Multichannel Systems MEA Manual - Manual (Page 23)

MEA Manual
23
4.11 256MEA for Use with USB-MEA256-System
256MEA30/8-ITO, 256MEA60/10iR-ITO, 256MEA100/30-ITO, 256MEA200/30-ITO, and 256ThinMEA
The 256MEAs have to be used with the USB-MEA256-System.
Please refer to the USB-MEA256-System manual for detailed information.
The 256MEA contains 252 recording, and four ground electrodes arranged in a 16 x 16 layout grid
embedded in a transparent glass substrate. The contact to the amplifier is provided by a double ring of
contact pads around the rim of the MEA. The standard material for MEAs is also used for 256MEAs: The
electrodes are from titanium nitride (TiN) with a silicon nitride (SiN) isolator, and contact pads and tracks
are made of transparent indium tin oxide (ITO).
The spacing of the electrodes in the 16 x16 grid averages 30, 60, 100 μm or 200 μm between the
electrodes. The electrode diameter of 30 μm results in an impedance of approximately 30 - 50 k. The
electrode diameter of 10 μm results in an impedance of approximately 250 - 400 k. The dimension of the
glass carrier is 49 x 49 x 1 mm as usual. 256MEAs are stable in a temperature range from 0 ° - 125 °C.
The 256MEA is only MEA type, which is rotationally symmetric.
256ThinMEAs are only 180 μm "thick", ideally suited for high-resolution imaging. 256ThinMEAs are like
standard MEAs, but the electrodes are embedded in a very thin and delicate glass substrate on a robust
ceramic carrier. The thin glass allows the use of oil immersion objectives with a high numerical aperture.
Like 256MEAs, 252 electrodes are arranged in a 16 x 16 layout grid with electrode diameter of 30 μm,
and interelectrode distance of 200 μm (256ThinMEA200/30-ITO).
Using 256MEAs
The same material is used for standard MEAs and 256MEAs. Therefore, they are equally robust and heat-
stabilized. They can be autoclaved and coated with different procedures for cell and tissue cultures.
Using 256ThinMEAs
256ThinMEAs are heat-stabilized and can be autoclaved. They can also be coated with different procedures
for cell and tissue cultures. They should be handled with great care because of the thin and delicate
recording area.