The invention aims at providing a low cost consumable tool for microelectrode array recording and stimulation purposes, in basic and applied neuro-science, neuropharmacology and cardiovascular medicine, with the additional feature of being optically transparent for improved ease of use and enhanced microscopic observation and monitoring of the biological samples under study.

The microelectrode array described by the invention is a breakthrough in the microelectrode recording and stimulation technology: it is manufactured by a low-cost replica molding process using all biocompatible, biostable and transparent materials, including the electrical conductors. In particular, both the microelectrodes and the electrical interconnection tracks and pads are made of optically transparent polymers, fabricated by filling suitable cavities in the molded part, curing the conductors and sealed by a cover plate of insulating material.

A prototype is shown in the picture, where the bluish pattern forms the electrically conducting structure of the array. Due to the use of all transparent materials (e.g. PDMS for the main structure, PEDOT for the conductors, glass or PMMA for the backside sealing plate), this microelectrode array allows full optical/microscopic observation of the biological sample under study (in vitro cell cultures or in vivo organ stimulation or implants). The projected production cost for this device is below 10 Euros.

Patent Application No. PCT/IB2009/050751
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