Multifunctional vacuum manifold

• US 20100009460A1
• Filed: 09/14/2009
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Clark, Phillip, Doyle, John, Greenizen, Kurt E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,007,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/023 adapted for different sizes of tubes, tips or container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/049 vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50255 Multi-well filtration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A laboratory device design particularly for a multiplate format that includes a manifold wherein the position of the plate is not a function of gasket compression or vacuum rate applied. In one embodiment, the device has a modular design, wherein one or more removable inserts, preferably with different functionalities can be positioned between a base component and a collar component. The particular insert(s) chosen depend on the desired sample preparation or assay to be carried out. The insert(s) are stacked and are positioned between the base and collar as a unit, so that the stack within the manifold does not move during evacuation of the vacuum chamber. The consistent position of the insert(s) facilitates using vacuum sample processing with automated liquid handlers.

Claims

49. A manifold assembly comprising:

a collar having a substantially vertical side wall including a bottom periphery region forming a skirt;

a base having a peripheral portion;

a first seal positioned between the collar and the base wherein the skirt sealingly positions over the peripheral portion of the base;

a first sample-processing device having an outer perimeter edge wherein the collar is positioned on the outer perimeter edge of the first sample processing device, and an upper surface having a porous membrane attached thereto;

a second seal comprising a gasket positioned between the first sample processing device and the collar; and

a second sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device to form an integral stacked unit preventing relative movement between the first and second devices, the stacked unit positioned between the collar and the base.

50. The manifold assembly of claim 49, wherein the first sample processing device is a multiwell filtration plate, the porous membrane covers all of the wells on the multiwell filtration plate, and the porous membrane is selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

51. The manifold assembly of claim 49, wherein the first sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates and combinations thereof.

52. The manifold assembly of claim 49, wherein the second sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, plasmid capture plates, spacers, support plates, flow directors, wicks, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates and combinations thereof.

53. The manifold assembly of claim 49, wherein the first seal is a gasket.

54. The manifold assembly of claim 49, wherein the first seal allows for variability in the height of the first and second devices.

55. The manifold assembly of claim 49, wherein the first seal is created with a gasket positioned within the base, the sealing being along the substantially vertical side walls of the collar.

56. The manifold assembly of claim 49, wherein the first and second seal are a unitary seal.

57. The manifold assembly of claim 49, further comprising a vacuum source, and wherein the base comprises a port for communication with the vacuum source.

58. The manifold assembly of claim 49, further comprising a vacuum source, and wherein the collar comprises a port for communication with the vacuum source.

59. The manifold assembly of claim 49, wherein the relative movement of the first and second devices of the integral stack unit is unaffected by the application of vacuum to the manifold.

60. The manifold assembly of claim 49 wherein the top surface of the first sample processing device lies below the top surface of the collar.

61. The manifold assembly of claim 49 further comprising a third sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device and above second sample processing device, wherein the third sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates, glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

62. A manifold assembly comprising:

a collar having a substantially lateral side wall;

a base in sealing engagement with the collar, the base comprising an outer peripheral flange and a side wall which together form a peripheral groove;

a first gasket positioned between the base and the collar wherein a portion of first gasket contacts a slot formed in the collar;

wherein the collar comprises a skirt formed along a bottom periphery of the substantially lateral wall such that the skirt sealingly positions over a peripheral portion of the base;

a first sample processing device having an upper surface, and having a porous membrane attached to the upper surface; and

a second gasket positioned between the sample processing device and the collar, such that the sample processing is in sealing engagement with the collar.

63. The manifold assembly of claim 62, further comprising a removable support positioned below the first sample processing device.

64. The manifold assembly of claim 62, wherein the first sample processing device is a multiwell filtration plate, the porous membrane covers all of the wells on the multiwell filtration plate, and the porous membrane is selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

65. The manifold assembly of claim 62 wherein the first sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates and combinations thereof.

66. The manifold assembly of claim 62, further comprising a vacuum source, and the collar comprises a port for communication with the vacuum source.

67. The manifold assembly of claim 62, wherein the relative movement of the first and second devices of the integral stack unit is unaffected by the application of vacuum to the manifold.

68. The manifold assembly of claim 62, further comprising a third sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device and above second sample processing device, wherein the third sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates, glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

69. A manifold assembly comprising:

a collar having a substantially vertical side wall including a bottom periphery region forming a skirt;

a base having a peripheral portion wherein the skirt sealingly positions over the peripheral portion of the base;

a first sample processing device having an outer perimeter edge, and an upper surface having a porous membrane attached thereto;

a second processing device stacked below the first sample processing device to form an integral stacked unit preventing relative movement between the first and second devices, the stacked unit positioned between the collar and the base, and the collar is positioned on the outer perimeter edge of the first sample processing device; and

a first seal between the collar and the base; and

a second seal between the first sample processing device and the collar, wherein the first and second seals are a unitary seal.

70. The manifold assembly of claim 69 wherein the top surface of the first sample processing device lies below the top surface of the collar.

71. The manifold assembly of claim 69 further comprising a third sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device and above second sample processing device, wherein the third sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates, glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

72. A manifold assembly comprising:

a base;

a collar comprising a skirt formed along a bottom periphery of a lateral wall such that the skirt positions over a peripheral portion of the base;

a first sample processing device comprising a multiwell filtration plate or a single well filtration device, and an upper surface having a porous membrane attached thereto;

a second processing device stacked below the first sample processing device to form an integral stacked unit preventing relative movement between the first and second devices, the stacked unit positioned between the collar and the base;

a first seal between the collar and the base; and

a second seal between the first sample processing device and the collar, wherein the first and second seals are a unitary seal;

wherein the first sample processing device is seated recessed within the collar such that the top surface of the first sample processing device lies below the top surface of the collar.

73. The manifold assembly of claim 72 further comprising a third sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device and above second sample processing device, wherein the third sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates, glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

74. A manifold assembly comprising:

a base comprising a flat surface and having a peripheral portion;

a collar comprising a substantially vertical side wall including a bottom periphery region forming a skirt and a port for communication with a vacuum source;

a first sealing gasket positioned between the base and the collar wherein the skirt sealingly positions over the peripheral portion of the base; and

a first sample processing device having an outer perimeter edge wherein the collar is sealingly positioned on the outer perimeter edge of the first sample processing device, and an upper surface having a porous membrane attached thereto, and

a second seal comprising a gasket positioned between the first sample processing device and the collar.

75. The manifold assembly of claim 74 further comprising a third sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device and above second sample processing device, wherein the third sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates, glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

76. The manifold assembly of claim 74 wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of a bench top, a floor and a wall.

77. The manifold assembly of claim 74, further comprising a removable support positioned below the sample processing device.

78. The manifold assembly of claim 74, wherein the first sample processing device is a multiwell filtration plate, the porous membrane covers all of the wells on the multiwell filtration plate, and the porous membrane is selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

79. The manifold assembly of claim 74, further comprising a vacuum source.

80. The manifold assembly of claim 74, wherein the first sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors and combinations thereof.

81. The manifold assembly of claim 74, further comprising a second sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device to form an integral stacked unit positioned between the collar and the base, wherein the second sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, plasmid capture plates, spacers, support plates, flow directors, wicks, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates and combinations thereof.

82. The manifold assembly of claim 74, further comprising a third sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device and above second sample processing device, wherein the third sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates, glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

83. A method of applying vacuum to a manifold assembly, comprising:

a) providing a vacuum source;

b) providing a manifold comprising a collar having a substantially vertical side wall including a bottom periphery region forming a skirt;

a base having a peripheral portion;

a first seal positioned between the collar and the base wherein the skirt sealingly positions over the peripheral portion of the base;

a first sample-processing device having an outer perimeter edge wherein the collar is positioned on the outer perimeter edge of the first sample processing device, and an upper surface having a porous membrane attached thereto;

a second seal comprising a gasket positioned between the first sample processing device and the collar;

a second sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device to form an integral stacked sample processing unit preventing relative movement between the first and second devices, the stacked unit positioned between the collar and the base, and

a port for communication with a vacuum source, the port being formed in a manifold component selected from the group consisting of the base and the collar;

c) positioning the integral stacked sample processing unit between the base and the collar;

d) positioning the collar on the base; and

e) applying a vacuum to the manifold with the vacuum source, whereby the collar is forced into sealing engagement with the integral stacked sample processing unit without causing movement of the sample processing unit.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the first processing device is a multiwell filtration plate, and a porous membrane covers all of the wells on the multiwell filtration plate.

85. The method of claim 83, wherein the sealing engagement between the collar and the base is adaptable to different sample processing unit stack heights.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein functional inserts are positionable in the base.

87. The method of claim 83, wherein the second device is selected from the group consisting of a sample processing device, a removable support, a MALDI target, and a collection plate.

88. The method of claim 83, wherein the second device is a collection plate containing more than one well.

89. The method of claim 83, wherein the integral stacked sample processing unit further comprises a third sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device and above second sample processing device, wherein the third sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates, glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.

90. A method of applying vacuum to a manifold assembly, comprising:

a) providing a vacuum source;

b) providing a manifold comprising a base having a peripheral portion and a port for communication with the vacuum source, a collar having a substantially vertical side wall including a bottom periphery region forming a skirt, a first seal positioned between the collar and the base wherein the skirt sealingly positions over the peripheral portion of the base, a first sample-processing device having an outer perimeter edge wherein the collar is positioned on the outer perimeter edge of the first sample processing device, and an upper surface having a porous membrane attached thereto, second seal comprising a gasket positioned between the first sample processing device and the collar; and

c) positioning the first sample processing device between the base and the collar;

d) positioning the collar on the base; and

e) applying a vacuum to the manifold with the vacuum source, whereby the collar is forced into sealing engagement with the base and the first sampling processing device without causing movement of the first sample processing device.

91. The method of claim 90 further comprising a second sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device to form an integral stacked sample processing unit preventing relative movement between the first and second devices, the integral stacked unit positioned between the collar and the base, wherein the second sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, plasmid capture plates, spacers, support plates, flow directors, wicks, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates, and combinations thereof.

92. The method of claim 90 wherein the first sample processing plate is a multiwall filtration plate, and a porous membrane covers all of the wells on the multiwell filtration plate.

93. The method of claim 90 further comprising a second sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device, wherein the second sample processing plate is multiwall filtration plate, and a porous membrane covers all of the wells on the multiwell filtration plate, wherein the membrane is selected from the group consisting of microporous and ultrafiltration membranes.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the integral stacked sample processing unit further comprises a third sample processing device stacked below the first sample processing device and above second sample processing device, wherein the third sample processing device is selected from the group consisting of filter plates, chromatography plates, DNA capture plates, RNA capture plates, spacers, support plates, plasmid capture plates, flow directors, MALDI target trays, MALDI targets, collection plates, glass fibers, glass mats, glass cloths, depth filters, nonwovens, woven meshes, microporous membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and combinations thereof.