Vacuum-assisted electroporation devices, and related systems and methods
Inventors
Fisher, Paul • Kemme, Andrea • Schade, Eric • McCoy, Jay • Broderick, Kate • Generotti, Alison A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12667716-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for vacuum-assisted in vivo electroporation of tissue includes a housing that defines a chamber and at least one opening into the chamber. A port extends through the housing, is remote from the at least one opening, and is connectable to a vacuum source. The port is configured to communicate vacuum pressure from the vacuum source to the chamber. A plurality of electrodes are positioned within the chamber and are configured to deliver one or more electroporation pulses to a targeted portion of tissue extending through the opening and held in the chamber responsive to the vacuum pressure.
Core Innovation
A device for vacuum-assisted in vivo electroporation of tissue comprises a housing defining a chamber with an opening, an interior surface, an opposite end surface, and a port connectable to a vacuum source. The communicated vacuum pressure holds a targeted portion of tissue extending through the opening at least momentarily within the chamber. Electrodes within the chamber deliver one or more electroporation pulses to the held tissue, configured with a circumferential first electrode along the interior surface and a second electrode extending from the end surface in a concentric arrangement.
The disclosure evaluates injectate dispersion, gene expression, and immune responses across treatment configurations. Results demonstrate enhanced injectate dispersion, reduced tissue deflection, greater vertical injectate distribution compared to non-offset injection, and enhanced reporter expression. Humoral and cellular immune responses against HPV and MERS antigens are increased in some comparisons and generally comparable to needle-electrode electroporation, with vacuum alone producing transfection and humoral response.
Claims Coverage
The claims define one independent claim directed to a device for vacuum-assisted in vivo electroporation of tissue comprising four inventive features.
Housing defining a chamber
A housing defines a chamber with at least one opening at its distal end, an interior surface, and an end surface opposite the opening.
Port communicating vacuum pressure
At least one port extends through the housing, is remote from the opening, and is connectable to a vacuum source to communicate vacuum pressure to the chamber to at least momentarily hold targeted tissue.
Electrodes delivering electroporation pulses
A plurality of electrodes within the chamber is configured to deliver electroporation pulses to targeted tissue extending through the opening and held in the chamber in response to vacuum pressure.
Concentric electrode arrangement
A first electrode extends along the interior surface in a circumferential direction and is spaced from the proximal end of the chamber, and a second electrode extends from the end surface, wherein the first and second electrodes are concentric.
The independent claim covers a chamber-based device using vacuum pressure to hold targeted tissue while delivering electroporation pulses via concentrically arranged electrodes.
Stated Advantages
Enhanced injectate dispersion and gene expression are achieved during delivery.
Immune responses are increased in some comparisons and generally comparable to needle-electrode electroporation.
Vacuum alone produces transfection and humoral response.
Vacuum-assisted jet injection reduces tissue deflection and produces greater vertical injectate distribution compared to non-offset injection.
Documented Applications
Vacuum-assisted in vivo electroporation of targeted skin tissue, adipose tissue, or both.
Needle or jet injection of injectate in connection with the device.
Adaptation of vacuum-cup and device designs to target muscle, mucosal membranes, and organs.
Delivery evaluations documenting reporter expression and humoral antibody and cellular immune responses involving HPV18 E7 and MERS antigens.
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