Electrophoresis device and capillary array

Abstract

In order to provide an electrophoresis device in which it is possible to reduce a noise signal caused by foreign matter surrounding an excitation-light-irradiated part of a capillary array, the presen

Description

Electrophoresis apparatus and capillary array

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrophoresis apparatus for separating and analyzing samples such as DNA, and a capillary array attached to the electrophoresis apparatus.

[0002] An electrophoresis apparatus is a device that analyzes fluorescently labeled samples by electrophoresis and detecting the fluorescence induced by irradiating them with excitation light. In particular, when analyzing trace samples such as DNA, samples filled with a separation medium in quartz glass capillaries are separated by electrophoresis. To simultaneously analyze multiple samples, excitation light may be irradiated along the array direction onto a capillary array in which capillaries are arranged in a plane. However, at the interface between the capillaries and air, the excitation light is dispersed and reflected due to the difference in refractive index between the capillaries and air. This causes exponential attenuation of the excitation light passing through the capillary array, and the fluorescence emitted by the samples also decreases.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses that in order to suppress attenuation of excitation light passing through a capillary array, a light transmission medium, which is a liquid or solid having a refractive index greater than that of air but less than that of water, is interposed in the space between the capillaries through which the excitation light passes.

[0004] JP 2010-96778 A

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 does not adequately consider foreign matter present around the area irradiated with excitation light. Raman scattered light emitted from the light transmission medium interposed between the capillaries becomes a noise signal relative to the fluorescence emitted by the sample, increasing the sensitivity limit and making it impossible to detect even slight fluorescence from the sample. Furthermore, fluorescence emitted from airborne dust particles attracted to the capillaries, which become charged during electrophoresis, also becomes a noise signal. Furthermore, if the adhesive used to secure the capillaries flows into the excitation light irradiation area, the fluorescence emitted from the adhesive becomes a noise signal.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrophoresis apparatus and a capillary array that can reduce noise signals caused by foreign matter around the excitation light irradiation portion of the capillary array.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electrophoresis device comprising a capillary array in which capillaries used for electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in a plane, an excitation light source that irradiates the capillary array with excitation light, and a fluorescence measurement unit that measures fluorescence induced from the capillary array, wherein the capillary array has a sealed structure in which the area around the excitation light irradiation unit, which is the area where the excitation light is irradiated, is filled with air.

[0008] The present invention also provides an electrophoresis device comprising a capillary array in which capillaries used for electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in a plane, an excitation light source that irradiates the capillary array with excitation light, and a fluorescence measurement unit that measures fluorescence induced from the capillary array, characterized in that a substrate on which the capillary array is arranged and fixed with an adhesive has a groove between an application section where the adhesive is applied and an excitation light irradiation section where the excitation light is irradiated.

[0009] The present invention also provides a capillary array in which capillaries used for sample electrophoresis are arranged in a plane, and is characterized by having a sealed structure in which the area around the excitation light irradiation section, where the excitation light is irradiated, is filled with air.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrophoresis apparatus and a capillary array that can reduce noise signals due to foreign matter around the excitation light irradiation portion of the capillary array.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an electrophoresis device of Example 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a capillary array of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a detection unit of Example 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing members constituting the detection unit of Example 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section of the detection unit of Example 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing excess adhesive in the detection unit of Example 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the influence of a noise signal. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a detection unit of Example 2. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a detection unit of Example 3. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross section of the detection unit of Example 3. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a detection unit of Example 4. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an electrophoresis device of Example 4.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the electrophoresis apparatus of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The electrophoresis apparatus separates fluorescently labeled samples by electrophoresis and analyzes the samples by detecting the fluorescence induced by irradiating them with excitation light.

[0013] An example of the overall configuration of the electrophoresis apparatus of Example 1 will be described using Figure 1. The electrophoresis apparatus includes a light source 165, a fluorescence measurement unit 167, a capillary array 119, a thermostatic bath 168, a voltage source 169, an anode-side buffer solution container 160, a cathode-side buffer solution container 155, and a gel block 157. Each component will be described below.

[0014] The light source 165 is a device that irradiates the capillary array 119 with excitation light, and is, for example, a laser light source. The excitation light 163 emitted from the light source 165 is split into two excitation light beams 172 and 173 by a half mirror 171. The excitation light beams 172 and 173 each have their traveling direction changed by a mirror 174, and are then condensed by a condenser lens 175. The excitation light beams 172 and 173 are irradiated from above and below and approximately coaxially onto the excitation light irradiating unit 164 of the detection unit 101 in the capillary array 119. Note that the excitation light irradiating unit 164 may be irradiated with either the excitation light 172 or 173.

[0015] The fluorescence measurement unit 167 is a device that measures the fluorescence 132 induced in the capillary array 119 by irradiation with the excitation light 172, 173, and includes, for example, a CCD camera, a diffraction grating, and a lens. The fluorescence measurement unit 167 is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the array surface of the capillary array 119.

[0016] The capillary array 119 is an array of capillaries 103 used for electrophoresis of samples such as DNA molecules, and is a consumable item that is replaced as needed. The configuration of the capillary array 119 will be described using Figure 2. The capillary array 119 has a plurality of capillaries 103, a capillary head 170, a detection unit 101, and an electrode holder 183. Note that the number of capillaries 103 is not limited to eight as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0017] The capillary 103 is a capillary tube used for electrophoresis of a sample, and is, for example, a glass tube with an inner diameter of several tens to several hundreds of μm and an outer diameter of several hundred μm, the outer surface of which is coated with several tens of μm of polyimide for reinforcement. The capillary 103 is filled with a separation medium, which is an electrolyte solution, together with the sample. The separation medium may include a polymer gel, a polymer, or the like.

[0018] The multiple capillaries 103 are held by a capillary holder 182 having a circular ring shape. Holding the capillaries 103 in the capillary holder 182 makes it easy to carry the capillary array 119. Separators 181 are provided on the capillary holder 182 via multiple separator holders 185, respectively. The separator 181 has holes at equal intervals, the same number as the number of capillaries 103, and each capillary 103 is inserted into each hole. Inserting the capillaries 103 into the holes of the separator 181 keeps the distance between the capillaries 103 at equal intervals, making it easy to control the temperature of the capillaries 103.

[0019] The electrode holder 183 holds the cathodes 152, which are hollow electrodes made of metal. The number of cathodes 152 and capillaries 103 is the same, and one end of each capillary 103 is passed through each cathode 152, and the two are fixed together with an adhesive or the like. The capillary head 170 is a resin member that bundles the other ends of the multiple capillaries 103.

[0020] The detection unit 101 is a location where excitation light 172, 173 from a light source 165 is irradiated and where fluorescence is measured by a fluorescence measurement unit 167. In the detection unit 101, the polyimide on the outer surface of the capillary 103 is removed so as not to interfere with the irradiation of excitation light and the measurement of fluorescence. In the detection unit 101, a plurality of capillaries 103 are arranged in a plane.

[0021] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 1, the thermostatic bath 168 is a temperature regulator that keeps the capillary array 119 at a predetermined temperature, for example, 60°C.

[0022] The voltage source 169 is a power source that applies a voltage to both ends of the capillary array 119, with the anode connected to the capillary head 170 side and the cathode connected to the electrode holder 183 side. The anode-side buffer solution container 160 and the cathode-side buffer solution container 155 are containers that contain buffer solutions 159 and 154 that supply electric charge during electrophoresis, with the anode-side buffer solution container 160 being disposed on the capillary head 170 side and the cathode-side buffer solution container 155 being disposed on the electrode holder 183 side.

[0023] The gel block 157 has a tube inside to which a capillary head 170 is connected. The upper end of the tube in the gel block 157 is connected to a syringe 161, and the lower end of the tube is immersed in a buffer solution 159 in an anode-side buffer solution container 160. By operating a valve 156 and the syringe 161 provided midway along the tube, a separation medium is injected into the capillary 103.

[0024] The detection unit 101 of Example 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the assembled components of the detection unit 101, and Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the components separated. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the detection unit 101, showing the excitation light irradiation unit and the detection unit mounting unit.

[0025] The detection unit 101 has a plurality of capillaries 103, a substrate 102, a fixing plate 104, and a light-transmitting plate 106. The plurality of capillaries 103 are arranged on the substrate 102, and the fixing plate 104 and the light-transmitting plate 106 are placed on top of the plurality of capillaries 103 in that order. The substrate 102 and the fixing plate 104 are made of a material that blocks light, and the plurality of capillaries 103 are fixed on the substrate 102 by bonding them together with an adhesive 105. The light-transmitting plate 106 is made of a material that transmits light.

[0026] The substrate 102 has a capillary array surface 111 that serves as a reference plane, and a plurality of capillaries 103 are arrayed so as to be in contact with the capillary array surface 111. The fixing plate 104 may have V-shaped or other positioning grooves 118 formed at equal intervals. The capillaries 103 are arranged at desired intervals by fitting into the positioning grooves 118. Note that when the capillaries 103 are arranged on the substrate 102 in close contact with each other, i.e., when the diameter of the capillaries 103 and the arrangement interval of the capillaries 103 are the same, the fixing plate 104 does not need to have the positioning grooves 118 formed thereon.

[0027] At the excitation light irradiation section 164, which is the location where excitation light 172 and 173 is irradiated, the coating of the capillary 103 is removed to expose the quartz tube 115. A fluorescence passage opening 112 through which fluorescence 132 from the sample passes is provided in the fixing plate 104. After passing through the fluorescence passage opening 112, the fluorescence 132 passes through the light transmission plate 106 and reaches the fluorescence measurement section 167.

[0028] A light-transmitting member 107 provided on the light-transmitting plate 106 fits into a recess 109 provided in the substrate 102, and the light-transmitting plate 106 is attached to the substrate 102 by applying an adhesive or the like to the shaded area shown in FIG. 4 . The light-transmitting member 107 is a member that transmits excitation light 172, 173 irradiated onto the quartz tube 115. By fitting the light-transmitting member 107 into the recess 109 and attaching the light-transmitting plate 106 to the substrate 102, a sealed structure is formed in which the periphery of the quartz tube 115 of the excitation light irradiation unit 164 is filled with air. By filling the periphery of the quartz tube 115 of the excitation light irradiation unit 164 with air, foreign matter that emits Raman scattered light can be prevented from being present in the excitation light irradiation unit 164, and noise signals can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the periphery of the quartz tube 115 is sealed, dust particles and the like in the atmosphere do not adhere to the quartz tube 115, and noise signals can be suppressed.

[0029] 4 emits fluorescence that becomes a noise signal when scattered light of excitation light 172, 173 that passes through light-transmitting member 107 is incident on the adhesive applied to the shaded area. Therefore, by using a non-light-transmitting member that does not transmit light as a constituent material of substrate 102, it is possible to prevent the fluorescence emitted by the adhesive from reaching excitation light irradiation unit 164. Furthermore, by providing convex light-shielding portion 113 having a convex shape on substrate 102, it is possible to further prevent the fluorescence emitted by the adhesive from reaching excitation light irradiation unit 164.

[0030] Furthermore, the four corners of the substrate 102 may be provided with detector mounting surfaces 114, each having a step of height S relative to the capillary array surface 111. The detector mounting surface 114 is a surface that contacts the device mating surface 133 of the detector fixing mechanism 134 shown in FIG. 5 . The detector fixing mechanism 134 is provided in the electrophoresis device, and a substrate presser 136 is used to bring the detector mounting surface 114 into contact with the device mating surface 133. In the multi-focus method, in which excitation light is irradiated along the array direction onto a capillary array in which capillaries are arranged in a plane, the efficiency of laser irradiation on each capillary 103 is determined by the diameter of the quartz tube 115, the array spacing of the capillaries 103, and the refractive index of the polymer filled inside the capillaries. Therefore, by using capillary arrays 119 with different values ​​of height S depending on the analytical purpose, samples can be analyzed using multiple analytical applications with a single capillary array electrophoresis device.

[0031] Furthermore, the substrate 102 may be provided with an adhesive groove 108. The adhesive used to fix the capillaries 103 to the substrate 102 may flow into the excitation light irradiation unit 164 due to capillary action, and the adhesive that has flowed into the excitation light irradiation unit 164 will emit fluorescence that becomes a noise signal. Therefore, the substrate 102 is provided with an adhesive groove 108 that is a groove that prevents the adhesive from flowing into the excitation light irradiation unit 164. The adhesive groove 108 is provided so as to extend, for example, in the direction in which the capillaries 103 are arranged.

[0032] The adhesive groove 108 will be further described using Figure 6. Note that Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the detection unit 101, and the light-transmitting plate 106 is omitted. The adhesive groove 108 is provided between the location where the adhesive used to fix the capillary 103 is applied and the excitation light irradiation unit 164. Although some of the adhesive used to fix the capillary 103 turns into excess adhesive 116 and attempts to flow into the excitation light irradiation unit 164, the excess adhesive 116 accumulates in the adhesive groove 108 and does not reach the excitation light vicinity surface 110. Note that the adhesive groove 108 does not need to be formed from one end to the other of the substrate 102, as long as it is provided in the location where the adhesive is applied.

[0033] Furthermore, since the adhesive groove 108 is covered by an area of ​​the fixing plate 104 where the fluorescence passage port 112 is not formed, adhesive fluorescence 117 emitted from excess adhesive 116 that accumulates in the adhesive groove 108 does not reach the fluorescence measurement unit 167. In other words, by providing the fixing plate 104, which acts as a light-blocking unit that blocks light, between the adhesive groove 108 and the fluorescence measurement unit 167, the adhesive fluorescence 117 that becomes a noise signal is blocked.

[0034] The effects of Example 1 will be described using Fig. 7. Fig. 7(a) is an example of a measurement signal when the noise signal could not be sufficiently reduced, and Fig. 7(b) is an example of a measurement signal obtained by the detection unit 101 of Example 1. Note that the vertical axis of Fig. 7 represents the signal intensity measured by the fluorescence measurement unit 167, the horizontal axis represents the migration time, and the signal intensity is displayed enlarged in the vertical axis direction.

[0035] If the noise signal cannot be sufficiently reduced, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the baseline intensity rises to H and the amplitude of the signal intensity of the noise N decreases to I Ｎ becomes larger, and the signal intensity I of the fluorescence S from the sample increases. Ｓ is the amplitude I of noise N Ｎ It is buried in the noise and cannot be detected.

[0036] In contrast, when the noise signal can be reduced by the detection unit 101 of the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the baseline intensity falls to L and the amplitude I of the signal intensity of the noise N′ decreases. Ｎ ' becomes smaller, and the signal intensity I of the fluorescence S' from the sample Ｓ' is the amplitude I of noise N' Ｎ The fluorescence S from the sample does not depend on the baseline intensity, and the signal intensity I Ｓ and signal strength I Ｓ ´ is the same.

[0037] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce noise signals due to foreign matter around the excitation light irradiation unit 164. As a result, the sensitivity limit is reduced, and even if the fluorescence from the sample is weak, it can be detected.

[0038] In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the excitation light near surface 110 of the substrate 102 is at approximately the same height as the capillary array surface 111, and the detection unit installation surface 114 has a step of height S with respect to the capillary array surface 111. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the excitation light near surface 210 of the substrate 202 is formed at a position lower than the capillary array surface 211 by height T, and the detection unit installation surface 214 is at the same height as the capillary array surface 211.

[0039] The detection unit 201 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the state in which the substrate 202, multiple capillaries 203, and fixing plate 204 constituting the detection unit 201 are assembled and the light-transmitting plate 206 is separated. As in the first embodiment, the substrate 202 has a capillary array surface 211, a detection unit mounting surface 214, an adhesive groove 208, a recess 209, and a convex light-shielding portion 213. As in the first embodiment, the fixing plate 204 has a fluorescence passage port 212 and is adhered to the substrate 202 with adhesive 205. As in the first embodiment, the light-transmitting plate 206 has a light-transmitting member 207.

[0040] In the substrate 202 illustrated in Figure 8, the detection unit installation surface 214 is at the same height as the capillary arrangement surface 211, and there is no need to process a step of height S as shown in Example 1, making it easier to manufacture the substrate 202.

[0041] Furthermore, in the multi-focus method, the excitation light beams 172 and 173 irradiated onto the quartz tube 215 may be tilted with respect to the excitation light near surface 210 to prevent one excitation light beam from following the path of the other excitation light beam and returning to the light source 165. The excitation light beams 172 and 173 tilted with respect to the excitation light near surface 210 may be blocked by the substrate 202, but by forming the excitation light near surface 210 at a position lower than the capillary array surface 211 by a height T, the excitation light beams 172 and 173 are not blocked by the substrate 202.

[0042] Even when the excitation light near surface 110 is at approximately the same height as the capillary arrangement surface 111 as in Example 1, a slope may be provided at the end of the convex light-shielding portion 113 so that the excitation light 172, 173 is not blocked by the substrate 102.

[0043] In the second embodiment, the quartz tube 215 of the excitation light irradiation unit 164 has a sealed structure filled with air, so that, as in the first embodiment, noise signals due to foreign matter around the excitation light irradiation unit 164 can be reduced, and the sensitivity limit is reduced.

[0044] In the first embodiment, it has been described that a plurality of capillaries 103 are fixed by a fixing plate 104 adhered to a substrate 102. In the third embodiment, it will be described that a plurality of capillaries 303 are fixed by a light-transmitting plate 306.

[0045] The detection unit 301 of Example 3 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the state in which the substrate 302 and multiple capillaries 303 that constitute the detection unit 301 are assembled and the light-transmitting plate 306 is separated. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the detection unit 301, showing the excitation light irradiation unit and the detection unit mounting unit. Note that the substrate 302 has a capillary array surface 311, adhesive grooves 308, and convex light-shielding portions 313, similar to Example 1.

[0046] 9, a plurality of capillaries 303 arranged on a capillary arrangement surface 311 of a substrate 302 are adhesively fixed by a light-transmitting plate 306. The lower surface of the light-transmitting plate 306, i.e., the surface with which the plurality of capillaries 303 come into contact, is coated with a light-blocking material 316 by vapor deposition or the like. However, the light-blocking material 316 is not coated in the region of the fluorescence passage port 312.

[0047] The capillary array surface 311 of the substrate 302 is provided with positioning guides 317. The positioning guides 317 are formed by, for example, hardening an adhesive applied at equal intervals using a dispenser. The capillaries 303 are arranged at equal intervals by arranging the capillaries 303 between the positioning guides 317 formed at equal intervals. Therefore, the arrangement interval of the capillaries 303 can be changed by changing the intervals at which the adhesive is applied to the capillary array surface 311.

[0048] In Example 3, a detection unit installation surface 314 is provided on the light transmitting member 307. The detection unit installation surface 314 contacts an apparatus mating surface 335 of a detection unit fixing mechanism 334, as illustrated in Fig. 10. The detection unit fixing mechanism 334 is provided on the electrophoresis device, and a substrate presser 136 is used to bring the detection unit installation surface 314 into contact with the apparatus mating surface 335.

[0049] In the third embodiment, the quartz tube 315 of the excitation light irradiation unit 164 has a sealed structure filled with air, so that, similar to the first embodiment, noise signals due to foreign matter around the excitation light irradiation unit 164 can be reduced, and the sensitivity limit can be reduced.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the detection unit 101 includes the light-transmitting plate 106 and the light-transmitting member 307. When the light-transmitting plate 106 and the light-transmitting member 307, which are relatively expensive components, are mounted on the capillary array 119, which is a consumable item, the unit price of the capillary array 119 increases, and the running costs also increase. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, alternatives to the light-transmitting plate 306 and the light-transmitting member 307 are mounted on the electrophoresis device, thereby reducing the running costs.

[0051] Example 4 will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the assembled state of a substrate 402, a plurality of capillaries 403, and a fixing plate 404 that constitute a detection unit 401 of Example 4. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the main parts of an electrophoresis device to which the detection unit 401 is attached. As in Example 1, the substrate 402 has a capillary array surface 411, a detection unit installation surface 414, an adhesive groove 408, and a recess 409. As in Example 1, the fixing plate 404 has a fluorescence passage port 412 and a positioning groove 418, and is adhered to the substrate 402 with adhesive 405.

[0052] The electrophoresis apparatus illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a light source 465 and a fluorescence measurement unit 467, similar to that of Example 1. Excitation light 431 emitted from the light source 465 is split by a half mirror 471 into two excitation lights. The two lights then pass through multiple mirrors 474 and a condenser lens 475 before passing through excitation light outlet holes 476 (two locations, one above and one below). The excitation light outlet holes 476 are provided in a detection unit fixing mechanism 434 to which the detection unit 401 is attached, and the excitation light outlet hole 476 includes an excitation light transmission window 477. When the detection unit 401 is attached to the detection unit fixing mechanism 434, the excitation light transmission window 477 fits into the recess 409 of the detection unit 401, and the excitation light that passes through the excitation light transmission window 477 is irradiated onto the excitation light irradiation unit 464. In other words, the excitation light transmission window 477 serves as a substitute for the light transmission member 307.

[0053] Fluorescence 432 emitted from the excitation light irradiation unit 464 in response to irradiation with excitation light passes through a fluorescence transmission window 478 provided in a fluorescence entrance hole 479, and is then measured by a fluorescence measurement unit 467. In other words, the fluorescence transmission window 478 serves as a substitute for the light transmission plate 306. The fluorescence measurement unit 467 includes a fluorescence condensing lens 481, a transmission type diffraction grating 482, an imaging lens 483, and a two-dimensional CCD 484.

[0054] According to the fourth embodiment, the light transmitting plate 106 and the light transmitting member 307, which are relatively expensive components, do not need to be mounted on the capillary array 119, which is a consumable component, and therefore running costs can be reduced. Note that also in the fourth embodiment, the periphery of the quartz tube 415 of the excitation light irradiation unit 164 is a sealed structure filled with air, so that, similarly to the first embodiment, noise signals due to foreign matter around the excitation light irradiation unit 164 can be reduced and the sensitivity limit can be reduced.

[0055] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the components may be modified within the scope of the gist of the invention. Furthermore, multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiments.

[0056] 101, 201, 301, 401...detection unit, 102, 202, 302, 402...substrate, 103, 203, 303, 403...capillary, 104, 204, 404...fixing plate, 105, 205, 405...adhesive, 106, 206, 306...light-transmitting plate, 107, 207, 307...light-transmitting member, 108, 208, 308, 408...adhesive groove, 109, 209, 409...recess, 110, 210, 310, 410...surface near excitation light, 111, 211, 31 1,411...capillary array surface, 112,212,312,412...fluorescence passage port, 113,213,313...convex light-shielding portion, 114,214,314,414...detection unit installation surface, 115,215,315,415...quartz tube, 116...excess adhesive, 117...adhesive fluorescence, 118,418...positioning groove, 119...capillary array, 163,172,173,331,431...excitation light, 132,332,432...fluorescence, 133,335...device alignment surface, 134, 334, 434...detection unit fixing mechanism, 136, 336...substrate holder, 152...cathode, 153...sample introduction unit, 154, 159...buffer solution, 155...cathode side buffer solution container, 156...valve, 157...gel block, 158...earth electrode, 160...anode side buffer solution container, 161...syringe, 164, 464...excitation light irradiation unit, 165, 465...light source, 167, 467...fluorescence measurement unit, 168...thermostat, 169...voltage source, 170...capillary head , 171, 471...half mirror, 174, 474...mirror, 175, 475...condensing lens, 181...separator, 182...capillary holding portion, 183...electrode holding portion, 185...separator holding portion, 316...light-shielding material, 320...light-transmitting member mating surface, 476...excitation light exit hole, 477...excitation light transmission window, 478...fluorescence transmission window, 479...fluorescence entrance hole, 481...fluorescence collecting lens, 482...transmission diffraction grating, 483...imaging lens, 484...two-dimensional CCD.

Claims

1. An electrophoresis apparatus comprising: a capillary array in which capillaries used for electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in a plane; an excitation light source that irradiates the capillary array with excitation light; and a fluorescence measurement unit that measures fluorescence induced from the capillary array, wherein the capillary array has a sealed structure in which the area around the excitation light irradiation unit, which is the location where the excitation light is irradiated, is filled with air.

2. An electrophoresis device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate on which the capillary array is arranged and fixed with adhesive has a groove between the application section where the adhesive is applied and the excitation light irradiation section.

3. An electrophoresis device according to claim 2, characterized in that a light-blocking section for blocking light is provided between the groove and the fluorescence measuring section.

4. An electrophoretic device according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is made of a non-light-transmitting material that does not transmit light.

5. An electrophoresis device comprising: a capillary array in which capillaries used for electrophoresis of a sample are arranged in a plane; an excitation light source that irradiates the capillary array with excitation light; and a fluorescence measurement unit that measures fluorescence induced from the capillary array, wherein the substrate on which the capillary array is arranged and fixed with an adhesive has a groove between an application section where the adhesive is applied and an excitation light irradiation section where the excitation light is irradiated.

6. A capillary array in which capillaries used for sample electrophoresis are arranged in a plane, characterized in that the capillary array has a sealed structure in which the area around the excitation light irradiation section, where the excitation light is irradiated, is filled with air.

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