Dispenser, dispenser array, manufacturing method for dispenser, inspection device, inspection method and biochip

• US 20040131505A1
• Filed: 07/25/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Koeda, Hiroshi
• Application Number:
  US10/626,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20040131505A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/100
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00308 interchangeably mounted in racks or blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0036 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00378 Piezoelectric or ink jet dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00549 2-dimensional
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00565 Electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00677 Ex-situ synthesis followed by deposition on the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00695 Synthesis control routines, e.g. using computer programs
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00704 integrated with the reactor apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/04 Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0439 ultrasonic vibrations, vibrating piezo elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0442 thermal energy, e.g. vaporisation, bubble jet
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 70/00 Tags or labels specially adapted for combinatorial chemistry or libraries, e.g. fluorescent tags or bar codes

Abstract

The present invention provides a dispenser which can inspect and manufacture a biochip by attaching various kinds of liquid samples accurately and at a high speed. The dispenser comprises liquid discharge means (12) for discharging liquid and identification information holding means (200) for holding, in a readable manner, the identification information for identifying liquid. According to this configuration, the liquid to be discharged from the dispenser can be identified by recognizing identification information. The micro-dispensers, in particular, which are used for the inspection and manufacture of biochips frequently use various kinds of polymer material all at once. If the present invention is applied here, liquid of the respective micro-dispensers can be identified before discharge, so the correct liquid can be discharged in a reliable and accurate manner.

Claims

1. A dispenser comprising:

liquid discharge means for discharging liquid; and

identification information holding means for holding, in a readable manner, identification information for identifying said liquid.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said liquid discharge means further comprises:

a tank for storing said liquid; and

a head chip for discharging said liquid stored in said tank.

3. A dispenser according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said identification information holding means has a configuration which is capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves for indicating said identification information to be held.

4. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein said identification information holding means further comprises:

a storage section for storing said identification information;

a transmission section for transmitting said identification information; and

a control section for reading said identification information stored in said storage section and transmitting said identification information via said transmission section.

5. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein said identification information holding means is constructed so as to be capable of updating said identification information.

6. The dispenser according to claim 4, wherein said identification information holding means is constructed so as to be capable of updating said identification information.

7. A dispenser according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said identification information holding means has a structure which influences the transmission or reflection of light, disposed corresponding to said identification information to be held.

8. The dispenser according to claim 7, wherein said identification information holding means further comprises a barcode or holes as said structure.

9. A dispenser according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said identification information holding means further comprises a structure which influences the electric continuity, disposed corresponding to said identification information to be held.

10. The dispenser according to claim 9, wherein said identification information holding means comprises, as said structure, an electrode pattern for conducting or non-conducting the electrode pairs for identification information recognition, which are contacted from the outside.

11. A dispenser according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said identification information holding means further comprises a predetermined stereoscopic structure corresponding to said identification information to be held.

12. The dispenser according to claim 11, wherein said identification information holding means further comprises, as said stereoscopic structure, a key seat structure for engaging with a key for identification information recognition, which is inserted from the outside.

13. A dispenser array comprising a plurality of dispensers as in claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 or 12, wherein said identification information for specifying said liquid stored in each dispenser is provided corresponding to each one of said dispensers.

14. A dispenser array comprising a plurality of dispensers according to claim 7, wherein said identification information for specifying said liquid stored in each dispenser is provided corresponding to each one of said dispensers.

15. A dispenser array comprising a plurality of dispensers according to claim 9, wherein said identification information for specifying said liquid stored in each dispenser is provided corresponding to each one of said dispensers.

16. A dispenser array comprising a plurality of dispensers according to claim 11, wherein said identification information for specifying said liquid stored in each dispenser is provided corresponding to each one of said dispensers.

17. A manufacturing method for a dispenser, comprising the steps of:

creating identification information holding means for holding identification information for identifying liquid at a predetermined area;

creating a liquid channel including a pressure chamber for applying pressure to said liquid on a pressure chamber substrate; and

creating applying means for applying pressure to said pressure chamber.

18. The manufacturing method for a dispenser according to claim 17, wherein said step of creating the identification information holding means is for creating a configuration which is capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves for indicating said identification information to be held, in said area.

19. The manufacturing method for a dispenser according to claim 17, wherein said step of creating the identification information holding means is for creating a structure which influences the transmission or reflection of light in said area corresponding to said identification information to be held.

20. The manufacturing method for a dispenser according to claim 17, wherein said step of creating the identification information holding means is for creating a structure which influences the continuity of electricity in said area corresponding to said identification information to be held.

21. The manufacturing method for a dispenser according to claim 17, wherein said step of creating the identification information holding means is for creating a predetermined stereoscopic structure in said area corresponding to said identification information to be held.

22. A manufacturing method for a dispenser as in claims 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21, wherein said step of creating the liquid channel further comprises the steps of

creating micro-channels including a nozzle for discharging said liquid;

and

creating said pressure chamber and a reservoir.

23. A manufacturing method for a dispenser as in claims 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21, wherein the step of creating the applying means further comprises the steps of:

creating a concave section at a position corresponding to said pressure chamber on an electrode housing substrate to be connected with said pressure chamber substrate;

creating an electrode in said concave section; and

gluing said electrode housing substrate and said pressure chamber substrate.

24. The manufacturing method for a dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said step of creating the applying means further comprises the steps of:

creating a concave section at a position corresponding to said pressure chamber on an electrode housing substrate to be connected with said pressure chamber substrate;

creating an electrode in said concave section; and

gluing said electrode housing substrate and said pressure chamber substrate.

25. An inspection device, comprising:

a recognition device for recognizing identification information provided corresponding to a dispenser for discharging liquid;

a transport device for transporting said dispenser corresponding to said identification information to a predetermined discharge position based on said identification information recognized by said recognition device; and

a discharge control device for allowing said dispenser transported to said discharge position to discharge said liquid.

26. The inspection device according to claim 25, further comprising:

a sensor for detecting said identification information and outputting electric signals corresponding to said identification information; and

a sensor drive device for driving said sensor to a position where said identification information corresponding to one dispenser can be detected.

27. The inspection device according to claim 25, wherein said recognition device is constructed so as to be capable of receiving electromagnetic waves indicating said identification information of said dispenser, and regenerating said identification information indicated by said electromagnetic waves.

28. The inspection device according to claim 26, comprising, as said sensor, an antenna for receiving the electromagnetic waves which are output from the identification information holding means where said identification information is held.

29. The inspection device according to claim 25, wherein said recognition device is structured so as to be capable of detecting the received light and regenerating said identification information indicated by said light.

30. The inspection device according to claim 26, comprising, as said sensor, a light receiving section for receiving reflected light or transmitted light of the light which is irradiated toward the identification information holding means where said identification information is held.

31. The inspection device according to claim 25, wherein said recognition device detects the continuity or discontinuity of electricity and recognizes said identification information corresponding to said continuity or discontinuity of electricity.

32. The inspection device according to claim 26, comprising, as said sensor, a probe for detecting the continuity or discontinuity of electricity in a predetermined area of the identification information holding means where said identification information is held.

33. The inspection device according to claim 25, wherein said recognition device is structured so as to be capable of detecting a predetermined stereoscopic structure and recognizing said identification information indicated by said stereoscopic structure.

34. The inspection device according to claim 26,

wherein said sensor is constructed so as to be capable of detecting whether a key corresponding to a predetermined identification information engages with a key seat structure created corresponding to said identification information;

and

said recognition device judges that the dispenser corresponding to said key seat structure has the identification information corresponding to said key when said sensor recognizes that said key has engaged.

35. An inspection method comprising the steps of:

recognizing identification information which is provided corresponding to a dispenser for discharging liquid;

transporting said dispenser corresponding to said identification information to a predetermined discharge position based on said recognized identification information; and

allowing said dispenser transported to said discharge position to discharge said liquid.

36. A biochip manufactured by the inspection method according to claim 35,

wherein said liquid identified by said identification information is polymer material;

and

said biochip comprises a plate on which said polymer material is attached at a position corresponding to said identified identification information.