Patent Description:
An electrophoresis apparatus which uses capillaries for aiming at protein analysis and so forth is known (see, for example, Patent Literature <NUM>). Conventionally, in a capillary electrophoresis apparatus for protein analysis which is provided to the market, the capillary for protein analysis is one and improvement of throughput is difficult. A device which can execute protein fluorescence intensity measurement and protein absorbance measurement in one device with a high throughput is desired. <CIT> discloses that in a capillary electrophoresis device, detection window parts of plural capillaries are arrayed, and a capillary cassette is mounted and used, the capillary cassette having an excitation side positioning part and a fluorescence side positioning part so as to hold the detection window part alignment therebetween. <CIT> discloses a device which comprises a plurality of capillary migration passages for migrating and separating a sample such as a fluorescent-marked nucleic acid fragment sample, a sample container having a plurality of partitions for storing the sample, and excited-light irradiation optical systems for irradiating laser to the migration passages, and fluorescentdetection optical systems. <CIT> discloses a plurality of samples which are separated into sample components by means of electrophoresis in a plurality of capillaries. <CIT> discloses a separation apparatus for the separation and detection of components of a sample. <CIT> discloses a capillary array electrophoresis which can measure fluorescence of a number of capillaries at a time with high sensitivity and can automatically analyze a sample sequentially.

The present invention aims to provide an electrophoresis apparatus which makes it possible to execute protein analysis with the high throughput.

The above cited problems are solved in accordance with the appended claims. In particular, the electrophoresis apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with a capillary array which is configured by arraying a plurality of capillaries, a measurement light irradiation unit which irradiates with measurement light, a first lens array which includes a plurality of first lenses which are arrayed in correspondence with the plurality of capillaries, a second lens array which includes a plurality of second lenses which are arrayed in correspondence with the plurality of capillaries, and a light receiving unit which receives light which is incident upon the capillaries via the first lens array from the measurement light irradiation unit via the second lens array.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to execute the protein analysis with the high throughput.

In the following, present embodiments will be described with reference to the appended drawings. In the appended drawings, there are cases where the elements which are functionally the same as each other are denoted by the same number. Incidentally, although the appended drawings illustrate embodiments and implementation examples which conform to the principle of the present disclosure, these are used for understanding of the present disclosure and are never used for limited interpretation of the present disclosure. Description of the present specification is just typical illustration and does not limit the scope of patent claims or application examples of the present disclosure in any sense.

Although in the present embodiments, a detailed description which is sufficient for a person skilled in the art to embody the present disclosure is given, it is necessary to understand that other implementations and forms are possible and configurational and structural changing and replacement of various elements are possible without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined by the appended set of claims. Accordingly, the following description should not be interpreted by limiting it to this.

A schematic diagram of an entire configuration of a capillary electrophoresis apparatus <NUM> of the first embodiment is illustrated in <FIG>.

The capillary electrophoresis apparatus <NUM> is equipped with a plurality of sample containers <NUM> for containing samples which are objects to be measured, a sample tray <NUM> which holds the sample containers <NUM>, a capillary array <NUM> which is configured by a plurality of capillaries <NUM>, a high-voltage power source <NUM> which applies a high voltage to the capillaries <NUM>, an electrode bath <NUM> which holds a buffer liquid in which the sample-injection-side capillary array <NUM> and electrodes are immersed at the time of electrophoretic separation, an electrode bath <NUM> which holds the buffer solution on the side which is opposite to the sample injection side, a measurement light irradiation unit <NUM>, a light receiving unit <NUM>, a pump unit which injects an electrophoretic medium <NUM> into the capillaries <NUM>, and a thermostatic bath <NUM> which maintains the inside of the capillaries <NUM> at a constant temperature.

The sample containers <NUM> and the electrode bath <NUM> are held on a movable carriage (not illustrated) and when the samples are introduced, the sample containers <NUM> move to an end of the capillary array <NUM> and the electrode bath <NUM> moves thereto at the time of phoretic separation. In addition, although not illustrated in the drawing, this capillary electrophoresis apparatus <NUM> is equipped with a control unit for controlling operations, a data processing unit, a display unit, a recording unit and so forth.

The capillary array <NUM> is configured by arraying the plurality (for example, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and so forth) of quartz capillaries <NUM> which are tubular members and has a light irradiation area <NUM> on parts thereof. Although, in general, the capillaries <NUM> are coated with polyimide and so forth, coating is removed from the light irradiation area <NUM>, coating removed parts are lined up and thereby the light irradiation area <NUM> is configured.

The measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> has a light source for irradiation of the light irradiation area <NUM> which is provided on the capillary array <NUM> with measurement light, and lightprojecting optical system such as an optical fiber, a lens and so forth. In addition, the light receiving unit <NUM> is equipped with a light receiving element for receiving the measurement light which transmits through the light irradiation area <NUM> on the capillary array <NUM> and fluorescence from a phosphor which is applied to a component in the samples, and a light receiving optical system such as an optical fiber, a lens, a spectroscope and so forth.

The pump unit <NUM> which injects the electrophoretic medium <NUM> (for example, a polymer aqueous solution) into the capillaries <NUM> has a connection section <NUM> with a gel block <NUM>, a syringe <NUM>, a valve <NUM>, and the capillary array <NUM>. When the polymer aqueous solution which is the phoretic medium is charged into each capillary <NUM>, the capillary array <NUM> is coupled to the connection section <NUM>, for example, by a control unit (not illustrated), the valve <NUM> is closed, the syringe <NUM> is pushed thereinto, and thereby the polymer aqueous solution in the syringe <NUM> is injected into the capillaries <NUM>. The polymer aqueous solution is also charged into a phoretic path ranging from the valve <NUM> to the electrode bath <NUM> by a valve operation. Incidentally, although <FIG> illustrates an example that the valve <NUM> is an on/off valve, it is also possible to construct the valve <NUM> by a three-way valve and so forth.

As well known, sample introduction into the capillaries <NUM> can be performed by electric means, pressure application means and so forth. In a case where the sample is introduced by the electric means, it is performed by inserting the capillaries <NUM> and the electrode into a sample solution in the sample containers <NUM> and applying the voltage between it and the electrode bath <NUM>. Then, they are repacked from the sample containers <NUM> to the common electrode bath <NUM>.

When the voltage is applied from the high-voltage power source <NUM>, the component in the sample moves toward the electrode bath <NUM> in the capillaries <NUM> while separating in accordance with properties such as a molecular weight and so forth by electrophoresis. The component which moves is irradiated with the measurement light by the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> on the light irradiation area <NUM> which is provided on the capillaries <NUM> and the fluorescence which is applied to the component by the light receiving unit <NUM>, transmitted light which passes through the component and so forth are detected. Incidentally, the respective capillaries <NUM> of the capillary array <NUM> are adjusted so as to have the same length. In addition, it is desirable to arrange the respective capillaries by uniformly separating from one another except the light irradiation area for improvement of heat dissipation characteristics.

<FIG> illustrate configuration examples of the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> and the light receiving unit <NUM> of the first embodiment. <FIG> is a plan view, and <FIG> is a sectional diagram. The measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> in this <FIG> has a configuration which is favorable to uniformly irradiate the plurality of capillaries <NUM> which are arrayed in line in the capillary array <NUM> with the measurement light. In addition, the present device is configured to be able to execute fluorescence measurement and absorbance measurement of proteins by the same capillaries. According to the present device, the fluorescence measurement and the absorbance measurement can be measured with no replacement of the capillary array <NUM>.

The measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> in the example in this <FIG> is equipped with a light source <NUM>, a light collection lens <NUM>, a light-source-side fiber <NUM>, a collimate lens <NUM>, a rectangular mask <NUM>, a wavelength selection filter <NUM>, a cylindrical beam expander <NUM>, a rectangular mask <NUM>, mirrors <NUM>, <NUM>, and a toroidal lens array <NUM>. The light collection lens <NUM> is configured to collect light from the light source <NUM> on an incident end face of the light-source-side fiber <NUM>. The collimate lens <NUM> converts light which is emitted from an outgoing end face of the light-source-side fiber <NUM> to parallel light. The rectangular mask <NUM> is a mask which converges the parallel light which is emitted from the collimate lens <NUM> to rectangular light. The wavelength selection filter <NUM> has a function of selecting a wavelength which is made to pass in accordance with the kind of measurement (the absorbance measurement, the fluorescence measurement).

The cylindrical beam expander <NUM> is an optical system which includes a cylindrical lens, and is configured to expand a rectangular beam which is made to pass through the rectangular mask <NUM> in a direction along the array of the capillary array <NUM>. Light which has passed through the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> passes through a rectangular opening in the rectangular mask <NUM>, and is incident upon the toroidal lens array <NUM> via the mirrors <NUM>, <NUM>. The toroidal lens array <NUM> has a plurality of toroidal lenses which are arrayed with a direction which is the same as a longitudinal direction of the light irradiation part of the capillaries <NUM> in the capillary array <NUM> being set as a longitudinal direction. Incidentally, it is also possible to adopt a lens array that ordinary lenses are arrayed in place of the toroidal lenses depending on array intervals of the capillary array <NUM> and other situations.

According to the configuration of this measurement light irradiation unit <NUM>, the light which is emitted from the light source <NUM> is shaped into a rectangular form by the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> and the rectangular masks <NUM>, <NUM> in accordance with the array of the capillary array <NUM>. The beam is expanded by the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> and thereby luminances of the beam are mutually equalized across its section and an intensity variation in the array direction of the capillary array <NUM> is suppressed. Further, the light which is equalized in luminance thereof is incident upon the corresponding capillary <NUM> in the capillary array <NUM> via the toroidal lens in the toroidal lens array <NUM>. The luminances are mutually equalized across the beam section and thereby light amounts of light which is incident upon the respective capillaries <NUM> are also mutually equalized. That is, since it becomes possible to almost equalize the light amounts of the incident light among the plurality of capillaries <NUM>, also in a case where the plurality of capillaries <NUM> are used, measurement conditions thereof are mutually equalized and measurement can be executed on the plurality of capillaries <NUM> simultaneously.

In addition, the light receiving unit <NUM> is equipped with a lens array <NUM> and an optical fiber array <NUM>. The lens array <NUM> is configured to collect the measurement light which passes through the capillary array <NUM> and thereby to collect it on incidence end faces of optical fibers in the optical fiber array. The lens array <NUM> is configured by arraying lenses of the number which corresponds to the number of the toroidal lenses in the toroidal lens array <NUM>. The optical fiber array <NUM> is formed by arraying a plurality of optical fibers of the number which corresponds to the number of lenses in the lens array <NUM> and guides light which is incident from the lens array <NUM> and makes it incident upon a spectroscope (not illustrated), and the light is detected by a photodetector (not illustrated).

In addition, a fluorescence-use dichroic mirror <NUM> is arranged between the mirror <NUM> and the toroidal lens array <NUM>. This fluorescence-use dichroic mirror <NUM> has a function of making the measurement light which reaches from the light source <NUM> by being reflected from the mirrors <NUM> and <NUM> pass and, on the other hand, making fluorescence which is emitted from the capillary array <NUM> reflect in a case where the fluorescence measurement is performed in the present device. The fluorescence which is reflected from the fluorescence-use dichroic mirror <NUM> is incident upon the spectroscope via an optical system (not illustrated) and is detected.

According to the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of the first embodiment, the luminances of the incident light can be mutually equalized among the plurality of capillaries <NUM>, and the absorbance of the protein can be measured with a high throughput. The light which is emitted from the light source <NUM> is shaped into the rectangular form by the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> and the rectangular masks <NUM>, <NUM> in accordance with the array of the capillary array <NUM>. The beam is expanded by the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> and thereby the luminances of the beam are mutually equalized across the section thereof. Further, the light which is equalized in luminance is incident upon the corresponding capillary in the capillary array <NUM> via the toroidal lens in the toroidal lens array. The light amounts of the light which is incident upon the respective capillaries <NUM> are also mutually equalized by mutually equalizing the luminances across the beam section. That is, since it becomes possible to almost equalize the light amounts of the incident light mutually among the plurality of capillaries <NUM>, also in a case where the plurality of capillaries <NUM> are used, the measurement conditions thereof are mutually equalized.

Incidentally, although the form of the openings of the rectangular masks <NUM> and <NUM> can be shaped into a rectangle that corresponding sides are parallel with each other, it may be made as a pincushion opening 108N that its width is increased as it goes toward an end as illustrated on the upper right in <FIG>, instead of this. The capillary which is located on the end of the capillary array <NUM> has a tendency that the luminance of the measurement light which is received becomes small in comparison with the central capillary <NUM>. It becomes possible to correct such a variation in luminance by this pincushion opening. Incidentally, although the lens array is used in the example, an image may be formed by using a single lens.

Next, a capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. The entire configuration of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (<FIG>). This second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM>. Incidentally, since the symbols which are the same as those in <FIG> are assigned to constitutional elements which are common to constitutional elements of the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> of the first embodiment, in the following, duplicated description is omitted.

The measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> of this second embodiment is equipped with the light source <NUM>, the light collection lens <NUM>, a light branch circuit <NUM>, and the toroidal lens array <NUM>. The light branch circuit <NUM> is provided between the light collection lens <NUM> and the toroidal lens array <NUM> and has a function of branching light from the light source <NUM> to a plurality of routes. Incidentally, although illustration is omitted in <FIG>, also in this second embodiment, it is possible to provide a fluorescence-measurement-use light receiving optical system which includes the fluorescence-use dichroic mirror <NUM> for the fluorescence measurement.

In the aforementioned first embodiment, the light from the light source <NUM> is expanded in the array direction of the capillary array <NUM> by the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> and is divided into light fluxes of the number which corresponds to the number of the capillaries <NUM> in the capillary array <NUM> in the toroidal lens array <NUM>. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the light branch circuit <NUM> has a role of dividing the light, and the measurement light is divided into light fluxes of the number which corresponds to the number of the capillaries in the capillary array <NUM> before the light is incident upon the toroidal lens array <NUM>.

The light branch circuit <NUM> may be an optical waveguide such as that which is illustrated in <FIG> and may be a prism array <NUM> such as that which is illustrated in <FIG>. It is possible to exhibit the effect which is the same as that of the first embodiment also by this second embodiment.

Next, a capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. The entire structure of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of this third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (<FIG>). This third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configurations of the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> and the light receiving unit <NUM>.

In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of the third embodiment, the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> is equipped with the light source <NUM>, a light collection lens <NUM>', an optical fiber array <NUM>, and a light collection optical system <NUM>. This measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> divides the light into a plurality of streaks of light by the optical fiber array <NUM> which is configured by arraying a plurality of optical fibers. The optical fiber array <NUM> is configured by arraying the plurality of optical fibers conforming with the array of the capillaries <NUM>, and the number of the capillaries <NUM>. However, the optical fibers in the optical fiber array <NUM> may be arrayed in correspondence with the array of the capillaries <NUM> in the capillary array <NUM> on the outgoing end sides thereof, may be arrayed so as to make highly efficient incidence of incident light from the light collection lens <NUM>' possible on the incident end sides, and there is no need to make it correspond to the array in the capillary array <NUM>. Incidentally, in the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber array <NUM>, one or the plurality of optical fibers can be also used as the optical fiber(s) for guiding reference light. On the incidence end side of the optical fiber array <NUM>, it is also effective to form it as an optical fiber array which reduces loss by treating it by a melting end method and then getting rid of adhesives.

In addition, each of the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber array <NUM> may be further a bundle fiber which is an assembly of the plurality of optical fibers. Incidentally, the plurality of optical fibers in one bundle fiber may be arrayed in a circle or in a matrix (a plurality of rows x a plurality of columns) at incidence ends, and on the other hand, may be arranged a line on the outgoing end sides. It becomes possible to make the light incident upon the capillaries <NUM> easily and highly efficiently by arranging the optical fibers on the outgoing end side in a line in a longitudinal direction of the capillaries <NUM>.

The light from the light source <NUM> is collected by the light collection lens <NUM>' and the light collection lens <NUM>' forms an image of the light source <NUM> on the incidence end side of the optical fiber array <NUM>. Incidentally, although illustration is omitted, the light collection lens <NUM>' may be equipped with a plurality of lenses and, in addition, may be further equipped with a light diffusion element for dispersing the light uniformly.

In addition, the light receiving unit <NUM> of this third embodiment is equipped with a light collection optical system <NUM>, an optical fiber array <NUM>, a fluorescence-use beam splitter array <NUM>, a light collection lens array <NUM>, and an optical fiber array <NUM>. The light collection optical system <NUM> is configured to collect the measurement light which has passed through the capillary array <NUM> and to make it incident upon an incidence end face of the optical fiber array <NUM>. The optical fiber array <NUM> has a function of guiding the light which is collected by the light collection optical system <NUM> toward a spectroscope <NUM>. The light which has passed through the optical fiber array <NUM> is incident upon the spectroscope <NUM> as the light for the absorbance measurement.

On the other hand, when the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement (fluorescence excitation light) is emitted from the light source <NUM> and is incident upon the capillary array <NUM>, fluorescence generates from a phosphor which is applied to the protein which passes in the capillaries <NUM>. Each of the fluorescence-use splitter array <NUM> has a function of reflecting this fluorescence. The fluorescence-use beam splitter array <NUM> is configured to make the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement transmit.

The light which is reflected from the fluorescence-use beam splitter array <NUM> is collected by each of the light collection lens array <NUM>, is incident upon incidence end faces of optical fibers of the optical fiber array <NUM> and is guided to the spectroscope <NUM>.

According to the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of this third embodiment, since a light source image of the light source <NUM> is formed on an incidence end face of the optical fiber array <NUM> via the light collection lens <NUM>', it becomes possible to almost equalize the luminances of streaks of incident light into the plurality of optical fibers of the optical fiber array <NUM>.

Therefore, the plurality of capillaries <NUM> of the capillary array <NUM> can be irradiated with the streaks of light which are uniform in luminance and even in a case where the plurality of capillaries are used, it becomes possible to perform highthroughput and accurate measurement.

Next, a capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. The entire structure of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of this fourth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (<FIG>). This fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM>.

The measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> of this fourth embodiment is equipped with the light source <NUM>, the light collection lens <NUM>, the light-source-side fiber <NUM>, the collimate lens <NUM>, the rectangular mask <NUM>, the wavelength selection filter <NUM>, a mirror <NUM>, a polygon mirror <NUM>, an fθ lens <NUM>, and the toroidal lens array <NUM>.

The light source <NUM> to the wavelength selection filter <NUM> may be the same as those in the first embodiment. Measurement light which is emitted from the light source <NUM>, is subjected to beam forming via the rectangular mask <NUM> and is reflected from the mirror <NUM> is scanned by the polygon mirror <NUM> which rotates at a predetermined speed about an axis of rotation at a predetermined rotation angle. The scanned light ray is converted to light which is parallel with an optical axis by the fθ lens <NUM>. The measurement light is scanned by a light scanning unit which is configured by the polygon mirror <NUM> and the fθ lens <NUM> and thereby streaks of the measurement light are sequentially incident upon the plurality of toroidal lenses of the toroidal lens array <NUM>. Although in the aforementioned embodiments, the streaks of the measurement light are incident upon the plurality of toroidal lenses in the toroidal lens array <NUM> simultaneously, in this fourth embodiment, the measurement light is incident upon any one of the plurality of toroidal lenses not simultaneously but sequentially. Although measurement light projection timings are different from one another among the plurality of capillaries, it becomes possible to perform measurement under almost the same conditions of the plurality of capillaries <NUM> with no influence of a difference in projection time by increasing a rotation speed of the polygon mirror <NUM>. Therefore, also in this fourth embodiment, it becomes possible to perform the absorbance measurement of the protein using the plurality of capillaries with the high throughput.

<FIG> illustrates a modified example of the fourth embodiment. In this modified example, in addition to the configurations in <FIG>, further, a light collection lens <NUM> is provided between the mirror <NUM> and the polygon mirror <NUM>. This light collection lens <NUM> has a function of adjusting the light which is outgone from the fθ lens <NUM> so as to become parallel light along the optical axis. The light which is outgone from the fθ lens <NUM> becomes the parallel light and thereby it becomes possible to make the measurement light incident upon the toroidal lens array <NUM> and the light irradiation area of the capillary array <NUM> highly efficiently.

Next, a capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. The entire structure of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of this fifth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (<FIG>). This fifth embodiment is different from the aforementioned embodiments in the configuration of the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM>.

The measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> of this fifth embodiment is equipped with the light source <NUM>, the light collection lens <NUM>, a dichroic mirror <NUM>, the light branch circuit <NUM>, the toroidal lens array <NUM>, a dichroic mirror <NUM>, an excitation wavelength monochromatization filter <NUM>, and a light collection lens <NUM>. The light source <NUM>, the light collection lens <NUM>, and the light branch circuit <NUM> may be the same as those in the second embodiment (<FIG>).

In the aforementioned embodiments, the configuration that the measurement light for the absorbance measurement and the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement are projected onto the capillary array <NUM> along the same projection optical path. In contrast, in this fifth embodiment, the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement is projected along a projection optical path which is different from that of the measurement light for the absorbance measurement. That is, the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> of this fifth embodiment makes the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement transmit through the dichroic mirror <NUM> first and then, on the other hand, makes the measurement light for the absorbance measurement reflect therefrom. The measurement light for the absorbance measurement is branched into a plurality of light fluxes by the light branch circuit <NUM> similarly to that in the second embodiment and is incident upon the toroidal lens array <NUM>.

On the other hand, the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement passes through the dichroic mirror <NUM> and then is reflected from the dichroic mirror <NUM> and only light of a wavelength component which is used for the fluorescence measurement passes through the excitation wavelength monochromatization filter <NUM>. One light flux of the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement which has passed through the excitation wavelength monochromatization filter <NUM> does not pass through the toroidal lens array <NUM> and is incident upon the plurality of capillaries <NUM> in the capillary array <NUM> from its array direction as illustrated in <FIG>. Incidentally, the dichroic mirror <NUM> can be made as the one which has such a wavelength characteristic that it makes a near infrared ray which is unnecessary for the fluorescence measurement transmit.

When the protein to which the phosphor is added passes in the capillary <NUM> and emits the fluorescence by being irradiated with the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement, that fluorescence is incident upon the lens array <NUM> and is guided to a spectroscope by the optical fiber array <NUM>. Since the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement is guided in a direction (the array direction of the plurality of capillaries <NUM> of the capillary array <NUM>) which is parallel with a principal plane of the lens array <NUM>, the measurement light is scarcely made incident upon the lens array <NUM>. Therefore, according to this fifth embodiment, the fluorescence measurement can be executed in a high S/N ratio.

Since the absorbance measurement can be executed also by this fifth embodiment in the same manner as those in the aforementioned embodiments and the absorbance measurement can be executed on the plurality of capillaries simultaneously under conditions which are the same as one another, the absorbance measurement with the high throughput becomes possible. In addition, since it is configured to irradiate the plurality of capillaries <NUM> which are arrayed in a line with one streak of the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement from the array direction thereof as for the fluorescence measurement, it becomes possible to perform the measurement on the plurality of capillaries <NUM> simultaneously.

<FIG> illustrates a modified example of the fifth embodiment. In the modified example, the positions of the plurality of capillaries which are irradiated with the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement are different from the positions of the plurality of capillaries which are irradiated with the measurement light for the absorbance measurement. Different types of measurement can be executed with no mutual interference and the throughput of the measurement can be more improved by making the irradiation positions (passage positions) of the measurement light for the absorbance measurement and the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement different from each other in this way. Incidentally, in coping with that the irradiation positions are different from each other, the light receiving unit <NUM> has the optical fiber array <NUM> for guiding transmitted light in the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement and the optical fiber array <NUM> for guiding the fluorescence which generates in the capillaries <NUM> by the fluorescence measurement. In addition, in <FIG>, phoresis paths of the capillaries <NUM> are arranged so as to become a so-called Z shape in the absorbance measurement. That is, a Z-type flow path array unit <NUM> that a hollow part which is opened at the both ends is provided in an opaque insulator block, both opening ends are sealed with transparent window materials and a plurality of flow paths which are provided with holes which lead to the outside of the insulator are arranged on the both ends of the hollow part is provided and the capillaries <NUM> are connected to a plurality of holes so as to configure as the electrophoresis paths. An optical path length for the absorbance measurement can be made long in comparison with an optical path length for the fluorescence measurement by making a diameter of the hollow part sufficiently small. Sensitivity can be improved by performing reflective coating treatment on an inner face of the hollow part.

Incidentally, in this fifth embodiment and the modified example, as illustrated on the upper left in <FIG>, the capillary array <NUM> can be formed as the one that in addition to capillaries 13R which serve as phoresis paths of samples, a dummy capillary 13D is appropriately arranged between them. In this case, the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement passes through the capillaries 13R and the dummy capillaries 13D. Although the capillaries 13R are arranged at predetermined intervals leaving a space, in this case, when the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement is made incident upon it as illustrated in <FIG>, propagation of the measurement light becomes difficult. Propagation of the measurement light becomes easy by arranging the dummy capillary 13D between the capillaries 13R. Incidentally, as the dummy capillary, a glass rod and so forth can be used in addition to a capillary the inside of which is filled with a polymer and which is the same as that in sectional form.

Next, a capillary electrophoresis apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. The entire structure of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of this sixth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (<FIG>). This sixth embodiment is different from the aforementioned embodiments in the configuration of the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM>. This sixth embodiment is, projection paths of the measurement light for the absorbance measurement and the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement have mutually different configurations, has a commonality with the fifth embodiment in this respect. However, in this sixth embodiment, it is configured that the measurement light (excitation light) for the fluorescence measurement is made incident from an oblique direction relative to the principal plane of the toroidal lens array <NUM>.

The measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of the sixth embodiment is equipped with the light source <NUM>, the light collection lens <NUM>, a dichroic mirror <NUM>, a shutter <NUM>, an absorbance-measurement-light-use optical filter <NUM>, a mirror <NUM>, a cylindrical beam expander <NUM>, and the toroidal lens array <NUM>. In addition, the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> is equipped with a shutter <NUM>, a fluorescence-excitation-use optical filter <NUM>, a mirror <NUM>, and a cylindrical beam expander <NUM>. The light source <NUM> to the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> are an optical system adapted for irradiation with the measurement light for the absorbance measurement, and the light source <NUM> to the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> are an optical system adapted for irradiation with the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement.

The shutter <NUM> is evacuated from an optical path thereof in a case where the absorbance measurement is performed and is inserted into the optical path in a case where the fluorescence measurement is performed. The absorbance-measurement-use optical filter <NUM> has a function of passing only light of a wavelength range for the absorbance measurement. The cylindrical beam expander <NUM> may be the same as the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> of the first embodiment. Incidentally, a beam splitter <NUM>, a light collection lens <NUM>, and a photodetector <NUM> are provided between the absorbance-measurement-use optical filter <NUM> and the mirror <NUM> in order to monitor the measurement light for the absorbance measurement.

The shutter <NUM> is evacuated from an optical path thereof in a case where the fluorescence measurement is performed and is inserted into the optical path in a case where the absorbance measurement is performed. That is, the shutters <NUM> and <NUM> are in a relation that either one of them is selectively inserted into the corresponding optical path and the other is evacuated therefrom. The fluorescence-measurement-use optical filter <NUM> has a function of passing only light of a wavelength range used for the fluorescence measurement. The cylindrical beam expander <NUM> may be the same as the cylindrical beam expander <NUM> of the first embodiment.

The absorbance-measurement-use cylindrical beam expander <NUM> is configured to project the measurement light almost vertically relative to principal planes of toroidal lenses of the toroidal lens array <NUM>. On the other hand, the fluorescence-measurement-use cylindrical beam expander <NUM> is configured to project the measurement light obliquely relative to the principal planes of the toroidal lenses of the toroidal lens array <NUM>. That is, in this embodiment, the measurement light for the absorbance measurement and the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement are projected at different angles relative to the toroidal lens array <NUM>. In the illustrated example, although the former is made incident vertically and the latter is made incident in an oblique direction relative to the principal planes of the toroidal lenses of the toroidal lens array <NUM>, it is not limited to this. The latter may be made incident from the oblique direction and the former may be set at an incidence angle which is different from that of the latter.

An operation of this sixth embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. In a case where the absorbance measurement is performed, the shutter <NUM> is evacuated to the outside of the optical path and the shutter <NUM> is inserted into the optical path as aforementioned. The measurement light for the absorbance measurement passes through the light source <NUM> to the mirror <NUM>, is expanded in the array direction of the plurality of capillaries <NUM> of the capillary array <NUM> by the cylindrical beam expander <NUM>, is incident almost vertically relative to the principal plane of the toroidal lens array <NUM> and uniformly irradiates the plurality of capillaries <NUM> of the capillary array <NUM>. Thereby, the absorbance measurement can be performed in the same manner as those in the aforementioned embodiments.

On the other hand, in a case where the fluorescence measurement is performed, the shutter <NUM> is evacuated to the outside of the optical path and the shutter <NUM> is inserted into the optical path as aforementioned. The measurement light for the fluorescence measurement passes through the light source <NUM> to the mirror <NUM>, is expanded in the array direction of the plurality of capillaries of the capillary array <NUM> by the cylindrical beam expander <NUM>, and is incident from the oblique direction relative to the lens principal planes of the toroidal lens array <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Thereby, the plurality of capillaries in the capillary array <NUM> are uniformly irradiated with the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement from the oblique direction. The fluorescence which is emitted from the protein and so forth which migrate in the capillaries by irradiation of this measurement light is incident upon the lens array <NUM> and is guided to a spectroscope (not illustrated) by the optical fiber array <NUM>. Since the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement is incident from oblique direction relative to the lens principal planes of the toroidal lens array <NUM>, its incidence upon the lens array <NUM> and the optical fiber array <NUM> is avoided. Thereby, the S/N ratio of the fluorescence measurement can be improved.

Incidentally, the measurement light for the fluorescence measurement may be made incident from an oblique direction (an oblique left direction viewing from the toroidal lens array <NUM>) which is opposite to that in <FIG> and may be made incident from both of the left and right sides of the toroidal lens example <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the capillaries of the capillary array <NUM> are cylindrical glass tubes and are circular in section as illustrated on the upper right in <FIG>. Incidentally, they are coated with polyimide and so forth except the light irradiation area. Instead of this, as illustrated on the lower right in <FIG>, it is possible to form the section of the capillary into a rectangular shape and to adjust the measurement light irradiation unit <NUM> so as to almost vertically apply the measurement light to one side of the rectangular shape and to increase incident efficiency. An external form may be circular and an internal form may be a rectangular shape, and vice versa. Only the vicinity of the light irradiation area may be different in shape, in addition to the entire capillary.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described as above, these embodiments are presented as examples and there is no intention to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in other various forms and various omissions, replacements and alterations can be made within the range not deviating from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and the modified examples thereof are included in the scope and the gist of the invention and included in the scopes of the invention which is described in the patent claims and equivalents thereof.

Claim 1:
An electrophoresis apparatus, comprising:
a capillary array (<NUM>) which is configured by arraying a plurality of capillaries;
a measurement light irradiation unit (<NUM>) which irradiates with measurement light;
the electrophoresis apparatus is further comprised by
a first lens array which includes a plurality of first lenses which are arrayed in correspondence with the plurality of capillaries;
a second lens array which includes a plurality of second lenses which are arrayed in correspondence with the plurality of capillaries; and
a light receiving unit (<NUM>) which receives light which is incident upon the capillaries via the first lens array from the measurement light irradiation unit via the second lens array,
wherein the measurement light irradiation unit (<NUM>) is equipped with
a first irradiation section which irradiates the capillary array with first measurement light for absorbance measurement via the first lens array, and
a second irradiation section which makes one light flux of second measurement light for fluorescence measurement incident upon the plurality of capillaries of the first capillary array without interposing the first lens array.