Effect of electrode composition on electromechanical cartilage reshaping

Abstract

Dielectric properties of cartilage have received comparatively little interest and few studies have examined the effect of the applying electric currents to mechanically deformed cartilages. The objective of this study was to determine the dependence of shape change on electrode composition during a process we have described as “electroforming.” Porcine nasal septal cartilage specimens (16 x 5 x 2 mm) were mechanically deformed between two semicircular electrodes. Direct current (DC) current was applied to establish charge separation and electrical streaming potential. Voltage (<10 V) and application time (0-6 minutes) were varied, and shape change was measured using analytic representation. Surface features were evaluated using light microscopy. While shape change strongly correlated with voltage and time for all electrode materials, the voltage and application time that produced maximum shape change (curvature of the jig, ~ 160°) varied for each material. Aluminum is more effective for electroforming than gold as it yields the lowest set of plateau values. Surface features indicated that electrodeposition occurs depending upon the voltage and the standard reduction potential of electrodes. The results from this study provide insight into the dependence of shape change on the external electrical environment of cartilage and how optimal shape change can be produced with nominal electrodeposition.