JPH07120367A - Dyeing tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the accuracy of a mixed dyeing operation by a simple manipulation by a method wherein a gas introduction part for a liquid to which a solution for dyeing is supplied steady by the action of a gas pressure and a flow stopper used to prevent the deformation or the like of a gel are installed. CONSTITUTION:For example, in the dyeing process of DNA in an acrylamide gel after the DNA has been separated by an electro-phoretic method, a gel as a dyeing medium is placed stationarily in a part which is surrounded by a flow stop part 6 for a dyeing tank body. Then, a lid part 2 and a main body part are connected and bonded by stop metal fittings which are attached and installed at the main body, and the dyeing tank is sealed hermetically. Then, under the control of a CPU, an air pressure pump 10 and a plurality of valves 9 are actuated, and a dyeing liquid is supplied automatically to the dyeing tank via an air-pressure introduction part 4 for a liquid from a liquid storage part 11. In addition, the plurality of valves 9 are changed over after a definite time, the dyeing tank is loaded with a gas pressure from a circulation part 5 for a gas, and the dyeing liquid is discharged from the dyeing tank and collected in a liquid part 12.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【０００１】[0001]

【産業上の利用分野】本発明は自動的に染色液等の液を
用いて試料の染色を行う染色槽において、極めて迅速に
しかも染色液の消費が少なく経済的な染色液の供給すな
わち染色行程を実現する染色用の染色槽に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dyeing tank for automatically dyeing a sample by using a dyeing solution or the like, which is very fast and economical in supplying dyeing solution, that is, a dyeing process. The present invention relates to a dyeing tank for dyeing.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】現在生化学の分野においてはいろいろな
ＤＮＡやタンパク質等の微量分析が頻繁に行われて、こ
れら分析の精度が実験の成否を大きく左右するまでに重
要な操作になってきている。その中で頻繁に利用されて
いる手法に電気泳動法による分離・解析があげられる。2. Description of the Related Art In the field of biochemistry, microanalysis of various DNAs and proteins is frequently carried out at present, and the precision of these analyzes has become an important operation until the success or failure of an experiment is greatly influenced. . Among them, a method frequently used is separation / analysis by electrophoresis.

【０００３】この方法は目的物質の電気的な移動度の差
を利用して目的物質を分離して解析するもので、特に分
子生物学の分野では欠かせない手法となっている。その
内容を概略的に説明すると、ゲル等と呼ばれるの媒体に
試料溶液をロードして電極を保持し緩衝液を満たした電
気泳動槽というものの中にゲルを入れる。その中でゲル
等の媒体に電気を通してそれらタンパク質等を電気の作
用により媒体中を移動させて最終的にはそれらの物質を
電気的移動度の差から分離するものである。This method separates and analyzes the target substance by utilizing the difference in electric mobility of the target substance, and is an essential method especially in the field of molecular biology. The contents are roughly explained. A sample solution is loaded into a medium called gel or the like, and the gel is put into an electrophoresis tank in which electrodes are held and a buffer solution is filled. Among them, electricity is passed through a medium such as gel to move the proteins and the like through the medium by the action of electricity, and finally the substances are separated from the difference in electric mobility.

【０００４】この電気泳動法においては目的の物質がた
だ分離されただけでは意味はなく、分離されたものを解
析できるように別途次の行程として染色等の反応操作を
しなくてはならない。そこで電気泳動行程の後にゲル等
の媒体をタンパク質等に特異的に反応・吸着して発色す
る発色剤等の満たされた染色槽に媒体を入れて、染色し
た後に分離したタンパク質等を分析するのが一般的な解
析手法となっている。このため分離した後のゲル等の媒
体を迅速にしかも精度よく染色して解析することはこれ
ら生化学においては欠かせない重要な行程となってい
る。In this electrophoretic method, it is meaningless that the target substance is simply separated, and in order to analyze the separated substance, a reaction operation such as staining must be carried out as a separate step. Therefore, after the electrophoresis process, the medium such as gel is put into a dyeing tank filled with a coloring agent that reacts and adsorbs specifically with proteins and develops color, and the separated proteins are analyzed after staining. Is a general analysis method. Therefore, it is an important step in these biochemistry to rapidly and accurately stain and analyze the medium such as gel after separation.

【０００５】電気泳動法以外においても、ドットブロッ
ティング操作の後の染色行程のように生化学において染
色行程は重要な技術行程となっている。Besides the electrophoresis method, the staining process is an important technical process in biochemistry, such as the staining process after the dot blotting operation.

【０００６】然るにこれらの染色行程においては、通常
箱状の染色槽に分離された物質を含んだ媒体を入れ、し
かる後は手動で染色行程で使用する染色液・洗浄液ある
いは脱色液等をその行程の都度入れたり交換したりする
煩雑な手作業で染色を行っていた。そのため液の導入・
搬送に非常に手間と時間がかかったり、液量を間違えた
りまた染色液をこぼして衣類・実験器材に多量の汚染を
残すなど従来の方法では効率的に染色行程を進行させる
には未だ大きな欠点をかかえていた。However, in these dyeing processes, a medium containing the separated substances is usually put in a box-shaped dyeing tank, and then a dyeing solution, a washing solution or a decoloring solution used in the dyeing process is manually operated. Dyeing was done by the complicated manual work of putting in or replacing each time. Therefore, the introduction of liquid
It takes a lot of time and labor to convey the product, the liquid volume is wrong, and the dyeing liquid is spilled to leave a large amount of contamination on clothes and experimental equipment. I had.

【０００７】また、これらの欠点を克服するために溶液
の供給方式においては電気駆動ポンプ形式の送液方法が
採用されて簡便化されている染色槽もある。しかし、こ
の方法では別途ポンプ用に電源が必要で装置的にも大が
かりになると同時にポンプの劣化にともなって溶液の供
給速度が非定常的に変化して供給が不安定になり精度よ
い溶液の供給がなかなかできなかった。Further, in order to overcome these drawbacks, there is also a dyeing tank in which a solution feeding method of an electrically driven pump type is adopted as a solution feeding method and is simplified. However, this method requires a separate power source for the pump, which requires a large amount of equipment, and at the same time the supply rate of the solution changes unsteadily due to deterioration of the pump, making the supply unstable and supplying the solution accurately. I couldn't quite do it.

【０００８】しかも液が直接的にゲル等媒体に供給され
るため、しばしばゼラチン状の柔軟なゲルが傷ついたり
染色反応においては染色のムラが生じるなど解析の精度
に重大な影響を及ぼしたり、染色液等の液の極度な流出
過程に影響を受けてゲルが変形したりして正確な解析が
できない等の欠点をも抱えていた。Moreover, since the liquid is directly supplied to a medium such as a gel, the gelatin-like flexible gel is often damaged, and unevenness of the dyeing occurs in the dyeing reaction. There was also a drawback that the gel could be deformed under the influence of the extreme outflow process of liquids and the like, and accurate analysis could not be performed.

【０００９】[0009]

【発明が解決しようとしている問題点】本発明は以上の
観点から、内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲルや膜
を保持できる密閉構造を可能にした染色槽において、気
体圧の作用により染色等に必要な液を供給する液体の気
体圧導入部を持つことを特徴とする染色槽を開発してこ
れら従来の染色行程の持つ欠点を克服して迅速かつ精度
の高い実現を可能にしたものである。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION From the above viewpoints, the present invention provides dyeing by the action of gas pressure in a dyeing tank having a sealed structure capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing. Developed a dyeing tank characterized by having a liquid gas pressure introduction part that supplies the necessary liquid to the etc. to overcome the drawbacks of these conventional dyeing processes and enable rapid and highly accurate realization. Is.

【００１０】また更には供給する気体液導入部において
は、液体が染色槽に導入される際に直接ゲルにかからな
いような方向への導入する液の飛散部を設けることによ
って液の染色槽への供給に際してはゲルへの液導入の影
響を極端に減少させることを成功させると同時に液の染
色槽からの染色液等の流出に際してはゲル等の媒体が染
色槽に設置された媒体流れ止めによって流出の液の流れ
に流されて変形するなどの欠点を解消して精度のよい解
析ができることをも発見して、より高精度な染色を実現
したものである。Further, in the gas liquid introducing portion to be supplied, a scattering portion of the liquid to be introduced is provided in a direction such that the liquid is not directly applied to the gel when the liquid is introduced into the dyeing tank. At the time of supply, it succeeded in extremely reducing the influence of the introduction of the liquid to the gel, and at the same time, when the dyeing liquid etc. flows out from the dyeing tank, the medium such as gel flows out by the medium flow stop installed in the dyeing tank. It was also discovered that the defects such as being deformed due to the flow of the liquid can be solved and the analysis can be performed with high accuracy, thereby realizing more accurate dyeing.

【００１１】[0011]

【問題を解決するための手段】而してかかる目的の実現
のためになされた本発明よりなる染色槽においての特徴
は、まず気体圧の作用により染色用の溶液を定常的に供
給する液体の気体圧導入部を設けたことにある。気体圧
を供給手段として採用することにより染色槽を装置的に
小型で効率的なものにすることができるとともに、ポン
プ形式でしばしば観測されたポンプの劣化による溶液の
供給の不安定化を避けることが可能となった。The features of the dyeing tank of the present invention made to realize the above object are as follows. First, a liquid for constantly supplying a dyeing solution by the action of gas pressure is used. This is because the gas pressure introducing section is provided. By adopting gas pressure as a supply means, it is possible to make the dyeing tank small and efficient, and to avoid the unstable supply of the solution due to deterioration of the pump, which is often observed in the pump type. Became possible.

【００１２】さらには液体の気体圧導入部においては、
液を直接ゲル等の媒体方向に飛散させるのではなく流れ
の飛散用の液の飛散部を設置することによって、供給行
程において直接液がゲルにかかるのを避けた点にある。Further, in the liquid gas pressure introducing section,
The point is that the liquid is prevented from directly splashing on the gel during the supply process by providing a liquid scattering portion for scattering the flow rather than directly scattering the liquid toward the medium such as gel.

【００１３】また染色槽の中にゲルの移動を極力少なく
して分析の精度を上げる目的で媒体の流れどめ機構を設
けて、染色液等の流入・流出の際に液の流れの影響を受
けてゲルが泳動槽中を無作為に動くのを防止したもので
ある。この事によって迅速に液が流入・流出した際にし
ばしば観測されたゲルの染色槽中での不必要な移動が極
めて効率よく制限されて、ゲルの移動が原因でしばしば
観測されたゲルの変形や劣下といった解析に重要な影響
を与える欠点を克服し、さらに温度の制御をも同時に加
えることにより精度をあげて染色の効果が高精度になる
事をも見いだしたものである。Further, a medium flow-stopping mechanism is provided in the dyeing tank for the purpose of minimizing the migration of gel and improving the accuracy of analysis, so that the influence of the flow of the liquid upon the inflow and outflow of the dyeing liquid can be prevented. This prevents the gel from moving randomly in the electrophoresis tank. As a result, unnecessary movement of the gel in the dyeing tank, which was often observed when the liquid rapidly flowed in and out, was extremely efficiently limited, and the gel deformation and gel deformation often observed due to the movement of the gel It was also found that by overcoming the disadvantages such as inferiority that have an important influence on the analysis, and by also controlling the temperature at the same time, the accuracy of dyeing can be improved and the effect of dyeing can be highly accurate.

【００１４】また、液体の導入部を液体の排出の際にも
液排出部として用いることによって、少なくとも一つの
気体の流通部を設けて液体の導入の際には気体抜きに、
液体の排出の際には排出用の気体の導入部として利用す
ることを発見し効率のよい染色を実現したものである。
この際さらには液体の流路等に弁を用いる事によっても
液体の導入・排出がきわめて効率的にしかも簡便な装置
で実現できることを見いだし本発明を完成させたもので
ある。Further, by using the liquid introducing portion also as the liquid discharging portion when discharging the liquid, at least one gas circulation portion is provided to remove the gas when introducing the liquid.
When the liquid was discharged, it was discovered that it is used as an introduction part of a gas for discharge, and efficient dyeing was realized.
In this case, the inventors have found that the introduction and discharge of the liquid can be realized very efficiently and with a simple device by using a valve for the flow path of the liquid, and the present invention has been completed.

【００１５】ここでいう染色槽とは、一定の空間容量を
保ちその内部空間にゲルや膜等の分離媒体および染色液
等の液体を保持できる構造であれば何等その構造や機構
や材質に限定されるものではないが、特に樹脂製のもの
が好ましい。The term "staining tank" as used herein is limited to any structure, mechanism, or material as long as it has a certain space capacity and can hold a separation medium such as gel or membrane and a liquid such as a staining solution in its internal space. However, resin-made ones are particularly preferable.

【００１６】ここでいう密閉構造とは、一定の気体圧を
該槽にかけた状態において気体が漏れない状態を実現で
きるように設計された泳動槽であれば何等その構造や機
構や材質に限定されるものではないが、特に蓋と本体と
の別離した構造で付設の締め付け機構において密着させ
た際にのみ密閉状態が実現できる構造のものが好まし
い。The closed structure referred to herein is not limited to any structure, mechanism or material as long as it is a migration tank designed so as to realize a state in which gas does not leak when a constant gas pressure is applied to the tank. Although not limited to this, a structure in which the lid and the main body are separated from each other, and a structure in which a closed state can be realized only when they are brought into close contact with each other by a tightening mechanism attached thereto is preferable.

【００１７】ここでいう液体の気体圧導入部とは液体が
染色槽の中に導入される構造のものなら何等その個数・
方式・形状・材質に限定されるものではないが、特に管
やチューブよって液体を供給する部分に接続できる形式
の液体の気体圧導入部が好ましい。The term "liquid gas pressure introducing portion" as used herein refers to the number of liquids introduced into the dyeing tank.
The method, shape, and material are not particularly limited, but a liquid gas pressure introduction portion of a type that can be connected to a portion for supplying liquid by a tube or a tube is particularly preferable.

【００１８】ここでいう染色槽の上部および下部とは、
染色槽の中の高さ方向に関して半分より上の部分あるい
は下の部分であるなら何等その個数や大きさに限定され
るものではない。The upper part and the lower part of the dyeing tank referred to here are
The number and size of the upper and lower portions of the dyeing tank in the height direction are not particularly limited.

【００１９】また、ここでいう気体圧の作用とは気体の
圧力の作用によって液体を染色槽に供給する構造のもの
であるなら何等その形式・材質に限定されるものではな
いが、密閉系を実現してその系中の気体圧力を一定にし
ておき別途系外に設置したバルブの開閉により溶液貯蔵
部に圧がかかり最終的には染色槽とは別途貯蔵した溶液
に気体圧を掛けて溶液を所定量染色槽に供給する方式の
ものが好ましい。The action of gas pressure here is not limited to any type and material as long as it is a structure for supplying the liquid to the dyeing tank by the action of gas pressure. When this is achieved, the gas pressure in the system is kept constant and the pressure is applied to the solution storage section by opening and closing the valve installed outside the system, and finally the solution is stored by applying gas pressure to the solution stored separately from the dyeing tank. A method of supplying a predetermined amount of the dye to the dyeing tank is preferable.

【００２０】ここで言う液体の飛散部とはチューブ等の
固定的な水流形成形態で染色槽に入る液体を、できるだ
け広範囲に拡散させるような方式により入ってくる液体
の形態以上に広範囲な形態に飛散させる機能のあるもの
ならばその飛散形態や方法・個数・材質には何等限定さ
れるものではないが、特に妨害板やネットのように流体
の流れを飛散させる部分を液体の導入部以降に設置して
流入してくる液の流れを拡大・非局在化させたり噴霧部
を設けて微細な水滴状にしたりすることにより実質的に
液が高い圧力で局所的には流れない形式を実現するもの
が好ましい。The term “liquid scattering portion” as used herein means that the liquid entering the dyeing tank in a fixed water flow forming form such as a tube is spread over a wide area as much as possible, and has a wider range than the incoming liquid. If it has a function to scatter, the scattering form, method, number, and material are not limited in any way, but especially the part that scatters the flow of fluid such as an obstruction plate or a net is placed after the liquid introduction part. By installing it and expanding / delocalizing the flow of the incoming liquid or providing a spraying part to make it into fine water droplets, it is possible to realize a form in which the liquid does not flow locally due to high pressure. Those that do are preferred.

【００２１】また該飛散部と液体の空気圧導入部との距
離は、導入される液体が効率的に飛散されるような距離
でなくてはならず１ｍｍから１００ｍｍの距離の中の任
意の距離であれば何等その距離に制限されるものではな
いが、特に１０ｍｍから５０ｍｍが好ましい。The distance between the scattering portion and the liquid air pressure introducing portion must be such that the introduced liquid can be efficiently dispersed, and it can be any distance within the distance of 1 mm to 100 mm. If there is no limitation to the distance, it is particularly preferably 10 mm to 50 mm.

【００２２】またここでいう媒体流れ止め部とは、液が
入っている状態で染色槽中のゲル等媒体の運動範囲が該
染色槽中の特定な部分に限定されるように設置されたも
のであれば何等その個数・形状・方式に限定されるもの
ではないが、特に網状構造ネット形式のものや穴状構造
で媒体は通過せず液のみが通過する形状のもので、媒体
を囲う構造のものが好ましい。またその機構としては少
なくとも縦あるいは横あるいは高さ方向の媒体の移動を
制限させる機構のものが好ましい。The term "medium flow-stopping portion" as used herein means that the movement range of the medium such as gel in the dyeing tank is limited to a specific portion in the dyeing tank while the liquid is contained. There is no particular limitation on the number, shape, or method, as long as it is a net-like structure or a hole-like structure in which only the liquid does not pass and the liquid passes, and the structure surrounds the medium. Are preferred. Further, as the mechanism, a mechanism that restricts the movement of the medium at least in the vertical, horizontal or height direction is preferable.

【００２３】またここでいう染色媒体とは染色液にて含
有する内部の物質あるいは媒体材質そのものが染色され
るものであれば何等その材質や大きさ・形式に限定され
るものではないが、特にアクリルアミドゲルやアガロー
スゲル等の電気泳動用ゲルさらにはテフロン膜やＰＶＤ
Ｆ膜等の膜が好ましい。The dyeing medium as used herein is not limited to any material, size, or form as long as it can dye the internal substance contained in the dyeing solution or the material of the medium itself. Gels for electrophoresis such as acrylamide gel and agarose gel, as well as Teflon membrane and PVD
Membranes such as F membranes are preferred.

【００２４】またここでいう染色槽の止め機構とは、蓋
部分と呼ばれ少なくとも媒体が搬入される空間を媒体を
入れる本体部分との間に発生できる構造をしている蓋部
と本体部分とを該止め機構の押圧力によって決着してそ
の中に密閉状態を作製する機構のものであれば何等その
方式・材質に限定されるものではない。The term "dye tank stopping mechanism" used herein means a lid portion and a main body portion which are called a lid portion and have a structure capable of generating at least a space for carrying the medium between the main body portion and the medium. There is no limitation to the method and material of the mechanism as long as it is a mechanism that is settled by the pressing force of the stopping mechanism and a sealed state is produced therein.

【００２５】またここでいう気体圧測定機構とは、気体
の圧力を変化できる構造のものであれば何等その方式・
材質に限定されるものではないが、特に気体用の圧力セ
ンサーが好ましい。The gas pressure measuring mechanism referred to here is of any type as long as it has a structure capable of changing the gas pressure.
Although not limited to a material, a pressure sensor for gas is particularly preferable.

【００２６】またここでいう気体加圧機構とは、装置内
に気体の圧力をかけるできる構造のものであれば何等そ
の方式・材質に限定されるものではないが、特に気体用
の加圧ポンプやボンベに充填された気体を用いるものが
好ましい。The gas pressurizing mechanism referred to here is not limited to any method and material as long as it has a structure capable of applying a gas pressure to the inside of the apparatus, but in particular, a gas pressurizing pump. It is preferable to use a gas filled in a cylinder or a cylinder.

【００２７】またここでいう温度調節部とは、染色槽の
温度が常に一定になるように設計された機構ものであれ
ば加熱のみの制御あるいは加熱・冷却の同時制御等何等
その方式・材質・設定温度範囲に限定されるものではな
いが、温度範囲としては０度から６０度特には４度から
３０度が好ましい。In addition, the temperature control section referred to here is a mechanism designed so that the temperature of the dyeing tank is always constant, such as control of only heating or simultaneous control of heating and cooling. Although not limited to the set temperature range, the temperature range is preferably 0 ° to 60 °, particularly 4 ° to 30 °.

【００２８】[0028]

【作用】本発明によれば、通常の一種類の染色液を用い
た古典的な染色反応にとどまらず複数の染色液を用いた
染色反応や抗体のような生化学物質を利用した行程数の
多い染色行程が迅速かつ効率的に可能になる。すなわち
複数の別途設置した溶液貯蔵部から溶液の供給種類・間
隔・時間をコンピュータ等の機能で自動的に制御しやす
いためそれらコンピュータを利用することによりいまま
で人的労力に頼っていた単純な染色行程ばかりではなく
免疫染色のような複数行程の複雑な混合染色を簡便な操
作により、より高い精度で作製することが可能になる。EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, not only the classical staining reaction using a single type of staining solution but also the staining reaction using a plurality of staining solutions and the number of steps using biochemical substances such as antibodies A large number of dyeing processes can be performed quickly and efficiently. That is, since it is easy to automatically control the supply type, interval, and time of the solution from a plurality of separately installed solution storage units with the function of a computer, etc. Not only the steps but also complicated steps such as immunostaining can be prepared with higher accuracy by a simple operation.

【００２９】[0029]

【実施例】以下本発明の実施例について図面に基づいて
具体的に説明する。なお、本発明はこの実施例にのみ限
定されるものではない。Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

【００３０】第１図は本実施例の一形態を示す染色槽の
構成概観図で、第２図はその断面図である。この実施例
の場合の樹脂製の染色槽本体部１と同じく樹脂製の染色
槽蓋部２とからなり、それぞれは染色槽本体部に設置さ
れている蓋を止める止め金具３の作用により両者を密閉
できる機構となっている。FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the constitution of a dyeing tank showing one embodiment of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof. In the case of this embodiment, it is composed of a resin-made dyeing tank main body 1 and a resin-made dyeing tank main body 2, each of which is operated by a stopper 3 for stopping a lid installed in the dyeing tank main body. It has a mechanism that can be sealed.

【００３１】このためゲル等の分離媒体を染色槽の中に
いれて蓋をして密閉用の止め金具３の機能によって蓋部
２と本体部１を密着させると両者および液体の気体圧導
入部４の密閉効果により、本体内部が密閉状態になるよ
うな構造となっている。For this reason, when a separation medium such as gel is put in a dyeing tank and the lid is closed and the lid portion 2 and the main body portion 1 are brought into close contact with each other by the function of the stopper 3 for sealing, a gas pressure introducing portion for both of them and liquid is introduced. Due to the sealing effect of 4, the inside of the main body is in a sealed state.

【００３２】さらに染色槽本体には空気圧によって本体
部に液体が導かれる液体の気体圧導入部４と同じく空気
圧によって気体が導入・排出される際の気体の流通部５
が設置されており、それらには気体を流すための樹脂製
のパイプが接続されている。Further, in the dyeing tank main body, a gas flow introducing portion 4 for introducing the liquid into the main body portion by the air pressure and a gas circulating portion 5 for introducing and discharging the gas by the air pressure similarly to the gas pressure introducing portion 4 for the liquid.
Are installed, and resin pipes for flowing gas are connected to them.

【００３３】また本体部１には染色槽内で液の流れによ
ってゲル等の被染色媒体が極端な移動を行わないような
樹脂製ネットでできた流れ止め部６が設置されている。Further, the main body 1 is provided with a flow stop 6 made of a resin net which prevents the medium to be dyed such as gel from moving extremely due to the flow of the liquid in the dyeing tank.

【００３４】また液体の気体圧導入部４において導入さ
れた染色液等の液は、液飛散部７に当たって一定な流れ
から全方向的な飛散した流れとなる。そのため内部にお
かれたゲル等の染色媒体にも液体がゆるやかに接触する
流れとなることにより、ゲルの変形等なく効率よく染色
槽に液体が供給される。Further, the liquid such as the dyeing liquid introduced in the liquid gas pressure introducing section 4 hits the liquid scattering section 7 and becomes a omnidirectional scattered flow from a constant flow. Therefore, the liquid slowly flows into contact with the dyeing medium such as gel placed inside, so that the liquid is efficiently supplied to the dyeing tank without deformation of the gel.

【００３５】図３は本実施例の染色槽と弁９を用いた染
色槽の使用形態を模式的に示した図であるが、この装置
を用いて電気泳動法にてＤＮＡを分離した後のアクリル
アミドゲル中のＤＮＡの染色行程について概略的に説明
する。FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a usage pattern of the dyeing tank of this embodiment and the dyeing tank using the valve 9, and after the DNA is separated by the electrophoresis method using this apparatus. The process of staining DNA in acrylamide gel will be described briefly.

【００３６】本実施例の染色槽の使用態様について簡単
に説明すると、まず染色槽本体の流れ止め部６の囲った
部分中に染色媒体としてのゲルを静かに配置する。その
後に手動操作において染色槽に付設の止め金具４によっ
て染色槽蓋部２と本体部１を結着して、本体部の中を密
閉状態にする。The usage of the dyeing tank of this embodiment will be briefly described. First, a gel as a dyeing medium is gently placed in a portion of the dyeing tank body surrounded by the flow-stop portion 6. After that, in a manual operation, the dyeing tank lid portion 2 and the main body portion 1 are bonded by a stopper 4 attached to the dyeing tank, and the inside of the main body portion is sealed.

【００３７】その後コンピュータ等の制御と空気圧ポン
プ１０および複数の弁９の機能により液体貯蔵部１１よ
り自動的に染色液が染色槽に供給される。さらには一定
時間の後に複数の弁９が切り替わり気体の流通部５より
染色槽に気体圧がかかる事によって染色液が染色槽から
液体の導入部４より今度は廃棄されて液体廃棄部１２へ
導かれる。その後の行程としては同様な操作で図示しな
い貯蔵部の洗浄液が染色槽に供給され染色媒体の洗浄が
行われてしかる後に液が排出されるものである。これら
の行程においては自動的にしかも正確な時間管理でゲル
中のＤＮＡが選択的に染色されると同時に、ゲルに残っ
ていた染色試薬が洗浄行程にて取り除かれて感度と精度
のよいゲルの染色が実現できるものである。After that, the dyeing solution is automatically supplied from the liquid storage unit 11 to the dyeing tank by the control of the computer or the like and the functions of the pneumatic pump 10 and the plurality of valves 9. Further, after a certain period of time, a plurality of valves 9 are switched and a gas pressure is applied to the dyeing tank from the gas circulation portion 5, so that the dyeing liquid is discarded from the liquid introducing portion 4 from the dyeing tank to the liquid discarding portion 12 this time. Get burned. In the subsequent process, the washing liquid in the storage (not shown) is supplied to the dyeing tank by the same operation to wash the dyeing medium, and then the liquid is discharged. In these steps, the DNA in the gel is selectively stained automatically and with accurate time control, and at the same time, the staining reagent remaining in the gel is removed in the washing step to obtain a gel with high sensitivity and accuracy. Dyeing can be realized.

【００３８】すなわちこれらの行程において染色液の導
入・排出時においては液が空気圧の作用によって速やか
に移動すると同時に、ゲルそのものが液の移動によって
急激に染色槽の内部を動くという従来の染色行程におい
ては欠点となっていた問題も流れ止め部の効果で発生せ
ず正確な染色行程が実現されたものである。That is, in these processes, when the dyeing liquid is introduced and discharged, the liquid moves quickly by the action of air pressure, and at the same time, the gel itself moves rapidly inside the dyeing tank by the movement of the liquid. The problem that has been a drawback does not occur due to the effect of the flow stop, and the accurate dyeing process is realized.

【００３９】さらには図２において図示した付設した微
速度で染色槽本体あるいは染色槽内の液体を動かす染色
槽稼働部を機能させ染色の効率をあげる操作を付け加え
ると同時に図示しない染色槽の温度制御部にて染色槽の
温度を一定に制御することにより、より感度と精度のよ
い染色が実現できるものである。Further, an operation for increasing the efficiency of dyeing by operating the dyeing tank main body or the liquid inside the dyeing tank at a small speed shown in FIG. By controlling the temperature of the dyeing tank to be constant at the section, more sensitive and accurate dyeing can be realized.

【００４０】[0040]

【比較例１】溶液の供給を手動で行う以外は実施例と同
様の染色槽と方法で、ゲルの染色を行った。本実施例と
同様の結果が得られたが、液の搬入・排出操作に多大な
労力が必要になり簡便な操作では染色が実現できなかっ
た。Comparative Example 1 Gel was dyed by the same dyeing tank and method as in Example except that the solution was manually supplied. Although the same result as this example was obtained, dyeing could not be realized by a simple operation because a great deal of labor was required for the operation of loading and discharging the liquid.

【００４１】[0041]

【効果】上記実施例の説明からも明らかなように、本発
明によればいろいろな種類の染色に対して何等人的労力
もなく自動的にこれら染色行程において必要かつ最適な
時間と精度でしかも染色されるゲル等の媒体が当初の状
態を保ったままで染色液等が供給・作製できるという効
果がある。この結果染色の時間と精度および信頼性が飛
躍的に向上するとともに再現性の高い溶液供給が可能に
なった。[Effect] As is clear from the description of the above embodiments, according to the present invention, various types of dyeing can be automatically performed without any human labor and with the necessary and optimum time and accuracy in these dyeing processes. There is an effect that the dyeing liquid or the like can be supplied and produced while the medium such as the gel to be dyed maintains the initial state. As a result, the dyeing time, accuracy and reliability were dramatically improved, and highly reproducible solution supply became possible.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図１】染色槽の概略概観図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dyeing tank.

【図２】稼働部を伴った染色槽の断面図である。FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a dyeing tank with an operating part.

【図３】染色槽の一使用形態を示す染色槽を用いた染色
装置の概略構成図である。FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a dyeing device using a dyeing tank showing a usage pattern of the dyeing tank.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１ 染色槽本体部 ２ 染色槽蓋部 ３ 止め金具 ４ 液体の気体圧の導入部 ５ 気体の流通部 ６ 流れ止め機構 ７ 液体の飛散部 ８ 稼働部 ９ 弁 １０ 空気ポンプ １１ 液体貯蔵部 １２ 液体廃棄部 1 Dyeing Tank Main Body 2 Dyeing Tank Lid 3 Stopper 4 Liquid Gas Pressure Introducing Section 5 Gas Flowing Section 6 Flow Stopping Mechanism 7 Liquid Scattering Section 8 Working Section 9 Valve 10 Air Pump 11 Liquid Storage Section 12 Liquid Disposal Department

Claims (15)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲル
や膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽にお
いて、気体圧の作用により染色等の液を供給する液体の
気体圧導入部を持つことを特徴とする染色槽。1. A gas pressure introducing portion for a liquid which supplies a liquid such as dyeing by the action of gas pressure in a dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a sealed structure. A dyeing tank characterized by having. 【請求項２】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲル
や膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽にお
いて、染色槽の下部に該槽からの液体の気体圧導入部を
持つことを特徴とする請求項１の染色槽。2. A dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a closed structure, and having a gas pressure introducing portion for the liquid from the tank below the dyeing tank. The dyeing tank according to claim 1, wherein: 【請求項３】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲル
や膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽にお
いて、液体の気体圧導入部より供給された液体が該槽の
中を飛散して流れるような構造の液飛散部を持つことを
特徴とする請求項１の染色槽。3. In a dyeing tank capable of holding a certain amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing inside and having a sealed structure, the liquid supplied from a gas pressure introducing portion of the liquid scatters in the tank. The dyeing tank according to claim 1, wherein the dyeing tank has a liquid splashing portion having a structure that allows the liquid to flow. 【請求項４】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲル
や膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽にお
いて、液体が流出する際に染色された染色媒体が液体の
気体圧導入部へ直接流れないような該媒体の流れ止め部
を持つことを特徴とする請求項１の染色槽。4. In a dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a sealed structure, the dyeing medium dyed when the liquid flows out is a liquid gas pressure introducing portion. The dyeing tank according to claim 1, further comprising a flow stop portion for preventing the medium from flowing directly to the dyeing tank. 【請求項５】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲル
や膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽にお
いて、染色槽を動かす染色槽稼働部を設置したことを特
徴とする請求項１の染色槽。5. A dyeing tank that can hold a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing inside and has a sealed structure, wherein a dyeing tank operating section for moving the dyeing tank is installed. 1 dyeing tank. 【請求項６】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲル
や膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽にお
いて、止め機構において蓋部分と容積部分とに分割でき
ることを特徴とする請求項１の染色槽。6. A dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a closed structure, wherein the stopper mechanism can divide into a lid portion and a volume portion. 1 dyeing tank. 【請求項７】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲル
や膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽にお
いて、液体の気体圧導入部より導入した液体を該液体の
気体圧導入部より廃棄することを特徴とする請求項１の
染色槽。7. A dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a sealed structure, wherein the liquid introduced from the gas pressure introducing part of the liquid is introduced into the gas pressure introducing part of the liquid. The dyeing tank according to claim 1, which is further discarded. 【請求項８】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲル
や膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽にお
いて、密閉状態では液体の気体圧導入部以外に少なくと
も１つの気体の流通部持つことを特徴とする請求項１の
染色槽。8. A dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or membrane for dyeing therein and having a closed structure, and at least one gas flow section other than the liquid gas pressure introduction section in a closed state. The dyeing tank according to claim 1, which has. 【請求項９】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲル
や膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽にお
いて、少なくとも１つの気体の流通部が該染色槽の上部
にあることを特徴とする請求項１の染色槽。9. A dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a closed structure, wherein at least one gas flow section is located above the dyeing tank. The dyeing tank according to claim 1. 【請求項１０】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲ
ルや膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽に
おいて、染色槽の温度を一定にする温度調節部を設置し
たことを特徴とする請求項１の染色槽。10. A dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a sealed structure, wherein a temperature control unit for keeping the temperature of the dyeing tank constant is installed. The dyeing tank according to claim 1. 【請求項１１】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲ
ルや膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽を
用いた染色装置において、弁を介在させて弁の機能によ
り液体の気体圧導入部より導入した液体を該液体の気体
圧導入部より廃棄することを特徴とする染色装置。11. In a dyeing apparatus using a dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing inside and having a sealed structure, the gas pressure of the liquid can be controlled by interposing a valve. A dyeing device characterized in that the liquid introduced from the introduction part is discarded from the gas pressure introduction part of the liquid. 【請求項１２】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲ
ルや膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽を
用いた染色装置において、複数の溶液貯蔵部を設けたこ
とを特徴とする請求項１１の染色装置。12. A dyeing apparatus using a dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a closed structure, wherein a plurality of solution storage units are provided. The dyeing device according to claim 11. 【請求項１３】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲ
ルや膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽を
用いた染色装置において、密閉状態では気体の圧を測定
する気体圧測定機構を系の中に設置することを特徴とす
る請求項１１の染色装置。13. A gas pressure measuring mechanism for measuring gas pressure in a closed state in a dyeing apparatus using a dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a sealed structure. The dyeing device according to claim 11, wherein the dyeing device is installed in the system. 【請求項１４】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲ
ルや膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽を
用いた染色装置において、密閉状態では気体の圧を一定
にする気体加圧機構を系の中に設置することを特徴とす
る請求項１１の染色装置。14. A dyeing device using a dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing therein and having a closed structure, and gas pressurization for keeping a gas pressure constant in a closed state. The dyeing device according to claim 11, wherein the mechanism is installed in the system. 【請求項１５】 内部に一定量の液体および染色用のゲ
ルや膜を保持できしかも密閉構造を可能にした染色槽を
用いた染色装置において、染色槽の温度を一定にする温
度調節部を設置したことを特徴とする請求項１１の染色
装置。15. A dyeing apparatus using a dyeing tank capable of holding a fixed amount of liquid and a gel or film for dyeing inside and having a sealed structure, wherein a temperature control unit for keeping the temperature of the dyeing tank constant is installed. The dyeing device according to claim 11, wherein the dyeing device is used.