Particle dispensing apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for dispensing a target number of particles from a source of a suspension of said particles into a collection vessel, said apparatus comprising:
- a particle detecting device that has a detecting area and that detects particles passing through said detecting area;
a conveyance device for conveying said suspension from said source through said detecting area and into said collection vessel;
a mixing area downstream of said detecting area;
a pump for supplying a dilution liquid from a diluent vessel to said mixing area;
a controller for automated counting of particles passing through said detecting area and thereby obtaining a cumulative number of particles so detected, for comparing said cumulative number with said target number, and for generating a signal when said cumulative number equals said target number; and
a shutoff device for interrupting flow of said suspension into said collection vessel upon receipt of said signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Particles are dispensed under controlled conditions to achieve an accurate number of particles by passing a suspension of the particles through a particle detecting device, obtaining a cumulative particle count, comparing the cumulative particle count with a target value, and shutting off the suspension flow once the particle count reaches the target value, all performed by automated means.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for dispensing a target number of particles from a source of a suspension of said particles into a collection vessel, said apparatus comprising:
-
a particle detecting device that has a detecting area and that detects particles passing through said detecting area; a conveyance device for conveying said suspension from said source through said detecting area and into said collection vessel; a mixing area downstream of said detecting area; a pump for supplying a dilution liquid from a diluent vessel to said mixing area; a controller for automated counting of particles passing through said detecting area and thereby obtaining a cumulative number of particles so detected, for comparing said cumulative number with said target number, and for generating a signal when said cumulative number equals said target number; and a shutoff device for interrupting flow of said suspension into said collection vessel upon receipt of said signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for dispensing a target number of particle(s) into a collection vessel from a suspension of said particles in a suspending liquid, said method comprising:
-
(a) passing said suspension through a detecting area of a particle detecting device, and detecting said particle(s) as said particle(s) pass through said detecting area, (b) cumulatively recording by a controller the number of particles so detected and comparing the cumulative number so recorded with said target number, (c) mixing said suspension with a dilution liquid downstream of said detecting area, (d) collecting all particles so detected in said collection vessel, and (e) by said controller, interrupting flow of said suspension into said collection vessel when said cumulative number equals said target number, thereby limiting said particles in said collection vessel to said target number. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification