Electrodes characterisation for low frequency bioimpedance spectroscopy of biological cells agregate
Résumé
Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) has been previously reported as a technique for non invasive assessment of tissue characterisation. In the frequency range up to 10 MHz, current conduction through tissue is mainly determined by the tissue structure, i.e. the extra- and intra-cellular compartments and the insulating cell membranes. Therefore, changes in the extra- and intra-cellular fluid volumes are reflected in the impedance spectra (Foster K R and Schwan H P 1996). EIS systems include electrodes for the measurement of the impedance. Different electrodes configurations are used to measure bioelectric phenomenon. One can distinguish between two basic approachs : macroscopic or microscopic measurement. Electrodes for macroscopic characterisation consist on bioimpedance measurement of a great biological tissue sample or organ. Electrodes for microscopic characterisation were recently (Gomez R et al 2001) used for bioimpedance measurement of biological cell or very small cells aggregate. Microscopic electrodes may be used to characterize extracellular and intracellular fluids, or cell membrane.