Multi-well filtration test apparatus

• US 4,902,481 A
• Filed: 12/11/1987
• Issued: 02/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Millipore Corporation
• Original Assignee: Millipore Corporation
• Inventors: Clark, Phillip, Rising, Donald B., Zermani, Thomas, Lee, Carolyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Barry S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnston, Jill
• Application Number:
  US07/131,952
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 422/101, 422/102, 435/305, 210/335, 210/489, 210/492, 210/321.72
• US Class Current: 422/535
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/08 Flat membrane modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/089 Modules where the membrane is in the form of a bag, membrane cushion or pad
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50255 Multi-well filtration

Abstract

A multi-well filtration apparatus for the assay of microliter quantities is provided wherein a filter is positioned in each well on a plate having an open spout positioned in the plate. The spout has a collar on its outer surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the spout. The collar prevents a liquid droplet from climbing the outer surface of the spout from its open end.

Claims

1. A filtration apparatus comprising

a first plate having at least one first well, each of said first wells having a first open end, a second end and an outside peripheral surface,

a second plate having at least one second well having a first open end, a second closed end, said closed end having a hole extending through the closed end thickness and an inside peripheral surface,

said second plate being secured to said first plate between said outside peripheral surface of said first plate and said inside peripheral surface of said second plate,

a filter, positioned between said second end of said first plate and said second end of said second plate, and

an open spout having an open end, said spout being in fluid communication with said hole, said spout having an inner diameter between 0.1 and 3.0 mm and a smallest outer diameter between 0.1 and 5.0 mm., and a collar on the outer surface of said spout extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis of said spout, said spout outer surface and said collar in combination forming a larger outer surface of said spout of varying diameter which functions to prevent migration of liquid emanating from said spout along said larger outer surface, said collar having an outer diameter between 0.5 and 7 mm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter is a microporous membrane.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter is an ultrafiltration membrane.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter is a depth filter.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said spout has an outer diameter tapered toward said inner diameter at an angle between about 5 degrees and 70 degrees.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said first plate and said second plate are secured together by mechanical interlocking.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said first plate and said second plate are secured together by thermal bonding.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said first plate and said second plate are secured together by adhesive bonding.