SEGMENTED ELECTROPHORETIC SEPARATION SYSTEM USEFUL FOR LIPID PROFILING

摘要

A diagnostic device (10) is provided where the preferred embodiment is useful for sorting seric or plasmatic lipoproteins into four cholesterol fractions. The device (10) comprises a plurality of gel matrixes (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d), preferably agarose-based, defining a liquid pathway (18) upon which a directional electrophoretic gradient can be imposed. The gel matrixes (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d), are in serial relationship and preferably are of a successively decreasing pore size from a most upstream matrix (30a) to a most downstream matrix (30d). In a preferred embodiment the three more downstream gel matrixes are in a noncontiguous relationship and are separated by interfaces (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) containing buffer. These interfaces (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) are adapted to receive a separate lipoprotein fraction upon reversal of the electrophoretic gradient direction.