Position triggered dispenser and methods
First Claim
1. A method for dispensing a liquid, comprising:
- providing a plate having a plurality of wells;
providing at least one marker that is spaced apart from the wells;
moving the plate and the marker relative to a plurality of liquid dispensing elements;
sensing the presence of the marker with a non-contact sensor that is disposed at a known location relative to the dispensing elements, wherein sensing of the marker indicates that at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements; and
dispensing liquid from the dispensing elements and into the aligned wells upon sensing the presence of the marker.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides systems, methods, and apparatus for dispensing liquids. According to one method, a plate is provided having a plurality of wells. At least one marker is also provided and is associated with at least some of the wells. The plate and marker are moved relative to a plurality of liquid dispensing elements, and the presence of the marker is sensed with a sensor that is disposed at a known location relative to the dispensing elements. The sensing of the marker indicates that at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements. As such, liquid is dispensed from the dispensing elements and into the aligned wells after sensing the presence of the marker.
49 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for dispensing a liquid, comprising:
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providing a plate having a plurality of wells; providing at least one marker that is spaced apart from the wells; moving the plate and the marker relative to a plurality of liquid dispensing elements; sensing the presence of the marker with a non-contact sensor that is disposed at a known location relative to the dispensing elements, wherein sensing of the marker indicates that at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements; and dispensing liquid from the dispensing elements and into the aligned wells upon sensing the presence of the marker. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A liquid dispensing apparatus, comprising:
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at least one source of liquid; a plurality of liquid dispensing elements coupled to the source of liquid; a non-contact sensor disposed at a known location relative to the dispensing elements, wherein the sensor is adapted to sense the presence of a marker that is spaced apart from a plurality of wells of a plate; and a controller to dispense liquid from the dispensing elements upon receipt of a signal from the sensor indicating that the marker has been sensed and that at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A liquid dispensing system, comprising:
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a plate having a plurality of wells; a carrier having at least one marker and a region for removably holding the plate such that the marker is spaced apart from the wells; at least one source of liquid; a plurality of liquid dispensing elements coupled to the source of liquid; a non-contact sensor that is disposed to sense the presence of the marker when at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements; and a controller to dispense liquid from the dispensing elements upon receipt of a signal from the sensor indicating that the marker has been sensed and that at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A multi-well plate, comprising:
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a plate body having a plurality of wells that are arranged in rows; and a plurality of markers positioned on the plate body at locations spaced apart from the wells, with each marker corresponding to a separate row of wells, wherein the markers are adapted to be detected by a sensor to indicate the position of the wells relative to dispensing elements that are used to introduce a liquid into the wells. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A method for dispensing a liquid, comprising:
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providing a plate having a plurality of wells; providing at least one marker that is associated with at least some of the wells; moving the plate and the marker relative to a plurality of liquid dispensing elements; sensing the presence of the marker with a sensor that is disposed at a known location relative to the dispensing elements, wherein sensing of the marker indicates that at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements; and dispensing liquid from the dispensing elements and into the aligned wells after sensing the presence of the marker; wherein the marker comprises a transparent region in the plate, and further comprising sensing with the sensor the transmission of light through the transparent region.
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33. A method for dispensing a liquid, comprising:
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providing a plate having a plurality of wells; providing at least one marker that is associated with at least some of the wells; moving the plate and the marker relative to a plurality of liquid dispensing elements; sensing the presence of the marker with a sensor that is disposed at a known location relative to the dispensing elements, wherein sensing of the marker indicates that at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements; and dispensing liquid from the dispensing elements and into the aligned wells after sensing the presence of the marker; wherein the marker comprises an opaque region in the plate, and further comprising sensing with the sensor the blockage of light caused by the marker.
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34. A liquid dispensing system, comprising:
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a plate having a plurality of wells; a carrier having at least one marker and a region for removably holding the plate; at least one source of liquid; a plurality of liquid dispensing elements coupled to the source of liquid; a sensor that is disposed to sense the presence of the marker when at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements; and a controller to dispense liquid from the dispensing elements upon receipt of a signal from the sensor indicating that the marker has been sensed and that at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements; wherein the marker comprises a darkened region on the carrier, and wherein the sensor is configured to sense a change in reflectance of light as the sensor passes over the marker.
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35. A multi-well plate, comprising:
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a plate body having a plurality of wells; and at least one marker selectively positioned on the plate body, wherein the marker is adapted to be detected by a sensor to indicate the position of the wells relative to dispensing elements that are used to introduce a liquid into the wells; wherein the marker comprises a transparent region in the plate that is surrounded by an opaque area.
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36. A multi-well plate, comprising:
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a plate body having a plurality of wells; and at least one marker selectively positioned on the plate body, wherein the marker is adapted to be detected by a sensor to indicate the position of the wells relative to dispensing elements that are used to introduce a liquid into the wells; wherein the marker comprises an opaque region in the plate that is surrounded by a transparent area.
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Specification