KR100967850B1 - Apparatus and Method of Automatic Multi-Cell Injection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for injecting certain substances into one or more cells. More specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for injecting a user's desired substance into various kinds of cells using the reaction force of the cells. The device is an injection device for injecting a predetermined substance into the fixed one or more cells in conjunction with a forceps device for fixing the one or more cells in a predetermined position, a force measuring system for measuring the reaction force of the fixed one or more cells and a force measuring system It may include a system. The present invention can automatically capture the moment when the injection can be injected using the reaction force generated on the surface of the cell, it is possible to automatically inject a variety of materials of the desired type to the cell of the desired type.

Cell, reaction force, injection material, cell injection device, cell injection method

Description

Apparatus and Method of Automatic Multi-Cell Injection

The present invention relates to an automated apparatus and method for automatically injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells of various sizes using the reaction force of the cells.

Hereinafter, a description will be briefly given of techniques generally used in connection with the technical field of the present invention.

In general, as a method for injecting cells into a living tissue, there is a method of injecting the fixed tissue with a micro vibrating injection needle to inject cell suspension into the tissue through the needle. In addition, there is a method of injecting stem cells using a catheter through blood vessels connected to the organs of the living body.

On the other hand, as a commonly used injection method, the technique of injecting a predetermined substance into the cell itself is not automated, there is a problem that requires a lot of manual work of the operator. In addition, in the case of injecting a predetermined substance into the cell, the success rate of injecting the predetermined substance is also determined by the ability of the operator, so a new type of injection automation system is required.

In addition, it is difficult to implement a method of injecting a predetermined substance into each cell using general techniques and an automated device for injecting a predetermined substance into each cell. This is because general techniques relate to a method or device for injecting multiple cells into a particular biological tissue or organ.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the general technique as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for automatically injecting a predetermined substance into each cell by fixing a plurality of cells.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for injecting a substance into a cell by using reaction force generated on the cell itself or the surface of the cell when inserting the injector to inject the substance into the cell.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for simultaneously fixing a plurality of cells and injecting an injection material desired by a user into each cell by using reaction force of each cell.

In order to solve the above technical problem, embodiments of the present invention are directed to an automated device and an injection method capable of automatically injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells of various sizes.

In one aspect of the present invention, a cell injection device for injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells using the reaction force of one or more cells is a forceps device for fixing one or more cells in a predetermined position, the reaction force of the fixed one or more cells It may include a force measuring system for measuring and an injection system for injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells fixed in conjunction with the force measuring system.

At this time, reaction force generated in one or more cells may occur when one or more injectors included in the injection system come into contact with one or more cells.

In addition, the tongs device in the device may include one or more piezoelectric materials. In addition, the tongs device in the device may include one or more electrodes.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cell injection device for injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells by using the reaction force of one or more cells, is provided on one side of the fluid system, fluid system to which one or more cells are moved A counter for acquiring information regarding movement and position, an inlet including one or more injectors provided on one side of the fluid system, for holding one or more cells in a predetermined position, and one or more injectors for injecting the injectable material into the fixed one or more cells A force measuring system and the fluid system, the counter, the forceps, and the injection system, which are provided on one side of the system, the injection system and can measure the reaction force of each of the one or more cells generated when the one or more injectors are inserted into the one or more cells. It may include a control unit for controlling the system and the force measurement system.

In the cell injection device, the fluid system includes a cell tunnel and a cell tunnel, each cell including a first cell storage unit for storing one or more cells and a predetermined fluid provided on one side of the first cell storage unit for moving one or more cells. One side may include one or more injector inlet and one or more injector is inserted into one side of the cell tunnel and a second cell storage unit for storing one or more cells.

In addition, the counter in the cell injection device may include a transmitter for transmitting a signal for recognizing the movement and position of the cell and a receiver for receiving the signal transmitted from the transmitter.

In addition, the injection system in the cell injection device is provided on one side of one or more injectors to store a predetermined material to be injected into one or more cells and one or more injector and the injection material storage unit to drive a predetermined material one One or more injectors may inject a predetermined substance into one or more cells fixed through one or more injector inlets. At this time, the predetermined substance may be determined according to the reaction force of each of the one or more cells and whether or not the injection.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a cell injection method for injecting a predetermined substance into the one or more cells using the reaction force of one or more cells, the method comprising the steps of fixing one or more cells, the reaction force of each of the fixed one or more cells Measuring and injecting a substance into one or more cells using the reaction force of each of the measured one or more cells.

In addition, the fixing of the one or more cells in the cell injection method further comprises the step of obtaining the location information of the one or more cells to fix the one or more cells, each of the one or more cells based on the acquired location information Can be fixed

In addition, in the cell injection method, the reaction force of one or more cells may be measured by applying a predetermined pressure to each of the one or more cells, and simultaneously measuring the reaction force generated in the one or more cells.

In addition, in the cell injection method, the reaction force of one or more cells may be measured by applying a predetermined pressure to each of the one or more cells to individually measure the reaction force generated in each of the one or more cells.

In addition, injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells in the cell injection method may determine the type and injection of the predetermined substance according to the reaction force of each of the one or more cells, and simultaneously inject the predetermined substance into one or more cells. have.

In addition, the step of injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells in the cell injection method determines the type and injection of the predetermined substance in accordance with the reaction force of each of the one or more cells, one or more cells to the predetermined substance Only predetermined cells can be injected.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a cell injection method for injecting a substance into one or more cells by using the reaction force of one or more cells uses a counter to determine location information of each cell when one or more cells move through the fluid system. Acquiring step, at least one according to the position information obtained by using a forceps device including one or more piezoelectric materials to deform the shape in the direction in which the force is applied when the predetermined force is applied to fix one or more cells to a predetermined position Fixing the cells, inserting one or more injectors included in the injection system into each of the fixed one or more cells, information about reaction forces generated when inserting one or more injectors into each of the one or more cells using a force measurement system To measure at least one cell based on the information and the reaction force Using more than one injector may comprise the step of injecting a predetermined material.

As another aspect of the invention, a cell injection method for injecting a substance into one or more cells using the reaction force of one or more cells, each of the one or more cells using a counter when one or more cells move through the fluid system Acquiring the position information of the apparatus using a forceps device provided at one side of the fluid system and fixing each of the one or more cells using dielectric electrophoresis generated when an alternating voltage is applied to at least one electrode. Fixing the cells, inserting one or more injectors included in the injection system into each of the fixed one or more cells, information about reaction forces generated when inserting one or more injectors into each of the one or more cells using a force measurement system One or more based on information about the steps and the reaction force Injecting a predetermined substance into the cells of using one or more injectors.

According to the present invention has the following effects.

First, the present invention may provide a cell injection device capable of automatically injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells by using a fluid device and a counter, a forceps, an injection unit, and a force measuring unit.

Second, when the injection method of injecting a predetermined substance into the cell by hand, a long time practice time is required, and the success rate depends on the skill and fatigue of the operator. In order to compensate for this, in the present invention, when the injector is inserted into the cell, the cell injecting device automatically captures the moment of injecting a predetermined substance into the cell by using reaction force generated on the cell surface or the cell itself, and thus, the cell injector is applied to one or more cells. The procedure of injecting the desired substance can be performed automatically.

Third, using embodiments of the present invention, one or more cells can be injected simultaneously or separately with a desired injection material.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention is fixed to each of the one or more cells to one or more forceps, using the reaction force generated when inserting the injector into the cells, each cell is automatically injected with a predetermined material It relates to an apparatus and a method.

The following embodiments combine the components and features of the present invention in a predetermined form. Each component or feature may be considered to be optional unless otherwise stated. Each component or feature may be implemented in a form that is not combined with other components or features. In addition, some of the elements and / or features may be combined to form an embodiment of the present invention. The order of the operations described in the embodiments of the present invention may be changed. Some components or features of one embodiment may be included in another embodiment, or may be replaced with corresponding components or features of another embodiment.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification. When a part of a layer, film, area, plate, etc. is said to be "on top" of another part, this includes not only the other part being "right over" but also another part in the middle. On the contrary, when a part is 'just above' another part, there is no other part in the middle.

Specific terms used in the following description are provided to help the understanding of the present invention, and the use of the specific terms may be modified in other forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Among the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention, a device for automatically injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells is called a 'cell injection device', and a method of automatically injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells is called ' Cell injection method.
In the embodiments of the present invention, "reaction force" refers to a force generated by reaction to a force acting on an object, and has the same meaning as "reaction force", "reaction force" and / or "reaction force". . In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention, the term "cell reaction force", when applying the above meaning, means a force generated on the cell itself or the cell surface by reaction to the physical force acting on the cell.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a block diagram (a) and a perspective view (b) of a cell injector, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the cell injection apparatus 100 includes a fluid system 200 for moving a cell in a predetermined fluid, a counter 300 for obtaining information about the movement and position of the cell, and a fluid in the fluid. One or more forceps 400 for fixing one or more moving cells, an injection system 500 for inserting an injector into the fixed cells, and a reaction force provided at one side of the injection system to insert the injector into the cells It may include a force measuring system 540 capable of measuring. In addition, the cell injection device 100 may further include a control unit 610 and a power input unit 620 for supplying power to the components.
In the embodiments of the present invention, the term "system" means an apparatus or a part of an apparatus including one or more components to perform one or more purposes according to the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention, "system" means an apparatus or part of an apparatus for performing a specific purpose using any hardware or software. Thus, in embodiments of the present invention, "fluid system" may be used in the same sense as "fluid device 200", "injection system" may be used in the same sense as "injection 500" , "Force measurement system" may be used in the same sense as "force measurement unit 540".

At this time, the control unit 610 operates one or more forceps 400 using information on the movement and position of the cells obtained through the counter 300, and predetermined within the cell using the force measuring system 540. It controls to inject the substance. In addition, the controller 610 may drive the injection system 500 using the reaction force for each cell measured by the force measurement system 540.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the cell injection device 100 includes a fluid system 200. The fluid system 200 includes a first cell storage unit 210 in which cells are initially stored, a cell tunnel 220 through which cells move through a fluid, one or more injector inlets into which an injector is inserted, and cells into which a predetermined substance is injected. It may include a second cell storage unit 240 is stored.

One side of the fluid system 200 may be provided with a counter 300, a forceps device 400, an injection system 500 and a force measuring system. In addition, the cell injection device 100 is a control unit 610 and the cell injection device for controlling the fluid system 200, the counter 300, the forceps device 400, the injection system 500 and the force measurement system 540. It may further include a power input unit 620 for supplying power to the (100).

The shape of the cell injection device 100 shown in Figure 1 (b) is only one example for showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, any type of cell injection device is included in the technical idea of the present invention as long as the configuration of FIG. 1 (a) is included.

In addition, in Figure 1 (b) it is shown in a simplified geometric figure to clearly show the shape of each component. Accordingly, each component of FIG. 1 (b) may be modified into a preferred form in an actual implementation.

2 is a diagram of a fluid system 200 that may be used in embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the fluid system 200 is provided at one side of the first cell storage unit 210 and the first cell storage unit 210 in which the first cells 250 are stored to provide the first cells 250. A cell tunnel 220 containing a suitable solution for movement, one or more injector inlets 230 provided on one side of the cell tunnel 220 to form a passage through which one or more injectors included in the injection system are inserted, and the desired material The implanted cells may include a second storage unit 240 is stored.

At this time, the injector inlet may be formed in one or more. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cell injector is provided with five injector inlets, but may be provided with fewer or more injector inlets according to user requirements.

In order to inject a predetermined substance into the initial cells 250 stored in the first cell storage unit 210 of the fluid system 200, the second cell storage unit 240 is formed in the first cell storage unit 210. Initial cells must be moved. Therefore, when pressure is applied to the first cell storage unit 210 using the power supplied from the power supply unit 620, the initial cells 250 stored in the first cell storage unit 210 are cell tunnels 220. Will go through. At this time, the pressure applied to the first cell reservoir is sufficient to require the movement of the small cells.

In FIG. 2, the arrow in the cell tunnel 220 indicates the direction of movement of the cells. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pumping of the cells by applying pressure to the first cell storage 210 is exemplified, but the cells may be moved by using mechanical energy.

The fluid system 200 may be manufactured using various kinds of materials. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a fluid system is preferably created using silicon (Si) as an example. Fabricating the fluid system with silicon has the advantage that the operator can easily observe the movement of the cells.

In addition, the height h of the injector inlet 230 in the fluid system 200 may be determined by the pressure P applied to the fluid (or solution) and the density δ of the fluid.

3 is a diagram illustrating a counter 300 capable of acquiring information about the movement and location of the cell 250, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the counter 300 may include a transmitter 310 transmitting a signal for recognizing a movement and a location of a cell, and a receiver 320 receiving a signal transmitted from the transmitter.

Information about the position of the cell 250 may be obtained by using the signal disconnection of the transmitter 310 and the receiver 320. For example, while continuously transmitting a signal from the transmitter 310 to the receiver 320 of the counter 300, the cell 250a moves between the transmitter 310 and the receiver 320 so that the signal is cut off. do. The counter 300 may obtain information about the position of the cell 250a by using the disconnection of the signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a signal of light may be used as a signal generated by the transmitter. That is, the transmitter 310 may be a light emitter and the receiver 320 may be a light receiver. The light emitting unit 310 continuously generates a laser signal and recognizes the position of the cell by using the moment when the laser signal is cut off as the cell 250a passes. Of course, a signal such as electromagnetic waves or sound waves may be used as the signal generated by the transmitter.

At this time, when the position of the cell is recognized by the counter 300, the pressure applied to the first storage unit 210 may be stopped to prevent the movement of the next cell. At this time, by using the information on the distance (d) and the flow rate (v) already known in the forceps device 400 can be fixed to the cell at the desired position.

The counter 300 shown in FIG. 3 may take various forms. Therefore, if the counter 300 is provided at one side of the cell tunnel 220, and the signal transmitted from the transmitter 310 can be transmitted to the receiver 320 through the cell tunnel 220, the counter 300 is It may take any form.

4 is a view showing an example of the forceps device 400 used to fix one or more cells used in one embodiment of the present invention in a predetermined position.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cell injection device may include a forceps device 400 that uses a piezoelectric material to fix cells. The tongs device may include one or more piezoelectric materials, and in the embodiment of the present invention, five piezoelectric materials 410a, 430a, 450a, 470a, and 490a are provided in the fluid system 200 to fix cells respectively. Can be done. The tongs device can be located inside or outside the fluid system.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the piezoelectric material refers to a material in which polarization of charges occurs due to mechanical deformation, or on the contrary, deformation occurs when an electric field is applied. This phenomenon is also called a piezoelectricity phenomenon. At this time, materials that are well formed piezoelectric phenomenon are called piezoelectric materials. Representative examples of the piezoelectric materials include quartz, tourmaline, and Rochelle salt, and various piezoelectric materials may be artificially manufactured and used.

5 is a view showing a process of fixing a cell using a forceps device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, when pressure P is applied to the first storage unit 210, the initial cells 250 sequentially move to the second storage unit 240. In this case, when the information on the movement and position of the cell is acquired by the counter 300, the pressure applied to the first storage unit 210 may be stopped for the movement of the cell after a predetermined time. Accordingly, the movement of the cells is stopped, and when the cells are positioned on the piezoelectric material 410a, the piezoelectric material 410a can be operated to fix the cells at a desired position of the user.

6 is a view showing a process of fixing a cell using the forceps of the cell injection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 shows that after the first cell is fixed to the first piezoelectric material 410a, the second cell is moved by applying a pressure P to the first storage unit 210 again. At this time, the counter 300 may obtain information about the movement and position of the second cell. When the second cell moves to a desired position of the user, an AC voltage is applied to the second piezoelectric material 430a. Therefore, an electromagnetic force is applied to the piezoelectric material 430a, and the piezoelectric material 430a is deformed to fix the cell at a desired position.

7 is a view showing a process of fixing the cells using the forceps of the cell injection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 shows a state in which all the cells are captured on each piezoelectric material by using the piezoelectric materials of the forceps 400 through the processes of FIGS. 4 to 6. As a result, a plurality of cells can be fixed using a forceps device, and preparations for injecting a predetermined substance into the fixed plurality of cells are completed. In FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, the tong device was described using five piezoelectric materials as an example. However, the tong device may include five or more piezoelectric materials according to the user's requirements, the number may vary depending on the user's requirements.

8 is a diagram showing another example of the forceps device 400 used to fix one or more cells used in one embodiment of the present invention at a predetermined position.

In FIG. 8, the number of electrodes used as the forceps device is described as an example of five (410b, 430b, 450b, 470b, and 490b). Referring to FIG. 8, when pressure is applied to the first storage unit 210, the initial cells 250 sequentially move to the second storage unit 240. In this case, when the information on the movement and position of the cell is acquired by the counter 300, the pressure applied to the first storage unit 210 may be stopped for the movement of the cell after a predetermined time. Therefore, the movement of the cells is stopped, and when the cell is positioned around the electrode 410b, the AC 250 can be fixed by applying an alternating voltage to the electrode 410b. That is, the cell can be fixed by using dielectric electrophoretic force generated by an alternating voltage applied to the electrode.

9 is a view showing a process of fixing the cells using the forceps device 400, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the first cell is positioned around the first electrode 410b, the cell may be fixed by applying an alternating voltage to the electrode. In addition, pressure P is applied again to the first cell reservoir to move the second cell to the desired position. Pressure is applied to the first cell storage unit so that the second cell moves through the cell tunnel 220, and the counter 300 obtains information about the movement and location of the cell.

10 is a view showing a process of fixing a cell using the forceps of the cell injection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the second cell is positioned around the second electrode 430b, the second cell 430b may be applied with an alternating voltage to capture the second cell. In addition, the counter 300 may be used to obtain information about the movement and location of the third cell.

11 is a view showing a process of fixing a cell using a forceps device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which all cells are fixed using the electrodes as the forceps device 400 through the process of FIGS. 8 to 10. In addition, in FIG. 8 to FIG. 11, the tong device was described using five electrodes as an example. However, the tongs device may include five or more or less electrodes according to the user's requirements, the number of which may vary depending on the user's requirements.

4 to 11, a method of fixing a cell by using a forceps device including a piezoelectric material or an electrode. That is, the user can effectively fix a plurality of cells in a desired position using one or more forceps. In addition, a user may insert an injector into each of a plurality of fixed cells and inject a predetermined substance.

12 is a diagram illustrating an injection system (a) and an example of an operation procedure (b) for injecting a substance into one or more fixed cells, according to one embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 12A, the injection system 500 includes one or more injectors 510 for penetrating the outer wall of the cell and injecting a predetermined injection material into the cell, and an injection material storage part 520 for storing the predetermined material injected into the cell. ), A driver 530 for precisely operating the injector to inject a predetermined substance into the cell, and a force measuring system 540 for measuring in real time the reaction force generated when the injector is injected into the cell. can do.

In this case, the one or more injectors 510 may be controlled to operate at the same time, or may be controlled to operate separately. Injection material storage unit 520 may store one or more injection material according to the user's requirements. In addition, the force measurement system 540 may have information about the reaction force of the various types of cells, the force measurement system 540 may measure and store information about the reaction force of the new cell.

12 (a) and 12 (b), the principle of injecting a predetermined substance into one or more cells is as follows. When pressure is applied to an outer wall of a cell using a specific object (eg, an injector), reaction forces are generated on the outer wall of the cell. The user may capture the moment when the outer wall of the cell is pierced by using the reaction force.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between reaction force and insertion distance that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

In Figure 13, the vertical axis represents the reaction force, and the horizontal axis represents the relationship between the insertion depth from the surface of the cell (Insertion Depth). Referring to FIG. 13, the reaction force and the insertion distance increase at a constant ratio, and at a certain moment, the reaction force suddenly decreases rapidly. This indicates the position of the moment when the outer wall of the cell is opened by continuously applying a constant force to the injector from the moment when the injector contacts the outer wall of the cell. Thus, using FIG. 13, information about a time or a distance at which the outer wall of the cell is punctured, that is, a predetermined substance is injected into the cell may be obtained.

Referring back to FIG. 12 (b), each cell moves from the first cell storage 210 to the second cell storage 240 through the cell tunnel 220. When the counter 300 installed at the upper part of the cell tunnel 220 acquires information on the movement and location of one or more cells and transfers the information to the control unit 610, the control unit 610 passes the first cell after a predetermined time elapses. The pressure applied to the storage 210 is controlled. In addition, when each cell stops on one or more electrodes 410b, 430b, 450b, 470b, and 490b, which are each tongs device 400, the controller 610 may apply an AC voltage to each electrode to fix the cells.

The controller 620 may drive the driver 530 to insert one or more injectors 510 into the cells through each injector inlet 230. As soon as one or more injectors 510 are in contact with the outer wall of the cell, the force measurement system 540 can measure in real time the reaction force occurring in each cell. In addition, the force measurement system 540 may obtain information about the time when the predetermined substance can be injected into the cells according to the reaction force of each cell measured. The force measuring system 540 transmits the obtained time information to the controller 610, and the controller 610 may control each injection system 500 to inject a predetermined substance into each cell.

In FIG. 12, one or more cells may be injected with the same predetermined substance at the same time. In addition, one or more cells may be injected with different predetermined injection materials at the same time. In addition, if the cell injector has information on the reaction force of the cell, it is possible to simultaneously inject a predetermined injection material only for cells that match the reaction force measured in the force measurement system.

That is, the same substance or different substances may be injected into one or more cells at the same time, or the same substance or different substances may be injected by selecting predetermined cells from one or more cells. That is, using the method described in FIG. 12, the user can fix the cell and automatically inject a predetermined substance into the cell by a simple operation.

14 is a view showing a process of performing a cell injection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 14, the control unit transmits a start signal indicating the start of the cell injection method to the cell injection device (S1401).

Power is supplied from the power supply 620 to the fluid system 200 according to the start signal. When pressure is applied to the first cell reservoir 210 of the fluid system 200, a plurality of cells stored in the first cell reservoir 210 sequentially move through the cell tunnel 220. At this time, the counter 300 provided on the upper side of the cell tunnel can obtain information about the movement and location of the cell. A process of obtaining cell location information may refer to FIG. 3 (S1402).

Information about the movement and location of the cells obtained in step S1402 is transmitted to the control unit 610, the control unit 610 to drive the forceps according to the position information, it is possible to fix one or more cells at a predetermined position, respectively have. That is, each cell can be fixed at a position where the injector can be inserted into each cell. At this time, the process of fixing the cell can refer to Figures 4 to 11 (S1403).

Injection system 500 may insert one or more injectors 510 into one or more cells 250 that are fixed through each injector inlet 230. At this time, the force measuring system 540 may measure the reaction force generated when inserting each injector 510 into the cell in real time. The principle of measuring the reaction force may refer to the description of FIGS. 12 and 13 (S1404).

However, in step S1404, the force measurement system 540 may measure the reaction force of each cell, and may store information on the measured reaction force. In addition, if the reaction force against the cell to be tested in advance is known, a specific cell may be selected from various types of cells and a predetermined material may be injected.

The controller 610 may acquire information on the moment when the outer wall of the cell is punctured using the information on the reaction force measured by the force measuring system. The controller 610 may automatically inject a predetermined substance into the cell according to the information using one or more injectors 510. In this case, the method of injecting a predetermined substance into the cell may refer to the description of FIGS. 12 and 13. In addition, the controller 610 may remove the injector 510 by driving the driver 530 after injecting a predetermined substance into the cell (S1405).

The controller may determine whether an injection material is injected into all cells (or a predetermined number of cells) stored in the first cell storage unit 210 of the fluid system 200. If the injection material is injected into all cells (or a predetermined number of cells), the cell injection method is terminated (S1406).

If all the cells (or a predetermined number of cells) have not been injected with the injection material, the process returns to step S1402 and steps S1402 to S1406 may be repeated. Through this process, the cell injection method can be automatically performed.

The invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential features of the invention. Accordingly, the above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in all aspects and should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, claims that do not have an explicit citation in the claims may be combined to form an embodiment or included in a new claim by amendment after the application.

1 shows a block diagram (a) and a perspective view (b) of a cell injector, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram of a fluid system 200 that may be used in embodiments of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a counter 300 capable of acquiring information about the movement and location of the cell 250, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view showing an example of the forceps device 400 used to fix one or more cells used in one embodiment of the present invention in a predetermined position.

5 is a view showing a process of fixing a cell using a forceps device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a view showing a process of fixing a cell using the forceps of the cell injection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a view showing a process of fixing the cells using the forceps of the cell injection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram showing another example of the forceps device 400 used to fix one or more cells used in one embodiment of the present invention at a predetermined position.

9 is a view showing a process of fixing the cells using the forceps device 400, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a view showing a process of fixing a cell using the forceps of the cell injection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a view showing a process of fixing a cell using a forceps device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a diagram illustrating an injection system (a) and an example of an operation procedure (b) for injecting a substance into one or more fixed cells, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between reaction force and insertion distance that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

14 is a view showing a process of performing a cell injection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (18)

In the cell injection device 100 for injecting a predetermined substance into the one or more cells by using each reaction against one or more cells, A forceps device 400 for fixing the one or more cells to a position for injecting the predetermined substance in the fluid device unit 200 for storing and moving the one or more cells; A force measuring unit 540 measuring reaction force against the fixed one or more cells; An injection unit 500 for injecting the predetermined substance into the fixed one or more cells in cooperation with the force measuring unit 540; And Driving the forceps device 400 for fixing the one or more cells, the predetermined to the one or more cells based on each reaction force against the one or more cells measured using the force measuring unit 540 It includes a control unit 610 for controlling whether to inject the material, Wherein each reaction force against the one or more cells represents a force generated in response to a force acting on the one or more cells respectively. The method of claim 1, Each reaction to the one or more cells is Cell injection device, characterized in that occurs when the at least one injector (510) included in the injection unit 500 in contact with the one or more cells. The method of claim 1, The forceps device 400, Cell injection device comprising one or more piezoelectric material (410a to 490a) for fixing the one or more cells. The method of claim 1, The forceps device 400, Cell injection device comprising one or more electrodes (410b to 490b) for fixing the one or more cells. In the cell injection device 100 for injecting a predetermined substance into the one or more cells by using each reaction against one or more cells, A fluid device unit for storing the one or more cells and moving the one or more cells; A counter 300 provided at one side of the fluid device 200 to obtain information regarding the movement and position of the one or more cells; A forceps device 400 which is provided on the other side of the fluid system and fixes the one or more cells in a position for injecting the predetermined substance into the one or more cells in the fluid device unit 200; An injection unit 500 including one or more injectors 510 for injecting the predetermined substance into the fixed one or more cells; A force measuring unit (540) for measuring the reaction force of each of the one or more cells generated against the force applied to the one or more cells by the one or more injectors (510); And Recognize the movement and position of the one or more cells through the counter 300, and drive the forceps device 400 for fixing the one or more cells according to the information on the movement and position of the one or more cells, And a controller 610 for controlling whether to inject the predetermined substance into the one or more cells based on the reaction force with respect to each of the one or more cells measured using the force measuring unit 540, Reaction force for each of the one or more cells is a cell injection device that represents a force generated in response to the force acting on each of the one or more cells. The method of claim 5, The fluid device 200, A first cell storage unit 210 storing the one or more initial cells; A cell tunnel 220 provided at one side of the first cell storage unit 210 and including a fluid as a medium for moving the one or more initial cells; One or more injector inlets 230 provided at one side of the cell tunnel 220 into which the one or more injectors 510 are inserted; And Cell injection device comprising a second cell storage unit 240 is provided on the other side of the cell tunnel (220) for storing the one or more cells. The method of claim 5, The counter 300, A transmitter 310 transmitting a signal for recognizing movement and location of each of the one or more cells; And Cell injector comprising a receiver 320 for receiving a signal transmitted from the transmitter 310. The method of claim 5, The injection unit 500, An injection material storage unit 520 provided at one side of the one or more injectors 510 to store the predetermined material to be injected into the one or more cells; And A driving unit 530 for driving the one or more injectors 510 and the injection material storage unit 520 to inject the predetermined material into the one or more cells; The one or more injectors (510) is a cell injection device, characterized in that for injecting the predetermined material into the fixed one or more cells through the one or more injector inlet (230). The method of claim 8, The predetermined substance, Cell injection device, characterized in that the type and injection of the predetermined substance is determined according to the reaction force of each of the one or more cells. In the cell injection method for injecting a predetermined substance into the one or more cells by using each reaction against one or more cells, Immobilizing the one or more cells; Measuring each reaction force against the fixed one or more cells; And Injecting the predetermined substance into the one or more cells based on the respective reaction forces against the one or more cells measured. The method of claim 10, Fixing the one or more cells, Acquiring position information regarding the movement and position of the one or more cells to fix the one or more cells; Cell injection method, characterized in that for fixing each of the one or more cells based on the location information. The method of claim 10, Measuring each reaction force on the one or more cells, Applying a predetermined pressure to the one or more cells, and simultaneously measuring reaction force generated in the one or more cells. The method of claim 10, Measuring each reaction force on the one or more cells, Applying a predetermined pressure to each of the one or more cells, and individually measuring the reaction force generated in each of the one or more cells. The method of claim 10, Injecting the predetermined material into the one or more cells, And injecting the predetermined substance simultaneously by determining the type and injection of the predetermined substance according to the reaction force of each of the one or more cells. The method of claim 10, Injecting the predetermined material into the one or more cells, The method of injecting the predetermined substance according to the reaction force of each of the one or more cells, and whether or not to inject, the predetermined substance is injected into only some cells of the one or more cells. The method of claim 10, After injecting the predetermined material into the one or more cells, Removing the one or more injectors (510); And And determining whether or not the predetermined substance has been injected into each of the one or more cells. In the cell injection method for injecting a predetermined substance into the one or more cells by using each reaction against one or more cells, Obtaining the location information of each of the one or more cells using a counter (300) when the one or more cells move through the fluid device (200); When the external force is applied, the shape is changed in the direction in which the external force is applied, and the one or more piezoelectric elements for fixing the one or more cells to the position for injecting the predetermined material into the one or more cells in the fluid device unit 200. Fixing the at least one cell according to the location information by using a forceps device including a material (410a to 490a); By using the force measuring unit 540, the information on the reaction force of each of the one or more cells, generated for the force applied to the one or more cells by the one or more injectors 510 included in the injection unit 500 step; And And injecting the predetermined substance into the one or more cells using the one or more injectors (510) based on the information on the reaction force. In the cell injection method for injecting a predetermined substance into the one or more cells by using each reaction against one or more cells, Obtaining the location information of each of the one or more cells using a counter (300) when the one or more cells move through the fluid device (200); A forceps device 400 is provided at one side of the fluid device 200 to fix each of the one or more cells using dielectric electrophoresis generated when an AC voltage is applied to one or more electrodes 410b to 490b. Fixing the cell according to the location information; By using the force measuring unit 540, one or more injectors 510 included in the injecting unit 500, the information on each reaction force for the one or more cells, which is generated by the force applied to the one or more cells Measuring; And And injecting the predetermined substance into the one or more cells using the one or more injectors (510) based on the information on the reaction force.

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