Title :
A single cell multi-analysis system for electrophysiological studies
Author :
Han, A. ; Moss, E. ; Rabbitt, R.D. ; Engisch, K.L. ; Frazier, A.B.
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Georgia Inst. of Technol., Atlanta, GA, USA
Abstract :
A micro analysis system for multi-purpose electrophysiological studies of single cells has been designed, fabricated, and characterized. The micro electrophysiological analysis system (/spl mu/-EPAS) contains multiple extracellular opposing electrode pairs that interface with a single cell inside an analysis cavity. These electrodes can be used for general single electrode extracellular stimulation/recording studies, dual electrode applications such as impedance spectroscopy, and for applications requiring a greater number of electrodes such as impedance tomography. Additionally, the analysis system contains a sealing/clamping mechanism and a backside extracellular reference electrode for patch clamping studies. The analysis cavities were designed in an array format for parallel analyses. Bovine chromaffin cells were used as a target to demonstrate and characterize the system. Using the integrated glass sealing ring, giga-seals were obtained on a population of chromaffin cells. The micro system generated maximum giga-seal resistances of 1.2G/spl Omega/ with non-sealed average cavity-to-backside resistances of 0.5M/spl Omega/. Furthermore, the cellular analysis system was demonstrated for electrical impedance spectroscopy on chromaffin cells over a range from 40.0 Hz to 1.0 MHz.
Keywords :
bioelectric phenomena; biomembranes; cellular biophysics; micromechanical devices; 0.5 Mohm; 1.2 Gohm; 40.0 Hz to 1.0 MHz; Bovine chromaffin cells; cell multianalysis system; cellular analysis; clamping; electrical impedance spectroscopy; electrode applications; electrode extracellular recording; electrode extracellular stimulation; electrophysiological properties; extracellular reference electrode; giga-seal resistances; integrated glass sealing; microsystem; multiple extracellular opposing electrode pairs; Biochemical analysis; Biomembranes; Bovine; Cells (biology); Chemical analysis; Clamps; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrodes; Extracellular; Performance analysis;
Conference_Titel :
TRANSDUCERS, Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems, 12th International Conference on, 2003
Conference_Location :
Boston, MA, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7731-1
DOI :
10.1109/SENSOR.2003.1215563