Patent ID: 8017179

Claim:
A method comprising: providing an implantable electrode configured for use with an implantable lead, the electrode having an electrode surface; roughening the electrode surface; applying a composite coating material to the electrode surface, the composite coating material having a conductive component comprising a transition metal oxide precursor solution and a non-conductive component, wherein the conductive component comprising the transition metal oxide precursor solution and the non-conductive component are applied non-uniformly to the electrode surface to form a composite coating having a discrete interface between the conductive component and the non-conductive component; heating the electrode to turn the composite coating material into the composite coating having a conductive component comprising a transition metal oxide and a non-conductive component on the electrode surface; and after heating, increasing a charge injection efficiency of the transition metal oxide in the conductive component of the composite coating by subjecting the implantable electrode to a galvanostatic treatment including applying a constant current to the electrode in a solution.