JP3063785B2 - Electrophoresis support wetting device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for wetting a support for electrophoresis. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for moistening a support for electrophoresis such as a cellulose acetate membrane to which serum is applied with a buffer solution such as a solution of veronal / veronal soda when performing fractionation and quantification of serum proteins and the like. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 8, for example, a conventional wetting device has two rollers 1 and 2 each having a surface layer 1a and 2a formed of a thick sponge. The roller 1 is rotatably mounted between both side walls of the container 3, and its shaft 1b is connected to a driving device (not shown). The roller 2 has both ends of a shaft 2b inserted into longitudinal grooves 3a formed on both side walls of the container 3, presses the roller 1 by its own weight, and is mounted between both side walls so as to be movable and vertically movable. ing. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, a buffer solution 4 such as a solution of veronal / veronal soda is put in the container 3 to a water level at which a part of the surface layer 1a of the roller 1 is immersed. Then, while rotating the roller 1 in the direction of arrow A, the support 5 such as a cellulose acetate film is moved in the direction of arrow B.
, And inserted between the roller 1 and the roller 2 to wet the support 5 with the buffer solution 4 contained in the surface layer 1 a of the roller 1.

[0003]

However, this type of apparatus has the following disadvantages. In other words, if left unattended during non-operation, the sponge that has not been immersed in the buffer solution will dry and harden.For example, it is necessary to wash the sponge roller with the buffer solution the next time it is used. Occurs. If this co-washing is not carried out, the wettability to the support is uneven and there is a portion that is not wet, so that troubles such as distorted electrophoretic images occur. For this reason, co-washing is indispensable, but this makes daily maintenance troublesome.

[0004] Further, the buffer solution immersed in the sponge evaporates faster than the buffer solution in the container because the sponge has porous eyes. If the evaporation of the buffer is large, the ionic strength is increased and the electrophoretic image is not elongated.

Further, if the entire sponge is immersed in the buffer solution from the beginning, the entire support is not uniformly wet because the effect of squeezing the support after wetting is not obtained. Can not. If the serum is simultaneously applied, the adsorption of the serum to the support is not uniform, so that the electrophoresis image is disturbed. An object of the present invention is to provide a wetting device that solves these disadvantages.

[0006]

An apparatus for wetting a support for electrophoresis according to the present invention comprises a first roller having a surface layer made of a flexible water-absorbing substance, and a non-water absorbing member for pressing the first roller. A second roller made of a non-conductive substance, a buffer solution container for storing a buffer solution, and a lid for closing the buffer solution container, and means for immersing the entire first roller with the buffer solution when the apparatus is not operating. Prepare.

[0007]

Only the first roller has a surface layer formed of a water-absorbing substance such as a sponge. When the apparatus is not operated, the entire first roller, that is, the entire surface layer is immersed in the buffer solution. At this time, the amount of the buffer solution required in the conventional example is much smaller than the amount used in the necessary co-washing. During operation of the apparatus, a part of the surface layer is immersed in an appropriate amount of buffer solution. Further, evaporation of the buffer solution can be suppressed.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. The roller 12 has a metal roller 14 at the center, and a water-absorbing surface layer 16 made of a porous material such as a sponge is provided around the metal roller 14. The roller 12 is rotatably supported inside a buffer solution container 20 for storing a buffer solution 21 such as a solution of veronal veronal soda. A roller 18 made of a non-water-absorbing substance such as a nonporous metal is provided above the roller 12 so as to be rotatable and to press the surface layer 16 of the roller 12. The roller 18 is vertically movably supported so as to press the surface portion 16 by its own weight, for example. Alternatively, the shaft is forcibly attached to the roller 12. Shaft of roller 12 or metal roller 1
The shaft 8 is connected to a driving device (not shown), and the rotation thereof sends out a support 24 such as a cellulose acetate film from the left side to the right side in the figure. The support 24 that has passed between the rollers is discharged to the outside of the apparatus via a guide 26 for transporting the support in an appropriate direction.

The water level of the buffer 21 placed in the buffer container 20 is maintained at the position L in the figure during operation of the apparatus.
Further, at night or the like when the operation of the apparatus is stopped for a long time, the water level of the buffer solution 21 is maintained at the position H in the figure.
Float switches 28 and 30 as water level sensors are provided at these positions, respectively, and are used to adjust the water level of the buffer solution 21 in the buffer solution container 20. That is, when the water level of the buffer solution 21 is set to the H position, the pump 34 is operated and the buffer solution container
Buffer solution is fed into the inside. Then, when the liquid level reaches the position H, the float switch 30 is operated, and the operation of the pump 34 is stopped accordingly. Thereby, the buffer 21
Is maintained at the H position. On the other hand, when the water level of the buffer 21 is set to the L position, the solenoid valve 40 is opened and the drain pipe 3 is opened.
The buffer solution 21 in the buffer solution container 20 is discharged to the outside via 8. When the liquid level drops and reaches the position L, the float switch 28 operates and the solenoid valve 40 is closed. The discharged buffer may be returned to the buffer tank 32.

When the apparatus is not used for a long time, the water level of the buffer 21 is kept at the H position. Thereby, since the surface layer 16 absorbing the buffer solution is stored in a state of being immersed in the buffer solution due to the wetting of the support 24, the hardening of the surface layer portion is prevented. Since the buffer solution container 20 is covered with the lid 22, evaporation of the buffer solution 21 is suppressed.

[0012] A stable electrophoretic image can be obtained without the need for daily manual washing with a buffer solution of the surface layer of a sponge or the like, and the apparatus can be operated efficiently. Further, since unnecessary evaporation of the buffer solution is prevented, it is not necessary to replenish the buffer solution every day, and deterioration such as an increase in ionic strength of the buffer solution can be suppressed.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. This embodiment shows a wet roller unit which is attached to and detached from the electrophoresis apparatus. In the drawings, members that are the same as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The two ends of the two rollers 12 and 18 are supported by two support plates 48 with their axes centered forcibly. These rollers 12 and 18 are rotatably supported by bearings 50 and 52, respectively. A gear (gear) 54 is provided at the shaft end of the roller 12, and is connected to a driving device when the wet roller unit is attached to the apparatus main body. This rotates the roller, and conveys an electrophoresis support such as a cellulose acetate membrane.

A support plate 48 is attached to the plate 44, and the plate 44 is provided with a handle 46 for carrying the wet roller portion. When the apparatus is not operating, the wet roller unit is removed from the apparatus main body and stored in a buffer solution container 42 containing a buffer solution 21 such as veronal veronal soda as shown in the figure. At this time, the buffer solution container 42
Is filled with a buffer solution in such an amount that the entire roller 12 is immersed. When the wet roller portion is stored in the buffer solution container 42,
The plate 44 closes the opening of the container 42 and prevents the buffer solution 21 from evaporating.

On the other hand, during operation of the apparatus, the wet roller unit is mounted on the apparatus main body (not shown),
A part of the surface layer part 16 of No. 2 is immersed in a buffer solution such as veronal veronal soda. At this time, a cover (not shown) is put on the buffer solution container 42 in order to prevent evaporation of the buffer solution.

Only the lower roller 12 has a surface portion 16 formed of sponge or the like. When the apparatus is not operated, the entire roller 12 is immersed in the buffer solution, and when the apparatus is operated, a part of the roller is immersed. The amount of buffer required to keep the entire roller 12 immersed when the apparatus is not in operation is smaller than the amount required for co-washing, which was conventionally required. Also,
Buffer evaporation can also be suppressed. Since the wet roller unit is integrated, the operation only needs to be put in the container containing the buffer at the end of the operation of the apparatus.

Since a stable electrophoretic image can be obtained without the need for daily manual washing with a sponge or other surface buffer, the device can be operated efficiently. Further, since unnecessary evaporation of the buffer solution can be prevented, it is possible to not only save the trouble of replenishing the buffer solution every day, but also suppress deterioration such as an increase in the ionic strength of the buffer solution. Further, since only one buffer solution container is provided in addition to the apparatus, an inexpensive apparatus can be configured.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. The present embodiment has two buffer solution containers for operation and non-operation of the apparatus, and has a mechanism for moving these containers.

As shown in FIG. 5, the wet roller section 60 includes a roller 12 having a surface layer 16 formed of a sponge or the like on the peripheral surface of a metal roller 14, and a roller 18 having a nonporous metal surface. However, these rollers are supported by the support plate 48 in a state in which the axis is forced,
Each roller is rotatable by bearings 50 and 52, respectively. The shaft of the metal roller 14 of the roller 12 is connected to a drive device via a gear (gear) or the like.
During operation of the device, the rollers 12 and 1 are driven by this drive.
8 is rotated to form a support 24 such as a cellulose acetate membrane.
Are sent from left to right in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the container for storing a buffer such as Bernard
Two buffer containers 56 and 58 are prepared. The buffer container 56 is filled with an amount of buffer enough to immerse a part of the roller 12, and the buffer container 58 is filled with an amount of buffer immersed in the entire roller 12. A buffer is placed. These buffer containers 56
And 58 are integrated and supported by a guide jig 64 of the transfer mechanism. The guide jig 64 is provided with a rack, and a pinion 66 engaged with the rack is attached to a motor 68 that can rotate forward and reverse. Therefore, by rotating the motor 68 in the forward and reverse directions, the buffer solution containers 56 and 58 can be moved in the left-right direction in the figure. A housing 70 containing the motor 68 is supported by a guide jig 72. The guide jig 72 is provided with a rack 74, and a pinion 76 engaged with the rack is attached to a shaft of a motor 78 that can rotate forward and reverse. Thus, by rotating the motor 78 in the forward and reverse directions, the buffer solution containers 56 and 58 together with the housing 70 are moved up and down. The buffer solution containers 56 and 58 can be moved in the vertical and horizontal directions in the figure as needed by these mechanisms and a buffer solution container transfer mechanism constituted by a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the motors 68 and 78.

During operation of the apparatus, buffer containers 56 and 58 are located at the positions shown in FIG. That is, a buffer solution container 56 is disposed on the wet roller unit 60 fixed to the apparatus, and as shown in FIG.
Soak with 1 At this time, the buffer solution container 58 is closed by the lid 62 fixed to the device, and the buffer solution 21 inside the buffer solution container 58 is closed.
Is prevented from evaporating.

When the operation of the apparatus is stopped for a long time at night or the like, the wet roller unit 60 is accommodated in the buffer solution container 58. The procedure will be described first.
Is rotated to lower the buffer solution container.
8 is rotated so that the buffer solution container 58 is located directly below the roller unit 60. Next, by rotating the motor 78 again, the buffer solution container 58 is held until the upper end hits the plate 44.
Is raised, and the motor 78 is stopped at that position. As a result, the entire roller 12 is immersed in the buffer solution 21 and the buffer solution container 58 is covered by the plate 44.
When the operation of the apparatus is restarted, the motor may be operated in the reverse procedure.

Only the lower roller 12 has a surface layer portion 16 formed of sponge or the like. When the apparatus is not operated, the entire roller 12 is immersed in the buffer solution, and when the apparatus is operated, a part of the roller is immersed. The amount of buffer required to keep the entire roller 12 immersed when the apparatus is not in operation is smaller than the amount required for co-washing, which was conventionally required. Also,
Buffer evaporation can also be suppressed. During operation of the device
The liquid level of the buffer immersing the roller 12 during non-operation can be automatically switched.

A stable electrophoretic image can be obtained without the need for daily manual washing with a buffer solution of the surface layer of a sponge or the like, so that the apparatus can be operated efficiently. Further, since unnecessary evaporation of the buffer can be prevented, it is not necessary to replenish the buffer every day, and deterioration such as an increase in the ionic strength of the buffer can be suppressed.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is essentially the same as the third embodiment,
The difference is that a wet roller unit is attached to the transfer mechanism instead of the buffer solution container.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, two buffer containers 56 and 58 are fixed to the main body of the apparatus. And the buffer solution container 58 is filled with an amount of buffer solution in which the entire roller 12 is immersed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the wet roller unit 60 includes a roller 12 having a surface layer 16 formed of a sponge or the like on the peripheral surface of a metal roller 14 and a roller 18 having a nonporous metal surface. However, these rollers are supported by the support plate 48 in a state in which the axis is forced,
Each roller is rotatable by bearings 50 and 52, respectively. The shaft of the metal roller 14 of the roller 12 is connected to a drive device via a gear (gear) or the like.
During operation of the device, the rollers 12 and 1 are driven by this drive.
8 is rotated to form a support 24 such as a cellulose acetate membrane.
Are sent from left to right in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 7, the wet roller unit 60 is connected to a transfer mechanism via a guide jig 64. The configuration of the transfer mechanism has been described in the third embodiment and will not be described here.

During operation of the apparatus, the wet roller unit 60 is disposed at the position shown in FIG. 6, and a part of the roller 12 is immersed in the buffer 21 as shown in FIG. At this time, the buffer solution container 58 holds the plate 4 moved together with the wetting roller unit 60.
The cover 45 is covered by a cover 45 provided integrally with the cover 4 to prevent evaporation of the buffer solution 21 therein.

When the operation of the apparatus is to be stopped for a long time at night or the like, the wet roller unit 60 is accommodated in the buffer solution container 58. The procedure will be described first.
Is rotated to raise the wet roller unit 60, and then the motor 68 is rotated so that the wet roller unit 60 is directly above the buffer solution container 58. Then again the motor 78
Is rotated to lower the wet roller unit 60 until the plate 44 hits the upper end of the buffer solution container 58. As a result, the entire roller 12 is immersed in the buffer solution 21, and the buffer solution container 58 is covered by the plate 44 to prevent the buffer solution from evaporating.

Only the lower roller 12 has a surface portion 16 formed of a sponge or the like. When the apparatus is not operated, the entire roller 12 is immersed in the buffer solution, and when the apparatus is operated, a part of the roller is immersed. The amount of buffer required to keep the entire roller 12 immersed when the apparatus is not in operation is smaller than the amount required for co-washing, which was conventionally required. Also,
Buffer evaporation can also be suppressed. During operation of the device
The liquid level of the buffer immersing the roller 12 during non-operation can be automatically switched.

Since a stable electrophoretic image can be obtained without the need for daily manual washing with a buffer solution on the surface layer of a sponge or the like, efficient operation of the apparatus is possible. Further, since unnecessary evaporation of the buffer can be prevented, it is not necessary to replenish the buffer every day, and deterioration such as an increase in the ionic strength of the buffer can be suppressed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the third embodiment described above and the fourth embodiment
In the embodiment, the rack and pinion of the transfer mechanism may be replaced with a cam mechanism to simplify the control circuit of the motor.
Further, in the embodiment, two buffer solution containers are prepared. However, by moving the buffer solution container or the roller unit using the driving mechanism, the height of the buffer solution level with respect to the roller 12 can be adjusted during operation and non-operation of the apparatus. Considering that the feature is that it can be changed by the above, one buffer solution container may be used. In this case, the height of the buffer liquid level with respect to the roller 12 can be changed by simply moving the buffer solution container or the roller unit up and down.

[0034]

According to the present invention, a stable electrophoretic image can be obtained without the need for daily manual co-washing with a buffer solution on the surface of a sponge or the like, so that efficient operation of the apparatus can be performed. . In addition, since the evaporation of the buffer solution during times other than the operation of the apparatus can be reduced, deterioration such as an increase in ionic strength of the buffer solution can be prevented. Therefore, a stable electrophoretic image shape and electrophoretic image length can be obtained without requiring a large amount of labor for maintenance. In addition, since the electrophoretic image is stable, data obtained therefrom is also reliable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for wetting a support for electrophoresis according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a wet roller unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the wet roller unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the device for wetting a support for electrophoresis according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the wetting roller unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for wetting a support for electrophoresis according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows the wetting roller unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional wetting device for a support for electrophoresis.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of the wetting device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 ... roller, 16 ... surface layer, 18 ... roller, 20
... buffer container, 22 ... lid, 28, 30 ... float switch, 32 ... buffer tank, 34 ... pump, 40 ... solenoid valve.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-50-156999 (JP, A) JP-A-53-142381 (JP, A) Fully open Showa 60-14861 (JP, U) Really open Showa 60- 135659 (JP, U) Fully open 1979-170655 (JP, U) Fully open, 55-170656 (JP, U) Fully open, 56-225 (JP, U) Fully open, 56-16049 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 27/447 WPI (DIALOG)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An apparatus for wetting a support for electrophoresis incorporated in an electrophoresis apparatus, comprising: a first roller having a surface layer made of a flexible water-absorbing substance; Second made of material
And a means for immersing the entire first roller in a buffer solution when the apparatus is not operating, comprising: a buffer solution container for storing the buffer solution; and a member for closing the buffer solution container. apparatus.