# US 2019/0168211 A1 · Vacuum assist for a microplate > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168211 A1 - Document ID: US20190168211A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/198,615 - Filed: 2018-11-21 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2003-09-19 - Assignees: Applied Biosystems, LLC - Applicants: Applied Biosystems, LLC - Inventors: Mark F. OLDHAM; Adrian FAWCETT - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168211A1 ## CPC - B01L 3/5085: {for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates} - B01L 3/5025: {for parallel transport of multiple samples} - B01L 3/5027: {by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip} - B01L 3/50851: {specially adapted for heating or cooling samples} - B01L 3/50853: {with covers or lids (closures for test tubes B01L3/50825)} - B01L 3/545: {for laboratory containers} - G01N 21/6452: {Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates} - G01N 21/6486: {Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells (G01N21/6428 takes precedence)} - G01N 35/028: {having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates} - B01L 3/0293: {for liquids} - B01L 7/52: {with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples} - B01L 9/50: {Clamping means, e.g. tongs} - B01L 9/523: {for multisample carriers, e.g. used for microtitration plates} - B01L 9/56: {Means for indicating position of a recipient or sample in an array} - B01L 2200/021: Adjust spacings in an array of wells, pipettes or holders, format transfer between arrays of different size or geometry - B01L 2200/025: Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other - B01L 2200/0605: Metering of fluids - B01L 2200/0642: Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques - B01L 2200/0689: Sealing - B01L 2200/14: Process control and prevention of errors - B01L 2200/142: Preventing evaporation - B01L 2300/021: Identification, e.g. bar codes - B01L 2300/022: Transponder chips - B01L 2300/044: pierceable, e.g. films, membranes - B01L 2300/046: Function or devices integrated in the closure - B01L 2300/0829: Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates - B01L 2300/0851: Bottom walls - B01L 2300/0864: comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting - B01L 2300/1883: using thermal insulation - B01L 2400/0406: capillary forces - B01L 2400/0409: centrifugal forces - B01L 2400/0487: fluid pressure, pneumatics - C12Q 1/686: Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] - G01N 21/274: {Calibration, base line adjustment, drift correction} - G01N 35/0099: {comprising robots or similar manipulators (robots per se B25J)} - G01N 35/1002: {Reagent dispensers} - G01N 35/1074: {arranged in a two-dimensional array} - G01N 2035/00287: {movable lid/cover for sample or reaction tubes} - G01N 2035/00366: {Several different temperatures used} - G01N 2035/0405: {manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers} - G01N 2035/0425: {Stacks, magazines or elevators for plates} - G01N 2035/1039: {Micropipettes, e.g. microcapillary tubes} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - 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) - 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 ## Abstract A vacuum assist apparatus can comprise a microplate. The microplate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface. A plurality of wells can be formed in the first surface of the microplate. Each of the plurality of wells can be sized to receive an assay therein. A support base can comprise a fluid passage. The microplate can be positioned adjacent and in contact with the support base. A pressure device, in fluid communication with the fluid passage, can exert a vacuum within the fluid passage to actively retain the microplate in the contact with the support base. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus to aid in genomic analysis, the apparatus comprising: a substrate comprising one or more material retention regions, for retaining a material; a marking indicia located on or within the substrate; and a reader for reading the marking indicia. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the marking indicia is an RFID tag and the reader station is an RFID reader. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the RFID reader automatically reads the RFID tag to provide a unique identification and/or data handling parameters of the substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the marking indicia is configured to identify the substrate with a unique identification. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the substrate identification correlates acquired data with a corresponding assay. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the marking indicia can assist in achieving a predetermined position of the substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the marking indicia can be selected so as to reduce thermal and/or chemical interference. ### Claim 8 A thermal system, the system comprising: at least one sample block comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is capable of supporting a substrate; at least one channel in the first surface of the sample block, wherein the at least one channel is located between the sample block and the substrate; a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the at least one channel; a thermal source configured to transfer heat between the sample block and the substrate; and a control system operably connected to the sample block and configured to regulate a desired thermal output of the sample block. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The thermal system of claim 8, wherein the at least one channel can comprise a plurality of grooves. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The thermal system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of grooves intersect. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The thermal system of claim 8, wherein the evacuated channel urges the substrate and sample block together; ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The thermal system of claim 8, wherein the desired thermal output of the block can maintain a generally constant temperature of the substrate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The thermal system of claim 8, wherein the desired thermal output of the block can cycle between 2 or more generally constant temperatures. ### Claim 14 A liquid handling device, the device comprising: a substrate comprising a main body; at least one microfluidic channel within the main body for carrying an assay, wherein the microfluidic channel comprises a first end and a second end; at least one input port fluidly connected to the first end of the microfluidic channel for introducing the assay to the microfluidic channel; at least one outlet fluidly connected to the second end of the microfluidic channel for removing the assay from the microfluidic channel; and at least one thermally isolated region disposed along at least one edge of the main body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The liquid handling device of claim 13, wherein the thermally isolated region can be sized to facilitate handling of the substrate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The liquid handling device of claim 13, wherein the thermally isolated region further comprises marking indicia. ### Claim 17 A sequence detection system, comprising: a liquid handling device comprising a substrate, the substrate further comprising a main body and at least one microfluidic channel within the main body for retaining an assay; a thermal system comprising, at least one sample block, the sample block further comprising a first surface and a second surface, a vacuum source fluidly coupled to at least one channel in the first surface of the block and capable of evacuating the channel; and a control system operably connected to the sample block and configured to regulate a desired thermal output of the sample block. an excitation system comprising at least one optical emission device, optically coupled to the liquid handling device and configured to illuminate the liquid handling device; and a detection system comprising a segmented detector, optically coupled to the liquid handling device and configured to gather emission from the liquid handling device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The sequence detection system of claim 17, wherein the at least one optical emission device comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED). ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The sequence detection system of claim 17, wherein the segmented detector comprises a CCD. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The sequence detection system of claim 17, wherein the detector is capable of responding to fluorescence emitted from the liquid handling device.