SENSORSBIOSENSORS monitor real-time changes in neurochemical concentrations. They are fast, selective and specific to the analyte of interest.
Researchers can use biosensors with Pinnacle’s electronics and software to routinely record and analyze second-by-second concentration
changes in the brains of freely moving animals. Biosensors are an excellent choice for the unambiguous and accurate measurement of
rapid neurochemical changes.

Common uses
Lactate• In vivo monitoring of brain chemical
100 µM

EEG

microenvironments

Glucose• Neurochemical monitoring during
behavioral and physiological activities• Drug screening, including

250 µV

EMG

neuropharmacologic effects• Identification of biomarkers

00.5

1.0

Hours

1.52.0• Investigating cognition, behavior,

2.5

circadian cycles, stress, learning,memory, sleep, seizure, vigilance

Lactate & glucose Biosensors. EEG and EMG waveforms are plotted simultaneously

state and new drug effects

with calibrated biosensor traces for lactate and glucose recorded from a single animal.

EEG

30.6

210-1-2-100102030

405060708090100110

Time from Injection (min)Extracellular Glutamate Change (µM)

Change in Glutamate (µM)

Point of Injection

0.4

0.2

0-0.2-0.4

Stim ON
15304560
Time (seconds)

7590

Drug Response. In vivo recording from a glutamate biosensor implanted Glutamate Sensor & EEG Activity. Glutamate concentrationin the mPFC of a C57 mouse. An intraperitoneal injection of MK-801 (0.18mg/kg) was delivered at the zero-minute mark. Data were transformed tochanges in glutamate concentration based on the sensor’s post-calibration.

changes corresponding with seizure-like EEG activity. Stim ON indicates 20
second optogenetic seizure induction period (n=11 events, bars representSEM).

PINNACLE TECHNOLOGY | WWW.PINNACLET.COM | (785) 832-8866 | SALES@PINNACLET.COM | © 2017

HOW BIOSENSORS WORKPINNACLE BIOSENSORS function by the enzyme-mediated processing of the analyte of interest. This results in the production ofhydrogen peroxide that is then detected by oxidation at a Pt-Ir electrode. Electroactive interferents present in the brain are excluded via
a passive selective membrane and through active removal when necessary.

Platinum-Iridium
SurfaceInner-SelectiveMembranee-

H2O2e-

H2O2e-

H2O2e-

H2O2

Integrated Ag/AgCl
Reference Electrode

350 µmPTFE Coated Electrode

240 µmPt-Ir Sensing Cavity

1 mm

80/176 µm

Epoxy Tip

EnzymeLayer

Outer-Diffusion
Limiting Membrane*BSA

Analyte ofInterest~200 - 225 µm

Interferent*Outer-diffusion limiting membrane may not be present on all Pinnacle biosensors

Experimental BASICS
Implant guide cannula(s) 5-7 days in advance.
Receive biosensor(s) 2-3 days before experiment.
Insert biosensor(s) to begin experiment.
View real-time changes in analyte concentration.
Explant biosensor(s) and post-calibrate.
Analyze data.

Ordering Biosensors

123

Analyte ofInterest

Glutamate

Glucose

LactateCannulaTypeMouseRat
1 sensorRat
2 sensors

Sensor
Diameter

80 µm

180 µm

1 µM
GABA

1 µM
5-HT

2 µM
L-Cysteine

Linear

2 µM
2 µM
L-Aspartic
L-Glutathione
Acid

10
8
10 µM
Glutamate

6

1 µM
NE

1 µM
DA

2 µM
Tryptophan

2 µM
L-Tyrosine

2 µM
L-Glutamine

250 µM
Ascorbate

410 µM
Glutamate200100200300400Time (s)500600700

Selective

Fast2018

R2 = 0.9992

1614
Current (nA)Oxidation Current (nA)

12Choline

Glutamate Biosensor Linearity

Glutamate Interference Response
14Ethanol

121086420051015202530
Glutamate (µM)

35

Linear Response: Responds over a physiologically relevant concentration range at physiologic oxygen levels
High Specificity: Excludes endogenous electroactive interferents present in the brain
Fast Response: Capable of monitoring rapid physiological events

40

4550

SENSOR HARDWAREPINNACLE OFFERS a suite of biosensor recording systems suitable for a range of needs and experiment types. Turn-key electronics and software
solutions are available for in vivo biosensor recordings in freely moving mice and rats. In addition, a desktop unit is available for recording inanesthetized animals and bench-top experiments. All systems are compatible with Pinnacle’s line of biosensors.

wireless system
for rats

tethered system
for mice & rATS

4

Anesthetized andIn vitro experiments

43
The four-channel fixed potential potentiostat
provides a cost-effective, easy-to-use andhighly accurate system for the development

3and use of high impedance, amperometricbiosensors and biosensor arrays. Designedwith the neuroscientist in mind, it is well
suited for anesthetized animal experiments,

2

brain slices and other in vitro studies.
The system is compatible with Pinnacle’s
2

1biosensors and third-party sensors.

HOW DO I CORRELATECURRENT to CONCENTRATION?

1

To relate the in vivo current changes
measured by a biosensor to actualchanges in analyte concentration,it
1 Stereotaxically placed guide cannula(s) allow for
the insertion of biosensors post-surgery.

1 Stereotaxically placed guide cannulas allow for theinsertion of biosensors post-surgery. Prefabricatedheadmounts are affixed to the skull with dental

2 The wireless system uses a Rat Hat to house theelectronics, battery, guide cannula and biosensor.

acrylic and act as a connection port for the twochannel biosensor preamplifier.

isnecessary

tocalibrate

biosensors at the conclusion ofthe experiment. Pinnacle offers anumber of calibration systems forthe simultaneous calibration of up
to four biosensors.

The Rat Hat bottom is affixed to the skull with bonescrews and dental acrylic. The fully assembled
system weighs 11.8 grams.

2 Headmounted preamplifiers house two connectors
for biosensors and are key to quality, artifact-freedata.

3 A low-powered, wireless, two-channel potentiostat
applies a bias and transmits up to two digitizedsignals to a paired Bluetooth® USB dongle that3 A low-torque commutator allows for unencumbered
freedom of movement.

interfaces with Pinnacle’s Sirenia® Acquisition
software for data recording.

4 The data conditioning and acquisition system
performs secondary amplification and filtering

4 The Rat Hat top protects the system, allowing forgroup housed and behavioral experiments.

before sending data to Pinnacle’s Sirenia®
Acquisition software for collection.

Calibration Kit

AVAILABLE SENSORS▪ Glutamate▪ Glucose▪ Lactate▪ Ethanol▪ Choline

BIOSENSOR CHARACTERISTICS
In Vivo Lifetime

Limit of Detection
180 µmLimit of Detection
80 µm

Glutamate

36 hours

0.02 - 0.08 µM

0.06 - 0.3 µM

Glucose96+ hours

1.3 - 4 µM

1.9 - 15.2 µM

Lactate96+ hours

0.2 - 0.6 µM

1.4 - 3.5 µM

Ethanol

6 - 8 hours

0.1 - 0.5 µM

N/ACholine

24 hours

0.08 - 0.15 µM

N/A

Call about other analytes

CARBON FIBER Electrodes

Oxygen SENSORS

Pinnacle offers carbon fiber electrodes (CFEs) for use in fixed

Pinnacle’s oxygen sensors can be used with Pinnacle’s

potential amperometry (FPA) and fast scan cyclic voltammetryelectronics and software to routinely record and analyze(FSCV). Our CFE is a 7 µm micro-CFE that is sheathed in asecond-by-second concentration changes in the brains of freely

borosilicate glass and extends 30-80 µm beyond the capillary.

moving animals. Our oxygen sensor is a 180 µm disc electrodeWe also offer a 34 µm diameter CFE housed in a silica sheath.

with an integrated reference and operates under a -0.6 V bias.
Heroin, 100 μg/kg (n=9)
Heroin, 200 μg/kg (n=8)

0-2-4-8-10

Heroin offset-6
Heroin onset

Change in [Oxygen] (μM)

2-12060120

180240300

Time (s)FSCV 3D color plot of dopamine oxidation and reduction. The green peak (left) isthe current response to dopamine oxidation. The blue peak (right) is the responseto the reduction of dopamine-o-quinone to dopamine.

Warranties
Most biosensors are warrantied to the first
customer pre-calibration performed (prior to invivo use) within 21 days from date of shipment.
Any mishandling of the biosensor can void thewarranty. Contact Pinnacle Technology or visit

Intravenous heroin induces rapid oxygen changes in the rat nucleus accumbens.
Colored symbols (4-s mean, ±SEM) are significantly different from the preinjection
baseline. Solis et al. eNeuro (2017) Jun 7;4(3)Custom Designs
Need a smaller sensing cavity?
Working with larger animals?
Need nulls or blanks?

www.pinnaclet.com/general-product-info.html

Pinnacle can help you design an electrode for yourfor complete details.

specific application. Contact a representative today!

PINNACLE TECHNOLOGY | WWW.PINNACLET.COM | (785) 832-8866 | SALES@PINNACLET.COM | © 2017