Patent ID: 7767467

Claim:
A sequestering device for micro spheres, the sequestering device comprising: a planar porous disk having pores with a size with an appropriate dimension to prevent passage of micro spheres while enabling a liquid carrier in which the micro spheres are suspended to pass through the pores of the disk; and a fluidics manifold, constructed and arranged for electronically and automatically controlling operation of the sequestering device, the fluidics manifold including: a first multiport selection valve; a bi-directional pump, for aspirating a liquid carrier or a suspension of the micro spheres in the liquid carrier; a holding coil connecting the first multiport selection valve to the bi-directional pump, for holding the liquid carrier or a suspension of the micro spheres in the liquid carrier; a second multiport selection valve; an inlet to the porous disk, wherein the inlet is connected to the first multiport selection valve; a waste port for the porous disk, the waste port extending from the porous disk to the second multiport selection valve; and a flush port from the first multiport selection valve to the porous disk, wherein the inlet to the porous disk and the waste port from the porous disk define first and second passageways, respectively, the first and second passageways are serpentine passageways for causing turbulent flow through the passageways to suspend and keep suspended the micro spheres in the liquid carrier, and the porous disk is disposed between and fluidly connected to the first and second passageways.