초록 ▼

A gas driven apparatus for accelerating particles coated with a genetic material into a target comprises a reservoir for releasably retaining a gas at a sufficiently high pressure to detach the particles from the surface of a sample cartridge and to carry the particles through the apparatus toward t

A gas driven apparatus for accelerating particles coated with a genetic material into a target comprises a reservoir for releasably retaining a gas at a sufficiently high pressure to detach the particles from the surface of a sample cartridge and to carry the particles through the apparatus toward the target. When leaving the apparatus, the particles entrained in the gas stream pass through a substantially conical exit nozzle which causes the pattern of distribution of the particles to greatly expand. Methods for using the apparatus and for preparing the sample cartridges are also described.

대표청구항 ▼

A gene delivery instrument adapted to be connected to a source of compressed gas, the instrument comprising a body having a particle acceleration passage formed therein and opening at one end thereof; a valve adapted to be connected to the source of compressed gas and connected to selectively admit

A gene delivery instrument adapted to be connected to a source of compressed gas, the instrument comprising a body having a particle acceleration passage formed therein and opening at one end thereof; a valve adapted to be connected to the source of compressed gas and connected to selectively admit compressed gas into the particle acceleration passage to make an accelerating gas stream; a cartridge chamber of a shape adapted to receive therein a particle cartridge having carrier particles coated with genetic material deposited thereon, the chamber positioned in the body and in the particle acceleration passage so that the gas stream expanding down the particle acceleration passage will pass adjacent the particle cartridge and pick up and accelerate the carrier particles from the cartridge; and a substantially conical exit nozzle at the opening of the particle acceleration passage from the body, the conical shape of the conical exit nozzle being such that the cone of the exit nozzle is significantly longer in the direction of gas flow than it is wide in the direction perpendicular to the gas flow at any point, the conical shape causing the gas stream exiting from the body to expand outward so as to distribute the carrier particles over a wider area than would be the case if the exit nozzle were not conical.