Cell lysis device

Abstract

A micromachined cell lysis device with electrodes that are spaced by less than 10 μm from one another. The cells are attracted to the space between the electrodes and then lysed.

1 . A micromachined cell lysis device, comprising: 
 a silicon substrate;    an insulator, covering at least a portion of said silicon substrate;    at least two electrodes, formed on said insulator, and between which an applied electric field can be provided; and    a distance between said electrodes being less than 100 μm.    
   
   
       2 . A device as in  claim 1  wherein said electrodes have sharp edges, and a distance between said sharp edges is less than 100 μm.  
   
   
       3 . A device as in  claim 2  further comprising at least two cell blocker elements, providing physical barriers which extend to hold a cell into place at a desired location between said sharp edges of said two electrodes.  
   
   
       4 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said distance is less than 10 μm.  
   
   
       5 . A system as in  claim 4  wherein a distance between sharp points of said two electrodes is substantially a mean diameter of a desired cell plus a standard deviation among cells.  
   
   
       6 . A device as in  claim 4  wherein a distance between electrodes is 5 μm.  
   
   
       7 . A device as in  claim 3 , wherein said cell blocker elements are formed of Parylene.  
   
   
       8 . A method of forming a cell lysis device using micromachining techniques, comprising: 
 obtaining a substrate;    forming two desired electrode patterns on the substrate, with a distance between said two desired electrode patterns of less than 100 μm; and    forming blocks for the cells to hold the cells at a location between said electrodes.    
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein said forming comprises forming an electrode pattern including sharp edges, and wherein a distance between said sharp edges is less than 100 μm.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 applying an AC lower voltage between said electrodes to attract a cell to a spot between said electrodes; and    then, after said cell is attracted, applying a spike of DC voltage, to lyse said cell.    
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein said AC voltage is  6  volts AC, and said DC voltage is 20 V DC.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 9 , wherein said distance is less than 10 μm.  
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 9 , wherein a distance between sharp points of said two electrodes is substantially a mean diameter of a desired cell plus a standard deviation among cells.  
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein said cell blocker elements are formed of Parylene.  
   
   
       15 . A method of lysing a cell, comprising: 
 obtaining a cell lysis device on a silicon substrate which includes two desired electrode patterns on the substrate, with a distance between said two desired electrode patterns of less than 100 μm; and    applying a first AC lower voltage between said electrodes to attract a cell to a spot between said electrodes; and    then, after said cell is attracted, applying a spike of DC higher voltage, to lyse said cell, wherein each of said voltages is less than 50 volts.    
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein each of said voltages is less than or equal to 20 volts.