US 12,214,352 B1
Microfluidic chip holders and methods of removing chips therefrom
Jennifer Lew, Dublin, CA (US); Joaquin Trosper-Torres, Sunol, CA (US); Liza S. Man, San Mateo, CA (US); Alexander Post Kindwall, Pleasanton, CA (US); Kevin Gilmartin, Belmont, CA (US); and David Morgan, San Leandro, CA (US)
Assigned to 10x Genomics, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed by 10x Genomics, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/685,694.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/156,051, filed on Mar. 3, 2021.
Int. Cl. B01L 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 9/527 (2013.01) [B01L 2200/025 (2013.01); B01L 2200/04 (2013.01); B01L 2300/046 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0609 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of separating a microfluidic chip from a microfluidic chip holder, the method comprising:
a) providing the microfluidic chip holder comprising i) a receptacle with a base that holds the microfluidic chip in a planar conformation and ii) a latching mechanism comprising a latch that holds the chip in the receptacle and is mechanically coupled to an effort side of a lever with a resistance side of the lever under an edge or a catching feature on the edge of the chip;
b) pressing laterally or annularly on the latch to withdraw the latch and apply downward force on the effort side of the lever, thereby releasing and raising the microfluidic chip; and
c) lifting the raised microfluidic chip out of the microfluidic chip holder.