Microelectrode Uniform Electric Field for Cell Electroporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electroporation methods cause irreversible damage to cell or embryo membranes due to the formation of large pores, making it difficult to safely deliver large molecules while maintaining healthy cell populations.
Innovation Solution
A microelectrode system with electroporation electrodes shorter than the cell or embryo diameter, separated by a predetermined distance, generates a uniform electric field to induce pore formation across the membrane, allowing for safer and more efficient delivery of large molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electroporation applies electric field over entire cell surface, then pore formation occurs across the membrane, but pores rupture and merge to form large pores causing irreversible damage and cell death
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using microelectrodes with small active surfaces (edge length ≤ cell diameter) to create localized electric fields at specific regions of the cell membrane rather than applying electric field uniformly across the entire cell surface. This localized approach prevents widespread pore formation and merging that leads to irreversible damage, while still achieving sufficient membrane permeabilization at the targeted location for safe delivery of large molecules.
2Productivity
If electric field strength is increased to deliver large molecules, then delivery efficiency improves, but membrane pores become too large and cause irreversible electroporation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the electric field parameters through microelectrode design - specifically using electrodes with small active surfaces separated by controlled distances to generate uniform electric fields with optimized strength and duration. This allows achieving sufficient membrane permeabilization for large molecule delivery while maintaining electric field parameters within the safe range that prevents irreversible pore formation and cell death.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If microelectrodes with small active surfaces are used, then localized electroporation occurs with safer pore sizes, but uniform electric field distribution becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using microelectrodes with small active surfaces that are deliberately positioned and dimensioned to create a specific geometric configuration. The electrodes have edge lengths less than or equal to the cell diameter and are separated by predetermined distances, creating an asymmetric but controlled electric field distribution that achieves both localized action and sufficient uniformity across the targeted membrane region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies equipotentiality by designing the microelectrode configuration (small active surfaces at specific separations) to generate a uniform electric field between the electrodes. This uniform field distribution ensures consistent electroporation effects across the cell membrane region between the electrodes, achieving both localized action and field uniformity simultaneously.
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 microelectrode system increases the safe withstandable electric field strength, enabling longer exposure times and higher gene-editing efficiency without significant loss in survival rates, as demonstrated by increased survival and gene-editing success in CRISPR gene-knockout experiments.
Implementation Method 1
a microelectrode for electroporating an individual cell or embryo... capable of supporting an electric field... induces pore formation of the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A microelectrode for electroporating an individual cell or embryo that includes a substrate with an electrically insulated surface, a first electrode adjacent to the electrically insulated surface of the substrate, a second electrode adjacent to the electrically insulated surface of the substrate and separated from the first electrode a predetermined distance so as to form a channel, and a liquid medium situated within the channel. The liquid medium is capable of fluidic transport of the cell or embryo through or into the channel and capable of supporting an electric field. The first and second electrodes include surfaces substantially orthogonal to the electrically insulated surface of the substrate with an edge length that is less than or equal to a diameter of the cell or embryo. The predetermined distance may be 50% to 200% of the diameter of the cell or embryo.