Measurement of sealing resistance of cell-electrode interfaces in neuronal cultures using impedance spectroscopy

• Published in: Medical & biological engineering & computing Vol. 36; no. 5; pp. 630 - 637
• Main Authors: BUITENWEG, J. R, RUTTEN, W. L. C, WILLEMS, W. P. A, VAN NIEUWKASTEELE, J. W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.09.1998; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Bioelectric potentials; Biological and medical sciences; Cell culture; Cell Culture Techniques; Cells; Electric Impedance; Electrochemical electrodes; Electrodes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Interfaces (materials); Isolated neuron and nerve. Neuroglia; Mathematical models; Microelectrodes; Models, Theoretical; Neurons - physiology; Neurophysiology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sensitivity analysis; Spectroscopy; Spectrum analysis; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Electrodes; Cell culture; Spectrometry; Sensitivity analysis; Neuron; Contact interaction; Interface reaction; Sealing; Electrical impedance
• ISSN: 0140-0118; 1741-0444
• DOI: 10.1007/bf02524436

Sealing resistance is highly significant with respect to the electrical neuron-electrode contact because it decreases the stimulation threshold of neurons cultured on a planar micro-electrode array. A method is proposed for measurement of the sealing resistance using impedance spectroscopy. The effect of the sealing resistance on the total impedance spectrum of a cell-electrode interface is modelled for complete coverage of the electrode by the cell. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the impedance spectrum is determined by four parameters: two electrode parameters, the sealing resistance and the shunt capacitance between the lead of the electrode and the culture medium. Experimental verification of the model is performed by simultaneous measurement of the impedance spectrum and electrode coverage. A good and unique fit between the simulated and measured impedance spectra was obtained by varying the two electrode parameters and the sealing resistance.