| abstract |
A device and method constructed to collect a liquid into a device so that the liquid is first drawn in to an intermediate point by capillary attraction only, and then from that intermediate point further by gravity. The device features two apertured portions connected at the intermediate point so as to be angled to each other. The first portion provides the capillary attraction through its aperture by preferably oppositely disposed surfaces spaced a distance no greater than that which will maintain capillary flow into that portion through the aperture; The second portion provides gravity flow further into the device from the intermediate point by a spacing of the opposed surfaces a distance effective to allow gravity to passively overcome any surface attraction caused by the opposed surfaces, and the inclination of that portion to drop below the horizontal plane extending from the intermediate point. The aperture provided in the second portion acts as a vent and a non-sealing cover is seated over the aperture in the first portion after liquid collection to permit centrifugation and pipetting through the vent. |