Electrophoresis analysis apparatus and sample vessel used therefor

Abstract

A multi-capillary type electrophoresis analysis apparatus has a sample tray for containing a plurality of samples, wherein part of the sample tray is made from a conductive material. Samples are introduced by applying a high voltage from a high voltage power supply between the sample tray and a coupler in a state in which one-ends of the capillaries are inserted in the samples contained in the sample tray. The apparatus eliminates the necessity of individually inserting electrodes in a plurality of samples contained in the sample tray, thereby making easy works for analysis.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of migration passages;    a sample tray holder capable of removably fixing a sample tray including a plurality of sample vessels for containing samples;    a detector for optically detecting sample components separated by electrophoresis;    a power supply for applying a voltage to the migration passages,    wherein said sample tray comprises an electrode capable of contacting the sample in at least one of said plurality of sample vessels;    wherein a part of the sample tray holder is electrically connected to the power supply; and    wherein said part of the sample tray holder is electrically connected to said electrode in response to fixing the sample tray on the sample tray holder.    
     
     
         2 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the part of the sample vessel is transparent.  
     
     
         3 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is made of a stainless steel.  
     
     
         4 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further comprising a current detection circuit to monitor a current for each sample.  
     
     
         5 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample tray comprises a plate portion having a plurality of openings and a metal base portion fixed on a bottom portion of the plate portion.  
     
     
         6 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the sample tray further comprises metal pins fixed on the metal base portion, the metal pins having portions projecting in the openings of the plate portion.  
     
     
         7 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample tray comprises a metal plate portion having a plurality of openings and a base portion fixed on a bottom portion of the plate portion.  
     
     
         8 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample tray comprises a plate portion having a plurality of openings; a base portion fixed on a bottom portion of the plate portion; and a plate or wire made of conductive material, the plate or wire being in contact with samples.  
     
     
         9 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus comprising: 
 a migration passage;    a sample tray holder capable of removably fixing a sample tray including a sample vessel for containing a sample;    a detector for optically detecting sample components separated by electrophoresis;    a power supply for applying a voltage to the migration passage,    wherein said sample tray comprises an electrode capable of contacting the sample in said sample vessel;    wherein a part of the sample tray holder is electrically connected to the power supply; and    wherein said part of the sample tray holder is electrically connected to said electrode in response to fixing the sample tray on the sample tray holder.    
     
     
         10 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the part of the sample vessel is transparent.  
     
     
         11 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the electrode is made of a stainless steel.  
     
     
         12 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 9 , and further comprising a current detection circuit to monitor a current for a sample.  
     
     
         13 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the sample tray comprises a plate portion comprising an opening and a metal base portion fixed on a bottom portion of the plate portion.  
     
     
         14 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the sample tray further comprises a metal pin fixed on the metal base portion, the metal pin comprising a portion projecting in the opening of the plate portion.  
     
     
         15 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the sample tray comprises a metal plate portion comprising an opening and a base portion fixed on a bottom portion of the plate portion.  
     
     
         16 . An electrophoresis analysis apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the sample tray comprises a plate portion comprising an opening; a base portion fixed on a bottom portion of the plate portion; and a plate or wire made of conductive material, the plate or wire being in contact with sample.