Inkjet-printed PEDOT:PSS multi-electrode arrays for low-costin vitroelectrophysiology

Abstract

We present an innovative fabrication process for the production of low cost fully-plastic flexible MEAs and prove that they are a valid proof-of-concept for a platform for the electrophysiological analysis of cardiac cell cultures.

Real-Time Impedance Monitoring of Epithelial Cultures with Inkjet-Printed Interdigitated-Electrode Sensors

“…To generate sensors able to perform impedance recordings in an electrolytic environment, conductive lines were protected using a dielectric-based ink (SU-8) with a twofold objective: firstly as a protection for the electrodes and, secondly, as inert material in direct contact to the cell cultures. The photoresist SU-8 has been previously reported in the literature as biocompatible [35] and it has been recently used as passivation for in vitro electrophysiology due to its transparency [23].…”

“…Not only has inkjet printing proved to deposit a wide material portfolio spanning from conductive polymers and dielectric inks to proteins and living cells [20,21], but also it still lies in the foot of its early stage of development, which means innovative applications may be expected to appear within the coming years. Recently, some studies have demonstrated the feasibility of inkjet-printed multielectrode arrays (MEAs) for monitoring cell cultures [22][23][24]. For example, Garma et al presented a plastic inkjet-printed MEAs to monitor the extracellular potential of cardiac cell cultures [23].…”

“…Recently, some studies have demonstrated the feasibility of inkjet-printed multielectrode arrays (MEAs) for monitoring cell cultures [22][23][24]. For example, Garma et al presented a plastic inkjet-printed MEAs to monitor the extracellular potential of cardiac cell cultures [23]. Adly et al have also shown the potential of inkjet printing for the fabrication of sensors to record extracellular electrical potentials [24,25].…”

Printed Electronics as Prepared by Inkjet Printing

“…After sufficient layers have been printed, the PEDOT:PSS pattern is comparable and consistent in terms of electrical performance and has been used in solar cells [45] and energy storage devices [46]. More importantly, PEDOT:PSS has proven to be biocompatible and has been used for lab-on-a-chip [47] and organ-on-a-chip [48] applications, as well as biocompatible stretchable devices [49].…”

Interfacing cells with organic transistors: a review ofin vitroandin vivoapplications

“…This particular aspect has recently led to a tremendous development of alternative fabrication methods and materials that allow flexible devices to be obtained for in vivo applications, as pointed out by recent reviews on the topic, [16][17][18] as well as innovative 2D and 3D microelectrode arrays. [19][20][21][22][23] Regarding the electrical properties, conductive polymers (CPs), such as for instance poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), may offer the interesting characteristic of being an electric conductor as well as an ionic one, 24 thus substantially improving bioelectronic interfaces and opening up interesting solutions in the field of cellular applications (for a comprehensive review on the impact of conductive polymers in the bioelectronic field, please refer to ref. 25).…”