Support and stand-off ribs for underdrain for multi-well device

摘要

Underdrain design for a multiwell device that when fixed to the device (either as an integral or removable component thereof), allows for adequate venting during filtration, minimizes or prevents air lock, and has improved structural integrity. Also disclosed is a laboratory device designed particularly for a multiplate format that includes a plate or tray having a plurality of wells, and an underdrain in fluid communication with each of the plurality of wells. The underdrain can be a separate, removable piece, or can be an integral unitary structure with the plate or tray forming a one-piece design. The design is preferably in compliance with SBS format.

主权项

1. A unitary multiwall filtration device comprising:
a multiwell base plate, an underdrain, and a collection plate, wherein the multiwell base plate is stacked on the underdrain, and the underdrain is stacked on the collection plate forming a unitary structure,
the multiwell base plate having,
(i) a perimeter, wherein the perimeter of the base plate includes a shoulder and a skirt,(ii) an upstream surface,(iii) a downstream surface,(iv) a plurality of base plate wells, and(v) a plurality of porous substrates, wherein the porous substrates are selected from the group consisting of a microporous membrane, an ultrafiltration membrane, a depth filter media, a matrix-embedded chromatographic media, a loose chromatographic media, and combinations thereof, wherein each base plate well has an interior bottom surface including one or more apertures formed therein, and the porous substrate is located in the base plate well covering the bottom surface,
the underdrain having,
(i) an upstream side adjacent the downstream surface of the base plate for receiving the base plate wells, wherein the upstream side of the underdrain includes,
(a) a plurality of drains corresponding in number to the base plate wells, each drain in fluid communication with a corresponding base plate well, and(b) a plurality of annular rings corresponding in number to the drains, each annular ring circumscribing a corresponding drain, wherein each annular ring is dimensioned to receive a corresponding base plate well, and(ii) a downstream side having,
(a) a plurality of spouts corresponding in number to the drains on the underdrain upstream side, each spout in fluid communication with a corresponding drain;(b) a plurality of spout protecting rings corresponding in number to the spouts, each spout protecting ring. circumscribing a corresponding spout;(c) a plurality of underdrain reinforcing ribs, wherein a group of four underdrain reinforcing ribs are associated with each spout, each underdrain reinforcing rib in the group are separated from each other by an underdrain gap, each underdrain gap in fluid communication with the corresponding spout, and each underdrain reinforcing rib in the group are positioned radially outwardly of a corresponding spout protecting ring circumscribing the spout, wherein each underdrain gap provides a fluid pathway for defining a vent that allows for the passage of a gas from the wells of the base plate to the environment during application of a vacuum during fluid filtration; and(d) a plurality of underdrain protecting stand-off ribs, wherein a group of four underdrain protecting stand-off ribs are associated with each spout, such that each one of the four underdrain protecting stand-off ribs extend outwardly of a corresponding underdrain reinforcing rib, such that during fluid filtration and under pressure a fluid flows from the base plate wells, through the substrate, into and out of the underdrain spouts;the collection plate having,
(i) a top surface,(ii) an outer perimeter wall, and(iii)a plurality of collection plate wells corresponding in number to the spouts on the underdrain, the collection plate being disposed downstream with the respect to the underdrain such that each collection plate well is in fluid communication with a corresponding spout, and the multiwell base plate positioned on the top surface of the collection plate, such that during filtration a fluid flows from the base plate wells, through the membrane, into and out of the underdrain spouts of the underdrain, and into the corresponding collection plate wells.