INTRACELLULAR RECORDING WITH HIGH ASPECT RATIO MEMS NEURONAL PROBES

Category : 6. Biosensors and Bioanalytical Systems We fabricated and tested micro-machined silicon needles for intra- and extracellular neuronal recording. The fabricated needles have extremely sharp tips ( 300 µm) and exhibit high mechanical strength. These characteristics are necessary for effective bending and penetration of cell membranes for intracellular recording (Figure 1). To prepare needles for recording, they were metallized and their shank passivated. Wiring and packaging schemes were developed and surgical implanting techniques for in vivo intracellular recording were refined. Using these needles, we were able to obtain extremely localized extracellular signals and to perform first intracellular recordings with silicon based micro-probes.