Patent ID: 7211209

Claim:
A method of fabricating a device comprising: a. providing a support; b. forming a first layer configured to be placed in fluid-tight contact with the support, the first layer having an upper surface and defining a pattern of micro-orifices, each micro-orifice of the pattern of micro-orifices having walls and defining a micro-region on the support when the first layer is placed in fluid-tight contact with the support such that the walls of said each micro-orifice and the micro-region on the support together define a micro-well, wherein said first layer is formed by: providing a first mold having a pattern of micro-posts corresponding to the pattern of micro-orifices; applying a first elastomeric material in liquid form to the first mold; curing the first elastomeric material; and removing the cured first elastomeric material from the first mold; c. forming a second layer configured to be placed in fluid-tight contact with the upper surface of the first layer, the second layer defining a pattern of macro-orifices, each macro-orifice of the pattern of macro-orifices having walls and defining a macro-region when the first layer is placed in fluid-tight contact with the support and the second layer is placed in fluid-tight contact with the first layer such that the walls of the macro-orifice and the macro-region together define a macro-well, wherein said second layer is formed by: providing a second mold having a pattern of macro-posts corresponding to the pattern of macro-orifices; applying a second elastomeric material in liquid form to the second mold; curing the second elastomeric material; and removing the cured second elastomeric material from the second mold; and d. placing the first layer in fluid-tight contact with the support.