Biolistic apparatus for delivering substances into cells and tissues in a non-lethal manner

摘要

An apparatus for delivering substances into living cells and tissues includes an impeller of the type adapted to use an explosive charge for sending a macroprojectile through an accelerator passage into a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is divided into an upper vacuum chamber having an impact receiving plate against which the macroprojectile will impact and a lower vacuum chamber in which the biological material to be impregnated by the substance is located. The substance may be carried by a plurality of microprojectiles adhered to the base of the macroprojectile so that upon impact of the macroprojectile against the impact plate in the upper vacuum chamber the microprojectiles carrying the substance will pass through an aperture in the impact plate and enter the biological material. Alternatively, the microprojectiles carrying the substance may be mounted on the surface of the impact plate facing the biological material so that upon impact of the macroprojectile against the impact plate, the microprojectiles will be impelled into the biological material.