Microelectronic positioning for bioparticles

• US 20070077656A1
• Filed: 12/27/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Inventors: Yu, Tung-Ming
• Granted Patent: US 7,682,827 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/440
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/02 Electrical or electromagnetic means, e.g. for electroporation or for cell fusion

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles, which utilizes dielectric and non-contact electrical force of cell themselves associated with multi-phase electrical signals to attain uniformity of distribution of the bioparticles and positioning thereof within micro-areas in a cell culture system. The obstacle of system geometrical structure is eliminated so as to simplify the system layout and programmably change cells'"'"' positions. The present method is suitable for treating cell array in a large quantity. The present method utilizes electrical control for the cells. The clamping of the cells can be removed at any time. It is very advantageous for collection and redistribution of cell products.

Claims

1. A method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles, comprising:

providing a cell culture system, said cell culture system provided with an electrode array therein and said electrode array having a plurality of electrodes;

introducing a liquid containing bioparticles into said cell culture system; and

simultaneously applying several AC signals unto said electrode array, wherein said AC signals have different phases but the same voltage and frequency so as to let said bioparticles position in predetermined regions by electric forces.

2. The method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first AC signal and a second AC signal are applied unto said adjacent electrodes simultaneously.

3. The method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first AC signal and said second AC signal have 180-degree phase difference.

4. The method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first AC signal and said second AC signal have 90-degree phase difference.

5. The method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cell culture system is a vessel culture system.

6. The method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cell culture system is a vessel culture system.

7. The method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said electrode is in a shape of interdigitated castellated.

8. The method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said electrode is in a shape of interdigitated castellated.

9. A method for controlling uniform distribution of bioparticles, comprising:

providing a cell culture system with an electrode array provided therein, said electrode array having several electrode groups and each of said electrode groups having a plurality of adjacent electrodes;

introducing a liquid containing bioparticles into said cell culture system; and

simultaneously applying a plurality of AC signals unto each said electrode group, wherein each said AC signal is individually applied onto one of said electrodes in said electrode group, and each said two adjacent electrodes have AC signals with different phases but the same voltage and frequency so as to let said bioparticles uniformly distributed by electric forces.

10. The method for controlling uniform distribution of bioparticles as claimed in claim 9, wherein said AC signals of said two adjacent electrodes have 90 degree phase difference.

11. The method for controlling uniform distribution of bioparticles as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cell culture system is a vessel culture system.

12. The method for controlling uniform distribution of bioparticles as claimed in claim 10, wherein said cell culture system is a vessel culture system.