Patent US4670119A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4670119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Isoelectric focusing device and process
Assignee: Cogenics Inc
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Filing: 1985-10-25
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Granted: 1987-06-02
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Expires: 2005-10-25
Abstract
Abstract An isoelectric focusing technique and apparatus is described in which a steady-state pH gradient is established by the use of a series of parallel electrodes which border the focusing chamber and which may be clamped at varying voltages independently of one another. By maintaining appropriate voltages along with length of the chamber, the ionic species present in the buffer solution will be concentrated at either the anode or cathode end, depending on their charge, and the charge imbalance resulting from this concentration effect will cause the dissociation of water with the concommitant establishment of a pH gradient. By varying the intensity and shape of the voltage gradient, a wide range of pH gradients, and median values for these gradients, may be selected. Further, the gradient may be altered at will during the isoelectric focusing run without disturbing the components being resolved, allowing maximum resolution of a number of components from one run.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley M. Hurd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/447; G01N27/44756; G01N27/44795
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for establishing an ion concentration gradient in an electrolyte containing two or more types of ions which comprises: an electrolyte; a continuous focusing chamber having a long axis containing said electrolyte; anode and cathode mans disposed in fluid communication with said electrolyte for establishing an electric field within electrolyte contained in said focusing chamber; a plurality of parallel, vertically aligned, spaced-apart electrode pairs with the members of each pair situated on opposite sides of said focusing chamber and bordering said focusing chamber such that the plane formed between each pair is orthogonal to the long axis of the focusing chamber to establish a non-linear voltage gradient in said focusing chamber wherein the lines of electric force have a net component parallel to the long axis of the focusing chamber, whereby the ionic species present in said electrolyte will be concentrated at either the anode or cathode end giving rise to a steady-state pH gradient in said focusing chamber proportional to the voltage gradient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for establishing an ion concentration gradient in an electrolyte containing two or more types of ions which comprises: an electrolyte; a continuous focusing chamber having a long axis containing said electrolyte; anode and cathode mans disposed in fluid communication with said electrolyte for establishing an electric field within electrolyte contained in said focusing chamber; a plurality of parallel, vertically aligned, spaced-apart electrode pairs with the members of each pair situated on opposite sides of said focusing chamber and bordering said focusing chamber such that the plane formed between each pair is orthogonal to the long axis of the focusing chamber to establish a non-linear voltage gradient in said focusing chamber wherein the lines of electric force have a net component parallel to the long axis of the focusing chamber, whereby the ionic species present in said electrolyte will be concentrated at either the anode or cathode end giving rise to a steady-state pH gradient in said focusing chamber proportional to the voltage gradient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electrode spacing is linear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electrode spacing is non-linear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including a reservoir chamber wherein said focusing chamber is within said reservoir chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said electrolyte is an electrolyte solution and wherein said focusing chamber includes two side walls constructed of a rigid, inert insulating material and end walls of said focusing chamber constructed of a material which is permeable to small electrolytes of said electrolyte solution and impermeable to the larger amphoteric species to be resolved in the focusing chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the side walls extend above the level of electrolyte in said reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said focusing chamber includes two side walls constructed of semi-permeable ion-selective membranes permitting electrolytes of only one charge to pass therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the electrode pairs are on the inside of said side walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the electrode pairs are on the outside of said side walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said reservoir chamber includes means for reducing the amount of current flowing through said reservoir chamber by reducing the cross-sectional area of the reservoir chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
An apparatus to claim 10 wherein said means are baffles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein two electrodes are disposed in said reservoir chamber external to the focusing chamber whereby the flux of ions into and out of the focusing chamber is controlled by said two electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
168 words
An process for establishing an ion concentration gradient in an electrolyte solution containing two or more types of ions which comprises: confining an electrolyte solution in a continuous focusing chamber having a long axis having an anode end and a cathode end; establishing an electric current through said solution; and providing a plurality of parallel, vertically aligned, spaced-apart electrode pairs with the members of each pair situated on opposite sides of said focusing chamber and bordering said focusing chamber such that the plane formed between each pair is orthogonal to the long axis of the focusing chamber, and applying a non-linear voltage gradient along the length of the focusing chamber by means of said electrode pairs wherein the lines of electric force have a net component parallel to the long axis of the focusing chamber, whereby the ionic species present in said electrolyte will be concentrated at either the anode or cathode end thereby establishing a steady-state pH gradient in said focusing chamber proportional to the voltage gradient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
168 words
An process for establishing an ion concentration gradient in an electrolyte solution containing two or more types of ions which comprises: confining an electrolyte solution in a continuous focusing chamber having a long axis having an anode end and a cathode end; establishing an electric current through said solution; and providing a plurality of parallel, vertically aligned, spaced-apart electrode pairs with the members of each pair situated on opposite sides of said focusing chamber and bordering said focusing chamber such that the plane formed between each pair is orthogonal to the long axis of the focusing chamber, and applying a non-linear voltage gradient along the length of the focusing chamber by means of said electrode pairs wherein the lines of electric force have a net component parallel to the long axis of the focusing chamber, whereby the ionic species present in said electrolyte will be concentrated at either the anode or cathode end thereby establishing a steady-state pH gradient in said focusing chamber proportional to the voltage gradient.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 13 wherein the electrode spacing is non-linear.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 13 wherein the electrode spacing is linear.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 13 including providing a reservoir of electrolyte outside of the electrolyte solution in said focusing chamber communicating with the electrolyte solution in said focusing chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 16 including the step of reducing the amount of current flowing through said reservoir by reducing the cross-sectional area of said reservoir.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
An process according to claim 13 wherein amphoteric species having isoelectric focusing points are introduced into said focusing chamber in order to achieve separation of said amphoteric species on the basis of their isoelectric focusing points.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |