Dispensing systems, software, and related methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dispensing system, comprising:
- at least one peristaltic pump configured to convey at least a first fluidic material into or through at least a portion of at least one conduit when the conduit is operably connected to the peristaltic pump and is in fluid communication with at least a first fluidic material source;
at least one pressure source other than the peristaltic pump, which pressure source is configured to apply pressure in the conduit when the pressure source is operably connected to the conduit such that selected aliquots of the first fluidic material are dispensed from at least one opening in the conduit when the first fluidic material is present in the conduit; and
, at least one controller operably connected to the pressure source, which controller is configured to control operation of the pressure source to effect dispensing of the first fluidic material from the opening in the conduit when the conduit is in fluid communication with the first fluidic material source.
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Abstract
The present invention provides dispensing systems that include peristaltic pumps and other pressure sources for the efficient delivery of accurate volumes of fluidic materials into the wells of multi-well containers or onto substrate surfaces. These systems are typically configured to dispense volumes of fluid having substantially uniform densities. Related computer program products and methods of dispensing fluidic materials are also provided.
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Citations
71 Claims
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1. A dispensing system, comprising:
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at least one peristaltic pump configured to convey at least a first fluidic material into or through at least a portion of at least one conduit when the conduit is operably connected to the peristaltic pump and is in fluid communication with at least a first fluidic material source;
at least one pressure source other than the peristaltic pump, which pressure source is configured to apply pressure in the conduit when the pressure source is operably connected to the conduit such that selected aliquots of the first fluidic material are dispensed from at least one opening in the conduit when the first fluidic material is present in the conduit; and
,at least one controller operably connected to the pressure source, which controller is configured to control operation of the pressure source to effect dispensing of the first fluidic material from the opening in the conduit when the conduit is in fluid communication with the first fluidic material source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having one or more logic instructions for:
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operating at least one peristaltic pump to effect conveyance of at least a first fluidic material into at least one conduit through at least a first opening of the conduit; and
,operating at least one pressure source other than the peristaltic pump to effect application of pressure on the first fluidic material in the conduit such that at least one aliquot of the first fluidic material is dispensed from at least a second opening of the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53)
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54. A method of dispensing a fluidic material, the method comprising:
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(a) conveying at least a first fluidic material into at least one conduit through at least a first opening of the conduit using at least one peristaltic pump; and
,(b) applying pressure on the first fluidic material in the conduit using at least one pressure source other than the peristaltic pump such that at least one aliquot of the first fluidic material is dispensed from at least a second opening of the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. A method of dispensing aliquots of fluidic materials having substantially uniform densities, the method comprising conveying selected aliquots of at least one fluidic material from at least one dispensing tip that fluidly communicates with at least one conduit through which the fluidic material is conveyed, which conduit comprises a non-vertical flow path such that components in the fluidic material are prevented from settling proximal to the dispensing tip prior to being dispensed, thereby dispensing the aliquots of fluidic materials having substantially uniform densities.
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71. A method of dispensing a fluidic material, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a dispensing system having a fluid junction block comprising;
(i) at least a portion of a first conduit that fluidly communicates with a first fluidic material source;
(ii) at least a portion of a second conduit having;
(I) at least first and second openings; and
(II) at least one port disposed through a wall of the second conduit, which port communicates with a cavity disposed through the second conduit, wherein the first conduit intersects and fluidly communicates with the second conduit between the port and the second opening of the second conduit;
(b) conveying a volume of a second fluidic material through the first opening of the second conduit proximal to the port;
(c) restricting fluidic material conveyance through the first opening of the second conduit and through the first conduit;
(d) conveying at least one gas into the second conduit through the port to purge fluidic materials from the second conduit downstream from the port through the second opening of the second conduit;
(e) restricting fluidic material conveyance through the first opening of the second conduit and gas conveyance through the port;
(f) conveying a volume of a first fluidic material from the first fluidic material source through the first conduit and into the second conduit proximal to and downstream from the intersection of the first and second conduits such that a volume of the gas is disposed between the first and second fluidic materials in the second conduit;
(g) restricting fluidic material conveyance through the first conduit and gas conveyance through the port; and
,(h) applying pressure to the second fluidic material in the second conduit such that at least one selected aliquot of the first fluidic material is dispensed from the second opening of the second conduit.
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Specification