Integrated Microfluidic Cell Injection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cell manipulation technologies face challenges in precisely controlling the dose of materials injected into cells, leading to contamination and aberrations due to imperfect sealing and mechanical limitations in microfluidic devices.
Innovation Solution
A device formed within a solid material, featuring a first passage for cells and a second passage for materials, connected at a randomly selected point, with an apparatus applying pressure or electric potential differences to enable precise and controlled material delivery using femtosecond laser-irradiated microchannels and nanochannels, eliminating the need for sealing and enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional microfluidic devices are used for cell manipulation, then material delivery can be achieved, but contamination and aberrations occur due to imperfect sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cell passage and material passage into a single integrated solid structure, eliminating the need for separate sealing interfaces between components. The passages are formed within the same solid material block, creating an intrinsic seal that prevents contamination while maintaining material delivery functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid material structure acts as an intermediary that inherently prevents contamination by eliminating the need for external sealing mechanisms. The solid material itself serves as both the structural support and the sealing barrier, removing the harmful factor of imperfect seals.
2Ease of operation
If conventional microfluidic devices are used, then cell manipulation is possible, but structural integrity is compromised due to mechanical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (cell passage, material passage, sealing, and structural support) into a single solid structure. This integration eliminates weak points associated with assembled components while maintaining full operational capability for cell manipulation and material delivery.
3Productivity
If bulk electroporation is used for cell transfection, then transfection can be achieved, but the injected dose cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the material delivery process by providing separate, controlled access to individual cells through the solid structure. Each cell can receive material through its own dedicated passage path, enabling precise dosage control while maintaining transfection efficiency.
4Productivity
If microfluidics-based electroporation is used, then lower poration voltages and better transfection efficiency are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by merging multiple microfluidic channels and sealing mechanisms into a single solid structure. The integrated design maintains the benefits of microfluidics-based electroporation while eliminating the complexity of assembling and sealing multiple components.
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 quantitative control of material delivery into individual cells, reducing contamination and aberrations, and enabling precise manipulation of cells, particularly suitable for biomedical applications.
Implementation Method 1
an apparatus which applies pressure difference or electric potential difference between the first passage and the second passage
Implementation Method 2
an apparatus which applies pressure difference or electric potential difference between the first passage and the second passage
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2~3(b)
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for putting material into a cell to be modified. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a device formed within one solid material and comprises, a first passage on which the cell passes; a second passage on which the material passes and connected to the first passage at a position randomly selected between both ends of the first passage; and an apparatus which applies pressure difference or electric potential difference on the first passage and the second passage, and is also directed to a process for making the device.