Method and apparatus for electrostatic dispensing of microdroplets
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use in dispensing a selected volume of each of a plurality of liquid samples, comprisinga liquid-support plate having a plurality of liquid-support regions, each capable of supporting a liquid meniscus thereon, a first electrode containing a plurality of electrode connections, each operatively connected to one of said liquid support region, for electrical contact with a meniscus supported in such region, a substrate having a first side confronting said plate and a plurality of sample-holding regions formed in said first side, a second electrode disposed between said liquid-support plate and said substrate, said second electrode defining an electrode gap adapted to accommodate movement of a liquid droplet ejected from a liquid-support region to a sample region, and a control unit including a power source for applying a voltage potential across the two electrodes, thereby to eject a selected volume of the liquid from one or more of said liquid-support regions to one or more of said sample-holding regions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and device for dispensing femtoliter to nanoliter volumes of liquid samples are disclosed. The apparatus includes a liquid-support plate, two electrodes, a substrate, and a control unit. The liquid support plate has a plurality of liquid-support regions, each capable of supporting a liquid meniscus thereon. The first electrode contains a plurality of electrode connections, each operatively connected to one of the liquid support regions, for electrical contact with a meniscus supported in such region. The substrate has a first side confronting the plate and an opposite side, and a plurality of sample-holding regions formed in the first side. The second electrode is disposed adjacent one of the two substrate sides. Thus, a selected volume of the liquid can be ejected from or to one or more of the liquid-support regions to or from one or more of the sample-holding regions.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. Apparatus for use in dispensing a selected volume of each of a plurality of liquid samples, comprising
a liquid-support plate having a plurality of liquid-support regions, each capable of supporting a liquid meniscus thereon, a first electrode containing a plurality of electrode connections, each operatively connected to one of said liquid support region, for electrical contact with a meniscus supported in such region, a substrate having a first side confronting said plate and a plurality of sample-holding regions formed in said first side, a second electrode disposed between said liquid-support plate and said substrate, said second electrode defining an electrode gap adapted to accommodate movement of a liquid droplet ejected from a liquid-support region to a sample region, and a control unit including a power source for applying a voltage potential across the two electrodes, thereby to eject a selected volume of the liquid from one or more of said liquid-support regions to one or more of said sample-holding regions.
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25. Apparatus for use in dispensing a selected volume of a liquid onto each of a plurality of regions on a substrate, comprising
structure defining a liquid-support region, a first electrode operatively connected to a liquid support region, for electrical contact with a meniscus supported in such region, a second electrode carried on said structure and defining an electrode gap aligned with said liquid-support region to accommodate movement of a liquid droplet ejected from the liquid-support region onto such a substrate, and a control unit including a power source for applying a voltage potential across the two electrodes, thereby to eject a selected volume of the liquid from said liquid-support region onto such a selected region on such a substrate.
Specification