Electrophoresis device and capillary field

Abstract

To provide an electrophoresis apparatus capable of reducing noise caused by foreign substances present in the area surrounding an excitation light irradiation section of a capillary field, the electrophoresis apparatus comprises the following: a capillary field in which capillaries for sample electrophoresis are arranged in a single plane, an excitation light source that emits excitation light to the capillary field, and a fluorescence measurement unit that measures the fluorescence induced by the capillary field. The capillary field has a sealed structure in which the portion surrounding an excitation light irradiation section is filled with air.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrophoresis device that separates and analyzes a sample in the manner of a DNA sample, and a capillary field attached to the electrophoresis device. Technical background

[0002] An electrophoresis apparatus separates a fluorescently labeled sample by electrophoresis and analyzes it by detecting the fluorescence induced by irradiation with excitation light. Specifically, if a small amount of a sample, such as a DNA sample, is to be analyzed, the sample, along with a separation medium, is placed in a quartz glass capillary and separated by electrophoresis. To analyze multiple capillaries simultaneously, a capillary array, in which the capillaries are arranged in a plane, is irradiated with excitation light in the direction of the array. However, the excitation light is dispersed and reflected at the interface between a capillary and air due to the different refractive indices between the capillary and the air. Therefore, the excitation light passing through the capillary array is attenuated exponentially, and the fluorescence emitted by the sample also weakens.

[0003] Patent literature 1 discloses that, in order to suppress the attenuation of excitation light passing through a capillary field, a transparent medium, wherein it is a liquid or a solid with a refractive index greater than that of air but not greater than that of water, is arranged in a space between capillaries through which the excitation light passes. List of citations from patent literature

[0004] Patent literature 1: Unexamined Japanese patent application publication no. 2010-96778 Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0005] In patent literature 1, however, impurities located in the area surrounding a section irradiated with excitation light are not adequately considered. Raman-scattered light emitted by the transparent medium arranged between the capillaries becomes a noise signal for the fluorescence emitted by the sample. Therefore, Raman-scattered light has a high sensitivity threshold, making it impossible to detect even a small amount of fluorescence from the sample. Additionally, the fluorescence emitted by dust suspended in the atmosphere, which is attracted to a charged capillary during electrophoresis, also becomes a noise signal. Furthermore, if an adhesive used to secure the capillary flows into an excitation-light irradiation section, the fluorescence emitted by the adhesive becomes a noise signal.

[0006] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an electrophoresis device and a capillary field that are capable of reducing a noise signal caused by foreign substances located in an area around an excitation light irradiation section of a capillary field. Solution to the problem

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problem, an electrophoresis device according to the present invention comprises the following: a capillary field in which capillaries to be used for the electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in a plane, an excitation light source that emits excitation light to the capillary field, and a fluorescence measuring unit that measures the fluorescence induced by the capillary field. The capillary field has a sealed structure in which a portion surrounding an excitation light irradiation section is filled with air.

[0008] Furthermore, the electrophoresis device according to the present invention comprises the following: a capillary field in which capillaries to be used for the electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in one plane, an excitation light source that emits excitation light to the capillary field, and a fluorescence measuring unit that measures the fluorescence induced by the capillary field. A groove is provided in a substrate on which the capillary field is arranged and fixed by an adhesive, between an application section to which the adhesive is applied and an excitation light irradiation section.

[0009] Furthermore, in a capillary field according to the present invention, capillaries to be used for the electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in a plane and the capillary field has a sealed structure in which a part located around an excitation light irradiation section is filled with air. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, an electrophoresis device and a capillary field can be provided which are able to reduce a noise signal caused by foreign substances located in an area around an excitation light irradiation section of a capillary field. Brief description of the drawings

[0011] They show: Fig. 1 a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of an electrophoresis device according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of a capillary field according to the first embodiment, Fig. 3 a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a detector according to the first embodiment, Fig. 4 a diagram showing elements forming the detector according to the first embodiment, Fig. 5 a diagram showing a cross-section of the detector according to the first embodiment, Fig. 6 a diagram showing excess adhesive in the detector according to the first embodiment, Fig. 7 diagrams that explain the effect of a noise signal, Fig. 8 a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a detector according to a second embodiment, Fig. 9 a diagram showing an example of a detector configuration according to a third embodiment, Fig. 10 a diagram showing a cross-section of the detector according to the third embodiment, Fig. 11 a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a detector according to a fourth embodiment, and Fig. 12 a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of an electrophoresis device according to the fourth embodiment. Description of embodiments

[0012] The following describes embodiments of an electrophoresis device according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. An electrophoresis device separates a fluorescently labeled sample by electrophoresis and analyzes it by detecting the fluorescence induced by irradiation with excitation light. First embodiment

[0013] An example of an overall configuration of an electrophoresis device according to a first embodiment is given with reference to Fig. The electrophoresis apparatus comprises a light source 165, a fluorescence measuring unit 167, a capillary field 119, a constant temperature bath 168, a voltage source 169, an anode-side buffer solution reservoir 160, a cathode-side buffer solution reservoir 155, and a gel block 157. These components are described below.

[0014] The light source 165 is a device that irradiates the capillary field 119 with excitation light, and is, for example, a laser light source. Excitation light 163 emitted by the light source 165 is split into two excitation light beams 172 and 173 by a half-mirror 171. After the propagation directions of the excitation light beams 172 and 173 have been changed by mirrors 174, the excitation light beams 172 and 173 are focused by converging lenses 175, and an excitation light irradiation section 164 is irradiated substantially coaxially with the excitation light beams 172 and 173 from both the top and the bottom. The excitation light irradiation section 164 can be irradiated with either the excitation light 172 or the excitation light 173.

[0015] The fluorescence measuring unit 167 is a device that measures the fluorescence 132 induced in the capillary field 119 by irradiation with the excitation light beams 172 and 173, and it comprises, for example, a CCD camera, a diffraction grating, and a lens. The fluorescence measuring unit 167 is arranged orthogonally to a surface of the capillary field 119.

[0016] The capillary field 119 has multiple arrangements of capillaries 103, which are to be used for the electrophoresis of a sample in the manner of a DNA molecule, and are a consumable component that is exchanged as needed. A configuration of the capillary field 119 is described with reference to Fig. 2 described. The capillary field 119 comprises several capillaries 103, a capillary head 170, a detector 101, and an electrode holder 183. The number of capillaries 103 is not limited to the number described in Figure 2. Fig. The number of 8 is limited to the 2 exemplary representations shown.

[0017] Capillary 103 is a capillary tube used for the electrophoresis of a sample and is formed by coating the outer surface of a glass tube with a few tens of micrometers of polyimide for reinforcement. The glass tube has a diameter of several tens to several hundred micrometers and an outer diameter of several hundred micrometers. Capillaries 103 are filled with a separation medium, which is an electrolyte solution, along with the sample. The separation medium can contain a polymer gel, a polymer, or the like.

[0018] The multiple capillaries 103 are held by an annular capillary holder 182. Because the capillaries 103 are held by the capillary holder 182, the capillary array 119 can be easily supported. The capillary holder 182 is equipped with separators 181 via separator holders 185. The number of holes in each separator 181 corresponds to the number of capillaries 103. The holes of each separator 181 are arranged at equal intervals, and the respective capillaries 103 are inserted into one of the holes. Because the capillaries 103 are inserted into the holes of the separators 181, the distances between the capillaries 103 are kept constant, and the temperatures of the capillaries 103 can be easily controlled.

[0019] The electrode holder 183 holds electrodes 152, which are hollow metal electrodes. The number of electrodes 152 corresponds to the number of capillaries 103. One end of each capillary 103 penetrates one of the cathodes 152, and the cathodes 152 are attached to the capillaries 103 with an adhesive or the like. The capillary head 170 is a resin element that connects the other ends of the multiple capillaries 103.

[0020] Detector 101 has a section irradiated with excitation light beams 172 and 173 from the light source 165, and the fluorescence is measured by the fluorescence measuring unit 167. On detector 101, the polyimide is removed from the outer surfaces of the capillaries 103 so that the irradiation with the excitation light beams and the measurement of the fluorescence are not obstructed. Additionally, the multiple capillaries 103 on detector 101 are arranged in a single plane.

[0021] It is used to describe Fig. 1 returned. The constant temperature bath 168 is a temperature setting element that maintains the capillary field 119 at a predetermined temperature of, for example, 60 °C.

[0022] The voltage source 169 is a power supply that applies a voltage to both ends of the capillary field 119 and has an anode connected to the side of the capillary head 170 and a cathode connected to the side of the electrode holder 183. The anode-side buffer solution reservoir 160 and the cathode-side buffer solution reservoir 155 contain buffer solutions 159 and 154, which supply electrical charges during electrophoresis. The anode-side buffer solution reservoir 160 is located on the side of the capillary head 170, while the cathode-side buffer solution reservoir 155 is located on the side of the electrode holder 183.

[0023] The gel block 157 has a tube to which the capillary head 170 is connected. The upper end of the tube of the gel block 157 is connected to a syringe 161, and the lower end of the tube is immersed in the buffer solution 159 contained in the anode-side buffer solution reservoir 160. By actuating a valve 156 located in the middle of the tube and the syringe 161, the separation medium is injected into the capillaries 103.

[0024] The detector 101 according to the first embodiment is referred to in relation to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 described. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the elements forming detector 101 are assembled, and Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the respective elements are separated. Fig. Figure 5 shows an excitation light irradiation section and a detector mounting section in a sectional view of detector 101.

[0025] The detector 101 comprises multiple capillaries 103, a substrate 102, a fixed plate 104, and a translucent plate 106. The multiple capillaries 103 are arranged in a multiple configuration on the substrate 102. The fixed plate 104 and the translucent plate 106 are arranged sequentially on the multiple capillaries 103. The substrate 102 and the fixed plate 104 each consist of a light-blocking element. The multiple capillaries 103 are attached to the substrate 102 by bonding the substrate 102 and the fixed plate 104 with an adhesive 105. The translucent plate 106 consists of a single element through which light passes.

[0026] The substrate 102 has a capillary field surface 111 serving as a flat reference surface, and the multiple capillaries 103 are arranged in a multiple configuration on the capillary field surface 111 so that they are in contact with it. V-shaped or similarly shaped positioning grooves 118 can be formed at equal intervals in the fixed plate 104. By fitting the capillaries 103 into the positioning grooves 118, they are arranged at the desired intervals. If the capillaries 103 are arranged in close contact with each other on the substrate 102, i.e., if the diameters of the capillaries 103 are equal to the intervals in which the capillaries 103 are arranged, the positioning grooves 118 do not need to be formed in the fixed plate 104.

[0027] In the excitation light irradiation section 164, which is irradiated with the excitation light beams 172 and 173, a quartz tube 115 is arranged exposed and not covered by the capillaries 103. A fluorescence aperture 112 is provided in the fixed plate 104, through which the fluorescence 132 from the sample passes. After passing through the fluorescence aperture 112, the fluorescence 132 passes through the translucent plate 106 and reaches the fluorescence measuring unit 167.

[0028] A translucent element 107, provided on the translucent plate 106, is fitted into a recess 109 provided in the substrate 102, and the translucent plate 106 is attached to a substrate 102 by applying an adhesive or the like. Fig. The four hatched sections are attached to the substrate 102. The excitation light rays 172 and 173, with which the quartz tube 115 is to be irradiated, pass through the translucent element 107. Because the translucent element 107 is fitted into the recess 109 and the translucent plate 106 is attached to the substrate 102, the section surrounding the quartz tube 115 of the excitation light irradiation section 164 is an air-filled, sealed structure. Because the section surrounding the quartz tube 115 of the excitation light irradiation section 164 is filled with air, there are no foreign substances in the excitation light irradiation section 164 that emit Raman-scattered light, thus suppressing a noise signal.Additionally, dust and the like suspended in the atmosphere do not adhere to the quartz tube 115, so that a noise signal can be suppressed because the section around the quartz tube 115 is a sealed structure.

[0029] When scattered light generated by the excitation light rays 172 and 173, which have passed through the transparent element 107, falls onto the adhesive, which is applied to the in Fig. When the adhesive is applied to the hatched section 4, it emits fluorescence that acts as a noise signal. Therefore, an opaque element, through which no light passes, is used as part of the substrate 102, so that the arrival of the fluorescence emitted by the adhesive at the excitation light irradiation section 164 can be prevented. A projecting light-shielding section 113 is located on the substrate 102, so that the arrival of the fluorescence emitted by the adhesive at the excitation light irradiation section 164 can be further prevented.

[0030] A detector installation surface 114 with a step having a height S relative to the capillary field surface 111 can be provided at four corners of the substrate 102. The detector installation surface 114 comes into contact with a device alignment surface 133 of a Fig. The detector mounting mechanism 134 is shown in Figure 5. The detector mounting mechanism 134 is provided in the electrophoresis device, and a substrate pressing device 136 is used to bring the detector mounting surface 114 into contact with the device alignment surface 133. In a multi-focus method, in which the capillary field, in which the capillaries are arranged in a plane, is irradiated with the excitation light beams in the arrangement direction, the effectiveness of irradiating each capillary 103 with laser light is determined based on the diameter of the quartz tube 115, the intervals in which the capillaries 103 are arranged, and the refractive index of the polymer filled into the capillaries.Accordingly, a single capillary field electrophoresis device 119 can analyze a sample using multiple analytical applications by using different capillary fields 119 with different values ​​of height S, depending on the analytical purpose.

[0031] An adhesive groove 108 can be provided in the substrate 102. An adhesive used for attaching the capillaries 103 to the substrate 102 can flow by capillary action to the excitation light irradiation section 164, and the adhesive flowing into the excitation light irradiation section 164 emits fluorescence that acts as a noise signal. Therefore, the adhesive groove 108 is provided in the substrate 102, which serves to prevent the adhesive from flowing into the excitation light irradiation section 164. For example, the adhesive groove 108 is provided such that it runs in the direction of the arrangement of the capillaries 103.

[0032] The adhesive groove 108 is referred to Fig. 6 described. Fig. Figure 6 is a sectional view of the detector 101, and the translucent plate 106 is omitted. The adhesive groove 108 is provided between a section where the adhesive used to secure the capillaries 103 is applied and the excitation light irradiation section 164. Some of the adhesive used to secure the capillaries 103 becomes excess adhesive 116, which attempts to flow toward the excitation light irradiation section 164 but accumulates in the adhesive groove 108. Consequently, the excess adhesive 116 does not reach an area 110 adjacent to the excitation light. It is possible that the adhesive groove 108 does not extend from one end of the substrate 102 to the other and can be provided at the section where the adhesive is applied.

[0033] Additionally, the adhesive groove 108 is covered in an area of ​​the mounted plate 104 where the fluorescence transmission aperture 112 is not formed. Therefore, the adhesive fluorescence 117 emitted by the excess adhesive 116 that has accumulated in the adhesive groove 108 does not reach the fluorescence measuring unit 167. This means that the mounted plate 104, which serves as a light-shielding section, is positioned between the adhesive groove 108 and the fluorescence measuring unit 167, and the adhesive fluorescence 117, which acts as a noise signal, is shielded.

[0034] The effects obtained according to the first embodiment are described with reference to Fig. 7 described. Fig. Figure 7(a) shows an example of a measurement signal when a noise signal cannot be sufficiently reduced, and Fig. Figure 7(b) shows an example of a signal measured by detector 101 according to the first embodiment. Each vertical axis in Fig. Figure 7 indicates a signal intensity measured by the fluorescence measuring unit 167, each horizontal axis in Fig. Figure 7 indicates the electrophoresis time, and the signal intensity is shown magnified in the direction of the vertical axis.

[0035] If the smoke signal cannot be sufficiently reduced, as in Fig. As illustrated in 7(a), the baseline intensity increases towards H, and the area I increases N The signal intensity of the noise N is proportional to the signal intensity I. S the fluorescence S of the sample in area I N of the noise N and cannot be detected.

[0036] If, on the other hand, the noise signal can be reduced by the detector 101 according to the first embodiment, as in Fig. As illustrated in 7(b), the baseline intensity decreases on L, and the area I decreases N 'the signal intensity of the noise N' and the signal intensity IS 'of the fluorescence S' from the sample outside of area I N of the noise N' and can be detected. It should be noted that the fluorescence S of the sample does not depend on the baseline intensity and that the signal intensity I S and the signal intensity I S ' are the same.

[0037] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, a noise signal caused by foreign substances present around the excitation light irradiation section 164 can be reduced. Consequently, the sensitivity threshold decreases, and the fluorescence of the sample can be detected even if it is weak. Second embodiment

[0038] The first embodiment describes the case in which the height of the surface 110 of the substrate 102 adjacent to the excitation light is essentially equal to that of the capillary field surface 111, and the detector installation surface 114 has a step with height S relative to the capillary field surface 111. According to a second embodiment, a case is described in which the surface 210 of a substrate 202 adjacent to the excitation light is formed at a location where the surface 210 adjacent to the excitation light is lower by a height T than a capillary field surface 211, and the height of a detector installation surface 214 is equal to that of the capillary field surface 211.

[0039] A detector 201 according to the second embodiment is described with reference to Fig. 8 described. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the substrate 202 forming the detector 201, several capillaries 203, and a fixed plate 204 are assembled, and a translucent plate 206 is arranged separately. As in the first embodiment, the substrate 202 has the capillary field area 211, the detector mounting area 214, an adhesive groove 208, a recess 209, and a projecting light-shielding section 213. As in the first embodiment, the fixed plate 204 has a fluorescent transmission aperture 212 and is bonded to the substrate 202 by an adhesive 205. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, the translucent plate 206 has a translucent element 207.

[0040] At the in Fig. In the exemplary substrate 202 shown in Figure 8, the height of the detector installation surface 214 is the same as that of the capillary field surface 211, whereby such a step with a height S, as described in the first embodiment, does not need to be machined, so that the substrate 202 can be easily produced.

[0041] Additionally, in a multi-focus method, tilting the excitation light rays 172 and 173 emitted by a quartz tube 215 relative to the surface 210 adjacent to the excitation light prevents one of the excitation light rays from continuing along the path of the other excitation light rays and returning to the light source 165. The excitation light rays 172 and 173, tilted relative to the surface 210 adjacent to the excitation light, can be blocked by the substrate 202. However, the surface 210 adjacent to the excitation light is positioned at a height T lower than the capillary field surface 211, so that the excitation light rays 172 and 173 are not blocked by the substrate 202.

[0042] Even in a case where the height of the surface 110 adjacent to the excitation light is essentially equal to that of the capillary field surface 111, as in the first embodiment, an inclination can be provided at one end of the protruding light-shielding section 113 so that the excitation light rays 172 and 173 are not blocked by the substrate 102.

[0043] In the second embodiment, a section arranged around the quartz tube 215 of the excitation light irradiation section 164 is also an air-filled sealed structure, so that a noise signal caused by foreign substances present in the area around the excitation light irradiation section 164 can be reduced and the sensitivity limit decreases as in the first embodiment. Third embodiment

[0044] The first embodiment describes the case in which the multiple capillaries 103 are fixed by the attached plate 104, which adheres to the substrate 102. A third embodiment describes a case in which multiple capillaries 303 are fixed by a translucent plate 306.

[0045] A detector 301 according to the third embodiment is described with reference to the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 described. Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a substrate 302 forming the detector 301 and the several capillaries 303 are assembled, and the translucent plate 306 is arranged separately. Additionally, it shows Fig. 10 a excitation light irradiation section and a detector mounting section in a sectional view of the detector 301. As according to the first embodiment, the substrate 302 has a capillary field surface 311, an adhesive groove 308 and a projecting light shielding section 313.

[0046] The several capillaries 303 arranged on the capillary field surface 311 of the substrate 302, as shown in Fig. Figure 9, shown as an example, are glued and fastened to the translucent plate 306. A light-shielding element 316 is applied to the lower surface of the translucent plate 306 by vapor deposition or the like, i.e., to a surface in contact with the several capillaries 303. However, the light-shielding element 316 is not coated in the area of ​​a fluorescent aperture 312.

[0047] Positioning guides 317 are provided on the capillary field surface 311 of the substrate 302. The positioning guides 317 are formed by curing an adhesive applied at equal intervals, for example, by a dispenser. The capillaries 303 are arranged at equal intervals between the positioning guides 317. Therefore, the intervals at which the capillaries 303 are arranged can be changed by altering the intervals of the adhesive applied to the capillary field surface 311.

[0048] According to the third embodiment, the translucent element 307 has a detector installation surface 314. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 10 by way of example, the detector installation surface 314 is in contact with a device alignment surface 335 of a detector mounting mechanism 334. The detector mounting mechanism 334 is provided in an electrophoresis device, and the substrate pressing device 136 is used to cause the detector installation surface 314 to come into contact with the device alignment surface 335.

[0049] According to the third embodiment, a section arranged around a quartz tube 315 of the excitation light irradiation section 164 is an air-filled sealed structure, so that a noise signal caused by foreign substances present in the area around the excitation light irradiation section 164 can be reduced and the sensitivity limit decreases. Fourth embodiment

[0050] The first embodiment describes the case in which the detector 101 comprises the translucent plate 106 and the translucent element 307. In a case where the translucent plate 106 and the translucent element 307, which are relatively expensive, are installed in the capillary array 119, being a consumable component, the unit price of the capillary array 119 increases, thus increasing the operating costs. Therefore, according to a fourth embodiment, the operating costs can be reduced by installing replacement elements for the translucent plate 306 and the translucent element 307 in an electrophoresis device.

[0051] The fourth embodiment is described with reference to the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 described. Fig. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a substrate 402 forming a detector 401 according to the fourth embodiment, several capillaries 403 and a fixed plate 404 are assembled. Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the main components of the electrophoresis device on which the detector 401 is mounted. As in the first embodiment, the substrate 402 has a capillary field area 411, a detector mounting area 414, an adhesive groove 408, and a recess 409. As in the first embodiment, the attached plate 404 has a fluorescence transmission aperture 412 and a positioning groove 418 and is bonded to the substrate 402 by an adhesive 405.

[0052] The in Fig.The electrophoresis device shown in Figure 12, as in the first embodiment, has a light source 465 and a fluorescence measuring unit 467. An excitation light beam 431 emitted by the light source 465 is split into two excitation light beams by a half-mirror 471. The two excitation light beams pass through several mirrors 474 and several converging lenses 475 and then exit through excitation light exit holes 476 (at two of the upper and lower positions). The excitation light exit holes 476 are provided in a detector mounting mechanism 434 on which the detector 401 is mounted. The excitation light exit holes 476 have excitation light transmission windows 477.When the detector 401 is mounted on the detector mounting mechanism 434, the excitation light transmission windows 477 are attached to the recess 409 of the detector 401, and the excitation light irradiation section 464 is irradiated with the excitation light rays passing through the excitation light transmission windows 477. That is to say, the excitation light transmission windows 477 are substitute elements for the transparent element 307.

[0053] The fluorescence 432 emitted as a result of irradiation with the excitation light beams from the excitation light irradiation section 464 passes through a fluorescence transmittance window 478 provided in a fluorescence inlet hole 479 and is measured by the fluorescence measuring unit 467. This means that the fluorescence transmittance window 478 is a substitute element for the light-transmitting plate 306. The fluorescence measuring unit 467 comprises a fluorescence converging lens 481, a transmission diffraction grating 482, an imaging lens 483, and a two-dimensional CCD 484.

[0054] According to the fourth embodiment, the relatively expensive translucent plate 106 and the translucent element 307 are not installed in the capillary field 119, which is a consumable component, thus reducing operating costs. Also according to the fourth embodiment, a section arranged around a quartz tube 415 of the excitation light irradiation section 164 is an air-filled, sealed structure, so that a noise signal caused by foreign substances present in the area around the excitation light irradiation section 164 can be reduced, and the sensitivity limit is lowered as in the first embodiment.

[0055] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and its components can be modified without departing from the basic concept of the present invention. In addition, two or more of the components disclosed above in the embodiments can be combined if required. Furthermore, some of the components described above in the embodiments can be removed. Reference symbol list

[0056] 101, 201, 301, 401 ... Detector, 102, 202, 302, 402 ... Substrate, 103, 203, 303, 403 ... Capillary, 104, 204, 404 ... Fixed plate, 105, 205, 405 ... Adhesive, 106, 206, 306 ... Translucent plate, 107, 207, 307 ... Translucent element, 108, 208, 308, 408 ... Adhesive groove, 109, 209, 409 ... Recess, 110, 210, 310, 410 ... Surface adjacent to excitation light, 111, 211, 311, 411 ... Capillary field surface 112, 212, 312, 412 ... Fluorescence aperture, 113, 213, 313 ... projecting light-shielding section, 114, 214, 314, 414 ... Detector mounting surface, 115, 215, 315, 415 ... Quartz tube, 116 ... Excess adhesive, 117 ... Adhesive fluorescence, 118, 418 ... Positioning groove, 119 ... Capillary field, 163, 172, 173, 331, 431 ... Excitation light, 132, 332, 432 ... Fluorescence, 133, 335 ... Device alignment surface, 134, 334, 434 ... Detector mounting mechanism, 136, 336 ... Substrate pressing device, 152 ... Cathode, 153 ...Sample introduction section, 154, 159 ... Buffer solution, 155 ... Cathode-side buffer solution container, 156 ... Valve, 157 ... Gel block, 158 ... Grounding electrode, 160 ... Anode-side buffer solution container, 161 ... Syringe, 164, 464 ... Excitation light irradiation section, 165, 465 ... Light source, 167, 467 ... Fluorescence measuring unit, 168 ... Constant temperature bath, 169 ... Voltage source, 170 ... Capillary head, 171, 471 ... Half-mirror, 174, 474 ... Mirror, 175, 475 ... Converging lens, 181 ... Separator, 182 ... Capillary holder, 183 ... Electrode holder, 185 ... Separator holder, 316 ... Light shielding element, 320 ... alignment surface for light-transmitting element, 476 ... excitation light exit hole, 477 ... excitation light transmission window, 478 ... fluorescence transmission window, 479 ... fluorescence entry hole, 481 ... fluorescence converging lens, 482 ... transmission diffraction grating, 483 ... imaging lens, 484 ... two-dimensional CCD.

Claims

[1] Electrophoresis device comprising: a capillary field in which capillaries to be used for the electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in a plane, an excitation light source that emits excitation light to the capillary field, and a fluorescence measuring unit which measures the fluorescence induced by the capillary field, whereby the capillary field has a sealed structure in which a part located around an excitation light irradiation section irradiated with the excitation light is filled with air. [2] The electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a substrate on which the capillary array is arranged and fixed by an adhesive, a groove is provided between an application portion to which the adhesive is applied and the excitation light irradiation portion. [3] The electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a light-shielding portion is provided between the groove and the fluorescence measuring unit. [4] An electrophoresis device according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is made of an opaque member. [5] Electrophoresis device comprising: a capillary field in which capillaries to be used for the electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in a plane, an excitation light source that emits excitation light to the capillary field, and a fluorescence measuring unit which measures the fluorescence induced by the capillary field, whereby in a substrate on which the capillary array is arranged and fixed by an adhesive, a groove is provided between an application portion to which the adhesive is applied and an excitation light irradiation portion irradiated with the excitation light. [6] A capillary array in which capillaries to be used for electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in a plane, the capillary array having a sealed structure in which a part around an excitation light irradiation section irradiated with the excitation light is filled with air.

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