Capillary array apparatus, method of manufacturing the same, and electrophoresis analysis method

Abstract

An electrophoresis analysis method and apparatus capable of maintaining high reliability upon a repeated use of the same gel. A heat transfer medium selected from the group consisting of solids, liquids and gels is filled in substantially all of the gaps between the electrode and each capillary. A hollow electrode into which a capillary is inserted has a plurality of retaining shapes such that the capillary can be fixed at the center of the electrode. The heat from the capillary can be efficiently dissipated via the electrode, and also the temperature increase in the capillary can be prevented. Further, temperature increases due to the heating of the capillaries during operation can be controlled and thereby thermal deterioration of the gel can be prevented.

1 . A capillary array apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of capillaries;   a load header which retains the capillaries and hollow electrodes at a sample injection end of the capillaries; and   a capillary head which retains the plurality of capillaries at the other end of the capillaries,   wherein each capillary is passed through each hollow electrode, an entire region between each electrode and each capillary is filled with a filling cement to which a pressure is applied such that most of the air bubbles are removed, the gap between each of the openings with which the load header is provided and each capillary passing through the opening is filled with the filling cement, and the filling cement within the electrode and a scaling material provided at an end of the electrode in order to prevent electric discharge form a monolithically integrated body.   
   
   
       2 . A method of manufacturing a capillary array apparatus comprising a plurality of capillaries, a load header which retains the capillaries and hollow electrodes at a sample injection end of the capillaries, and a capillary head which retains the plurality of capillaries at the other end of the capillaries, the method comprising:
 passing each capillary through each hollow electrode after passing the capillary through the load header electrode; and   filling the gap between each hollow electrode and each capillary with a filling cement to which a pressure is applied such that most of the air bubbles are removed,   wherein the gap between each of the openings with which the load header is provided, each capillary passing through the opening is filled with the filling cement, and the filling cement within the electrode and a sealing material provided at an end of the electrode in order to prevent electric discharge form a monolithically integrated body.   
   
   
       3 . The method of manufacturing a capillary array apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the gap is filled with the filling cement by applying a negative pressure to the filling cement.