Patent Publication Number: US-2004045825-A1

Title: Cartridge for electrophoresis detection device and manufacturing method thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The invention relates to a cartridge and a manufacturing method thereof; in particular, to a cartridge for an electrophoresis detection device and a manufacturing method thereof.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] The value of electrophoresis in biochemistry has been recognized for some time in the analysis, for example, of proteins in serum as well as other body fluids. FIG. 1 shows a conventional gel electrophoresis apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises a separation tank  11 , and a power supply  12  electrically coupled thereto. During analysis, a sample is applied near one edge of a layer of gelatin carried on a flexible sheet, usually called a “gel”  13 . The gel  13  is disposed in the separation tank  11 , undergoes electrophoresis by the power supply  12 , is stained and the density of the resulting pattern is measured to reveal the proteins contained in the sample.  
       [0005] Although gel electrophoresis is relatively inexpensive in terms of the supplies and equipment required to perform sample analyses, the technique requires skilled technicians and is time consuming, effectively resulting in a high cost per test and limiting the number of tests that can be performed using the technique.  
       [0006] Efforts have been made to automate electrophoresis in the clinical laboratories. For example, capillary electrophoresis is a more recent development and can be used to perform the type of electrophoresis separations presently performed with gels.  
       [0007] Automated forms of capillary electrophoresis analyzers are known in the art. For example, FIG. 2 shows a conventional capillary electrophoresis analyzer  20  described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,811. An electrophoresis separation plate  21  has a plurality of sample wells  22  at one end and a common buffer reservoir  23  at the other end. A first master electrode  25  is electrically connected to a cell electrode  26  in the sample wells  22 . A second master electrode  27  is in the common buffer reservoir  23 . Capillary electrophoresis columns  28  are mounted in the plate  21  such that there is electrical communication between the first master electrode  25  by way of the capillary electrophoresis column  28  when the sample wells  22  and the reservoir  23  are filled with electrically conductive liquid. In operation, current between the master electrodes permits electrophoresis of the sample from the sample well  22  to the reservoir  23 .  
       [0008] Other automated capillary electrophoresis apparatuses are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,582, U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,430, U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,127, U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,686.  
       [0009] None of the automated analyzers described, however, are suitable for routine clinical laboratory applications. Despite their automated nature, each requires considerable manual manipulation, such as preparation and placement of individual sample and buffer vials onto the analyzer, programming for the various analytical routines, and the like. Because only one sample can undergo electrophoresis and detection during each analysis cycle of the analyzers, the number of samples per unit time, or throughput, is severely restricted compared to the needs of most routine clinical laboratory work.  
       [0010] In view of the disadvantages of the conventional analyzers, the inventor of this invention has provided a new electrophoresis separation apparatus  100  as shown in FIG. 3. The apparatus  100  comprises a main portion  110  and a hand-held electrophoresis detection device  120 . Since the hand-held electrophoresis detection device  120  is connected to the main portion  110  in a separable manner, it can be operated conveniently without the limitation of the location of the main portion  110 . Thus, the detection can be performed more quickly and conveniently.  
       [0011] The main portion  110  controls a detection of the sample. The hand-held electrophoresis detection device  120  comprises a support  121 , a cartridge  122 , and a plurality of detection columns  123 . The support  121  is used as a basic element of the device  120 , and is electrically connected to the main portion  110 . The cartridge  122  is disposed in the support  121  in a detachable manner, and is electrically connected to the support  122 . After detection, the cartridge  122  can be replaced quickly such that contamination between the samples is avoided. The detection columns  123  are disposed on the cartridge  122 , and the samples are attached thereto. Thus, the samples can be moved in the detection columns  123  to perform the detection.  
       [0012] In the electrophoresis separation apparatus  100 , only the basic structure of the apparatus is described. However, the detailed structure of each element is not described, such as the structure of the cartridge and the manufacturing method thereof.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] In view of this, the invention provides a cartridge for an electrophoresis detection device and a manufacturing method thereof.  
       [0014] Accordingly, the invention provides a cartridge for an electrophoresis detection device. The cartridge comprises a first member and a second member. The first member comprises a first concave portion. The second member comprises a second concave portion corresponding to the first concave portion. The second member is combined with the first member in a manner such that the second concave portion faces the first concave portion.  
       [0015] In a preferred embodiment, the first member comprises a first protrusion and a third concave portion, formed on the first protrusion and communicating with the first concave portion. The second member comprises a second protrusion and a fourth concave portion, formed on the second protrusion and communicating with the second concave portion.  
       [0016] Furthermore, the first protrusion comprises a first end at which the third concave portion communicates with the first concave portion and a second end opposite the first end, and the width of the first end exceeds that of the second end, and the second protrusion comprises a third end at which the fourth concave portion communicates with the second concave portion and a fourth end opposite the third end, the width of the third end exceeding that of the fourth end.  
       [0017] In another preferred embodiment, the cartridge further comprises a capillary disposed in the first concave portion and the second concave portion in a manner such that the capillary protrudes from the first and second members.  
       [0018] Furthermore, one end of the capillary, protruding from the first and second members, is tapered.  
       [0019] Furthermore, the capillary comprises a plurality of through holes formed near an end protruding from the first and second members.  
       [0020] In another preferred embodiment, the cartridge further comprises an electrode disposed between the first and second members in a manner such that the electrode is exposed by the first and second members.  
       [0021] Furthermore, the first member comprises a fifth concave portion, and the second member comprises a sixth concave portion, and the electrode is disposed in the fifth concave portion and the sixth concave portion.  
       [0022] Furthermore, the first member comprises a seventh concave portion communicating with the first concave portion and the fifth concave portion, and the second member comprises an eighth concave portion communicating with the second concave portion and the sixth concave portion.  
       [0023] The invention provides a method for manufacturing a cartridge for an electrophoresis detection device. The method comprises the following steps. First, a first member, formed with an integral first concave portion, is formed. Then, a second member, formed with an integral second concave portion, is formed. Finally, the first and second members are combined in a manner such that the second concave portion faces the first concave portion.  
       [0024] It is understood that the first and second members may be formed by several manufacturing methods, for example, by injection molding.  
       [0025] The invention provides another method for manufacturing a cartridge for an electrophoresis detection device. The method comprises the following steps. First, a first member, formed with an integral first concave portion, is formed, and a second member, formed with an integral second concave portion, is formed. Then, a capillary is provided, and is disposed in the first concave portion. Finally, the first and second members are combined in a manner such that the second concave portion faces the first concave portion. Also, the capillary is disposed in the first concave portion and the second concave portion in a manner such that the capillary protrudes from the first and second members. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0026] The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
     [0027]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional gel electrophoresis apparatus;  
     [0028]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a conventional capillary electrophoresis analyzer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,811;  
     [0029]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a conventional electrophoresis separation apparatus;  
     [0030]FIG. 4 a  is a schematic view of a cartridge for an electrophoresis detection device as disclosed in a first embodiment of the invention;  
     [0031]FIG. 4 b  is a combined cartridge in FIG. 4 a;    
     [0032]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing the cartridge in FIG. 4 a;    
     [0033]FIG. 6 a  is a schematic view of a cartridge for an electrophoresis detection device as disclosed in a second embodiment of the invention;  
     [0034]FIG. 6 b  is a combined cartridge in FIG. 6 a;    
     [0035]FIG. 7 a  is a variant embodiment of a capillary in FIG. 6 a;    
     [0036]FIG. 7 b  is another variant embodiment of a capillary in FIG. 6 a ; and  
     [0037]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing the cartridge in FIG. 6 a.   
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0038] First Embodiment  
     [0039] Referring to FIG. 4 a  and FIG. 4 b , a cartridge for an electrophoresis detection device as disclosed in a first embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the cartridge  200  comprises a first member  210 , a second member  220 , and an electrode  230 .  
     [0040] The first member  210  comprises a plurality of first concave portions  211 , a plurality of first protrusions  212 , a plurality of third concave portions  213 , a fifth concave portion  214 , and a seventh concave portion  215 . The first concave portions  211  are formed around the center portion of the first member  210 . Each of the first protrusions  212  is formed at the lower portion of the first member  210 , and corresponds to the first concave portions  211  respectively. Each of the third concave portions  213  is formed on the corresponding first protrusion  212 , and communicates with the corresponding first concave portion  211  respectively. The fifth concave portion  214  is formed at the upper portion of the first member  210 , and electrode  230  is disposed thereon. The seventh concave portion  215  communicates with the first concave portions  211  and the fifth concave portion  214 , with a predetermined liquid disposed therein such that the liquid is in contact with the electrode  230 .  
     [0041] The second member  220  comprises a plurality of second concave portions  221 , a plurality of second protrusions  222 , a plurality of fourth concave portions  223 , a sixth concave portion  224 , and an eighth concave portion  225 . The second concave portions  221  are formed around the center portion of the second member  220 . Each of the second protrusions  222  is formed at the lower portion of the second member  220 , and corresponds to the second concave portions  221  respectively. Each of the fourth concave portions  223  is formed on the corresponding second protrusion  222 , and communicates with the corresponding second concave portion  221  respectively. The sixth concave portion  224  is formed at the upper portion of the second member  220 , and electrode  230  is disposed thereon. The eighth concave portion  225  communicates with the second concave portions  221  and the sixth concave portion  224 , with a predetermined liquid disposed therein such that the liquid is in contact with the electrode  230 .  
     [0042] It is understood that a plurality of channels, through which the samples flow, are formed between the first concave portions  211 , the third concave portions  213  and the second concave portions  221 , and the fourth concave portions  223  when the second member  220  is combined with the first member  210 .  
     [0043] It is noted that in FIG. 4 a , the first protrusion  212  comprises a first end  212   a  at which the third concave portion  213  communicates with the first concave portion  211  and a second end  212   b  opposite the first end  212   a . The width W 1  of the first end  212   a  exceeds the width W 2  of the second end  212   b . The second protrusion  222  comprises a third end  222   a  at which the fourth concave portion  223  communicates with the second concave portion  221  and a fourth end  222   b  opposite the third end  222   a . The width W 3  of the third end  222   a  exceeds the width W 4  of the fourth end  222   b . Thus, the tip end of the protrusion is narrower, such that the cartridge  220  is easily attached to the sample.  
     [0044] As shown in FIG. 4 b , the electrode  230  is disposed between the first member  210  and the second member  220  in a manner such that the electrode  230  is exposed by the first member  210  and the second member  220 . Thus, when the cartridge  200  is placed in the support  121  as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode  230  can be electrically connected with the support  121 .  
     [0045] While the structure of the cartridge  200  is described as above, its manufacturing method is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 5.  
     [0046] In step S 11 , a first member  210  as shown in FIG. 4 a  is formed, and the first concave portions  211  are integrally formed thereon. Then, in step S 12 , a second member  220  as shown in FIG. 4 a  is formed, whereon the second concave portions  221  are integrally formed. Finally, in step S 13 , the first member  210  and the second member  220  are combined in a manner such that the second concave portions  221  face the first concave portions  211 . Also, the electrode  230  is located between the first member  210  and the second member  220  as shown in FIG. 4 b.    
     [0047] It is noted that the first member  210  and the second member  220  may be formed by injection molding.  
     [0048] Furthermore, the first member  210  and the second member  220  may be of polymer.  
     [0049] Second Embodiment  
     [0050] Referring to FIG. 6 a  and FIG. 6 b , a cartridge for an electrophoresis detection device as disclosed in a second embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the cartridge  300  comprises a first member  310 , a second member  320 , an electrode  330 , and a plurality of capillaries  340 .  
     [0051] The first member  310  comprises a plurality of first concave portions  311 , a fifth concave portion  314 , and a seventh concave portion  315 . The first concave portions  311  are formed around the center portion of the first member  310 . The fifth concave portion  314  is formed at the upper portion of the first member  310 , and electrode  330  is disposed thereon. The seventh concave portion  315  communicates with the first concave portions  311  and the fifth concave portion  314 , with a predetermined liquid disposed therein such that the liquid is in contact with the electrode  330 .  
     [0052] The second member  320  comprises a plurality of second concave portions  321 , a sixth concave portion  324 , and an eighth concave portion  325 . The second concave portions  321  are formed around the center portion of the second member  320 . The sixth concave portion  324  is formed at the upper portion of the second member  320 , and electrode  330  is disposed thereon. The eighth concave portion  325  communicates with the second concave portions  321  and the sixth concave portion  324 , with a predetermined liquid disposed therein such that the liquid is in contact with the electrode  330 .  
     [0053] As shown in FIG. 6 b , the electrode  330  is disposed between the first member  310  and the second member  320  in a manner such that the electrode  330  is exposed by the first member  310  and the second member  320 . Thus, when the cartridge  300  is placed in the support  121  as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode  330  is electrically connected with the support  121 .  
     [0054] The capillaries  340  are used as the channels of the cartridge  300 ; that is, the attached samples flow therethrough. Each of the capillaries  340  is disposed in the first concave portion  311  and the second concave portion  321  in a manner such that it protrudes from the first member  310  and the second member  320 .  
     [0055] In addition, the structure of the capillary  340  can be changed to increase the volume of the attached sample. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 a , one end, protruding from the first member  310  and the second member  320 , of the capillary  340   a  forms a tapered portion  341 . Thus, the area of the tip end of the capillary  340   a  is increased such that the volume of the attached sample can be increased. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7 b , the cartridge  340   b  is formed with a plurality of through holes  342  near the end protruding from the first member  310  and the second member  320 .  
     [0056] While the structure of the cartridge  300  is described above, its manufacturing method is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 8.  
     [0057] In step S 21 , a first member  310  as shown in FIG. 6 a  is formed, with the first concave portions  311  integrally formed thereon. Then, in step S 22 , a second member  320  as shown in FIG. 6 a  is formed, with the second concave portions  321  integrally formed thereon. In step  23 , a plurality of capillaries  340  as shown in FIG. 6 a  are provided in the first concave portions  321 . Finally, in step S 24 , the first member  310  and the second member  320  are combined in a manner such that the second concave portions  321  face the first concave portions  311 . Also, the electrode  330  and the capillaries  340  are located between the first member  310  and the second member  320  as shown in FIG. 6 b.    
     [0058] While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.