MultiScreen^® Solvinert Filter Plates User Guide

Introduction

The MultiScreen^® Solvinert Filter Plate is a single-use, automation-compatible 96-well device with chemically-resistant 0.45 µm PTFE membrane providing high flow for use in the processing of a wide range of aqueous and organic solutions. It is designed for use with vacuum or centrifugal pressure, accommodates standard 96-well receiver plates for filtrate collection and is provided with a storage lid. The PTFE membrane and polyolefin polymer used in the construction of the filter plate offer broad chemical compatibility. They have shown very low levels of extractables — when exposed to aqueous buffers and acetonitrile for one hour, as analyzed by HPLC — and exhibit low nonspecific binding of small molecules and proteins.

The filter plate meets ANSI guidelines for automation compatibility and features an underdrain designed for discrete transfer of filtrates to a receiver plate without crosstalk. When mounted on a standard receiver plate, it will fit into a standard microtiter plate swinging-bucket rotor. Available with either hydrophilic or hydrophobic membranes, the MultiScreen Solvinert Filter Plate offers a selection optimized for aqueous or organic solvent sample preparation and is intended for a wide range of applications, including total drug analysis, peptide synthesis, determination of compound solubility, solid-phase combinatorial chemistry, chemical cleavage applications and sample preparation prior to HPLC.

Operation

Screening and Rinsing of Filter Plate before Use, for Maximal Sample Recovery (optional)

1. Pre-wet each well with 100 μL of the desired reaction buffer or solvent (e.g., synthesis or cleavage buffer).
2. Filter the buffer or solvent through the filter plate into a chemically compatible receiver plate (e.g., polypropylene).

Manual Vacuum Filtration

Manual vacuum filtration is not recommended for use with highly volatile solvents where quantification is a concern. Rinsing of the vacuum manifold after exposure is recommended as it may not be solvent-compatible.

1. Place a chemically-compatible receiver plate in the vacuum manifold to collect the filtrate, when required.
2. Nest the manifold support ring on top of the manifold base.
3. Place the Solvinert filter plate onto the vacuum manifold.
4. Add samples to the filter plate.
5. Apply vacuum.
6. Release the vacuum slowly.
7. Remove the plate carefully to minimize the chance of cross-talk resulting from any hanging drops.

Centrifugal Filtration

1. Mount the Solvinert filter plate on a chemically-compatible receiver plate to collect the filtrate.
2. Add samples to the filter plate.
3. Place the storage lid on the filter plate.
4. Place the assembled filter and receiver plates, with the lid, into a standard swinging-bucket microtiter plate rotor assembly.
5. Centrifuge.

As a general guideline, centrifugation at 500 × g for 1–2 minutes is sufficient to complete filtration of most solutions.

Materials Required

Included

MultiScreen Solvinert Filter Plate with storage lid

User-Supplied

• 96-well receiver plates (solvent-compatible as required)
• Vacuum manifold suitable for use with 96-well plates or
• Centrifuge capable of centrifugal forces of at least 500 × g, with a swinging-bucket rotor and 96-well plate carriers
• Pipettors and/or robotic liquid handlers for handling aqueous samples
• Portable vacuum pump or uniform vacuum source (if vacuum is to be used)

Precautions and Limitations

The materials used in the construction of the MultiScreen Solvinert Filter Plate offer broad chemical compatibility and very low levels of extractables. See the Chemical Compatibility section for information on the compatibility of the plate and lid with various solvents. To ensure compatibility in a given application, the filter plate and storage lid should be tested with the specific chemicals and under the specific conditions required.

The MultiScreen Solvinert Filter Plate provides the ability to perform extended incubations. While many low surface tension solvents exhibit a low risk of drip-out, it is recommended that incubations be conducted on top of a suitable receiver plate. Care must be taken to avoid evaporation when performing extended incubations with volatile solvents. Use of the storage lid can significantly reduce evaporation. The maximum recommended centrifugal force for use with the filter plate is 1500 × g. In applications requiring RCF greater than 1500 × g, receiver plates must be selected and tested for resistance.

Chemical Compatibility

NOTE: The storage lid does not have the same solvent-resistance properties as the filter plate and can be damaged by exposure to some solvent vapors.