Devices for Improving the Flatness of High-Density Microplates

A system for imparting a predetermined level of flatness to a microwell plate, the system comprising:

• a rigid member having opposite first and second surfaces;
• an aperture on said first surface and extending through said rigid member, said aperture allowing a vacuum source to communicate with said first surface;
• a sealing member engaging with and extending along said first surface, said sealing member having an opening therein circumscribing a region on said first surface within which said aperture resides, and said sealing member having an upper surface configured to engage with a bottom surface of a microwell plate;
• and
• at least one support member on said first surface and within said region, said support member having an upper surface configured to engage with a bottom surface of a microwell plate,
• wherein said upper surfaces of said sealing member and said at least one support member define a planar surface of a predetermined level of flatness that is imparted to a microwell plate engaged thereon and subjected to a vacuum in said region.