Patents Examined by Rodriques, Isabelle
  • Patent number: 4822470
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for the poration and fusion of cells using radiofrequency electrical pulses. The electrodes of the apparatus can be hand held or part of integrated equipment with special containers for cells. The electrodes, which are positioned equal distance from each other, are attached to a power function generator. The power function generator can apply a continuous AC electrical field and/or a pulsed radiofrequency electrical field across the electrodes. The alternating electrical field induces cell dielectrophoresis. The pulsed radiofrequency electrical field porates or fuses the cells. The method can be used to fuse or porate a variety of cells including erythrocyte ghosts, liposomes, vesicles, isolated cells and cultured cells. During the poration or fusions a variety of chemical agents including antibodies, proteins, drugs, molecular probes, hormones, growth factors, DNA, RNA, enzymes, organic chemicals and inorganic chemicals can be introduced into these cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Baylor College of Medicine
    Inventor: Donald C. Chang