KR20220114030A - Cover for applying an electric field and an electric field applying device including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The cover for applying an electric field according to this embodiment includes: a case provided to be coupled to a multi-well plate having a plurality of accommodating spaces in which a sample can be accommodated; and an electrode provided on the lower side of the case and applying a voltage to each of the accommodating spaces when the case is coupled on the perforated plate.

Description

Cover for applying an electric field and an electric field applying device including the same

The present invention relates to a cover for applying an electric field capable of efficiently generating an electric field in a multi-well plate, and an electric field applying device including the same.

In research in biochemical and pharmaceutical fields, a plastic container called a multi-well plate or multi-well plate is widely used to divide a small amount of sample and conduct an experiment in which an electric field is applied to each sample. .

Experiments for applying an electric field may include electrofusion, electrostimulation, and electroporation.

The perforated plate as described above can perform high-throughput analysis or screening of the sample samples by testing the maximum sample sample in the shortest time. Accordingly, various types of perforated plates having 24, 96, 384, etc. accommodation spaces in which specimens can be accommodated are being commercialized.

Korean Patent No. 1077008 (March 15, 2004. Priority date) discloses chambers each including at least a pair of electrodes each having a first electrode and a second electrode in order to apply a voltage to generate an electric field in one chamber. A container equipped with is disclosed.

U.S. Patent No. 6878539 (applied on Oct. 28, 2003) discloses an electrode structure for applying electrical stimulation to a perforated plate, in which the electrode is positioned under each space in which the sample is accommodated.

According to the above technique, since the electrode is provided at the bottom of each space in which the sample is accommodated in the perforated plate, the perforated plate can only be used for one-time use for sample analysis, so the unit cost of the perforated plate is increased, and thus the cost of the test There is a problem with this increasing.

In addition, it is difficult to apply electrical stimulation of the same condition to different samples at once or to apply electrical stimulation under different conditions to the same sample at once because the current is selectively supplied instead of supplying current to each electrode provided in the perforated plate at once. , there is a problem in that it is not possible to find an optimal electrical stimulation condition.

The present invention has been devised to solve the problems of the prior art, and it is possible to efficiently generate an electric field in a disposable perforated plate, and to provide a cover for applying an electric field that can be used semi-permanently, and an electric field applying device including the same. There is a purpose.

The cover for applying an electric field according to this embodiment includes: a case provided to be coupled to a multi-well plate having a plurality of accommodating spaces in which a sample can be accommodated; and an electrode provided on the lower side of the case and applying a voltage to each of the accommodating spaces when the case is coupled on the perforated plate.

The electrode is located under the case, the anode electrode portion is provided with a plurality of anodes respectively positioned inside the accommodation spaces, is positioned below the both electrode parts, the anode is provided with a plurality of holes through It may include an insulating plate and a cathode positioned below the insulating plate and provided with a plurality of cathodes positioned on inner peripheral surfaces of the accommodating spaces to be spaced apart from the anodes, respectively.

The anodes may be configured in a pin shape that is positioned one at a time in the center of the accommodating spaces.

The cathodes may be positioned one at a time on the inner circumferential surfaces of the accommodating spaces, and may have a cylindrical shape corresponding to the inner circumferential surfaces of the accommodating spaces.

The cathodes may be configured in a pin shape that is respectively positioned at least two or more along the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation spaces.

The cathodes may be configured in the form of pogo pins.

The lower ends of the anodes and the cathodes may be positioned at the same height as each other.

The lower ends of the anodes and the cathodes may be supported on inner bottom surfaces of the accommodating spaces made of a non-conductive material.

The anodes and cathodes may be plated with one of high-conductivity metals harmless to the human body.

The positive electrode part may further include a positive electrode terminal connected to the positive electrodes and protruding outwardly of the case.

The negative electrode part may further include a negative terminal connected to the negative electrodes and protruding outward of the case at a position spaced apart from the positive terminal.

The positive electrode part may include a plurality of positive connectors connecting the positive electrodes for each column in which the receiving spaces are arranged, and a plurality of resistors connecting the positive electrodes in series between the positive connectors.

The positive electrode unit may include at least one switch connected in parallel with at least one of the resistors and connected in series between the positive connectors.

The case and the electrode may be provided with air outlets at positions corresponding to the accommodation spaces, respectively.

The electric field applying device according to the present embodiment includes: a multi-well plate having a plurality of accommodating spaces in which a sample can be accommodated; and a cover for applying an electric field which is detachably provided on the perforated plate and applies a voltage in each accommodation space when coupled on the perforated plate.

When the cover for applying an electric field of this embodiment is mounted on the perforated plate, the electrode on the cover side is located in each receiving space of the perforated plate, so that a magnetic field can be formed in each receiving space.

Therefore, it is possible to efficiently generate an electric field in the disposable perforated plate by using the semi-permanent cover, and it is possible to reduce the cost of testing for sample analysis.

In addition, by integrally manufacturing the positive connectors and the positive electrodes or electrically coupling them through a common power source, the voltage variable electrode provided on the cover side can be simply configured.

Furthermore, by controlling the resistance and the switch between the positive connectors, the electric field can be implemented differently in each accommodation space, so that it is possible to apply electrical stimulation of the same condition to different samples at once, or to apply electrical stimulation under different conditions to the same sample at once. Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly find the optimal electrical stimulation conditions.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an electric field application device of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which the cover of Figure 1 is coupled to the perforated plate.
3 to 4 are an exploded perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
5 to 6 are cross-sectional views, respectively, taken along lines AA and BB of FIG. 4 .
7 to 8 are views showing a part of a second embodiment of the present invention.
9 to 10 are views showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the electric field applying device of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which the cover of Figure 1 is coupled to the perforated plate.

According to the electric field application device of the present invention, a multi-well plate (100) provided with a plurality of accommodating spaces (W) in which samples are accommodated, and a perforated plate (100) detachably provided on the perforated plate (100) It may include a cover 200 for applying an electric field to each accommodation space (not shown) of the , and a control unit 130 for controlling the voltage supplied to the electrode E on the cover 200 side.

The perforated plate 100 is made of a plastic material so that a plurality of accommodating spaces (W) for accommodating samples are provided, and 6-well, 12-well, 24-well, It can be manufactured in 48-well, 96-well, etc.

While the perforated plate 100 is manufactured for one-time use, the cover 200 is manufactured to be used semi-permanently, and the cover 200 can be detached from the commercially available perforated plate 100 .

The cover 200 is provided with a plurality of electrodes E at positions corresponding to the respective receiving spaces W of the perforated plate 100 , and when the cover 200 is coupled to the perforated plate 100 , the cover 200 . The side electrodes (E) may be located inside each accommodation space (W) of the perforated plate (100). A detailed configuration of the cover 200 will be described in detail below.

The control unit 300 may be connected to the electrodes E on the cover 200 side, and supply a voltage to the electrodes E on the cover 200 side to control the electric field formed inside each accommodation space W. have.

2 to 4 are views illustrating an electric field applying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 to 6 are cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A and B-B of FIG. 4, respectively.

The electric field application device of the first embodiment includes a perforated plate 100 and a cover 200 detachably provided on the perforated plate 100 .

The perforated plate 100 has a rectangular plate shape, and may be made of plastic, which is a non-conductive material, and each receiving space W may be provided in the form of a cylindrical chamber with a predetermined interval on the upper surface thereof.

The upper part 110 of the perforated plate may be formed to be stepped in a smaller shape than the lower part 120 of the perforated plate, and the case 121 of the cover may be fitted to the upper part 110 of the perforated plate. That is, the lower portion 120 of the perforated plate has a large square plate shape, while the upper portion 110 of the perforated plate may be configured in a smaller square plate shape.

When the upper part 110 of the perforated plate is viewed from the upper side, two inclined surfaces 111 and 112 from which corner portions are cut may be provided, and the two inclined surfaces 111 and 112 outside the positive terminal 223 to be described below. and the negative terminal 243 may be exposed.

Since the interval between each accommodation space (W) is configured to be smaller than the diameter of each accommodation space (W), the number of each accommodation space (W) can be large compared to the limited size of the perforated plate (100).

Of course, the shape, size, number, and arrangement of each accommodating space W may be variously configured, but is not limited thereto.

The anodes 222 and the cathodes 242 to be described below are spaced apart from each other inside each receiving space W, but may come into contact with the bottom surface of each receiving space W, so they are non-conductive materials and have a predetermined elasticity. A pad-shaped support part 121 with a may be additionally installed on the bottom surface of each accommodation space (W), but is not limited thereto.

The cover 200 includes an electrode capable of generating an electric field in each receiving space (W) of the case 210, which can be fitted to the upper part 110 of the perforated plate, and the perforated plate 100 coupled to the lower side of the case 210 ( E) can be configured.

The case 210 may be made of a non-conductive material like the perforated plate 100 in the form of a cover having a rectangular upper surface and four side surfaces. Since the case 210 does not come in direct contact with cells and drugs, it may be made of one of various materials such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, ABC, etc., which are easy to use, and is not limited thereto.

The case 210 is configured to be at least larger than the upper part 110 of the perforated plate, but when the case 210 is coupled to the upper part 110 of the perforated plate, the inner surface of the case 210 is outside the upper part 110 of the perforated plate. It may come into contact with the side, and the position of the electrode coupled to the lower side of the case 210 may be limited inside each accommodation space W of the perforated plate 100 .

Like the upper part 110 of the perforated plate, the case 210 may be provided with two inclined surfaces 211 and 212 from which two corners are cut when the case 210 is viewed from the upper side, and the two inclined surfaces 211 and 212 may be provided. ), the positive terminal 223 and the negative terminal 233, which will be described below, may be exposed to the outside.

The case 210 is provided with a plurality of air discharge holes 210h at positions corresponding to the respective accommodation spaces W of the perforated plate 100, so that even if the case 210 is coupled to the upper portion of the perforated plate 100 The air remaining in each accommodation space (W) of the stencil 100 is allowed to escape to the outside.

The electrode E may include a positive electrode part 220 made of a conductive material, an insulating plate 230 made of a non-conductive material, and a negative electrode part 240 made of a conductive material.

The anode electrode part 220 and the cathode electrode part 240 may be made of at least one of gold, platinum, and stainless steel, or made of a conductive material, and then plated with gold or platinum that can ensure biocompatibility.

On the other hand, the insulating plate 230 is made of a non-conductive material, and may be made of polystyrene, polypropylene, glass, quartz, etc. that does not affect the electric field and does not harm cells and drugs.

The positive electrode part 220 includes a plate-shaped positive electrode connection part 221 coupled to the lower side of the upper surface of the case 210 , a plurality of positive electrodes 222 provided in the form of pins on the lower side of the positive electrode connection part 221 , and the case 210 . ) may include a positive electrode terminal 223 connected to one end of the positive electrode connection part 221 so as to be exposed to the outside of one side inclined surface 211 .

The positive electrode connection part 221 has the same shape as the upper surface of the case 210 , and may be configured to be molded to the lower surface of the upper surface of the case 210 , and has a plurality of positions corresponding to the air discharge holes 210h of the case 210 . Air discharge holes 221h may be provided.

The anodes 222 are in the form of pins that can be accommodated in each accommodating space W of the perforated plate 100 , and may be provided at positions corresponding to the center of each accommodating space W of the perforated plate 100 . . The anodes 222 may be arranged in a lattice form at a predetermined interval like the arrangement of each accommodation space W, but is not limited thereto.

The positive electrode terminal 223 is a portion bent down on one side of the positive electrode connection part 221 and then horizontally bent outward, exposed below the inclined surface 211 of one side of the case 210 , and is formed on the upper side of the perforated plate 100 . / It can be seated in the stepped portion between the lower part (110, 120). As the positive terminal 223 is electrically connected to the controller 300 (shown in FIG. 1 ), an externally supplied voltage may be applied thereto.

The insulating plate 230 may include a plate-shaped main insulating part 231 such as the positive electrode connection part 221 , and an auxiliary insulating part 232 bent downward at one side of the main insulating part 231 . The main insulating part 231 may be mounted below the positive electrode connection part 221 , and the auxiliary insulating part 232 may insulate a vertical portion of the positive electrode terminal 223 from the negative electrode part 240 .

Similarly, the insulating plate 230 may be provided with a plurality of air exhaust holes 231h at positions corresponding to the air exhaust holes 210h of the case 210 and the air exhaust holes 221h of the positive electrode connection part 221 . can

In addition, the insulating plate 230 has a plurality of anodes 222 through which the anodes 222 can penetrate at positions corresponding to the anodes 222 , that is, at positions corresponding to the center of each accommodation space W of the perforated plate 100 . Holes 230H may be provided, and each hole 230H may be located at one side of each air exhaust hole 230h.

The negative electrode part 240 includes a plate-shaped negative electrode connection part 241 coupled to the lower side of the insulating plate 230, and a plurality of negative electrodes 242 provided in a cylindrical shape protruding downward to penetrate the negative electrode connection part 241, The case 210 may include a negative terminal 243 connected to one end of the negative connection part 241 so as to be exposed to the outside of the other inclined surface 212 of the case 210 .

The negative electrode connection part 241 has the same shape as the lower surface of the insulating plate 230 and may be configured to be molded to the lower surface of the upper surface of the case 210 .

The negative electrodes 242 have a cylindrical shape that can be accommodated on the inner circumferential surface of each accommodation space W of the perforated plate 100 , and may be provided to extend downwardly through the negative electrode connection part 241 . Of course, each of the air discharge holes 210h , 221h , and 231h provided in the case 210 , the positive electrode part 220 , and the insulating plate 230 may be located inside the negative electrodes 242 .

The negative terminal 243 is a portion bent downwardly on the other side of the negative electrode connection part 241 and then horizontally bent outward, exposed below the other side inclined surface 212 of the case 210 , and of the perforated plate 100 . It may be seated in a stepped portion between the upper/lower portions 110 and 120 . The negative terminal 243 may be externally grounded.

When the cover 200 according to the first embodiment configured as described above is coupled to the perforated plate 100 , the positive electrodes 222 and the negative electrodes 242 are each containing the same type or different types of samples in each receiving space W ), and the control unit 300 may supply a voltage through the positive terminal 223 .

Accordingly, an electric field is uniformly formed from each positive electrode 222 to each negative electrode 242 surrounding it, and the cells and chemical processes included in the sample can obtain uniform results by the uniform electric field.

Meanwhile, the cover 200 of the first embodiment configured as described above is separated into a case 210 , a positive electrode unit 220 , an insulating plate 230 , and a negative electrode unit 240 , respectively, and then washed and sterilized It can be re-assembled later to make it reusable.

In addition, the negative electrode part 240 operating in the ground form can be assembled or integrated into the perforated plate 100, and the polarity or shape/ The shape can be changed, and the cover 200 can be manufactured in various sizes and shapes with a structure that can be coupled to various types of perforated plates 100 that have already been commercialized, but is not limited thereto.

7 to 8 are views showing a part of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The electric field applying device of the second embodiment is configured the same as that of the first embodiment, but an electric circuit connecting the anodes 222 to form a different electric field in each accommodation space W may be configured differently.

In detail, a plurality of positive connectors 221C connecting the positive electrodes 222 for each column in which each receiving space W is disposed, and a plurality of resistors connecting in series between the positive connectors 221C It may include (R) and a plurality of switches (S) disposed in parallel with the resistors (R) to select whether to apply the resistors (R).

The positive connectors 221C may be manufactured in the form of a wire capable of simple injection and bonding, and may be manufactured in the form of patterning or circuitry in order to simplify the weight and volume, but is not limited thereto.

The flow of current flowing through the resistors R is determined depending on whether the switches S are operated, and through this, the same voltage or different voltages are applied to the anodes 222 located in each accommodation space W. can

According to the second embodiment configured as described above, even if the voltage variable structure is implemented, both the positive connectors 221C and the positive electrodes 222 can be manufactured integrally or configured to be electrically coupled through a common power source, so it is simple can be produced

In addition, since only the voltage provided to the anodes 222 for each accommodating space can be varied by the operation of each switch S, an electric field is uniformly formed in the accommodating spaces W arranged in the same column, but different An electric field may be formed differently in the receiving spaces W arranged in a row.

Therefore, it is possible to provide different voltages to each accommodation space W at once even without undergoing multiple tests. That is, it is easy to test the maximum number of samples in the shortest time, and it can be suitably used for high throughput analysis or screening.

9 to 10 are views showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

The electric field applying device of the third embodiment is configured the same as that of the first or second embodiment, but the negative poles 242 are disposed along the inner circumferential surface of each accommodation space W at a predetermined interval. pin) may be configured.

In detail, the plate-shaped negative electrode connection part 241 is provided with holes having the same size as each accommodation space (W) at positions corresponding to each accommodation space (W), and the negative electrodes 242 in the form of a pogo pin are connected to the negative electrode connection part. It may be provided to protrude downward at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction along each hole of 241 .

The anodes 242 in the form of pogo pins are made of stainless steel or gold-plated, and commercially available products can be applied as they are.

Of course, even if the anodes 242 are configured in a pogo pin type, the anodes 222 are positioned at the center of each accommodation space W, and the cathodes 242 are spaced apart from each other along the inner circumferential surface of each accommodation space W. is positioned, it is possible to form a uniform electric field inside each accommodation space (W).

In addition, when the negative electrodes 242 are configured in a pogo pin type, a predetermined restoring force can be provided even if the negative electrodes 242 come in contact with the bottom surface of each accommodation space (W) side, so the floor on the side of each accommodation space (W) It may be applicable even if the surface is not flat.

In addition, even if some of the negative electrodes 242 are damaged, only the damaged pogo pin can be replaced and used, so maintenance and repair are easy, and cost can be reduced.

The present embodiment may be applied to a cover for applying an electric field capable of efficiently generating an electric field in a perforated plate and a device for applying a small capacity electric field including the same.

Claims (15)

a case provided to be coupled on a multi-well plate provided with a plurality of accommodating spaces in which the sample can be accommodated; and
An electric field application cover comprising a; provided on the lower side of the case, the electrode for applying a voltage in each accommodation space when the case is coupled on the perforated plate. According to claim 1,
The electrode is
an anode electrode unit positioned under the case and provided with a plurality of anodes respectively positioned inside the accommodating spaces;
an insulating plate positioned below the both electrode parts and provided with a plurality of holes through which the anode passes;
A cover for applying an electric field including a negative electrode portion positioned below the insulating plate and provided with a plurality of negative electrodes positioned on inner peripheral surfaces of the accommodation spaces to be spaced apart from the positive electrodes, respectively. 3. The method of claim 2,
The anodes are
A cover for applying an electric field configured in the shape of a pin positioned one at a time in the center of the accommodating spaces. 3. The method of claim 2,
The cathodes are
The cover for applying an electric field is positioned on the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating spaces one by one, and is configured in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating spaces. 3. The method of claim 2,
The cathodes are
A cover for applying an electric field configured in the shape of a pin positioned at least two or more along the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating spaces. 6. The method of claim 5,
The cathodes are
A cover for applying an electric field configured in the form of a pogo pin. 3. The method of claim 2,
Each of the lower ends of the anodes and cathodes,
Covers for applying an electric field positioned at the same height as each other. 3. The method of claim 2,
Each of the lower ends of the anodes and cathodes,
A cover for applying an electric field supported on the inner bottom surfaces of the accommodation spaces made of a non-conductive material. 3. The method of claim 2,
The anodes and cathodes are
Cover for applying an electric field, plated with one of the high-conductivity metals harmless to the human body. 3. The method of claim 2,
The positive electrode part,
The cover for applying an electric field further comprising a positive terminal connected to the positive electrode and protruding outwardly of the case. 11. The method of claim 10
The negative electrode part,
The cover for applying an electric field further comprising a negative terminal connected to the negative electrode and protruding outwardly of the case at a position spaced apart from the positive terminal. 11. The method of claim 10,
The positive electrode part,
a plurality of positive connectors connecting the positive electrodes for each column in which the receiving spaces are arranged;
A cover for applying an electric field including a plurality of resistors connected in series between the positive connectors. 13. The method of claim 12,
The positive electrode part,
A cover for applying an electric field comprising at least one switch connected in parallel with at least one of the resistors and connected in series between the positive connectors. According to claim 1,
The case and the electrode,
A cover for applying an electric field provided with an air outlet at a position corresponding to the accommodation spaces, respectively. A multi-well plate provided with a plurality of accommodation spaces in which the sample can be accommodated; and
An electric field application comprising; the cover for applying an electric field according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which is provided detachably on the perforated plate and applies a voltage in each accommodation space when it is coupled on the perforated plate. Device.

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