Capillary electrophoresis apparatus
First Claim
1. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends,first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed,second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past a detector,said first means includes a rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a holder for holding an end of said capillary tube in operative relation with one of the said cups, said cups containing either buffer solution or a sample to be analyzed, anda T-shaped section of capillary tube inserted in said capillary tube and coupled to a source of cleaning fluid usable to clean said capillary tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus includes a capillary tube having input and output ends and having a detector coupled thereto. A rotatable table is provided at each end of the capillary tube and each table includes sample cups for containing samples to be analyzed, and, if desired, a medium to be introduced into the capillary for transporting a sample substance to be analyzed. An electrode is provided adjacent to each end of the capillary tube for applying electrical potential across the capillary tube to cause charged particles of a sample to flow through the capillary tube and past said detector which detects the components of the sample.
Electronic means, including a computer, are provided for causing various portions of the apparatus to operate automatically when performing an analytical operation.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends,
first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed, second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past a detector, said first means includes a rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a holder for holding an end of said capillary tube in operative relation with one of the said cups, said cups containing either buffer solution or a sample to be analyzed, and a T-shaped section of capillary tube inserted in said capillary tube and coupled to a source of cleaning fluid usable to clean said capillary tube.
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8. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends,
first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed, second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past said detector, said first means includes a rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a holder for holding an end of said capillary tube in operative relation with one of the said cups, said cups containing either buffer solution or a sample to be analyzed, said table including an annular array of holes in which sample cups are seated, said holder being disposed so that said first end of said capillary tube is always positioned over one of said sample cups, said holder including a cylindrical portion which has an aperture which is adapted to receive said first end of said capillary tube and said holder further has a hollow tubular portion which extends downwardly from said cylindrical portion and is adapted to be inserted into a sample cup, said holder having a second aperture to receive an electrode, third means at said second end of said capillary tube including a rotatable table and a plurality of second sample cups carried thereby, a second holder for holding said second end of said capillary tube in operative relation with one of said second sample cups, a first electrode in operative relation with said first end of said capillary tube and a second electrode in operative relation with said second end of said capillary tube, and means for applying electrical potential between said first and second electrodes, said electrical potential being applied with said first and second ends of said capillary tube seated in buffer solution, a vertical post disposed adjacent to said holder and having a slot in its side wall, a vertical rod inside said vertical post and adapted to move vertically up and down, a horizontal arm extending laterally from said vertical rod through said slot, a first electrode on the outer wall of said vertical rod, a lead extending from said first electrode along said horizontal arm into said second aperture in said holder and into said hollow tubular portion, and a second electrode disposed within said vertical post and including a lead coupled to a power supply, said first electrode and said second electrode being positioned so that when said vertical rod moves a predetermined distance, said first and second electrodes make contact with each other.
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13. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends,
first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed, second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past said detector, said first means includes a rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a holder for holding an end of said capillary tube in operative relation with one of the said cups, said cups containing either buffer solution or a sample to be analyzed, and said second means includes a second rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a second holder for holding the other end of said capillary tube, and means for varying the spacing between said first and second holders and the operating length of the capillary tube therebetween.
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14. An automated capillary electrophoresis system including
a computer for controlling the operation of the system as an electrophoresis system, a bus connected to said a computer, a capillary tube for receiving a sample of a substance to be analyzed and having an input end and an output end, PG,47 a detector adjacent to said capillary tube for detecting the passage of elements of said sample to be analyzed thereby, a first electorde at said input end of said capillary tube and in operative relation therewith and with fluids contained therein, a second electrode at said output end of said capillary tube and in operative relation therewith and with fluids contained therein, a power supply having terminals adapted to provide a plurality of output voltages, said terminals being coupled to said electrodes for applying voltages therebetween, said power supply also being connected to said bus and to said computer whereby its operation and the application of selected voltages to said electrodes can be controlled and sequenced, a timer control coupled to said bus and to said computer for controlling the time duration of the application of operating voltages to said electrodes by said power supply, a first holder for said input end of said capillary tube, a second holder for said output end of said capillary tube, first holder drive means coupled mechanically to said first holder for driving said first holder and said input end of said capillary tube vertically up and down, said first holder drive means being electrically coupled to said bus and to said computer whereby the operation thereof can be automatically controlled, first holder drive sensor means in operative relation with said first holder drive means for controlling the movement thereof, second holder drive means coupled mechanically to said second holder for driving said second holder and said output end of said capillary tube vertically up and down, said second holder drive being electrically coupled to said bus and to said computer whereby the operation thereof can be automatically controlled, second holder drive sensor means in operative relation with said second holder drive means controlling the up and down movement thereof, a first rotatable table adjacent to said first holder and carrying cups positioned to receive said input end of said capillary tube, a second rotatable adjacent to said second holder and carrying cups positioned to receive said output end of said capillary tube, a first table drive means coupled mechanically to said first rotary table and electronically to said bus and to said computer, first table drive sensor means associated with said first table drive means to control the operation thereof, a second table drive means coupled mechanically to said second rotary table and electrically to said bus and to said computer, second table drive sensor means assoaciated with said second table drive means to control the operation thereof, a clock control means in said computer, said computer operating to:
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15. turn on said first and second holder drive means to raise said first and second holders a predetermined amount which raises said first and second holders above said first and second rotary tables respectively,turn on said first and second table drive means to rotate said first and second tables to a starting position under the control of said first and second table drive sensor means,turn on said first and second holder drive means to lower said first and second holders an amount determined by said first and second holder drive sensor means which places said holders and said input end of said capillary tube, which is filled with buffer solution, in a first cup containing a sample substance to be analyzed,cause a sample fluid to be injected into said capillary tube;
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5. cause said sample to flow along said capillary tube. - View Dependent Claims (17, 19, 20, 22)
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16. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a box-like support member having a top wall, front and rear walls and left and right end walls,
a first box enclosure at one end of said support member, a second box enclosure at the opposite end of said support member, said box enclosures each including a base member, left and right sidewalls, front and rear walls and a removable cover, a first rotatable table disposed within said first box enclosure and rotatably supported on the base member thereof, a plurality of apertures in said first table and a sample cup seated in each of said apertures, a vertically moveable first post disposed adjacent to said first table and including a first hollow tube extending downwardly therefrom over said apertures in said first table, said first hollow being adapted to be moved into and out of a sample cup when said first arm moves down and up, a first electrode extending into said first hollow tube, a second rotatable table disposed within said second box enclosure and rotatably supported on the base member thereof, a plurality of apertures in said second table and a sample cup seated in each of said apertures, a vertically moveable second post disposed adjacent to said second table and including a second hollow tube extending downwardly therefrom over said apertures in said second table, said hollow tube being adapted to be moved into and out of a sample cup when said second arm moves down and up, a second electrode extending into said second hollow tube, said first and second electrodes being adapted to have electrical power coupled thereto, a capillary tube extending from said first box enclosure to said second box enclosure and having one end disposed within said first tube and the other end of said capillary tube disposed within said second hollow tube, a detector disposed adjacent to said capillary tube for detecting the passage of charged particles therethrough, and a pump coupled to the output end of said capillary tube, said pump comprising a miniature pump mounted inside said housing.
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21. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a box-like support member having a top wall, front and rear walls and left and right end walls,
said top wall having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first box enclosure at one end of said support member, a second box enclosure at the opposite end of said support member, said box enclosures each including a base member, left and right sidewalls, front and rear walls and a removable cover, an aperture in said top wall of said box-like support member, said aperture extending along a portion of the length at said top wall, a first rotatable table disposed within said first box enclosure and rotatably supported on the base member thereof, a plurality of apertures in said first table and a sample cup seated in each of said apertures, a second rotatable table disposed within said second box enclosure and rotatably supported on the base member thereof, a plurality of apertures in said second table and a sample cup seated in each of said apertures, a capillary tube extending from said first box enclosure to said second box enclosure and having one end disposed in operative relation with said first table and the other end of said capillary tube disposed in operative relation with said second table, and a detector disposed adjacent to said capillary tube for detecting the passage of charged particles therethrough, said first box being mounted on said top wall, said second box being slidably mounted on said top wall and secured to mounting means disposed beneath said top wall and within said box-like support member.
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24. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a box-like support member having a top wall, front and rear walls, and left and right end walls,
said top wall having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first box enclosure at one end of said top wall of said support member, a second box enclosure at the opposite end of said top wall of said support member, means supporting a capillary tube between said first box and said second box, and means associated with said box-like support member for varying the spacing between said first box and said second box whereby capillary tubes of different lengths can be supported therebetween.
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25. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends,
first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed, second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past said detector, said first means includes a rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a holder for holding an end of said capillary tube in operative relation with one of the said cups, said cups containing either buffer solutions or a sample to be analyzed, a magnifying glass coupled to said capillary tube for viewing the flow of fluid through said capillary tube, and a pump coupled to the output end of said capillary tube.
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28. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends,
first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed, second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past said detector, said first means includes a rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a holder for holding an end of said capillary tube in operative relation with one of the said cups, said cups containing either buffer solution or a sample to be analyzed, and a source of an oxygen absorbent gas coupled to said rotatable table for introduction of said gas into sample cups to remove air bubbles therefrom.
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30. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends,
first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed, second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past said detector, said first means includes a rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a holder for holding an end of said capillary tube in operative relation with one of the said cups, said cups containing either buffer solution or a sample to be analyzed, and including means for operating said second means to cause said electrical potential to be cyclically reversed to cause said sample to move first in one direction and then in the opposite direction past said detector to provide a series of detector pulses for identification of the sample.
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31. The method of detecting the nature of a sample of a substance by capillary electrophoresis comprising the steps of
passing a substance to be analyzed in one direction through a detector to obtain a pulse representative of the optical wavelength of said sample, passing said substance in the opposite direction through said detector to obtain a second pulse representat0ve of the optical wavelength of said sample and, continuing the process of passing said substance back and forth through said detector to obtain a series of pulses which combine to provide accurate identification of the sample.
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32. Apparatus for analyzing a sample material comprising
a capillary tube a detector adjacent to said capillary tube and adapted to provide an output detector pulse when a sample material passes along said capillary tube and through said detector, a source of sample material at one end of said capillary tube to be passed down said tube to said detector, electrical means connected across said capillary tube for causing said sample material to pass in a first direction along said capillary tube through said detector to provide a first detection pulse, said electrical means being reversible to cause said sample material to flow in the reverse direction to said first direction to cause said sample material to pass through said detector to provide a second detector pulse, and means for toggling said electrical means to cause said sample substance to pass back and forth through said detector and providing thereby multiple detector pulses.
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33. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends,
first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed, second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past said detector, said first means includes a rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a holder for holding an end of said capillary tube in operative relation with one of the said cups, said cups containing either buffer solution or a sample to be analyzed, and said capillary tube is in the form of a coil of glass tubing.
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34. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus including a capillary tube having an inlet end and an outlet end for receiving a sample to be identified and for passing the sample along the length of the capillary,
a porous glass tube receiving the outlet end of said capillary tube and an auxiliary tube in said porous glass tube having one end adjacent to the outlet end of said capillary tube and adapted to receive a sample from said capillary tube, said auxiliary tube having an outlet end from which the sample exits to a collection means.
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37. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising
a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends, first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed, second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past a detector, said first means including a rotatable table carrying a plurality of sample cups and a holder for holding anend of said capillary tube in operativerelation with one of said cups, said cups containing either buffer solution or a sample to be analyzed, and a plurality of chemical substances spaced apart along the length of said capillary tube, each of said chemical substances having a specific action with respect to constituent molecules contained within a sample flowing along said capillary and either attracting a molucule for later elution or permitting a molecule to pass along the capillary tube.
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38. Capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising
a capillary tube of the type which can be electrically charged, said capillary tube having first and second ends, first means at said first end of said capillary tube providing a source of buffer solution and a source of a sample substance to be analyzed, second means coupled to said apparatus for applying electrical potential across said capillary tube whereby a sample flows through said capillary tube and past a detector, and a plurality of chemical substances spaced apart along the length of said capillary tube, each of said chemical substances having a specific action with respect to constituent molecules contained within a sample flowing along said capillary and either attracting a molucule for later elution or permitting a molecule to pass along the capillary tube.
Specification