USPTO Patent Grant: Liquid Extraction from Solid Phase

ChangeBridge: Patent Grants - Biotech (C12N)

Published March 24th, 2026

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO has granted patent US12582924B2 for a method of obtaining liquid from a solid phase, particularly useful for nucleic acid extractions. The patent, assigned to Cambridge Enterprise Limited, describes an improved liquid extraction technique that increases recovery compared to existing methods.

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What changed

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent US12582924B2 to Cambridge Enterprise Limited for a novel method of extracting liquid from a porous solid phase. This method involves forming a liquid seal immiscible with the bound liquid and applying a pressure differential to displace the bound liquid, thereby increasing recovery. The patent specifically notes its application in nucleic acid extractions and includes descriptions of kits and apparatus.

This patent grant represents a new intellectual property asset for Cambridge Enterprise Limited. While not imposing direct regulatory obligations on other entities, it signifies a technological advancement in the field of biomolecule extraction. Companies operating in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, particularly those involved in nucleic acid purification, may find this patented method relevant to their processes or research and development efforts. Compliance officers should note this as a development in the IP landscape for biotech extraction technologies.

Source document (simplified)

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Methods for obtaining liquid from a solid phase

Grant US12582924B2 Kind: B2 Mar 24, 2026

Assignee

Cambridge Enterprise Limited

Inventors

Yii Leng Chua

Abstract

A method for obtaining a liquid from a porous solid phase is described. The method comprises forming a liquid seal at a first end of a porous solid phase to which a liquid is bound, wherein liquid of the liquid seal is immiscible with the liquid bound to the solid phase, and applying a pressure differential across the porous solid phase to cause the immiscible liquid to move through the porous solid phase towards a second end of the porous solid phase, thereby displacing the liquid bound to the porous solid phase towards the second end and releasing this liquid from the second end. Recovery of liquid from the solid phase using such methods is increased compared with corresponding methods in which no liquid seal is formed. In preferred embodiments, the liquid used to form the liquid seal is a mineral oil. The methods have particular application in nucleic acid extractions which utilise capture of nucleic acid to a solid phase. Kits and apparatus for performing the methods are also described.