Mass Immunization Device
Mass immunization against bioterrorism or other public health threats will require reagents and devices that are simple, effective, reproducible, and inexpensive. DNA vaccines fit most of these criteria, but the safe and efficient delivery of exogenous DNA to cells in vivo is an obstacle that will need to be surmounted. Gene electrotransfer is a powerful method that can achieve long-lasting gene expression in different tissue types of various species; transfection efficiency by electroporation is also much greater than that of DNA injection. In traditional clinical electroporation devices, a great deal of current must be passed to generate a sufficient voltage field for electroporation to occur, risking tissue damage. Other devices make use of needles that employ open-loop circuitry in delivering the voltage to the tissue. Accordingly, voltage levels are set very high, which can cause significant tissue damage. Moreover, during the course of electroporation, the resistance of the tissue that is being stimulated changes, meaning a new current is required to maintain a constant voltage field. Without repeated assessment of the resistance of tissue to ensure appropriate current compensation, the efficiency of electroporation will decrease during the stimulation process.
Description
A syringe electrode device with which plasmid DNA can be efficiently delivered to the muscles without any tissue damage has been developed. The device is capable of assessing the electrical resistance of the tissue into which the DNA is being injected and modulating the output current accordingly, facilitating the safe and efficient electroporation of DNA into tissue. Tissue damage can be prevented by ensuring that the site of the highest electric field strength coincides with the site of the highest DNA concentration, a condition not fulfilled by conventional caliper electrode products. This novel syringe electrode device may find additional applications in electrical stimulation of biological tissue to promote nerve regeneration, wound healing, and for electrophoretic application of pharmaceutical compounds.Applications
· Mass immunizations with DNA vaccines· Gene therapy
· Nerve regeneration
· Wound healing
· Drug delivery
Advantages
· Decreased tissue damage· Decreased DNA damage
· Device is hand-held and portable
· Battery operated
· Operates with a lower electric field than similar devices