Systems, methods, and devices for electroporation of cell-containing fluid
Electroporation cartridges for single use electroporation as well as electroporation cartridges for automated batch processing, electroporation instruments and systems and methods of electroporation using these devices and systems. Electroporation cartridges include an electroporation chamber defined by an elongate body, a first electrode at a proximal end and a second electrode at a distal end of a chamber. Electroporation systems include one or more components including a pulse generator, compartments for placing either flow-through or single use electroporation cartridges, components for storage of cells, cooling and pre-cooling mechanisms, removably insertable modular casings having compartments for holding and arranging electroporation system and reagent components, one or more pumps for moving sample through the system, and processors and controllers.
1 . An electroporation cartridge, comprising:
an electroporation chamber having an elongate body;
a first electrode disposed at a proximal end of the electroporation chamber;
a second electrode disposed at a distal end of the electroporation chamber opposite the proximal end, wherein the first electrode is moveable from an uncapped position to a capped position, the proximal end of the electroporation chamber being sealed in the capped position;
a fluid overfill space disposed at a proximal region of the electroporation chamber configured to receive a volume of overfill fluid displaced upon moving the first electrode to the capped position; and
one or more stabilizers extending from an outer surface of the elongate body of the electroporation chamber that extends between the first and second electrodes, the one or more stabilizers being configured to stabilize the electroporation cartridge in a standing position, facilitate manipulation of the electroporation cartridge, and facilitate positioning of the electroporation cartridge on an electroporation system.
2 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the electroporation cartridge comprises 2 stabilizers.
3 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the stabilizers comprise one or more feet operable to stabilize a longitudinal axis of the electroporation chamber in a vertical position.
4 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the electroporation chamber comprises a uniform cross section along a length of the electroporation chamber.
5 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 4 , wherein the uniform cross section extends an entire length of the electroporation chamber between the first and second electrodes.
6 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode comprises a bulbous extension having a distal surface with a convex or angled contour configured to contact a sample within the electroporation chamber.
7 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the bulbous extension is separated from a base portion of the first electrode by a stem, a sealing member is disposed about the stem and the stem is disposed exterior to the electroporation chamber in the capped position.
8 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the proximal surface of the second electrode comprises a flat, uniform surface orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the electroporation chamber.
9 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein a volume of the electroporation chamber is less than 5 mL.
10 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein a volume of the electroporation chamber is less than 3 mL.
11 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein a volume of the electroporation chamber is less than 1 mL.
12 . The electroporation cartridge of claim 1 , wherein a volume of the electroporation chamber is between 100 pL to about 1 mL.