Methods and devices for charged molecule manipulation
AssigneeBrigham Young University
InventorsQuentin T. Aten, Larry L. Howell, Brian D. Jensen, Sandra Burnett
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Abstract
Systems and methods for manipulating molecular material are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for manipulating molecular material may include positioning an uncharged needle structure in electrical proximity with a charged molecular material at a first locus in a liquid environment, charging the needle structure such that at least a portion of the charged molecular material becomes associated with the needle structure, moving the needle structure and the first locus relative to one another, and discharging the needle structure to disassociate the charged molecular material at a second locus.
Claims19
A system for delivering a charged molecular material sample to a cell, comprising:
- a needle structure further comprising:
- an elongate structure tapering at one end to a tip;
- and
- a conductive material on at least a portion of the tip capable of accepting a positive charge sufficient to hold the charged molecular material sample on a surface of the tip;
- a charging system in electrical communication with the conductive material at the tip of the needle structure for applying a positive voltage to the tip, the charging system also being configured to reverse the voltage applied to the tip in order to release the charged molecular material sample from the tip;
- and
- a movement system for moving the needle structure along an elongate axis that extends through a length of the needle structure where the needle structure is oriented to move the needle in a plane that is parallel to a surface upon which a cell rests and would allow the tip to remain in focus when using a microscope to view the tip as it is inserted into the cell.
A system for delivering a charged molecular material sample to a cell, comprising:
- a needle structure further comprising:
- an elongate structure tapering at one end to a tip;
- and
- a conductive material on at least a portion of the tip capable of accepting a positive charge sufficient to hold the charged molecular material sample on a surface of the tip;
- a charging system in electrical communication with the conductive material at the tip of the needle structure for applying a positive voltage to the tip, the charging system also being configured to reverse the voltage applied to the tip in order to release the charged molecular material sample from the tip;
- a movement system for moving the needle structure along an elongate axis that extends through a length of the needle structure in a plane substantially horizontal to a planar surface upon which the cell is positioned and where a horizontal plane orientation is substantially maintained as the needle structure is moved from an initial position to an extended position as the tip is inserted into a cell.
A method for delivering a charged molecular material sample into a cell, comprising:
- obtaining an elongate needle structure tapering at one end to a tip, wherein at least a portion of the tip includes a conductive material capable of accepting a positive charge;
- applying a positive charge to the conductive material at the tip;
- associating the charged molecular material sample to the tip via the positive charge;
- moving the tip of the needle structure into the cell, said movement being along an elongate axis of the needle structure in a plane that allows the tip to remain in focus when using a microscope;
- applying a negative charge to the conductive material at the tip in order to release the charged molecular material sample;
- and
- withdrawing the tip from the cell.
A method for delivering a charged molecular material sample into a cell, comprising:
- obtaining an elongate needle structure tapering at one end to a tip, wherein at least a portion of the tip includes a conductive material capable of accepting a positive charge;
- applying a positive charge to the conductive material at the tip;
- associating the charged molecular material sample to the tip via the positive charge;
- moving the tip of the needle structure into the cell, said movement being along an elongate axis of the needle structure in a plane that is parallel to a surface upon which the cell rests;
- applying a negative charge to the conductive material at the tip in order to release the charged molecular material sample;
- and
- withdrawing the tip from the cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.