Electroporation apparatus and method
Inventors
Butman, Bryan • Carson, Jonathan • Reed, Thomas D. • Zhang, Shuyuan • ANDREWS, Travis • CERRONE, David • Gentry, Jeffrey • HOCK, William • INSLEE, Justin • KRUGER, Kraig • MILLER, Mackenzie • Schmidt, Scott • Schneider, Robert • GREEN, Chad B. • So, Vincent
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12570945-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
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.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electroporation docking station (EDS) that secures an electroporation apparatus in an upright position. When the apparatus is secured in the receptacle, the docking station aligns a plurality of electrical contacts with electrodes in the chambers of the electroporation apparatus and provides a plurality of valve actuators configured to engage chamber valves.
The electroporation apparatus includes multiple cell-storage chambers and generates electric fields associated with the chambers. Chamber valves are connected with a flow channel via valve-controlled fluid routing that supports a cell collection process after electroporation. The docking station and cartridge architecture support liquid suspension cell handling across multiple chambers and enable electroporation and draining through inlet/outlet ports using valve actuation and pump actuation.
The system is operated in an aseptic/closed-system manner using seal caps together with a vent/air filter to maintain pressure during draining. The described chamber storage capacity is at least 2 mL for the plurality of chambers for electroporation.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set includes electroporation docking station structure defined by three core elements: a receptacle for upright securing, electrical contacts aligned with chamber electrodes, and valve actuators engaging chamber valves. Additional dependent claim coverage refines chamber storage capacity, chamber valve type and valve opening sequence, pressure maintenance via vent/air filter and inter-chamber air flow, and receptacle/electrical contact geometry.
Upright securing receptacle
A receptacle configured to secure an electroporation apparatus in an upright position.
Aligned electrical contacts
A plurality of electrical contacts configured to align with the electrodes in the chambers of the electroporation apparatus when the apparatus is secured in the receptacle.
Chamber valve engagement by valve actuators
A plurality of valve actuators configured to engage chamber valves of the electroporation apparatus when the apparatus is secured in the receptacle.
Minimum cell storage capacity across chambers
The plurality of chambers, in combination, can store at least 2 mL of cells in liquid suspension for electroporation.
Pinch-valve chamber valves
Each chamber valve is a pinch-valve.
One-at-a-time opening of chamber valves
Each chamber valve is opened one at a time.
Pressure maintained by vent/air filter and air flow channel
Pressure within the plurality of chambers is maintained by way of a vent or air filter connected to an air flow channel running between the chambers.
Linear alignment of electrical contacts along receptacle length
The receptacle comprises an opening and the electrical contacts are aligned linearly along a length of the receptacle.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on an EDS receptacle that positions the electroporation apparatus upright, aligns electrical contacts with chamber electrodes, and engages chamber valves via valve actuators. The dependent claim refinements further specify multi-chamber storage capacity, pinch-valve implementation, sequential valve opening, a vent/air filter pressure-maintenance arrangement using an inter-chamber air flow channel, and linear alignment of the electrical contacts along the receptacle length.
Stated Advantages
Large-scale/high-yield transfection with reduced contamination versus multi-cuvette workflows.
Documented Applications
Electroporation using an electroporation apparatus having multiple cell-storage chambers, with subsequent cell collection through inlet/outlet ports while maintaining aseptic/closed-system operation.
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