Patent ID: 6485690
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: B01J,B01L,C40B,Y10T

Abstract:
A fluid sample processing apparatus comprising:a reservoir plate member; a distribution plate member connected to said reservoir plate member; and a well plate member connected to said distribution plate member; said reservoir plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a first plurality of orifices in the upper surface for entry of liquids therein, and a plurality of second orifices on the lower surface for exhausting of liquids from said reservoir plate member, said first and second plurality of orifices being spatially oriented; a first plurality of micro-sized channels in said reservoir plate member for conveying liquids from said first plurality of orifices to said plurality of second orifices; said distribution plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of third orifices in said upper surface of said distribution plate member, said third orifices being spatially arranged in alignment with said second plurality of orifices in said reservoir plate member in order to transfer liquids from said reservoir plate member to said distribution plate member; a second plurality of micro-sized channels in said distribution plate member for fluid communication between the orifices on the upper surface of the distribution plate member and a plurality of fourth orifices on the lower surface of said distribution layer; said well plate member having a plurality of well members therein, said well members having first openings in alignment with said plurality of fourth orifices of said distribution plate member; and a pressurized fluid delivery mechanism, said mechanism positioned in contact with said reservoir plate member for selectively applying pressure into a plurality of first orifices in order to convey liquid materials through said apparatus.