Methods and Devices for Charged Molecule Manipulation

Abstract

Devices and methods for constraining or holding a cell are provided. In one aspect, for example, a cellular constraint device is provided. Such a device can include a support surface and at least one constraining arm movably coupled to the support surface. The constraining arm has a first position in which the constraining arm is substantially parallel and substantially adjacent to the support surface. Additionally, at least a portion of the constraining arm is movable away from the support surface to a second position where the constraining arm is operable to constrain a single cell.

1 . A cellular constraint device, comprising:
 a support surface;   at least one constraining arm movably coupled to the support surface;   the constraining arm having a first position in which the constraining arm is substantially parallel and substantially adjacent to the support surface; and   at least a portion of the constraining arm being movable away from the support surface to a second position where the constraining arm is operable to constrain a single cell.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the constraining arm is operable to constrain the single cell in a position to engage or be engaged by a needle structure. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two constraining arms positioned to constrain the single cell. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the constraining arm is a lamina emergent constraining arm, a change point constraining arm, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the constraining arm is a MEMs device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the constraining arm is moveably coupled to the support surface by a slider movable relative to the support surface. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the constraining arm is operable to increase in vertical elevation relative to the support surface as the slider is moved parallel to the support surface. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a motor functionally coupled to the slider and operable to move the slider relative to the support surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the slider is a manual slider. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the constraining arm when in the second position is positioned to contact the single cell above a midline of the single cell. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a needle structure operable to carry molecular material, the needle structure being positionable to deliver molecular material into the single cell. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a charging system electrically coupled to the needle structure, the charging system being operable to charge and discharge the needle structure. 
     
     
         13 . A cellular constraint device, comprising:
 a support structure having an initial position and an extended position;   the support structure being moveable from the initial position to the extended position; and   wherein the support structure is operable to constrain a cell when in the extended position.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the support structure when in the initial position is operable to receive the cell. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the support structure is operable to constrain the cell by contacting the cell above a midline of the cell. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the support structure is operable constrain the cell and to prevent lateral displacement of the cell. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein movement of the support structure along a first axial direction causes a portion of the support structure to move along a second axial direction that is different from the first axial direction, wherein the portion of the support structure is operable to contact the cell. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the support structure is movably coupled to a support surface, and wherein the first axial direction is substantially parallel to the support surface. 
     
     
         19 . A cellular constraint device, comprising:
 a moveable support structure operable to constrain a cell,   the movable structure being positionable to receive the cell prior to moving to constrain the cell.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein movement of the moveable support structure along a first axial direction causes a portion of the moveable support structure to move along a second axial direction that is different from the first axial direction, wherein the portion of the moveable support structure is operable to contact the cell.