Methods and devices for electroporation

Abstract

An apparatus for electroporation of biological cells is provided. The apparatus includes a sample container having an insulator chamber for holding the cells. The sample container has a first electrode and a second electrode to provide electrical connection for electroporation. The insulator chamber is configured to contain at least one cell monolayer. The apparatus also includes a pulse generator that can generate a predetermined pulse for electroporation of the cells.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for electroporation of biological cells, comprising:
 a sample container having an insulator chamber for holding the cells, the sample container having a first electrode and a second electrode providing electrical connection for electroporation, the insulator chamber configured to contain at least one cell monolayer; and   a pulse generator capable of generating a predetermined pulse for electroporation of the cells.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the insulator chamber is configure to further contain a first conductive medium layer, wherein:   the cells form a cell monolayer on the surface of the first medium layer.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one electrode is a movable electrode and serves as a sealing cover.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the insulator chamber has a groove on the wall of the insulator chamber for receiving extra liquid.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first conductive medium is precast in the insulator chamber.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a centrifuge capable of assisting the formation of the cell monolayer by centrifugation.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the centrifuge is capable of delivering the predetermined electrical pulse to the sample container for electroporation.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a centrifuge capable of assisting the formation of the cell monolayer by centrifugation.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of artificial insulator particles to form the monolayer with the cells.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pulse generator has a rechargeable battery for cordless function.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the pulse generator for generating the predetermined electrical pulse is integrated to the centrifuge.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for electroporation of biological cells, comprising a sample container for holding a sample of biological cells for electroporation, the sample container comprising:
 an insulator chamber that forms the body of the container to hold the cells, the insulator chamber having a plurality of sides;   a first electrode; and   a second electrode, wherein:
 the first electrode and the second electrode receive an electrical pulse from an electrical pulse generator to electroporate the cells; 
   wherein the insulator chamber and the electrodes are able to seal the sample of biological cells within the sample container.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the insulator chamber is configured to contain a first medium layer, the first medium layer being in contact with at least one of the electrodes.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 at least one electrode is a movable electrode and functions as a sealing cover.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the insulator chamber has a groove on the wall of the insulator chamber for receiving extra liquid.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the insulator chamber has a groove on the wall of the insulator chamber for receiving extra liquid.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the insulator chamber is configured to contain a first medium layer in contact with at least one of the electrodes.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 one side of the insulator chamber is movable and functions as a sealing cover.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  12 , further comprising:
 an ultra-high voltage pulse generator for electroporation of the biological cells in the insulator chamber through the electrodes.   
     
     
         20 . A process for electroporation of biological cells, comprising the steps of:
 arranging the cells to form at least one cell monolayer in an insulator chamber of a sample container, the sample container having a first electrode and second electrode providing electrical connection for electroporation;   treating the cells in the cell monolayer with a predetermined electrical pulse, the predetermined electrical pulse being generated by a pulse generator.   
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 forming a surface with a first medium layer, wherein:
 the cell monolayer is formed on the surface. 
   
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the cells are arranged to the monolayer by natural gravity.   
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the cells are arranged to the monolayer by centrifugation.   
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the cells are arranged to the monolayer by centrifugation.   
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the cells are treated with the predetermined electrical pulse during the centrifugation.