MEMBRANE INCUBATION DEVICE
A membrane incubation device, wherein the membrane incubation device is adapted to incubate sections of at least one membrane individually.
1 . A membrane incubation device, wherein the membrane incubation device is adapted to incubate sections of at least one membrane individually.
2 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane incubation device comprises a mask and at least one membrane.
3 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane incubation device is separated into isolated sections by hydrophobic barriers.
4 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 2 , comprising isolated sections formed by channels, wherein the channels are formed by raised barriers of the mask, and wherein at least one membrane is located within each of the channels.
5 . (canceled)
6 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 4 , wherein the mask contains an overflow area formed around the channels.
7 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 4 , wherein the membrane incubation device includes a contact transparency feature which is opaque when dry and transparent when wetted.
8 . (canceled)
9 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 4 , wherein the isolated sections formed by channels are associated with fluid tight deformable seals at the interface with the membrane forming a fluid tight seal around the channels.
10 .- 13 . (canceled)
14 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 3 , wherein the hydrophobic barriers comprise a material selected from the group consisting of a glue, an ink, and both a glue and an ink.
15 . (canceled)
16 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane sits on a membrane support surface.
17 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 16 , wherein the membrane support surface is separated into isolated sections.
18 . A membrane incubation device according to claim 17 , wherein the isolated sections are formed by raised barriers to form channels.
19 .- 57 . (canceled)
58 . A method of manufacturing membranes, wherein the membrane is separated into isolated sections.
59 . A method of manufacturing membranes according to claim 58 , wherein the membrane separated into isolated sections has been treated to create areas of the membrane impermeable to fluid.
60 . A method of manufacturing membranes according to claim 59 , wherein the isolated sections are surrounded by areas of the membrane impermeable to fluid to create protein transfer zones.
61 . A method of manufacturing membranes according to claim 60 , wherein the protein transfer zones are designed to align precisely to the dimensions of channels in a membrane incubation device.
62 . A method of manufacturing membranes according to claim 60 , wherein the membrane was treated to create protein transfer zones surrounded by the areas impermeable to fluid using thermal sealing or ultrasonic sealing.
63 .- 68 . (canceled)
69 . A method of manufacturing membranes according to claim 62 , wherein the treatment is performed through a protective layer.
70 . (canceled)
71 . A method of manufacturing membranes according to claim 62 , wherein the treatment includes some areas being actively heated while other areas are actively cooled.
72 .- 77 . (canceled)
78 . A membrane separated into isolated sections by areas of the membrane treated to be impermeable to fluid.
79 . A membrane according to claim 78 , wherein the isolated sections are surrounded by areas of the membrane impermeable to fluid to create protein transfer zones.
80 .- 83 . (canceled)