EP0359249A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microfiltration apparatus & method of using the same
Assignee: Amicon Corp
•
Filing: 1989-09-14
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2009-09-14
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a disposable manifold plate for use in conjunction with a conventional 96 well microtiter plate. The manifold plate has 96 wells formed therein and closed at the bottom by a plate or plates with provision for withdrawal of filtrate by vacuum. Each manifold plate has a self-contained vacuum manifold. Depending from the lower surface of each well bottom plate are a plurality of skirt members, each skirt member being axially aligned with one of the wells of the manifold plate and having formed therein a filtrate discharge passage. The skirts are of such a length that they will enter into the collection wells of a conventional multiwell collection plate at a point approximately 1-2 mm below the lip or upper surface of the collection plate thus enabling the separate collection of filtrate from each of the various wells of the manifold plate. The skirt means also functions as a guide for receiving a punch. At the completion of filtration the manifold plate may be inverted and, by use of the punch, a circular section of the filter medium is removed from each well, along with a circular blank cut from the bottom of the well bottom plate. This apparatus and method is applicable to a wide range of biological and biochemical analyses.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Bowers
- 👤 Scott P. Fulton
- 👤 Judith A. Thompson
- 👤 David M. Donofrio
- 👤 Kert F. Ivie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 22:52
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; B01L3/5025; B01L3/50255; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/14; B01D61/18; C; C12; C12M; C12M23/00; C12M23/02; C12M23/12; G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/60; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/40; G01N1/286; G01N2001/2873; G01N2001/288; G01N30/26; G01N30/38; G01N30/46; G01N30/466; G01N30/6034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells closed at its bottom by a planar bottom member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; and filtrate discharge nozzles, at least one of said discharge nozzles in fluid communication with each of said filtering wells, each of said discharge nozzles depending from the bottom of said planar member at a point radially outward of the inner surface of the associated filtering well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells closed at its bottom by a planar bottom member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; and filtrate discharge nozzles, at least one of said discharge nozzles in fluid communication with each of said filtering wells, each of said discharge nozzles depending from the bottom of said planar member at a point radially outward of the inner surface of the associated filtering well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said manifold plate and said planar members are an integrally molded, single piece construction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said planar members are integrally formed as a single piece filter support plate, sealed to said manifold plate around the bottom of each of said wells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter support surface at the bottom of each of said filtering wells has at least one open channel for collection of filtrate and delivery of the collected filtrate to the nozzle in communication therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of said filtering wells is defined by an open ended cylindrical member depending from the upper surface of said manifold plate and wherein said top planar surface of said filter support plate is provided with a plurality of recesses, equal in number to and aligned with said filtering wells, the lower ends of said cylindrical members being welded within said recesses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of said filtering wells is defined by an open ended cylindrical member depending from the upper surface of said manifold plate and wherein said top planar surface of said filter support plate is provided with a plurality of annular members, equal in number to and aligned with said filtering wells, the lower ends of said cylindrical members being press fit within said annular members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a disc of filter medium sealed in the bottom of each of said filtering wells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: a disc of filter medium in the bottom of each of said filtering wells; and an annular member press-fit within each of said filtering wells to seal the disc against the filter support surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a multiwell plate having a plurality of collection wells corresponding to the number of and aligned with said filtering wells, said multiwell plate mating with the bottom of said manifold plate with each of said filtrate discharge nozzles engaging the inner sidewall of the collection well which is in alignment therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
The microfiltration apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of sets of pins, each set of pins depending from a planar member at the bottom of a filtering well, the pins of each set being arranged to engage the sidewall of a given well of said multiwell plate thereby maintaining alignment between the closed-bottom wells of said manifold plate and the collection wells of said multiwell plate and wherein at least one pin of each of said set is said filtrate discharge nozzle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The microfiltration apparatus of claim 7 wherein said disc of filter medium is a microporous membrane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein each set of pins comprises at least two pair of diametrically opposed pins.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
126 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered; filter support plate means for providing a filter support surface at the bottom of each of said filtering wells; skirt means, depending from said filter support plate means and circumscribing an area of said filter support plate means axially aligned with each of said filtering wells, said skirt means adapted to engage the inner sidewall of a collection receptacle placed beneath said filter support plate; channel means, formed in each filter support surface, for collecting filtrate and a filtrate discharge duct in fluid communication with said channel means and passing through said skirt means for discharge of the filtrate against the inner wall of the collection receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
126 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered; filter support plate means for providing a filter support surface at the bottom of each of said filtering wells; skirt means, depending from said filter support plate means and circumscribing an area of said filter support plate means axially aligned with each of said filtering wells, said skirt means adapted to engage the inner sidewall of a collection receptacle placed beneath said filter support plate; channel means, formed in each filter support surface, for collecting filtrate and a filtrate discharge duct in fluid communication with said channel means and passing through said skirt means for discharge of the filtrate against the inner wall of the collection receptacle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13 additionally comprising a multiwell plate and wherein the collection receptacle is a well of said multiwell plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a disc of filter medium sealed in the bottom in each of said filtering wells.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 15 additionally comprising punch means including at least one punch of a diameter approximately equal to said circumscribed area, for punching through (1) said circumscribed area of said further support surface and (2) that portion of the filter medium disc overlying said circumscribed area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
The microfiltration apparatus of claim 16 wherein said filter support plate means is a single filter support plate coextensive with said array of filtering wells and presenting top and bottom planar surfaces, said top planar surface being welded to said manifold plate around the bottom of each of said filtering wells.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
65 words
The microfiltration apparatus of claim 17 wherein areas of the bottom planar surface of said filter support plate cicumscribed by said skirt means are recessed so that the thickness of said filter support plate in said recessed areas is substantially less than the thickness of said filter support plate surrounding said recessed areas, whereby punching of the filter plate through said circumscribed areas is facilitated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said skirt means mates with said punch and thereby functions as a guide for aligning said punch against said circumscribed area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said skirt means has an inner surface which tapers inwardly towards its axis and wherein said punch is mounted for freedom of movement in a plane parallel to said filter support surface, whereby said punch is axially aligned with one of said filtering wells by engagement with said skirt means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said punch means comprises a linear array of punches for simultaneous alignment with a linear array of said circumscribed areas.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said skirt means has circumferential discontinuities to allow for escape of air from the collection well.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein the diameter of said one punch is approximately equal to the diameter of said filtering wells whereby the punched out circumscribed area of the filter support plate means functions as a piston to wipe clean the cylindrical wall of a filtering well.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said filter support plate means comprises a plurality of plate members, each plate member defining the bottom of one filtering well and being integrally molded with said manifold plate as a single piece, and wherein said apparatus further comprises a piece of filter medium in the bottom of each filtering well and an annular member press fit within each filtering well, against said piece of filter medium, to seal the piece of filter medium against the bottom of the well.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
114 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered; filter support plate means forming bottoms for said filtering wells; sheet filter media within said filtering wells and sealed peripherally around each of said bottoms; plural skirt means depending perpendicularly from the bottom of said filter support plate means, each skirt means circumscribing an area of said filter support plate means axially aligned with one of said filtering wells; punch means for punching out said circumscribed area and said filter medium overlying said circumscribed area, said punch means including at least one punch of a shape and cross sectional area corresponding to said circumscribed area.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
114 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered; filter support plate means forming bottoms for said filtering wells; sheet filter media within said filtering wells and sealed peripherally around each of said bottoms; plural skirt means depending perpendicularly from the bottom of said filter support plate means, each skirt means circumscribing an area of said filter support plate means axially aligned with one of said filtering wells; punch means for punching out said circumscribed area and said filter medium overlying said circumscribed area, said punch means including at least one punch of a shape and cross sectional area corresponding to said circumscribed area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said skirt means mates with said one punch and thereby functions as a guide aligning said punch against said circumscribed area.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said skirt means has an inner surface which tapers inwardly toward its axis and wherein said punch is mounted for freedom of movement in a plane parallel to a plane in which said well bottoms are located, whereby said punch is axially aligned with one of said filtering wells by engagement with said inner surface of said skirt means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said punch means comprises a linear array of punches for simultaneous alignment with a linear array of said circumscribed areas.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
55 words
The microfiltration apparatus of claim 22 wherein the outer cylindrical surface of each of said skirt means tapers outwardly, away from the axis of said skirt means, to facilitate insertion of the skirt means into a collection well of a multiwell plate and to allow for alignment of that collection well with a filtering well.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
184 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an upper planar surface and an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; inner and outer skirts depending from said upper planar surface and surrounding said array of filtering wells, said outer skirt being adapted to mate with the exterior sidewalls of a collection plate, and said inner skirt terminating at a lower rim and being sufficiently long to maintain a fixed space between said well bottoms and a planar surface of a collection plate engaged by said lower rim; sealing means for forming a hermetic seal between said lower rim of said inner skirt and the top of the collection plate; said inner skirt defining an interior space within said manifold plate; a drain port, associated with the bottom of each of said filtering well bottoms, for draining filtrate from the associated well; a vacuum port for evacuating said interior and fixed spaces thereby drawing filtrate through said drain ports.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
184 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an upper planar surface and an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; inner and outer skirts depending from said upper planar surface and surrounding said array of filtering wells, said outer skirt being adapted to mate with the exterior sidewalls of a collection plate, and said inner skirt terminating at a lower rim and being sufficiently long to maintain a fixed space between said well bottoms and a planar surface of a collection plate engaged by said lower rim; sealing means for forming a hermetic seal between said lower rim of said inner skirt and the top of the collection plate; said inner skirt defining an interior space within said manifold plate; a drain port, associated with the bottom of each of said filtering well bottoms, for draining filtrate from the associated well; a vacuum port for evacuating said interior and fixed spaces thereby drawing filtrate through said drain ports.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein said sealing means comprises a channel formed in said rim and a gasket in said channel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said gasket is a bead of an elastomer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein said sealing means is a gasket extending between said inner and outer skirts, said gasket having a lip which extends under said inner skirt.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein said vacuum port extends through said inner and outer skirts and further comprising at least one vent port extending through said filter support plate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein said drain ports are aligned radially outward of the associated filtering well.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
239 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an upper planar surface and an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said filtering wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; a collection plate having an upper planar surface and a peripheral skirt extending therefrom and an array of collecting wells equal in number to and alignable with said array of filtering wells; inner and outer skirts depending from said upper planar surface and surrounding said array of filtering wells, said outer skirt being adapted to mate with said peripheral skirt of said collection plate, and said inner skirt terminating at a lower rim and being sufficiently long to maintain a fixed space between the bottoms of said filtering wells and said upper planar surface of said collection plate; sealing means for forming a hermetic seal between said lower rim of said inner skirt and said upper planar surface of said collection plate; said inner skirt and said upper planar surface of said collection plate, in cooperation, defining an interior space within said manifold plate; a drain port, associated with the bottom of each of said filtering wells, for draining filtrate from the associated well into an aligned well of said collection plate; and a vacuum port for evacuating said interior space thereby drawing filtrate through said drain ports into said filtering wells.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
239 words
Microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an upper planar surface and an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said filtering wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; a collection plate having an upper planar surface and a peripheral skirt extending therefrom and an array of collecting wells equal in number to and alignable with said array of filtering wells; inner and outer skirts depending from said upper planar surface and surrounding said array of filtering wells, said outer skirt being adapted to mate with said peripheral skirt of said collection plate, and said inner skirt terminating at a lower rim and being sufficiently long to maintain a fixed space between the bottoms of said filtering wells and said upper planar surface of said collection plate; sealing means for forming a hermetic seal between said lower rim of said inner skirt and said upper planar surface of said collection plate; said inner skirt and said upper planar surface of said collection plate, in cooperation, defining an interior space within said manifold plate; a drain port, associated with the bottom of each of said filtering wells, for draining filtrate from the associated well into an aligned well of said collection plate; and a vacuum port for evacuating said interior space thereby drawing filtrate through said drain ports into said filtering wells.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
45 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 36 further comprising a plurality of clips for holding said manifold plate and said collection plate together in alignment and for maintaining said hermetic seal; and wherein the top of said outer skirt has notches for receiving said clips.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 37 wherein each of said clips is a C-shaped piece of elastic material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said sealing means comprises an open channel formed in said rim and a bead of elastomer in said channel.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said sealing means is a gasket extending between said inner and outer skirts, said gasket having a lip which extends under the inner skirt.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said vacuum port extends through said inner and outer skirts.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
Microfiltration apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said drain ports are aligned outside of the circumference of the associated filtering well.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of recovering a microfiltration residue, said method comprising: providing a microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; skirt means, circumscribing an area axially aligned with one of said filtering wells, said skirt means having a filtrate discharge passage in fluid communication with the aligned filtering well; a filter medium disposed in the bottom of each of said filtering wells; and a punch of a diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of said skirt means; placing a liquid within said filtering wells and filtering said liquid through said filter medium by applying a vacuum beneath said filter support plate; inverting said manifold plate and filter support plate; aligning said punch with the axis of a filtering well by bringing said punch into engagement with said skirt means; and punching through said planar member with said punch to cut blanks out of said planar member and said filter support medium and collecting said blanks.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of recovering a microfiltration residue, said method comprising: providing a microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; skirt means, circumscribing an area axially aligned with one of said filtering wells, said skirt means having a filtrate discharge passage in fluid communication with the aligned filtering well; a filter medium disposed in the bottom of each of said filtering wells; and a punch of a diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of said skirt means; placing a liquid within said filtering wells and filtering said liquid through said filter medium by applying a vacuum beneath said filter support plate; inverting said manifold plate and filter support plate; aligning said punch with the axis of a filtering well by bringing said punch into engagement with said skirt means; and punching through said planar member with said punch to cut blanks out of said planar member and said filter support medium and collecting said blanks.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of culturing cells comprising: providing top and bottom microfiltration units, each of said units comprising: an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said filtering wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; skirt means, circumscribing an area axially aligned with one of said filtering wells, said skirt means having a filtrate discharge passage in fluid communication with the aligned filtering well; a microporous membrane disposed in the bottom of each of said filtering wells; and vacuum means for drawing liquid within said filtering wells through the microporous membrane; placing the cells to be cultured and culture media within the filtering wells of the bottom unit; superimposing the top unit above the bottom unit and hermetically sealing the two units together; placing a nutrient liquid in the filtering wells of the top unit; and evacuating the space beneath said planar member of the top unit drawing nutrient liquid through the microporous membrane of the top unit into the filtering wells of the bottom unit, said nutrient solution being sterilized as it passes through the microporous membrane of the top unit.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of culturing cells comprising: providing top and bottom microfiltration units, each of said units comprising: an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said filtering wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; skirt means, circumscribing an area axially aligned with one of said filtering wells, said skirt means having a filtrate discharge passage in fluid communication with the aligned filtering well; a microporous membrane disposed in the bottom of each of said filtering wells; and vacuum means for drawing liquid within said filtering wells through the microporous membrane; placing the cells to be cultured and culture media within the filtering wells of the bottom unit; superimposing the top unit above the bottom unit and hermetically sealing the two units together; placing a nutrient liquid in the filtering wells of the top unit; and evacuating the space beneath said planar member of the top unit drawing nutrient liquid through the microporous membrane of the top unit into the filtering wells of the bottom unit, said nutrient solution being sterilized as it passes through the microporous membrane of the top unit.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 44 further comprising: providing a multiwell collection plate and superimposing said top and bottom units on top of said multiwell collection plate; and evacuating the space beneath said planar surface of said bottom microfiltration unit to draw said culture media and cellular products into said collection plate while retaining said cells in said bottom microfiltration unit.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
158 words
Microchromatography apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples, each of said wells closed at its bottom by a planar bottom member providing a support surface for a filter medium; filter members within a plurality of said filtering wells, each of said filter members being sealed around its periphery and resting on said support surface; chromatography medium within said plurality of filtering wells and a porous disc sealed within each of said plurality of wells with said chromatography medium held in a compacted state between said porous disc and said filter member; filtrate discharge nozzles, at least one of said discharge nozzles associated with each of said filtering wells, each of said discharge nozzles depending from the bottom of said planar member at a point radially outward of the inner surface of the associated filtering well; and fluid conduits providing fluid communication between each filtering well and its associated discharge nozzle.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
158 words
Microchromatography apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples, each of said wells closed at its bottom by a planar bottom member providing a support surface for a filter medium; filter members within a plurality of said filtering wells, each of said filter members being sealed around its periphery and resting on said support surface; chromatography medium within said plurality of filtering wells and a porous disc sealed within each of said plurality of wells with said chromatography medium held in a compacted state between said porous disc and said filter member; filtrate discharge nozzles, at least one of said discharge nozzles associated with each of said filtering wells, each of said discharge nozzles depending from the bottom of said planar member at a point radially outward of the inner surface of the associated filtering well; and fluid conduits providing fluid communication between each filtering well and its associated discharge nozzle.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
239 words
Microchromatography apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an upper planar surface and an array of filtering walls for receiving liquid samples, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a support surface for a filter medium; filter members within a plurality of said filtering wells, each of said filter members being sealed around its periphery and resting on said support surface; chromatography medium within said plurality of filtering wells and a porous disc sealed within each of said plurality of wells with said chromatography medium held in a compacted state between said porous disc and said filter medium; inner and outer skirts depending from said upper planar surface and surrounding said array of filtering wells, said outer skirt being adapted to mate with the exterior sidewalls of a collection plate, and said inner skirt terminating at a lower rim and being sufficiently long to maintain a fixed space between said well bottoms and a planar surface engaged by said lower rim, said inner skirt defining an interior space within said manifold plate; sealing means for forming a hermetic seal between said lower rim of said inner skirt and the top of the collection plate; a drain port, associated with the bottom of each of said filtering well bottoms, for draining liquid from the associcated well; and a vacuum port for evacuating said interior and fixed spaces thereby drawing filtrate through said drain ports.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
239 words
Microchromatography apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an upper planar surface and an array of filtering walls for receiving liquid samples, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a support surface for a filter medium; filter members within a plurality of said filtering wells, each of said filter members being sealed around its periphery and resting on said support surface; chromatography medium within said plurality of filtering wells and a porous disc sealed within each of said plurality of wells with said chromatography medium held in a compacted state between said porous disc and said filter medium; inner and outer skirts depending from said upper planar surface and surrounding said array of filtering wells, said outer skirt being adapted to mate with the exterior sidewalls of a collection plate, and said inner skirt terminating at a lower rim and being sufficiently long to maintain a fixed space between said well bottoms and a planar surface engaged by said lower rim, said inner skirt defining an interior space within said manifold plate; sealing means for forming a hermetic seal between said lower rim of said inner skirt and the top of the collection plate; a drain port, associated with the bottom of each of said filtering well bottoms, for draining liquid from the associcated well; and a vacuum port for evacuating said interior and fixed spaces thereby drawing filtrate through said drain ports.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
246 words
A method of radiographic analysis comprising: providing a microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; skirt means, circumscribing an area axially aligned with one of said filtering wells, said skirt means having a filtrate discharge passage in fluid communication with the aligned filtering well; a filter medium disposed in the bottom of each of said filtering wells; and a punch of a diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of said skirt means; placing a sample containing a radiolabeled species within said filtering wells and filtering said sample through said filter medium by applying a vacuum beneath said filter support plate to collect on said filter medium a residue containing said radiolabeled species; covering the top of said manifold plate with a cover member; inverting said manifold plate, filter support plate and cover member; aligning said punch with the axis of a filtering well by bringing said punch into engagement with said skirt means; punching through said planar member with said punch to cut blanks out of said planar member and said filter support medium and collecting said blanks on said cover member; and placing at least the cover member, carrying said blanks, into a light impervious container containing an unexposed film with said cover member in close proximity to said film.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
246 words
A method of radiographic analysis comprising: providing a microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; skirt means, circumscribing an area axially aligned with one of said filtering wells, said skirt means having a filtrate discharge passage in fluid communication with the aligned filtering well; a filter medium disposed in the bottom of each of said filtering wells; and a punch of a diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of said skirt means; placing a sample containing a radiolabeled species within said filtering wells and filtering said sample through said filter medium by applying a vacuum beneath said filter support plate to collect on said filter medium a residue containing said radiolabeled species; covering the top of said manifold plate with a cover member; inverting said manifold plate, filter support plate and cover member; aligning said punch with the axis of a filtering well by bringing said punch into engagement with said skirt means; punching through said planar member with said punch to cut blanks out of said planar member and said filter support medium and collecting said blanks on said cover member; and placing at least the cover member, carrying said blanks, into a light impervious container containing an unexposed film with said cover member in close proximity to said film.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for radiographic analysis comprising: providing a microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; skirt means, circumscribing an area axially aligned with one of said filtering wells, said skirt means having a filtrate discharge passage in fluid communication with the aligned filtering well; a filter medium disposed in the bottom of each of said filtering wells; placing a sample containing a radiolabeled species within said filtering wells and filtering said sample through said filter medium by applying a vacuum beneath said filter support plate to collect on said filter medium a residue containing said radiolabeled species; placing at least said filter support plate within a container holding an unexposed photographic film, with said filter support plate resting on said film.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for radiographic analysis comprising: providing a microfiltration apparatus comprising: a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells for receiving liquid samples to be filtered, each of said wells being closed at its bottom by a planar member providing a filter support surface for a filter medium; skirt means, circumscribing an area axially aligned with one of said filtering wells, said skirt means having a filtrate discharge passage in fluid communication with the aligned filtering well; a filter medium disposed in the bottom of each of said filtering wells; placing a sample containing a radiolabeled species within said filtering wells and filtering said sample through said filter medium by applying a vacuum beneath said filter support plate to collect on said filter medium a residue containing said radiolabeled species; placing at least said filter support plate within a container holding an unexposed photographic film, with said filter support plate resting on said film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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