Multi-well dialysis microplate

Abstract

A sampling microplate or tray for conducting dialysis of a fluid sample includes a plurality of receiving wells each for receiving a sample vessel segment defining an internal vessel volume filled with a fluid dialysis sample. Each of the plurality of receiving wells may have an upper well segment, an intermediate well section, and a lower well section. The upper well segment may be a cubic rectangle configured to receive a correspondingly shaped upper vessel header of the sample vessel segment. The intermediate well section includes opposing first and second major sidewalls that taper towards each other and that, in part, define an initial well volume. The initial well volume can be configured to establish an approximate 1:1 volume ratio with the internal vessel volume of the sample vessel segment.

Description

MULTI-WELL DIALYSIS MICROPLATECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63 / 551,965, filed February 9, 2024, which is incorporated by reference.STATEMENT REGARDINGFEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] This invention was made with Government support by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Government has certain rights in this invention.BACKGROUND

[0003] Dialysis is an analytical technique used in scientific and clinical research that involves the separation of particles and compounds having different characteristics and sizes by the selective diffusion of those particles through a semipermeable membrane. For example, a liquid solution of particles and compounds can be placed in a liquid-containing volume where it is separated from a buffer solution by the semipermeable membrane. The semipermeable membrane is a porous material such as cellulous or synthetic resins that includes pores or openings of defined sizes. The pore size of the membrane allows particles and compounds of appropriate sizes to travel between the sample solution and the buffer by diffusion through the pores, while preventing the passage of larger particles and compounds which are retained in the sample. Dialysis can be used, for example, to separate larger particles such as proteins and nucleic acids from smaller molecules within solution for further research and study.

[0004] In a clinical setting, it may be desirable to quickly process a large quantity of samples by dialysis. Accordingly, dialysis systems have been developed for simultaneously processing a plurality of samples in a structure that includes a corresponding number of liquid-containing volumes or receiving wells for the liquid buffer. The structure with the receiving wells may be referred to as a dialysis microplate or tray due to its planar, tray-like shape. The dialysis samples can be introduced into a separate sample receiving vessel, which may be referred to as a sample vessel segment or sample vessel cartridge, which defines an internal vessel volume bounded by the semipermeable membrane. The sample vessel segments are placed into the buffer-containingreceiving wells and the dialysis process proceeds. The plurality of receiving wells allows for the simultaneous dialysis of a plurality of sample vessels.

[0005] The dialysis process is affected by several considerations concerning the design of the dialysis system, including the interface between the liquid sample and the buffer across the semipermeable membrane. The surface area over which the solutions contact the semipermeable membrane and the duration of contact are examples of such design considerations. The present disclosure is directed to a dialysis system incorporating novel design enhancements for improving the dialysis process.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The disclosure provides a microplate for the clinical diagnostics and analysis of fluid samples, for example, as may be used for the simultaneous dialysis of a plurality of fluid samples. The sample microplate includes a plurality of receiving wells that are disposed therein that may be arranged in a rectangular grid or matrix. The plurality of receiving wells are configured to receive a sample-containing vessel segment defining an internal vessel volume with the fluid sample therein. In an embodiment, the sample vessel segment can be a commercially available product having an upper segment header and a lower segment body extending therefrom with opposing first and second planar segment faces.

[0007] To receive and conform with the sample vessel segments, each of the plurality of receiving wells can include an upper well section, an intermediate well section, and a lower well section that are vertically arranged within the sample microplate. The upper well section can have a shape and dimensional configuration to accommodate the upper segment header of the sample vessel segment so that the lower segment body is supportively suspended in the remainder of the receiving well. The intermediate well section can include opposing first and second major sidewalls that are arranged to face the respective first and second planar segment faces when the sample vessel segment is received in the receiving well.

[0008] The receiving wells can be geometrically and spatially configured to promote efficient dialysis with the fluid samples received in the sample vessel segments. For example, the receiving wells can be sized to establish a volumetric ratio of approximately one-to-one with the volume of fluid sample introduced to the sample vessel segment. Further, the major and / or minor sidewalls of the receiving wells can taper with respect to each other to establish space or gaps between the sample vessel segment to allow for the circulation and flow of the fluid bufferover the planar segment surfaces of the sample vessel segment. These and other possible advantages and features will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a multi-well dialysis microplate including a plurality of receiving wells for accommodating sample vessel segments and a liquid buffer agent during the in vitro dialysis of a clinical sample.

[0010] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the multi-well dialysis microplate disclosed in Figure 1, illustrating the exterior of the bottom well sections of the receiving wells.

[0011] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a sample vessel segment that can be placed in one of the plurality of receiving wells of the multi-well dialysis microplate.

[0012] Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the sample vessel segment.

[0013] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the profde of a receiving well for accommodating a sample vessel segment in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the shape of the upper well section of the receiving well configured as a polyhedron to mate with an upper segment header of the sample vessel segment.

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the shape of the intermediate well section of the receiving well defined by a pair of opposing major sidewalls and a pair of opposing minor sidewalls.

[0016] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the shape of the bottom well section of the receiving well having a semicircular configuration.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Now referring to the drawings, where whenever possible like reference numbers will refer to like elements, there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 a multi -well dialysis microplate 100, which may also be referred to as a sample tray, having a plurality of individual receiving wells 102 each for accommodating a sample vessel having a dialysis sample therein. The microplate 100 includes an upper plate surface 104 into which the plurality of receiving wells 102 are disposed toward an oppositely located lower plate surface 106. The upper plate surface 104 andthe lower plate surface 106 are parallel to each other and interconnected by a peripheral plate skirt 108, which is a wall-like structure arranged generally perpendicular to the upper and lower plate surfaces. The upper plate surface 104, lower plate surface 106, and peripheral plate skirt 108 therefore provide the exterior surface of a plate body and the total volume of the dialysis plate 100. The distance between the upper plate surface 104 and the lower plate surface 106 traversed by the peripheral plate skirt 108 defines the plate height.

[0018] In an embodiment, the microplate 100 may be shaped as a rectangular cuboid with the upper plate surface 104 and the lower plate surface 106 each being generally rectangular in shape. For reference purposes, the three-dimensional shape of the microplate 100 can be compared with a coordinate system including a longitudinal coordinate 110, a lateral coordinate 112, and a vertical coordinate 114 that are orthogonally arranged with respect to each other. The upper and lower plate surfaces 104, 106 can be disposed co-planar with respect to the longitudinal and lateral coordinates 110, 112. In accordance with the rectangular profile, each of the upper and lower plate surfaces 104, 106 can have a larger dimension in the longitudinal coordinate 110 than with respect to the lateral coordinate 112.

[0019] The peripheral plate skirt 108 that extends between the upper and lower plate surfaces 104, 106 can be aligned with respect to the vertical coordinate 114. In conformance with the rectangular shape of the upper and lower plate surfaces 104, 106, the peripheral plate skirt 108 can be four sided with two longer peripheral sides 116 and two shorter peripheral sides 118 arranged and intersecting each other at right angles. The intersections between the two longer peripheral sides 116 and the two shorter peripheral sides 118 can be rounded or beveled for handling. In an embodiment, the peripheral plate skirt 108 can angularly taper slightly outwards between the upper plate surface 104 and the lower plate surface 106 such that the dimensions of the perimeters defined by the upper plate surface 104 and the lower plate surface 106 are different.

[0020] In a specific embodiment, the dimension of the longer peripheral side 116 can be approximately 128 mm and the dimension of the shorter peripheral side 118 can be approximately 85.5 mm. In the specific embodiment, the peripheral plate skirt 108 of the dialysis microplate 100 may have a vertical height in the vertical direction 114 of approximately

[0021] Attached to and protruding outwardly from the peripheral plate skirt 108 at the intersection with the lower plate surface 106 can be a lip or peripheral outside flange 120. The peripheral outside flange 120 can conform to the overall rectangular shape of the microplate 100 and can circumscribe the lower plate surface 106. In an embodiment, the peripheral outside flange 120 can have a flange height 122 that vertically extends from the lower plate surface 106 along the peripheral plate skirt 108 of approximately 2.5 mm. In use, the peripheral outside flange 120 may define the structural bottom of the dialysis microplate 100 and can provide a resting plane that can be set upon a counter or similar surface to situate the plurality of receiving wells 102 in an upright orientation with respect to the vertical coordinate 114. In various embodiments, the peripheral outside flange 120 can be outwardly tapered or otherwise configured to enable the stacking together of multiple microplates 100.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the lower plate surface 106 may be configured as a rectangular opening 124 peripherally boarded by the peripheral outside flange 120. The lower extensions of the plurality of receiving wells 102 may be visibly exposed through the rectangular opening 124 in the lower plate surface 106. The dialysis microplate 100 is therefore a substantially hollow structure for reduced weight and material use. The microplate 100 can be produced from thermoplastic such as polystyrene or polypropylene by an injection molding operation. The thermoplastics or polymers suitable for the molded microplate 100 are preferably biochemically inert for the dialysis application. In various embodiments, the rectangular opening 124 can facilitate stacking of the microplates 100.

[0023] The plurality of sample receiving wells 102 are vertically disposed into and accessible through the upper plate surface 104 of the plate body defining the microplate 100. The receiving wells 102 may be generally identical and are each configured to receive a sample vessel during the dialysis process. The plurality of receiving wells 102 can arranged in a rectangular grid or matrix corresponding to the rectangular outline of the upper plate surface 104 to maximize the utilization of volume of the microplate 100.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of sample receiving wells 102 can be arranged in 6 x 8 configuration for a total of 48 wells in the dialysis microplate 100. Such a 48 well grid design may conform to a format for commercial sample microplates and facilitates use of the disclosed microplate 100 with automated fluid dispensing machines. In another embodiment, the microplate 100 can have a 96 well grid with the plurality of receiving wells 102arranged in an 8 x 12 configuration. Other contemplated embodiments of the sample microplate 100 may have different numbers and arrangements of the plurality of sample receiving wells 102.

[0025] As described above, each of the sample receiving wells 102 is geometrically configured to receive and accommodate a sample vessel segment that contains a liquid sample for dialysis. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the sample vessel segment 130 can be formed as a structural framework that may be fabricated from plastic and that may define an internal vessel volume 132 for receiving the fluid sample.

[0026] To define the structural framework, the sample vessel segment 130 can include an elongated lower segment body 134 that extends from an upper boss or segment header 136 and that terminates at a semicircular segment cup 138. The lower segment body 134 can define the internal vessel volume 132 and can be generally flat having opposing first and second planar segment faces 140, 142 parallel to each other and extending over the internal vessel volume 132. The planar segment faces 140, 142, may provide or establish windows providing access to the internal vessel volume 132 therebetween.

[0027] To contain the liquid sample introduced to the internal vessel volume 132, semipermeable membranes 144, which can be formed from thin, flexible, porous sheets such as cellulous or a similar porous material, can cover the opposing first and second planar segment faces 140, 142 of the sample vessel segment 130. The semipermeable membranes 144 establish selective fluid communication with the internal vessel volume 132 based upon, for example, particulate size or chemical affinity. The semipermeable membranes 144 can be shaped to confirm to the geometry of the first and second planar segment faces 140, 142 and can be attached thereto by, for example, adhesive. The lower segment body 134 can also include a plurality of internal ribs 146 arranged in a herringbone configuration to partition the internal vessel volume 132 and to support the semipermeable membranes 144 covering the internal vessel volume.

[0028] To introduce a liquid sample to the internal vessel volume 132, the upper segment header 136 can include one or more pipette ports that can interface with the tip of a pipette and direct the liquid sample to the internal vessel volume. The upper segment header 136 can be a block-like cubic rectangle and can be dimensionally sized larger to overhang the rectangular cross-section of the lower segment body 134. In an embodiment, the upper segment header 136can be configured with releasable snap connections so that a plurality of sample vessel segments 130 can be interconnected into rows that correspond with rows defined by the grid pattern of the receiving wells 102 located in the dialysis microplate 100.

[0029] In an embodiment, the sample vessel 130 can be a commercially available component such as the MD1000 Xpress Mini Dialyzer from Scienova GmbH of Germany. The sample vessel 130 can have an overall height in the vertical direction 114 of approximately 46 mm. The rectangular block of the upper segment header 136 can have longitudinal dimension in the longitudinal direction 110 of about 20 mm and a lateral dimension in the lateral direction 112 of about 6-7 mm, while the corresponding longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the lower segment body 134 may be smaller. For example, the lower segment body 134 may have a longitudinal dimension in the longitudinal direction 110 of about 15.2 mm and may have a thickness in the lateral direction of about 3.7 mm.

[0030] In use, a liquid buffer can be introduced to the plurality of receiving wells 102 in the dialysis microplate 100. A sample vessel segment 130 can be placed into each of the plurality of receiving wells 102 and the liquid sample is introduced to the internal volume 132 of the sample vessel segment 130 through a port in the upper segment header 136. Depending on the application, the liquid sample can be introduced to the sample vessel segment 130 before or after the sample vessel segment is installed in the receiving well 102. In the embodiments wherein the receiving wells 102 are arranged in a 6 x 8 grid, a plurality of six sample vessel segments 130 can be attached in a row via the releasable interconnections of the upper segment header 136 to form a cartridge that enables simultaneous dialysis of multiple fluid samples.

[0031] Each of the plurality of receiving wells 102 can have an advantageous geometric shape to facilitate dialysis with a liquid sample introduced to the sample vessel segments 130 that are received therein. Referring to FIG. 5, the receiving wells 102 can each include an upper well section 150, a middle or intermediate well section 152, and a lower well section 154 that are aligned with respect to the vertical direction 114. When arranged in the sample microplate 100, the upper well section 150 is accommodated proximate to the upper plate surface 104 and the lower well section 154 is directed towards the lower plate surface 106.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper well section 150 can be shaped as a cubic rectangle and is complementary to the upper segment header 136. In an embodiment, the upper well section 150 may have a longitudinal length 160 in the longitudinal coordinate 110 ofapproximately 17 mm, a lateral width 162 in the lateral coordinate 112 of approximately 7.8 mm, and a vertical height 164 in the vertical coordinate 114 of approximately 3.1 mm. The upper well section 150 can spatially accommodate the upper segment header 136 when the sample vessel segment 130 is installed into the receiving well 102 of the dialysis microplate 100.

[0033] The cross section of the upper well section 150 defined by the longitudinal length 160 and the lateral width 162 can be dimensionally larger than the corresponding rectangular crosssection of the remainder of the receiving well 102 so that the lowermost surface of the upper well section 150 forms a shelf or shoulder on which the upper segment header 136 contacts and rests when the sample vessel segment 130 is inserted in the receiving well 102. The shelf formed by the upper well section 150 therefore vertically supports the remaining lower segment body 134 of the sample vessel segment 130 within the plurality of receiving wells 102.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the intermediate well section 152 may be an elongated rectilinear shape that is generally tapered with a cross-section that reduces in dimension from the upper extension thereof to the lower extension thereof. The rectangular shape of the intermediate well section 152 can be defined by a pair of opposing first and second major sidewalls 170, 172 that are orthogonally arranged with respect to a pair of opposing first and second minor sidewalls 174, 176.

[0035] To produce the tapered shape, the first and second major sidewalls 170, 172 may be angled or inclined toward each other, rather than being strictly parallel, such that the intermediate well section 152 defines an upper lateral width 180 of approximately 6.6 mm and a lower lateral width 182 of approximately 5.0 mm. Similarly, the first and second minor sidewalls 174, 176 may be angled or inclined toward each other such that the intermediate well section 152 defines an upper longitudinal length 184 of approximately 16.5 mm and a lower longitudinal length 186 of approximately 16.2 mm. Because of the taper, the angular orientation of the first and second major sidewalls 170, 172 and the first and second minor sidewalls 174, 176 with respect to the upper plate surface 104 and lower plate surface 106 differs from exact 90° right angles. The distance between the upper lateral width 180 and upper longitudinal length 184 and the lower lateral width 182 and the lower longitudinal length 186 may define the vertical dimension or depth 188 of the intermediate well section 152.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 8, the lower well section 154 can be shaped as a semicircular structure to geometrically conform to the lower segment cup 138 of the lower segmentbody 134. For example, the lower well section 154 can include a first and a second semicircular sidewalls 190, 192 that are co-planar with the respective first and second major sidewalls 170, 172 of the intermediate well section 152. The first and second semicircular sidewalls 190, 192 accordingly are inclined and laterally taper towards each other with respect to the plane defined by the longitudinal coordinate 110 and the vertical coordinate 114. The first and second semicircular sidewalls 190, 192 orthogonally intersect with and are spaced apart by a semi- circumferential bottom wall 194 that may be arranged or directed toward the lower plate surface 106 of the microplate 100.

[0037] In an embodiment, the semicircular lower well section 154 can be dimensionally characterized as having upper longitudinal length 196 of approximately 16.2 mm and an upper lateral width 198 of approximately 5.0 mm. The radius of the semi-circumferential bottom wall 194 may be half of the upper longitudinal length 196. The shape and dimensions of the lower well section 154 allows access by a standard sized 1 mL pipette to facilitate introduction and withdrawing of a fluid buffer to the receiving well 102.

[0038] In an embodiment, the receiving wells 102 can be dimensionally configured to produce an advantageous volume ratio with respect to the internal vessel volume 132 of the sample vessel segment 130. In a dialysis process, an advantageous volume ratio of the liquid sample to the buffer may occur at approximately one-to-one (1 : 1), to facilitate the exchange of molecules or compound particulates to the endogenous equilibrium of the sample. Accordingly, the dimensional geometry of the receiving wells 102 is configured to provide an initial well volume 200 to establish approximately a 1 : 1 volume ratio with the internal vessel volume 200 of the sample vessel segment 130.

[0039] For example, the initial well volume 132 can be defined by the combined geometric volumes of the intermediate well section 152 and the lower well section 154 since, in use, the upper well section 150 will be occupied by the upper segment header 136. Moreover, the upper and lower lateral widths 180, 182 and the upper and lower longitudinal lengths 184, 186 of the intermediate well section 152 exceeds that of the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the lower segment body 134 of the sample vessel segment 130. The lower segment body 134 may be spaced apart from the major sidewalls 170, 172 and the minor sidewalls 174, 176 of the intermediate well section 152 when the sample vessel volume 130 is received in the receiving well 102. The gaps and spaces between the lower segment body 134 and the surroundingsidewalls of the intermediate well section 152 of the receiving well 102 are able to accommodate the liquid buffer after insertion of the sample vessel segment 130. Preferably, the volume remaining from the initial well volume 200 is approximately equal to the internal vessel volume 132 of the sample vessel segment 130.

[0040] The geometric size difference between the receiving wells 102 and the sample vessel segment 130 further promotes circulation of the liquid buffer around and about the lower segment body 134 that is vertically suspended in the receiving well 102. For example, in an embodiment corresponding to the dimensions provided herein, the first and second major sidewalls 170, 172 of the intermediate well section 152 are spaced apart from the corresponding first and second planar segment faces 140, 142 of the lower segment body 134 by approximately 1-1.5 mm. The spacing between the first and second major sidewalls 170, 172 and the first and second planar segment faces 140, 142 provides for sufficient volumetric flow of the liquid buffer across the semipermeable membranes 144, and the substantial surface area provided by the first and second planar segment faces 140, 142 enables the liquid buffer to sufficiently interface with the liquid sample contained in the internal vessel volume 132 of the sample vessel segment 130. The dialysis process and the particular or molecular exchange between the liquid buffer and liquid sample therefore proceeds expediently.

[0041] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0042] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A dialysis microplate comprising: a plate body having an upper plate surface and a lower plate surface opposite the upper plate surface; and a plurality of receiving wells disposed into the plate body at the upper plate surface toward the lower plate surface, each of the plurality of receiving wells including a first major sidewall and a second major sidewall that taper towards each other from the upper plate surface toward the lower plate surface.

2. The dialysis microplate of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of receiving wells includes a first minor sidewall and a second minor sidewall each generally orthogonal to the first and second major sidewalls and that taper towards each other.

3. The dialysis microplate of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of receiving wells includes an upper well section proximate the upper plate surface, an intermediate well section, and a lower well section proximate the bottom plate surface.

4. The dialysis microplate of claim 3, wherein the intermediate well section includes the first and second major sidewalls and the first and second minor sidewalls.

5. The dialysis plate of claim 4, wherein the upper well section is shaped as a cubic rectangle.

6. The dialysis microplate of claim 5, wherein the upper well section has an upper rectangular cross-section that is dimensionally larger than an intermediate rectangular crosssection of the intermediate well section.

7. The dialysis microplate of claim 6, wherein the lower well section is semicircular in shape.

8. The dialysis microplate of claim 7, wherein the lower well section includes a first semicircular sidewall and a second semicircular sidewall that taper towards each other.

9. The dialysis microplate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of receptacle wells are arranged in a grid.

10. The dialysis microplate of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of receptacle wells has an initial well volume configured to establish approximately a 1 : 1 volume ratio with an internal vessel volume of a sample vessel segment.

11. The dialysis microplate of claim 10, wherein the initial well volume and the internal vessel volume are each approximately 1 mL after the sample vessel segment is received in one of the plurality of receiving wells.

12. A dialysis system comprising: a sample vessel segment defining an interior vessel volume between a first planar segment face and an opposing second planer segment face; a dialysis microplate including an upper plate surface, a lower plate surface opposite the upper plate surface, and a plurality of receiving wells disposed from the upper plate surface toward the lower plate surface; each of the plurality of receiving wells configured to receive one of the sample vessel segments and each of the plurality of receiving wells including a first major sidewall and a second major sidewall oriented to face respectively the first planar segment face and the second planar segment face of the sample vessel segment received by the receiving well.

13. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of receiving wells has an initial well volume configured to establish approximately a 1 : 1 volume ratio with an internal vessel volume of the sample vessel segment when received within one of the plurality of receiving wells.

14. The dialysis system of claim 13, wherein the initial well volume and the internal vessel volume are each approximately 1 mL.

15. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein the first major sidewall and the second major sidewall of each of the plurality of receiving wells taper towards each other between the upper plate surface and the lower plate surface.

16. The dialysis system of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of receiving wells further includes a first minor sidewall and a second minor sidewall each generally orthogonal to the first and second major sidewalls and that taper towards each other17. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of receiving wells includes an upper well section shaped as a cubic rectangle.

18. The dialysis system of claim 17, wherein the sample vessel segment includes an upper segment header shaped as a cubic rectangle dimensionally sized to be received in the upper well section.

19. The dialysis system of claim 18, wherein the upper well section has an upper rectangular cross-section that is dimensionally larger than an intermediate rectangular cross-section defined in part by the first major sidewall and the second major sidewall.

20. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein the receiving wells includes a lower well section that is semicircular.

21. A dialysis microplate comprising: a plate body having an upper plate surface and a lower plate surface opposite the upper plate surface; and a plurality receiving wells disposed into the plate body at the upper plate surface toward the lower plate surface and arranged as a grid;wherein each of the plurality of receiving wells includes an upper well section shaped as a cubic rectangle, an intermediate well section having first major sidewall and a second major sidewall that taper towards each other from the upper plate surface toward the lower plate surface; and a lower well section that is semicircular.

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