Capillary electrophoresis device

Abstract

In order to provide a capillary electrophoresis device capable of maintaining high analysis accuracy of the device by setting an entire capillary to a uniform temperature, this capillary electrophoresis device is configured as follows.　The capillary electrophoresis device comprises a capillary for performing electrophoresis on a specimen, a thermostatic chamber for keeping the capillary warm, and an air blowing part for blowing air into the thermostatic chamber. The thermostatic chamber has a first container and a second container which is contained in the first container and holds the capillary. The first container has an air supply port for supplying the first container with the air blown from the air blowing part, and an air exhaust port for discharging the air from the first container. The second container has, on wall surfaces thereof, openings for introducing gas blown into the first container.

Description

Capillary Electrophoresis Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a capillary electrophoresis device.

[0002] In recent years, DNA analysis for analyzing the sequence of DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid) has expanded its application range from research use to clinical fields such as hospitals. As a means of DNA analysis, there is a method of separating DNA fragments by capillary electrophoresis, which is used for personal identification such as determination of blood relationship and criminal investigation, and disease diagnosis. To realize such capillary electrophoresis, a capillary electrophoresis device is used in which a capillary is filled with an electrophoresis medium such as a polymer gel or a polymer solution, and a high voltage is applied to both ends of the capillary to perform electrophoresis. Since the lane speed of DNA in the capillary electrophoresis device depends on the temperature of the electrophoresis medium, in order to maintain high analysis accuracy, it is required to control the capillary temperature to a high-precision and constant temperature. Therefore, the structure of a thermostat for keeping the capillary temperature uniform and the structure for fixing the capillary at a desired position in the thermostat are important.

[0003] In response to these problems, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration of "flowing the introduced temperature-adjusted air along the capillary, discharging it from the exhaust port, and adjusting the temperature again with a Peltier". Further, Patent Document 2 describes a configuration of "the temperature adjustment unit is configured to fit with a cartridge and includes a heating element, a temperature sensor (for example, a thermistor), and an air moving device that generates a flow of warm air passing through the cartridge to maintain the temperature of one or more capillaries at a desired value".

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-64774, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-508462

[0005] In Patent Document 1, since the distributed temperature-adjusted air is flowed along the length direction of the capillary for a plurality of capillaries, the plurality of capillaries can be uniformly heat-dissipated. However, since the temperature of the temperature-adjusted air gradually decreases along the flow direction, a temperature difference occurs between the inlet and the outlet, and there is a possibility of a temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the capillary.

[0006] Patent Document 2 describes a structure in which air whose temperature has been regulated by a temperature control unit is introduced into a container that holds a capillary, thereby dissipating the heat generated from the capillary. However, since the air temperature is highest at the inlet relative to the capillary and decreases towards the outlet, a temperature distribution along the length of the capillary may occur.

[0007] This disclosure was made to solve these problems and provides a capillary electrophoresis apparatus that can maintain high analytical accuracy by keeping the entire capillary at a uniform temperature.

[0008] The configuration for achieving the above objective is as follows: A capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary for electrophoresis of a sample, a constant temperature bath for keeping the capillary warm, and a blower for blowing air into the constant temperature bath, wherein the constant temperature bath has a first container and a second container enclosed within the first container for holding the capillary, the first container has an air inlet for supplying air from the blower to the first container and an exhaust port for exhausting air from the first container, and the wall surface of the second container has an opening for taking in the gas blown into the first container.

[0009] According to the present invention, a capillary electrophoresis apparatus can be provided that maintains a high level of analytical accuracy by keeping the entire capillary at a uniform temperature.

[0010] Issues, structures, and effects other than those mentioned above will be clarified in the following explanation of implementation.

[0011] Schematic diagram of a capillary electrophoresis apparatus Cross-sectional view of the XZ plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 1 Cross-sectional view of the A-A' plane of the XY plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 1 Cross-sectional view of the B-B' plane of the YZ plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 1 Cross-sectional view of the XY plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 2 Cross-sectional view of the XZ plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 2 Cross-sectional view of the XY plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 3 Cross-sectional view of the XY plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 4 Cross-sectional view of the XZ plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 5 Cross-sectional view of the XZ plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 5 Cross-sectional view of the XZ plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 6 Cross-sectional view of the XZ plane of the constant temperature bath in Example 7

[0012] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to Example 1 of the present invention.

[0014] The capillary electrophoresis apparatus 1 in this embodiment consists of a capillary 6, a constant temperature bath 2 that holds the capillary 6, a detection unit 14 located in the constant temperature bath 2, solution tanks 8 connected to both ends of the capillary, a high-voltage power supply 7 that applies a high voltage to the capillary 6, an air guide 4 connected to the constant temperature bath 2, and a temperature control unit 5 (also referred to as a "temperature control unit" or "heater"). The capillary 6 is a hollow tube made of silica or the like, with an inner diameter of several tens of micrometers and an outer diameter of several hundred micrometers, whose surface is protected by a polyimide coating.

[0015] Figure 2 shows the XZ cross-sectional structure of the constant temperature bath 2 in the A-A' cross-section shown in Figure 1. The constant temperature bath 2 has a second container 9 inside the first container 3, and one or more capillaries 6 and a detection unit 14 are arranged inside the second container 9. One or more openings 10 are provided in the wall surface of the second container 9. The air guide passage 4 is connected to an inlet 4a provided in the first container 3, and the outlet 4b is connected to the air guide passage 4 at the downstream part of the first container 3 in the -X direction. The second container 9 is enclosed within the first container 3 and holds (supports) the capillaries 6. An upstream ventilation passage 11 is provided on the inlet 4a side, and a downstream ventilation passage 12 is provided on the outlet 4b side. Hot air 16 flows in from the inlet 4a and flows out from the outlet 4b.

[0016] Figure 3 shows the XY cross-sectional structure of the constant temperature bath 2. The first container 3 encloses the second container 9, and a communication section 13 is provided between the first container 3 and the second container 9. The capillary 6, which is located inside the second container 9, is fixed to the detection section 14, and the detection section 14 is positioned so as to be exposed to the outside of the first container 3.

[0017] Figure 4 shows the YZ cross-sectional structure of the constant temperature bath 2 in the B-B' cross-section. Between the first container 3 and the second container 9, there is an upstream ventilation passage 11 and a downstream ventilation passage 12, which are connected to the air guide passage 4. The upstream ventilation passage 11 and the downstream ventilation passage 12 are connected by a connecting section 13.

[0018] A second container 9, in which the capillary 6 is placed, is fixed inside the first container 3, and an opening 10 is provided in the wall surface of the second container 9. Here, when the warm air 16 heated by the temperature control unit 5 is introduced into the first container 3 via the air guide 4, the warm air 16 flows from the upstream side (+X) to the downstream side (-X) of the second container 9 via the upstream ventilation passage 11 of the first container 3. A portion of the flowing warm air 16 flows into the second container 9 through the opening 10 provided on the side surface of the second container 9, and the warm air, which is oriented approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the capillary 6, strikes the capillary 6, forming a flow of warm air 16 that swirls around the capillary 6. The inventors confirmed through simulation that this flow of warm air 16 contributes to improving the uniformity of the temperature in the longitudinal direction of the capillary 6.

[0019] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the opening 10 is configured such that its cross-sectional area increases as it moves from the upstream side (+X) to the downstream side (-X) of the second container 9, thereby further improving the uniformity of temperature along the longitudinal direction of the capillary 6. That is, near the inlet 4a provided in the first container 3, the flow velocity of the warm air flowing from the air guide 4 into the first container is high, and even if the opening cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 10 is small, sufficient warm air 16 flows into the second container. However, as it moves towards the outlet 4b provided in the downstream part of the first container 3 in the -X direction, the velocity of the warm air 16 flowing inside the first container decreases by the amount of warm air 16 that has already flowed into the second container from the opening 10, and therefore, with the same cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 10, the amount of warm air 16 introduced into the second container decreases.

[0020] The constant temperature bath 2 requires that the temperature of the multiple capillaries 6 be uniform along their length, and furthermore, that the temperature of the multiple capillaries 6 be uniform. In addition, the capillaries 6 are subjected to a high voltage by the high-voltage power supply 7 for electrophoresis, causing them to generate heat. Therefore, it is necessary to dissipate the heat by ventilating around the capillaries 6 and suppress excessive temperature rise of the capillaries 6.

[0021] For example, when maintaining a temperature of 60°C around the capillary 6, the warm air 16 heated by the temperature control unit 5 flows into the first container 3 via the air guide 4 and then into the inlet 4a. Once it flows into the constant temperature bath 2, it dissipates heat to the outside air through the wall surface of the first container 3, causing the temperature of the warm air 16 to decrease from upstream (+X) to downstream (-X). As a result, a temperature difference is created inside the constant temperature bath 2.

[0022] With the structure of the present invention, 60°C warm air 16, ventilated from upstream (+X), is introduced through the inlet 4a and flows from upstream (+X) to downstream (-X) of the first container 3 via the upstream ventilation passage 11. As the warm air 16 flows through the upstream ventilation passage 11 to the downstream side of the upstream ventilation passage 11, the temperature difference between the upstream and downstream parts of the upstream ventilation passage 11 becomes small. With the temperature difference between upstream (+X) and downstream (-X) in the upstream ventilation passage 11 small, the warm air 16 flows into the second container 9 through the opening 10 provided in the wall surface of the second container 9. In the second container 9, the warm air 16 introduced from the opening 10 hits the capillary 6 as warm air oriented approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the capillary 6, and flows around the capillary 6, thereby maintaining a uniform internal temperature in the second container 9 and allowing the capillary 6 to dissipate its own heat generation.

[0023] Furthermore, it is not necessary to use hot air as long as the self-heating of the capillary 6 can be dissipated, and the air introduced into the first container 3 via the inlet 4a through the air guide 4 may be room temperature air introduced by a simple blower. Also, there is no need for multiple capillaries 6; the effects of the present invention can be achieved even with just one capillary.

[0024] After the capillary 6 has released its heat, the warm air 16 is discharged from the opening 10 of the second container 9 and into the downstream ventilation passage 12 provided in the first container 3. The warm air 16 that has passed through the downstream ventilation passage 12 is discharged from the outlet 4b and returns to the temperature control unit 5 through the air guide passage 4.

[0025] Here, the upstream ventilation passage 11 and the downstream ventilation passage 12 are connected via a connecting section 13, and a portion of the warm air 16 introduced into the upstream ventilation passage 11 reaches the downstream ventilation passage 12 without passing through the second container 9. This makes it possible to keep the temperature difference between the upstream (+X) temperature and the downstream (-X) temperature of the second container 9 small, and to keep the temperature distribution of the second container 9 in the Z-axis direction small.

[0026] In this way, by maintaining a uniform temperature in the second container 9 containing the capillary 6, the capillary 6 can maintain a uniform temperature, enabling highly accurate analysis.

[0027] Here, the first container 3 and the second container 9 are made of resin, and insulating material such as urethane or glass wool, which has a lower thermal conductivity than the first container 3 and the second container 9, may be placed on the exterior or interior walls. By placing insulating material, the amount of heat radiated from the constant temperature bath 2 to the outside air is reduced, and the temperature drop of the warm air 16 in the constant temperature bath 2 can be suppressed. The second container 9 does not have to be a container independent of the first container 3, and may be formed by installing a wall on the inner wall of the first container 3. Also, the first container 3 and the second container 9 do not have to be rectangular parallelepiped shapes as shown in the figure, and may be changed to cylindrical shapes or polygonal prism shapes, etc., according to the arrangement of the capillaries. The second container 9 does not have to be molded as a single piece, and may be divided into two or more parts, and the container shape may be formed by fitting the parts together. Also, the constant temperature bath 2 does not have to have one set of temperature control unit 5 and air guide 4, and may have multiple temperature control unit 5 and air guide 4, and multiple inlets 4a or outlets 4b may be formed in the first container 3.

[0028] Furthermore, the positions of the inlet 4a and outlet 4b of the air guide 4 that introduces the warm air 16 into the first container 3 are not limited, and the inlet (-Z direction) and outlet (+Z direction) may be located in the center of the first container 3. By introducing the air from the center, the heated air flows from the center of the first container 3 toward both ends in the +X and -X directions. At this time, the distance over which heat exchange occurs with the wall surface of the first container 3 is shortened, so the temperature drop of the warm air 16 inside the first container 3 can be reduced, and high analytical accuracy can be maintained.

[0029] An embodiment of the second example of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 6. This embodiment is characterized in that the upstream air passage 11 has a structure in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path narrows as it moves in the -X direction (to the left in Figure 6). Parts that have the same function as those already described and that are denoted by the same reference numerals will not be described.

[0030] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the XZ cross-section of the constant temperature bath according to Embodiment 2. The walls of the first container 3 and the second container 9 do not need to be parallel, and the flow widths of the upstream ventilation passage 11 and the downstream ventilation passage 12 are made uneven. In other words, the cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space on the exhaust side of the upstream ventilation passage 11 and the downstream ventilation passage 12 is configured to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space on the supply side.

[0031] According to the embodiment described above, the amount of air flowing from the opening 10 provided on the wall surface of the second container 9 on the -X side to the second container 9 becomes uniform in the direction of the X axis. This is because the width of the upstream ventilation passage 11 narrows in the direction of the -X axis, and the flow velocity increases in the direction of the -X axis. As the flow velocity of the upstream ventilation passage 11 increases, the flow velocity of the warm air 16 from the opening 10 to the second container 9 increases, and the amount of air flowing into the second container 9 becomes uniform. As the amount of air into the second container 9 becomes uniform, a uniform flow of warm air 16 is generated around the capillary 6 placed in the second container 9. Therefore, the heat dissipation capacity of the capillary 6 becomes uniform in the direction of the X axis, and the temperature variation of the capillary 6 can be reduced.

[0032] This configuration is another approach aimed at ensuring that the amount of warm air 16 flowing into the second container from the opening 10 is the same on both the upstream and downstream sides, similar to how the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 10 in the second container is increased downstream in Figure 5.

[0033] Here, the flow path width may be narrowed by providing a protrusion on the inner wall surface of the first container 3, creating a structure that makes the flow path width of the upstream ventilation passage 11 or the downstream ventilation passage 12 uneven. For example, by forming a protrusion on the inner wall surface of the first container 3 at a position opposite the opening 10, the direction of the flow near the opening 10 of the upstream ventilation passage 11 is changed, which can increase the amount of warm air 16 flowing into the interior of the second container 9 from the opening 10 provided on the inner wall surface of the second container 9, and further enable a more uniform temperature distribution. Alternatively, by changing the size of this protrusion, the protrusion may be smaller on the +X side, i.e., the gap between the tip of the protrusion and the second container 9 may be wider, and the protrusion may be larger on the -X side, i.e., the gap between the tip of the protrusion and the second container 9 may be narrower, which can achieve the same effect as increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening shown in Figure 5 from the upstream side to the downstream side. Furthermore, by slowing the flow velocity (of the warm air 16 flowing from the opening 10 into the interior of the second container 9) downstream (in the -X direction), the warm air 16 is less likely to reach the downstream side, thus lowering the temperature downstream (in the -X direction). In this way, by changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the upstream air passage 11 or the downstream air passage 12, it is possible not only to make the temperature of the second container 9 uniform, but also to lower the temperature of the second container 9 downstream. Here, the flow width of the upstream air passage 11 and the downstream air passage 12 may be narrowed not only gradually from upstream (+X) to downstream (-X), but also in a stepped manner. In addition, depending on the required specifications of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus, the flow width of the upstream air passage 11 and the downstream air passage 12 may be widened gradually. By widening the upstream ventilation passage 11 in the -X direction, the amount of air flowing from the openings 10 in the upstream (+X) and downstream (-X) directions into the second container 9 becomes uneven. This not only makes the temperature distribution in the second container 9 uniform, but also actively creates a temperature difference.

[0034] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 7. This embodiment is characterized in that the communication portion 13 is located at the top (+Y direction) of the first container 3, rather than at the bottom (-Y direction). Parts that have the same function as those already described and are denoted by the same reference numerals will not be described.

[0035] This example shows a structure in which the warm air flowing through the communication section 13 not only maintains a constant air temperature inside the second container 9, but also raises the temperature of the detection section 14.

[0036] Figure 7 shows a structure in which the second container 9, which is placed inside the first container 3, is positioned below the first container 3 (in the -Y direction). The warm air 16, heated via the temperature control unit 5, flows to the inlet 4a via the air guide 4. Here, the detection unit 14 is heated by the warm air 16 passing through the air guide 4. Since the detection unit 14 detects DNA migrating inside the capillary 6, it is exposed to the outside of the first container 3 and is susceptible to the temperature of the outside air. With the structure of Embodiment 3, the detection unit 14 can be directly heated by the warm air 16, and the temperature of the detection unit 14 can be kept constant together with the capillary 6.

[0037] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 8. This embodiment is characterized by a structure in which the communication section 13 is wider in the upstream direction (+X direction) and narrower in the downstream direction (-X direction). In other words, the cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space on the exhaust port side of the communication section 13 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space on the intake side. Parts that have the same function as those already described and are denoted by the same reference numerals will not be described.

[0038] Figure 8 shows a structure in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting section 13, provided by the first container 3 and the second container 9, gradually narrows as it moves downstream (in the -X direction).

[0039] The warm air 16 flowing from the upstream ventilation passage 11 to the downstream ventilation passage 12 via the connecting section 13 experiences increased pressure loss and becomes less able to flow as the width of the connecting section 13 narrows. On the other hand, the upstream section (+X direction) is wide, allowing the warm air 16 to flow easily from the +X direction of the upstream ventilation passage 11 to the +X direction of the downstream ventilation passage 12 via the connecting section 13. Furthermore, on the downstream (-X) side, the pressure loss at the opening 10 is smaller than the pressure loss at the connecting section 13, increasing the inflow of air from opening 10 to opening 10, thereby making the temperature on the downstream side (-X) of the second container 9 uniform. Furthermore, by making it easier for the warm air 16 to flow from the upstream ventilation passage 11 to the downstream ventilation passage 12 in the upstream section (+X direction) near the inlet, the amount of warm air 16 flowing from the inlet 4a to the downstream ventilation passage 12 increases. This provides an example of a structure that keeps the temperature difference between the upstream wall surface (+Z direction) and the downstream wall surface (-Z direction) of the second container 9 in the upstream section (+X direction) to the downstream ventilation passage 12 small.

[0040] Here, the flow of the hot air 16 may be changed by providing a protrusion on the connecting section 13 to change the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path. Alternatively, the flow path cross-sectional area may be narrowed in a stepped manner, or conversely, it may be widened from the upstream side (+X) to the downstream side (-X) to adjust the amount of hot air 16 flowing into the second container 9.

[0041] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 9. This embodiment is characterized in that an air guide 15 is provided in the opening 10 on the inner wall surface of the second container 9 at -Z (lower in Figure 9) where the inlet 4a is located. Parts having the same function as those already described with the same reference numerals will not be described.

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a structure in which a wind guiding portion 15 is provided at an opening provided on the inner wall surface of the second container 9 to guide a part of the warm air 16 flowing through the upstream ventilation path 11 into the second container 9. The warm air 16 introduced from the inlet 4a is blown into the upstream ventilation path 11 and introduced into the second container 9 by the wind guiding portion 15. Thereby, the amount of the warm air 16 flowing into the second container 9 increases, the flow rate of the warm air 16 around the capillary 6 increases, and the self-heat of the capillary 6 can be efficiently dissipated. Here, it is not necessary to provide the wind guiding portion 15 at all the openings 10 in the -Z direction on the inner wall surface of the second container 9. Further, the structures of the wind guiding portions 15 do not all need to have the same dimensions, and the wind guiding portion 15 may be small on the +X side and become larger as it proceeds to the -X side. Further, the wind guiding portion 15 may be provided at the opening in the +Z direction of the second container 9.

[0043] Further, instead of the wind guiding portion 15, as shown in FIG. 10, by providing a convex portion 20 on the inner peripheral surface of the first container 3, the same effect as providing the wind guiding portion 15 can be achieved.

[0044] The form of Example 6 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In this embodiment, an opening 10a that opens in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the capillary 6 (the left-right direction in FIG. 11) is provided at the upstream portion of the -Z side wall surface near the inlet 4a on the inner wall surface of the second container 9, and an opening 10b that opens in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the capillary 6 (the left-right direction in FIG. 11) is provided at the downstream portion of the +Z side wall surface near the outlet 4b. Descriptions of portions having the same functions as the configurations denoted by the same reference numerals already described will be omitted.

[0045] Figure 11 shows an opening 10a provided on the inner wall surface of the second container 9, an opening 10b provided on the downstream (-X) side of the opening 10a, and at least a part of the opening surfaces (opening cross-sections) of the opening 10a and the opening 10b overlap with the projection surfaces of the opening surfaces (opening cross-sections) of the air supply port and the exhaust port, respectively. By adopting such a structure, in the second container 9 as well, warm air 16 is introduced in the longitudinal direction of the capillary 6, and the warm air 16 introduced from the opening 10a flows out from the opening 10b. By flowing warm air from the +X direction to the -X direction of the capillary arranged in the second container 9, a uniform flow of warm air 16 is provided around the capillary, and the self-heating of the capillary 6 can be effectively dissipated.

[0046] The embodiment 7 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows an inlet 4a provided on the +X side surface of the first container 3, an opening 20a provided on the +X side surface of the first container 3, an opening 20b provided on the +X side wall surface of the second container 9, and at least a part of the opening surface (opening cross-section) of the opening 20b of the second container 9 is provided so as to overlap within the projection surface of the opening surface (opening cross-section) of the air supply port.

[0047] In other words, the air supply port and the exhaust port have openings in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the capillary, and the warm air 16 is branched and introduced into the first container 3 and the second container 9. The openings 20a and 20b are provided so that a part of them overlaps within the projection surface of the opening surface of the inlet 4a.

[0048] The outlet 4b is structured such that an opening 20c is provided on the -X side wall surface of the first container 3 and an opening 20d is provided on the -X side wall surface of the second container 9, thereby discharging the warm air 16 that has flowed through the first container 3 and the second container 9 to the air guide path 4. With this structure, the warm air 16 heated by the heater is introduced into the upstream ventilation path 11 formed in the first container 3 and the inside of the second container 9. In the first container 3, the warm air 16 is introduced into the downstream ventilation path 12 through the upstream ventilation path 11 and the communication portion 13, so that the ambient temperature of the second container 9 is kept constant. Furthermore, warm air 16 is also introduced into the second container 9, and the self-heating of the capillary can be removed by the introduced warm air.

[0049] Here, the openings 20a to 20d do not necessarily have to be one each, and multiple openings may be formed for each. Also, the positions of the inlet 4a and outlet 4b are not limited to the +X and -X side walls of the first container 3.

[0050] In addition to branching the warm air at the inlet 4a, the air guide 4 may be divided into two or more flow paths, and warm air may be introduced into openings 20a and 20c formed in the first container 3 and openings 20b and 20d formed in the second container 9, respectively.

[0051] 1... Electrophoresis apparatus 2... Constant temperature bath 3... First container 4... Air guide 4a... Inlet 4b... Outlet 5... Temperature control unit 6... Capillary 7... High voltage power supply 8... Solution tank 9... Second container 10... Opening 10a... Inlet side opening 10b... Outlet side opening 11... Upstream ventilation passage 12... Downstream ventilation passage 13... Communication section 14... Detection unit 15... Air guide section 16... Hot air

Claims

A capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising a capillary for electrophoresis of a sample, a constant temperature bath for maintaining the temperature of the capillary, and a blower for blowing air into the constant temperature bath, The constant temperature bath comprises a first container and a second container enclosed within the first container and holding the capillary. The first container has an air intake port for supplying air from the air blowing unit to the first container, and an exhaust port for exhausting air from the first container. A capillary electrophoresis apparatus characterized in that the wall surface of the second container has an opening for taking in gas blown into the first container. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, The first container is, An upstream ventilation passage communicating with the aforementioned air intake and the aforementioned opening, A downstream ventilation passage communicating with the exhaust port and the opening, A capillary electrophoresis apparatus characterized by being equipped with the following features. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 2, The capillary electrophoresis apparatus is characterized in that the first container is provided with a connecting portion that connects the upstream ventilation passage and the downstream ventilation passage. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 3, The aforementioned communication portion is characterized in that the cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space on the exhaust port side is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space on the air intake port side. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, The first container is a capillary electrophoresis apparatus characterized in that the cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space on the exhaust port side is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space on the air intake port side. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, A capillary electrophoresis apparatus characterized in that the opening provided in the wall surface of the second container has an opening cross-sectional area that increases from the air intake side to the exhaust port side. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, The capillary electrophoresis apparatus is characterized in that the opening is provided with a guide for guiding the gas into the second container. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, A capillary electrophoresis apparatus characterized in that the inner wall surface of the first container has a protrusion for guiding the gas to the opening of the second container. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, A capillary electrophoresis apparatus characterized in that at least a portion of the opening is provided to fall within the projection plane of the respective opening cross-sections of the air intake port and the exhaust port. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, Capillary electrophoresis apparatus characterized in that the air intake port and the exhaust port have openings in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the capillary, and at least a portion of the opening of the second container is provided to fall within the projection plane of the respective opening cross-sections of the air intake port and the exhaust port. 　 In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, Capillary electrophoresis apparatus characterized in that the air intake port and the exhaust port have openings in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the capillary, and at least a portion of the opening of the second container is provided to fall within the projection plane of the respective opening cross-sections of the air intake port and the exhaust port.

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