Method and apparatus for avalanche-mediated transfer of agents into cells
US8283171B2 · kind B2 · utility
8Cited by
28References
17Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12N13/00
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transferring an agent into a cell. The method includes the steps of providing an agent outside of a cell and generating a vapor bubble and a plasma discharge between an avalanche electrode and a conductive fluid surrounding the cell. The vapor bubble and plasma discharge generate a mechanical stress wave and an electric field, respectively. The combination of this mechanical stress wave and electric field results in permeabilization of the cell, which in turn results in transfer of the agent into the cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.