Patent ID: 6689267
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An electrophoresis device comprising:a vessel having a first end reservoir, a second end reservoir, and an intermediate channel for fluidically interconnecting the first and the second end reservoirs at respective upper regions thereof, the vessel being configured to hold an amount of ionic buffer solution; a plurality of trays, each tray supporting a gel for separating a sample by electrophoresis, the trays and the intermediate channel being configured such that the trays are stacked in the intermediate channel to be covered by the ionic buffer solution; a respective electrode mounted in each end reservoir such that a voltage applied across the respective electrodes is effective to establish an electric field oriented along an axis between the reservoirs when the vessel is filled with an ionic buffer solution; and a non-mechanical buffer recirculation assembly powered by gas generated by at least one of the electrodes and operative to mix ionic buffer solution from one end reservoir into ionic buffer solution at the other end reservoir to prevent buffer breakdown, said recirculation assembly comprising a fluid transfer passage extending between the two end reservoirs and positioned in a support block beneath the intermediate channel, said recirculation assembly operating at a level below the level of the plurality of trays such that ionic buffer solution circulates continuously between the trays to maintain uniform electrophoresis conditions in gels supported by the trays.