Electrodes having a continuous, crystalline metal nitride coating and method of use

A flow electroporation device comprising:

• a housing having internal walls defining a continuous internal chamber through said housing, said internal chamber being configured to receive a continuous flow volume of blood therethrough;
• a first electrode having a first specified length and disposed within said internal chamber;
• a second electrode having a second specified length and disposed within said internal chamber in spaced-apart relation to said first electrode;
• said first and second electrodes being arranged within said internal chamber to permit said continuous flow volume of blood flowing through said internal chamber to pass between said electrodes;
• said first and second electrodes being operative when connected to a pulse generator to emit pulses of electronic energy from said first electrode through the blood to the second electrode as said continuous flow volume of blood flows through said internal chamber;
• and
• at least a portion of one of said first and second electrodes having a continuous crystalline metal nitride coating;
• the frequency of pulses of electronic energy emitted through said electrodes, said first and second specified lengths of said electrodes, and the rate of flow of said continuous flow volume of blood flowing through said internal chamber being such that blood cells in said volume of blood may be electroporated while flowing through said internal chamber.

A method of generating an electronic signal in a saline solution comprising:

• a. providing a device comprising walls defining a chamber for pair of electrodes disposed along opposing sides of said chamber, said electrodes comprising means for placing said electrodes in electrical communication with a source of electrical energy, whereby the saline solution is subjected to an electrical field;
• said electrodes each further comprising an external surface with at least a portion thereof corresponding to emission of the electrical field having a continuous crystalline metal nitride coating;
• b. adding a saline solution to the chamber;
• and,
• c. generating an electronic signal in the saline solution.