Patent ID: 7220592
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of simultaneously processing multiple particles which have different sizes, the method comprising the steps of (A) pumping a sample from a pump site into a processing chamber through an unbranched inlet conduit which extends from the pump site to the processing chamber; the sample: wherein the processing chamber contains a plurality of particle retainers, the particle retainers lying in a plane, and each particle retainer having a size such that one, but only one, of each of the particles can be retained therein; (B) causing the particles in the sample to be received by the particle retainers; and (C) simultaneously processing the particles received by the particle retainers; wherein the pockets are placed on a weir, and there is a gap above the weir through which liquid can pass and which has a maximum dimension which is less than half the smallest dimension of the particles.