Capillary Array Electrophoresis Apparatus with Lens Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capillary electrophoresis apparatuses face challenges in achieving high throughput for protein analysis, as they are limited in their ability to perform protein fluorescence intensity and absorbance measurements simultaneously with high efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a capillary array with a measurement light irradiation unit and a light receiving unit, utilizing a lens array system to ensure uniform light distribution across multiple capillaries, allowing for simultaneous fluorescence and absorbance measurements without replacing the capillary array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single capillary is used for protein analysis, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single capillary system into multiple parallel capillaries (capillary array), where each capillary can independently perform protein analysis. This segmentation enables simultaneous processing of multiple samples, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining the functional simplicity of individual capillary measurements
2Productivity
If multiple capillaries are used simultaneously, then throughput increases, but light distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lens array as an intermediary optical component between the light source and the capillary array. Each lens in the lens array corresponds to a specific capillary, focusing and uniformizing the light distribution for each individual capillary. This intermediary system enables uniform light illumination across all capillaries simultaneously, resolving the light distribution non-uniformity issue while maintaining high throughput
3Productivity
If protein fluorescence and absorbance measurements are performed separately, then measurement precision is maintained, but analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluorescence measurement system and absorbance measurement system into a single integrated device. By combining both measurement capabilities in one apparatus with a unified capillary array and optical system, the patent enables simultaneous or sequential execution of both measurement types without requiring separate equipment, thereby reducing analysis time while maintaining measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables high-throughput protein analysis by ensuring equalized light conditions across all capillaries, allowing for efficient and accurate simultaneous measurement of protein absorbance and fluorescence.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement light irradiation unit which irradiates with measurement light
Implementation Method 2
a first lens array which includes a plurality of first lenses which are arrayed in correspondence with the plurality of capillaries, a second lens array which includes a plurality of second lenses which are arrayed in correspondence with the plurality of capillaries
Implementation Method 3
a light receiving unit which receives light which is incident upon the capillaries via the first lens array from the measurement light irradiation unit via the second lens array
Implementation Method 4
protein fluorescence intensity measurement and protein absorbance measurement
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention aims to provide an electrophoresis apparatus which makes it possible to execute protein analysis with a high throughput. The electrophoresis apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with a capillary array which is configured by arraying a plurality of capillaries, a measurement light irradiation unit which irradiates with measurement light, a first lens array which includes a plurality of first lenses which are arrayed in correspondence with the plurality of capillaries, a second lens array which includes a plurality of second lenses which are arrayed in correspondence with the plurality of capillaries, and a light receiving unit which receives light which is incident upon the capillaries via the first lens array from the measurement light irradiation unit via the second lens array.