Patent ID: 7615193

Claim:
A fluid distribution system, comprising: a fluid distributor comprising a first side, a second side, and a plurality of conduits disposed in fixed, spaced relation, each conduit extending from the first side to the second side, each conduit comprising (i) an inner diameter of less than 1 mm, (ii) a first end located at the first side and defining a first opening, the first opening being sized such that when the first opening is placed in contact with a fluid sample, capillary action draws the fluid sample into the conduit; and (iii) a second end located at the second side and defining a second opening, the diameter of each of the first openings is smaller than the diameter of each of the second openings, wherein, the first openings define a first two-dimensional array of openings haying a first center-to-center pitch in two dimensions and the second openings define a second two-dimensional array of openings having a second center-to-center pitch in two dimensions, wherein the first center-to-center pitch is smaller than the second center-to-center pitch, and the diameter of the conduit gradually increases from the first opening to the second opening; a vessel for holding a fluid sample, wherein said vessel comprises sidewalls configured to align the first two-dimensional array of openings with the vessel, and at least one of the first openings is adapted for fluid communication with at least one of the second openings of said plurality of conduits, whereby said fluid sample can be transferred from said vessel into said plurality of conduits; and a plurality of wells, each having an open end and each holding at least two oligonucleotides therein; wherein, collectively, the open ends of the wells define an array alignable with the second two-dimensional array of openings.