Systems and methods for capillary electrophoresis, isoelectric point, and molecular weight analysis

An apparatus, comprising:

• a cartridge;
• a capillary disposed within the cartridge, the capillary defining an interior volume configured to contain a sample including an analyte, the capillary configured for analyte separation, the capillary having a first end defining a first end of the interior volume and a second end defining a second end of the interior volume;
• a tube disposed within the cartridge and configured to apply at least one of a pressure or a vacuum to the capillary such that a fluid is aspirated into the capillary;
• an opening defined by the cartridge, at least a portion of the tube exposed via the opening, the opening configured to receive a portion of a pinch valve configured to pinch the tube;
• a conductive vial containing a buffer disposed within the cartridge, the conductive vial having a first septum and a second septum, the buffer electrically coupled to the first end of the interior volume of the capillary via the first septum such that, when the interior volume contains the sample, the sample is electrically coupled to the vial;
• a first electrode electrically coupled to the conductive vial;
• and
• a second electrode electrically coupled to the capillary between the conductive vial and the second end of the capillary such that the first electrode, the second electrode, and the sample define a portion of a circuit when the interior volume contains the sample.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a cartridge;
• a capillary disposed within the cartridge, the capillary defining an interior volume configured to contain a sample including an analyte, the capillary configured for analyte separation, the capillary having a first end defining a first end of the interior volume and a second end defining a second end of the interior volume, the capillary is disposed behind a window of the cartridge such that a migration of the analyte can be optically detected;
• a tube disposed within the cartridge and configured such that at least one of a pressure or a vacuum can be applied to the capillary via the tube;
• an opening defined by the cartridge, at least a portion of the tube exposed via the opening, the opening configured to receive a portion of a pinch valve configured to pinch the tube;
• a conductive vial containing a buffer disposed within the cartridge, the conductive vial having a first septum and a second septum, the buffer electrically coupled to the first end of the interior volume of the capillary via the first septum such that, when the interior volume contains the sample, the sample is electrically coupled to the vial;
• a first electrode electrically coupled to the conductive vial;
• and
• a second electrode electrically coupled to the capillary between the conductive vial and the second end of the capillary such that the first electrode, the second electrode, and the sample define a portion of a circuit when the interior volume contains the sample.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a cartridge body configured to be disposed within an analyzer;
• a capillary disposed within the cartridge body, the capillary configured for analyte separation, the capillary having an outlet disposed within the cartridge body;
• an outlet tube coupled to the capillary output;
• an outlet port fluidically coupled to the outlet tube;
• and
• a waste receptacle defined within the cartridge body and fluidically coupled to the outlet tube, the waste receptacle configured to impede liquid from flowing from the outlet tube to the outlet port.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a cartridge body configured to be disposed within an analyzer;
• a capillary disposed within the cartridge body, the capillary configured to separate an analyte based on an isoelectric point;
• a buffer disposed in a vial within the cartridge body, the buffer configured to induce a pH gradient along a length of the capillary;
• a first septum disposed between the buffer and the capillary;
• and
• a second septum disposed between the buffer and the analyzer, the second septum configured to be disrupted by the analyzer such that at least one of a pressure or a vacuum can be applied to the vial.