Selective Eukaryotic Cell Electroporation With Dielectric-Coated Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for electroporation and lysis of eukaryotic cells are inefficient in distinguishing between different subgroups of cells, leading to indiscriminate lysis of both small and large cells, and are not suitable for microfluidic applications due to inhomogeneous electric fields and high potential differences.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using electrodes coated with high-permittivity dielectric material generate controlled electric fields with specific parameters to selectively electroporate or lyse subgroups of eukaryotic cells, with electrodes spaced closely to ensure homogeneous fields and minimize side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrodes are spaced far apart to reduce potential difference, then ease of operation is improved, but electric field homogeneity deteriorates and lysis becomes irregular
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dielectric properties of the electrode material to achieve optimal performance. By selecting materials with specific dielectric constants (3.9-9.8), the system achieves homogeneous electric fields at manageable potential differences, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and field homogeneity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite electrode structures combining conductive materials with dielectric coatings. This composite approach allows the electrode to maintain electrical functionality while providing controlled dielectric properties that ensure uniform electric field distribution across the sample
2Reliability
If thick dielectric material is used on electrodes, then electric field control is improved, but device complexity increases and microfluidic applications become impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the dielectric material parameters (specifically dielectric constant between 3.9-9.8) to achieve effective electric field control with thin coatings. This parameter optimization allows microfluidic device integration while maintaining reliable electric field distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin dielectric film coatings on electrodes rather than thick bulk materials. These thin films provide sufficient dielectric functionality for controlled electric fields while maintaining device miniaturization and compatibility with microfluidic applications
3Productivity
If high electric field strength is applied to lyse cells, then lysis efficiency is improved, but cell selectivity deteriorates as all cells are lysed indiscriminately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dielectric material properties to modulate electric field distribution, enabling selective lysis of specific cell subgroups. By controlling the dielectric characteristics of the electrode coating, the system achieves differential lysis effects based on cell type while maintaining overall lysis efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local variations in electric field strength through the dielectric coating properties. Different regions of the electric field experience different intensities due to the dielectric material's field distribution characteristics, enabling selective targeting of specific cell subgroups with different membrane properties
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 selective electroporation and lysis of specific cell subgroups regardless of size, allowing for targeted manipulation and isolation of cellular components like DNA, RNA, or proteins, suitable for microfluidic applications.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the biological sample to an electric field in the chamber, wherein the electric field is generated by at least two electrodes
Implementation Method 2
electrodes which are coated with a dielectric material with a relative permittivity greater than 3.9
Data Source
AI summary
A method of targeted electroporation and/or lysis of eukaryotic cellular bodies in a biological sample with at least two subgroups of eukaryotic cellular bodies, wherein each subgroup has a different susceptibility to electroporation and/or lysis in electric fields, including the following steps: transferring the biological sample in a chamber, exposing the biological sample to an electric field in the chamber, wherein the electric field is generated by at least two electrodes which are coated with a dielectric material with a relative permittivity greater than 3.9, and selecting the electric parameters of the electric field such as the field strength, the frequency or the wave form so that the subgroups are differently affected by said electric field for electroporation and/or lysis; as well as devices for the method.