Abstract: Multiple electropherograms or chromatograms representing successive stages of an electrophoretic or chromatographic separation in a capillary are obtained by training a recorder on a succession of detection windows in the capillary, spaced apart along the capillary length. A single immovable detector is used, and the capillary is either held such that each detection window is placed in alignment with the detector in succession, or is looped such that the detection windows all lie in the path of the detector at the same time.

Abstract: The use of continuous wave (CW) laser excitation to measure small differences in the fluorescence of bands of fluorophore stained nucleic acid fragments present in gels is described.

Abstract: A technique for separating, identifying and measuring ions in solution by capillary zone electrophoresis is described, which provides improved sensitivity and resolution of anionic species. The method involves subjecting a sample containing the ionic species a light-absorbing material and a quaternary ammonium salt to an electrical current in a capillary column causing the ions to elute according to their ionic mobility. The ionic species are detected and quantitated by UV/Visible photometric monitoring.

Abstract: A carbohydrate structure, possibly in the form of or derived from a glycoprotein or glycolipide, is analyzed by decomposing the structure into various constituent fragments, separating the fragments and viewing light from the separated fragments using a charge coupled device (CCD). Carbohydrate units can be distinguished or separated by gel electrophoresis, e.g. using a relatively dense polyacrylamide gel run using a stacking buffer system. The two aspects can be used separately or in combination.

Abstract: In an electrophoresis system, a specimen is analyzed on the basis of a division image obtained by applying the specimen on a substrate and causing an electrophoresis phenomenon to occur. The electrophoresis system comprises a refractometer for measuring the total protein amount of said specimen, a mechanism for applying the specimen onto the head surface of the refractometer, a mechanism for cleaning the head surface of the refractometer, and memory and processing sections for storing the measured data and performing the arithmetic processing with the data obtained on the basis of the division image.

Abstract: With respect to a gel which is mounted on a gel electrophoresis apparatus, a calibration process is provided before starting of measurement to obtain calibration data for bringing a portion of the gel irradiated with excitation light onto the optical axis of a light receiving optical system for each scanning point, to perform measurement while controlling relative positional relation between the optical path of the excitation light and the optical axis of the light receiving optical system through the calibration data. Displacement, which may be inevitably caused between the optical axis of the light receiving optical system and the position irradiated with the excitation light by errors in working, assembling and adjustment, is basically eliminated, and sensitiveness irregularity is also removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving signal to noise in an electropherogram acquired by electrophoresis. The migration time is remapped by binning the data with respect to migration time to improve signal to noise and peak resolution. The data points of the electropherogram are pooled into variable size bins, each corresponding to a number of time intervals. The sizes of the bins increase with migration time. To further improve signal to noise and peak resolution, the binned data is filtered by Fourier transformation. The present invention allows for accurate determinatiion of DNA sequences.

Abstract: In a fluorescence detection type electrophoresis apparatus, comprising an electrophoresis separation gel plate (2, 102, 205), an excitation laser beam source (3, 201, 201) for emitting fluorescent light, and a fluorescent light detector (9, 109, 212) for detecting the emitted fluorescent light, a fluorescent light images are divided into a plurality of virtual images by an image divider (5, 7.sub.2, 104, 105, 209) and at the same time, the lights corresponding to the individual divided images are wavelength-selected by bandpass filters (8, 8.sub.3, 107, 108, 120, 227-230), thereby providing highly accurate, sensitive separation and detection of DNA fragments and the like and determination of base sequence of DNA and the like.

Abstract: An electrophoresis pattern analyzer for genetic material of this invention comprises: an image data generating means for optically reading an electrophoresis specimen and outputting datum image data corresponding to a datum region and sample image data corresponding to at least one sample region; a datum band pattern retrieving means for retrieving datum band patterns concerning position coordinates of the bands of the datum region in the direction of electrophoresis and two-dimensional forms of the bands of the datum region from the datum image data; a sample band pattern retrieving means for retrieving sample band patterns concerning position coordinates of the bands of the sample region in the direction of electrophoresis and two-dimensional forms of the bands of the sample region from the sample image data; and a band pattern comparing means for comparing the datum band patterns with the sample band patterns and determining characteristics of the sample region.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection type electrophoresis apparatus comprising an excitation laser beam source (1, 29), fluorescent light detector portion, and electrophoresis separation device which can measure many samples at the same time in such a way that it has a plurality of slab gels (4, 23) being provided in parallel and a fluorescent light detector (8, 32) installed in position where it can individually and simultaneously receive and detect fluorescent lights coming out of migration direction lower ends (16, 40) of the slab gels (4, 23) or of portions adjacent thereto. It is preferable that the fluorescence detection type electrophoresis apparatus has a plurality of slab gels (4, 23) integrated together via gel supporting plates (22).

Abstract: A laser imaging system is disclosed which provides the versatility of wide field digital imaging with enhanced spatial resolution and light gathering efficiency. The system will scan targets of any size, dependent only upon the data retrieval and storage limitation of the computer support system, for forward light loss densitometry images as well as fluorescent and forward scatter images. The system is easily adaptable for rare event detection and tracking. The laser system will provide image capture of an entire target within 10 to 60 seconds and controls the scan of the laser beam in three-dimensional pattern and speed. The beam may be repositioned to any one of 16 million locations on a target within an accuracy of +/-0.5 um. Finally, the imaging system of the present invention utilizes a novel optical fiber based detector assembly having NA values of 0.58-0.95 and filters having less than 15% loss at emission wavelengths.

Abstract: In an electrophoresis apparatus for separating and detecting a sample of DNA or RNA labelled with fluorescence, use is made of a gel plate having a polyacrylamide concentration of 2 to 6% in order to greatly shorten the time required for the measurement.

Abstract: A densitometer apparatus for evaluating electrophoresis gel samples based on photothermal techniques. In accordance with this invention, electrophoresis gels are characterized by passing a heating light beam through the gel at a particular location. Light absorbed by the presence of staining dyes in that area causes heat evolution which generates a local index of refraction variation or a "thermal lens". A probe beam is passed through the sample in the area of the thermal lens a predetermined period of time after it is generated and the modification to the beam caused by the thermal lens is evaluated. For example, defocusing of the probe beam can be sensed by a detector which receives transmitted light through a limiting aperture. Various means of separating the heating and probe beams are disclosed, including use of separate lasers, crossed beams, modulation by plane of polarization, etc.

Abstract: A method and system for imaging unstained smaple material constituents on a gel electrophoresis unit. The system includes a gel electrophoresis unit, preferably having a pH gradient gel thereon, phase detection optics including a collimated light source, shearing interferometer, phase contrast microscope or schlieren microscope, an image digitizer, and data processing electronics, such as a computer, for determining the concentration of sample constituents at each position on the electrophoresis unit. The method relies on the difference in index of refraction between sample material and gel material to introduce optical path differences in light rays passing through the material. The modified light is subjected to shearing interferometry to locate gel-sample boundaries, phase imaging to directly image the sample, or a laser scanner for directly measuring the deviation in a light beam due to the sample.

Abstract: An analytical separation device in which a capillary sized conduit is formed by a channel in a semiconductor device and the channel is closed by a glass plate. Electrodes are positioned in the channel and to activate the motion of liquids through the conduit by electroosmosis.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a base sequence comprising an assembly for making an exciting beam incident on a slab of electrophoretic gel in a direction normal to the plane thereof, the gel containing nucleic acid fragments labeled with a labeling pigment and developed or being developed therein by electrophoresis, and a light receiving unit for receiving at an end face of the gel the luminescent emitted by the labeling pigment on the fragments developed in the gel.

Abstract: System for detecting pattern defects wherein images of corresponding portions of two originally identical patterns are detected and two image signals representing the images are registered with each other, a second image signal of the two registered signals is shifted by a predetermined number of pixels with respect to a first image signal, thus providing shifted second image signals. Differences in brightness between the first and second image signals as well as each of the shifted second image signals are calculated within intervals corresponding to pixels on one scanning line, thus providing a first group of difference image signals, preset values are added to and substracted from the first or second image signal to provide a sum image signal and a substraction image signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an object on an electrooptical transducer for measuring the transparency and/or the light dispersion of the object comprises a light source, a first beam path for illuminating the object and a second beam path for imaging the object on the electrooptical transducer. Furthermore, a third beam path is provided which forms a reference beam path and which conducts part of the light of the first beam path onto the same electrooptical transducer.

Abstract: In a wavelength dispersion electrophoresis apparatus which detects fluorescences of unequal wavelengths emitted from the samples of DNA, RNA or the like labeled with a plurality of fluorophores, a direct-vision prism (14) is interposed between a two-dimensional fluorescence detector (7) and an electrophoretic plate (17) in order to separate and discriminate the emission wavelengths of the respective fluorophores. The direct-vision prism (14) is disposed for the wavelength dispersion of the fluorescences in this manner, whereby the fluorescences of the individual wavelengths can be separated and detected at a high sensitivity by a simple mechanism and without distorting a fluorescence image.

Abstract: A stable, unchanging concentration gradient of macro-ions dissolved in aqueous or other polar solvents is established adjacent to a semipermeable membrane by the opposing forces of a directed electric field and diffusion, a condition herein defined as electrophoretic steady state. An analysis of the concentration gradient as recorded by an interrogating optical system can yield one or more physical-chemical properties of the macro-ions.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the deflocculation of particles in a suspension, which particles, when deflocculated, are such that they can become aligned in an applied field, comprises applying a beam of radiation to a region of the suspension, applying a field to the region and detecting a change, if any, in radiation scattering properties of said region due to the aligning of deflocculated particles if any, of the suspension in the field, the method comprising applying such a field to such a region of a first sample of suspension whose degree of deflocculatin is desired to be monitored and applying such a field to such a region of a second sample of suspension, whose particles are known to be substantially fully deflocculated, detecting the change in radiation scattering properties of each region due to the field to produce a respective output indication, and comparing the indications to produce an indication related to the degree of deflocculation of the particles in the first suspension.

Abstract: An electrokinetic process and apparatus employing coherent radiation-excited fluorescence for detection is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the support liquid is a chiral liquid and the process is employed to separate and detect the separation of optical isomers.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the deflocculation of particles in a suspension, which particles, when deflocculated, are such that they can become aligned in an applied field, comprises applying a beam of radiation to a region of the suspension, applying a field to the region and detecting a change, if any, in radiation scattering properties of said region due to the aligning of deflocculated particles, if any, of the suspension in the field, wherein said suspension is passed through a cell which is transparent to said radiation and provides said region in which said field is produced and on to which region said radiation is applied and wherein said suspension is pumped through said cell and the field is applied in bursts timed with the pumping operation.

Abstract: Multichannel electrophoresis apparatus employing electrophoretic light scattering as a means for characterizing the particles under study. The apparatus is characterized by the ability to measure light scattered simultaneously using a plurality of local oscillators incident at different angles from the same population of particles being subjected to electrophoresis. The apparatus is used with data processing means to analyze the large amount of scattering data which provide information on electrophoretic mobility, particle size, particle charge, electrophoretic mobility, zeta potential. An important aspect of the new apparatus is a markedly improved capability to segregate data related to diffusion effects from data relating to heterogeneous effects.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the deflocculation of particles in a suspension, which particles, when deflocculated, are such that they can become aligned in an applied field, by applying a beam of radiation to a region of the suspension, applying a field to the region and detecting a change, if any, in forward radiation scattering properties of the region due to the aligning of deflocculated particles, if any, of the suspension in the field.

Abstract: A photothermal deflection detector for thin layer chromatography includes a translation means for holding and moving a thin layer chromatographic plate; a first impinging laser beam (e.g., 20 mW chopped argon laser) focused on the moveable thin layer chromatographic plate; a second probing laser beam (e.g., 2 mW He-Ne laser) intersecting the impinging laser beam directly above and parallel to the moveable thin layer chromatographic plate; and a laser deflection measuring means (e.g., knife edge, photodiode detector and lock-in amplifier demodulator) responsive to the thermal lens effect created by the absorption of the impinging laser beam by the separated compounds on the thin layer chromatographic plate. Such a system when applied to separated compounds (e.g., 1,2-napthaquinone, phenanthrenequinone and .alpha.-ionone) exhibits detection limits that range from 30 ng to 7.5 pg, depending upon the compounds's ability to absorb the impinging light.

Abstract: A densitometer comprises a first carrier supporter for supporting a carrier formed of a cellulose acetate film for carrying a blood serum specimen after an electrophoresis process is completed and a second carrier supporter for supporting a carrier for a blood serum which is formed of a gel or the like and reinforced with a transparent plate. The first and second carrier supporters are disposed between a light projector and a light receiver in such a manner that the density measurement of fractionated patterns of a blood serum may be effected upon occasion by supporting either the carrier formed of a cellulose acetate film or the carrier formed of a gel or the like.

Abstract: A light scattering interfacial tension spectrometer has a laser source of light directed, as an incident beam I.sub.i, through a focusing lens and a diffraction grating. The grating divides the incident beam I.sub.i into a main beam I.sub.m, undiffracted light, and a higher order, diffracted light, reference beam I.sub.r. The beam I.sub.r is passed through an attenuator and a diffraction focusing lens to a region under test, such as a liquid surface. The main beam I.sub.m, from the grating is transmitted through the common diffraction focusing lens to the test region where it is reflected. The reference beam I.sub.r is reflected from the test surface together with scattered light I.sub.s, and directed through an aperture to a photomultipler tube. The output of the photomultiplier is coupled to a pulse amplifier-discriminator and a photon correlator. For a liquid surface under test the output of the spectrometer provides a measure of the surface tension and the viscosity of the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method and a device for use in measuring the gradient of density in a fluid. The device is comprised of a laser for providing a columnar light beam and a photodetector axially aligned with the laser. The photodetector detects the displacement of the light beam caused by the gradient of refraction of the fluid. A unit is provided for converting the displacement into an indication of the gradient of refraction and thereby the gradient of the density of the fluid. For density gradients caused by concentration gradients, an additional unit is provided for converting the displacement into a measure of the quantity of substances in the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for photometrically scanning gels comprises a monochromator from which the light beam passes through a stop aperture and a gel placed in a cell, which are installed one after the other along the path of the light beam. The cell is caused to move relative to the light beam by means of a drive and the light is received by a photometer. The cell is made in the form of two superposed discs each having on one side congruent grooves which define at least one compartment for placing the gels therein when the discs are superposed on one another.

Abstract: To facilitate fractionation of an electrophoretogram, the disclosed process differentiates signals representing the electrophoretogram so as to obtain the differential of the first order and to generate a first series of pulses representing changes of sign of the differential of the first order. The process differentiates again the differential of the first order so as to obtain the differential of the second order and generates a second series of pulses representing changes of sign of the differential of the second order. Output pulses are generated by logically processing the first and second series of pulses, whereby the electrophoretogram is fractionated on the basis of the timing of the output pulses.

Abstract: An indexing fixture with many seats can be rotated in such a way as to present in each succeeding time interval a different seat at a reader. An electronic processing unit can control, under the control of a keyboard, different sequences of presentation of said seats of the indexing fixture and different modes of presentation of the detected data on an optical display, a graphic recorder and a magnetic recorder.

Abstract: A fractionating method in electrophoresis wherein, in order to make it possible to automatically and accurately fractionate a pattern obtained by the electrophoresis of a sample to be measured, respective peak tops or minimum points of the pattern obtained by electrophoresizing the sample to be measured are made to correspond to respective peak tops or minimum points to be obtained by electrophoresizing a normal sample by making the basic positions coincide with each other and the minimum points in the sample to be measured located in the positions nearest to the minimum points on the normal sample are made boundary points or the boundary points are determined on the basis of the ratios of the lengths from the basic position to the respective peak tops or minimum points in the sample to be meaured nearest to the values of the above mentioned ratios in the normal sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic cataphoresis comprises means for feeding a blood serum bearing film; a cutter for cutting the film to a given length; means for supplying a buffer solution for wetting the film with a buffer solution; a blood serum applicator including a serum application member, a serum dish assembly, an abutment, a rinsing vessel, a drip mechanism and means for carrying the film; a cataphoresis compartment for forming fractionated patterns of the serum applied to the film; dyeing, decolorizing and drying stations for dyeing, decolorizing and drying the serum bearing film as it is delivered from the cataphoresis compartment; and a densitometer including a vessel of a clearing liquid, a light source and a detector for effecting a colorimetric determination of the serum specimen. In this manner, a determination of a blood serum is automatically achieved by the cataphoretic process.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed for a densitometer which scans an electrophoretically separated sample and provides an output signal for graphical display indicative of the optical density of the scanned sample. The optical system provides storage for a plurality of filter assemblies selectively used depending on the mode of densitometry scanning. It includes a turret assembly, a detector housing, and a lamp support to permit an operator convenient selection capability of a desired filter when scanning in either visible or fluorescent modes of operation. A plurality of optical density and blocking filters are sandwiched between turret plates at spaced radial positions. The plates have aligned openings adjacent to the filter areas to permit light to pass through the filters for detection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described by which immunochemical procedures such as immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis can be used to provide quantitative measurement of the concentration of individual proteins in fluids such as serum, spinal fluid, tissue extracts and the like. That is accomplished typically by photooptically scanning the zones of precipitation which are produced, in parallel with those of standard preparations containing known concentrations of the proteins to be determined; deriving from the arrays of measurements of the precipitation zones selected parameters; and comparing the parameter values of the experimental and reference preparations. The zone measurements are preferably made and recorded electronically, with suitable digital manipulation of the resulting video values at a plurality of selected positions for each zone.

Abstract: In electrophoretic apparatus measuring the velocity of particles in a fluid, a reference beam and a scattered beam scattered by the particles in the fluid at various scattering angles must be heterodyned in order that the Doppler frequency shift resulting from the scattering by the moving particles can be determined. The previous need for adjusting the optical path of the reference beam so that is always impinges with the scattered beam, independent of the scattering angle, upon the mixer or heterodyner is avoided by an automatic control of the direction of the reference and scattered beams relative to the mixer so that they both always impinge upon a predetermined location in the mixer independent of the scattering angle. The construction of the measuring cell and ways of mounting same in a housing to allow easy refilling and replacement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A recorder pen is mounted on the sample scanning stage of an electrophoretic sample analyzer. Movement of the stage scans the sample optically while, at the same time, the recorder pen produces an analog record of the optical analysis. A sample holder is mounted in the stage for detented movement in the direction orthogonal to the scanning motion of the sample stage. The sample holder can be moved to one of several detented positions so that different tracks of the samples are scanned.