Abstract: A system for needle-free drawing of blood is disclosed. A device can include an evacuated negative-pressure barrel with a membrane sealing an aperture at a distal end, and a housing affixed to a proximal end. An accelerator barrel can be positioned within the negative-pressure barrel and fixed to the housing, with an open proximal end in a chamber in the housing, and an open distal end aligned with the aperture. The chamber can be filled with pressurized gas, and a trigger valve can hydrostatically separate the chamber from the open proximal end of the accelerator barrel. A micro-particle positioned within the accelerator barrel can be accelerated to high speed by an abrupt surge of gas by releasing the trigger valve. The micro-particle can attain enough momentum to pierce the aperture membrane and penetrate adjacent dermal tissue. A resulting micro-emergence of blood can be drawn into the negative pressure barrel.

Abstract: A transportation device, transporting a material to a target, includes an input module, a transmission module and an output module. The input module has a containing unit and at least one filter. The at least one filter is connected to the containing unit, and a carrier fluid and the material are stored in the containing unit. The transmission module is coupled to the at least one filter of the input module. The output module has a guiding unit, a throat portion, a first opening and a second opening. The throat portion is positioned between the first opening and the second opening. One end of the guiding unit is connected to the transmission module. The other end of the guiding unit has a guiding corner for connecting to the first opening. The material will enter the output module through the first opening and reaches the target through the second opening.

Abstract: The present invention is designed for use with a biolistic bombardment device having a cold gas shock wave splitter that divides a cold gas shock wave into two or more separate pressure waves that burst into one or more macrocarrier disks so as to create two or more separate microparticle groups. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a divider that is configured to define two or more separate bombardment areas, each configured to contain a respective target and to receive a separate one of the microparticle groups created by a cold gas shock wave splitter. In such a manner, the present invention avoids mixing of microparticles between microparticle groups and allows for independent biolistic bombardment of the targets.

Abstract: A method for moving a probe (10, 91) through a cell material (20), which is formed from biological cells (21), is described, the probe (10) displacing the cells (21) without injury. A probe (10, 91) for performing the method and a cell manipulator, which is equipped with at least one probe of this type, are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a method of disrupting cells comprising adding gold nanorods to a solution containing cells and irradiating the gold nanorods with a laser to disrupt the cells. A method and an apparatus for continuously disrupting cells and amplifying nucleic acids in a single microchamber are also provided, wherein the method comprises introducing a solution containing cells and gold nanorods into a microchamber, irradiating a laser onto the gold nanorods to disrupt the cells, and amplifying a nucleic acid from the disrupted cells in the microchamber. The apparatus comprises a cell disruption chamber comprising a sample inlet, and gold nanorods introduced therein; a laser attached to the cell disruption chamber, wherein the laser is for generating light at a wavelength absorbed by the gold nanorods; and a heater and a cooler for heating and cooling the cell disruption chamber. Also disclosed is a lab-on-a chip comprising the apparatus.

Abstract: A fluid containing cells and free genetic material is acoustically coupled to a propulsion surface of a diaphragm. A blast-receiving surface of the diaphragm is acoustically coupled to an explosion chamber in which an explosive material is disposed. An ignition system ignites the explosive material in the explosion chamber to create a blast wave. The diaphragm transfers momentum from the blast wave to the fluid containing cells and free genetic material sufficient to cause the cells to take up the free genetic material.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a tube with an ingress opening to receive a liquid, and an egress opening to release the liquid, a conductor positioned in a conduit of the tube, the conductor and the conduit having dimensions to cause a surface tension of the liquid to prevent a constant flow of the liquid from the egress opening, and a power supply coupled to the conductor to apply a charge to the liquid to overcome the surface tension and form at the egress opening a single jet stream of the liquid applicable on a substrate to create a pattern. The single jet stream can be controllable in part by a viscosity of the liquid. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid containing cells and free genetic material is acoustically coupled to a propulsion surface of a diaphragm. A blast-receiving surface of the diaphragm is acoustically coupled to an explosion chamber in which an explosive material is disposed. An ignition system ignites the explosive material in the explosion chamber to create a blast wave. The diaphragm transfers momentum from the blast wave to the fluid containing cells and free genetic material sufficient to cause the cells to take up the free genetic material.

Abstract: Low pressure biolistic barrels and biolistic devices including the same are provided. Aspects of the biolistic barrels include the presence of one or more pressure-reducing elements. Also provided are kits which include the biolistic barrels, as well as methods of delivering a molecule to a target site with the biolistic barrels and devices that include the same. The devices and methods described herein find use in a variety of applications, including in vivo and in vitro high-precision delivery applications.

Abstract: A system for exposing a target material to small particles. The system includes an exposure chamber that receives the target material. A stream of charged particles is directed via an inlet into the exposure chamber toward the target material. One or more electrodes are located relative to the target material and the inlet, and are electrically charged, so as to cause at least some of the charged particles to impact upon the target material. The system can be used to expose the target material to small, for example, nanoscale, particles in a gas environment.

Abstract: The present invention is designed for use with a biolistic bombardment device having a cold gas shock wave splitter that divides a cold gas shock wave into two or more separate pressure waves that burst into one or more macrocarrier disks so as to create two or more separate microparticle groups. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a divider that is configured to define two or more separate bombardment areas, each configured to contain a respective target and to receive a separate one of the microparticle groups created by a cold gas shock wave splitter. In such a manner, the present invention avoids mixing of microparticles between microparticle groups and allows for independent biolistic bombardment of the targets.

Abstract: A nanostructured molecular delivery vehicle comprising magnetic materials and configured to receive passenger biomolecules. The application of a an appropriate magnetic field having a gradient orients and drives the vehicle into a biological target, which may comprise cells, cell masses, tissue slices, tissues, etc. Under the control of the magnetic field, these vehicles can penetrate cell membranes. Then, the biomolecules carried by the vehicle can be released into the cells to perform their functions. Using this “nanospearing” technique, unprecendented high transfection efficiency has been achieved in several difficult-to-transfect cells. These include, but are not limited to, Bal 17 cells, ex vivo B cells, primary cultured cortical neurons, etc. This method advances the state of the art, providing an improved technique for the introduction of exogenous molecules to cells, with the clinical applications including, but not being limited to, drug delivery, gene therapy, vaccination, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relate to methods and devices for holding a cell and positioning recording electrodes inside it.

Abstract: The capillary gun for delivery of ballistic particles to a target includes an inner capillary tube disposed concentrically within an outer capillary tube with the input end of the inner tube connected to a channel through which a continuous flow of high speed helium gas carrying ballistic particles is introduced. The outer capillary tube, which is connected to a vacuum source, has an outlet end that extends slightly beyond the end of the inner tube. A cap placed over the output end of the outer tube has an opening at its center through which the particles exit the device. The vacuum source applies continuous suction to the space between the outer tube and the inner tube, drawing the gas from the output end of the inner tube while the inertia of the accelerated particles causes them to continue in the axial direction through the exit opening for delivery to the target. Multiple particle injectors provide for the concurrent injection of different materials without disruption of the gas flow.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture vessel which is simple in structure and easy to handle, and is capable of preventing damage to the cells when separated, promoting transport of nutrients and excretion of effete matter, and elevating the culturing efficiency improving effect by the structural features. In order to attain the above object, there is provided a cell culture vessel including a culture section provided with a plurality of projections having an equivalent diameter smaller than the cells to be cultured and the culture section side walls enclosing the culture section, wherein the distance between an arbitrary position on the culture section/side wall boundary line and the nearest projection is smaller than the diameter of the cells to be cultured. The effect of the projections in the vessel given to the cultured cells is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in an apparatus for detecting chemotaxis of cells. It aims at providing a structure for detecting chemotaxis of cells at an elevated accuracy with the use of a microquantity of cells. That is to say, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for detecting chemotaxis of cells by which cell injection and position control can be easily carried out while ensuring the prevention of unexpected migration of the cells definitely positioned in a well or the injected sample so that a stable concentration gradient due to the diffusion of the specimen can be maintained and which ensures further automated operation and controlling.

Abstract: Devices and methods for constraining or holding a cell are provided. In one aspect, for example, a cellular constraint device is provided. Such a device can include a support surface and at least one constraining arm movably coupled to the support surface. The constraining arm has a first position in which the constraining arm is substantially parallel and substantially adjacent to the support surface. Additionally, at least a portion of the constraining arm is movable away from the support surface to a second position where the constraining arm is operable to constrain a single cell.

Abstract: A fluid containing cells and free genetic material is acoustically coupled to a propulsion surface of a diaphragm. A blast-receiving surface of the diaphragm is acoustically coupled to an explosion chamber in which an explosive material is disposed. An ignition system ignites the explosive material in the explosion chamber to create a blast wave. The diaphragm transfers momentum from the blast wave to the fluid containing cells and free genetic material sufficient to cause the cells to take up the free genetic material.

Abstract: A cone-shaped adapter for attachment to a muzzle of a gene gun is generally provided. The cone-shaped adapter comprises sidewalls that taper from a base plane at one end and to an apex aperture at an opposite end and a fitting. The sidewalls form a base angle of from about 85° to about 45° with the base plane. The fitting is attached to the sidewalls at the base plane and is configured to connect the cone-shaped adapter to the muzzle of the gene gun. Methods of using the cone-shaped adapter with a gene gun are also provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture vessel which is simple in structure and easy to handle, and is capable of preventing damage to the cells when separated, promoting transport of nutrients and excretion of effete matter, and elevating the culturing efficiency improving effect by the structural features. In order to attain the above object, there is provided a cell culture vessel including a culture section provided with a plurality of projections having an equivalent diameter smaller than the cells to be cultured and the culture section side walls enclosing the culture section, wherein the distance between an arbitrary position on the culture section/side wall boundary line and the nearest projection is smaller than the diameter of the cells to be cultured. The effect of the projections in the vessel given to the cultured cells is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene gun and the application of the gene gun for gene transformation. A low pressure gas is used in the gene gun to directly accelerate the biological material containing solution, so that the biological materials penetrate through the cell membrane/wall or the skin of an animal, without using metal particle carriers, for gene transformation.

Abstract: There is provided a method by which multiple types of substances desired to be transferred into cells can be continuously transferred into multiple types of cells by a convenient procedure, a cell in which the substance desired to be transferred into cells has been taken up by this method, and an apparatus for transferring a substance into cells by this method. The foregoing objects can be achieved by electrospraying cells with a liquid free from the substance to be transferred into cells while the cells are kept in contact with the substance to be transferred into cells, or first electrospraying cells with a liquid free from the substance to be transferred into cells and then bringing the cells into contact with the substance to be transferred into cells.

Abstract: Reagents useful in nucleic acid immunization techniques are described. More particularly, adjuvanted genetic vaccine compositions are described, as are methods of using those compositions for inducing an enhanced immune response against a selected antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for biolistic bombardment of cells. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a hollow tube or cylinder that attaches to a standard biolistic transformation apparatus, and focuses the nucleic acids at cells and tissue sections. In a typical configuration, the device has two barrels that deliver equal or substantially equal amounts of nucleic acids to cells of a tissue, such as a plant leaf.

Abstract: The capillary gun for delivery of ballistic particles to a target includes an inner capillary tube disposed concentrically within an outer capillary tube with the input end of the inner tube connected to a channel through which a continuous flow of high speed helium gas carrying ballistic particles is introduced. The outer capillary tube, which is connected to a vacuum source, has an outlet end that extends slightly beyond the end of the inner tube. A cap placed over the output end of the outer tube has an opening at its center through which the particles exit the device. The vacuum source applies continuous suction to the space between the outer tube and the inner tube, drawing the gas from the output end of the inner tube while the inertia of the accelerated particles causes them to continue in the axial direction through the exit opening for delivery to the target. Multiple particle injectors provide for the concurrent injection of different materials without disruption of the gas flow.

Abstract: Porous and/or polycrystalline silicon are used in the delivery of substances into cells. The porous and/or polycrystalline silicon can be formed into micropiercers, microneedles and biolistic bullets for penetration of the cell. The control of the pore size and porosity of the porous and/or polycrystalline silicon allows tuning of the bioactivity of the porous silicon. The porous and/or polycrystalline silicon is also resorbable and is therefore resorbed from the cells without leaving any particles or being seen as a foreign body. Methods of manufacturing the porous silicon micropiercers, microneedles, microelectrodes, biolistic bullets, and precipitation of calcium phosphate on a bioactive substrate, and their advantages over known methods of delivering materials into cells.

Abstract: An electrospraying apparatus and/or method is used to coat particles. For example, a flow including at least one liquid suspension may be provided through at least one opening at a spray dispenser end. The flow includes at least particles and a coating material. A spray of microdroplets suspending at least the particles is established forward of the spray dispenser end by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the spray dispenser end and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom. The particles are coated with at least a portion of the coating material as the microdroplet evaporates. For example, the suspension may include biological material particles.

Abstract: A method and device for delivering a quantity of at least one material to a selected single cell in a manner that permits impingement of material with the cell. The material travels at a suitable trajectory and velocity and is ejected from an electronically controllable fluid device.

Abstract: A lid for a well plate is provided. Pins penetrate the lid and project downwardly into the wells of the well plate. Thermal energy is applied to the upper end of the pin to regulate the temperature of liquid samples in the well plate. Ultrasonic energy is applied to the upper end of the pin to sonicate the liquid sample. An electrical charge is applied to the upper end of the pin to attract charged materials, such as DNA, and to selectably segregate charged materials from the liquid sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate product comprising at least one microprojectile; characterized in that the or at least one of the microprojectiles comprises silicon. The invention also relates to devices and components used in the microprojectile implantation of the particulate product to a target of cells or target tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the introduction of molecules, including nucleic acids, carbohydrates, plant growth regulators and peptides into cells and tissues. The present invention is also directed to media and methods for enhancing embryogenic callus production of elite lines of soybean.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of porous silicon in the delivery of substances into cells. The porous silicon can be formed into micropiercers, microneedles and biolistic bullets for peenetration of the cell. The control of the pore size and porosity of the porous silicon allows tuning of the bioactivity of the porous silicon. The porous silicon is also resorbable and is therefore resorbed from the cells without leaving any particles or being seen as a foreign body. The present invention also relates to the methods of manufacturing the porous silicon micropiercers, microneedles, microelectrodes, biolistic bullets, and precipitation of calcium phosphate on a bioactive substrate, and their advantages over known methods of delivering materials into cells.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for accelerating micro particles for use in delivering DNA or a solid drug in which a shockwave is generated by applying a short pulse energy to a surface of a metal foil to be absorbed and cause vaporization and plasmatization of the metal foil. A jet is generated by a sudden expansion of metal gas and thereby the shockwave is generated on a surface of an opposite side of the metal foil on which the micro particles are arranged.

Abstract: A biolistic device for accelerating a carrier gas bearing particles is provided. The device comprises an elongate body (36) with a cylindrical channel (40) extending therethrough, wherein a first end of the channel is adapted to receive gas for acceleration and a second end of the channel is adapted to direct gas to a target. A less dispersive output beam is produced which increases the depth and penetration of the beam for a given gas pressure and provides transfection of cells over a greater depth. The elongate body (60) comprises an accelerating section (80, 82), and an output section (84) the channel (64) extending through both the accelerating section and the output section, wherein the output section has a plurality of apertures extending at an angle from an inner wall of the output section to an outer wall of the output section. These apertures (88) reduce gas turbulence within the output section and result in a laminar flow of carrier gas from the output orifice.

Abstract: A method of delivery of reactive substances that are attached to magnetizable needle-like particles using a magneto-mechanical delivery device. The subject method and device can be utilized for the delivery of reactive or other substances, such as DNA via the penetration of a target body. Such penetration of a target or multiple targets can initiate the interaction between the material contained within the target site and the chemical substances delivered by the particles into the targets. In a preferred embodiment, the subject device is portable and does not require electrical power.

Abstract: A gene which is used for transfection into a bony tissue with a gene gun. The gene can well repair a cartilage defective portion to a nearly normal state by transfecting it in the bony tissue for transplantation in the cartilage defective portion without affecting the bony tissue.

Abstract: Shockwave is generated by applying a short pulse energy to a surface of a metal foil to be absorbed and cause vaporization and plasmatization of the metal foil, generating thereby a jet by a sudden expansion of metal gas and thereby generating a shockwave on a surface of an opposite side of the metal foil.

Abstract: A method of delivery of reactive substances that are attached to magnetizable needle-like particles using a magneto-mechanical delivery device. The subject method and device can be utilized for the delivery of reactive or other substances, such as DNA via the penetration of a target body. Such penetration of a target or multiple targets can initiate the interaction between the material contained within the target site and the chemical substances delivered by the particles into the targets. In a preferred embodiment, the subject device is portable and does not require electrical power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of targeting transient gene expression and stable gene expression from the exogenous administration of a DNA sequence, which sequence is less than a complete genome, wherein said DNA sequence encodes RNA and protein, or RNA only, to differentiate tissue of living organisms wherein said DNA sequence through a jet injector technique, and said DNA sequence of less than a complete genome is expressed in a living organism. The present invention further provides a flexible multi-nozzle injector device with a wide surface area to allow molding of the injector nozzle to the surface contours of the tissue. Another aspect of the present invention provides an injection device having a long nozzle for injection of DNA deep into the host tissue. Also, in a further aspect the present invention provides an injector device modified to be used with and/or inject through an endoscopic device.

Abstract: A gene gun is described wherein the contour design of the spray nozzle of the gene gun modifies the operation of the gene gun. A low pressure gas is used to accelerate the micro-particles that are coated with nucleic acid of a foreign gene into cytoplasma or nuclei of an animal or plant cell to express the special protein and to generate the new biological function.

Abstract: A sample and a binding enhancer are supplied to a treating container using a pipette tip connected to a connecting nozzle. A mixture in the treating container is sucked into a nucleic acid trapping pipette tip, and nucleic acid in the mixture is trapped by a solid phase substance contained in the pipette tip. After the solid phase substance is washed with a washing solution, an eluting solution is sucked into the nucleic acid trapping pipette tip, and a liquid containing the eluted nucleic acid is discharged to a purified product container.

Abstract: A method of introducing biological material into cells includes providing one or more target cells and establishing a spray of substantially dispersed particles including biological material. The substantially dispersed particles have an electrical charge applied thereto such that one or,more of the substantially dispersed particles of the spray is introduced into one or more of the target cells. The spray of substantially dispersed particles may be established by dispensing a spray of microdroplets suspending particles. The electrical charge is concentrated on the suspended particles as the microdroplet evaporates. The suspended particles may include carrier particles with biological material or the suspended particles may be particles of biological material alone. The space charge effect of the concentrated electrical charge on the substantially dispersed particles of the spray enable one or more of the particles to be introduced into one or more of the target cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of targeting transient gene expression and stable gene expression from the exogenous administration of a DNA sequence, which sequence is less than a complete genome, wherein said DNA sequence encodes RNA and protein, or RNA only, to differentiate tissue of living organisms wherein said DNA sequence through a jet injector technique, and said DNA sequence of less than a complete genome is expressed in a living organism. The present invention further provides a flexible multi-nozzle injector device with a wide surface area to allow molding of the injector nozzle to the surface contours of the tissue. Another aspect of the present invention provides an injection device having a long nozzle for injection of DNA deep into the host tissue. Also, in a further aspect the present invention provides an injector device modified to be used with and/or inject through an endoscopic device.

Abstract: Agitation systems for reversibly directing fluid samples flow back and forth across a nucleic acid array, thereby promoting hybridization between targets in the fluid sample and probes on the nucleic acid array.

Abstract: An improved particle bombardment device for transporting biological substances such as DNA into living cells. The device has a flexible barrel (40) that facilitates endoscopic particle bombardment of in vivo cells without a significant concomitant blast effect and without a need for a vacuum. The device also involves a unique tapered particle-carrying macroprojectile that can travel through convolutions of such a flexible barrel (40) with minimal friction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the method and apparatus for the cytoplasmic loading of macromolecules into living cells by an impact-mediated procedure that impacts the cells with a predetermined number of solid particles in a blast of propellant gas. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an impact-mediated procedure that is altered by gravitational conditions and is preferably carried out under hypergravity conditions. Further, the present invention is directed to an IML method and apparatus for consistently and reproducibly loading macromolecules into the cytoplasm of living cells via membrane wounding at significantly higher efficiencies than can be accomplished using existing methodologies. The IML procedure directs a blast of propellant gas through a rupturable membrane on which solid particles are supported in order to achieve insertion of a predetermined number of particles into the propellant blast.