Assessing biocompatibility of materials for implantable microelectrodes using cytotoxicity and protein adsorption studies

J. Selvakumaran, M. P. Hughes, J. L. Keddie, D. J. Ewins

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Implantable microelectrodes have the potential to become useful tools for recording from and/or stimulating cells of the nervous system in paralysed individuals, or as part of neural prostheses for amputees. Once implanted into the body, these electrodes are expected to remain functional for many years; therefore the materials must be compatible within their biological environment, in order to minimise complications and implant failure. In this study, the biocompatibility of materials for electrode sites has been investigated using two measures: cytotoxicity and protein adsorption. The cytotoxic effects of materials on cells have been investigated using neutral red assay, and adsorption of proteins onto materials has been investigated using atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry. Materials investigated in this study are gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), indium tin oxide (ITO) and titanium (Ti). Ti has been chosen as a reference material because it is a long established implant material. After 72 hours of exposure to fibroblast cells, Au, ITO, and Ir show no inhibitory effects on cell growth, whereas Pt and Ti show greater amounts of growth inhibition. The protein adsorption to different materials shows a steady growth following the initial adsorption pattern. After 24 hours of exposure to plasma, Ti had the thickest and ITO had the thinnest layer of adsorbed protein.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publication2nd Annual International IEEE-EMBS Special Topic Conference on Microtechnologies in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
EditorsDavid Beebe, Andre Dittmar
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages261-264
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)0780374800, 9780780374805
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Event2nd Annual International IEEE-EMBS Special Topic Conference on Microtechnologies in Medicine and Biology - Madison, United States
Duration: 2 May 20024 May 2002

Publication series

Name2nd Annual International IEEE-EMBS Special Topic Conference on Microtechnologies in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2nd Annual International IEEE-EMBS Special Topic Conference on Microtechnologies in Medicine and Biology
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMadison
Period2/05/024/05/02

Keywords

  • biocompatibility
  • cytotoxicity
  • Microelectrodes
  • protein adsorption

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