Needle array and method of introducing biological substances into living cells using the needle array
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for depositing biological substances into target cells in living plant or animal target tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- a mechanical holder for securing a target tissue;
a target tissue secured by the holder and including target cells having a known width and depth from a surface of the target tissue;
an array of micro-needles substantially normal to and extending from a surface of a support substrate for piercing the surface of the target tissue to penetrate the target cells, the needles having a length greater than the depth of the target cells and sufficient to pierce the target cells when the needles are forced into the tissue with the surface of the support substrate adjacent to the surface of the tissue, and a spacing substantially equal to the width of the target cells which allows each needle to pierce one of the target cells, at least a portion of each needle carrying a biological substance for transfer to and deposit within the target cells upon a piercing thereof by the needles;
means for supporting the array of micro-needles relative to the holder; and
means for moving the array of micro-needles relative to the holder to penetrate the target tissue until the surface of the support substrate is adjacent the surface of the target tissue.
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Abstract
An array of micro-needles extending from a support substrate and having tip portions shaped and dimensioned to (1) carry a biological substance and (2) pierce the surface of a target tissue and penetrate target cells within the tissue where the biological substance transfers from the tip portions and deposits within the target cells.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for depositing biological substances into target cells in living plant or animal target tissue, the apparatus comprising:
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a mechanical holder for securing a target tissue; a target tissue secured by the holder and including target cells having a known width and depth from a surface of the target tissue; an array of micro-needles substantially normal to and extending from a surface of a support substrate for piercing the surface of the target tissue to penetrate the target cells, the needles having a length greater than the depth of the target cells and sufficient to pierce the target cells when the needles are forced into the tissue with the surface of the support substrate adjacent to the surface of the tissue, and a spacing substantially equal to the width of the target cells which allows each needle to pierce one of the target cells, at least a portion of each needle carrying a biological substance for transfer to and deposit within the target cells upon a piercing thereof by the needles; means for supporting the array of micro-needles relative to the holder; and means for moving the array of micro-needles relative to the holder to penetrate the target tissue until the surface of the support substrate is adjacent the surface of the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of depositing a biological substance into target cells in a living plant or animal tissue, the target cells having a known width and depth from a surface of the target tissue, the method comprising the step of:
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(a) securing the tissue on a base; (b) mounting an array of micro-needles having tip portions carrying the biological substance or biological substance carrying micro-particles to a holder and aligning the array of needles with the tissue on the base, the needles having a length greater than the depth of the target cells and sufficient to pierce the target cells when the needles are forced into the tissue with the surface of a support substrate for the micro-needles adjacent to the surface of the tissue, and a spacing substantially equal to the width of the target cells to allow each needle to pierce one of the target cells; (c) moving the holder relative to the tissue to force the array of needles into the tissue until the tip portions penetrate the target cells to allow the biological substance to transfer into the target cells; and (d) withdrawing the needle away from the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification