Planar electrode array systems for neural recording and impedance measurements

Systems designed to significantly reduce equipment cost and size for neurophysiological studies and hybrid biosensor applications were developed. Custom integrated circuits, each providing eighteen channels of amplification and filtering were designed, fabricated and tested. Planar arrays of iridium microelectrodes were fabricated and packaged in a standard 40 pin dual-in-line package for cultured cell and neural slice preparation studies. An impedance imaging system was developed to monitor the impedance of the cell / electrode interface across the array, thereby expanding the possible biosensor applications to non-electrically active cell types. Thermal regulation was achieved via a Peltier effect thermoelectric device allowing temperature control both above and below ambient temperature. While designed to work together, the system components presented may be easily applied to existing systems for enhancement of capabilities while reducing size and cost.