Figure 2.

PDMS-pMEA sandwich design. (A) pMEA as supplied by the manufacturer, Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH. The pMEAs have recording sites and perforations, which were used to deliver fresh medium to the tissue culture seated and adhered to the pMEA. The pMEAs have 60 electrodes [59 recording, 1 internal reference (IR)] which were used to electrically record from and stimulate the cultures. (B) Plastic molds for the top and bottom pieces of the PDMS-pMEA sandwich. (C) The bottom PDMS piece of the PDMS-pMEA sandwich comprising an inlet port to force fresh medium through the tissue and an outlet port to withdraw depleted medium. (D) The top PDMS piece of the PDMS-pMEA sandwich comprising perfused culture chamber, a co-axial outer chamber for perfusate withdrawal, and the magnet for attaching the lid. The tissue was seated in the culture chamber directly over the electrode array. (E) Vertical cross-section view of the device showing key design components. Medium, depicted by blue arrows, was delivered through the inlet port. It passed through the pMEA perforations and through the tissue in the culture chamber, before it was withdrawn through the outlet port.