Electrode structure for cell electroporation
By designing a combination of C-shaped electrode structure and insulating plate, the problems of uneven electric field distribution and safety were solved, enabling efficient and stable cell electroporation operation that can be adapted to culture dishes of different sizes.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing electroporation electrode structures have limited design options for electrode shape and size, resulting in uneven electric field distribution, poor applicability, and a lack of insulation design, which affects experimental safety and stability.
Design an electrode structure including a first support plate, a second support plate, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The electrode is C-shaped and is used to clamp the cell culture dish by sliding connection, thereby forming an electric field between the electrodes. An insulating plate is used to reduce the risk of electric field dissipation and leakage.
It improves the electric field strength and uniformity, enhances the safety and stability of experiments, adapts to petri dishes of different sizes, and reduces electrostatic interference and leakage risks caused by the electric field.
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Figure CN223983656U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of cell biology experiments, in particular to an electrode structure for cell electroporation. BACKGROUND
[0002] The main challenge of intracellular delivery technology is to introduce a membrane-impermeable drug into the interior of the cell without causing adverse damage to the cell. In intracellular delivery technology, the commonly used means is electroporation technology. Cell electroporation technology is a method of introducing exogenous substances (such as DNA, RNA, proteins, etc.) into cells by forming temporary micropores on the cell membrane through the action of an electric field.
[0003] Electroporation technology is a method of applying an external electric field to biological cells by using the principle that the lipid bilayer on the cell membrane reverses to form hydrophilic micropores when an external electric field acts on biological cells. After the external electric field is removed, the cell membrane can recover to normal, thereby introducing drugs or extracting components in the cell.
[0004] At present, the existing electroporation electrode structure has a single electrode shape and size design, and usually uses flat electrodes or folded line electrodes, so that the formed electric field distribution is not uniform enough, and the applicability is poor when facing different sizes of culture dishes, which further leads to low efficiency in cell perforation. Moreover, the existing electroporation electrode structure lacks insulation design, which easily leads to current leakage, affecting the safety and stability of the experiment. CONTENT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an electrode structure for cell electroporation in view of the problem that the existing electroporation electrode structure has a single electrode shape and size design, and usually uses flat electrodes or folded line electrodes, so that the formed electric field distribution is not uniform enough, and the applicability is poor when facing different sizes of culture dishes, which further leads to low efficiency in cell perforation.
[0006] The present application provides an electrode structure for cell electroporation, comprising:
[0007] A first support plate having a first channel formed in the middle;
[0008] A second support plate arranged on one side of the first support plate;
[0009] A first electrode arranged in a C shape, the first electrode being arranged between the first support plate and the second support plate, one end of the first electrode being inserted into the first support plate, and the other end of the first electrode being slidably connected to the second support plate;
[0010] The second electrode is configured in a C-shape and is positioned between the first support plate and the second support plate. One end of the second electrode is inserted into the second support plate, and the other end of the second electrode is slidably connected to the first support plate.
[0011] The first electrode and the second electrode move toward each other to clamp the cell culture dish located between the first electrode and the second electrode;
[0012] The radius of the inner arc surface of the first electrode is equal to the radius of the inner arc surface of the second electrode;
[0013] When the electrode structure for cell electroporation is in use, a culture dish containing cells extends through a first channel into the region between the inner arc surface of the first electrode and the inner arc surface of the second electrode to perform an electroporation operation on the cells.
[0014] This application relates to an electrode structure for cell electroporation. First, one end of a first electrode is inserted into a first support plate to fix it to the first support plate. Then, one end of a second electrode is inserted into a second support plate to fix it to the second support plate. The other ends of the first and second electrodes are slidably connected to the second support plate. When the entire electrode structure is in use, if a cell-containing culture dish extends through a first channel in the first support plate into the area between the first and second electrodes, the gap between the electrodes and the culture dish can be reduced, and the two electrodes can clamp the culture dish tightly. Then, energizing the first and second support plates causes the two electrodes to become charged, thereby forming an electric field between them. The culture dish is then placed within this electric field, resulting in a higher electric field strength. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electrode structure for cell electroporation provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the first electric field plate and the second electric field plate in an electrode structure for cell electroporation provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the third mounting groove and the second limiting groove in an electrode structure for cell electroporation provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the fourth mounting groove and the first limiting groove in an electrode structure for cell electroporation provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0019] Figure 5 This is a simulation diagram of the electric field loading of an electrode structure for cell electroporation provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0020] Figure 6 This is a simulation diagram of electric field loading for a traditional linear electrode structure used for cell electroporation.
[0021] Figure 7 This is a simulation diagram of electric field loading for a traditional flat-plate electrode structure used for cell electroporation.
[0022] Figure label:
[0023] 11. First support plate; 111. First channel; 112. First power board; 113. First mounting slot;
[0024] 114. First limiting plate; 12. Second support plate; 121. Second power-conducting plate; 122. Second mounting slot;
[0025] 123. Second limiting plate; 13. First electrode; 131. First insulating plate; 131a. First limiting groove;
[0026] 132. First electric field plate; 14. Second electrode; 141. Second insulating plate; 141a. Second limiting groove; 142. Second electric field plate; 15. Third mounting groove; 16. Fourth mounting groove. Detailed Implementation
[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.
[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the electrode structure for cell electroporation includes a first support plate 11, a second support plate 12, a first electrode 13, and a second electrode 14.
[0029] The first support plate 11 has a first channel 111 in the middle.
[0030] The second support plate 12 is disposed on one side of the first support plate 11.
[0031] The first electrode 13 is C-shaped and is disposed between the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12. One end of the first electrode 13 is inserted into the first support plate 11 so that the first electrode 13 is fixedly connected to the first support plate 11, and the other end of the first electrode 13 is slidably connected to the second support plate 12.
[0032] The second electrode 14 is configured in a C-shape and is disposed between the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12. One end of the second electrode 14 is inserted into the second support plate 12, and the other end of the second electrode 14 is slidably connected to the first support plate 11.
[0033] The radius of the inner arc surface of the first electrode 13 is equal to the radius of the inner arc surface of the second electrode 14;
[0034] When the electrode structure for cell electroporation is in use, a culture dish containing cells extends through the first channel 111 into the area between the inner arc surface of the first electrode 13 and the inner arc surface of the second electrode 14 to perform an electroporation operation on the cells.
[0035] Specifically, the first support plate 11 is provided with a circuit for energizing the first electrode 13, and the second support plate 12 is provided with a circuit for energizing the second electrode 14. An external power supply is required during use to provide power to the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12.
[0036] In this embodiment, one end of the first electrode 13 is first inserted into the first support plate 11 to fix one end of the first electrode 13 onto the first support plate 11. Then, one end of the second electrode 14 is inserted into the second support plate 12 to fix one end of the second electrode 14 onto the second support plate 12. The other end of the first electrode 13 is slidably connected to the second support plate 12, and the other end of the second electrode 14 is slidably connected to the first support plate 11. Thus, when the entire electrode structure is in use, when a culture dish containing cells extends into the area between the first electrode 13 and the second electrode 14 through the first channel 111 in the first support plate 11, the gap between the electrode and the culture dish can be reduced, and the two electrodes can clamp the culture dish tightly. Then, the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 are energized, so that the two electrodes are charged, thereby forming an electric field between the two electrodes. At this time, the culture dish is in the electric field, and the electric field strength is higher.
[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the first support plate 11 includes a first power-conducting plate 112, a first mounting groove 113, and a first limiting plate 114.
[0038] The first mounting slot 113 is configured as multiple slots, and the multiple first mounting slots 113 are all opened on the end face of the first energized plate 112 near the second support plate 12. The radius of each first mounting slot 113 is different, and the axes of each first mounting slot 113 are collinear. The first electrode 13 is inserted into a first mounting slot 113 whose radius matches its own.
[0039] The first limiting plate 114 is fixedly connected to the first energized plate 112, and the first limiting plate 114 is inserted into the second electrode 14.
[0040] The second support plate 12 includes a second power board 121, a second mounting groove 122, and a second limiting plate 123.
[0041] The second power board 121 is disposed on one side of the first power board 112.
[0042] The second mounting slot 122 is configured as multiple slots, and the multiple second mounting slots 122 are all opened on the end face of the second power board 121 near the first power board 112. The radius of each second mounting slot 122 is different, and the axes of each second mounting slot 122 are collinear. The second electrode 14 is inserted into a second mounting slot 122 whose radius matches that of the second electrode 14.
[0043] The second limiting plate 123 is fixedly connected to the second energized plate 121, and the second limiting plate 123 is inserted into the first electrode 13.
[0044] Specifically, when the culture dish containing cells is placed onto the second power board 121 through the first channel 111, multiple first mounting slots 113 are provided on one side of the culture dish, and multiple second mounting slots 122 are provided on the other side of the culture dish; the cross-sectional shape of the first limiting plate 114 can also be set to a T-shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the second limiting plate 123 can also be set to a T-shape.
[0045] In this embodiment, the first electrode 13 is inserted into the first mounting groove 113 to fix the first electrode 13 on the first energized plate 112. Then, the second electrode 14 is inserted into the second mounting groove 122 to fix the second electrode 14 on the second energized plate 121. Next, the first limiting plate 114 is inserted into the second electrode 14 and the second limiting plate 123 is inserted into the first electrode 13. This allows the whole formed by the connection of the first electrode 13 and the first energized plate 112 and the whole formed by the connection of the second electrode 14 and the second energized plate 121 to slide stably relative to each other. This allows the cell culture dish placed between the first electrode 13 and the second electrode 14 through the first channel 111 to be stably clamped.
[0046] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the first electrode 13 includes a first insulating plate 131 and a first electric field plate 132.
[0047] The first insulating plate 131 is C-shaped and is disposed between the first energized plate 112 and the second energized plate 121. One end of the first insulating plate 131 is inserted into a first mounting groove 113 that matches its radius, and the other end of the first insulating plate 131 is slidably connected to the second limiting plate 123.
[0048] The first electric field plate 132 is configured in a C-shape. The first electric field plate 132 is inserted into the first insulating plate 131. The first electric field plate 132 is also inserted into a first mounting groove 113 that matches its radius.
[0049] The second electrode 14 includes a second insulating plate 141 and a second electric field plate 142.
[0050] The second insulating plate 141 is C-shaped and is disposed between the first energized plate 112 and the second energized plate 121. One end of the second insulating plate 141 is inserted into a second mounting groove 122 that matches its radius, and the other end of the second insulating plate 141 is slidably connected to the first limiting plate 114.
[0051] The second electric field plate 142 is configured in a C-shape. The second electric field plate 142 is inserted into the second insulating plate 141. The second electric field plate 142 is also inserted into a second mounting groove 122 that matches its radius.
[0052] Specifically, the first insulating plate 131 wraps around the outer arc surface of the first electric field plate 132, and the second insulating plate 141 wraps around the outer arc surface of the second electric field plate 142. In use, the first insulating plate 131 and the second insulating plate 141 will be as close as possible to the outer circumference of the cell culture dish, with the closest possible arrangement being a complete circle formed by the first insulating plate 131 and the second insulating plate 141 fitting against the outer circumference of the cell culture dish. This further reduces the gap between the first electric field plate 132 and the second electric field plate 142, but they will not be in direct contact. This reduces the electric field dissipation phenomenon when the first electric field plate 132 and the second electric field plate 142 are energized, and ensures that the electric field strength is stably maintained at a high level. This further reduces electrostatic interference, leakage, and other safety issues caused by the electric field, and improves the safety factor of the electric field experiment.
[0053] In this embodiment, by setting first insulating plates 131 with different radii and first electric field plates 132 that cooperate with the first insulating plates 131 with different radii, when placing culture dishes with different radii, the first insulating plate 131 and the first electric field plate 132 with appropriate radii are first formed as a whole and then installed into the first mounting groove 113 on the first energized plate 112 to fit one side of the culture dish. Similarly, by setting second insulating plates 141 with different radii and second electric field plates 142 that cooperate with the second insulating plates 141 with different radii, when placing culture dishes with different radii, the first insulating plate 131 and the second electric field plate 142 with appropriate radii are first formed as a whole and then installed into the first mounting groove 113 on the second energized plate 121 to fit one side of the culture dish.
[0054] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, a first limiting groove 131a is provided on the first insulating plate 131, and the second limiting plate 123 is slidably connected to the first limiting groove 131a.
[0055] The second insulating plate 141 has a second limiting groove 141a, and the first limiting plate 114 is slidably connected to the second limiting groove 141a.
[0056] The length extension direction of the first limiting plate 114 is parallel to the length extension direction of the second limiting plate 123.
[0057] In this embodiment, the sliding connection between the second limiting plate 123 and the first limiting groove 131a, and the sliding connection between the first limiting plate 114 and the second limiting groove 141a, makes the sliding between the first insulating plate 131 and the second energized plate 121 and the sliding between the second insulating plate 141 and the first energized plate 112 more stable, thereby making the clamping of the culture dish containing cells more stable.
[0058] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, a third mounting groove 15 is provided on the inner arc-shaped surface of the first insulating plate 131, and the first electric field plate 132 is inserted into the third mounting groove 15.
[0059] A fourth mounting groove 16 is provided on the inner arc-shaped surface of the second insulating plate 141, and the second electric field plate 142 is inserted into the fourth mounting groove 16.
[0060] In this embodiment, the third mounting groove 15 is formed on the inner arc-shaped surface of the first insulating plate 131, and the fourth mounting groove 16 is formed on the inner arc-shaped surface of the second insulating plate 141. The diameter of the arc-shaped interior of the third mounting groove 15 is the same as the diameter of the arc-shaped interior of the fourth mounting groove 16.
[0061] Furthermore, the electrode structure for cell electroporation provided in this application can be applied to standard-compliant cell culture dishes designed according to international cell multi-well plate standards.
[0062] Furthermore, Figure 5 The electric field inhomogeneity coefficient in the simulation diagram of the electric field applied to the electrode structure for cell electroporation proposed in this application is f = 1.3088. Figure 6 The traditional zigzag electrode structure used for cell electroporation has an electric field non-uniformity coefficient of f = 1.9178. Figure 7 The traditional flat plate electrode structure for cell electroporation has an electric field non-uniformity coefficient of f = 1.79064. Compared with the traditional zigzag and parallel plate electrode structures for cell electroporation, the electrode structure for cell electroporation proposed in this application has a significant improvement in electric field uniformity.
[0063] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, and the execution order of the method steps is not restricted. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0064] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An electrode structure for cell electroporation, characterized by, The electrode structure for cell electroporation comprises: a first support plate with a first channel in the middle; a second support plate arranged on one side of the first support plate; a first electrode arranged in a C shape, arranged between the first support plate and the second support plate, one end of the first electrode inserted into the first support plate, the other end of the first electrode in sliding connection with the second support plate; a second electrode arranged in a C shape, arranged between the first support plate and the second support plate, one end of the second electrode inserted into the second support plate, the other end of the second electrode in sliding connection with the first support plate; the first electrode and the second electrode move towards each other to clamp the cell culture dish between the first electrode and the second electrode; the radius of the inner arc surface of the first electrode is equal to the radius of the inner arc surface of the second electrode; when the electrode structure for cell electroporation is in use, the cell-containing culture dish extends through the first channel into the area between the inner arc surface of the first electrode and the inner arc surface of the second electrode to perform the electroporation operation on the cells.
2. The electrode structure for cell electroporation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first support plate comprises: a first power supply plate; a plurality of first mounting grooves, each first mounting groove having a different radius, and the axis of each first mounting groove being collinear, the first electrode inserted into a first mounting groove with a matching radius; a first limiting plate fixedly connected to the first power supply plate, the first limiting plate inserted into the second electrode.
3. The electrode structure for cell electroporation according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second support plate comprises: a second power supply plate arranged on one side of the first power supply plate; a plurality of second mounting grooves, each second mounting groove having a different radius, and the axis of each second mounting groove being collinear, the second electrode inserted into a second mounting groove with a matching radius; a second limiting plate fixedly connected to the second power supply plate, the second limiting plate inserted into the first electrode.
4. The electrode structure for cell electroporation according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first electrode comprises: a first insulating plate arranged in a C shape, arranged between the first power supply plate and the second power supply plate, one end of the first insulating plate inserted into a first mounting groove with a matching radius, the other end of the first insulating plate in sliding connection with the second limiting plate; a first electric field plate arranged in a C shape, inserted into the first insulating plate and also inserted into a first mounting groove with a matching radius.
5. The electrode structure for cell electroporation according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second electrode comprises: a second insulating plate arranged in a C shape, arranged between the first power supply plate and the second power supply plate, one end of the second insulating plate inserted into a second mounting groove with a matching radius, the other end of the second insulating plate in sliding connection with the first limiting plate; The second electric field plate is arranged in a C shape, is inserted into the second insulating plate, and is also inserted into a second installation slot with a radius matched with the second electric field plate.
6. The electrode structure for cell electroporation according to claim 5, wherein, The first limiting slot is formed on the first insulating plate, and the second limiting plate is in sliding connection with the first limiting slot.
7. The electrode structure for cell electroporation according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second limiting slot is formed on the second insulating plate, and the first limiting plate is in sliding connection with the second limiting slot.
8. The electrode structure for cell electroporation according to claim 7, characterized in that, The length extension direction of the first limiting plate is parallel to the length extension direction of the second limiting plate.
9. The electrode structure for cell electroporation according to claim 8, characterized in that, The third installation slot is formed on the inner arc surface of the first insulating plate, and the first electric field plate is inserted into the third installation slot.
10. The electrode structure for cell electroporation according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fourth installation slot is formed on the inner arc surface of the second insulating plate, and the second electric field plate is inserted into the fourth installation slot.