Patent ID: 6171466
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B01D,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for electrophoretic focusing of charged populations in a buffer solution, comprising:a. a separation chamber bounded by planar porous insulated screens which permit transverse fluid flow into and out of said separation chamber and by glass, thermally-insulating side walls;b. at least one sample inlet port and at least one sample outlet port in communication with said separation chamber;c. on each side of said separation chamber at least one longitudinally adjacent purge chamber, said purge chambers capable of providing a means to extract extraneous sample fractions, capable of providing a means of thermal cooling for said separation chamber, and capable of providing a low-smoothing manifold for focusing cross-flow;d. a plurality of electrode chambers capable of providing a transverse electric field in said separation chamber, said electrode chambers containing either singular planar electrodes or planar electrode arrays with each electrode kept at a preset voltage;e. buffer flow entry and exit ports with associated manifolds, situated along the flow entry and exit regions of said separation chamber, said purge chambers and said electrode chambers;f. a first pump means capable of pumping a sample through said separation chamber or pumping a sample and/or a carrier buffer into at least one of said sample inlet ports;g. a second pump means capable of pumping a carrier buffer through said purge chambers;h. a third pump means capable of pumping a carrier buffer through said purge chambers and through said separation chamber to obtain a fluid cross-flow in said separation chamber; andi. a fourth pump means capable of pumping an electrode rinse buffer across said electrodes in said electrode chambers to provide thermal cooling and removal of electrolysis products.