The concept of the cultured neuron probe was induced by the possible selective stimulation of nerves for functional recovery after a neural lesion or disease. The probe consists of a micro-electrode array on top of which groups of neuronal cells are cultured. An efficient method to position groups of neuronal cells on top of the stimulation sites of the micro-electrode array is developed. With negative dielectrophoretic forces, produced by non-uniform electric fields on polarizable particles, neuronal cells are trapped. Experimental results and model simulations describe the trapping process and its effect on neuronal cell viability.
Inhalt
Introduction.- Neuro-electronic interfacing.- Culturing neuronal cells.- Positioning and culturing neuronal cells on a micro-electrode array.- Dielectrophoresis.- Scope of this review.- Dielectrophoretic trapping of neuronal cells.- Theory.-Materials.- Theoretical description of dielectrophoretic trapping.- Experimental description of dielectrophoretic trapping.- Exposing neuronal cells to electric fields.- Theory.- Theoretical investigation of induced membrane potentials of neuronal cells.- Experimental investigation of neuronal membrane breakdown.- Investigating viability of dielectrophoretically trapped neuronal cells.- Viability of neuronal cells trapped at a high frequency.- Viability of neuronal cells trapped at low frequencies.- Recording neuronal activity.- Summary.- References.- Subject index.