US3655541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
CONTINUOUS ELECTROPHORESIS CELL WITH LATERAL pH GRADIENT
Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc
•
Filing: 1970-01-22
•
Granted: 1972-04-11
•
Expires: 1990-01-22
Abstract
Abstract In a continuous electrophoresis cell, the present invention comprises means for establishing a lateral pH gradient in the electrolyte curtain whereby electrophoresis may be conducted at different lateral positions within the curtain, and in which, if desired, components may equilibrate at different lateral positions according to their isoelectric points. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, two curtain solutions of different pH are introduced continuously at laterally spaced positions. A gradient smoothing device is provided for partially mixing the two curtain solutions to such an extent that the plot of pH from one side of the curtain to the other is a continuous function, preferably approximately linear. According to a second embodiment of the invention, a hybrid arrangement permits either a two-curtain solution feed for pH effect exploration or a single curtain solution feed for conventional operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen Strickler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/447; G01N27/44756; G01N27/44769
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, the improvement wherein said means for mixing comprises: a wheel, the front face of said wheel lying parallel to the interior face of one of said plates, the remainder of said wheel extending into a recess in said one plate; a plurality of spurs, said spurs being supported by said front face of said wheel and exTending into said working space; and means for rotating said wheel about an axis which is perpendicular to said front face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, the improvement further comprising: means for injecting a sample solution into said working space at a point downstream of said curtain solutions introduction points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 3, the improvement wherein said means for injecting a sample solution into said working space includes means for selecting the lateral position of sample solution injection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 3, the improvement wherein said means for injecting a sample solution into said working space comprises: a tubular element having a first section lying in said working space and disposed substantially parallel to the interior faces of said plates and a second section extending through one of said plates perpendicular to said first section, said tubular element being pivotable about said second section thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, the improvement wherein said first and second curtain solutions have different pH values and said means for partially mixing said curtain solutions is operative to mix said solutions to such an extent that the plot of pH across the electrophoresis curtain is a substantially smooth, continuous function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 6, the improvement wherein said continuous function is substantially linear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 6, the improvement further comprising: means for injecting a sample solution into said working space at a point downstream of said curtain solutions introduction points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 8, the improvement wherein said means for injecting a sample solution into said working space includes means for selecting the lateral position of sample solution injection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, the improvement further comprising: means for introducing into said working space, at a third position which is intermediate said first and second positions, a third curtain solution; and means located within said working space for selectively blocking the flow of either said third curtain solution or said first and second curtain solutions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 10, the improvement wherein one end of said working space is in the shape of three, side-by-side, inverted V-sections, wherein said third curtain solution is introduced at the apex of the middle V-section, wherein aid first and second curtain solutions are introduced, respectively, at the apices of the remaining V-sections, and wherein said means for blocking comprises: first and second pivotable weirs which are pivotable around first and second points located at the intersections between said V-sections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 10, the improvement further comprising: means for injecting a sample solution into said working space at a point downstream of said curtain solutions introduction points.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus wherein an electrolyte curtain flows in substantially parallel flow lines in an electrophoresis working space, the improvement comprising: movable, mechanical means for establishing a lateral, substantially smooth, continuous pH gradient in said curtain; and means for selectively injecting a sample solution into said curtain at any lateral position thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 13, the improvement wherein said means for establishing a lateral pH graDient in said curtain comprises: means for continuously introducing into said working space at laterally space positions two curtain solutions of different pH; and means for partially mixing said two curtain solutions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a continuous particle electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 14, the improvement wherein said means for partially mixing said two curtain solutions comprises: a rotatable wheel, said wheel including a plurality of spurs which extend into said curtain solutions; and means for rotating said wheel at a limited rate.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for performing isoelectric fractionations using an electrophoresis apparatus provided with an electrophoresis working space having an anode and a cathode positioned adjacent to its opposite sides for applying an electric potential gradient across a curtain flowing through said space comprising the steps of: providing two curtain solutions of different pH; introducing the more acidic curtain solution into said working space on the side thereof closest said anode; introducing the more alkaline curtain solution into said working space on the side thereof closest said cathode; mixing said curtain solutions to establish a lateral pH gradient in the curtain flowing through the working space; and injecting a sample solution into said curtain.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the magnitude of the pH difference between aid curtain solutions encompasses the range of isoelectric points in the components of said sample solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2555487A
Cited
US3085956A
Cited
US3125500A
Cited
US3519549A
Cited
US3450624A
Cited
US3458428A
Cited
US3509035A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |