System for subjecting a sample to chromatographic analysis
There is provided a system for separation of analytes in a solution. The system encompasses a disposable cartridge enclosing a sorbent for binding the analytes in a solution and a conduit establishing a fluid link to a valve having a holding-loop to achieve elution through the cartridge at low pressures. The valve is switchable to a position following the elution from the cartridge for emptying through an outlet port at high pressures such as those required for moving liquid through chromatographic columns.
1. A system for separation of analytes in a solution, said system comprising:
a cartridge enclosing a sorbent for binding the analytes in the solution;
a recipient socket for receiving the cartridge, and allowing a fluid to flow through the cartridge into the recipient socket, thereby eluting the analytes into the recipient socket;
a conduit in fluid communication with the recipient socket, said conduit establishing a fluid link to a valve, said valve being switchable between a first valve position and a second valve position, wherein said first valve position provides fluid communication between said recipient socket and a holding-loop without sorbent, wherein said holding-loop is configured to provide low flow resistance at a first flow rate of between 200 nL/min and 50 μL/min enabling elution of the analytes from the cartridge and into said holding-loop at a first pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar; wherein the second valve position provides fluid communication between said holding-loop and an outlet port to provide for emptying said holding-loop through said outlet port at a second pressure of between 1 bar and 3000 bar and at a second flow rate of between 50 nL/min and 20 μL/min;
a chromatographic column in fluid communication with the outlet port, said chromatographic column provided with another sorbent having a chemical composition that is matched with binding material of the cartridge such that at least some of the analytes eluted from the cartridge will bind to said chromatographic column;
a first pump arrangement configured to provide flow through the cartridge, the recipient socket, and the holding-loop when the valve is provided in the first valve position; and
a second pump arrangement configured to provide flow through the holding-loop to the outlet port and the chromatographic column when the valve is in the second valve position.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure used to move fluid through the cartridge is less than 5 bar.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second flow rate of the liquid that moves the analytes through the outlet port is less than 5 μL/min.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second pressure of the liquid that moves the analytes through the outlet port is less than 2000 bar.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is selected from:
a pipette tip with chromatographic resin embedded and fixated therein;
a length of tube, wherein its inner and/or outer surfaces may be cylindrical, conical, spherical or any combination thereof; and
a planar disc.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the chromatographic column contains C18 reversed phase material.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sorbent of the cartridge is selected from C18, C8, C4, hilic, cation-exchange material, anion-exchange material, cellulose, antibodies and derivatives thereof.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein each analyte is eluted in volumes less than 500 μL.
9. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more pumps that can supply a liquid at any point in-between the recipient socket and the chromatographic column such that an eluent composition is modified so that at least some of the analytes eluted from the cartridge will bind to said chromatographic column.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the eluent flowing from the cartridge is modified by adding an eluent from the one or more pumps at one or more of the following sites:
integral to the recipient socket,
in-between the recipient socket and the conduit,
in-between the conduit and the valve,
in-between an inlet of the valve and an outlet of the valve, and
in-between the outlet of the valve and the sorbent of the chromatography column.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure used to move fluid through the cartridge is less than 5 bar.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure used to move fluid through the cartridge is less than 2 bar.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second flow rate of the liquid that moves the analytes through the outlet port is less than 5 μL/min.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second flow rate of the liquid that moves the analytes through the outlet port is less than 2 μL/min.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second pressure of the liquid that moves the analytes through the outlet port is less than 1000 bar.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second pressure of the liquid that moves the analytes through the outlet port is less than 600 bar.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second pressure of the liquid that moves the analytes through the outlet port is less than 300 bar.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein each analyte is eluted in volumes less than 200 μL.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein each analyte is eluted in volumes less than 100 μL.
20. The system of claim 1 , wherein each analyte is eluted in volumes less than 20 μL.
21. The system of claim 1 , wherein said conduit establishing a fluid link to a valve is via a coupling conduit.
22. The system of claim 1 , wherein said holding-loop is positioned across the valve.
23. A system for separation of analytes in a solution, said system comprising:
a cartridge enclosing a sorbent for binding the analytes in the solution;
a first pump in fluid communication with an inlet of the cartridge;
a holding-loop without sorbent having low resistance to fluid flow;
a valve having a first position and a second position;
a recipient socket that removably holds the cartridge,
a second pump; and
a chromatographic column having a second sorbent having a chemical composition that is matched with binding material of the cartridge,
wherein the valve, when in the first position, is structured so that the cartridge is in fluid communication between the first pump and the holding-loop so that flow delivered by the first pump elutes analytes from the cartridge under a first pressure to the holding-loop,
wherein the valve, when in the second position, is structured so that the holding-loop is disconnected from fluid communication with the cartridge and is structured so that the holding-loop is in fluid communication between the second pump and the chromatographic column so that fluid delivered by the second pump elutes analytes from the holding-loop under a second pressure to the chromatographic column, the second pressure being higher than the first pressure.
24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the cartridge, when the valve is in the second position, is removable from the recipient socket due to the holding-loop being disconnected from fluid communication with the cartridge.
25. The system of claim 23 , wherein the second sorbent of the chromatographic column has a chemical composition that is matched with the sorbent of the cartridge.
26. The system of claim 1 , wherein the another sorbent of the chromatographic column has a chemical composition that is matched with the sorbent of the cartridge.