Capillary Electrophoresis Light Coupling Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capillary electrophoresis apparatuses face issues with wasteful consumption of separation medium and signal intensity variations when one capillary array is removed, leading to reduced coupling efficiency of exciting irradiation light.
Innovation Solution
A capillary electrophoresis apparatus that detects light emission from 2n capillary arrays irradiated with exciting light from one side using a single optical detection system, ensuring consistent coupling efficiency even if any capillary array is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If capillary arrays are irradiated with exciting light from one side, then device complexity is reduced, but signal intensity variations increase among capillaries
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary array is divided into multiple groups (first group and second group) with different orientations. The first group has capillaries extending in a first direction and is irradiated from one side, while the second group has capillaries extending in a second direction and is also irradiated from one side. This segmentation allows each group to be optimized for single-sided irradiation while collectively achieving uniform signal intensity across all capillaries.
2Loss of substance
If capillary arrays are removed to reduce separation medium consumption, then running costs decrease, but coupling efficiency of exciting irradiation light declines
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary array is segmented into multiple independently removable groups (first group and second group). When the number of samples is less than the total number of capillaries, only the necessary number of capillary groups are installed, allowing reduction of separation medium consumption while maintaining optimal light coupling efficiency for the installed capillaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary array design allows the same irradiation system to effectively irradiate different numbers and configurations of capillary groups. The system is universally applicable whether all capillaries are installed or only a subset is installed, maintaining consistent light coupling efficiency across different operational scenarios.
3Reliability
If separation medium is injected into all capillaries to maintain light propagation efficiency, then light coupling efficiency is maximized, but running costs increase due to wasteful consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary array is divided into multiple groups that can be independently filled with separation medium. Only the capillary groups that are currently in use are filled with separation medium, while unused groups remain empty or are filled with minimal medium. This segmentation enables optimization of separation medium consumption while maintaining light propagation efficiency in the active capillaries.
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 design maintains efficient light coupling to capillary arrays without signal intensity variations, reducing running costs and improving analysis consistency by allowing for removable capillary arrays without compromising light irradiation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection loss of the laser light is produced on the outside diameter of the capillary based on a difference of the index of refraction between quartz and air. Therefore, if the laser light is radiated from one side, irradiation light intensity will not be uniform among the plurality of capillaries
Implementation Method 2
the inside diameter and outside diameter of the capillary and the like are determined in such a way that efficiency with which the laser light propagates from capillary to capillary is maximized by adjusting to the index of refraction of the separation medium
Implementation Method 3
A DNA compound in the sample migrates inside the capillary to generate DNA bands in the capillary after being separated based on molecular weight or the like
Implementation Method 4
Each DNA band has added fluorochrome and thus, develops colors after being irradiated with laser light. By reading such colors using a fluorometric means, the DNA sequence is determined
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a capillary electrophoresis apparatus wherein coupling efficiency of exciting irradiation light to a capillary array does not decline even if any one capillary array of two capillary arrays is removed.Light emission generated by capillaries of each capillary array of 2n (n is a positive integer) capillary arrays radiating exciting light from one side is detected by one optical detection system.