US3980546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micropreparative electrophoresis apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-06-27
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-06-27
Abstract
Abstract The Micropreparative electrophoresis apparatus comprises a first zone with an inlet and outlet for a buffer solution, a separation zone (gel column) an elution or collection zone, and a lower zone with an inlet and outlet for a buffer solution. To produce the electrophoresis there are two electrodes, one in the upper zone and the other in the lower zone, the electrodes being connected to a D.C. source of power. The first zone is partially filled with a gel or similar material and the shape of the zone is generally cylindrical. The electrical potential between the two electrodes and within the gel produces a separation of its layered components and therefore migration downward. The migration downward of the different components will be at different speeds. Migration is due to two factors, electrical charge of the particles being migrated with relation to the polarity of the electrodes, and molecular sieving action of the gel itself (porousity of gel). Thus the components leave the gel subsequently and thus enter the elution or collection zone where they are isolated, purified and subsequently collected in order of their separation. This apparatus provides a continuous collection according to the separation of the components within the gel and the speed of migration downward through the gel. This apparatus also provides a lower buffer chamber in which there is contained a gel column and elution chamber. The entire gel column is cooled as it migrates downward (A must for temperature sensitive materials).
Inventors
- 👤 Francis A. Caccavo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/447; G01N27/44756
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
492 words
A micropreparative electrophoresis apparatus, comprising a first vessel provided with an upper chamber with an inlet and outlet for the circulation of a buffer solution through said chamber, a downwardly extended tubular shaped portion for containing a gel during its downward migration and said tubular shaped portion open at its lower end, said first vessel provided with an inlet opening at the top of the upper chamber and a plug for said opening, an electrode extending through said plug, said downwardly extending tubular shaped portion provided with a stopper shaped element mounted in a tight sealed relationship about the exterior of said tube below said upper chamber a second vessel having a funnel shaped top to fit about the stopper and provide a seal, said second vessel generally tubular and extending downwardly approximately the same distance as the tubular portion of said first vessel, said tubular ends of said first vessel and second vessel abutting a base, said base provided with a circular depression on its upper surface to fit about the tubelike end of said second vessel and sealed in this relationship to form an elution chamber, said base also provided with a lesser radius raised hollow circular well like portion into which the tubular end of said first vessel fits and rests upon the surface of said base, said base hollowed out to form a coneshaped area below the tubular end of said first vessel and said coneshaped area connected to an outlet port under said base, said first vessel provided with a plurality of small ports about the periphery of the lower neck portion of the tubular end and said base provided with ports aligned with each of the lower neck ports, said base ports connected to the inner space between said tubular body portion of said first vessel and the tubular body of said second vessel, said inner space or chamber of said second vessel connected to an inlet port in said base and an outlet port situated well above said base, an electrode mounted in said base and extending up into the well like (elution) portion of said base, means to fill said tubular portion of said first vessel with a gel to be separated into its components, means to circulate a buffer solution through said first vessel and means to circulate a buffer solution through the lower end of the tubular portion of said second vessel and produce a cooling of the extended lower end of the first vessel and at the same time a D.C. circuit between the first and second vessels through the gel produces an electrophoresis and a migration of the components of the gel downward and means to support the gell column in the tubular portion of said first vessel with the lower buffer solution and means to slice off the lower end of the migrating components as they reach the bottom of their downward migration and collect the desired separated component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
492 words
A micropreparative electrophoresis apparatus, comprising a first vessel provided with an upper chamber with an inlet and outlet for the circulation of a buffer solution through said chamber, a downwardly extended tubular shaped portion for containing a gel during its downward migration and said tubular shaped portion open at its lower end, said first vessel provided with an inlet opening at the top of the upper chamber and a plug for said opening, an electrode extending through said plug, said downwardly extending tubular shaped portion provided with a stopper shaped element mounted in a tight sealed relationship about the exterior of said tube below said upper chamber a second vessel having a funnel shaped top to fit about the stopper and provide a seal, said second vessel generally tubular and extending downwardly approximately the same distance as the tubular portion of said first vessel, said tubular ends of said first vessel and second vessel abutting a base, said base provided with a circular depression on its upper surface to fit about the tubelike end of said second vessel and sealed in this relationship to form an elution chamber, said base also provided with a lesser radius raised hollow circular well like portion into which the tubular end of said first vessel fits and rests upon the surface of said base, said base hollowed out to form a coneshaped area below the tubular end of said first vessel and said coneshaped area connected to an outlet port under said base, said first vessel provided with a plurality of small ports about the periphery of the lower neck portion of the tubular end and said base provided with ports aligned with each of the lower neck ports, said base ports connected to the inner space between said tubular body portion of said first vessel and the tubular body of said second vessel, said inner space or chamber of said second vessel connected to an inlet port in said base and an outlet port situated well above said base, an electrode mounted in said base and extending up into the well like (elution) portion of said base, means to fill said tubular portion of said first vessel with a gel to be separated into its components, means to circulate a buffer solution through said first vessel and means to circulate a buffer solution through the lower end of the tubular portion of said second vessel and produce a cooling of the extended lower end of the first vessel and at the same time a D.C. circuit between the first and second vessels through the gel produces an electrophoresis and a migration of the components of the gel downward and means to support the gell column in the tubular portion of said first vessel with the lower buffer solution and means to slice off the lower end of the migrating components as they reach the bottom of their downward migration and collect the desired separated component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
An elution chamber comprising an upper tubular shaped portion adapted to be fitted to an electrophoresis gel column with said chamber open to the electrophoresis gel, said chamber further comprising a closed base with multiple laterally extending ports surrounding a centrally located, downwardly positioned exit aperture, said ports connecting said exit aperture with the exterior surface of said elution chamber, whereby the second buffer solution passes around said elution chamber and through said multiple ports to be in contact with an electrophoresis gel, slicing the migrating components leaving the gel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
An elution chamber comprising an upper tubular shaped portion adapted to be fitted to an electrophoresis gel column with said chamber open to the electrophoresis gel, said chamber further comprising a closed base with multiple laterally extending ports surrounding a centrally located, downwardly positioned exit aperture, said ports connecting said exit aperture with the exterior surface of said elution chamber, whereby the second buffer solution passes around said elution chamber and through said multiple ports to be in contact with an electrophoresis gel, slicing the migrating components leaving the gel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an apparatus according to claim 2 in which the elution chamber is adapted to circulate buffer so as to support the gel column.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
In an apparatus according to claim 2 in which the lower circulating zone for the buffer solution surrounds the gel column in its downward migration and produces a cooling effect.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |