Abstract: The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard multi-well microtiter plates or other array structures. The multi-well plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the conveyor and the wells of the multi-well plate are sequentially aligned with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a probe affixed to a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard multi-well microtiter plates or other array structures. The multi-well plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the conveyor and the wells of the multi-well plate are sequentially aligned with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a probe affixed to a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard multiwell microtiter plates or other array structures. The multiwell plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the conveyor and the wells of the multiwell plate are sequentially aligned with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a probe affixed to a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: This invention is a filtration and aeration apparatus which comprises (a) an elongated tubular member which is closed at its lower end, open at the opposite end, and provided at its lower portion with a plurality of passages which extend through the longitudinal wall of the tubular member and (b) an air delivery means for supplying air to the interior of said tubular member at a point at or slightly below the lowermost level of said passages so that the air is discharged parallel to the length of said tubular member in the interior of said tubular member. Another aspect of this invention is a unique air delivery means which comprises an air tube connected to and extending into a chamber designed to allow air to escape from said chamber through passages in the chamber walls so that the air is discharged through said chamber wall passages in a direction opposite from the direction said air is delivered to said chamber through said air tube.