An electroporator

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrotransfer machine, comprising: a housing, a core control component, a control screen, a circuit main board, a capacitor, an electrode contact sheet and an electrotransfer cup holder; the control screen is arranged on the outer surface of the housing; the core control component, the circuit main board, the capacitor and the electrode contact sheet are arranged inside the housing; the core control component is electrically connected to the control screen and the circuit main board; the capacitor is arranged on the circuit main board and is electrically connected to the circuit main board; the circuit main board is electrically connected to the electrode contact sheet; the electrotransfer cup holder is a retractable structure relative to the housing, and the electrotransfer cup holder is provided with a jack into which an electrode cup can be inserted; the electrode contact sheet is used to abut against the electrode on the electrode cup. The electrotransfer machine can be widely and portablely used in laboratory scenarios, and can accurately control experimental conditions and improve electrotransfer efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of biomedical equipment, and in particular to an electroporator. Background Art

[0002] Transfection refers to the introduction of target genes into eukaryotic cells by biochemical or physical methods. Gene transfection, which transfers specific genetic information into integrated cells, has not only revolutionized the research of many basic problems in biology and medicine, but also promoted the development of molecular technology in diagnosis and treatment, and made gene therapy possible. At present, gene transfection has been widely used in the research of gene structure and function analysis, gene expression and regulation, gene therapy and transgenic animals.

[0003] Electroporation of cells or bacteria is a technique that uses electric pulses to introduce macromolecules that cannot penetrate the cell membrane into cells. When a strong electric field is applied, the cell membrane temporarily becomes porous and allows external materials to pass through. The electroporation of the cell membrane depends on various parameters of the electric field, such as pulse type, pulse voltage, pulse duration, number of pulses, and other experimental conditions. Currently, the equipment used for cell electroporation mainly includes cell electroporators, electrode cups, etc.

[0004] The inventors found in their research that the problems with existing electroporators are that, first, they are large in size and relatively expensive, and there is no low-cost miniaturized device yet; second, it is difficult for existing devices to control the fine conditions of the electroporation experiment, such as the number, type and duration of pulses; and third, the electroporation efficiency of existing devices is relatively low. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to provide an electroporator to address the above-mentioned problems. As a low-cost and miniaturized device, it can be widely and portably used in laboratory scenarios, and can accurately control experimental conditions and improve electroporation efficiency.

[0006] An electrotransfer machine, comprising: a housing, a core control component, a control screen, a circuit main board, a capacitor, an electrode contact sheet and an electrotransfer cup holder; the control screen is arranged on the outer surface of the housing; the core control component, the circuit main board, the capacitor and the electrode contact sheet are arranged inside the housing; the core control component is electrically connected to the control screen and the circuit main board; the capacitor is arranged on the circuit main board and is electrically connected to the circuit main board; the circuit main board is electrically connected to the electrode contact sheet; the electrotransfer cup holder is a retractable structure relative to the housing, and the electrotransfer cup holder is provided with a jack into which an electrode cup can be inserted; the electrode contact sheet is used to abut against the electrode on the electrode cup;

[0007] The control screen is used to receive externally input pulse control parameters and display pulse related data and waveform;

[0008] The core control component is used to accurately control the circuit mainboard to charge the capacitor according to the pulse control parameters input externally, and to accurately control the capacitor to release electric pulses to the electrode contact piece.

[0009] The electric converter also includes a limit switch arranged inside the shell; when the electric converter cup holder is completely embedded in the shell, the limit switch controls the electrical connection between the circuit main board and the electrode contact sheet, and when the electric converter cup holder is pulled out of the shell, the electrical connection between the circuit main board and the electrode contact sheet is disconnected.

[0010] The electric rotating cup holder includes an electric rotating cup holder for a single cup mode and an electric rotating cup holder for a double cup mode.

[0011] The electric rotating cup holder for the single cup mode comprises a socket into which the electrode cup can be inserted, and correspondingly, the electric rotating instrument comprises a pair of electrode contacts for electrically connecting with the two poles of the electrode cup.

[0012] The electrotransformer stand for the dual-cup mode comprises two parallel jacks into which the electrode cups can be inserted. Accordingly, the electrotransformer comprises two pairs of electrode contacts for respectively electrically connecting to the two poles of the two electrode cups.

[0013] The electrode contact sheet is a copper sheet.

[0014] The pulse control parameters input by the control panel include pulse voltage, pulse number and pulse width.

[0015] The circuit main board includes a capacitor charging and discharging circuit, which includes a charging circuit, a discharging circuit and a leakage circuit, and the charging circuit, the discharging circuit and the leakage circuit are respectively connected to the capacitor; the charging circuit is used to charge the capacitor; the discharging circuit is used to discharge the charged capacitor to output the required pulse; the leakage circuit releases the residual electric energy of the capacitor after the discharge process is completed to ensure safety.

[0016] The electroconverter provided by the present invention includes a housing, a core control component, a control screen, a circuit mainboard, a capacitor, an electrode contact sheet, and an electroconverter cup holder. The control screen can receive pulse control parameters input from the outside, and the core control component accurately controls the circuit mainboard to charge and discharge the capacitor according to the parameters. Therefore, the electroconverter provided by the present invention can be widely used in laboratory electroconverter experiment scenarios to accurately control experimental conditions. In addition, the electroconverter provided by the present invention has a single cup mode and a double cup mode, and the double cup mode can improve the electroconverter efficiency. In addition, the electroconverter provided by the present invention also has the advantages of miniaturization and low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1is an external schematic diagram of an electroporator provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2A is an external schematic diagram of an electroporator for single cup mode provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2B is an internal schematic diagram of an electroporator for single cup mode provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2C is an internal schematic diagram of an electroporator for single cup mode provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3A is an external schematic diagram of an electroporator for double cup mode provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3B is an internal schematic diagram of an electroporator for double cup mode provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3C It is an internal schematic diagram of an electroporator for double cup mode provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Referring to the accompanying drawings provided in the embodiments of the present invention, an electroporator is provided. The electroporator can be used in conjunction with an electroporation cup. The electroporation cup can be a universal component, in a cup shape, containing liquid that can be used for electroporation experiments, and having a transparent outer wall.

[0025] See also Figure 1-2C In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electrotransfer machine, comprising: a housing 1, a core control component 2, a control screen 3, a circuit main board, a capacitor 8, an electrode contact sheet 5 and an electrotransfer cup holder 4; the control screen is arranged on the outer surface of the housing; the core control component, the circuit main board, the capacitor and the electrode contact sheet are arranged inside the housing; the core control component is electrically connected to the control screen and the circuit main board; the capacitor is arranged on the circuit main board and is electrically connected to the circuit main board; the circuit main board is electrically connected to the electrode contact sheet; the electrotransfer cup holder is a retractable structure relative to the housing, and the electrotransfer cup holder is provided with a jack into which an electrode cup can be inserted; the electrode contact sheet is used to abut against the electrode on the electrode cup. The electrotransfer machine provided by the embodiment of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to operate and has strong practicality.

[0026] The control screen provided in the embodiment of the present invention is used to display the instrument display status and experimental operation data. The control screen can be used to receive externally input pulse control parameters and display pulse related data and waveforms. The core control component is used to accurately control the circuit main board to charge the capacitor according to the externally input pulse control parameters, and accurately control the capacitor to release electric pulses to the electrode contact.

[0027] In the embodiment of the present invention, the electroporation cup 7 is a cup-shaped device that can hold a liquid sample and can be powered, and has two electrodes. The electroporation cup is made of a light-transmitting material to facilitate observation of the internal cell state.

[0028] In this embodiment, the electrocirculator is powered by two electrode contacts (copper sheets) 5 that abut against two electrodes on the electrocirculator cup 7 .

[0029] In this embodiment, a plug hole for fixing the electric rotating cup 7 is provided in the electric rotating cup holder 4, and the electric rotating cup holder 4 is a pull-out structure relative to the outer shell of the electric rotating instrument, which is convenient for taking and placing samples and easy to operate. The electric rotating cup holder 4 can also be removed from the electric rotating instrument.

[0030] like Figure 2B and Figure 2C The electric converter provided in this embodiment further includes a limit switch 6, which plays a protective role: when the electric converter cup holder is completely embedded in the shell, the limit switch controls the circuit main board to be electrically connected to the electrode contact sheet, and when the electric converter cup holder is pulled out of the shell, the limit switch disconnects the electrical connection between the circuit main board and the electrode contact sheet.

[0031] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2CThe electrotransformer in the embodiment is an electrotransformer for single cup mode, including an electrotransformer cup holder for single cup mode, and the electrotransformer cup holder for single cup mode contains a jack that can be inserted into the electrode cup. Correspondingly, the electrotransformer contains a pair of electrode contacts for being electrically connected to the two poles of the electrode cup. In the present embodiment, two electrode contacts (copper sheets) 5 are connected to an electrotransformer cup 7 for holding samples, and the core control component 2 is connected to the control screen 3. The core control component 2 is solved in real time, and a suitable electric shock signal is selected to control the release of energy stored in the capacitor 8 to act on the electrotransformer cup 7, and the electrotransformer liquid in the electrotransformer cup 7 acts on the cell membrane as a medium, so as to achieve the predetermined effect of electric shock piercing conversion. The control screen 3 is a touch screen capable of inputting user instructions, and the core control component 2 can receive the user instructions transmitted by the control screen 3 and accurately control the working state of the capacitor 8 according to the instructions; the capacitor 8 can generate the electric pulse required for cell electroporation. When the electroporator is in use, the liquid sample is located in the electroporator cup 7, and the electroporator cup 7 is placed in the jack of the electroporator cup holder 4. When the electroporator cup holder is inserted into the electroporator, the two electrode contacts (copper sheets) 5 are respectively abutted against the two electrodes of the electroporator cup 7, thereby forming an electrical connection. After the electric shock of the cell sample or bacterial sample is completed, the electroporator cup holder is pulled out to facilitate the picking up of the electroporator cup 7; the control screen 3 receives user instructions and controls the core control component 2, which can start the core control component 2 and energize the electrode contacts (copper sheets) 5 to form an electric field in the electroporator cup 7, thereby injecting substances outside the sample cells into the cells; the core control component 2 controls the capacitor 8 to achieve precise discharge with small errors and no voltage attenuation.

[0032] See also FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C , is another embodiment of the present invention, which is an electric rotating cup, and is an electric rotating instrument for double cup mode. It includes: a shell 1, a core control component 2, a control screen 3, a circuit main board, a capacitor 8, an electrode contact sheet 5 and an electric rotating cup holder 4; the control screen is arranged on the outer surface of the shell; the core control component, the circuit main board, the capacitor and the electrode contact sheet are arranged inside the shell; the core control component is electrically connected to the control screen and the circuit main board; the capacitor is arranged on the circuit main board and is electrically connected to the circuit main board; the circuit main board is electrically connected to the electrode contact sheet; the electric rotating cup holder is a retractable structure relative to the shell, and the electric rotating cup holder is provided with a jack for inserting the electrode cup; the electrode contact sheet is used to abut against the electrode on the electrode cup.

[0033] The electrocirculator stand for the double cup mode comprises two parallel jacks into which the electrode cups can be inserted. Accordingly, the electrocirculator comprises two pairs of electrode contacts for respectively electrically connecting to the two poles of the two electrode cups.

[0034] The control panel is used to receive external input pulse control parameters and display the relevant data and waveform of the pulse, as shown in the following table:

[0035]

[0036] The core control component accurately controls the circuit mainboard to charge the capacitor and accurately controls the capacitor to release electric pulses to the electrode contact piece according to the above-mentioned pulse control parameters input externally.

[0037] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C The principle of the electric rotating cup in the double cup mode in the embodiment is similar to that of the electric rotating cup in the single cup mode, and the details will not be repeated.

[0038] The electric converter in the embodiment of the present invention has a circuit mainboard that accurately performs the charging and discharging action of the capacitor under the control of the core control component. The circuit mainboard includes a capacitor charging and discharging circuit, including a charging circuit, a discharging circuit and a leakage circuit, and the charging circuit, the discharging circuit and the leakage circuit are respectively connected to the capacitor; the charging circuit is used to charge the capacitor; the discharging circuit is used to discharge the charged capacitor to output the required pulse; the leakage circuit releases the remaining electric energy of the capacitor after the discharge process is completed to ensure safety. Under the control of the core control component, it has a working cycle of charging, discharging and leakage, and one cycle generally corresponds to one electric conversion. The charging time and charging voltage are controllable to achieve the voltage required for the experiment. The discharge time is adjustable to achieve the required waveform. At the end of the discharge process, the electric energy of the capacitor is released through the leakage process to ensure the safety of the user's body and the sample.

[0039] In summary, the electroporator provided in the embodiment of the present invention, as a low-cost and miniaturized device, can be widely and portably used in laboratory scenarios, and can accurately control experimental conditions to improve electroporation efficiency.

[0040] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. An electroporator, characterized in that: include: Shell, core control components, control screen, circuit board, capacitor, electrode contact sheet and electric cup holder; The control panel is arranged on the outer surface of the housing; The core control component, the circuit main board, the capacitor and the electrode contact sheet are arranged inside the housing; the core control component is electrically connected to the control screen and the circuit main board; the capacitor is arranged on the circuit main board and is electrically connected to the circuit main board; the circuit main board is electrically connected to the electrode contact sheet; The electric rotating cup holder is a retractable structure relative to the shell, and is provided with a socket into which the electrode cup can be inserted; the electrode contact is used to abut against the electrode on the electrode cup; the electric rotating cup holder includes an electric rotating cup holder for a single cup mode and an electric rotating cup holder for a double cup mode; the electric rotating cup holder for the single cup mode contains a socket into which the electrode cup can be inserted, and accordingly, the electric rotating instrument contains a pair of electrode contacts for electrically connecting to the two poles of the electrode cup; the electric rotating instrument holder for the double cup mode contains two parallel sockets into which the electrode cup can be inserted, and accordingly, the electric rotating instrument contains two pairs of electrode contacts for electrically connecting to the two poles of the two electrode cups respectively; The control screen is used to receive externally input pulse control parameters and display pulse related data and waveform; The core control component is used to accurately control the circuit mainboard to charge the capacitor and accurately control the capacitor to release electric pulses to the electrode contact piece according to the pulse control parameters input externally; The electric converter also includes a limit switch arranged inside the shell; when the electric converter cup holder is completely embedded in the shell, the limit switch controls the electrical connection between the circuit main board and the electrode contact sheet, and when the electric converter cup holder is pulled out of the shell, the electrical connection between the circuit main board and the electrode contact sheet is disconnected.

2. The electroporator according to any one of claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode contact sheet is a copper sheet.

3. The electroporator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pulse control parameters input by the control panel include pulse voltage, pulse number and pulse width.

4. The electroporator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circuit main board includes a capacitor charging and discharging circuit, which includes a charging circuit, a discharging circuit and a leakage circuit, and the charging circuit, the discharging circuit and the leakage circuit are respectively connected to the capacitor; the charging circuit is used to charge the capacitor; The discharge circuit is used to discharge the charged capacitor to output the required pulse; The discharge circuit releases the remaining electric energy of the capacitor after the discharge process is completed to ensure safety.

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