CONDUCTIVITY-ADJUSTED DEVICE FOR TREATING CELLS

Abstract

The present invention is related to a device (1), comprising a unit (2) for generating and emitting electric pulses, two or more electrodes or plates (2a, 2b) of a capacitor that are arranged in one electric circuit with said unit (2), and a treatment space (3) arranged between said electrodes or plates (2a, 2b) so that the treatment space (3) can be penetrated by the emitted electric pulses and an electric field resulting therefrom, characterized in that at least one adjustable resistor (9) is arranged in said electric circuit.

Claims

1.-9. (canceled)

10. A device, comprising a unit for generating and emitting electric pulses, two or more electrodes or plates of a capacitor that are arranged in one electric circuit with said unit, and a treatment space arranged between said electrodes or plates so that the treatment space can be penetrated by the emitted electric pulses and an electric field resulting therefrom, wherein at least one additional adjustable resistor is arranged in said electric circuit, and wherein a unit for measuring the electric conductivity of a material to be treated in the treatment space is provided to generate data for automatically adjusting said at least one adjustable resistor.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said at least one adjustable resistor is in a series connection with respect to said electrodes or plates.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein said at least one adjustable resistor is in a parallel connection with respect to said electrodes or plates.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein 1 to 10 of said adjustable resistors are arranged in said electric circuit.

14. The device according to claim 10, wherein said at least one adjustable resistor is selected from the group consisting of a potentiometer, a rheostat and a digital potentiometer.

15. The device according to claim 10, wherein the unit for generating and emitting electric pulses can generate electric pulses, so that a voltage increase takes place between the two or more electrodes of 10% to 90% of a target voltage of the electric pulses within a period of 0.1 to 1000 ns, the electric pulses have a pulse duration of 5 ns to 50000 ns, and the electric pulses, upon reaching the target voltage, have an electric field strength of 0.5 kV/cm to 100 kV/cm.

16. A method for treating isolated cell material of unicellular or multicellular organisms, or unicellular or multicellular organisms of a size of less than 1 cm diameter, for targeted inactivation, the extraction of bioactive compounds, and the stimulation of cell growth and/or cellular compounds, performed in a device according to claim 16, comprising the steps: a) introducing cell material into a treatment space; and b) applying an electric field to said treatment space, wherein the load of said electric field is adjusted to the cell material to be treated by adjusting at least one adjustable resistor, wherein the step of adjusting said at least one adjustable resistor is carried out before step b) by determining the electric conductivity of the cell material to be treated and automatically adjusting said at least one adjustable resistor depending on said determined electric conductivity.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein determining the electric conductivity of the cell material to be treated is carried out by measuring said electric conductivity with a measuring unit.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the electric field is applied with such electric pulses that a voltage increase takes place between the two electrodes or plates of a capacitor of 10% to 90% of a target volt-age of the electric pulses within a period of 0.1 to 1000 ns, the electric pulses have a pulse duration of 5 ns to 50000 ns, and the electric pulses, upon reaching the tar-get voltage, have an electric field strength of 0.5 kV/cm to 100 kV/cm.

Description

[0062] The present invention is explained below by way of non-limiting examples and figures. Shown are:

[0063] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the device of the present invention

[0064] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the device of the present invention

[0065] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the device of the present invention

[0066] FIG. 4a-c a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the device of the present invention

[0067] FIG. 5 a schematic illustration of an electric circuit according to a first example of the present invention

[0068] FIG. 6 a schematic illustration of an electric circuit according to a second example of the present invention

[0069] FIG. 7 a schematic illustration of an electric circuit according to a third example of the present invention

[0070] FIG. 8 a schematic illustration of an electric circuit according to a fourth example of the present invention

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device (1) of the present invention.

[0072] The device has a unit (2) for generating and emitting electric pulses, for example, a pulse generator. The unit (2) is electrically connected to two electrodes (2a, 2b). A treatment space (3) is located between and closed by the electrodes (2a, 2b), on which treatment space (3) an electric field generated by the unit (2) is applied. The electrodes (2a, 2b) are arranged perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the unit (4). When the compartment (4a) enters the treatment space (3), it takes a position in the space between said electrodes (2a, 2b), so that one electrode (2a) is provided over said compartment (4a), and the other electrode (2b) is provided below said compartment (4a).

[0073] A rotatable unit (4) is provided in the device (1). In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, this unit (4) is a cylindrical body, which by way of example here has 4 compartments (4a) for receiving cell materials. The compartments (4a) are blind holes of suitable dimension.

[0074] The rotatable unit (4) is arranged on a motor (6) which generates a rotational movement and sets the unit (4) arranged on it into rotary movement. The compartments (4a) also undergo a rotational movement in this way. Preferably, the unit (4) is rotated at least once around an imaginary axis defined through the center of the unit (4), whereby the compartments (4a) undergo a rotation of 360°. A multiple complete rotation of the unit (4) is possible and advantageous depending on the cell material to be treated.

[0075] An adjustable resistor (9) is provided between the unit (2) and the electrode/plate (2a). FIG. 1 only shows a schematic illustration of the presence of the adjustable resistor (9). Reference is made to FIGS. 4 to 7 for examples of suitable electric circuit arrangements. The adjustable resistor (9) is connected to a unit (13) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material to be treated. Said unit (13) is only shown schematically. It can be located at an appropriate position in the device (1) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material before said material is moved into the treatment space (3).

[0076] In a region of the device (1) preceding the treatment space (3) in the direction of movement of the unit (4), a compartment (4a) is filled with cell material by means of a filling unit (7).

[0077] The filling unit (7) is connected to a device (not shown) in which the cell material or a suspension containing the cell material is located.

[0078] The filling region is arranged such that the compartment (4a) is first moved into the filling region, where the compartment (4a) is filled to a desired volume (during which time the compartment (4a) remains in a filling position relative to the filling unit (7)), and subsequently the unit (4) is moved further such that the filled compartment (4a) is transferred into the treatment space (3).

[0079] Subsequently, the filled compartment (4a) is transported into the treatment space (3), by means of movement of the unit (4). Therein, the cell material in the compartment (4a) undergoes the desired treatment, after the electric field has been adequately adjusted by adjusting the adjustable resistor (9).

[0080] After treatment, the cell material is removed from the compartment (4a) by means of an emptying unit (8). In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the emptying unit (8) is a pipeline having an inlet in an emptying region. When the at least one compartment (4a) filled with the treated cell material, after treatment in the treatment space (3), is moved into the emptying region, by means of movement of the unit (4), the compartment (4a) can be connected with the inlet of the emptying unit (8).

[0081] The empty compartment (4a) can be subsequently moved again into the filling region, to start another treatment cycle. FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the device (1) of the present invention. Like reference numerals designate the same components as in FIG. 1.

[0082] In this embodiment, a unit (4) in the form of a plate is provided. Said unit (4) comprises recesses in which one or more containers (5) can be securely arranged so as to not fall off during movement of the unit (4). In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the unit (4) comprises 4 recesses and thus can take up 4 containers (5).

[0083] An adjustable resistor (9) is provided between the unit (2) and the electrode/plate (2a). FIG. 2 only shows a schematic illustration of the presence of the adjustable resistor (9). Reference is made to FIGS. 4 to 7 for examples of suitable electric circuit arrangements. The adjustable resistor (9) is connected to a unit (13) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material to be treated. Said unit (13) is only shown schematically. It can be located at an appropriate position in the device (1) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material before said material is moved into the treatment space (3).

[0084] Similar to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, in a region of the device (1) preceding the treatment space (3) in the direction of movement of the unit (4), a container (5) is filled with cell material by means of a filling unit (7).

[0085] The filling unit (7) is connected to a device (not shown) in which the cell material or a suspension containing the cell material is located.

[0086] The filling region is arranged such that the container (5) is first moved into the filling region, where the container (5) is filled to a desired volume (during which time the container (5) remains in a filling position relative to the filling unit (7)), and subsequently the unit (4) is moved further such that the filled container (5) is transferred into the treatment space (3).

[0087] Alternatively, instead of filling a container (5) in the filling region, also a filled container (5) may be put (manually or automatically) into a free recess on the unit (4).

[0088] Subsequently, the filled container (5) is transported into the treatment space (3), by means of movement of the unit (4). Therein, the cell material in the container (5) undergoes the desired treatment, after the electric field has been adequately adjusted by adjusting the adjustable resistor (9).

[0089] After treatment, the cell material is removed from the container (5) by means of an emptying unit (8). In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the emptying unit (8) is a pipeline having an inlet in an emptying region. When the at least one container (5) filled with the treated cell material, after treatment in the treatment space (3), is moved into the emptying region, by means of movement of the unit (4), the container (5) can be connected with the inlet of the emptying unit (8).

[0090] Alternatively, instead of emptying a container (5) in the emptying region, also a filled container (5) may be removed (manually or automatically) from the unit (4) altogether.

[0091] The empty container (5) can be subsequently moved again into the filling region, to start another treatment cycle. Alternatively, an empty or filled container (5) may be put into a free recess on the unit (4).

[0092] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the device (1) of the present invention for treating cells for stimulating cell growth.

[0093] The device has a unit (2) for generating and emitting electric pulses, for example, a pulse generator. The unit (2) is electrically connected to two electrodes (2a, 2b). A (here cylindrical) treatment unit (10) having a treatment space (3) in its interior is located between the two electrodes (2a, 2b), to which treatment space an electric field generated by the unit (2) is applied, after the electric field has been adequately adjusted by adjusting the adjustable resistor (9).

[0094] An adjustable resistor (9) is provided between the unit (2) and the electrode/plate (2b). FIG. 3 only shows a schematic illustration of the presence of the adjustable resistor (9). Reference is made to FIGS. 4 to 7 for examples of suitable electric circuit arrangements. The adjustable resistor (9) is connected to a unit (13) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material to be treated. Said unit (13) is only shown schematically. It can be located at an appropriate position in the device (1) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material before said material is moved into the treatment space (3).

[0095] An inlet (10a) is arranged on the top surface of the treatment unit (10) according to this embodiment, preferably in the center of the top surface of the treatment unit (10). An outlet (10b) is arranged on the bottom surface of the treatment unit (10) according to this embodiment, preferably in the center of the bottom surface of the treatment unit (10). According to this embodiment, the outlet (10b) is arranged in the fall line of a cell material which enters into the treatment unit (10) through the inlet (10a) and passes through the treatment space (3) due to gravitational force.

[0096] A (here funnel-shaped) receiving device (11) is arranged in the treatment space (3). The receiving device (11) is arranged according to the embodiment shown here in the treatment space (3) immediately above the outlet (10b), so that the lower opening of the receiving device (11) is arranged flush with the (not shown here) opening of the outlet (10b). According to the embodiment shown here, the lower opening of the receiving device (11) and the opening of the outlet (10b) have the same area.

[0097] FIG. 4a shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the device (1) of the present invention.

[0098] The device has a unit (2) for generating and emitting electric pulses, for example, a pulse generator. The unit (2) is electrically connected to two electrodes (2a, 2b). A treatment unit (10) is located between the electrodes (2a, 2b). On a treatment space (3) within said treatment unit (10) (see FIGS. 4b and c), electric pulses generated by the unit (2) are applied. The electrodes (2a, 2b) are arranged perpendicularly to the direction of movement of material moving through the treatment unit (10). The material enters the treatment unit (10) through an inlet (10a) in the top face of the treatment unit (10), and leaves the treatment unit (10) through an outlet (10b) in the bottom face of the treatment unit (10).

[0099] In two side faces of the treatment unit (10), there are provided openings (12a, 12b), preferably in the form of blind bores, into which the electrodes (2a, 2b) may be inserted and secured.

[0100] In FIG. 4b, the embodiment of FIG. 4a is shown wherein the treatment unit (10) is a solid body with a treatment space (3) in the form of a cavity in its center. The inlet (10a) in the top face of the treatment unit (10) is fluidly connected, by means of a conduit, with the treatment space (3). In this embodiment, the fluid connection is funnel-shaped over it lower part discharging into the treatment space (3). The outlet (10b) in the bottom face of the treatment unit (10) is also fluidly connected, by means of a conduit, with the treatment space (3). In this embodiment, the fluid connection is funnel-shaped over it upper part extending from the treatment space (3). In two side faces of the treatment unit (10), there are provided openings (12a, 12b) in the form of blind bores for insertion of electrodes. These openings are tapered in a region adjacent to the treatment space (3), i.e. they become smaller as they approach the treatment space (3). The side faces of the treatment space (3) adjacent to the openings (12a, 12b) are plain, i.e. they are not curved.

[0101] FIG. 4c is another schematic representation of the treatment unit (3) of the embodiment of the device (1) according to FIG. 4a. As compared to FIG. 4b, the treatment unit (10) is turned by 90°. Thus, in FIG. 4c the side faces of the treatment space (3) are shown that are not adjacent to the openings (12a, 12b). These side faces are curved. Here, they have a sinusoidal shape over their entire height.

[0102] FIG. 5 shows one example of an electric circuit arrangement suitable for the present invention, for example in connection with any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4a-c above.

[0103] In this example, between a unit (2) for generating and emitting electric pulses and a treatment space (3) in which a material is to be treated by an electric field, there is provided an adjustable resistor (9). In this example, the adjustable resistor (9) and the treatment space (3), respectively the electrodes or plates (2a, 2b) around the treatment space (3), are connected in series. The adjustable resistor (9) is connected to a unit (13) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material to be treated. Said unit (13) is only shown schematically. It can be located at an appropriate position in the device (1) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material before said material is moved into the treatment space (3).

[0104] FIG. 6 shows another example of an electric circuit arrangement suitable for the present invention, for example in connection with any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4a-c above.

[0105] In this example, after a unit (2) for generating and emitting electric pulses, a treatment space (3) in which a material is to be treated by an electric field and an adjustable resistor (9) are provided in a parallel connection. The adjustable resistor (9) is connected to a unit (13) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material to be treated. Said unit (13) is only shown schematically. It can be located at an appropriate position in the device (1) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material before said material is moved into the treatment space (3).

[0106] FIG. 7 shows another example of an electric circuit arrangement suitable for the present invention, for example in connection with any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4a-c above.

[0107] In this example, between a unit (2) for generating and emitting electric pulses and a treatment space (3) in which a material is to be treated by an electric field, there is provided an adjustable resistor (9). In this example, two adjustable resistors (9) are provided in a parallel connection, and these two resistors (9) and the treatment space (3), respectively the electrodes or plates (2a, 2b) around the treatment space (3), are connected in series. The adjustable resistor (9) is connected to a unit (13) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material to be treated. Said unit (13) is only shown schematically. It can be located at an appropriate position in the device (1) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material before said material is moved into the treatment space (3).

[0108] FIG. 8 shows another example of an electric circuit arrangement suitable for the present invention, for example in connection with any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4a-c above.

[0109] In this example, after a unit (2) for generating and emitting electric pulses, a treatment space (3) in which a material is to be treated by an electric field and three adjustable resistors (9) are provided in a parallel connection. The three adjustable resistors (9) are arranged such that a pair of serially connected adjustable resistors (9) is connected in series to a preceding adjustable resistor (9). The adjustable resistors (9) are connected to a unit (13) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material to be treated. Said unit (13) is only shown schematically. It can be located at an appropriate position in the device (1) for measuring the electric conductivity of the material before said material is moved into the treatment space (3).