Microfluidic Electroporation with MEMS Cavities and Ultrasound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electroporation methods require high voltages, which can reduce cell viability and efficiency, necessitating a high-speed, high-efficiency device for cell transfection.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic electroporation device incorporating a MEMS filter with a funnel structure and a MEMS plate with V-shaped cavities, combined with an ultrasound vibrator, uses low voltage pulses and precise control of electrical parameters to enhance cell capture and transfection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high voltage is applied to create temporary pores on cell membrane, then electroporation efficiency is improved, but cell viability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the cell processing into individual micro cavities, each capable of holding and electroporating single cells or small groups of cells independently. This segmentation allows precise control of electrical field application to each cell, achieving high electroporation efficiency while minimizing damage to viable cells through localized and controlled energy delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating highly localized electrical fields within each micro cavity using independently addressable electrode structures. The electrical field is concentrated precisely where needed (at the cell location) rather than applying uniform high voltage across the entire sample, thereby achieving effective electroporation at the target site while preserving cell viability elsewhere.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional bulk electroporation is used, then large number of cells can be processed, but transfection precision and cell disturbance control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The micro cavity array segments the bulk cell population into numerous individual processing zones. Each micro cavity acts as an independent transfection chamber, enabling precise control over which cells receive the electrical pulse and what dosage they receive. This allows simultaneous processing of many cells (high quantity) while maintaining precise control over each individual transfection event (high precision).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional two-dimensional bulk electroporation to a three-dimensional micro cavity array structure. This dimensional change allows parallel processing of numerous cells across multiple cavities while maintaining precise spatial control over each cell's electroporation conditions, thereby achieving both high throughput and high precision simultaneously.
3Reliability
If microchannel method is used to reduce applied voltage, then cell viability is improved, but electroporation speed and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting cells into individual micro cavities with controlled volumes, the device achieves rapid electroporation at low voltage because each cell is exposed to the electrical field in a confined space with optimized electrode geometry. The segmentation eliminates the need for high voltage diffusion through large bulk volumes, enabling fast and efficient electroporation while maintaining low voltage application for high cell viability.
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 device achieves high viability and efficiency in cell transfection by fixing cells in V-shaped cavities and applying controlled low voltage pulses, enabling rapid and precise delivery of exogenous molecules with improved cell survival rates.
Implementation Method 1
the ultrasound vibrator is made of a piezoelectric device, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or lead zirconate titanate (PZT), etc.
Implementation Method 2
Electroporation (EP) is the process of applying an electrical field across a cell membrane to temporarily form 'pore' to enable the uptake of the exogenous molecules into the cytoplasm or the nucleus
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic electroporation device for exogenous molecules transfection is disclosed. The microfluidic electroporation device includes an electroporation chamber assembly, an ultrasound vibrator, and a controller. The electroporation chamber assembly includes an input chamber for exogenous molecules, a MEMS filter, an activation chamber and a MEMS plate. The MEMS plate holds cells within individual cavity for electroporation. Both the MEMS filter and the MEMS plate are made of semiconductor process by wet etching and/or ICP dry etching with V-shaped cavities. The top surfaces of the MEMS filter and the MEMS plate are coated with metal layer for applying electric field during the electroporation process. The electroporation chamber assembly is attached to an ultrasound vibrator which is operated intermittently to allow cells to be fixed in the cavity of the MEMS plate during electroporation process and popped out for collection after electroporation process.