MEA cleaning question

I am using standard micro electrode arrays (200/30iR-ITO-gr, TiN electrodes). Sometimes I found it's really difficult to clean the electrodes area after long time recording (even when I use 15 min of ultrasonic treatment). My question is: is it OK to gently wipe the electrodes using a Q-tip with 100% alcohol?

Thanks,

Shijun

Dear Shijun,
clear answer: NO! Wiping the electrodes is very likely to destroy the fine structure of the electrodes. Ultrasonic treatmernt should also be used with caution. Please use the procedure described in the MEA Cleaning Quickgiude.

http://www.multichannelsystems.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Manuals/MEA-CleaningQuickGuide.pdf

Regards Frank MCS

Thanks Frank. Your answer is very helpful.

I've tried cleaning my MEAs as the MEA cleaning guide described but there is still a gray film over the surface. Is there a better way to get this off? I've tried plasma cleaning, gentle sonication, and soaking in terg-a-zyme. We coat our surfaces with DETA.

Dear Bonnie,

I am not familiar with DETA coating and Google did not reveal any usefull results - can you elaborate a bit more about the chemical nature of that coating to give us an idea what it is you need to get off the MEA?

Thomas