# US 7,610,941 B2 · Methods, rack and device for preparing samples for analysis > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,610,941 B2 - Document ID: US7610941B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/544,158 - Filed: 2004-02-02 - Published: 2006-05-11 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2003-02-03 - Assignees: Gilson, Inc. - Inventors: Michel Kubacki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610941B2 ## CPC - G01N 35/04: Details of the conveyor system {(G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence)} - G01N 30/88: Integrated analysis systems specially adapted therefor, not covered by a single one of the groups G01N30/04 - G01N30/86 - G01N 35/028: {having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates} - G01N 1/405: {by adsorption or absorption} - G01N 30/24: Automatic injection systems - G01N 30/466: {with separation columns in parallel} - G01N 30/82: Automatic means therefor - G01N 2030/8813: {biological materials} - G01N 2035/1051: {for transporting containers, e.g. retained by friction} - 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 In a solid phase extraction (SPE) device, once all the columns of the SPE plate are filled with liquid, the needles cooperate with engagement formations on a pusher element for pushing down the plate together with an upwardly biased shoe into sealing engagement with a peripheral spacer surrounding a container. Simultaneously, vacuum is applied by appropriate control of a valve and all the columns simultaneously transfer liquid into the drain container. Then, vacuum is released, needles engage recesses to move a carriage above a collect container and a similar prosecution is resumed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of preparing samples for analysis, comprising: injecting a liquid in a column of a plurality of columns of a movable plate located at a first position using a movable injection needle; moving the movable plate from the first position to a second position by coupling the movable injection needle with the movable plate and moving the movable injection needle; injecting a second liquid in the column of the movable plate located at the second position using the movable injection needle while the plurality of columns are open to the atmosphere; after injecting the second liquid, moving the movable plate downwards into sealing engagement with an underlying receptacle; after sealing, subjecting the underlying receptacle to a vacuum; drawing liquid from all of the plurality of columns into the underlying receptacle through a stationary phase provided in each column; and releasing the vacuum from the underlying receptacle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the movable injection needle and the movable plate are coupled by inserting the movable injection needle into a first recess coupled to the movable plate, wherein the first recess is offset from the plurality of columns. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the movable injection needle is coupled to the movable plate at a first location for movement from the first position to the second position and at a second location, different from the first location, for movement from the second position to the first position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A method according to claim 2, wherein the movable injection needle is inserted in a second recess coupled to the movable plate for movement from the second position to the first position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the movable injection needle and the movable plate are coupled at a carriage supporting said movable plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method according to claim 5, wherein the movable injection needle and the movable plate are coupled at an edge of the carriage which is transverse to a sliding direction of the carriage. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the movable injection needle and the movable plate are coupled at a flange to provide the movement from the first position to a second position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A method according to claim 7, wherein the movable injection needle and the movable plate are coupled at a pusher plate mounted to the movable plate to provide the downwards movement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the underlying receptacle is a collect receptacle having wells respectively corresponding to each column of the plurality of columns. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein in the first position, the movable plate is positioned above a drain receptacle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, further comprising, after injecting the liquid and before moving the movable plate to the second position, moving the movable plate downwards into sealing engagement with the drain receptacle; after sealing with the drain receptacle, subjecting the drain receptacle to the vacuum; drawing liquid from all of the plurality of columns into the drain receptacle through the stationary phase provided in each column; and releasing the vacuum from the drain receptacle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method according to claim 11, wherein the movable injection needle and the movable plate are coupled at a pusher plate mounted to the movable plate to provide the downwards movement. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A method according to claim 12, wherein the pusher plate comprises a first recess offset from the plurality of columns, and further wherein the movable injection needle and the movable plate are coupled by inserting the movable injection needle into the first recess. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A method according to claim 11, wherein the movable injection needle and the movable plate are coupled at a flange to provide the movement from the first position to the second position.