System and method for target material retrieval from microwells
Inventors
Handique, Kalyan • Ranade, Swati • Sharma, Vishal • Payne, Austin • Tuck, Sam
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12697610-B2
Publication Date
2026-08-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method for target material retrieval and processing, the system comprising: an adaptor configured to interface with a capture region of a capture substrate for capturing particles in single-particle format within a set of wells, wherein the adaptor comprises a first region configured to interface with the capture region, a second region, and a cavity extending from the first region to the second region; and a support structure coupled to the adaptor and providing a set of operation modes for movement of the adaptor relative to the capture substrate. The system enables methods for magnetic and/or other force-based methods of retrieval of target material (e.g., derived from single cells).
Core Innovation
A method is described for retrieval and processing of material from a sample using a separation subsystem with an adaptor having an internal cavity. The adaptor includes first and second regions, and the second region includes a vent to atmosphere. The adaptor is coupled with a first magnet supported by a pipette interface so that fluid communication is established between the first region of the adaptor and a capture region of a capture substrate.
The capture region contains a plurality of high-aspect ratio wells in which target material is retained at individual wells. A magnetic force is applied to contents of the capture substrate through the adaptor by way of the first magnet to transfer a volume of target material from the capture substrate to the adaptor. The separation subsystem includes a gantry that displaces the adaptor from the capture substrate.
The adaptor, with the volume of target material, is transported into a separation reservoir of a process container. A washing operation is performed within the separation reservoir to separate non-target material from the volume of target material. The volume of target material is then transferred from the separation reservoir to another substrate.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines a magnetically driven adaptor-based retrieval and washing workflow from a high-aspect-ratio microwell capture substrate using a separation subsystem with a gantry. Three inventive features are identified across the independent claim and supporting claim language.
Magnet-coupled adaptor cavity with vented internal communication to capture wells
Coupling a first magnet to an adaptor of a separation subsystem, wherein the adaptor comprises an internal cavity comprising first and second regions, and wherein the second region includes a vent to atmosphere; establishing fluid communication between the first region of the adaptor and a capture region of a capture substrate containing material derived from the sample.
Magnetic transfer of target material from high-aspect ratio well capture to adaptor
Applying a magnetic force to contents of the capture substrate, through the adaptor, by way of the first magnet, thereby transferring a volume of target material from the capture substrate to the adaptor, wherein the capture region comprises a plurality of high-aspect ratio wells and wherein target material is retained at individual wells of the capture region.
Gantry-displacement into process-container reservoir with washing separation and transfer
With the separation subsystem comprising a gantry, displacing the adaptor from the capture substrate; transporting the adaptor, with the volume of target material, into a separation reservoir of a process container; performing a washing operation within the separation reservoir to separate non-target material from the volume of target material; and transferring the volume of target material from the separation reservoir to another substrate.
Across the claim set, the core inventive coverage centers on a vented internal cavity adaptor coupled to a magnet to establish fluid communication with a high-aspect-ratio well capture region, magnetically transferring target material to the adaptor, and using a gantry to move the adaptor into a process container for washing-based separation followed by transfer to another substrate. Dependent claims refine the target material type, including magnetic-particle-associated material, single cells, and nucleic acid, and specify a hexagonal close packing configuration for the high-aspect-ratio wells, together with support-structure coupling for gantry-based displacement.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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