Abstract

A device is provided, comprising a cell trap comprising a plurality of micro-chambers, each micro-chamber configured to hold a cell. The device can further comprise a manipulator array comprising a plurality of manipulators, each manipulator in spatial communication with a respective micro-chamber, wherein each manipulator comprises a needle, a stage, and an actuator, wherein the needle is mounted to the stage, and the actuator is operable to apply force to the stage in a direction to move the needle to penetrate a cell in the respective micro-chamber.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12N 15/89 - Introduction of foreign genetic material using processes not otherwise provided for, e.g. co-transformation using microinjection
• B01L 3/00 - Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glasswareDroppers
• B25J 7/00 - Micromanipulators
• C12M 1/32 - Inoculator or sampler multiple field or continuous type
• C12M 1/00 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
• C12M 3/00 - Tissue, human, animal or plant cell, or virus culture apparatus

Abstract

A method of controlling a needle actuator to interact with a cell is provided, the method comprising: providing an actuator comprising a tower, a stage and a needle, wherein the needle is mounted on the stage; applying an electrostatic potential between the tower and the stage to retract the needle; moving the actuator towards the cell; reducing the potential so as to allow the stage and needle to move towards the cell; applying calibration data to detect when the needle has pierced the cell; and reducing the potential further once it has been detected that the needle has pierced the cell. The cell can be a biological cell. The needle can be a micro-needle and the stage can be a micro-stage.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 35/10 - Devices for transferring samples to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
• B25J 7/00 - Micromanipulators
• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups Handling materials therefor

Abstract

A method of controlling a needle actuator to interact with a cell is provided, the method comprising: providing an actuator comprising a tower, a stage and a needle, wherein the needle is mounted on the stage; applying an electrostatic potential between the tower and the stage to retract the needle; moving the actuator towards the cell; reducing the potential so as to allow the stage and needle to move towards the cell; applying calibration data to detect when the needle has pierced the cell; and reducing the potential further once it has been detected that the needle has pierced the cell. The cell can be a biological cell. The needle can be a micro-needle and the stage can be a micro-stage.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 35/10 - Devices for transferring samples to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
• B25J 7/00 - Micromanipulators
• G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups Handling materials therefor
• H01L 23/58 - Structural electrical arrangements for semiconductor devices not otherwise provided for
• G21K 7/00 - Gamma ray or X-ray microscopes
• G01N 23/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or
• H01L 21/302 - Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups to change the physical characteristics of their surfaces, or to change their shape, e.g. etching, polishing, cutting
• C12N 13/00 - Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves
• C12M 1/00 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
• C12M 1/12 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology with sterilisation, filtration, or dialysis means
• C12M 1/32 - Inoculator or sampler multiple field or continuous type

Abstract

A device is provided, comprising a cell trap comprising a plurality of micro-chambers, each micro-chamber configured to hold a cell. The device can further comprise a manipulator array comprising a plurality of manipulators, each manipulator in spatial communication with a respective micro-chamber, wherein each manipulator comprises a needle, a stage, and an actuator, wherein the needle is mounted to the stage, and the actuator is operable to apply force to the stage in a direction to move the needle to penetrate a cell in the respective micro-chamber.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12N 15/89 - Introduction of foreign genetic material using processes not otherwise provided for, e.g. co-transformation using microinjection
• B01L 3/00 - Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glasswareDroppers
• B25J 7/00 - Micromanipulators
• C12M 1/32 - Inoculator or sampler multiple field or continuous type
• C12M 1/00 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
• C12M 3/00 - Tissue, human, animal or plant cell, or virus culture apparatus

Abstract

A device is provided, comprising a cell trap comprising a plurality of micro-chambers, each micro-chamber configured to hold a cell. The device can further comprise a manipulator array comprising a plurality of manipulators, each manipulator in spatial communication with a respective micro-chamber, wherein each manipulator comprises a needle, a stage, and an actuator, wherein the needle is mounted to the stage, and the actuator is operable to apply force to the stage in a direction to move the needle to penetrate a cell in the respective micro-chamber.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12N 15/89 - Introduction of foreign genetic material using processes not otherwise provided for, e.g. co-transformation using microinjection
• C12M 3/00 - Tissue, human, animal or plant cell, or virus culture apparatus

Abstract

A method of controlling a needle actuator to interact with a cell is provided, the method comprising: providing an actuator comprising a tower, a stage and a needle, wherein the needle is mounted on the stage; applying an electrostatic potential between the tower and the stage to retract the needle; moving the actuator towards the cell; reducing the potential so as to allow the stage and needle to move towards the cell; applying calibration data to detect when the needle has pierced the cell; and reducing the potential further once it has been detected that the needle has pierced the cell. The cell can be a biological cell. The needle can be a micro-needle and the stage can be a micro-stage.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12N 15/89 - Introduction of foreign genetic material using processes not otherwise provided for, e.g. co-transformation using microinjection
• B81B 7/00 - Microstructural systems
• B25J 7/00 - Micromanipulators