Extraction of restrained liquid from wells
First Claim
1. A method of removing restrained liquid from at least one open well in a chip comprising:
- a) providing an assembly comprising at least one extraction fixture enclosing a chip,i) wherein said chip comprises a substrate and a plurality of open wells formed in said substrate, wherein said plurality of open wells contain restrained liquid,ii) wherein said at least one extraction fixture comprises an extraction fixture base and an extraction fixture top plate,wherein said extraction fixture base comprises a pocket component dimensioned to hold said chip,wherein said extraction fixture top plate is attached to said extraction fixture base enclosing said chip and comprises a sample cup configured to allow a sample to be dispensed through said fixture top plate, andwherein said at least one extraction fixture encloses said chip such that any of said restrained liquid that is forced out of said plurality of open wells is collected by said at least one extraction fixture; and
b) subjecting said assembly to a force such that at least a portion of said restrained liquid becomes released liquid that flows out of at least one of said plurality of open wells and is held by, or flows through, said at least one extraction fixture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for extracting restrained liquid (e.g., surface tension-restrained liquid) from open wells in a chip, where the restrained liquid does not flow out of the wells due to gravity when the wells are held upside down. For example, the present invention provides extraction fixtures that may be attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip such that any restrained liquid that is forced out of the open wells is collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixtures. Also for example, the present invention provides assemblies composed of a extraction fixture attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip, and methods of subjecting such assemblies to a force such that at least a portion of the restrained liquid in the open wells is forced out and collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixture.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of removing restrained liquid from at least one open well in a chip comprising:
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a) providing an assembly comprising at least one extraction fixture enclosing a chip, i) wherein said chip comprises a substrate and a plurality of open wells formed in said substrate, wherein said plurality of open wells contain restrained liquid, ii) wherein said at least one extraction fixture comprises an extraction fixture base and an extraction fixture top plate, wherein said extraction fixture base comprises a pocket component dimensioned to hold said chip, wherein said extraction fixture top plate is attached to said extraction fixture base enclosing said chip and comprises a sample cup configured to allow a sample to be dispensed through said fixture top plate, and wherein said at least one extraction fixture encloses said chip such that any of said restrained liquid that is forced out of said plurality of open wells is collected by said at least one extraction fixture; and b) subjecting said assembly to a force such that at least a portion of said restrained liquid becomes released liquid that flows out of at least one of said plurality of open wells and is held by, or flows through, said at least one extraction fixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification