Patent ID: 6919006

Claim:
A removable cartridge for use in an electrophoresis unit comprising: a housing having at least one sidewall sealingly connected thereto defining an interior; a first restriction membrane disposed within the interior; a second restriction membrane disposed within the interior and generally in parallel with the first restriction membrane; a separation membrane disposed in the interior between the restriction membranes; a first spacer having a grid element disposed between the first restriction membrane and the separation membrane so as to define a first separation chamber therebetween; a second spacer having a grid element disposed between the second restriction membrane and the separation membrane so as to define a second separation chamber therebetween; means defining a first fluid pathway through the first separation chamber; means defining a second fluid pathway through the second separation chamber; and at least one gasket disposed within the interior of the housing and proximate to an outer surface of a selected one of the restriction membranes so as to be adapted to sealingly engage an associated fluid pathway to allow for an electrically conductive buffer solution to flow along the at least one restriction membrane; wherein the cartridge is adapted to be removably engaged in an electrophoresis separation unit such that in use selected compounds in the first or second fluid pathway are caused to move through one or more of the membranes under the influence of an electric field.