CMOS microelectrode array for bidirectional interaction with neuronal networks

We report on a microelectrode array for bidirectional communication (stimulation and recording) with electrogenic cells, for e.g., observing neuronal information processing in vitro. The chip overcomes the interconnect challenge that limits today's bidirectional microelectrode arrays. The array has been fabricated in industrial CMOS-technology with post-CMOS processing and comprises all necessary control circuitry and on-chip A/D-conversion. Measurements from neural cell cultures with amplitudes of 500 /spl mu/V are presented.