US 11,789,015 B2
Manipulation of beads in droplets and methods for manipulating droplets
Vamsee K. Pamula, Cary, NC (US); Ramakrishna Sista, Cary, NC (US); Vijay Srinivasan, Cary, NC (US); Michael G. Pollack, Durham, NC (US); and Allen E. Eckhardt, Durham, NC (US)
Assigned to ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/948,074.
Application 16/191,270 is a division of application No. 15/266,693, filed on Sep. 15, 2016, granted, now 10,139,403, issued on Nov. 27, 2018.
Application 14/308,110 is a division of application No. 12/761,066, filed on Apr. 15, 2010, granted, now 8,809,068, issued on Aug. 19, 2014.
Application 16/948,074 is a continuation of application No. 16/191,270, filed on Nov. 14, 2018, granted, now 10,809,254.
Application 15/266,693 is a continuation of application No. 14/978,935, filed on Dec. 22, 2015, granted, now 9,494,498, issued on Nov. 15, 2016.
Application 14/978,935 is a continuation of application No. 14/746,276, filed on Jun. 22, 2015, granted, now 9,377,455, issued on Jun. 28, 2016.
Application 14/746,276 is a continuation of application No. 14/308,110, filed on Jun. 18, 2014, granted, now 9,086,345, issued on Jul. 21, 2015.
Application 12/761,066 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2008/080264, filed on Oct. 17, 2008.
Application 12/761,066 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/639,531, filed on Dec. 15, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/980,782, filed on Oct. 17, 2007.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/807,104, filed on Jul. 12, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/806,412, filed on Jun. 30, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/746,801, filed on May 9, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/746,797, filed on May 9, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/745,950, filed on Apr. 28, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/745,914, filed on Apr. 28, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/745,058, filed on Apr. 18, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/745,059, filed on Apr. 18, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/745,039, filed on Apr. 18, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/745,043, filed on Apr. 18, 2006.
Prior Publication US 2020/0393452 A1, Dec. 17, 2020
Int. Cl. G01N 33/543 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01F 31/65 (2022.01); B01F 33/451 (2022.01); B01F 33/302 (2022.01); B01F 33/3031 (2022.01); G01N 1/38 (2006.01); B01L 7/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 33/54326 (2013.01) [B01F 31/65 (2022.01); B01F 33/3021 (2022.01); B01F 33/3031 (2022.01); B01F 33/451 (2022.01); B01L 3/50273 (2013.01); B01L 3/502761 (2013.01); B01L 3/502792 (2013.01); G01N 1/38 (2013.01); B01L 7/52 (2013.01); B01L 7/525 (2013.01); B01L 2200/027 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0647 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0673 (2013.01); B01L 2300/06 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0654 (2013.01); B01L 2300/089 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0816 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0861 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0864 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0867 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1827 (2013.01); B01L 2400/043 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0406 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0415 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0421 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0424 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0427 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0436 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0442 (2013.01); G01N 2001/386 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1046 (2013.01); Y10T 436/11 (2015.01); Y10T 436/25 (2015.01); Y10T 436/2575 (2015.01); Y10T 436/25625 (2015.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
substantially immobilizing magnetically responsive beads within a droplet using a magnetic field; and
using a plurality of droplet operations electrodes to split the droplet into first and second droplets, wherein the first droplet contains at least substantially all of the magnetically responsive beads and the second droplet is at least substantially lacking in magnetically responsive beads, further comprising using a physical barrier to facilitate splitting of the droplet, where the physical barrier reduces a gap distance at a point of splitting.