Apparatus and method for processing a sample

1. A method of detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a plurality of samples, comprising: providing a plurality of liquid samples and an apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a sample-receiving component; a filtrate-receiving component; and a plurality of analyte-capture elements; wherein the sample-receiving component comprises: a first body with first end, a second end, and a plurality of spaced-apart first chambers, each first chamber extending from the first end to the second end; wherein the first end comprises a plurality of first openings, at least one first opening configured to receive a sample; wherein the second end comprises a plurality of outlets, each outlet having a second opening; wherein the first body forms a plurality of fluid pathways, each pathway extending from a first opening to a second opening and through a first chamber there between; and a plurality of filter elements, each filter element disposed between the first and second openings in one of the plurality of first chambers; wherein the filtrate-receiving component comprises: a second body with a third end, a fourth end, and a plurality of spaced-apart second chambers, each second chamber extending from the third end to the fourth end and each second chamber comprising: a third opening at the third end, the third opening configured to receive one of the plurality of outlets; a fourth opening at the fourth end; wherein each of the plurality of analyte-capture elements is coupled to the filtrate-receiving component; wherein, when the sample-receiving component is coupled to the filtrate-receiving component, the apparatus forms a plurality of flow paths, each flow path facilitating fluid passage through one of the plurality of first chambers, one of the plurality of filter elements, and one of the plurality of second chambers, and facilitating fluid contact with at least one of the plurality of analyte-capture elements; wherein each of the plurality of outlets is shaped and proportioned to fit within and move longitudinally through at least a portion of the second chamber; passing at least two liquid sample through at least two of the plurality of filter elements to generate at least two filtered liquids; contacting the at least two filtered liquids with at least two analyte-capture elements; separating the at least two analyte-capture elements from the apparatus; and detecting the presence or absence of the analyte; wherein separating the at least two analyte-capture elements from the apparatus further comprises using at least two outlets to separate the at least two analyte-capture element from the apparatus; wherein using the at least two outlets further comprises urging the at least two outlets through the at least two second chambers to separate the at least two analyte-capture elements from the apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching the apparatus to a source of negative pressure, wherein passing the plurality liquid samples through the at least two filter element further comprises using a negative pressure to draw the liquid samples through the at least two filter elements to produce at least two filtered samples.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein using negative pressure to draw the plurality of samples through the at least two filter elements further comprises using the negative pressure to contact the filtered samples with the at least two analyte-capture elements.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after separating the at least two analyte-capture elements, treating the at least two analyte capture element with a cell lysis agent.