# US 6,451,261 B1 · Multi-well microfiltration apparatus

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- Number: US 6,451,261 B1
- Document ID: US6451261B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/565,673
- Filed: 2000-05-04
- Granted: 2002-09-17
- Earliest claimed: 1998-10-29
- Assignees: Applera Corporation
- Inventors: Kevin S. Bodner; Alfred P. Madden; Joseph Jackson; Jason H. Halsey; Mark T. Reed; Ward Frye; Mark F. Oldham; Stephen E. Moring; Jon Hoshizaki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6451261B1

## CPC

- B01L 3/5025: {for parallel transport of multiple samples}
- B01D 61/18: Apparatus therefor
- B01L 3/50255: {Multi-well filtration}
- G01N 35/0099: {comprising robots or similar manipulators (robots per se B25J)}
- B01L 2400/049: vacuum
- G01N 35/028: {having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates}
- G01N 35/1074: {arranged in a two-dimensional array}
- G01N 2035/00485: {combined with sample carriers}
- G01N 2035/102: {Preventing or detecting loss of fluid by dripping}
- Y10T 436/25: including sample preparation
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e.g., cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes. Further, the invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that adequately support discrete filter elements disposed in the wells without creating substantial preferential flow. Additionally, the invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that avoid cross-contamination due to aerosol formation, pendent drops and/or splattering. Other disclosed features of the invention provide for the automated covering or heat-sealing of filtrate samples separately collected in an array of wells.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A removable cover for isolating a plurality of samples separately contained in an array of closed-bottom wells supported in a collection tray, comprising:
a substantially rigid, rectangular shell portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and a circumferential side-edge region;
a plurality of reversibly expandable tubular sleeves formed along the top surface of said shell portion;
a resiliently compliant undersurface secured to the bottom surface of said shell portion,
a plurality of resiliently deflectable, elongated side arms projecting beyond said bottom surface from opposing side-edge regions of said shell portion, each side arm normally positioned substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by said bottom surface; and
an inwardly-directed catch formed at an end of each side arm distal from said shell portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cover of claim 1, wherein said undersurface includes a plurality of downwardly convex nodules disposed in an array complementary to said well array.