Dielectric Coated Electrodes for Targeted Cell Electroporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell sorting and electroporation methods often result in non-specific effects, where unwanted cells are affected by the electric field, leading to chemical reactions and reduced efficiency due to high voltage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for targeted electroporation or lysis of specific cells using a flow path with coated electrodes, where the electric field is generated downstream of the detection apparatus, and the electrodes are coated with a dielectric material with a high relative permittivity to minimize faradaic currents and electrochemical side reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uncoated electrodes are used to generate electric field for cell electroporation, then the electric field can be effectively applied to cells, but chemical reactions occur within the flow path that negatively affect subsequent cells and high voltage is required
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the electrode and the cell suspension. This coating prevents direct contact between the electrode and the medium, thereby eliminating faradaic currents and unwanted chemical reactions while still allowing the electric field to penetrate and affect the cells. The dielectric material acts as a mediator that enables electric field generation without harmful side reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrode surface by applying a dielectric coating with specific properties (high relative permittivity, appropriate thickness). This parameter change allows the electrode to generate the necessary electric field for electroporation while preventing harmful electrochemical reactions that would occur with uncoated electrodes.
2Reliability
If high voltage is applied to achieve electroporation with conventional electrode setup, then cell membrane permeabilization is achieved, but electrochemical side reactions increase and affect sample integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric coating serves as a protective intermediary that allows the application of high voltage to achieve effective electroporation while preventing the voltage from directly causing harmful electrochemical reactions at the electrode-medium interface. The coating isolates the electrochemical environment from the sensitive cell suspension.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are placed upstream and downstream of aperture for current generation, then cell counting via Coulter counter is enabled, but the setup requires high voltage and causes temperature increase in the aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric coating on the electrodes acts as an intermediary that enables current generation for cell counting while preventing excessive heating in the aperture region. By eliminating faradaic currents through the coating, the source of resistive heating is removed, thereby maintaining lower temperatures during measurement.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If coated electrodes with high relative permittivity dielectric material are used, then faradaic currents are minimized and electrochemical side reactions are reduced, but the electrode structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the increased complexity by optimizing the dielectric coating parameters - selecting materials with high relative permittivity that can be applied as thin, uniform layers. This parameter optimization ensures effective prevention of faradaic currents while minimizing the added structural complexity and maintaining compatibility with existing flow cytometry systems.
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 allows for specific manipulation of targeted cells without affecting other cells, reducing electrochemical side reactions, and achieving efficient electroporation or lysis with lower voltage requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The basic principle that underlies many of the known methods is that in a first step the cells are guided through a narrow flow path with a detector which allows the identification of the cells based on their properties, e.g. by scattering of light
Implementation Method 2
an electric field is generated between the electrodes when the detected cell passes between the electrodes in dependence of the flow speed, wherein the electric field causes electroporation or lysis of the cell
Implementation Method 3
the electrodes are coated with a dielectric material with a relative permittivity greater than 3.9, preferably greater than 9, more preferably 60 or more, wherein the coating at least covers the surface of the electrodes that faces the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides the following method for lysis or electroporation of cells in a biological sample:passing cells of the sample, suspended in a fluid, through a flow path with a preset flow speed, the flow path runs through a detection apparatus for detecting individual cells and the flow path includes at least two electrodes for generating an electric field, the electrodes are located downstream of the detection apparatus and are coated with a dielectric material with a relative permittivity greater than 3.9, wherein the coating at least covers the surface of the electrodes that faces the flow path, andwhen the presence of a specific cell is detected in the detection apparatus, then an electric field is generated between the electrodes when the detected cell passes between the electrodes in dependence of the flow speed, wherein the electric field causes electroporation or lysis of the cell.