CLAMP FOR ELECTROPHORESIS SYSTEMS

Abstract: A device in a gel slab assembly (1) for an electrophoresis system having a gel enclosure (4) which is defined by two plates (2, 3) which are spaced by at least two spacing strips (5), the device being provided with at least one clamping means (8, 8) which is arranged to mutually clamp together the plates in the area of a spacing strip. In the device each clamping means (8, 8') is provided with a web portion (9) and two shank portions (10, 11), said shank portions including force exerting portions (14, 15), the shank portions have such an extension that lines (C) between force exerting portions (14, 15) pass through a spacing strip (5) when the clamping means is in a mounted position, the force exerting portion (15) of one of the shank portions constitutes a hinge portion for cooperation with a groove-like recess (12) in a supporting frame (6) of the gel slab.

Description: CLAMP FOR ELECTROPHORESIS SYSTEMS This invention concerns a device for use in electrophoresis according to the preamble of claim 1. In an electrophoresis process a gel is subjected to a high electric tension on at least two sides. The applied tension results in migration of the molecules in the gel, a shorter or longer distance depending on i.a. the electric charge of the molecules. Hereby the movement direction of the molecules is always perpendicular to the equipotential lines, i.e. lines having the same potential in the gel. Totally decisive for a reliable result in respect of detection of separated molecules, is that the equipotential lines are straight and parallel, since otherwise erroneous detection occurs. Possible leaks from the gel enclosure thus result in electric contact between the gel and a liquid bath put under tension, resulting in sideward current leaks, curved equipotential lines and "curved migration" of molecules. While forming the gel in the gel enclosure it is further essential to obtain as homogeneous and even thick a gel as possible since also variations in the gel thickness result in undesired deviations from accurate equipotential line paths. Known devices of the previously mentioned kind unfortunately suffer from the above discussed problems at a smaller or greater extent. As examples of devices which to date are used for clamping gel slab assemblies, those may be mentioned which clamp together the gel unit using screw fasteners, whereby a number of screw means which are distributed over the side edge are arranged to exert the desired pressing force. These previously known devices, however, have not satisfactory solved the problems in question, since an inherent adjustment variation exists because of the individually tightened screw means. This is also the case if the screws, as in certain cases, have been tightened with a torque indicator. An other known device is applied by two jaw portions being pressed over the edge of the gel assembly by means of an eccentric mechanism. Also this device, however, suffers from problems related to exerting even pressure. A further problem is that of sideward movement, which may occur in connection with the tightening of the eccentric, and which may result in an undesired mutual sideward movement between the glass plates which are parts of the assembly. A further problem is insufficient clamping force, which results in the above discussed sideward leakage, particularly when forming the gel. US-A-40 35 377 concerns a slab gel electrophoresis apparatus having clamps of the paper clamp type for holding the plates together. The lengths of the clamping portions are such that an untrained person by mistake can apply the clamping force inside the spacing strips. The clamps are applied by a lateral movement over the plates, leading to possibility of inexact positioning and force distribution. The large dimensions of the clamps makes it necessary to remove some of them when carrying out the electrophoresis process. It is an object of this invention to provide a device which solves the above discussed problems in a simple, reliable, space saving and cost effective manner. Such a solution is obtained in a device of the kind mentioned initially by the features of the characterizing portion of claim 1. In this way a device is provided that is simple to manufacture, that may be applied also by untrained personnel and still achieve accurately directed clamping force of a desired magnitude. It is further assured that pressing is exerted within the width of a spacing strip, which is essential, since pressure on the non-conductive transparent plates beside a spacing strip, i.e. over the actual gel enclosure, results in a bending movement on at least one of the plates and thus an undesired deformation of the gel enclosure. By the clamping means being dimensioned to deliver the desired clamping force in the applied position, problems related to erroneous tightening, unevenness etc are avoided. The exact clamping force to be exerted is easily tested by a person skilled in the art. Different materials may be used for the clamping means. Stainless steel is preferred but also other metals may come into question as well as certain synthetic materials, particularly reinforced ones, such as so-called construction plastic materials. The feature that one of the shank portions constitutes a hinge portion for cooperation with a groove-like recess in a supporting frame of the gel slab assembly, simplified orientation and mounting of the clamping means, particularly in electrophoresis systems according to the state of the art where the frame is provided with a groovelike recess. It should be noted that this invention concerns continuous detection during the migration of the molecules in an equipment using laser-beams in as thin a gel slab as possible, typically 0.3 - 0.5 mm, which raises far stricter demands with respect to tightness of the assembly. This because of curved migration being even more critical in thin gel slabs. Leaks due to uneven force distribution result in curved equipotential lines and may lead to poor results. This is accentuated in an electrophoresis system relating to this invention. The feature of claim 2 brings about the possibility of simplified manufacture of the clamping means using in per se known, conventional methods. Plate material means initially slab or band shaped metal material, and as indicated above, stainless steel is preferred. The feature according to claim 3 provides further facilitated handling and ensures that a necessary clamping force is safely obtained which is distributed along the edge of the assembly. In this way the risk of applying a wrong number of clamping means onto the assembly is eliminated. The simplified mounting is emphasized by the feature of claim 4. The invention also concerns electrophoresis systems according to claims 5,6 and 7 including a device according to any of the claims 1 - 4. The invention is now described in greater detail in the light of embodiments and with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a device according to the invention with a gel slab assembly for an electrophoresis system in an entering position, Fig. 2 shows the device according to claim 1 with the clamping means in an applied position, Fig. 3 shows the clamping means of Figs 1 and 2 in a perspective view, and Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the clamping means. Fig. 1 shows a detail of a section of a gel slab assembly 1 including glass plates 2 and 3 which are separated by spacing strips (one is shown at 5), made of glass or any other suitable material, in order to obtain a gel enclosure 4. It should be noted that the plates 2, 3 do not have to be of glass, and that also other materials may be used in different applications, as long as the plates are electrically non-conductive and transparent. An example of another possible material is plexiglass. The glass plates 2, 3 in this case rest on a frame, a profile 6 of which is shown in the Figure. The frame together with the inner glass plate 3 and a cover plate 7 defines an enclosure 13 for tempering liquid. In order to clamping together the plate assembly according to the invention, a clamping means 8 is used. Said means being constituted of a plate profile having a central web portion 9, a first shank portion 10 and a second shank portion 11 which are directed such that they are able to exert a clamping force onto an intermediate item. Fig. 1 shows the clamping means 8 in an entering position whereby the second shank portion 11 engages a groove 12 in the frame profile 6. Fig. 2 shows the clamping means 8 in a mounted position, whereby it is clear that the shank portions have such an extension that the line C between press exerting portions 14 and 15 on the respective shank portions pass through the spacing strip 5. This results in the above discussed advantages. The forces from the respective press exerting portions are indicated with arrows A and B, whereby it is also to be understood that the clamp, as a result from the low friction between metal and glass, will occupy and place itself in a position resulting in a force that is perpendicular to the glass, and thus no possible sideward forces which could lead to sliding between the glasses. On Fig. 2 the interrupted line 16 indicates the relatively small space inside the electrophoresis instrument that is consumed for containing the clamping means 8. Fig. 3 shows the clamping means 8 in a perspective view and in this connection it could be mentioned that the described construction makes it easy to adjust the force to be exerted in a number of ways, namely by variation of number of clamps, variation of clamp width and by altering the material thickness. Also the geometry with respect to other aspects of the clamping means may differ from what is shown in the figures, whereby in certain cases, when the frame 6 is eliminated from the gel slab assembly, the clamping means may be provided with two essentially identical shank portions, which in that case have a shape essentially according to item 10 in Fig. 1. The outer part of the first shank portion 10 (17 in Fig. 2) is preferably bent upwards to make it possible, in a simple way, to remove it after the completed electrophoresis process. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the clamping means 8' which is provided with a number of sidewards separated but joint clamping elements 18. This embodiment brings about the advantages that are discussed with respect to claim 4 and makes possible a sequential snapping-on of the different clamping elements when mounting. In this embodiment a joining connecting element 19 is arranged in the outer area of the second shank portion but the joining function may also be accomplished by connecting elements being arranged otherwise. What is important in here is that the connecting element do not have such a stiffness or extension that the straightness of the glass plates and thereby that of the gel is affected along the edge. A clamping means having generally an unchanged section along essentially the whole length of the edge of the assembly is, however, within the scope of the invention. It is hereby essential that the clamping means 8' is provided with notches for different gel assembly connections, for example for laser beam transmission. A further advantage with a device according to the invention is that the clamping means has proved to have the quality to take up considerable variations in tolerances as well as a chosen change of thickness of the elements that are intended to be clamped together. The same clamping means is thus usable with a spacing strip thickness of 0.3 mm as well as 0.5 mm. The chosen solution also solves a problem which appears when the gel is formed in vacuum (more correctly a strong under-pressure) or suction with the support of capillary power, whereby vacuum will appear at the suction stage, since then the glasses are essentially bent inwards towards the gel enclosure prior to the gel being completely sucked in. The solution according to the invention will compensate for this change of form of the glasses in a flexible way without the occurrence of any sliding movements. Further advantages are that it is a robust and easily used construction which principally may not be applied wrongly, that it is easily cleaned and easily made chemically resistant.

Claims: 1 CLAMP FOR ELECTROPHORESIS SYSTEMS This invention concerns a device for use in electrophoresis according to the preamble of claim 1. In an electrophoresis process a gel is subjected to a high electric tension on at least two sides. The applied tension results in migration of the molecules in the gel, a shorter or longer distance depending on i.a. the electric charge of the molecules. Hereby the movement direction of the molecules is always perpendicular to the equipotential lines, i.e. lines having the same potential in the gel. Totally decisive for a reliable result in respect of detection of separated molecules, is that the equipotential lines are straight and parallel, since otherwise erroneous detection occurs. Possible leaks from the gel enclosure thus result in electric contact between the gel and a liquid bath put under tension, resulting in sideward current leaks, curved equipotential lines and "curved migration" of molecules. While forming the gel in the gel enclosure it is further essential to obtain as homogeneous and even thick a gel as possible since also variations in the gel thickness result in undesired deviations from accurate equipotential line paths . Known devices of the previously mentioned kind unfortunately suffer from the above discussed problems at a smaller or greater extent. As examples of devices which to date are used for clamping gel slab assemblies, those may be mentioned which clamp together the gel unit using screw fasteners, whereby a number of screw means which are distributed over the side edge are arranged to exert the desired pressing force. These previously known devices, however, have not satisfactory solved the problems in question, since an inherent adjustment variation exists because of the individually tightened screw means. This is SUBSTITUTESHEET initially slab or band shaped metal material, and as indicated above, stainless steel is preferred. The feature according to claim 3 provides further facilitated handling and ensures that a necessary clamping force is safely obtained which is distributed along the edge of the assembly. In this way the risk of applying a wrong number of clamping means onto the assembly is eliminated. The simplified mounting is emphasized by the feature of claim 4. The invention also concerns electrophoresis systems according to claims 5,6 and 7 including, a device according to any of the claims 1 - 4. The invention is now described in greater detail in the light of embodiments and with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a device according to the invention with a gel slab assembly for an electrophoresis system in an entering position, Fig. 2 shows the device according to claim 1 with the clamping means in an applied position, Fig. 3 shows the clamping means of Figs 1 and 2 in a perspective view, and Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the clamping means. Fig. 1 shows a detail of a section of a gel slab assembly 1 including glass plates 2 and 3 which are separated by spacing strips (one is shown at 5) , made of glass or any other suitable material, in order to obtain a gel enclosure SUBSTITUTE SHEET 3 transparent plates beside a spacing strip, i.e. over the actual gel enclosure, results in a bending movement on at least one of the plates and thus an undesired deformation of the gel enclosure. By the clamping means being dimensioned to deliver the desired clamping force in the applied position, problems related to erroneous tightening, unevenness etc are avoided. The exact clamping force to be exerted is easily tested by a person skilled in the art. Different materials may be used for the clamping means. Stainless steel is preferred but also other metals may come into question as well as certain synthetic materials, particularly reinforced ones, such as so-called construction plastic materials. The feature that one of the shank portions constitutes a hinge portion for cooperation with a groove-like recess in a supporting frame of the gel slab assembly, simplified orientation and mounting of the clamping means, particularly in electrophoresis systems according to the state of the art where the frame is provided with a groove¬ like recess. It should be noted that this invention concerns continuous detection during the migration of the molecules in an equipment using laser-beams in as thin a gel slab as possible, typically 0.3 - 0.5 mm, which raises far stricter demands with respect to tightness of the assembly. This because of curved migration being even more critical in thin gel slabs. Leaks due to uneven force distribution result in curved equipotential lines and may lead to poor results. This is accentuated in an electrophoresis system relating to this invention. The feature of claim 2 brings about the possibility of simplified manufacture of the clamping means using in per se known, conventional methods. Plate material means SUBSTITUTE SHEET Fig. 3 shows the clamping means 8 in a perspective view and in this connection it could be mentioned that the described construction makes it easy to adjust the force to be exerted in a number of ways, namely by variation of number of clamps, variation of clamp width and by altering the material thickness. Also the geometry with respect to other aspects of the clamping means may differ from what is shown in the figures, whereby in certain cases, when the frame 6 is eliminated from the gel slab assembly, the clamping means may be provided with two essentially identical shank portions, which in that case have a shape essentially according to item 10 in Fig. 1. The outer part of the first shank portion 10 (17 in Fig. 2) is preferably bent upwards to make it possible, in a simple way, to remove it after the completed electrophoresis process. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the clamping means 8' which is provided with a number of sidewards separated but joint clamping elements 18. This embodiment brings about the advantages that are discussed with respect to claim 4 and makes possible a sequential snapping-on of the different clamping elements when mounting. In this embodiment a joining connecting element 19 is arranged in the outer area of the second shank portion but the joining function may also be accomplished by connecting elements being arranged otherwise. What is important in here is that the connecting element do not have such a stiffness or extension that the straightness of the glass plates and thereby that of the gel is affected along the edge. A clamping means having generally an unchanged section along essentially the whole length of the edge of the assembly is, however, within the scope of the invention. It is hereby essential that the clamping means 8 ' is provided with notches for different gel assembly connections, for example for laser beam transmission. A further advantage with a device according to the invention is that the clamping means has proved to have the SUBSTITUTE SHEET 5 4. It should be noted that the plates 2, 3 do not have to be of glass, and that also other materials may be used in different applications, as long as the plates are electrically non-conductive and transparent. An example of another possible material is plexiglass. The glass plates 2, 3 in this case rest on a frame, a profile 6 of which is shown in the Figure. The frame together with the inner glass plate 3 and a cover plate 7 defines an enclosure 13 for tempering liquid. In order to clamping together the plate assembly according to the invention, a clamping means 8 is used. Said means being constituted of a plate profile having a central web portion 9, a first shank portion 10 and a second shank portion 11 which are directed such that they are able to exert a clamping force onto an intermediate item. Fig. 1 shows the clamping means 8 in an entering position whereby the second shank portion 11 engages a groove 12 in the frame profile 6. Fig. 2 shows the clamping means 8 in a mounted position, whereby it is clear that the shank portions have such an extension that the line C between press exerting portions 14 and 15 on the respective shank portions pass through the spacing strip 5. This results in the above discussed advantages. The forces from the respective press exerting portions are indicated with arrows A and B, whereby it is also to be understood that the clamp, as a result from the low friction between metal and glass, will occupy and place itself in a position resulting in a force that is perpendicular to the glass, and thus no possible sideward forces which could lead to sliding between the glasses. On Fig. 2 the interrupted line 16 indicates the relatively small space inside the electrophoresis instrument that is consumed for containing the clamping means 8. SUBSTITUTE SHEET 7 quality to take up considerable variations in tolerances as well as a chosen change of thickness of the elements that are intended to be clamped together. The same clamping means is thus usable with a spacing strip thickness of 0.3 mm as well as 0.5 mm. The chosen solution also solves a problem which appears when the gel is formed in vacuum (more correctly a strong under-pressure) or suction with the support of capillary power, whereby vacuum will appear at the suction stage, since then the glasses are essentially bent inwards towards the gel enclosure prior to the gel being completely sucked in. The solution according to the invention will compensate for this change of form of the glasses in a flexible way without the occurrence of any sliding movements. Further advantages are that it is a robust and easily used construction which principally may not be applied wrongly, that it is easily cleaned and easily made chemically resistant. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Inventors: AKSBERG ARVI, AKSBERG, ARVI
Applicants: AKSBERG ARVI, PHARMACIA BIOTECH AB, AKSBERG, ARVI
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G01N27
IPC codes: G01N27