Millipore Corporation

Boston Probes, Inc.

Millipore Investment Holdings, Ltd.

Stargaze Corporation

Emd Millipore Corporation

Donald B Rising

Kenneth DeSilets

Phillip Clark

Thomas G Zermani

Jeanne Phillips

Aldo M Pitt

William Kopaciewicz

Chris Scott

Marc Emerick

Emile O Montminy

Carolyn Lee

Jens J Hyldig-Nielsen

Henrik Stender

Louis L Bonhomme

John F Zettler

Frederick G Bargoot

John F Pacheco

Kenneth G Desilets

Rita Zimmerman

Richard G Naegeli, Jr

Chris A Scott

An integrated proteomics sample preparation device and method for in-gel digestion of proteins and for desalting and concentrating samples prior to further analysis such as by MALDI TOF and/or electro-spray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of wells in fluid communication with a an outlet or drainage opening containing a three dimensional structure comprising a plurality of sorptive particles entrapped in a porous polymer matrix so as to form a device capable of carrying out solid phase extraction. In a preferred embodiment, the wells are configured so as to prevent a sample carrier present in the wells from clogging the outlet when subjected to a driving force such as vacuum. The device also reduces or eliminates overflowing of a well in the event a drain becomes clogged during automated operation.

Anti-clogging device and method for in-gel digestion applications

An integrated proteomics sample preparation device and method for in-gel digestion of proteins and for desalting and concentrating samples prior to further analysis such as by MALDI TOF and/or electro-spray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The device and method of the present invention allow for digestion, desalting and concentration of sample prior to analysis. More specifically, the device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of wells in fluid communication with a an outlet or drainage opening containing a three dimensional structure comprising a plurality of sorptive particles entrapped in a porous polymer matrix so as to form a device capable of carrying out solid phase extraction. In a preferred embodiment, the wells are configured so as to prevent a sample carrier present in the wells from clogging the outlet when subjected to a driving force such as vacuum. The device also reduces or eliminates overflowing of a well in the event a drain becomes clogged during automated operation.

A feeding tray for retaining a liquid nutrient liquid is provided for use with a multiwell filter plate. The feeding tray includes a flat support surface surrounded by walls which retain liquid on the support surface. The flat support surface includes protrusions positioned to contact the membrane portion of a multiplicity of wells of the multiwell filter plate when the multiwell filter plate is removed from the feeding tray. These protrusions remove residual liquids from the bottom of each filter well thereby minimizing cross contamination in subsequent processing steps. Additionally, it may contain one or more baffles, in lieu of or in addition to the protrusions for controlling liquid movement during handling.

Tray with protrusions

A multiwell test apparatus formed of a multiwell filter plate having a plurality of wells and a first feeding plate and a second receiver plate is provided. The wells of the multiwell filter plate each have an open bottom surface to which a membrane is attached, at least one first access hole providing access to the feeding/receiver plate below, a pair of alignment pins designed to fit alignment holes in the feeding/receiver plates in a particular arrangement. The first feeding plate is a single well plate or a multiwell plate used solely for feeding. The second receiver plate is a multiwell plate having the same number of wells as the filter plate and aligned so as to receive the wells of the filter plate therein used as the assaying plate. The use of alignment holes in the feeding/receiver plates and alignment posts in the filter plate ensure precise alignment of the plates when together.

Multiwell test apparatus

A feeding tray for retaining a nutrient medium is provided for use with a multiwell filter plate. The feeding tray includes an inclined support surface surrounded by walls that retain nutrient medium on the support surface. The support surface is inclined away from an area for introducing nutrient medium into the feeding tray toward an area for draining the feeding tray of nutrient medium.

Feeding tray for multiwell test apparatus

A multiwell filter plate of a multiwell test apparatus is provided to effect addition or removal of liquid from a feeding tray positioned below the multiwell filter tray. Access holes extending through a plate of the multiwell filter plate are provided so that a syringe can be extended through the access holes.

Access holes for a multiwell filter plate for multiwell test apparatus

A multiwell test apparatus comprising a multiwell filter plate and having wells that fit within the wells of a single or multiwell receiver plate is provided. The multiwell filter plate also is provided with posts which fit into holes of the receiver plate. The posts and holes are shaped to fix the position of the wells of the multiwell filter plate within the well(s) of the receiver plate and to permit controlled lateral movement of the multiwell filter plate when it is partially removed from the receiver plate so that excess liquid on the wells of the multiwell filter plate can be directed into the well(s) of the receiver plate.

Positioning pins for multiwell test apparatus

This invention relates to a filtration apparatus and method for the separation of microscopic entities from a fluid (liquid or gas) and subsequent visual or imaging microscopic analysis of the entities separated thereon either directly or after treatment of the entities whilst on the apparatus in order to enhance their subsequent visualization and/or imaging. Such treatment can comprise reaction with reagents contained in other solutions that can be made to imbibe and/or pass through the filtration apparatus and which can be washed with solutions that can be made to imbibe and/or pass through the filtration apparatus. An example of a specific area of application is in the microbiological testing of fluids in order to detect, identify and/or enumerate microorganisms contained in a fluid test sample.

Filtration apparatus and method for the separation of microscopic entities from a fluid

A variable orifice valve for controlling fluid flow in a conduit, comprising a band or other movable members defining an opening for passing the fluid therethrough, the band mounted transverse to the direction of fluid flow in the conduit, so that the band opening is at least partially in the conduit. The band is movable relative to the conduit, to change the amount of the opening exposed to fluid flow.

Variable orifice valve

Disclosed is a vacuum filtration device including; (a)filter body including a filter membrane; (b) a passageway extending through the body and communicating with the upstream side of the filter for receiving a fluid to be filtered; (c) a junction mounted on the body on the downstream side of the filter and adapted to receive a closed container for receiving the filtered fluid and including sealing for creating a fluid tight seal between the container and the body; (d) a vacuum port communicating with said junction and adapted to be connected to a vacuum source for drawing the fluid through the filter and comprising a sealable vacuum vent which, when open, provides fluid communication between the vacuum port and a gas source. The device also includes a vacuum vent cap and a filter body vent and vent cap.

Vacuum filtration device sealable vacuum vent

A device for conducting biological analysis, such as cell culture, is disclosed having improved contamination prevention features. In a preferred embodiment, a microwell membrane plate for cell analysis is adapted to be inserted into a shallow rectangular tray with elevated side walls which form a single large reservoir for holding an appropriate liquid used in cell growth and analysis. The side surfaces of the tray include a raised ridge extending about the entire periphery of the tray. A series of uniform-height steps formed on the ridge serve as support for the microwell membrane plate when inserted into the tray and also create a narrow capillary gap between the plate and the tray. A ledge extending laterally from the base of the ridge forms a second, wider gap when the microwell membrane plate is inserted into the tray. The height of the first capillary gap is less than the height of the second gap formed within the zone of space extending to the exterior of the device, thus when the tray and plate are tilted, as when jostled during handling, liquid from the reservoir will preferentially remain in the space formed by the first capillary gap. Liquid which does spill into the second gap will run back into the reservoir when the device is leveled.

Biological analysis device having improved contamination prevention

A dialysis apparatus is provided including a multiwell plate, a separations membrane and a template having holes which mate with the wells. The membrane is sealed to one end of the wells by positioning the template about the outer peripheral surfaces of the wells with the membrane being frictionally held therebetween.

A filter punch construction is provided for use in conjunction with a multiwell filtration device wherein each well includes a filtration membrane. The punch has a leading surface to which is secured an elongated piercing member having a sharp point and a periphery comprising holding or cutting edges and a following surface which has a guide member. The piercing member and cutting edges pierce the filtration membrane in each well and push the entire filter and retentate thereon into a receptacle vial.

Filter punch and filter collection system

A filter punch construction is provided for use in conjunction with a multiwell filtration device wherein each well includes a filtration membrane. The punch has a leading flat surface to which is secured an elongated piercing member having a sharp point and a following surface to which is secured a guide member. The piercing member pierces the filtration membrane in each well and the flat leading surface pushes the entire membrane and retentate thereon into a receptacle vial.

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Stow, MA, United States of America

Donald B Rising