US 12,216,082 B2
Systems and methods for capillary electrophoresis, isoelectric point, and molecular weight analysis
David J. Roach, Los Gatos, CA (US); Tom Weisan Yang, Cupertino, CA (US); and Hui Xu, Dublin, CA (US)
Assigned to ProteinSimple, San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by ProteinSimple, San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/345,798.
Application 18/345,798 is a continuation of application No. 17/063,123, filed on Oct. 5, 2020, granted, now 11,726,058.
Application 17/063,123 is a continuation of application No. 16/033,808, filed on Jul. 12, 2018, granted, now 10,794,860, issued on Oct. 6, 2020.
Application 16/033,808 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2017/013470, filed on Jan. 13, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/278,159, filed on Jan. 13, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2024/0183820 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 27/447 (2006.01); G01N 21/05 (2006.01); G01N 30/74 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 27/44791 (2013.01) [G01N 27/447 (2013.01); G01N 27/44704 (2013.01); G01N 27/44743 (2013.01); G01N 27/44747 (2013.01); G01N 21/05 (2013.01); G01N 27/44721 (2013.01); G01N 27/44726 (2013.01); G01N 27/44795 (2013.01); G01N 30/74 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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 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;
a pinch valve actuator configured to actuate the pinch valve to pinch the tube such that a sample disposed within the capillary is impeded from flowing;
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.