Multichannel Systems MEA2100-System Manual - Manual (Page 45)

The MEA2100-System
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5.2 Setting up the MEA
Open the lid of the headstage. Place the MEA chip inside the MEA2100 headstage.
The MEA is not rotationally symmetrical, so take care for the orientation of the MEA.
Important: MEAs are not symmetrical! That is, why the writing (for example NMI, LEITER, MEA
type) on the MEA chip should be on the right side viewed from the front, when the headstage
is open. MEAs with one big internal reference electrode should be placed with reference electrode
to the left side in the headstage. Otherwise, the MEA layout will not match with the pin layout
of the channel map in MC_Rack.
You can use the engraved serial number as marker. The pin layout of the MEA is described
in “MEA Datasheet” in the Appendix.
Warning: Spilled liquid can damage or even completely destroy the electronics of the MEA2100
headstage. Please be careful when setting up your perfusion system and when starting the
perfusion. Take care that the flow rates of the inlet and outlet flow match so that flooding
of the amplifier is efficiently prevented.
Grounding the Bath
Most MEA chips are equipped with an internal reference electrode, which will be automatically
connected to the systems ground when the MEA2100 headstage is closed. This has the advantage
that you can keep the culture chamber closed and sterile (for example, with MEA-MEM
semipermeable membranes).
If the MEA does not have an internal reference, please use the provided AgAgCl pellet or a silver
wire to connect the bath to ground. The connectors beside the area for the MEA on the lid of the
headstage are all internally connected to the system ground, so you can use any of them for
grounding.