Multiple Filter Array Assay

A method of quantifying organisms in a fluid test sample comprising the steps of:

• (i) introducing a volume of said fluid test sample to a fluid-inlet side of a filtration apparatus that distributes and exposes a sample commonly to a plurality of non-communicating discrete filter elements within said filtration apparatus;
• (ii) filtering a predefined volume of said fluid test sample through each said non-communicating discrete filter elements thereby concentrating and/or separating filtered material to reduce a volume of respective said fluid test sample to be assayed;
• (iii) removing excess residual unfiltered said fluid test sample from said filtration apparatus;
• (iv) exposing each said filter elements to an appropriate culture media agent, growth-indicating reagent, or other analytical procedure appropriate to identify the presence of organisms of interest concentrated on said filter elements;
• (v) covering said filter elements to protect them from contamination and drying;
• (vi) incubating said filtration apparatus for an appropriate time and temperature to derive an indication of presence or absence of said organisms at each said filter element;
• (vii) analyzing said filter elements at one or more times for measures of the presence, absence, and/or activity of filtered said organism of interest;
• (viii) recording the distribution of said filter elements indicating said presence, absence, and/or activity of said organisms according to number, filtered volume, and/or position in said filtration apparatus;
• and
• (ix) calculating the concentration of said organisms in the original said fluid test sample based on the said presence, absence, and/or activity distribution pattern.

A device for assaying filterable material of a fluid test sample, wherein said device comprises:

• (i) a filter tray apparatus containing a plurality of non-communicating discrete filter elements each occupying and contained within a separate fluid pathway in the tray through which said fluid test sample passes providing for separation and retention of filterable material from said fluid test sample;
• (ii) an inlet sample holding chamber to distribute said fluid test sample to said non-communicating discrete filter elements;
• (iii) an outlet chamber to collect filtrate of said fluid test sample passed through said filter elements;
• (iv) a top cover to provide a sealed enclosure protecting said filter tray apparatus;
• and
• (v) a bottom cover to provide a sealed enclosure protecting said filter tray apparatus.