# US 9,039,999 B2 · Apparatus, system, and method for collecting a target material > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,999 B2 - Document ID: US9039999B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/495,449 - Filed: 2014-09-24 - Published: 2015-01-08 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: RareCyte, Inc. - Applicants: RareCyte, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel Campton; Joshua Nordberg; Steve Quarre; David Stewart; Ronald Seubert; Jonathan Lundt; Lance U'Ren - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039999B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/5021: {Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes} - B01D 21/26: Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force {or centripetal force}(centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C) - B01D 21/262: {by using a centrifuge} - B01L 3/50215: {using a float to separate phases} - B01L 3/5635: {connecting two containers face to face, e.g. comprising a filter} - G01N 1/34: Purifying; Cleaning {(processes or apparatus for extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples C12N15/1003)} - B01L 9/50: {Clamping means, e.g. tongs} - B01L 2200/026: Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details - B01L 2200/0631: Purification arrangements, e.g. solid phase extraction [SPE] - B01L 2300/0672: Integrated piercing tool - B01L 2300/0851: Bottom walls - B01L 2400/0683: mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber - Y10T 436/25375: Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.] - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - 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 This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for collecting a target material from a suspension, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a collector into an open end of a primary vessel that contains the suspension, the collector comprising: a main body having a first end and an opposing second end to fit within the open end of the primary vessel, the second end having a concave opening that narrows to an apex within the collector and the first end having a cavity; and a cannula that extends from the apex into the cavity, the cannula to provide an opening between the concave opening and the cavity; inserting a processing vessel into the cavity, the processing vessel to be punctured by the cannula adding a displacement fluid to the processing vessel, the displacement fluid having a density greater than the density of the target material; and centrifuging the primary vessel, the collector, the displacement fluid, and the processing vessel, wherein during centrifuging, the displacement fluid flows into the primary vessel via the collector to displace the target material from the primary vessel into the processing vessel through the collector via the cannula. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: separating the suspension into suspension fractions by centrifugation; adding a float to the primary vessel prior to the separating step; and forming a seal between the float and the primary vessel by clamping after the separating step. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: removing at least a portion of a non-target material from the primary vessel after forming the seal between the float and the primary vessel; and adding a clearing fluid to the primary vessel prior to centrifuging, the clearing fluid having a density greater than at least the target material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the collector includes a canopy in the cavity during the introducing step, the canopy to inhibit any fluid that is discharged through the cannula from escaping from the opening in the first end of the collector; and removing the canopy before introducing the processing vessel into the collector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the collector further comprises a window within an inner wall of the main body to access at least a portion of the cavity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the discharged fluid flows out through the window of the collector into the primary vessel and remains above the seal between the second end and the inner wall of the primary vessel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the collector further comprises an extension extending away from the first end and a lid to at least temporarily seal an opening within the extension, wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the cavity at the first end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the collector further comprises a shoulder extending circumferentially around the main body to inhibit further translation of the collector into the primary vessel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the collector further comprises a lock ring to be placed over the shoulder of the collector and the open end of the primary vessel to inhibit translation of the collector relative to the primary vessel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising forming a seal between the second end of the collector and an inner wall of the primary vessel to maintain a fluid-tight sealing engagement between the collector and inner wall of the primary vessel.