# US 10,500,585 B2 · Extraction of restrained liquid from wells > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,585 B2 - Document ID: US10500585B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/269,258 - Filed: 2016-09-19 - Published: 2017-01-05 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-08 - Assignees: Takara Bio USA, Inc. - Applicants: Takara Bio USA, Inc. - Inventors: Bradley L. Griswold; Syed A. Husain; Robert Moti; Wesley B. Dong; GoPaul Kotturi; Jude Dunne; Philip Lin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500585B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/5025: {for parallel transport of multiple samples} - B01L 3/50857: {using arrays or bundles of open capillaries for holding samples} - C12Q 1/6806: Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay (C12Q1/6804 takes precedence) - F17D 1/08: for liquids or viscous products (water-main or service pipe systems E03B7/04; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D17/00) - G01N 1/28: Preparing specimens for investigation {including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q}(mounting specimens on microscopic slides G02B21/34; means for supporting the objects or the materials to be analysed in electron microscopes H01J37/20 {; laboratory gas handling apparatus B01L5/00}) - B01L 2300/0609: Holders integrated in container to position an object - B01L 2300/0819: Microarrays; Biochips - B01L 2300/0893: having a very large number of wells, microfabricated wells - B01L 2300/0896: Nanoscaled - B01L 2300/126: Paper - B01L 2400/0409: centrifugal forces - B01L 2400/049: vacuum - Y10T 137/0391: Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy - Y10T 137/8593: Systems - Y10T 436/2575: Volumetric liquid transfer - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - F17D: PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES (pumps or compressors F04; fluid dynamics F15D; valves or the like F16K; pipes, laying pipes, supports, joints, branches, repairing, work on the entire line, accessories F16L; steam traps or the like F16T; fluid-pressure electric cables H01B9/06) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a) a chip, wherein said chip comprises a substrate and a plurality of open wells formed in said substrate, wherein said plurality of fluidically isolated open wells contain restrained liquid, and b) an extraction fixture dimensioned to be attached to said chip to form an assembly, wherein said extraction fixture comprises: a base; and a conical section in said base dimensioned to receive said restrained liquid from at least a portion of said plurality of open wells when said restrained liquid is forced out of said plurality of open wells; wherein said extraction fixture is mated to said chip such that at least a portion of said plurality of open wells of said chip are facing said conical section of said extraction fixture. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said extraction fixture further comprises a fluid holding component at a bottom of said conical portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said extraction fixture is attached to a liquid collection holder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein said liquid collection holder is in liquid receiving relationship with said extraction fixture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein said liquid collection holder is a tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a base holding component, wherein said base holding component is dimensioned to hold said extraction fixture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein said base holding component comprises a liquid collection holder mounted in said base holding component. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein said liquid collection holder comprises a tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein said base holding component fits onto an arm of a centrifuge. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein said chip and said extraction fixture is placed in said base holding component such that said plurality of open wells of said chip are facing said extraction fixture and base holding component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said extraction fixture is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: glass, silicon, and metal, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a centrifuge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said chip comprises at least 1000 wells. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said open wells have a volume from 0.1 nL to 1 μL. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, further comprising an extraction fixture top plate.