Capillary array and electrophoresis device

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a capillary array capable of uniformizing the electric field intensity between capillaries and reducing the size of the device. A capillary array according to the present disclosure is provided with a block for fixing one end of a first capillary at a position farther from a detection unit than one end of a second capillary, and each of the capillaries is arranged in a straight line from the block to the detection unit (fig. 3).

Description

Capillary array, electrophoresis device Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to capillary arrays and electrophoresis apparatuses using the capillary arrays. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the application of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis has rapidly expanded from research to clinical fields such as hospitals. As a method of DNA analysis, electrophoresis is used to separate DNA fragments for criminal investigations, determining blood relations, and diagnosing diseases.

[0003] Capillary electrophoresis involves maintaining a constant temperature in a thermostat filled with a separation medium in a capillary tube. A high voltage is applied to separate charged DNA molecules according to their base length. By irradiating the capillary with excitation light, the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent dye labeling the DNA passing through the capillary is detected, allowing the reading of the sample's base sequence. Patent document 1 utilizes a capillary array composed of multiple capillaries to increase the number of DNA molecules that can be simultaneously processed.

[0004] When a high voltage is applied to a capillary, Joule heating is generated, causing the internal temperature of the capillary to rise. Due to non-uniform temperature gradients, the DNA bandwidth widens, sometimes deteriorating separation performance. Joule heat can be dissipated from the capillary by using contact temperature control to bring the capillary into contact with a heat sink, or by using a space-temperature controlled fan. However, in the case of multiple capillaries, heat dissipation performance can sometimes be reduced due to the capillaries coming into contact with each other. Therefore, in multiplexing capillary electrophoresis (where multiple capillaries are arranged in parallel and samples are transported simultaneously), a wiring path that prevents the capillaries from coming into contact with each other is important.

[0005] To prevent capillaries from contacting each other, they are sometimes fixed to a support via a curved wiring path. This structure prevents capillaries that generate heat during electrophoresis from contacting each other and thus deteriorating heat dissipation performance. On the other hand, in Patent Documents 2-4, a structure that prevents capillaries from contacting each other without deteriorating heat dissipation performance is achieved by using a straight wiring path in which capillaries of different lengths are radially bent.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 3-234427

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-77293

[0010] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-294771

[0011] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-160705 Summary of the Invention

[0012] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0013] In Patent Document 1, even if the positional relationship between the capillary insertion ports on the detection side plate and the sample injection side plate is optimized to prevent capillary deflection, capillary deflection can still occur due to the error between the designed distance and the actual capillary size. If the capillary deflects, it will come into contact with each other, potentially worsening heat dissipation performance.

[0014] In patent documents 2-4, capillaries are fixed to the bent wiring path using adhesives, fixing components, etc. Since fixing components and adhesives can worsen local heat dissipation performance, it is preferable to minimize the number of these components. On the other hand, if the fixing method is insufficient, the capillary wiring path may deviate due to the capillary's own reaction force, the manufacturing process after capillary array assembly, or external loads during user operation. To miniaturize the device, it is preferable to also miniaturize the thermostat unit, which occupies a relatively large proportion of the device volume. However, if the temperature regulation area of ​​the thermostat is smaller than the capillary wiring path, the capillary may be positioned at the end of the temperature regulation area or outside the temperature regulation area when the wiring path deviates. If the capillary cannot maintain a constant temperature, it may adversely affect analytical performance and cause misidentification of DNA types. To prevent this, it is necessary to sacrifice separation performance by increasing the number of fixing components, or to enlarge the thermostat to allow for deviation of the capillary wiring path. This hinders device miniaturization.

[0015] Patent documents 1-4 are based on the premise of injecting DNA by immersing the capillary tip in the sample solution. The immersion depth of the capillary in the sample solution affects the amount of DNA injected; therefore, to ensure uniform DNA injection, the position of the capillary tip needs to be consistent. In patent documents 2-4, because the wiring path is a radial path that bends from the detection section, the length of the capillary varies on the outer and inner sides. As a result, the electric field strength between the capillaries changes, causing differences in DNA migration speed and separation performance, leading to greater performance deviation.

[0016] This disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a capillary array that can make the electric field intensity between capillaries uniform and the device size miniaturized.

[0017] Methods for solving problems

[0018] The capillary array disclosed herein includes a block in which one end of a first capillary is fixed at a position further away from the detection unit than one end of a second capillary, and each of the capillaries is arranged in a straight line from the block to the detection unit.

[0019] The effects of the invention

[0020] According to the capillary array of this disclosure, the electric field intensity between capillaries can be made uniform and the device size can be miniaturized. Other issues, structures, advantages, etc. of this disclosure will become clear from the following description of embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of the capillary array and the electrophoresis apparatus using the same according to Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a top view of the capillary array of Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 3 is a top view of the cathode block and capillary array of Embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 4A is a top view showing an example of a bent capillary tube 102.

[0025] Figure 4B shows the configuration of the components when the capillary array 101 of Figure 3 is mounted on the cathode block 112.

[0026] Figure 5 is a top view showing the structure of the capillary array in Embodiment 2.

[0027] Figure 6 shows the detailed structure of the sample injection end 107.

[0028] Figure 7 shows the capillary array 101 of Figure 5 mounted on the cathode block 112.

[0029] Figure 8 shows a diagram of the cathode block 112 in Embodiment 3.

[0030] Figure 9 shows a diagram of the cathode block 112 in Embodiment 4.

[0031] Figure 10 shows a diagram of the cathode block 112 in Embodiment 5.

[0032] Figure 11 shows the structure of the capillary array 101 in Embodiment 6.

[0033] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the capillary array 101 of Figure 11 mounted on the cathode block 112. Detailed Implementation

[0034] <Implementation Method 1>

[0035] Embodiment 1 of this disclosure describes a capillary array in which the capillaries are arranged in a straight line in order to maintain separation performance and achieve miniaturization of the device, and an electrophoresis apparatus using the capillary array.

[0036] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of the capillary array and the electrophoresis apparatus using it according to Embodiment 1. The electrophoresis apparatus consists of multiple capillaries 102, a thermostatic bath 109 for maintaining the capillaries 102 at a constant temperature, a detector 110 for optically detecting the sample, a cathode block 112 connected to the sample injection end of the capillaries 102, a high-voltage power supply 116 for applying a high voltage to the capillaries 102, and a liquid delivery section 111 that acts as an anode and is connected to the polymer injection end for injecting polymer into the capillaries 102.

[0037] The capillary array 101 (described later) includes a detection unit 105 and a capillary head 104 in addition to the capillary 102. When the capillary is found to be damaged, its quality deteriorates, or the number of uses exceeds the specified number of analyses, it is replaced with a new capillary array.

[0038] The capillary 102 is constructed from a glass tube with an inner diameter of tens to hundreds of micrometers and an outer diameter of hundreds of micrometers. To improve strength, its surface is coated with polyimide. However, the detection section 105, which is irradiated by the laser, has the polyimide coating removed, allowing internal light emission to easily leak to the outside. The interior of the capillary 102 is filled with a separation medium to impart a velocity difference corresponding to the base length of the DNA during electrophoresis. The separation medium can be a flowing medium or a non-flowing medium, but in this embodiment, a flowing polymer is used. The plurality of capillaries 102 constituting the capillary array 101 are millimeter- or sub-millimeter-sized and of the same length. Because they are of the same length, the electric field strength between the capillaries becomes uniform when a voltage is applied.

[0039] The detection unit 105 is a component that acquires information dependent on the sample. When excitation light is irradiated into the detection unit 105 from the light source 117, fluorescence (information light) with a wavelength dependent on the sample is generated from the sample and emitted to the outside. This information light is split in the wavelength direction by the diffraction grating 121, and the split information light is detected by the detector 110 to analyze the sample. The information light can be transmitted to the diffraction grating via an optical fiber.

[0040] The detector 110, which detects information light from the sample, comprises a light source 117 for illuminating the detection unit 105, a detector 110 for detecting light emitted within the detection unit 105, and a diffraction grating 121. When detecting a sample separated by electrophoresis in a capillary, the light source 117 illuminates the detection unit 105 of the capillary 102, the diffraction grating 121 disperses the light emitted from the detection unit 105, and the detector 110 detects it.

[0041] To maintain a constant temperature within the thermostatic bath 109, the bath is covered with heat-insulating material. The temperature is controlled by a heating and cooling mechanism to ensure that the temperature of the capillary array 101 remains uniform and constant in position. Temperature regulation methods can include contact, spatial, and water-cooling types.

[0042] At least a number of capillary roots of cathode electrodes are inserted into the flow path inside the cathode block 112, and the electrodes are grounded. Alternatively, the cathode electrodes can be used by covering the cathode side of the capillary 102 with a hollow electrode made of a conductive material such as metal. Alternatively, a pump can be connected to the cathode block 112 to pressurize and inject the sample into the capillary 102. During electrophoresis, buffer solution is delivered from the buffer container 114 to the cathode block 112 via the delivery pump 113 to supply the charge required for electrophoresis. Waste buffer solution is discharged into the cathode waste container 115.

[0043] The sample inlet 120 is connected to the cathode block 112 and has a sample container placement mechanism and a liquid delivery mechanism for conveying the sample from the sample container to the cathode block 112. Waste liquid from the sample is discharged into the cathode waste container 115. The sample container that can be installed can be, for example, a single tube with a volume of a few microliters to a few milliliters, an 8-well plate, a 96-well plate, etc. Alternatively, the sample inlet 120 may only have a flow path communicating with the opening and the cathode block 112, allowing the user to directly add the sample through the opening using a pipette or the like. Alternatively, the sample inlet 120 may have a mechanism for performing pretreatment such as dissolution, purification, or PCR, and can be configured to hold a box containing untreated DNA samples and pretreatment reagents. The positional relationship between the sample inlet 120 and the cathode block 112 is not limited as long as the flow path is connected. For example, the sample inlet 120 may be located below the cathode block 112, or the sample may be delivered via a tube from the sample inlet 120 located in a remote location.

[0044] The liquid delivery end of capillary 102 is bound together by capillary head 104. Capillary head 104 can be connected to liquid delivery section 111 in a pressure-resistant and airtight manner. A high voltage from high-voltage power supply 116 is applied between the cathode end and the liquid delivery end of capillary 102. Sample is injected into capillary 102 by applying voltage to the capillary while the flow path inside cathode block 112 is filled with sample. Subsequently, a voltage is applied to capillary 102 while it is replaced with buffer solution, thereby causing sample electrophoresis.

[0045] Fresh polymer is filled into capillary 102 from the delivery section 111. To improve measurement performance, the polymer in capillary 102 is replaced during each measurement. The delivery section 111 includes a polymer and a delivery mechanism; specifically, it consists of a syringe containing the polymer and a mechanism system for pressurizing the syringe. An anode electrode is inserted into the polymer delivery path and is connected to a high-voltage power supply 116, functioning as the anode electrode when voltage is required for electrophoresis, sample introduction, etc. Alternatively, the anode electrode can be grounded, and the cathode electrode can be connected to the high-voltage power supply. A polymer waste container 119 is connected to the delivery section 111 to store waste liquid generated during maintenance operations such as polymer replacement and bubble removal within the polymer delivery path.

[0046] Figure 2 shows a top view of the capillary array of Embodiment 1. The capillary 102 is bonded and fixed to the capillary head 104 made of resin or the like at the polymer injection end 103. The capillary 102 is fixed to the detection section component 106 made of quartz or ceramic or the like in the detection section 105 by an adhesive or the like, and arranged with high precision at fixed intervals. Furthermore, in the detection section 105, the polyimide coating on the capillary 102 is peeled off only at the laser irradiation area, exposing the glass tube. Thus, by irradiating the DNA inside the capillary 102 with excitation light, the fluorescence emitted from the sample can be detected by a camera provided with the device. In the sample injection end 107, the capillary 102 passes through the fitting 108. The fitting 108 and the capillary 102 are not fixed by adhesive materials, and the fitting 108 is movable relative to the capillary 102.

[0047] Figure 3 is a top view of the cathode block and capillary array according to Embodiment 1. In Figure 1, the liquid delivery end of the capillary 102 is fixed relative to the liquid delivery section 111, and the detection section 105 is fixed by the detection section fixing section 118. The sample injection end 107 of the capillary 102 is positioned such that the capillary 102 is arranged in a straight line from the end face of the detection section 105 to the end face of the cathode block 112, and is fixed to the cathode block 112 by the mounting fitting 108. The flow path 301 inside the cathode block will be described later.

[0048] Figure 4A is a top view showing an example of capillary 102 bending. The upper part of Figure 4A shows the case of capillary 102 bending. The lower part of Figure 4A shows an example of the configuration of capillary 102 in this disclosure. This is based on the premise that the length of each capillary 102 is the same within the range of manufacturing tolerances.

[0049] In the upper section of Figure 4A, the insertion depth of the capillary 102 relative to the cathode block 112 (i.e., the distance from the front end of the capillary 102 on the left side of the figure to the detection section 105) is the same in all capillary 102. In this case, the inner capillary 102 is particularly prone to bending than the outer capillary 102, which may lead to contact between capillary 102 as shown in Figure 4A.

[0050] In the lower section of Figure 4A, the capillary tubes 102 are inserted to different depths relative to the cathode block 112. Specifically, the two inner capillary tubes 102 are inserted deeper into the cathode block 112 than the two outer capillary tubes 102. In other words, the front ends of the two inner capillary tubes 102 on the left side of the figure are positioned further away from the detection unit 105 than the front ends of the two outer capillary tubes 102. As a result, the capillary tubes 102 can be arranged in a straight line extending from the end face of the detection unit 105 (the left side in Figure 4A) to the end face of the cathode block 112 (the right side in Figure 4A). The effects of this structure and the interface between the capillary tubes 102 and the cathode block 112 will be described in detail below.

[0051] Figure 4B shows the configuration of the components when the capillary array 101 of Figure 3 is mounted on the cathode block 112. The upper part of Figure 4B is a top view, and the lower part of Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view (AA). The cathode block 112 includes a sample port 402 for injecting the sample to be electrophoresed, an O-ring 403 for sealing when the sample flows into the sample port 402, a ground electrode 404, a buffer port 406 for introducing reagents for supplying charge during electrophoresis, and a waste liquid port 407 for allowing waste liquid to pass through.

[0052] When connecting the capillary array 101 to the cathode block 112, the fitting 108 is tightened while each capillary 102 is inserted into the cathode block 112 without bending. When the fitting 108 is tightened, the capillary 102 is fixed, and the conical surface of the fitting 108 and the conical surface of the cathode block 112 are firmly sealed, thereby applying force in the inner circumferential direction of the fitting 108. Therefore, the gap between the capillary 102 and the fitting 108 is filled, and liquid does not leak.

[0053] For example, in Figure 3, with a capillary spacing of 9 mm at the sample injection end 107, a capillary spacing of 0.4 mm at the detection section 105, and a capillary length of 300 mm from the detection section 105 to the cathode block fixing end, the inner capillary may deflect by a maximum of about 5 mm, potentially contacting adjacent capillary tubes. However, by inserting the inner capillary tube into the cathode block flow path 301 0.2 mm deeper than the outer capillary tube, the capillary tubes can be arranged in a straight line. During manufacturing, the capillary length may sometimes deviate by sub-millimeter or millimeter levels. Even in the case of length deviations caused by such manufacturing errors, the insertion depth of the capillary tube 102 into the cathode block flow path 301 can be adjusted using the configuration shown in Figure 4B, allowing the capillary tube 102 to be arranged in a straight line.

[0054] By configuring the capillary tube 102 in a straight line, the capillary reaction force that causes wiring path deviation can be eliminated. Therefore, it is not necessary to design the thermostat bath to account for the magnitude of wiring path deviation. For example, as shown in FIG1, the thermostat bath 109 can be reduced to the minimum size required along the capillary wiring path, thus reducing dead zones. The size of the thermostat bath 109 accounts for a large proportion of the volume of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus; therefore, reducing the size of the thermostat bath 109 greatly contributes to the miniaturization of the apparatus.

[0055] By arranging the capillary 102 in a straight line, the thermostatic bath 109 can be made into a simple shape, such as a rectangle as shown in Figure 1. In such a shape, the shapes of the components of the thermostatic bath 109, such as the heater pattern, insulation material, and housing, also become simpler, reducing equipment costs. Furthermore, the simple shape can reduce temperature distribution deviations, improve the temperature regulation performance of the capillary 102, and enhance analytical performance.

[0056] By configuring the capillary 102 in a straight line, there is no need for fixing components or adhesives to secure the wiring path. Fixing components and adhesives not only increase the cost of the device but also locally degrade heat dissipation performance and reduce separation performance. Eliminating these components is also an advantage.

[0057] By arranging the capillaries 102 of the same length in a straight line, an improvement in separation performance can be expected compared to a bent or twisted configuration. This is because if the wiring path is bent, the migration rates of DNA passing through the inside and outside of the capillary change, resulting in a wider DNA bandwidth. This embodiment also has advantages in this respect.

[0058] In Embodiment 1, in addition to the capillary array 101 as a replacement component, a cartridge integrated with at least one of the following components—the thermostat bath 109, the cathode block 112, the liquid delivery unit 111, the polymer waste liquid container 119, the buffer solution container 114, the cathode waste liquid container 115, and the sample loading unit 120—can also be used as a consumable. In this case, reducing the size of the thermostat bath 109 contributes to the miniaturization of the cartridge.

[0059] Even if the length of the capillary tube deviates due to manufacturing errors, this embodiment can adjust the insertion amount of the capillary tube 102 into the flow path 301 inside the cathode block and configure the capillary tube 102 in a straight line.

[0060] <Implementation Method 2>

[0061] Figure 5 is a top view showing the structure of the capillary array according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. The difference from Embodiment 1 lies in the structure of the sample injection end 107. The other structures are the same as in Embodiment 1. The lower section of Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view (AA) of the sample injection end 107.

[0062] Figure 6 shows the detailed structure of the sample injection end 107. The sample injection end 107 consists of a capillary 102, an SUS tube electrode 601 that acts as a cathode during electrophoresis, a head part 602 embedded in the SUS tube electrode, an O-ring 603 that prevents reagent leakage when connected to the cathode block, a conductive plate 604 made of SUS or the like for achieving conductivity of the SUS tube electrode 601, a cover part 605 that is joined to the head part 602 by ultrasonic bonding or the like, a connection terminal 606 connected to the conductive plate 604, and a screw 607 for fixing the connection terminal 606. The capillary 102 and the SUS tube electrode 601 are bonded and fixed at the front end of the capillary 102.

[0063] Figure 7 shows the capillary array 101 of Figure 5 mounted on the cathode block 112. The upper left of Figure 7 is a top view, the lower left is a cross-sectional view (AA), and the lower right is a front view. The capillary array 101 is secured to the capillary array 101 with the capillary 102 extended in a straight position using hexagonal headstock retaining screws 701. The hexagonal headstock retaining screws 701 are secured from a direction intersecting the flow path through which the capillary 102 is inserted. The SUS tube electrode 601 is grounded via a connecting terminal 606.

[0064] Even if the length of the capillary tube deviates due to manufacturing errors, this embodiment can adjust the insertion amount of the capillary tube 102 into the flow path 301 inside the cathode block and configure the capillary tube 102 in a straight line.

[0065] In Embodiment 2, an SUS tube electrode 601 is used instead of the ground electrode 404 in Embodiment 1. Therefore, as in Embodiment 1, the holes for configuring the ground electrode 404 can be omitted.

[0066] <Implementation Method 3>

[0067] Figure 8 shows a diagram of the cathode block 112 in Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the cathode block 112 is divided into a number of capillary tubes 102. After the position of the sample injection end 107 of the capillary tube 102 in contact with the end face of the cathode block 112 is fixed, the position of each cathode block 112 can be adjusted so that the capillary tubes 102 are arranged in a straight line. After adjusting the position of the cathode blocks 112, they are fixed on the device respectively. The number of divisions of the cathode block 112 can be set from 2 to the maximum number of capillary tubes. Other structures are the same as in Embodiment 2.

[0068] Even if the capillary length deviates due to manufacturing errors, this embodiment can adjust the position of the cathode block 112 to arrange the capillary 102 in a straight line.

[0069] <Implementation Method 4>

[0070] Figure 9 shows a diagram of the cathode block 112 in Embodiment 4 of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the position of the sample port 402 is offset from the position of the front end of the capillary 102, which is arranged in a straight line according to the design. For example, the sample ports 402 corresponding to the two inner capillary 102 are disposed at a deeper position than the sample ports 402 corresponding to the two outer capillary 102.

[0071] Based on the design value of the insertion amount of the capillary 102 into each flow path 301 without bending, the sample port 402 is staggered within each flow path 301 in such a way that the relative position of the sample port 402 with respect to the front end of the capillary 102 is the same. If the positional relationship between the capillary 102 and the sample port 402 in each flow path 301 within each cathode block is different, the liquid replacement efficiency when the sample and buffer solution pass through will also change. As shown in Figure 9, by keeping the relative positions the same, deviations in liquid replacement efficiency between flow paths 301 are prevented. Other structures are the same as in Embodiment 2.

[0072] In this embodiment, when the deviation of the length of the capillary 102 during the manufacturing process is small relative to the design value of the front end position of the capillary 102, the capillary 102 can be stretched into a straight line.

[0073] <Implementation Method 5>

[0074] Figure 10 shows a diagram of the cathode block 112 in Embodiment 5 of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the end face of the cathode block into which the capillary 102 is inserted is offset from the front end position of the capillary 102, which is configured in a straight line according to the design. For example, the end faces corresponding to the two inner capillary tubes 102 are more concave than the end faces corresponding to the two outer capillary tubes. According to this structure, if the capillary 102 is fixed at the position where the sample injection end 107 contacts the end face of the cathode block, the capillary 102 is fixed in a straight-lined extension state. Other structures are the same as in Embodiment 2.

[0075] In this embodiment, when the deviation of the length of the capillary 102 during the manufacturing process is small relative to the design value of the front end position of the capillary 102, the capillary 102 can be stretched into a straight line.

[0076] <Implementation Method 6>

[0077] Figure 11 shows the structure of the capillary array 101 in Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the capillary array 101 is assembled according to the design values ​​of the front end positions of the capillary 102 arranged in a straight line. Unlike the independent construction for each capillary 102 as in Embodiments 1-5, the sample injection end of the capillary is connected via a loading head 1101. Other structures are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0078] Figure 12 shows the capillary array 101 of Figure 11 mounted on the cathode block 112. By directly connecting the capillary array 101, which is assembled in a manner where the front end position of the capillary 102 is optimal, to the cathode block 112, the capillary 102 can be configured in a straight line without bending. The connection is sealed by an O-ring 403 to prevent leakage.

[0079] In this embodiment, when the deviation of the length of the capillary 102 during the manufacturing process is small relative to the design value of the front end position of the capillary 102, the capillary 102 can be stretched into a straight line.

[0080] <Variations on this disclosure>

[0081] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above have been explained in detail for ease of understanding and explanation of this disclosure, and are not limited to having all the structures described. In addition, a part of the structure of a certain embodiment can be replaced with the structure of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the structure of another embodiment to the structure of a certain embodiment. Furthermore, for a part of the structure of each embodiment, other structures can be added, deleted, or replaced.

[0082] In the above embodiments, the capillary 102 is arranged in a straight line from the portion where it is fixed to the cathode block 112 to the end face of the detection unit 105 on the side opposite to the cathode block 112. The capillary 102 may not necessarily be straight on either side (or any side). For example, in FIG2, the capillary 102 is straight from the end face of the assembly 108 to the end face of the detection unit 105, but it may also be bent on both sides of these boundaries.

[0083] In the above embodiments, if the relative position between the front end of the capillary 102 and the sample port is the same for each capillary 102, the same effect as in embodiment 4 can be achieved, and therefore it is preferred.

[0084] Symbol Explanation

[0085] 101: Capillary Array

[0086] 102: Capillary

[0087] 103: Polymer injection end

[0088] 104: Capillary head

[0089] 105: Testing Department

[0090] 106: Inspection Department Components

[0091] 107: Sample injection end

[0092] 108: Assembly parts

[0093] 109: Thermostatic Bath

[0094] 110: Detector

[0095] 111: Liquid delivery department

[0096] 112: Cathode Block

[0097] 113: Liquid delivery pump

[0098] 114: Buffer container

[0099] 115: Waste liquid container for cathode section

[0100] 116: High-voltage power supply

[0101] 117: Light source

[0102] 118: Inspection Department Fixing Part

[0103] 119: Polymer waste liquid container

[0104] 120: Sample Input Department

[0105] 121: Diffraction grating

[0106] 301: Internal flow path of the cathode block

[0107] 402: Sample Port

[0108] 403: O-ring

[0109] 404: Grounding electrode

[0110] 406: Buffered Port

[0111] 407: Waste Liquid Port

[0112] 601: SUS tube electrode

[0113] 602: Head assembly

[0114] 603: O-ring

[0115] 604: Conductor plate

[0116] 605: Cover component

[0117] 606: Connecting terminal

[0118] 607: Screws

[0119] 701: Internal Hex Socket Head Cap Screw

[0120] 1101: Loading Head

Claims

1. A capillary array, characterized in that, The device comprises: a first capillary and a second capillary; a block having a flow path through which one end of each capillary is inserted; and a detection unit that detects the components within each capillary between one end of each capillary and the other end of each capillary. The block is configured such that one end of the first capillary and one end of the second capillary are fixed at a position further away from the detection unit than the other end. The first capillary and the second capillary are fixed to the block in a straight line from the portion where each capillary is fixed to the block to the end face of the detection unit on the side opposite to the block.

2. The capillary array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first capillary and the second capillary are configured such that the difference between the length from one end of the first capillary to the detection section and the length from one end of the second capillary to the detection section is within the range of manufacturing error.

3. The capillary array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The capillary array further includes a component for fixing the position of one end of the first capillary and the second capillary when the first capillary and the second capillary are fixed relative to the block. The component is configured to guide one of the first capillary and the second capillary to a position deeper than the other relative to the flow path and fix it therein.

4. The capillary array according to claim 3, characterized in that, The block has a threaded hole for inserting the component, and the component is configured as an assembly that fits into the threaded hole.

5. The capillary array according to claim 3, characterized in that, The block has a hole for inserting the component, which consists of a head through which the first capillary and the second capillary pass and a stop screw that fixes the position of the head by pressing against the side of the head.

6. The capillary array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The block is divided into a first segmented block into which the first capillary is inserted and a second segmented block into which the second capillary is inserted. The first segmented block and the second segmented block are configured such that, by adjusting their respective positions along the extension direction of each capillary, one end of the first capillary and one end of the second capillary are fixed at a position further away from the detection unit than the other.

7. The capillary array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The block further comprises a first sample port and a second sample port for injecting samples. The first sample port is configured to be connected to the first capillary, and the second sample port is configured to be connected to the second capillary. The relative positions between one end of the first capillary and the first sample port are the same as the relative positions between one end of the second capillary and the second sample port.

8. The capillary array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The block also has a recess on the end face opposite to the detection unit. Either the first capillary or the second capillary is configured such that, by being inserted into the block at the portion where the recess is formed, one end of the first capillary or the other end of the second capillary is fixed at a position further away from the detection unit than the other.

9. The capillary array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The capillary array further includes a loading head for bundling the first capillary and the second capillary. The loading head is configured to fix one of the first capillary and the second capillary in a state where it protrudes further from the loading head than the other. The block is configured to introduce the first capillary and the second capillary fixed by the loading head.

10. The capillary array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the first capillary and the second capillary at one end is greater than the distance between the first capillary and the second capillary in the detection unit.

11. The capillary array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The block also has a sample port for injecting a sample, and the block is configured to introduce the sample into the first capillary and the second capillary via the sample port.

12. An electrophoresis apparatus, characterized in that, It possesses the capillary array as described in claim 1.

Images