# US 11,090,654 B2 · Multi-well separation apparatus and reagent delivery device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,090,654 B2
- Document ID: US11090654B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/120,057
- Filed: 2015-02-18
- Published: 2017-05-18
- Granted: 2021-08-17
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-18
- Assignees: DrugArray, Inc.
- Applicants: DrugArray, Inc.
- Inventors: Ning Chen; Robert Keith Shanahan; Dayu Teng; Daniel Joseph Braun
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11090654B2

## CPC

- B01L 3/5085: {for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates}
- B01F 31/441: performing a rectilinear reciprocating movement
- B01F 31/85: with a vibrating element inside the receptacle
- B01L 3/527: {for a plurality of reagents}
- G01N 33/5008: {for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics}
- B01F 2101/23: Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials
- B01L 2200/025: Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
- B01L 2200/028: Modular arrangements
- B01L 2200/0689: Sealing
- B01L 2200/16: Reagents, handling or storing thereof
- B01L 2300/0609: Holders integrated in container to position an object
- B01L 2300/0829: Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
- B01L 2300/0851: Bottom walls
- B01L 2400/0433: vibrational forces
- G01N 2500/10: involving cells
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)
- 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)

## Abstract

Described herein are multi-well separation devices configured to allow a composition comprising a target agent to be separated into multiple wells, subdivided, recombined into a single well, and/or re-separated into the same or a different configuration of wells. Also described herein are reagent loading devices configured to simultaneously deliver one or more test agents to a plurality of volumes without having to individually deliver the test agents. Together, these devices allow high throughput parallel processes without repetitive pipetting or liquid handling robotics, though they may also be used separately. Also described herein are kits and systems for chemical or biological assays, as well as methods for using the multi-well separation devices and reagent loading devices described herein.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device, comprising:
a plurality of protrusions, wherein each protrusion comprises:
a stem having a proximal end and a distal end, and
a closed tip at the distal end of the stem,
wherein the closed tip comprises one or more depressions at the distal end of the closed tip; and
a plate comprising a proximal surface and a distal surface,
wherein the stems of the plurality of protrusions are integral to the plate and are on the distal surface of the plate, and the plate further comprises grooves on the proximal surface and legs on the distal surface, wherein the legs are longer than the plurality of protrusions, thereby extending distally beyond the closed tips.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a reagent loaded on each closed tip.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises different reagents loaded on at least two of the closed tips.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a different reagent loaded on each of the closed tips.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method of loading a liquid solution comprising a reagent to the device of claim 1, comprising:
dipping the device in a chamber comprising the liquid solution; and
lifting the device up way from the chamber.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the chamber comprises a plurality of compartments, and wherein each of the plurality of compartments contains a different reagent.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A method of loading one or more reagents to a plurality of isolated areas on a substrate, comprising:
contacting each of the plurality of isolated areas with one of a plurality of closed tips of the device of claim 1; and
removing the plurality of closed tips from the plurality of isolated areas,
wherein the plurality of closed tips are arranged in an array, and
wherein each of the plurality of closed tips is loaded with one of the one or more reagents.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A kit, comprising:
the device of claim 1; and
an antibody library.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The kit of claim 8, wherein the antibody library is pre-loaded onto the closed tips of the plurality of protrusions of the device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the plate further comprises openings.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the closed tips are of a pointed shape, a cone shape having a blunt tip, a square shape, or a circular shape.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more depressions are selected from the group consisting of one linear depression, intersecting linear depressions, and a plurality of linear depressions arranged in a grid-like arrangement.