Integrated impedance spectroscopy chip for bio-sensors array: A system perspective

System design issues for an integrated impedance spectroscopy measurement system that can be used to measure the impedance of an electrode-electrolyte interface caused by bio-chemical interface for the array of biosensors are discussed in this work. Using the approach presented in this article, it is possible to measure the spatial and temporal distribution of bio-chemical interactions caused by in vitro activity of a slice of the neurons in real time. Standard instrumentation cannot be used for such measurements because of the many instruments needed, disturbances caused by long connecting wires, parasitic capacitances and resistances, and high cost, therefore, a miniaturized, integrated array of instruments is needed. In this article, we describe and evaluate possible different approaches, system design issues, and possible limitations for such an integrated impedance spectroscopy instrument.