Patent ID: 8136474

Claim:
An apparatus for transferring fluid, the apparatus comprising: a) a fluid transfer component having a permeable nature and an inherent porosity, the fluid transfer component comprising a first surface, a second surface, a non-random pattern of distinct pores, each of the pores defining a pathway between the first and second surfaces, each pathway having a single entry point at the first surface and a single exit point at the second surface, the pores being disposed at preselected locations to decouple said permeable nature from said inherent porosity, a first plurality of the pores comprising a first pattern and a second plurality of the pores comprising a second pattern; b) a fluid receiving component comprising a fluid receiving surface; c) a fluid supply adapted to provide a fluid in contact with and at a constant fluid pressure with the first surface of the fluid transfer component; and, d) a fluid motivating component adapted to facilitate transport of the fluid from the first surface through the pores to the second surface.