US 4,787,988 A · Cell harvester

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the simultaneous filtering of samples contained in a plurality of test tubes includes a test tube block, a vacuum manifold, base manifold and vacuum base. The vacuum manifold is provided with a plurality of recesses complementary with barrels in the block defining chambers to receive the test tubes. The base manifold and vacuum base are assembled as a unit including recesses to receive filter screens and passages leading from the recesses to a vacuum source. The vacuum manifold is positioned onto the block with a filter medium placed over the vacuum manifold and secured in place by attaching the base manifold/vacuum base unit to the block. When vacuum is applied to the vacuum base the entire assembly is inverted whereby the contents of the test tubes are drawn through passages in the vacuum base to the filter medium. Passages in the base provide a wash solution to the barrels which is drawn through the device by the vacuum. In the recesses of the vacuum manifold, a deflector is provided to direct a portion of the wash back up into the test tube to remove any residue and deposit it onto the filter medium. The recesses in the base manifold act as a die which cut circular filter elements from the filter medium when sufficient pressure is used to clamp the components to the block. Upon disassembly of the components the contents of each test tube are contained on the individually cut filter elements to allow easy separation and handling.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A method for the simultaneous filtering of the contents in a plurality of sample containers using a device comprising:

(a) a support means having a bottom side and means defining a plurality of vertical barrels having a bottom portion, said support means further including means defining a passage from said bottom portion to an inlet means;
(b) first manifold means complementary with said support means and barrels to define a plurality of enclosed chambers, said first manifold means including means to define a plurality of first passages extending through said first manifold and in communication with said chambers;
(c) means for forming a substantially tight seal around said barrels between said first manifold means and support means to define a plurality of sealed chambers;
(d) second manifold means complementary with said first manifold means and having means defining a plurality of second passages complementary with said first passages;
(e) means for forming a substantially tight seal between said first and second manifold means around said first and second passage;
(f) said method including the steps of inserting filter means between said first and second manifold means;
(g) positioning at least one sample container in said barrels;
(h) positioning and clamping said first and second manifold means onto said support means;
(i) applying a vacuum to said second passage;
(j) inverting said device including filter means;
(k) collecting solids of said sample container onto said inverted filter means;
and
(l) removing said filter means.

10 more elements

A filtration device for recovering substances suspended in a plurality of liquid samples comprising:

(a) support means having means defining a plurality of barrels adapted to receive sample containing elements;
(b) first manifold means complementary with said support means and barrels to define a plurality of closed chambers, said first manifold means including means to define a plurality of first passages extending through said first manifold and in communication with said chambers;
(c) sealing means on said first manifold means surrounding each of said first passages between said first manifold means and support means to seal said plurality of closed chambers;
(d) second manifold means complementary with said first manifold means and having means defining a plurality of second passages complementary with said first passages and communicating said first passages with a vacuum source;
(e) filter means disposed between said first and second manifold means;
(f) means to apply a vacuum to said second passages;
(g) means to alternatively supply air or wash to said barrels;
and
(h) means for forming a substantially tight seal between said first and second manifold means around said first and second passages.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cell harvester

Life of this patent

Cell harvester

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28