Capacitive Pulse Delivery for Contamination-Free Electroporation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric pulse generation systems for biomedical applications often require direct coupling to the sample, which can be expensive and lead to contamination, and are not suitable for all biological specimens due to the need for conductive materials.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive coupling system that uses a capacitive element between the pulse generating circuitry and the sample, allowing for the generation of electric pulses without direct current flow through the sample, using non-conductive materials for the sample holder and cuvette, and enabling both capacitive and direct coupling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct coupling is used to generate electric pulses, then the pulse generation is effective, but contamination occurs and expensive conductive materials are required
Solution Approach 1:
A capacitive element is introduced as an intermediary between the pulse generating circuitry and the sample. This capacitor couples the high-voltage pulse signal to the sample without requiring direct conductive contact, thereby eliminating contamination while maintaining effective pulse generation through electric field coupling.
2Reliability
If direct coupling with conductive materials is used, then electric pulses can be generated, but the system becomes expensive and unsuitable for certain biological specimens
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive element serves as a mediator that transfers the electric pulse signal without requiring conductive material contact with the sample. This allows the use of inexpensive, biologically compatible, non-conductive materials for sample holders and cuvettes, reducing cost and expanding suitability for various biological specimens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/conductive contact-based pulse delivery system with an electric field-based capacitive coupling system. This substitution eliminates the need for conductive materials in direct contact with samples, reducing costs and improving biocompatibility while maintaining pulse generation effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If capacitive coupling is used, then contamination is reduced and material costs decrease, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive element, while adding a component, provides a simple and elegant solution by decoupling the electrical connection from direct sample contact. The added complexity is minimal (a single capacitor) compared to the benefits of contamination prevention and material flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces contamination risks, allows for the use of less expensive and more suitable materials, and effectively stimulates biological samples by controlling the release of growth factors through adjustable pulse parameters, enhancing the efficiency of platelet activation and other biomedical processes.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive element disposed between the pulse generating circuitry and the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
transfection is a medical technique used to permeabilize cell membranes to facilitate DNA plasmid entry into the cell. This technique, also known as electroporation, typically involves applying electric pulses with sufficient strength and duration to permeabilize the cell membrane
Implementation Method 3
Certain in vivo and ex vivo platelet activation methods also utilize pulsed electrical stimulation
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the present disclosure, exposure of a sample to one or more electric pulses via capacitive coupling is described. In certain embodiments, the sample may be a biological sample to be treated or modified using the pulsed electric fields. In certain embodiments, the electric pulses may be delivered to a load using capacitive coupling. In other embodiments, the electric pulses may be bipolar pulses.