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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Carbon film-based interdigitated array microelectrode used in capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

A carbon film based interdigitated ring-shaped array (IDRA) microelectrode was applied to capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection to enhance the detection sensitivity on the basis of the redox cycling of electrochemical reversible species at the IDRA microelectrode. We propose a simple capillary-electrode connection device that consists of an X-Y-Z fiber aligner, an electrochemical cell, and a Nafion tubing joint that will enable the detection capillary to be aligned easily on the IDRA microelectrode and isolate the separation voltage from the electrochemical detection system. We used the off-column amperometric detection of aqueous ferrocene and catecholamines by capillary electrophoresis with an IDRA microelectrode to investigate the effects of the capillary-to-electrode distance and the separation voltage on the response currents in single and dual modes and the collection efficiencies (CE) and redox cycles (Rc) at the IDRA microelectrode. The results show that CE and Rc increase when we increase the distance and lower the separation voltage. The limiting currents also increase as the separation voltage decreases in the dual mode. Under optimum conditions, the CE and Rc of catechol, with good reversibility, reach 83.9% and 3.67, respectively. Our results showed that dual-mode detection with the IDRA microelectrode was capable of achieving lower detection limits than single-mode detection.

Journal Article↗

Simultaneous Measurement of Intracellular pH and K+ or NO3- in Barley Root Cells Using Triple-Barreled, Ion-Selective Microelectrodes.

The manufacture and use of triple-barreled microelectrodes, which are capable of simultaneous in vivo measurement of intracellular pH and the activities of K+ or NO3- and cell membrane potential (Em), are described. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the three tips were aligned and that the overall tip diameter was approximately 0.8 [mu]m. When filled with 100 mM KCl, all three barrels simultaneously reported identical transmembrane potentials, showing that all three tips were located in the same subcellular compartment. Intracellular estimates of Em in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Klaxon) root epidermal cells obtained with these triple-barreled microelectrodes were indistinguishable from those obtained using single- or double-barreled microelectrodes. Measurements made with triple-barreled K+ and pH-selective microelectrodes in root cells of 7-d-old barley plants grown in a nutrient solution containing 0.5 mM K+ yielded cytosolic and vacuolar populations having mean K+ activity values of 71.3 and 68.7 mM, respectively. The associated mean pH values ([plus or minus]SE) were 7.26 [plus or minus] 0.06 (cytosol) and 5.18 [plus or minus] 0.08 (vacuole). Analysis of whole-tissue digests confirmed the microelectrode measurements. Measurements made using triple-barreled pH- and nitrate-selective microelectrodes confirmed earlier double-barreled measurements of pH and nitrate in barley root epidermal cells growing in 10 mM nitrate.

Journal Article↗

Gold ultra-microelectrode arrays: application to the steady-state voltammetry of hydroxide ion in aqueous solution.

Gold ultra-microelectrode arrays are used to explore the electrochemical oxidation of hydroxide ions and are shown to be analytical useful. Two types of ultra-microelectrode arrays are used; the first consist of 256 individual electrodes of 5 microm in radius, 170 of which are electrochemically active in a cubic arrangement which are separated from their nearest neighbour by a distance of 100 microm. The second array compromises 2597 electrodes of 2.5 microm in radius and of which 1550 of which are electrochemically active in a hexagonal arrangement separated by the nearest neighbour by 55 microm. Well defined voltammetric waves are found with peak currents proportional to the concentration of hydroxide ions in the range 50 microM to 1 mM. Detection limits of 20 microM using the 170 ultra-microelectrode and 10 microM with the 1550 ultra-microelectrode array are shown to be possible but with a higher sensitivity of 4 mA M(-1) observed using the 1550 ultra-microelectrode array compared to 1.2 mA M(-1) with the 170 ultra-microelectrode array.

Journal Article↗

In vivo microelectrode localization in the brain of the alert monkey: a combined radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging approach.

A technique is described for in vivo localization of microelectrodes during single-unit recording in the alert monkey. Four hollow glass spheres filled with copper sulfate and iohexol were affixed to the surface of the animal's skull prior to the acquisition of a series of coronal magnetic resonance (MR) images. These reference beads were visible in both X-ray and MR images. Cranial recording chambers were then implanted bilaterally over the amygdaloid complex. A microelectrode was advanced to various depths in the subject's brain. At each selected microelectrode site, five radiographs were obtained and a small electrolytic lesion was made. Based on the data from the radiographs, we computed the position of the microelectrode tip at each site relative to the reference beads. With a precision of 625 microns, this method was used to predict the neuroanatomical location of ten microlesions placed in both subcortical and cortical structures. Postmortem histological analysis revealed that the actual location of the lesions closely matched predictions arrived at using the X-ray/MRI localization technique. This technique thus provides an accurate, reliable and noninvasive method for in vivo localization of microelectrode recording sites.

Animals↗

Risk and advantages of using strongly beveled microelectrodes for electrophysiological studies in cardiac Purkinje fibers.

Conventional microelectrodes (tips with a diameter of 0.5 micrometer, a resistance of 8 MOhm, and a tip potential of -4 mV) were mechanically beveled over a length of 1--2 micrometer (resistance 2.5 MOhm, tip potential between 0 and -1 mV). Properties thought to be relevant for intracellular techniques were studied on the cardiac Purkinje fiber. The comparison with conventional microelectrodes suggests that beveled microelectrodes have an advantage as stated: 1. Intracellular impalement is favoured by the proper shape and the greater mechanical stability; the beveled tip penetrates the connective tissue smoothly without breaking or plugging. 2. Current injection (constant current mode) can be done without blocking or polarizing the tip. The 2 microelectrode voltage clamp technique (Deck et al., 1964) is improved by having lower noise and better stability, by a faster response time, and a greater range of clamp potentials (up to +80 mV). 3. The spontaneous release of the electrolytes filling the microelectrode has a 3-fold greater rate (0.015 pMol/s); this enlargement does not change the electrophysiological properties of the fiber. 4. Intracellular pressure injection requires pressures of 0.3--1.5 bar only to inject the solutes with rates between 1 and 100 pMol/s.

Animals↗

Electrophysiological properties of Dictyostelium derived from membrane potential measurements with microelectrodes.

Electrical membrane properties of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum were investigated with the use of intracellular microelectrodes. The rapid potential transients (1 msec) upon microelectrode penetration of normal cells had a negative-going peak-shaped time course. This indicates that penetration of a cell with a microelectrode causes a rapid depolarization, which can just be recorded by the microelectrode itself. Therefore, the initial (negative) peak potential transient value Ep (-19mV) should be used as an indicator of the resting membrane potential Em of D. discoideum before impalement, rather than the subsequent semistationary depolarized value En (-5 mV). Using enlarged cells such as giant mutant cells (Ep = -39 mV) and electrofused normal cells (Ep = -30 mV) improved the reliability of Ep as an indicator of Em. From the data we concluded that Em of D. discoideum cells bathed in (mM) 40 NaCl, 5 KCl and 1 CaCl2 is at least -50 mV. This potential was shown to be dependent on extracellular potassium. The average input resistance Ri of the impaled cells was 56 M omega for normal D. discoideum. However, our analysis indicates that the membrane resistance of these cells before impalement is greater than 1 G omega. Specific membrane capacitance was 1-3 pF/cm2. Long-term recording of the membrane potential showed the existence of a transient hyperpolarization following the rapid impalement transient. This hyperpolarization was associated with an increase in Ri of the impaled cell. It was followed by a depolarization, which was associated with a decrease in Ri. The depolarization time was dependent on the filling of the microelectrode. The present characterization of the electrical membrane properties of Dictyostelium cells is a first step in a membrane electrophysiological analysis of signal transduction in cellular slime molds.

Dictyostelium↗

Carbon fibre microelectrodes.

A technique for making recording microelectrodes containing an ultrafine carbon fibre is described. This technique can be used for single- and multi-barrel microelectrodes. These microelectrodes not only have a very low signal-to-noise ratio comparable with that found in tungsten microelectrodes but are simpler to make. When used in a multi-barrel array for iontophoretic application of drugs the carbon fibre microelectrode has many advantages over a fluid electrolyte-filled recording barrel, including very high signal-to-noise ratio and relative immunity to spike distortion during application of iontophoretic current.

Animals↗

Preparation of carbon-fibre microelectrode for extracellular recording of synaptic potentials.

A method is proposed for rapid and effective forming of the recording tips of carbon-fibre microelectrodes by trimming and treating the tip with electric current pulses. The tip is trimmed to the required length. The signal-to-noise ratio of carbon-fibre microelectrodes is improved at low-frequency range (less than 100 Hz) after the treatment. The same microelectrode may be used for several experiments because of the possibility to trim and treat the tips repeatedly. This method also allows one to readily fabricate 2- or multi-channel carbon-fibre microelectrodes with the vertical distance between recording tips from few tens to hundreds of micrometres. As an example, the process of fabrication of a 2-channel microelectrode is described.

Carbon↗

L-lactate measures in brain tissue with ceramic-based multisite microelectrodes.

A newly developed multisite array microelectrode for in vivo measurements of L-lactate is presented. The resulting microelectrode is composed of three functional layers. First, Nafion is used to repel interfering electroactive anions, such as ascorbate. Second, L-lactate oxidase immobilized onto the recording sites is used to convert L-lactate to hydrogen peroxide. The H2O2 produced is proportional to L-lactate concentrations and is quantified at the platinum recording sites. Third, a layer of polyurethane is coated over the L-lactate oxidase to adjust the linear range of the microelectrode to one that is compatible with in vivo measurements. This layer reduces the amount of L-lactate that diffuses to the enzyme while not significantly limiting oxygen diffusion. The resulting L-lactate microelectrodes were linear to 20 mM (R2 = 0.997 +/- 0.001) and beyond in some cases with detection limits of 0.078 +/- 0.013 mM (n = 12). The selectivity and response time of these electrodes make them suitable for in vivo measurements in brain tissue. Self-referencing recordings may be utilized to further improve the selectivity of the recordings. However this is not necessary for most applications in the brain, because the resting and stimulated levels of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and other potentially interfering cations are two to three orders of magnitude lower than that of in vivo L-lactate, which is in the millimolar range. Preliminary in vivo measures of L-lactate in the brain of anesthetized rats support that the microelectrodes are capable of measuring rapid endogenous changes in vivo.

Animals↗

Comparative study of acute tissue damage induced by the CO2 laser versus microelectrodes in cordectomies.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the acute tissue damage produced by a CO2 laser and microelectrodes in samples of vocal cords from patients undergoing laryngeal endoscopic surgery for stage T1 squamous cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Based on prior surgical experience with the CO2 laser and microelectrodes, the study protocol used hematoxylin-eosin staining of vocal cords treated with a CO2 laser (n=20) or microelectrode (n=20). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The acute tissue damage produced by the CO2 laser was similar to that induced by microelectrodes in cutting mode. The tissue damage resulting from the use of the microelectrode in coagulation mode was comparatively greater.

Carbon Dioxide↗

An innovative electro-corrosion recess creation technique for improved microelectrode fabrication.

A new and simple electrochemical (corrosion) method for recess creation for the fabrication of metal and metal-metal oxide microelectrodes has been developed. Controlled recess was created in low melting point alloy (LMA)-filled micropipettes using slightly acidic 1-3 M ZnCl2 as the electro-corrosion solution. The current was applied from a 3 V DC source. The recess length in the LMA-filled micropipette can be manipulated as needed for a specific microelectrode by varying the electro-corrosion time. The present method is expected to make microelectrode fabrication a less tedious process. Dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential and pH microelectrodes have been made using the present method and the microelectrode characteristics were found to be in conformity with those reported by other researchers.

Buffers↗

Technique for producing a carbon-fibre microelectrode with the fine recording tip.

A method for making a fine carbon-fibre microelectrode is suggested here. The diameter of the recording tip of the proposed microelectrode at the borderline of glass insulation is 2-4 microm. The method uses tapering and trimming the tip of a factory-made carbon-fibre with pulsed electric current. The treated fibre is introduced into a glass micropipette of desired parameters and is fixed in it. The proposed microelectrodes have good characteristics for extracellular recording of action and synaptic potentials. The fine tip of the microelectrode can pick out a firing activity of a small single unit better and injures the nerve tissue less in comparison with the ordinary carbon-fibre microelectrode.

Action Potentials↗

Fabrication of anodically electrodeposited iridium oxide film pH microelectrodes for microenvironmental studies.

A new method for fabrication of anodically electrodeposited iridium oxide film pH microelectrodes has been developed in this study. Novel for its tip size (3-10-microm tip diameter), the microelectrode is fabricated in a tapered glass micropipet filled with a low melting point alloy. The tapered end is recessed and platinized. Thereafter, iridium oxide is electrodeposited over the platinized end in the recessed part. The microelectrode has a very short response time (t80 < 5 s) in the pH range of 0-12 with an accuracy of 0.05 pH unit. The pH microelectrode is not affected by most ions and complexing agents of relevance in environmental and biological studies; it can be used in fluids over wide ranges of stirring speeds (0-55 rpm) and temperatures (approximately 5-40 degrees C). Redox agents such as dissolved oxygen and hydrogen peroxide have no effect on the pH response while quinhydrone, ferro- and ferricyanide, and sodium sulfide have marked effects. However, the microelectrode can still be used in any sample when calibration is done in standards having similar redox characteristics.

Electrodes↗

Scanning electrochemical microscopy imaging of rhodochrosite dissolution using gold amalgam microelectrodes.

Gold/mercury amalgam (Au/Hg) microelectrodes with a diameter of 25 microm were developed for the detection of environmentally relevant analytes such as manganese and iron by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), and applied to investigate the controlled dissolution of manganese carbonate (MnCO(3); rhodochrosite) in acidic conditions. Characterization of the amalgam electrode geometry via approach curves recorded during SECM experiments revealed Au/Hg microelectrodes with sphere cap geometry. Quantitative determination of Mn(2+) has been achieved by calibration of the Au/Hg microelectrode in bulk solution experiments. Subsequent SECM imaging experiments confirm the applicability of amalgam microelectrodes for imaging of Mn(2+) production during dissolution of MnCO(3) at pH 3.9. This study confirms feasibility and provides the fundamental basis of SECM imaging with amalgam microelectrodes to address biogeochemically relevant questions.

Electrochemistry↗

Choice of Anesthesia in Microelectrode Recording-guided Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for Parkinson's Disease (CHAMPION): A Noninferiority Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease is often performed under conscious sedation or general anesthesia. However, anesthetic agents may influence intraoperative microelectrode recording, and the optimal anesthesia method for microelectrode recording remains unclear. This study compared general anesthesia and conscious sedation in preserving microelectrode recording signal intensity during deep brain stimulation. METHODS: In this prospective, noninferiority randomized controlled trial, patients with Parkinson's disease (United Kingdom Brain Bank criteria) undergoing elective bilateral surgery were randomized 1:1 to the conscious sedation or the general anesthesia group. During surgery, a desflurane anesthetic titrated against the quality of the electrophysiologic signal was applied in the general anesthesia group, whereas patients in the conscious sedation group received dexmedetomidine anesthesia. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with high-quality microelectrode recording (normalized root mean square greater than 2.0), assessed postoperatively off-line. Secondary outcomes included operation and recording duration, 6-month clinical efficacy, and complication rates. RESULTS: Of 188 randomized patients (94 general anesthesia, 93 conscious sedation), desflurane anesthesia was noninferior for high normalized root mean square proportion (89.4% vs . 90.3%; difference, -0.96%; 95% CI, -9.62 to 7.70). The general anesthesia group had shorter operative time (difference, -9.07&#x2009;min; 95% CI, -13.99 to -4.14; P < 0.001). At 6 months, changes in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score (difference, -2.50; 95% CI, -7.20 to 2.20; P = 0.297), levodopa equivalent daily dose (difference, -58.4&#x2009;mg; 95% CI, -133.56 to 16.75; P = 0.128), and complication rates (general anesthesia: 10.9% vs . conscious sedation: 8.9%; P = 0.655) were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: General anesthesia is noninferior to conscious sedation for microelectrode-guided subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation, providing equivalent signal intensity and clinical outcomes while improving procedural efficiency, supporting its use as a valid clinical option.

Humans↗

Silicon-substrate microelectrode arrays for parallel recording of neural activity in peripheral and cranial nerves.

A new process for the fabrication of regeneration microelectrode arrays for peripheral and cranial nerve applications is presented. This type of array is implanted between the severed ends of nerves, the axons of which regenerate through via holes in the silicon and are thereafter held fixed with respect to the microelectrodes. The process described is designed for compatibility with industry-standard CMOS or BiCMOS processes (it does not involve high-temperature process steps nor heavily-doped etch-stop layers), and provides a thin membrane for the via holes, surrounded by a thick silicon supporting rim. Many basic questions remain regarding the optimum via hole and microelectrode geometries in terms of both biological and electrical performance of the implants, and therefore passive versions were fabricated as tools for addressing these issues in on-going work. Versions of the devices were implanted in the rat peroneal nerve and in the frog auditory nerve. In both cases, regeneration was verified histologically and it was observed that the regenerated nerves had reorganized into microfascicles containing both myelinated and unmyelinated axons and corresponding to the grid pattern of the via holes. These microelectrode arrays were shown to allow the recording of action potential signals in both the peripheral and cranial nerve setting, from several microelectrodes in parallel.

Action Potentials↗

Comparison of tumor and normal tissue oxygen tension measurements using OxyLite or microelectrodes in rodents.

In this study we compare oxygen tension (PO2) histograms measured with O2 microelectrodes and a new optical PO2 measurement device, the OxyLite, in normal tissues (mouse spleen and thymus) and in tumors (R3230Ac in rats) (n = 5-6). The transient response to glucose infusion or 100% O2 breathing (hyperoxia) was also measured in tumors. PO2 histograms of spleen and thymus with the two devices were not different. The OxyLite tumor PO2 histogram, however, was left-shifted compared with the microelectrode (median PO2 1.0 vs. 4.0 mmHg, P = 0.016). Both probes responded to acute hyperglycemia with a mean increase of 3-6 mmHg, but the microelectrode change was not significant. The OxyLite consistently recorded large PO2 increases (approximately 28 mmHg) with hyperoxia, whereas the microelectrode response was variable. The OxyLite averages PO2 over an area that contains interstitial and vascular components, whereas the microelectrode measures a more local PO2. This study demonstrates the importance of considering the features of the measurement device when studying tissues with heterogeneous PO2 distributions (e.g., tumors).

Adenocarcinoma↗

The use of microelectrodes to investigate compartmentation and the transport of metabolized inorganic ions in plants.

Microelectrode measurements can be used to investigate both the intracellular pools of ions and membrane transport processes of single living cells. Microelectrodes can report these processes in the surface layers of root and leaf cells of intact plants. By careful manipulation of the plant, a minimum of disruption is produced and therefore the information obtained from these measurements most probably represents the 'in vivo' situation. Microelectrodes can be used to assay for the activity of particular transport systems in the plasma membrane of cells. Compartmental concentrations of inorganic metabolite ions have been measured by several different methods and the results obtained for the cytosol are compared. Ion-selective microelectrodes have been used to measure the activities of ions in the apoplast, cytosol and vacuole of single cells. New sensors for these microelectrodes are being produced which offer lower detection limits and the opportunity to measure other previously unmeasured ions. Measurements can be used to determine the intracellular steady-state activities or report the response of cells to environmental changes.

Biological Transport, Active↗