Microfiltration apparatus with radially spaced nozzles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multiwell apparatus for biological and biochemical analysis which provides for separate collection of filtrate from each well, without cross-contamination therebetween. The present invention provides a manifold plate having an array of filtering wells, each of the wells being closed at its bottom by a planar bottom member providing a filter support surface. A discharge nozzle of passageway depends from each well bottom (planar bottom member) in a direction normal thereto, with one such discharge nozzle or port being provided in fluid communication with each filtering well. Each of these filtrate nozzles or drain ports extends from the lower surface of the planar bottom member to such an extent that it will enter into the well of a conventional multiwell, e.g., microtiter, plate in alignment therewith and mate with the sidewall of the aligned well of the multiwell plate. In this manner, the filtrate can be delivered to the collection well of the multiwell plate as a steady stream, in the manner one would use a pipette, rather than dropwise. The ability to quantitatively collect filtrate into a receiving multiwell plate provides options for improved immunoassays, nucleic acid probe assays and other test procedures.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.