Controlled electroporation and mass transfer across cell membranes
US6403348B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12M35/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Electroporation is performed in a controlled manner in either individual or multiple biological cells or biological tissue by monitoring the electrical impedance, defined herein as the ratio of current to voltage in the electroporation cell. The impedance detects the onset of electroporation in the biological cell(s), and this information is used to control the intensity and duration of the voltage to assure that electroporation has occurred without destroying the cell(s). This is applicable to electroporation in general. In addition, a particular method and apparatus are disclosed in which electroporation and/or mass transfer across a cell membrane are accomplished by securing a cell across an opening in a barrier between two chambers such that the cell closes the opening. The barrier is either electrically insulating, impermeable to the solute, or both, depending on whether pore formation, diffusive transport of the solute across the membrane, or both are sought. Electroporation is achieved by applying a voltage between the two chambers, and diffusive transport is achieved either by a difference in solute concentration between the liquids surrounding the cell and the cell interio…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.