Electroporation Control With Integrated Computing and Instant E-Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electroporation systems lack integrated computer functionality, requiring separate desktop or laptop computers for data processing, leading to compatibility issues, increased costs, and safety risks due to non-instantaneous emergency stop features.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus integrating a single board computer with a display and touch screen, a high voltage module, and a non-software-based emergency stop button, allowing for immediate termination of the electroporation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current electroporation systems use separate desktop or laptop computers for data processing, then computer functionality is provided, but compatibility issues and increased costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the computer processor directly into the electroporation system housing, merging previously separate functions (electroporation delivery and data processing) into a single unified system. This eliminates compatibility issues between separate computers and the electroporation system while reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current electroporation systems use separate desktop or laptop computers, then data processing capability is provided, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the computer processor into the electroporation system, the patent eliminates the need for separate desktop or laptop computer purchases. This consolidation reduces overall system cost while maintaining full data processing capability for analyzing and generating plots from electroporation results.
3Ease of operation
If current electroporation systems use software-based emergency stop, then process termination is provided, but instantaneous response is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based emergency stop control with a hardware-based solution using a dedicated emergency stop button that directly interfaces with the high voltage module. This hardware intervention bypasses software processing delays, achieving instantaneous termination of the electroporation process when the emergency stop button is activated.
4Device complexity
If current electroporation systems lack integrated computer functionality, then system simplicity is maintained, but operational difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a display screen and touch interface directly into the electroporation system, providing real-time guidance and status information without requiring separate computer equipment. This integrated interface displays transfection process steps, allows protocol selection, and provides immediate feedback, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining system simplicity.
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
Enables efficient transfection of high volumes of cells with integrated computer functionality, reducing costs and ensuring user safety by providing an instantaneous emergency stop.
Implementation Method 1
Electroporation systems may apply a voltage to cells in a cell suspension in a fluid through an electric field in order to increase the permeability of the cells' membrane allowing chemicals, drugs, or nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) to be introduced in the cells
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and methods for electroporation of cells are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a memory storing instructions, a high voltage module to apply a voltage to cells, a low voltage module including a user interface, a system board connected to the high voltage module, the low voltage module, and a single board computer, and the single board computer including at least one processor to control the high voltage module and the low voltage module. The system board includes an emergency stop button and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit receives a signal from the emergency stop button, latches the signal from the emergency stop button, blocks a logical signal controlling the voltage delivered to the instrument output, terminates the voltage applied to cells, and disables the at least one processor to provide commands to the high voltage module.