Multichannel Systems USB-MEA32-STIM4 Manual - Manual (Page 17)

USB-MEA32-STIM4-System
11
Temperature Controller TC01/02
The USB-MEA32-STIM4 features a PH01 with a PT100 temperature sensor. If you connect a
temperature controller TC01/02 to the heating element via D-Sub 9 connector, the heating
element guarantees constant temperature conditions for the biological sample, placed on the
pMEA-32S12-Lx. The TC01/02 can be controlled manually or by software TCX-Control. Please see
the TCX manual for more information.
4.1.5 Suction Port
A suction port is integrated below the frame for the perforated MEA. It is a small sealed
compartment that is connected to a tube. The red O-ring for sealing this compartment is made
of silicon. It has an inner diameter of 7 mm and a thickness of 1 mm (Silicon 70, 7 x 1). By the tube,
suction can be applied to the MEA from below either manually via syringe, or via controlled
vacuum pump CVP. Please see chapter "Working with the USB-MEA32-STIM4 Amplifier".
4.2 Perforated MEA
pMEA32S12-Lx
For the USB-MEA32-STIM4-System special perforated MEAs have been designed. They are
different in size, but identical in function to the regular pMEAs. One layout of the perforated
MEAs designed for the USB-MEA32-STIM4-System has been optimized for acute hippocampal
slices.
The flat, round electrodes are made of titanium nitride (TiN) with a diameter of 30 μm for the
recording electrodes, and 50 μm for the stimulation electrodes. The stimulation electrodes can
not be used for recording, and vice versa. The interelectrode distances vary from 150 to 200 μm.
MEAs with titanium nitride (TiN) electrodes are very stable. Therefore, the pMEA can be reused
several times and is perfect for long-time experiments (up to several weeks and even months).
The electrode impedance ranges between 30 k
 and 50 k. Tracks and contact pads are made
of titanium nitride (TiN), the insulation material is polyimide, respectively.
The electrodes are integrated into a thin polyimide foil. This thin foil is fixed on a ceramic waver
for mechanical stability. In the middle of the waver, under the electrode field, there is a hole
that makes it possible to access the electrode field from below. The area around the electrodes
is perforated to apply suction to the slice from below. Please read chapter "Working with the
USB-MEA32-STIM4 Amplifier". The total area of the holes averages 0.8 mm, the diameters of
the holes varies from 20 to 90 μm.
Because of the polyimide foil, perforated MEAs are heat stable up to 50 °C only.