Automated electrophoresis and staining apparatus and method

Abstract

An automated electrophoresis and staining apparatus provides within a cabinet a housing with front and rear walls having opposed pairs of longitudinally spaced notches in their upper edges. Each pair of notches is adapted to successively receive and support a plate holder rack having a horizontal open frame supporting an upright electrophoresis plate onto which has been applied a sample for electrophoretic fractionization. An electrophoresis chamber and a series of vats are mounted within the housing and arranged in a row, the vats adapted to contain liquid stain and a series of plate processing solutions. The pairs of notches are in registry with the centerline of the chamber and each vat. The plate is nested within the chamber within an electrophoretic circuit for a predetermined period. A power operated lift and transfer assembly within the cabinet is adapted to lift, transfer and lower the plate holder rack and plate from the chamber and progressively into each of the underlying vats and a drying chamber for a predetermined period in a linear stepping motion, maintaining the plate in an upright position at all times. The method of electrophoresis which includes supporting in an upright position, a non-conductive plate having on one surface a buffer moistened electrophoresis media to which has been applied a sample selected from a group consisting of serum proteins, lipoproteins, hemoglobins and isoenzymes and enclosing the plate within a chamber. Applying an electrical potential to the plate ends within an electrical power circuit for a predetermined period at a preselected voltage, the specimen fractionating and migrating laterally through portions of the media. Elevating the plate, laterally translating the plate and lowering the plate while in an upright position, immersing it within a stain solution for a predetermined interval, and successively translating the plate to and into a series of vats containing processing solutions, and into a drying chamber.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.