Patent Document ID: 6036831
Application ID: 09151224
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. An automatic system for analyzing protein and/or DNA gene fragment samples comprising in combination, an electrophoresis housing unit for receiving electrophoresis cells, each containing a protein or a gene fragment sample, and an optical scanning inspection unit, means for positioning optically transparent gel cells, each containing a protein or gene fragment sample, in the electrophoresis housing unit; computer-controlled means for thereupon applying voltage to electrodes extending transversely of the housing to effect electrophoretic migration of the protein or gene fragments along one dimension of the cell to separate the protein or gene fragments by size, and further comprising means operable following the electrophoretic migration along said one dimension for effecting electrophoretic migration of the protein or gene fragments along a second dimension of each cell that extends 90.degree. to the said one dimension to separate the fragments in sequences, means for thereupon, under program control, sequentially presenting each cell image for optical scanning by said scanning inspection unit; means controlled by the computer program and operable during the scanning for identifying the desired fragments and their locations; and means for thereupon classifying the identified fragments.