JPH0469340B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (a) Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a capillary type electrophoresis device, and more specifically to a structure for exchanging a leading electrolyte in a leading electrode cell in a capillary type isotachophoresis device. be.

(b) Prior art A conventional capillary type isotachophoresis device, for example,
As shown in Figures A and B, openings 2 and 3 are provided on the lower and upper surfaces of a cylindrical leading electrode cell (hereinafter referred to as electrode cell) 1, respectively, and a leading electrolyte (hereinafter referred to as (referred to as electrolyte)
The electrolytic solution was fed automatically or semi-automatically, and the electrolytic solution was drained out of the electrode cell 1 from the other opening.

In this device, as shown in FIG. 1A, an electrolytic solution feeding path 5 is tightly connected to the top opening 2, and the electrolytic solution is fed into the electrode cell 1 using a feeding/injection means such as a pump. - When injecting, if the tip of the flow path 4 connected to the bottom opening 2 is closed, the pressure inside the electrode tank 1 will increase and the electrolyte will not enter the electrode tank 1, and the flow path If the tip of electrode 4 is left open, the electrolytic solution will sequentially flow out from opening 3 and will not accumulate in electrode tank 1. Therefore, there is a method in which the electrolyte is fed with the liquid feeding path 5 inserted into the upper surface opening 2 and the end of the channel 4 closed.
When the electrolyte is filled in the electrode cell 1, the electrolyte overflows from the gap between the top opening 2 and the electrolyte feed path 5. However, it is necessary to control the operation of the liquid feeding/injection means based on the detection signal, which has the disadvantage that the device itself is complicated and expensive. Therefore, the first
As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolytic solution was fed into the electrode bath 1 through the lower opening 3 and drained through the upper opening 2.

However, with this method, when replacing the electrolyte, as described later, several ml of the replacement electrolyte is pumped into the electrode tank 1, mixed with the electrolyte to be replaced in the electrode tank 1, and the mixed solution is poured onto the top surface. Since this method drains the liquid from the tip of the channel 4 connected to the opening 2 and sequentially replaces the electrolyte in the electrode tank 1, there is a drawback that a large amount of electrolyte is required for replacement, and this drawback has been eliminated. In order to do this, before pumping the replacement electrolyte into the electrode tank 1, purge air is pumped through the bottom opening 3 to push out the electrolyte in the electrode tank 1 through the flow path 4 to purge the inside of the electrode tank 1. There is also a method of
Since the inner diameters of the migration tube 4 and the electrolytic solution feeding path 5 are much larger than, for example, 1 mmφ, the air forced into the electrode tank 1 does not push up the entire lower surface of the electrolytic solution inside the electrode tank 1. , diffuses upward from the bottom opening 3 and pushes up the electrolyte through the top opening 2.
The liquid is drained from the electrode tank 1. Therefore, there is a drawback that the electrolyte to be replaced remains on the bottom of the electrode bath 1. Therefore, when analyzing a sample by changing the type of electrolyte, different types of electrolytes may be mixed in the electrode bath 1. In the early stages of sample analysis, the analytical data was adversely affected.

(c) Purpose This invention was made in view of the above circumstances,
When replacing the electrolyte in the electrode tank, the electrolyte to be replaced can be completely drained from the electrode tank to the outside of the electrode tank.

(D) Configuration The configuration of the present invention is such that the leading electrode tank includes openings each opening in the upper and lower walls thereof, and a migration tube connection opening opening in the wall between these openings, and further includes: An electrolytic solution feeding path extends from the opening on the lower side to the outside of the leading electrode tank, and has a flow path switching valve and a suction/discharge means interposed in order from this opening side, and an electrolytic solution feeding path extends from the opening on the upper side to the outside of the leading electrode tank. a first electrolyte drain channel extending above the outer drain section, the tip of which is positioned so as to constantly drain the leading electrolyte into the drain section through air;
When replacing the leading electrolyte in the leading electrode tank with the second electrolyte drain path connected to the electrolyte feed path via the flow path switching valve, the suction/discharge means discharges for a predetermined period of time. After the electrolyte for replacement is pumped into the leading electrode tank and a part of the mixed solution of the leading electrolyte for replacement and for replacement is drained into the drain section, the suction/discharge means performs the suction operation to perform the leading. While sucking air into the electrode tank, a portion of the liquid mixture is pulled back to the electrolyte liquid supply path near the suction/discharge means, and the second electrolyte liquid is drained by switching the flow path switching valve. The mixed leading electrolyte in the electrolytic solution feeding path is communicated with the electrolytic solution feeding path, and the mixed leading electrolyte in the electrolytic solution feeding path is transferred to a second
After draining the electrolyte from the drain path,
The leading electrode tank is filled with air by repeating a series of operations from the return operation of the flow path switching valve to the discharge operation of the suction/discharge means, and then the leading electrode reservoir is filled with air by the discharge operation of the suction/discharge means. This is a capillary electrophoresis device that includes a suction/discharge means and an operation control unit that instructs a flow path switching valve to operate in order to fill the inside with a leading electrolyte for replacement.

(e) Examples This invention will be described in detail below based on examples shown in the figures. Note that this invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main parts of the capillary isotachophoresis device 8. As shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a cylindrical leading electrode tank filled with a leading electrolyte, and a cylindrical migration tube 10 connection opening 11 is provided on its side wall. Note that the leading electrode tank 9 and the leading electrolyte are hereinafter simply referred to as an electrode tank and an electrolyte. 12 is an electrode in the electrode tank 9, and 13 is a membrane (diaphragm) provided in the electrophoresis tube connection opening 10 in the electrode tank 9.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a first electrolyte drain path that opens on the upper surface of the electrode tank 9 and extends to the first drain tank 15 outside the electrode tank. This electrolytic solution drain path (hereinafter referred to as electrolytic solution drain path) is installed such that its tip is located above the drain tank 15 and is always positioned with air interposed between it and the drain surface.

Reference numeral 16 designates an electrolytic solution feeding path made of an elastic tube that opens at the lower surface of the electrode tank 9 and extends to an electrolytic solution storage reservoir 17 outside the electrode tank. On this electrolyte feeding path,
A flow path switching valve 18 and a straining pump 19 are installed in this order from the electrode tank 9 side. This flow path switching valve has a flow path switching rotor 20 mounted therein.

Reference numeral 21 designates a branch flow path as a second electrolyte drain path that is connected downward to the electrolyte liquid supply path 16 via a flow path switching valve 18 . This branch flow path extends to the second drain tank 22 outside the electrode tank 9.

23 is a flow path switching valve 18 and a straining pump 1
9 and is a microcomputer that controls their operation.

Capillary isotachophoresis device 8 consisting of the above configuration
A method of replacing the electrolyte in the electrode tank 9 using the following will be explained.

The electrode tank 9 and the electrolyte feed path 16 contain the previously used electrolyte, and the reservoir 17 is filled with a new electrolyte of a different type, and the flow path switching valve is rotated. When the microcomputer 23 is first activated in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, which indicates the position where the electrolytic solution feeding path 16 is communicated with the child 20, the straining pump 19 rotates for about 120 seconds as shown in a in FIG. When activated, a new electrolytic solution is pumped into the electrode tank 9 via the electrolytic solution feeding path 16. Then, the old electrolyte and new electrolyte are mixed in the electrode tank 9, and the mixed electrolyte overflows from the electrode tank 9 and drained from the electrolyte drain path 14 into the first drain tank 15. . Next, the straining pump 19 operates to suck and rotate in the direction b in FIG. Inhale. Then, the flow path switching valve 18 switches and the rotor 20 rotates to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. While feeding the electrolyte, the mixed electrolyte between the flow path switching valve 18 and the straining pump 19 is drained from the branch flow path 21 into the second drain tank 22 . After this liquid draining is completed, the flow path switching valve 18 is operated to return to open the electrolyte liquid feeding path 16. Then, by repeating the above series of operations starting from the suction operation of the straining pump 19 again, the electrode tank 9 is filled with air. Finally, the rotor 20 is aligned with the solid line in FIG. 2, and the straining pump 19 is operated to discharge, thereby filling the electrode tank 9 with new electrolyte.

By configuring the capillary isotachophoresis device 8 as described below, it is possible to eliminate contamination of the electrolyte when the type of electrolyte in the electrode tank is replaced due to a change in the target of analysis. Furthermore, the old electrolyte in the electrode tank can be reliably purged without removing the electrolyte in the reservoir from the electrolyte supply path and leaving the tip of the electrolyte supply route in the air. In addition to the straining pump, a syringe may be used as the electrolyte suction/discharge means.

(F) Effect The present invention provides an electrolytic solution feeding path in which a leading electrode tank is provided with upper and lower openings and a migration tube connection opening, and further extends from the upper opening and whose tip drains the liquid through air. , an electrolyte drain path extending from the lower opening and having a flow path switching valve and a suction/discharge means, a specific branch flow path, and controlling the operation of the flow path switching valve and the suction/discharge means, respectively. When replacing the leading electrolyte, the leading electrolyte to be replaced can be completely removed from the leading electrode tank, thereby improving the reliability of analysis data at the initial stage of sample analysis. It is something that makes it possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of a conventional capillary type isotachophoresis device, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the configuration of essential parts showing an embodiment of the capillary type isokinetic electrophoresis device according to the present invention. be. 8... Capillary isokinetic electrophoresis device, 9... Reading electrode tank, 11... Electrophoresis tube connection opening, 14...
... Electrolyte drain path, 16... Electrolyte drain path, 18...
...Flow path switching valve, 19...Stretching pump, 21...
Branch flow path, 23...microcomputer.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. The leading electrode tank is provided with openings each opening in the upper and lower walls thereof, and a migration tube connection opening opening in the wall between these openings, and further comprising: an electrolytic solution feeding path extending from the opening to the outside of the leading electrode tank, and having a flow path switching valve and suction/discharge means interposed in order from the opening side;
a first electrolyte drain path extending from the opening on the upper side above the drain section outside the electrode cell, the tip of which is positioned so as to constantly drain the leading electrolyte into the drain section through air; , a second electrolyte drain path connected to the electrolyte liquid supply path via the flow path switching valve; and a discharge operation of the suction/discharge means for a predetermined time when replacing the leading electrolyte in the leading electrode tank. After the electrolytic solution for replacement is force-fed into the leading electrode tank and a part of the mixed solution of the leading electrolytic solution for replacement and for replacement is drained into the drainage part, by the suction operation of the suction/discharge means. At the same time as suctioning air into the leading electrode tank, a portion of the liquid mixture is drawn back to the electrolyte liquid supply path near the suction/discharge means, and the second electrolyte liquid is drained by switching the flow path switching valve. The liquid path is communicated with the electrolyte liquid feeding path, and the mixed leading electrolyte in the electrolytic liquid feeding path is drained from the second electrolytic liquid drainage path by the discharge operation of the suction/discharge means, and the liquid is drained. After the completion, the leading electrode tank is filled with air by repeating a series of operations from the return operation of the flow path switching valve to the discharge operation of the suction/discharge means, and then, by the discharge operation of the suction/discharge means. A capillary electrophoresis device comprising a suction/discharge means for filling a leading electrode tank with a leading electrolyte for replacement, and an operation control section for instructing a flow path switching valve to operate.