A microfabricated fluidic chamber for the perfusion of brain slices

A novel perfusion chamber for brain slice studies was developed, based on the Haas interface chamber principle. The 400-μm high chamber is integrated on top of a glass substrate using a standard microfabrication process and is filled with arrays of micropillars to confine and to hold the perfusion fluid within its 11 ×29 mm² area. The micropillars also uphold the brain slice at the "perfusate-gas" interface optimizing the delivery of oxygen as well as of nutrients. With a flow of 30 ml/h, the renewal rate is less than one minute, which permits rapid exchange of the perfusion medium. Successful reproduction of a zero-Mg²⁺ model of epileptiform activity in rat hippocampal slices using this chamber demonstrates its utility for electrophysiological experimentation.