LTCC Based Multi-Electrode Arrays for In-Vitro Cell Culture

Abstract

Neurobiological concepts based on state-of-the art technology have so far lacked the complexity of actual high-level neurobiological systems. Two key advances are needed to improve our understanding of such systems: in vitro 3D-neuronal cell culture and 3D MEA systems for measuring such 3D-cultures. These requirements call for smart multilayer and packaging technology. The material Green Tape TM from DuPont Nemours is chosen for the presented works, because its compatibility and those of available metallisation with cell cultures is already proven. An LTCC multilayer circuit with gold electrodes is the base of the 3D MEA. The layout of the 3D MEA is designed to fit the MEA2100-System for in vitro recording from Multi Channel Systems and enable thus a comparable data processing to established 2D MEAs Slots. The surface topography of the thick film electrodes and the surface state is investigated with laser scanning microscopy, SEM, XPS and measurements of the wetting angle of contact. The impedance of the screen printed electrodes is discussed taking these data into account. Their impedance amounts to 24 kΩ and are falls thus below the impedance of commercially available electroplated gold electrodes of 30 kΩ. First promising results have been achieved using 3D MEAs for 2D culture of human pluripotent stem cell derived neural cells.