METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ICE-MEDICATED INTRODUCTION OF SUBSTANCES INTO BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL IN A NON-LETHAL MANNER

摘要

According to the present invention, a desired substance to be introduced into a cell is added to a desired liquid capable of dissolving, suspending or encapsulating the substance. For the purposes of the specification and claims, solution will be defined to include liquids in which the desired substance is either dissolved or suspended or in part both. The solution is then used to make ice particles that contain the desired substance. These ice particles are then accelerated toward a target tissue whereby at least some of the particles impact upon and enter at least some cells in the target tissue without killing the cells. Once inside the cell, these ice particles then melt, leaving behind the desired substance in the protoplasm of the bombarded cell.