Method for aspirating sample liquid into a dispenser tip and thereafter ejecting droplets therethrough
First Claim
1. A method for aspirating at least one sample liquid through a tip opening of a dispenser into the dispenser passage and ejecting droplets of said sample liquid from said passage through the tip opening, said method comprising:
- (a) providing a system liquid into a closed container communicating with said dispenser passage;
(b) filling the dispenser passage with said system liquid;
(c) contacting the tip opening of said dispenser passage with a first sample liquid;
(d) moving said system liquid in said dispenser passage away from said tip opening so as to aspirate said first sample liquid into said passage;
(e) removing said tip opening from contact with first sample liquid;
(f) constricting the volume of said passage so as to produce and eject a droplet of said first sample liquid;
(g) allowing the volume to return to its pre-constricted volume;
(h) repeating steps (f) and (g) until a desired volume of the first sample liquid is ejected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low volume liquid handling system is described which includes a microdispenser employing a piezoelectric transducer attached to a glass capillary, a positive displacement pump for priming and aspirating liquid into the microdispenser, controlling the pressure of the liquid system, and washing the microdispenser between liquid transfers, and a pressure sensor to measure the liquid system pressure and produce a corresponding electrical signal. The pressure signal is used to verify and quantify the microvolume dispensed and is used to perform automated calibration and diagnostics on the microdispenser.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for aspirating at least one sample liquid through a tip opening of a dispenser into the dispenser passage and ejecting droplets of said sample liquid from said passage through the tip opening, said method comprising:
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(a) providing a system liquid into a closed container communicating with said dispenser passage; (b) filling the dispenser passage with said system liquid; (c) contacting the tip opening of said dispenser passage with a first sample liquid; (d) moving said system liquid in said dispenser passage away from said tip opening so as to aspirate said first sample liquid into said passage; (e) removing said tip opening from contact with first sample liquid; (f) constricting the volume of said passage so as to produce and eject a droplet of said first sample liquid; (g) allowing the volume to return to its pre-constricted volume; (h) repeating steps (f) and (g) until a desired volume of the first sample liquid is ejected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification