Method and apparatus for high-speed microfluidic dispensing using text file control
First Claim
1. A method for high-speed precise dispensing of microfluidic quantities of a reagent onto or into a target, comprising:
- providing a dispenser adapted to form droplets of said reagent;
providing a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with said dispenser for metering precise quantities of said reagent to said dispenser;
providing a controller for controlling and coordinating the volume of said reagent dispensed at predetermined locations on or in said target; and
creating a user-defined text file containing lists of white space delimited numbers defining a dispense pattern that is to be formed on or in said target, said text file being accessible by said controller through a software program such that rapid and accurate dispensing is performed.
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Abstract
The invention relates to methods and systems for high-speed precision dispensing and/or aspirating of microfluidic quantities of reagents and other liquids. The operation of the systems is controlled by data accessed from a customized user-defined text file. Advantageously, the use of such text file control allows high-speed precision dispensing of one or more reagents with a wide dynamic range of dispense volumes in complex combinatorial patterns, ratios and arrays onto or into multiple predetermined locations of a desired target or substrate. This is particularly advantageous when a large number of permutations of different reagent and permutations of reagent volume ratios are involved. The systems may be operated in a high frequency modulated mode to further improve accuracy and reliability.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for high-speed precise dispensing of microfluidic quantities of a reagent onto or into a target, comprising:
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providing a dispenser adapted to form droplets of said reagent;
providing a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with said dispenser for metering precise quantities of said reagent to said dispenser;
providing a controller for controlling and coordinating the volume of said reagent dispensed at predetermined locations on or in said target; and
creating a user-defined text file containing lists of white space delimited numbers defining a dispense pattern that is to be formed on or in said target, said text file being accessible by said controller through a software program such that rapid and accurate dispensing is performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for high speed precise dispensing of a microfluidic quantity of a reagent onto or into a target, comprising the steps of:
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positively displacing a precise quantity of said reagent to a dispenser;
forming a volume of said reagent for ejection from said dispenser onto or into said target by opening and closing a solenoid valve at a frequency such that its operation is mechanically modulated so that it remains open in oscillation to facilitate ejection of said volume, said volume being of an integral multiple of said precise quantity and less than or equal to said microfluidic quantity; and
controlling and coordinating said volume of said reagent dispensed at a predetermined location on or in said target. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification