Patent ID: 6074609
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: B01J,C40B,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A system for processing a plurality of beads, the system comprising:a plurality of beads having a diameter in the range from about 5 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m;a manifold comprising a housing having a plurality of spaced-apart and separated areas, wherein each area includes a capillary tube extending from the housing, and wherein the capillary tubes each have a distal end with an opening that is smaller than a single bead that is to be attracted to the distal end; anda vacuum source to create a vacuum within the manifold, wherein, upon application of the vacuum, at least a portion of the beads are attracted to the capillary tubes such that the attracted beads are separated and spaced-apart from each other while attracted to each capillary tube.