PubMed · 10224511
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A Y Chow, N Peachey. 1999. The subretinal microphotodiode array retinal prosthesis II.. https://doi.org/10.1159/000055541
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Neuronal networks underlie memory storage and information processing in the human brain, and ultimately participate in what Eccles referred to as "the creation of consciousness". Moreover, as physiological dysfunctions of neurons almost always translate into serious health issues, the study of the dynamics of neuronal networks has become a major avenue of research, as well as their response to pharmacological tampering. Planar microelectrode arrays represent a unique tool to investigate such dynamics and interferences, as they allow one to observe the activity of neuronal networks spread in both space and time. We will here review the major results obtained with microelectrode arrays and give an overview of the latest technological developments in the field, including our own efforts to develop the potential of this already powerful technology.
A microfabrication process leading to a sheathless electrospray interface for mass spectrometry analysis is described. Photoablation is performed on a polymer substrate, allowing the integration of a thick-film conductive track in a sealed microchannel. High voltage is supplied close to the outlet, through an embedded microelectrode. The microspray is generated directly from the edge of the substrate without any tip addition. The flexibility of this technology provides a wide range of dimensions for the probe and the microelectrode design, including location, shape, and conductive material used. Thanks to the thick-film microelectrode and the hydrophobicity of the polymer, which avoids solution spreading at the outlet, the device has been found to be an efficient ionization source providing a stable MS signal through time. Moreover, the same device can be used several times without failure. The performance of the microspray has been studied in simple infusion mode for proteins and reserpine MS analyses. The detection limit of reserpine was found to be at the picomolar level in full-scan MS mode. It implies also that approximately 500 zmol was read consumed during 3 min of infusion. A dynamic range from pico- to millimolar level is also underlined.
Voltammetric probes were constructed from stainless steel and fused silica tubing sheathing carbon fibers. Electrochemical tests were carried out to compare these electrodes with commercially available glass-sealed IVEC-5 electrodes. Electrodes of both types displayed a similar declining baseline and calculated coefficients of stabilization (tangent of baseline during a stable period). There were no significant differences in sensitivity between the two designs of electrodes to norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA). All tested electrodes showed linear current responses to increasing concentrations of NE and DA. Fused silica (FS type) electrodes are suitable for electrochemical measurements (in vivo voltammetry) and display characteristics similar to those of commercially available IVEC-5 glass-sealed carbon fiber microelectrodes. Manufacture of FS type electrodes in a biochemical laboratory is easy and does not require any special equipment (such as a micropipette puller) or glass-handling skills. An additional fused silica tube can be glued to the electrode for microinjections. The electrodes are very robust, easy to handle and can be mounted on the arms of standard stereotaxic instruments. The electrodes can be made long enough to reach the deepest parts of brain of large animals.