JP3671596B2 - Electrophoresis device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrophoresis apparatus having an electrophoresis tank lid for improving operability and safety.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Electrophoresis is a universal analytical technique used in a wide range of industrial fields, including basic research in biochemistry and various tests. There are a wide variety of biochemical devices. In particular, in a horizontal submarine electrophoresis device, the electrophoresis tank has a wide opening, and therefore it is necessary to seal the opening with a lid for safety. Various measures have been made in the past to prevent electric shock when the lid is opened during operation. For example, a power cord is connected to the lid, and the conductor from the power source is disconnected when the lid is removed, and it can only be connected when the power cord is covered. For example, the power cord can be removed. However, operability is significantly impaired due to this.
[0003]
In addition, during the electrophoresis, water vapor is inevitably generated and dew condensation occurs on the lid. Therefore, when the lid is removed after the electrophoresis, water drops wet the experimental environment. Since the lid has the same size as the electrophoresis tank, there was a problem in securing a space for temporarily placing the lid when not in use. The electrophoresis tank is inevitably placed in front of the workbench for convenience of sample addition, and the power source is placed in the back of the workbench. Therefore, the power cord and the lid that connect them are usually placed between the electrophoresis tank and the power source, and there is a danger of wetting the power source when the lid holds water. In particular, when a plurality of electrophoretic apparatuses are used simultaneously, the space on the work table is remarkably occupied, the power supply is wetted by the water droplets on the lid, and the risk of electric leakage or electric shock increases.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to construct an electrophoresis device that is excellent in operability and is safe.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have provided a hinge on the lid, so that it is possible to save a stationary space when the lid is not used, and water drops fall in a fixed direction when the lid is opened. We found that wetting in the electrophoresis environment can be avoided. Furthermore, the opening and closing movement of the lid makes it possible to easily install a device for connecting and disconnecting electrode terminals, improving operability and making it safer.
[0006]
That is, according to the present invention, the opening can be opened and closed by an electrophoresis tank installed with the opening directed vertically upward, and a hinge having a fulcrum located on one side surface or a pair of opposite side surfaces of the electrophoresis tank. a substantially flat lid, and a lid that is set parallel to the installation surface of the electrophoretic bath in the closed state, the opening and closing of the lid, connected to an electrode provided in the electrophoresis bath water and the electrode terminals that are, together with the contact between the power source for applying a DC voltage to the electrode is controlled, the lid, which upon the open state flipped it receives water droplets dripping along its inner surface An electrophoretic device is provided with a reservoir.
[0008]
The electrophoresis tank used in the present invention is capable of generating water vapor due to an increase in the temperature of the buffer solution during electrophoresis, and typically includes a horizontal submarine electrophoresis tank. The horizontal submarine electrophoresis tank has a convex platform at the bottom for holding a carrier for electrophoresis such as agarose gel or polyacrylamide gel.
[0009]
In the present invention, the lid may be non-opaque, that is, colored or colorless, transparent or translucent so that the inside of the electrophoresis tank can be visually observed when the electrophoresis tank is covered. The material and shape of the lid are not particularly limited, and usually a plastic flat plate or rectangular shape is used.
[0010]
In the present invention, the hinge includes various shapes made of various materials. However, the hinge is not limited to a specific shape, and any hinge having sufficient strength may be used.
[0011]
The electrophoretic device of the present invention is an electrophoretic device in which energization is controlled by opening and closing the lid, and electrode terminals connected to both positive and negative electrodes such as platinum electrodes installed in the electrophoretic tank are lids. Only when is closed is it in contact with another terminal connected to the lid. On the other hand, the terminal of the lid is led to the power cord and connected to the DC power source. That is, when the lid is opened, the terminals of the electrophoresis tank and the lid are mechanically separated, and the electrophoresis tank is not energized. The terminal structure may be anything as long as it can form a contact state that can be energized, and the shape is not limited.
[0012]
[Action]
According to the electrophoresis apparatus of the present invention, since it has a lid that can be opened and closed by a hinge, not only the operability is improved, but water vapor condensed during electrophoresis is devised in the structure of the lid or the position of the hinge, etc. It is possible to prevent water from leaking outside the electrophoresis tank. This makes it possible to minimize water wetting into the electrophoresis environment. Further, in the conventional electrophoresis apparatus, when the lid is not used, the space equivalent to the electrophoresis tank is occupied for temporary deferment, but according to the electrophoresis apparatus of the present invention, the lid is splashed up. Since the state can be maintained, no extra space is required on the experimental bench. Further, the opening / closing operation of the lid facilitates the installation of a power supply safety device, and energization can be started or stopped along with the opening / closing of the lid.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the electrophoresis apparatus of the present invention. A convex platform 2 is formed at the bottom of the electrophoresis tank 1, and both negative and positive electrodes 3 and 4 made of platinum wire are formed at both ends in the migration direction. Bifurcated bearings 5 and 6 are formed on the upper sides of both sides of the electrophoresis tank 1 in the migration direction and in the vicinity of one end in the direction perpendicular to the migration direction. Further, in the direction perpendicular to the migration direction of the electrophoresis tank 1, both negative and positive electrode terminals 7, 8 are formed at the two opposite corners of the bearing portions 5, 6 so as to protrude upward. Electrode terminals 7 and 8 are connected to both electrodes 3 and 4, respectively.
[0014]
The lid 9 covering the electrophoresis tank 1 is made of transparent plastic and has shafts 10 and 11 extending outward at positions corresponding to the bearing portions 5 and 6 of the electrophoresis tank 1. The shafts 10 and 11 have an elliptical columnar shape in which the thickness direction of the lid 9 is a minor axis and the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the lid 9 is a major axis. The bearings 5 and 6 of the electrophoresis tank 1 and the shafts 10 and 11 of the lid 9 have such a shape, so that the lid 9 is in an upright state (the thickness direction of the lid 9 is substantially horizontal and the thickness of the lid 9 is The shafts 10 and 11 can be easily and detachably fitted into the bifurcated gaps of the bearing portions 5 and 6, respectively, in a state where the direction perpendicular to the direction is substantially vertical. A hinge is formed by fitting the shafts 10 and 11 to the bearing portions 5 and 6, respectively.
[0015]
In electrophoresis, the agarose gel 13 is placed on the platform 2 in the electrophoresis tank 1 filled with the electrophoresis buffer 12 with the lid 9 raised, that is, with the lid 9 upright. A sample is put in the sample groove 14 of the agarose gel 13, the lid 9 is closed, and then the power cord 16 from the DC power source 15 is connected to both the positive and negative electrode terminals 7 and 8, and energized with appropriate voltage and current. After the electrophoresis is completed, the power cord 16 is removed, the lid 9 is flipped up, and the gel 13 is collected.
[0016]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lid 9 can be detachably attached to the electrophoresis tank 1, but the lid 9 may be fixed to the electrophoresis tank 1 by a hinge. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the lid 9 is fixed to the electrophoresis tank 1 by a hinge. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the side surfaces of the electrophoresis tank 1 are both side surfaces extending in the migration direction, that is, a pair of side surfaces straddling and facing the cathode 3 side and the anode 4 side of the electrophoresis tank 1, A hinge 17 is formed at the end of the upper anode 4 side. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the lid 9 can be closed with the direction perpendicular to the migration direction as an axis.
[0017]
During the electrophoresis, water vapor generated from the electrophoresis buffer 12 condenses on the inner surface of the lid 9 (the surface facing the bottom surface of the electrophoresis tank 1), and when the lid 9 is lifted, a water droplet hangs along the lid 9. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the anode 4 side end of the lid 9 protrudes outward from the side surface of the electrophoresis tank 1, so that when the lid 9 is flipped up, water droplets leak out of the electrophoresis tank 1. Sometimes. In order to prevent water leakage to the outside of the electrophoresis tank 1, it is necessary to devise the structure of the lid 9 or the position of the hinge.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a mode for collecting water droplets in the electrophoresis tank 1, and a broken line is an inflow locus of water droplets. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a hinge 18 is installed at a position where one side surface of the electrophoresis tank 1 and the upper end of the electrophoresis tank 1 intersect. Therefore, when the lid 9 is flipped up, a water droplet drips along the lid 9 and flows into the electrophoresis tank 1 at the position of the hinge 18.
[0019]
The mode for collecting the water droplets in the electrophoresis tank 1 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3, but for collecting the water receptacle and water drops for receiving the water drops on the inner surface of the lid and dropping them into the electrophoresis tank 1. Dripping can also be prevented by providing a reservoir (water reservoir). FIG. 4 is a view showing a mode in which a water reservoir 19 is provided on the inner surface of the lid 9, and a broken line is an inflow locus of water droplets. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the position of the hinge 17 is not particularly limited, and when the lid 9 is flipped up, water droplets hang down along the lid 9 and are collected in the water reservoir 19.
[0020]
Another embodiment of the present invention is an electrophoresis apparatus in which energization is controlled by opening and closing a lid of an electrophoresis tank fixed by a hinge. This aspect will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of the electrophoresis tank lid 9 and the electrophoresis tank 1 fixed by hinges, and the facing part where the electrophoresis tank 1 and the lid 9 can contact (indicated by a thick solid line in the figure). Terminals are placed at any of the positions shown). Typical terminals are shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C.
[0021]
FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a system in which male and female terminals are fitted. When the lid 9 is closed, a female pin receiver 21 in which a male pin 20 is formed by a pair of leaf springs. The two terminals come into contact with each other and are energized.
[0022]
FIG.5 (c) is a figure which shows the system which the terminal comprised by the surface contacts, and one planar terminal 22 comprises a spring as shown in the figure, or is comprised with the magnet, Contact with the other planar terminal 23 is guaranteed. The pair of terminals is necessary for each of the cathode and the anode. The shape of the terminal is not limited to these, and any terminal that can form a contact state may be used.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
According to the electrophoresis apparatus of the present invention, not only the operability is improved, but also water vapor condensed during electrophoresis can be prevented from leaking outside the electrophoresis tank. This makes it possible to minimize water wetting in the electrophoresis environment. In addition, no extra space is required on the experimental workbench, and the opening and closing operation of the lid facilitates the installation of a power supply safety device.
[0024]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.
Example 1 Recovery of condensed water formed on the inner surface of the lid of the electrophoresis tank (I)
A hinge was provided in the electrophoresis tank, the lid was fixed, an apparatus as shown in FIG. 3 was made, and the trajectory of condensed water after electrophoresis was examined. The time required for the formation of condensed water differs depending on the size and voltage of the electrophoresis tank, but condensed water was formed on the inner surface of the lid so that it usually drip in one hour. As the angle of the lid increased, the condensed water gradually moved to the hinge side of the lid, collected, and dropped into the electrophoresis tank. It was found that the dew condensation water can be effectively collected in the electrophoresis basket.
[0025]
Example 2 Recovery of condensed water formed on the inner surface of the lid of the electrophoresis tank (II)
A hinge was provided in the electrophoresis tank, the lid was fixed, an apparatus as shown in FIG. 4 was made, and the trajectory of condensed water after electrophoresis was examined. The time required for the formation of condensed water differs depending on the size and voltage of the electrophoresis tank, but condensed water was formed on the inner surface of the lid so that it usually drip in one hour. As the angle of the lid increased, the condensed water gradually moved to the hinge side of the lid, collected and moved to the water reservoir. It was found that the dew condensation water can be effectively collected in a water reservoir installed on the inner surface of the lid.
[0026]
Example 3 Effect of Power Switch Accompanying Opening / Closing of Lid The apparatus shown in FIG. 5 was made, and the operation of the power switch accompanying opening / closing of the cover was examined. It was found that both the fitting type and the contact type functioned as a switch in response to a slight opening / closing angle of the lid.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of an electrophoresis apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a lid 9 is fixed to the electrophoresis tank 1 by a hinge.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a mode for collecting water droplets in the electrophoresis tank 1;
4 is a view showing a mode in which a water reservoir 19 is provided on the inner surface of the lid 9. FIG.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a mode in which energization is controlled by opening and closing the lid 9; FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an installation position of the electrophoresis tank 1 and electrode terminals; and FIG. (C) is a figure which shows a contact-type electrode terminal.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrophoresis tank 3 Negative electrode 4 Positive electrode 7 Cathode terminal 8 Anode terminal 9 Cover 15 DC power supply 17, 18 Hinge

Claims (1)

An electrophoresis tank installed with the opening facing vertically upward;
A substantially flat lid that can open and close the opening by a hinge having a fulcrum located on one side surface or a pair of opposite side surfaces of the electrophoresis tank, and in a closed state with respect to the installation surface of the electrophoresis tank And a lid set in parallel ,
By opening and closing the lid, the contact between the electrode terminal connected to the electrode provided in the electrophoresis tank and the power source for applying a DC voltage to the electrode is controlled,
Said lid, when the open state flipped it, characterized in that the basin receives water droplets dripping along its inner surface is provided, the electrophoresis apparatus.

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