US4427415A — Manifold vacuum biochemical test method and device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 142 words

A laboratory test device for capturing substances suspended in a liquid comprising: a. a plate formed to define a plurality of wells to contain the liquid samples to be tested, b. a drain in each said well consisting of a hole of a diameter such that surface tension of the liquid will maintain the liquid above the hole, c. a filter medium placed within the well to cover the drain hole, d. an enclosed vacuum chamber joined to the bottom of said plate, e. gasket means sealing the joined surfaces of the plate and vacuum chamber to prevent loss of vacuum pressure, f. connecting means from said vacuum chamber to a vacuum source of sufficient size to draw the liquid of the test sample through the filter and drain hole leaving suspended solids of the test sample deposited upon said filter medium.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 142 words

A laboratory test device for capturing substances suspended in a liquid comprising: a. a plate formed to define a plurality of wells to contain the liquid samples to be tested, b. a drain in each said well consisting of a hole of a diameter such that surface tension of the liquid will maintain the liquid above the hole, c. a filter medium placed within the well to cover the drain hole, d. an enclosed vacuum chamber joined to the bottom of said plate, e. gasket means sealing the joined surfaces of the plate and vacuum chamber to prevent loss of vacuum pressure, f. connecting means from said vacuum chamber to a vacuum source of sufficient size to draw the liquid of the test sample through the filter and drain hole leaving suspended solids of the test sample deposited upon said filter medium.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 186 words

A method of entrapping a substance suspended in a liquid medium for sequential reaction and washing steps comprising: a. placing a filter medium in a manifold test container consisting of a plurality of wells, each with an outlet hole at its lower surface, said hole of such size that surface tension of the liquid medium will prevent flow at normal atmospheric pressure, b. placing a liquid test sample in each said well, c. applying a vacuum to the outlet hole sufficient to break the surface tension of the liquid carrier drawing the liquid through the filter medium and the outlet hole depositing suspended particles on the filter medium, d. placing reactive agents in each said well for test operation on each said test sample, e. again applying a vacuum to withdraw liquid and deposit particulate matter on the filter, f. placing cleansing agents in each said well for washing operation of each sample, g. again applying a vacuum to withdraw the liquid and deposit particulate matter on the filter medium, h. analyzing the particulate residue on the filter medium following the final vacuum withdrawal of liquid.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 186 words

A method of entrapping a substance suspended in a liquid medium for sequential reaction and washing steps comprising: a. placing a filter medium in a manifold test container consisting of a plurality of wells, each with an outlet hole at its lower surface, said hole of such size that surface tension of the liquid medium will prevent flow at normal atmospheric pressure, b. placing a liquid test sample in each said well, c. applying a vacuum to the outlet hole sufficient to break the surface tension of the liquid carrier drawing the liquid through the filter medium and the outlet hole depositing suspended particles on the filter medium, d. placing reactive agents in each said well for test operation on each said test sample, e. again applying a vacuum to withdraw liquid and deposit particulate matter on the filter, f. placing cleansing agents in each said well for washing operation of each sample, g. again applying a vacuum to withdraw the liquid and deposit particulate matter on the filter medium, h. analyzing the particulate residue on the filter medium following the final vacuum withdrawal of liquid.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 2 in which the analysis is accomplished by radio-isotope detection.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 2 in which the analysis is accomplished by spectrophotometry.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 2 in which the analysis is accomplished by microscopy.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 2 in which the analysis is accomplished by chemical reaction.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 162 words

Apparatus for use in laboratory testing procedures to capture substance suspended in a liquid, comprising: a. a first plate element formed to define a plurality of elongate passages sufficiently open to permit substantially unobstructed fluid flow therethrough, b. a second plate element formed to define a plurality of drain apertures adapted to register with said passages, each of said apertures being sized such that surface tension of the liquid will prevent the liquid from flowing through the aperture freely, c. a sheet of filter medium positioned between said first and second plate elements, d. means sealing said first and second plate elements together with said passages and said drain apertures in registry with one another, e. means defining a vacuum chamber sealed to the bottom of said second plate, f. connecting means for connecting said vacuum chamber to a vacuum source, whereby said liquid may be drawn through said filter medium and said drain hole, leaving said substances deposited upon said medium.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 162 words

Apparatus for use in laboratory testing procedures to capture substance suspended in a liquid, comprising: a. a first plate element formed to define a plurality of elongate passages sufficiently open to permit substantially unobstructed fluid flow therethrough, b. a second plate element formed to define a plurality of drain apertures adapted to register with said passages, each of said apertures being sized such that surface tension of the liquid will prevent the liquid from flowing through the aperture freely, c. a sheet of filter medium positioned between said first and second plate elements, d. means sealing said first and second plate elements together with said passages and said drain apertures in registry with one another, e. means defining a vacuum chamber sealed to the bottom of said second plate, f. connecting means for connecting said vacuum chamber to a vacuum source, whereby said liquid may be drawn through said filter medium and said drain hole, leaving said substances deposited upon said medium.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 41 words

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said sealing means includes a hinge element joining said first and second plate elements to permit replacement of said sheet and reuse of said apparatus, while maintaining registry of said passages and said drain apertures.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1987-01-23	1987-07-25	1988-01-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1991-01-23	1991-07-25	1992-01-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1995-01-23	1995-07-25	1996-01-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Manifold vacuum biochemical test method and device

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