Multi-chambered electroporation cartridge and methods of use

A method of electroporating at least one cell in a plurality of cells, comprising:

• injecting a media containing the at least one cell through an inlet of a cartridge, wherein the cartridge is divided into a plurality of separate chambers;
• flowing the media through the plurality of separate chambers of the cartridge, including flowing the media through at least one exchange path fluidly connecting adjacent chambers of the plurality of separate chambers;
• constricting the media as it flows through the at least one exchange path via a constriction disposed within the at least one exchange path, the constriction functionally separating the adjacent chambers;
• applying an electrical field to the at least one cell via at least one high voltage electrode disposed in each chamber of the plurality of separate chambers and adjacent to the constriction of the at least one exchange path, and via at least one counter electrode disposed adjacent to the constriction of the at least one exchange path and opposite the at least one high voltage electrode;
• and
• electroporating the at least one cell.

A method of transfecting at least one cell in a plurality of cells, comprising:

• injecting a media containing the at least one cell and at least one nucleic acid through an inlet of a cartridge, wherein the cartridge is divided into a plurality of separate chambers;
• flowing the media through the plurality of separate chambers of the cartridge, including flowing the media through at least one exchange path fluidly connecting adjacent chambers of the plurality of separate chambers;
• constricting the media as it flows through the at least one exchange path via a constriction disposed within the at least one exchange path, the constriction functionally separating the adjacent chambers;
• applying an electrical field to the at least one cell via at least one high voltage electrode disposed in each chamber of the plurality of separate chambers and adjacent to the constriction of the at least one exchange path, and at least one counter electrode disposed adjacent to the constriction of the at least one exchange path and opposite the at least one high voltage electrode;
• and
• transfecting the at least one nucleic acid into the at least one cell.

A system for electroporating at least one cell in a plurality of cells, comprising:

• a cartridge divided into a plurality of separate chambers, wherein each chamber of the plurality of separate chambers is configured to hold at least one cell and is fluidly connected via at least one exchange path, the at least one exchange path having a constriction disposed therein;
• at least one high voltage electrode disposed in said each chamber of the plurality of separate chambers and adjacent to the constriction of the at least one exchange path;
• at least one counter electrode disposed opposite the at least one high voltage electrode and adjacent to the constriction of the at least one exchange path;
• an inlet disposed at an end of the at least one exchange path, the inlet having an injection inlet, a dead volume area, an electrically active area, and at least one inlet electrode pair consisting of a high voltage electrode and a counter electrode disposed therein;
• and
• an electroporation device configured to receive the cartridge and generate an electric pulse via the high voltage electrode and the counter electrode.