用于嗅觉机理研究的MEMS微探针阵列

Investigation on Olfactory Mechanism Based on Silicon Microprobe Array with MEMS Technique

微探针芯片是基于微机电系统MEMS体加工技术的研究在体神经电生理或临床药理分析的新兴工具,主要应用动物脑区电生理的在体研究,可有助于在原位水平的网络系统中,了解神经元之间的信息耦合传导机制,探索神经元如何联系成整体来处理和储存信息等。首先分析细胞-微电极界面模型,然后介绍了原位式微探针的设计和工艺制作步骤,采用微探针对大鼠嗅球区附近和海马区的脑电位进行测试和分析,并通过对嗅粘膜施加气体刺激,观察嗅前核区电位响应变化,结果显示10-3M的甲基水杨酸盐对大鼠嗅上皮刺激时,会在嗅前核区产生响应。在此基础上,结合当前的研究工作,说明基于体加工MEMS技术的微探针阵列适合于在体神经元的多位点实时测量,对嗅觉传导机理的研究具有重要作用。

The silicon neural microelectrode probe is a novel tool to measure in-situ neural physiology and evaluate the clinical drug analysis. It is mainly based on the technique of bulk fabrication process on Microelectromechanical systems （MEMS）, and is used to detect the shapes and function of cells or other micro-organism. The main purpose of microprobe is to facilitate the research of neural connection and transferring mechanism of CNS in vivo for olfactory processing and information storing. This paper introduced the interracial coupling model of cell-sensor, the key points of design criterion, and the fabrication of microelectrode probe. The electrophysiological responses in hippoeampal region of anesthetized rats were measured. The response in olfactory anterior nucleus region was also measured when stimuli was added to the olfactory epithelium. The results showed that salicylic acid sodium salt with concentration of 10-3M caused response in OE region.