Patent ID: 6878344

Claim:
An apparatus for use in performing a plurality of tests in parallel, the apparatus comprising: a first plate having openings extending at least partially therethrough to form a plurality of cavities; a second plate having a plurality of openings extending at least partially therethrough and forming a plurality of individual fluid chambers for performing a plurality of tests in parallel; a first sheet interposed between the first and second plates and having a plurality of porous test regions separated by a seal integral with the first sheet to prevent fluid transfer between the test regions, periphery edges of the fluid chambers being in contact with the seal, the test regions being aligned with the fluid chambers such that each of the test regions is exposed to one of the chambers; and a flexible membrane positioned between the first plate and the first sheet such that changes in pressure within the cavities cause deflection of the membrane and force fluid to pass through the porous test regions; wherein the first sheet is held in place by a force exerted by the first and second plates when the apparatus is in an assembled configuration and removable from the first and second plates when the apparatus is in an unassembled configuration.