microelectrode, method for its manufacture, and use thereof

A method for providing electrical stimulation to structures of soft tissue such as neurons, for recording electrical signals emanating from such structures, and for lesioning such structures, and for combined drug delivery, recording of nerve cell signals and nerve cell stimulation,

• the method comprising:
• providing a proto microelectrode from which a micro electrode is formed in situ upon insertion of the proto microelectrode into soft tissue, the proto microelectrode comprising a flexible oblong electrode body of electrically conducting material having a front distal end and a rear proximal end, the electrode body comprising one or more of a metal or a metal alloy or an electrically conducting form of carbon or an electrically conducting polymer or a combination thereof, a first coating comprising one or more of a water soluble material and/or a swellable material and/or a degradable material on the electrode body and having a length that extends along the electrode body at least over a portion extending from its front end towards its rear end, and a second coating of electrically insulating, water insoluble flexible polymer material on the first coating and at least along the length of the first coating, the second coating comprising one or more through openings at or near its front end to permit the first coating to dissolve, swell, or degrade when the microelectrode is inserted into the soft tissue;
• and
• contacting a microelectrode formed from the proto microelectrode by contact with body fluid, the microelectrode comprising a flexible oblong electrode body of electrically conducting material having a front distal end and a rear proximal end, the electrode body comprising one or more of a metal or a metal alloy or an electrically conducting form of carbon or an electrically conducting polymer or a combination thereof, and a coat coating of electrically insulating, water insoluble flexible polymer material extending along a portion of the electrode body from the front end thereof towards the rear end thereof interspaced from the electrode body by a tubular layer of body fluid.