Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for dispensing into the wells of a multi-well device and imaging such wells from multiple Z-planes. Multi-Z imaging of the present methods and systems may allow for the detection of wells of a multi-well device that contain a desired number of cells. Also provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for processing cell-containing wells of a multi-well device identified through the use of multi-Z imaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for extracting restrained liquid (e.g., surface tension-restrained liquid) from open wells in a chip, where the restrained liquid does not flow out of the wells due to gravity when the wells are held upside down. For example, the present invention provides extraction fixtures that may be attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip such that any restrained liquid that is forced out of the open wells is collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixtures. Also for example, the present invention provides assemblies composed of a extraction fixture attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip, and methods of subjecting such assemblies to a force such that at least a portion of the restrained liquid in the open wells is forced out and collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixture.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for dispensing into the wells of a multi-well device and imaging such wells from multiple Z-planes. Multi-Z imaging of the present methods and systems may allow for the detection of wells of a multi-well device that contain a desired number of cells. Also provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for processing cell-containing wells of a multi-well device identified through the use of multi-Z imaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a polymer capture film. In certain embodiments, the polymer capture films comprise a plurality of individual channels with top and bottom openings, where the channels are dimensioned such that a single cell is: i) is captured inside the channel, partially or substantially occluding the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening; or ii) is captured by the top opening, but does not enter the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening. In some embodiments, the channels of the polymer capture film align with the wells of a multi-well chip such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a capture chip. In certain embodiments, the capture chip comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of cell-sized dimples or wells that each allow a single cell to be captured from a cell suspension. In some embodiments, the dimples or wells of the capture chip align with the holes or wells of a multi-well through-hole chip, and/or a multi-well chip, such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well of the multi-well chip. In particular embodiments, the bottom of each dimple or well of the capture chip has a positive electrical charge sufficient to attract cells from a cell suspension flowing over the dimples or wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a capture chip. In certain embodiments, the capture chip comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of cell-sized dimples or wells that each allow a single cell to be captured from a cell suspension. In some embodiments, the dimples or wells of the capture chip align with the holes or wells of a multi-well through-hole chip, and/or a multi-well chip, such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well of the multi-well chip. In particular embodiments, the bottom of each dimple or well of the capture chip has a positive electrical charge sufficient to attract cells from a cell suspension flowing over the dimples or wells.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for pooling samples from separated sub-arrays in multi-well devices into collection wells of a multi-well sample collection device (e.g., allowing samples in a 100 well sub-array in a 9600-well chip to be pooled into a single collection well of a 96-well plate). In certain embodiments, the systems are composed of: i) a multi-well device, ii) an extraction device; and iii) an extraction device gasket. Also provided herein are dual barcoding (e.g., X-Y barcoding), pooling (e.g., dual pooling), RNA amplification methods (e.g., for single cell analysis), that may employ the extraction devices described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for extracting restrained liquid (e.g., surface tension-restrained liquid) from open wells in a chip, where the restrained liquid does not flow out of the wells due to gravity when the wells are held upside down. For example, the present invention provides extraction fixtures that may be attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip such that any restrained liquid that is forced out of the open wells is collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixtures. Also for example, the present invention provides assemblies composed of a extraction fixture attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip, and methods of subjecting such assemblies to a force such that at least a portion of the restrained liquid in the open wells is forced out and collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for extracting restrained liquid (e.g., surface tension-restrained liquid) from open wells in a chip, where the restrained liquid does not flow out of the wells due to gravity when the wells are held upside down. For example, the present invention provides extraction fixtures that may be attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip such that any restrained liquid that is forced out of the open wells is collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixtures. Also for example, the present invention provides assemblies composed of a extraction fixture attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip, and methods of subjecting such assemblies to a force such that at least a portion of the restrained liquid in the open wells is forced out and collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a capture chip. In certain embodiments, the capture chip comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of cell-sized dimples or wells that each allow a single cell to be captured from a cell suspension. In some embodiments, the dimples or wells of the capture chip align with the holes or wells of a multi-well through-hole chip, and/or a multi-well chip, such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well of the multi-well chip. In particular embodiments, the bottom of each dimple or well of the capture chip has a positive electrical charge sufficient to attract cells from a cell suspension flowing over the dimples or wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a polymer capture film. In certain embodiments, the polymer capture films comprise a plurality of individual channels with top and bottom openings, where the channels are dimensioned such that a single cell is: i) is captured inside the channel, partially or substantially occluding the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening; or ii) is captured by the top opening, but does not enter the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening. In some embodiments, the channels of the polymer capture film align with the wells of a multi-well chip such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, device, assemblies, and systems for counting and dispensing single or multiple cells (e.g., into the open wells of a multi-well testing device). In certain embodiments, the systems comprise: a) a fluid movement component composed of upstream and downstream electrode conduits connected to a non-conductive conduit, and b) an electronic signal detector electrically linked to the upstream and downstream electrode conduits such that, when a fluid is present in the fluid movement component, an electrical circuit is established that is altered when a cell passes through the non-conductive conduit. In other embodiments, the systems comprises a) a fluid movement component composed of an upstream electrode conduit connected to a non-conductive conduit, b) an in-well electrode, and c) an electronic signal detector electrically linked to the upstream electrode conduit and the in-well electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for capturing single cells with a polymer capture film. In certain embodiments, the polymer capture films comprise a plurality of individual channels with top and bottom openings, where the channels are dimensioned such that a single cell is: i) is captured inside the channel, partially or substantially occluding the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening; or ii) is captured by the top opening, but does not enter the channel, when negative pressure is provided to the bottom opening. In some embodiments, the channels of the polymer capture film align with the wells of a multi-well chip such that the cell, or the contents of the single cell, may be transferred to a corresponding well.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, assemblies, and articles for extracting restrained liquid (e.g., surface tension-restrained liquid) from open wells in a chip, where the restrained liquid does not flow out of the wells due to gravity when the wells are held upside down. For example, the present invention provides extraction fixtures that may be attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip such that any restrained liquid that is forced out of the open wells is collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixtures. Also for example, the present invention provides assemblies composed of a extraction fixture attached to, and/or held adjacent to, a chip, and methods of subjecting such assemblies to a force such that at least a portion of the restrained liquid in the open wells is forced out and collected by, or flows through, the extraction fixture.

Abstract: First and second bumps electrically connected at first and second positions along a conductive run borne by a flexible substrate are respectively oriented for contact with a pad of a die under test and a pad of a tester structure. Second and third conductive regions are electrically connected respectively to the power and ground terminals of a power source and an electrical device. The second and third regions are spaced from a first conductive region to filter high-frequency noise components from power and ground potentials provided by the power source.

Abstract: First and second bumps electrically connected at first and second positions along a conductive run borne by a flexible substrate are respectively oriented for contact with a pad of a die under test and a pad of a tester structure. Second and third conductive regions are electrically connected respectively to the power and ground terminals of a power source and an electrical device.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a system for rinsing and drying items comprising a process chamber for receiving the items; a rinse condenser; a first heater; a vaporizer for vaporizing water and including a second heater; a vacuum system for reducing the pressure within the process chamber; and a valving apparatus for independently coupling the process chamber to the vaporizer and the process chamber to the vacuum system.

Abstract: A dry contact electroplating structure is disclosed. The structure includes a base member for immersion within an electroplating solution. The base member has a central aperture defined by an aperture perimeter formed within the base member. A sealing ring is positioned adjacent to the aperture perimeter. The sealing ring forms a sealing connection with an object to be electroplated. A number of electrical contacts are positioned adjacent to the sealing ring. The electrical contacts form an electrical connection with one side of the object to be electroplated. A lid is positioned on the base member over one side of the central aperture. Thus, the lid protects the electrical contacts and one side of the object to be electroplated, while the other side of the object is exposed to the electroplating solution.

Abstract: A selective plating apparatus having a multipitch centerline feed block for delivering a uniform blade of plating solution to a mask and which provides passageways for the drainage of used electrolyte solution. The delivery of a uniform blade of plating solution to the mask allows the mask to be designed such that it controls both the area of sample to be plated and the pitch of the sample.

Abstract: An indexing system adapted to periodically advance a web of metal through a plating line that first advances gently till it engages a hole in the web, then closes clamping members about the web to grasp the web over a distributed region, and only then moves the web at full speed.