Electroporation Electrode With Integrated Syringe Needle
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vivo electroporation techniques face challenges with low introduction efficiency of foreign substances due to operator skill dependence and complexity in procedures, leading to inefficient gene introduction in muscle and skin tissues, and existing electrode devices require intricate operations and risk contamination.
Innovation Solution
An electrode design featuring first polarity electrode needles and a syringe holding portion that allows an existing syringe needle to function as a second polarity electrode, enabling quick and easy operations by simplifying the insertion process and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional needle electrodes are used for in vivo electroporation, then the procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the introduction efficiency of foreign substances is low due to operator skill dependence and time lag between injection and voltage application
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the injection needle and electrode needle into a single integrated needle that performs both injection and voltage application functions. The needle includes an outer needle for injection and an inner electrode that can be advanced to contact tissue, eliminating the need for separate injection and electroporation steps and removing operator skill dependence for coordinating these operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The foreign substance is injected into the target tissue before the electrode needle is advanced to the tissue site. This preliminary injection ensures the substance is in position before electroporation begins, eliminating the time lag problem where substances disperse due to blood flow between injection and voltage application.
2Reliability
If there is a time lag between injection of solution and application of electric pulses, then the procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the injected substances are dispersed by blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated needle design allows injection and electroporation to occur in a continuous operation without time lag. The outer needle delivers the substance while the inner electrode is positioned, and voltage application begins immediately without withdrawal or repositioning steps, preventing substance dispersion.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate operations are required (injection needle removal, electrode needle insertion, depth adjustment), then each operation can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the procedure complexity increases and operability in in vivo situation does not improve
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple functions (injection, electroporation, depth control) into a single integrated needle assembly. The outer needle and inner electrode work together as one unit, eliminating the need for separate injection needles and electrode needles, thereby reducing procedural steps and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated needle serves multiple functions: the outer needle performs injection, while the inner electrode performs both electroporation and depth control through its ability to advance and retract. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and operations required.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cannular needles are integrated with other electrode needles in a hand-held device, then the electrode array can be structured for treatment, but the assembly and filling of sample cannot be performed quickly or easily, and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: a reusable outer needle and a disposable inner electrode assembly. This segmentation allows the inner electrode to be quickly replaced between uses, enabling fast assembly and preventing contamination without compromising the structured electrode array design.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner electrode is designed as a disposable component that can be discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning and sterilization procedures, allows rapid replacement, and prevents cross-contamination, while the reusable outer needle maintains the structural integrity of the device.
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
The electrode facilitates stable and efficient introduction of foreign substances into muscle and skin tissues with reduced operator skill dependence, allowing for simultaneous injection and voltage application, and easy sample exchange, thereby improving gene introduction efficiency and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
Electroporation is a method for forming pores in the cell membranes of the target cells by electrical stimulation and achieving easy and efficient introduction of foreign substances into cells
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can stably improve the introduction efficiency of foreign substances, and more particularly, a technique for performing in vivo electroporation with quick and easy operations without being affected by the skill of the operator. The present invention provides an electrode for electroporation including a plurality of electrode needles, wherein first polarity electrode needles, an electrode needle holding portion, and a syringe holding portion are provided; two or more first polarity electrode needles project from a bottom surface of a lower structural body of an outer frame support of the electrode needle holding portion toward an electroporation target side; the bottom surface of the lower structural body of the outer frame support is provided with a hole for syringe needle insertion and removal communicating with a syringe holding portion side; the syringe holding portion is provided on a side opposite to the electroporation target side of the electrode needle holding portion; and the syringe holding portion has a path for syringe needle insertion and removal, at least a portion of the path for syringe needle insertion and removal being provided with an electro-conductive portion for a second polarity.