Disposible bio-analysis cartridge and instrument for conducting bio-analysis using same

A cartridge for bio-separation, comprising:

• a body, defining an opening as a detection window for receiving external detection optics;
• at least one capillary column supported in the body, having a first end extending beyond a first end of the body, wherein the detection window exposes a section along the capillary column, to which the external optics are aligned through the detection window;
• and
• a reservoir attached to a second end of the body in fluid flow communication with a second end of the capillary column,
• wherein the capillary column is supported coaxially by two ferrules that are supported in the body, wherein each of the ferrules is cantilevered by the body and having an end extending into the detection window, and wherein a detection zone along the capillary column is exposed between the extended ends of the ferrules, wherein there is no optical element supported in the body which interface the detection zone along the capillary column with the external optics,
• wherein the body has a body section from which the first end of the body extends, wherein the body section has a width, and wherein the first end of the body is narrower than the width of the body section,
• wherein the first end of the body tapers from the body section to a narrower end,
• wherein the body is slender and generally longitudinal and cylindrical, and
• wherein the first end of the body is generally conical.

A bio-separation system, comprising:

• a chassis,
• a cartridge comprising:
• a body, defining an opening as a detection window for receiving external detection optics;
• at least one capillary column supported in the body, having a first end extending beyond a first end of the body, wherein the detection window exposes a section along the capillary column, to which the external optics are aligned through the detection window;
• and
• a reservoir attached to a second end of the body in fluid flow communication with a second end of the capillary column,
• wherein the cartridge body is supported by the chassis, with the first end of the capillary column extending from the cartridge body;
• a table support at least a tray containing a sample and a buffer with respect to the extended end of the capillary column;
• at least one fork assembly supporting detection optics, wherein the fork assembly is movable to extend into the detection window defined in the cartridge body;
• a separation mechanism effecting bio-separation within the capillary column;
• a controller controlling movement of the fork assembly and the separation mechanism to effect separation;
• and
• a first fork assembly and a second fork assembly, wherein the detection optics comprises first optics supported by the first fork assembly directing incident radiation to a detection zone and second optics supported by the second fork assembly collecting radiation from the detection zone,
• wherein the first and second fork assemblies are positioned on opposite lateral sides of the cartridge, wherein the first and second fork assemblies move between a first position in which the first and second fork assemblies do not extend into the detection window defined in the cartridge, and a second position in which the first and second fork assemblies extend into the detection window defined in the cartridge, and
• wherein the capillary column is supported coaxially by two ferrules that are supported in the body, wherein each of the ferrules is cantilevered by the body and having an end extending into the detection window, and wherein the detection zone along the capillary column is exposed between the extended ends of the ferrules, and wherein in the second position, the first and second fork assemblies each has an extended surface that press against the ferrules in the detection window.