Abstract A method and apparatus for curtain electrophoresis in which ionic species of a sample are separated by differential migration under the influence of an electric field gradient extending horizontally across a sheathed vertical curtain of a liquid medium. The sample enters the curtain, which includes buffer solution, adjacent the top of the curtain, and the sample fractions leave the curtain adjacent the bottom of the latter at different lateral locations with reference to the vertical center line of the curtain. The adverse effect of horizontal sample flow inequality on sample separation resolution, which inequality results in horizontal band broadening or spreading, is significantly reduced or eliminated. Such reduction is achieved by pulsing the electric field on and off in synchronization with the sample flow: the field is deenergized while the sample is entering the curtain and again while the sample is leaving the curtain.
IN A METHOD OF CURTAIN ELECTROPHORESIS, WHEREIN A SAMPLE IS INTRODUCED INTO A SHEATED CURTAIN OF BUFFER SOLUTION IN AN ELECTRIC FIELD FOR SEPARATION OF AT LEAST ONE SAMPLE CONSTITUENT BY DIFFERENTIAL MIGRATION, WHICH CONSTITUENT FORMS A SAMPLE BAND LATERALLY DISPLACED WITH REFERNCE TO THE RAMAINDER OF THE SAMPLE WHEN EXITING FROM THE CURTAIN; THE IMPROVEMENT OF DEENERGIZING THE ELECTRIC FIELD DURING THE INTERVAL THAT THE SAMPLE IS INTRODUCED INTO THE CURTAIN AND AGAIN DURING THE INTERVAL THAT THE SAMPLE BAND EXISTS FROM THE CURTAIN.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
IN A METHOD OF CURTAIN ELECTROPHORESIS, WHEREIN A SAMPLE IS INTRODUCED INTO A SHEATED CURTAIN OF BUFFER SOLUTION IN AN ELECTRIC FIELD FOR SEPARATION OF AT LEAST ONE SAMPLE CONSTITUENT BY DIFFERENTIAL MIGRATION, WHICH CONSTITUENT FORMS A SAMPLE BAND LATERALLY DISPLACED WITH REFERNCE TO THE RAMAINDER OF THE SAMPLE WHEN EXITING FROM THE CURTAIN; THE IMPROVEMENT OF DEENERGIZING THE ELECTRIC FIELD DURING THE INTERVAL THAT THE SAMPLE IS INTRODUCED INTO THE CURTAIN AND AGAIN DURING THE INTERVAL THAT THE SAMPLE BAND EXISTS FROM THE CURTAIN.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 1, further including collecting said sample constituent as it exits from said curtain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: a series of samples are sequentially introduced into said curtain and said electric field is pulsed in phase with the sample flow to deenergize said field during the interval that each sample is introduced into the curtain and again during the interval that the sample exits from the curtain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as defined in claim 3, wherein: each sample is separated in said curtain into a plurality of constituents forming sample bands laterally displaced with reference to one another, and collecting said sample constituents as they exit from the curtain.