US Patent 10410965 Layout technique for middle-end-of-line

A die includes one or more fins, a gate formed over a first portion of the one or more fins, and a first source/drain contact formed over a second portion of the one or more fins, wherein the first source/drain contact includes an extended portion that does not overlap the one or more fins. The die also includes first and second metal lines formed from a first metal layer, wherein the first and second metal lines are spaced apart. The die further includes a first via connecting the first source/drain contact to the first metal line, and a second via connecting the first source/drain contact to the second metal line, wherein the second via lies within the extended portion of the first source/drain contact.