Method for transferring micro quantities of liquid samples to discrete locations

A method of simultaneously transferring quantities of liquid from a first plurality of separate cells to a second plurality of separate cells, each of the first plurality of separate cells containing a liquid sample, the method comprising:

• placing intake ends of a plurality of conduits into the first cells so that the intake ends of the conduits are immersed in the liquid samples, the conduits further including discharge ends;
• aligning the discharge ends of the conduits with the second plurality of cells;
• sealing one of said first and second plurality of cells in a pressure chamber, the other of said first and second plurality of cells being exterior of the pressure chamber;
• and
• creating a pressure differential between the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells to cause quantities of the liquid samples to simultaneously flow through their respective conduits and to the second plurality of cells;
• the step of creating a pressure differential comprising simultaneously pressurizing the first plurality of cells with a gas to pressurize the liquid samples and cause micro quantities of the liquid samples to flow through their respective conduits and to the second plurality of cells the step of simultaneously pressurizing the first plurality of cells comprising simultaneously pressurizing each of the first plurality of cells to substantially the same pressure, the step of simultaneously pressurizing the plurality of cells comprising pressurizing the cells to pressures suitable for causing the liquid to be dispensed from the discharge end of each conduit at a rate of between approximately 1 .mu.l/min and 150 .mu.l/min.

A method of simultaneously transferring quantities of liquid from a first plurality of separate cells to a second plurality of separate cells, each of the first plurality of separate cells containing a liquid sample, the method comprising:

• placing intake ends of a plurality of conduits into the first cells so that the intake ends of the conduits are immersed in the liquid samples, the conduits further including discharge ends;
• aligning the discharge ends of the conduits with the second plurality of cells;
• sealing one of said first and second plurality of cells in a pressure chambers the other of said first and second plurality of cells being exterior of the pressure chamber;
• creating a pressure differential between the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells to cause quantities of the liquid samples to simultaneously flow through their respective conduits and to the second plurality of cells, the step of creating a pressure differential comprising inducing a change of gas pressure in the pressure chamber so that the gas pressure in the pressure chamber is different from gas pressure in the other of said first and second plurality of cells;
• and
• simultaneously stopping flow of fluid through the conduits after at least approximately 1 microliter has been discharged from each conduit but before approximately 50 microliters of the liquid has been discharged from each conduit.