KR20070117799A - Electrophoresis apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrophoresis apparatus is provided to help separation among a buffer tank contacted with buffer solution, a main tray or a sub tray, a main tray or a sub tray contacted with the buffer solution or gel type agar, the buffer tank and a base unit having a control box, and the control box of the base unit and a power supply unit, thereby contributing to convenience in separation, washing and assembling of the components. An electrophoresis apparatus comprises a base unit(10), a buffer tank(20), a cover(30) and a power supply unit(40). The base unit has an integrated control box(11) in its side corner portion, and includes an anode connection terminal and a cathode connection terminal. Each connection terminal has a connection terminal unit(12) electrically connected with a corresponding output terminal of the control box. The buffer tank forms a receiving space(20a) with an opened upside, has conductive posts(21). Inner end portions of two neighboring conductive posts are connected by the medium of a platinum line(6). At least one of an outer end portion of two conductive posts of one side and an outer end portion of the two conductive posts of the other side is electrically connected with the corresponding connection terminal of the base unit. The buffer tank receives agar, used for electrophoresis of a predetermined analysis object sample, in a part in its receiving space. In the cover, a certain number of opened holes(30a) are formed.

Description

Electrophoresis device {ELECTROPHORESIS APPARATUS}

1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an electrophoretic device according to the prior art.

2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electrophoretic device of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state of use of the electrophoretic device according to the prior art.

4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an electrophoretic device according to the present invention.

5 is a coupling diagram of the electrophoretic device according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a main tray and an auxiliary tray additionally used in the electrophoretic device according to the present invention, and a comb which enables grooves to be formed in a gel-like agar disposed on the main tray or the auxiliary tray.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between a main tray installed in a buffer tank and a gel-like agar disposed on the main tray when the cover of the electrophoretic device according to the present invention is opened.

8A is a schematic perspective view showing a contact connection terminal on the base side and a corresponding contact connection terminal on the buffer tank side of the electrophoretic apparatus according to the present invention;

8B is a schematic perspective view showing a non-contact connection terminal on the base side and a corresponding non-contact connection terminal on the buffer tank side of the electrophoretic apparatus according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

4: agar 4a: home

S: Sample 6: Platinum Wire

7: buffer solution 10: base part

11: control box 11a: current control timer

12a: connection terminal 12b: conducting wire

12: connection terminal 20: buffer tank

20a: accommodation space 20b: guide tunnel

20c: coupling groove 21: conduction post

30: cover 30a: opening hole

30b: stopper 30c stopper

31: rotation means 40: power supply

40a: semi-automatic on / off switch 40b: manual on / off switch

41: power plug 50: main tray

50a: partition 51: compartment

52: auxiliary tray 60: insulating material

61a, 61b: enameled coil 61: winding portion

62: corresponding winding 65a: protrusion

65: comb

The present invention relates to an electrophoretic device used to analyze proteins, DNA, RNA, enzymes, etc., in particular, the separation of the parts in contact with the buffer solution, the parts in contact with the agar in the form of a solution or gel, It is easy to assemble, and it fundamentally prevents the inflow of buffer solution, agar strip, washing water, etc. into the main electric part of the part when washing, and also the voltage, energization time, etc. for optimal electrophoresis for the sample to be analyzed. The present invention relates to an electrophoretic device that can be conveniently performed.

In general, electrophoresis refers to a phenomenon in which particles or molecules of a material move in one direction of an electrode according to their electrical properties in an electric field. Electrophoresis is widely used to analyze materials because particles or molecules of a material in an electric field have different movement speeds or moving distances depending on the molecular weight, the shape of the molecule, and the like. In addition, electrophoresis has high resolution characteristics, and thus is mainly used for efficient analysis of proteins, DNA, RNA, enzymes, and the like in the biological sciences.

Conventional electrophoretic apparatuses, as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the buffer tank (1) having a predetermined depth of the inner space (1a) of the upper opening, and the cover detachably installed on the upper portion of the buffer tank It consists of (2).

Here, the buffer tank (1) is provided with partitions (3) at both sides of the inner space (1a) at regular intervals, and engaging jaws (1b) are formed at two upper edges of the two longitudinal side walls, respectively. (See FIG. 1). The two latching jaws 1b are provided with a plurality of sample S feeding grooves 4a in the upper part of the agar 4 disposed between the one partition 3 and the other partition 3 in the buffer tank 1. To support a comb (not shown) that allows for formation (see FIG. 3).

Connection terminals 5 are respectively provided at four lower portions of both side longitudinal ends of the lid 2, and lower portions of the connection terminals 5 correspond to one partition 3 of the buffer tank 1. It is arrange | positioned so that each may be located between an inner wall and between the other partition 3 and a corresponding inner wall. The two adjacent connection terminals 5 are connected to each other by a lower end of the two sides via a platinum wire 6 and an upper end of one side thereof to an external power source (not shown) through an electric cable.

In addition, the upper two portions of the two longitudinal side end portions of the cover 2, the handle to separate the cover 2 from the buffer tank 1, or to conveniently place the cover on the upper portion of the buffer tank (1) (2a) is provided, respectively.

Referring to the operation of the electrophoretic apparatus according to the prior art configured as described above are as follows.

First, a certain amount of agar solution is injected between the partitions 3 in the buffer tank 1 to form a gel-shaped agar 4, and then the lower ends of both sides of the comb (not shown) are formed at two lengths of the buffer tank 1. Align it with the directional sidewall locking step 1b and press it toward the locking step. Then, when the comb is separated from the agar 4, a certain number of grooves 4a are formed in a corresponding portion of the agar.

Subsequently, the operator inserts the nucleic acid sample S into the groove 4a, and then places the buffer solution 7 in the buffer tank 1 so as to exceed the height of the two partitions 3 in the buffer tank 1. Inject. Then, the cover 2 having the connection terminal 5 connected to the platinum wire 6 on both lower sides thereof is positioned on the upper portion of the buffer tank 1, and then the connection terminal 5 of the cover 2 is closed. Connect to an external power source (not shown).

Then, an electric field is formed in the agar 4 in the buffer tank 1, and the nucleic acid sample S injected into the groove 4a of the agar moves toward the electrode opposite to the charge of the particles. Subsequently, when electrophoresis is completed, the lid 2 is removed from the buffer tank 1, and then the agar 4 in the buffer tank 1 is dyed with a pigment of a suitable color. Then, the operator can check the nucleic acid band (band) on the agar (4) using an ultraviolet projector (not shown) to analyze the molecular weight, the shape of the molecule and the like of the sample (S).

However, in the conventional electrophoretic apparatus, since both the portion accommodating the buffer solution 7 and the portion accommodating the agar 4 were provided in one buffer tank 1 integrally, the electrophoresis was performed. It was very inconvenient to clean the interior of the buffer tank 1.

In addition, the conventional electrophoretic device has a structure in which the cover 2 is completely separated from the buffer tank 1, and a connection terminal 5 for fixing the platinum wires 6 on both lower sides of the cover 2 is extended to the outside. Since it protruded, there was a high possibility that the platinum wire 6 of the lid 2 would be damaged by a physical shock from the outside in the course of handling the electrophoretic device.

Furthermore, the conventional electrophoretic device is electrophoretic because it consists only of a cover tank 2 having a connection terminal 5 to which a buffer tank 1 in which an internal space is defined and a platinum wire 6 are connected via a partition 3. It was very inconvenient to carefully set the applied voltage, energization time, etc. for the sample to be analyzed.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, the object of which is to conveniently perform the separation, cleaning, assembly of parts in contact with the buffer solution, parts in contact with the agar in the form of a solution or gel. It is to provide an electrophoretic device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrophoretic device that can fundamentally prevent the inflow of buffer solutions, agar pieces, washings, etc. into the main electrical parts of the parts during cleaning.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electrophoretic device which can conveniently adjust voltage, energization time, and the like for optimal electrophoresis of a sample to be analyzed.

In order to achieve the above object, the electrophoretic apparatus according to the present invention includes a control box integrally formed at one corner portion, and includes an anode connection terminal and a cathode connection terminal respectively exposed to at least two locations. The connection terminal includes a base portion having a connection terminal portion electrically connected to a corresponding output terminal of the control box via respective conductive lines insulated from the outside; The upper side of the receiving space is formed and the conductive posts are provided at predetermined intervals in each of the lower four sides, and the inner ends of two adjacent conductive posts on both sides extending into the accommodation space are interconnected via a platinum wire. And at least one of each of the outer ends of the two conductive posts on one side and the outer ends of the two conductive posts on the other side is electrically connectable with a corresponding connection terminal of the base portion, and electrophoresis of the sample to be analyzed in a portion of the receiving space. A buffer tank capable of accommodating agar used for the treatment; A cover detachably provided at one side of the buffer tank and having a predetermined number of opening holes formed at least in part to communicate with the outside; It is possible to adjust the power supplied from the external power source and to enable the flow of power on / off, characterized in that it comprises a power supply that is electrically connected to the control box of the base portion.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8B.

Figure 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an electrophoretic device according to the present invention, Figure 5 is a coupling diagram of the electrophoretic device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electrophoretic apparatus according to the present invention includes a base 10, a buffer tank 20, a cover 30, a power supply 40, and a main tray 50. consist of.

Here, the base portion 10 is provided with a control box 11 integrally at one corner portion. The base portion 10 also includes a positive connection terminal 12a and a negative connection terminal 12a which are respectively exposed to at least two places to the outside, and each connection terminal 12a has a respective conductive line insulated from the outside. 12b) is provided with a connection terminal portion 12 electrically connected to the corresponding output terminal (not shown) of the control box (11).

The buffer tank 20 forms a receiving space 20a with an upper opening, and the conductive posts 21 are provided at four positions on both sides of the lower portion at predetermined intervals. The inner ends of two adjacent conductive posts 21 on both sides extending into the accommodation space 20a are connected to each other via a platinum wire 6. In addition, at least one of the outer ends of the two conductive posts 21 on one side of the accommodation space 20a and the outer ends of the two conductive posts 21 on the other side may correspond to the corresponding connection terminal 12a of the base portion 10. Can be connected electrically. In addition, a portion of the receiving space 20a of the buffer tank 20 allows the agar 4 to be used for electrophoresis of a sample to be analyzed.

On the other hand, the control box 11 of the base portion 10 also includes a current control timer 11a for controlling the energization time of the current supplied to both platinum wires 6 in the buffer tank 20. Each conductive line 12b of the base portion 10 may be both partially embedded in the base portion and completely embedded therein. When the conductive line 12b is to be partially embedded in the base portion 10, a groove (not shown) may be formed in a corresponding portion of the base portion along a predetermined path. In addition, when the conductive line 12b is to be completely embedded in the base portion 10, the base portion 10 may be formed such that the conductive line 12b is completely embedded using an insert molding method.

The buffer tank 20 also allows the two platinum wires 6 to allow entry and exit of an ultraviolet projector (not shown) which enables identification or imaging of the nucleic acid band of the sample S introduced into the groove 4a of the agar 4. A guide tunnel 20b may be provided along a lower central portion between the two ends.

The cover 30 is detachably provided at one side of the buffer tank 20 and has a structure in which a predetermined number of opening holes 30a are formed in at least a portion thereof to communicate with the outside. The cover 30 is also preferably rotatably provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the buffer tank 20 via the rotating means 31. The rotating means 31 is provided in a coupling groove 20c formed in at least one upper outer edge portion of one side wall of the buffer tank 20, and in a corresponding portion of the cover 30 so as to be detachable from the coupling groove. It may be made of a locking projection (30b).

The power supply 40 may adjust power supplied from an external power source (not shown) and enable on / off the flow of power. In addition, the power supply unit 40 may be electrically connected to the control box 11 of the base unit 10.

On the other hand, one side of the cover 30 is provided with a stopper (30c) and corresponding to the stopper is provided with a semi-automatic on / off switch (40a) for controlling the flow of current in the corresponding portion of the power supply (40) desirable. This on / off switch 40a is turned on when pressed by the stopper 30c and turned off when released. The power supply 40 is also preferably provided with a manual on / off switch 40b so that the operator can arbitrarily interrupt the flow of current.

The main tray 50 includes at least one compartment 51 in which an internal space is defined through a partition 50a so as to accommodate agar 4 used for electrophoresis of a sample S to be analyzed. It is provided with a structure that can be installed in the receiving space (20a) of the buffer tank (20). The partition 50a may be provided not only integrally with the main tray 50 but also provided separately from the main tray 50 and then detachably installed on the main tray 50. Each compartment 51 of the main tray 50 may be further provided with an auxiliary tray 52 for directly receiving the agar 4 (see FIG. 6).

Each connection terminal 12a of the base portion 10 and the lower corresponding conductive post 21 of the buffer tank 20 are separated from each other by a contact structure that is directly connected to each other, or an insulating material 60. It is possible to connect in a non-contact structure interconnected through magnetic field induction between the winding portion 61 of one enamel coil 61a and the corresponding winding portion 62 of the other enamel coil 61b (see FIGS. 8A and 8B).

One side portion of the base portion 10 includes at least one extension including another anode connection terminal and a cathode connection terminal respectively connected to the adjacent anode connection terminal 12a and the cathode connection terminal 12a through a conductive line 12b. It may be further provided with a connection terminal portion (not shown). In this case, the expanded connection terminal portion may be further equipped with a buffer tank 20 having the platinum wire 6 and the conductive post 21 as described above. Accordingly, the operator can perform a plurality of electrophoretic operations at the same time using one base 10.

One side of the base portion 10 is provided with a cooling fan (not shown) electrically connected to the control box 11, the cooling fan is a heat generated from the buffer solution of the buffer tank 20 via air It may be disposed in the form facing the guide tunnel 20b provided along the lower center portion of the buffer tank so as to be discharged to the outside.

On the other hand, the operator can not only form the desired number of grooves 4a for the sample S on one side of the agar 4 by using a groove forming tool (not shown) in which only one protrusion is formed. By using the comb 65 provided with a plurality of protrusions 65a at regular intervals, a plurality of grooves 4a may be formed at one side of the agar 4 at one time.

On the other hand, the buffer tank 20, the lid 30 and the main tray 50 can be made of any of a transparent material and an opaque material. The change of the sample S injected into the agar 4 on the main tray 50 in the buffer tank 20 or the auxiliary tray 52 in the main tray without opening the cover 30 during the operation of the electrophoretic device. If you want to be able to check with the naked eye, the components 20, 30, 50, 52 is preferably made of a transparent material.

The assembly process and operation of the electrophoretic apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8B.

First, after aligning the buffer tank 20 on the base portion 10, the lower portion of the buffer tank 20 corresponding to each of the positive electrode connection terminal 12a and the negative electrode connection terminal 12a of the base portion 10 The conductive posts 21 are interconnected (see FIG. 4).

In this case, the cover 30 may be fixed to one side of the buffer tank 20 in advance, or may be fixed to one side of the buffer tank after the base unit 10 and the buffer tank 20 are combined. In addition, the power supply 40 is connected to the control box 11 of the base portion 10 in advance, or after the base portion 10 and the buffer tank 20 are coupled to the control box 11. Can be.

Then, a certain amount of agar 4 is put into the compartment 51 of the main tray 50 to be hardened, and then fixed to the agar 4 using a separate groove forming tool (not shown) or a comb 65. The number of grooves 4a is formed. In this case, the main tray 50 may be used together with the auxiliary tray 52 according to the operator's selection (see FIG. 6).

Then, after the sample to be analyzed S is introduced into the groove 4a of the agar 4, the main tray 50 provided with the agar 4 is placed in the receiving space 20a of the buffer tank 20. (See FIG. 7).

Then, after injecting the buffer solution 7 into the receiving space 20a of the buffer tank 20 to exceed the height of the agar 4 on the main tray 50, one of the buffer tank 20 The cover 30 provided in the side part is rotated and covered (refer FIG. 5). At this time, the stopper 30c of the cover 30 presses the semi-automatic on / off switch 40a of the power supply 40, and as a result, current flows from the power supply 40 to the control box 11. It becomes possible state.

Then, the power plug 41 of the power supply unit 40 provided on one side of the base unit 10 is connected to an output terminal (not shown) of an external power source, and then the voltage adjustment of the power supply unit 40 is performed. A button 40c is used to set a voltage suitable for analysis of the sample S, and a current conduction time is set using the current control timer 11a of the control box 11.

Then, a current is applied from one platinum line 6 to the other platinum line 6 in the buffer tank 20 via the buffer solution 7 in the buffer tank 20 to form agar (agar) on the main tray 50. 4) the electric field of a certain size is formed for a certain time.

Accordingly, the nucleic acid sample S injected into the groove 4a of the agar 4 provided on the main tray 50 in the buffer tank 20 is moved toward the electrode opposite to the charge of the particles.

Then, when a predetermined time elapses and the current control timer 11a of the control box 11 is turned off to the original position, the cover 30 is removed from the buffer tank 20 (see FIG. 7). At this time, the semi-automatic on / off switch 40a of the power supply 40 is released by the stopper 30c of the cover 30, and as a result, the buffer solution 7 in the buffer tank 20 is caught. The potential difference is eliminated.

Then, after dyeing the agar (4) provided on the main tray 50 with a pigment of a suitable color, using a UV projector (not shown) to check or photograph the nucleic acid band on the agar (4) The molecular weight, the form of the molecule, etc. of the sample can be analyzed.

In addition, the operator inserts a UV projector (not shown) in advance through the lower guide tunnel 20b of the buffer tank 20 to confirm and analyze the process of electrophoresis of the sample S on the agar 4. It is also possible.

As described above, the present invention provides a buffer tank in contact with a buffer solution, a main tray or an auxiliary tray, a main tray or an auxiliary tray in contact with an agar in the form of a buffer solution or a gel, a base part and a buffer having a control box. It facilitates the detachment between the control box and the power supply of the tank and base part, so that the parts can be easily removed, cleaned and assembled.

In addition, the present invention allows to fundamentally prevent the inflow of buffer solution, agar pieces, washing water, etc. in the main electrical part of the part when washing.

Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to conveniently perform the adjustment of the voltage, energization time, etc. for optimal electrophoresis of a predetermined sample of analysis.

Claims (13)

A control box is integrally provided at one corner, and includes at least two positively connected terminals and a negatively connected terminal respectively exposed to the outside, and each of the connecting terminals is connected to each other by means of respective conductive wires insulated from the outside. A base portion having a connection terminal portion electrically connected to a corresponding output terminal of the box; The upper side of the receiving space is formed and the conductive posts are provided at predetermined intervals in each of the lower four sides, and the inner ends of two adjacent conductive posts on both sides extending into the accommodation space are interconnected via a platinum wire. And at least one of each of the outer ends of the two conductive posts on one side and the outer ends of the two conductive posts on the other side is electrically connectable with a corresponding connection terminal of the base portion, and electrophoresis of the sample to be analyzed in a portion of the receiving space. A buffer tank capable of accommodating agar used for the treatment; A cover detachably provided at one side of the buffer tank and having a predetermined number of opening holes formed at least in part to communicate with the outside; A power supply unit that can adjust power supplied from an external power source, enable on / off flow of power, and be electrically connected to a control box of the base unit. Electrophoretic device comprising a. The electrophoretic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control box of the base unit includes a current control timer to control an energization time of current supplied to both platinum wires in the buffer tank. The electrophoretic apparatus of claim 1, wherein each conductive line of the base portion is at least partially embedded in the base portion. The electrophoretic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the buffer tank is provided with a guide tunnel along a lower central portion between the two platinum wires to allow entry and exit of an ultraviolet projector. The electrophoretic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover is rotatable at an angle with respect to the buffer tank via a rotating means. The method of claim 5, wherein the rotating means is composed of a coupling groove formed in at least one of the upper outer edge portion of the one side wall of the buffer tank, and a locking projection provided on the corresponding portion of the cover to be detachable to the coupling groove. Electrophoresis device. The electrophoretic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a main tray having at least one compartment in which an inner space is defined through a partition to accommodate the agar and installed in the accommodation space of the buffer tank. 8. The electrophoretic apparatus of claim 7, wherein each compartment of the main tray further comprises an auxiliary tray for receiving agar directly. According to claim 1, One side of the cover is provided with a stopper and the corresponding portion of the power supply corresponding to the stopper is provided with a semi-automatic on / off switch for controlling the flow of current, the on / off switch is the stopper Electrophoretic device which is on when pressed by and off when released. The electrophoretic apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 7, and 8, further comprising a comb to form a plurality of grooves for accommodating respective samples on one side of the agar. . According to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each connection terminal of the base portion and the bottom corresponding conductive post of the buffer tank is enameled on one side in a state of being separated from each other by a contact structure directly connected to each other, or an insulating material An electrophoretic apparatus which can be connected in a non-contact structure interconnected through magnetic field induction between the winding portion of the coil and the corresponding winding portion of the other enameled coil. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one side of the base portion includes at least one of the other positive and negative electrode connection terminals connected to the adjacent positive and negative electrode connection terminals via conductive lines, respectively. Electrophoretic device further comprising one extended connection terminal portion. According to claim 1, One side of the base portion is provided with a cooling fan electrically connected to the control box, the cooling fan is the buffer so as to discharge the heat generated from the buffer solution of the buffer tank to the outside via air Electrophoretic device is disposed in the form facing the guide tunnel provided along the lower center portion of the tank.

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