Multi-Chamber Electroporation Cartridge for Aseptic Scale-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electroporation technologies face challenges in efficiently introducing drugs, chemicals, and macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids into cells while maintaining a scalable and aseptic process for large volumes.
Innovation Solution
An electroporation apparatus with multiple chambers, electrodes, valves, and flow channels that facilitate the generation of electric fields for permeabilizing cell membranes, followed by a controlled cell collection process using pumps and valves to ensure efficient transfer and rinsing of cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional electroporation methods are used, then cell permeabilization can be achieved, but the process is not scalable to large volumes and has high contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the electroporation process into multiple independent chambers (e.g., 8 chambers per cartridge), each capable of simultaneous electroporation. This segmentation enables scaling from small to large volumes while maintaining aseptic conditions in each isolated chamber, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity/scalability and contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable electroporation cartridges that are pre-sterilized and single-use. This eliminates contamination risk between runs while enabling high-throughput processing by simply replacing cartridges. The disposable nature ensures aseptic conditions without complex sterilization protocols, resolving the scalability-contamination contradiction.
2Productivity
If manual electroporation processing is used, then flexibility is maintained, but throughput is limited and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple electroporation chambers into a single integrated cartridge that can be processed simultaneously in one instrument. This allows high-throughput electroporation of multiple samples in parallel while maintaining a relatively simple instrument design, resolving the contradiction between throughput and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electroporation instrument is designed with universal compatibility across different cartridge types and configurations. The system can handle various chamber arrangements and electrode configurations through standardized interfaces, enabling high throughput without requiring complex specialized equipment for each application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate electroporation devices are used for different samples, then sample-specific optimization is possible, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each chamber in the cartridge can be independently optimized for specific cell types or applications while being processed simultaneously with other chambers. This segmentation allows sample-specific optimization without sequential processing, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and processing time by enabling parallel execution of optimized protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies electroporation pulses in periodic sequences across multiple chambers simultaneously, with each chamber following its optimized protocol timeline. This periodic action enables independent protocol optimization for each sample type while maintaining high throughput through parallel periodic execution of all protocols.
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 large-scale, efficient, and aseptic introduction of molecules into cells with high yield and reduced contamination risk, supporting high-throughput electroporation processes.
Implementation Method 1
Electroporation is a technique in which an electrical field is applied to cells in order to increase the permeability of the cell membrane
Data Source
AI summary
Electroporation is a technique in which an electrical field is applied to cells in order to increase the permeability of the cell membrane. This allows for chemicals, drugs, and/or macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids to be introduced into the cells. Embodiments relate to an electroporation apparatus. The electroporation apparatus comprises: a plurality of chambers configured to store a plurality of cells during an electroporation process; a plurality of electrodes configured to generate a plurality of electric fields within the plurality of chambers during the electroporation process, each electric field of the plurality of electric fields corresponding to one chamber of the plurality of chambers; a flow channel configured to transport the plurality cells during a cell collection process after the electroporation process; and a plurality of valves connecting the plurality of chambers to the flow channel.