Patent ID: 8277762

Claim:
An apparatus for assaying effects of test formulations on barrier properties of at least one piece of skin, comprising: a first plate including a plurality of first wells configured so that a first end of each of the first wells is sealable with the at least one piece of skin, the first wells each including openings at a second end that allow a first plurality of formulations to be introduced or removed, wherein at least a portion of the first wells are arranged linearly in a row, and a generally cylindrical plate channel that runs generally parallel to the row of the first wells positioned between the first and second ends thereof; a generally cylindrical rod mounted in the plate channel of the first plate and extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis, the rod including a plurality of rod channels that are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the rod channels is configured to be in general alignment with a respective one of the first wells in the row, wherein the rod is rotatable about the longitudinal axis between an open position in which the rod channels allow the first plurality of formulations to be introduced or removed through the openings of the first wells in the row, and a closed position in which the rod retains the first plurality of formulations in the first wells and promotes contact between the first plurality of formulations in the first wells and the at least one piece of skin independently of an orientation of the apparatus; and a second plate configured for assembly with the first plate so that the at least one piece of skin may be sandwiched between the first and second plates, the second plate including a plurality of second wells, wherein each of the second wells is in general alignment with a respective one of the first wells on an opposite side of the at least one piece of skin, each of the second wells including a first end sealable with at least one piece of skin and openings at a second end that allow a second plurality of formulations to be introduced or removed.