Micro-dispenser for biochemical analysis

• US 6,866,825 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2001
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Inventors: Lu, Chih-Ping, Chen, Ying-Chi, Mao, Ching-Yi, Hu, Je-Ping, Su, Shyh-Haur, Chiou, Chung-Fan
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nagpaul, Jyoti
• Application Number:
  US10/021,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20030086828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 422 99-104, 347/102, 436/180, 738/633.2
• US Class Current: 506/34
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00274 Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/04 Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0433 vibrational forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0442 thermal energy, e.g. vaporisation, bubble jet
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/103 using disposable tips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1034 Transferring microquantities of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A micro-dispenser for dispensing predetermined amounts of fluids under the control of a controller. The micro-dispenser comprises a base and a high-density array of tube assemblies. The base, having a plurality of holes, is electrically connected to the controller. The tube assemblies, pre-filled with predetermined fluids, are detachably disposed in the holes and separately electrically connected to the base. The tube assemblies dispense the fluids through the base under the control of the controller. The tube assemblies are replaceable.

Claims

1. A micro-dispenser for dispensing a predetermined amount of fluids under the control of a controller comprising:

a base, having a plurality of holes, electrically connected to the controller; and

an array of tube assemblies, filled with predetermined fluids, detachably disposed in the holes and separately electrically connected to the base, the tube assemblies dispensing the fluids under the control of the controller, wherein the tube assemblies are replaceable;

wherein each of the tube assemblies further comprises;

a receptacle having a passage;

a capillary tube, for retaining the fluid, disposed in the receptacle at one end of the passage; and

a print chip head, disposed in the receptacle at the other end of the passage, communicating with the capillary tube.

2. The micro-dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base provided with at least one recess formed adjacent to each hole, and the receptacle of each of the tube assemblies is provided with at least one protrusion corresponding to the at least one recess for engaging with the base.

3. The micro-dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the tube assemblies is marked with a code indicating the type of fluid contained therein.

4. The micro-dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is provided with a first detecting device for detecting the amount of the fluid.

5. The micro-dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the tube assemblies is provided with a second detecting device for detecting the amount of fluid remaining therein.

6. The micro-dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube assembly is pulse pressure ink-jet type.

7. The micro-dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube assembly is bubble jet ink-jet type.

8. The micro-dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube assembly is slit jet ink-jet type.

9. A micro-dispenser for dispensing a predetermined amount of fluids under the control of a controller comprising:

a base, having a plurality of holes, electrically connected to the controller, wherein the base is provided with at least one first pad disposed in each of the holes separately; and

an array of tube assemblies, filled with predetermined fluids, detachably disposed in the holes and separately electrically connected to the base, the tube assemblies dispensing the fluids under the control of the controller, wherein the tube assemblies are replaceable;

wherein each of the tube assemblies further comprises;

a receptacle having a passage, wherein the receptacle is provided with at least one second pad corresponding to the at least one first pad, and the second pads abut the first pads when the tube assemblies are inserted into the holes of the base;

a capillary tube, for retaining the fluid, disposed in the receptacle at one end of the passage; and

a print chip head, disposed in the receptacle at the other end of the passage, communicating with the capillary tube.

10. A micro-dispenser for dispensing a predetermined amount of fluids under the control of a controller comprising:

a base, having a plurality of holes, electrically connected to the controller, wherein the base is provided with at least one concave portion and at least one first pad disposed in each of the holes separately; and

an array of tube assemblies, filled with predetermined fluids, detachably disposed in the holes and separately electrically connected to the base, the tube assemblies dispensing the fluids under the control of the controller, wherein the tube assemblies are replaceable;

wherein each of the tube assemblies further comprises;

a receptacle, having a passage, provided with at least one protrusion corresponding to the at least one recess for engaging with the base, wherein the receptacle is provided with at least one second pad corresponding to the at least one first pad, and the second pads abut the first pads when the tube assemblies are inserted into the holes of the base;

a capillary tube, for retaining the fluid, disposed in the receptacle at one end of the passage; and

a print chip head, disposed in the receptacle at the other end of the passage, abutting the second pads and communicating with the capillary tube.

11. A dispensing device for a biochemical analysis comprising:

a controller; and

at least one micro-dispenser, for dispensing a predetermined amount of reagents to a substrate used in the biochemical analysis, electrically connected to the controller, wherein the micro-dispenser comprises;

a base, having a plurality of holes, electrically connected to the controller; and

an array of tube assemblies, filled with predetermined reagents, detachably disposed in the holes and separately electrically connected to the base, the tube assemblies dispensing the reagents under the control of the controller when the base faces the substrate, wherein the tube assemblies are replaceable;

wherein each of the tube assemblies further comprises;

a receptacle having a passage;

a capillary tube, for retaining the fluid, disposed in the receptacle at one end of the passage; and

a print chip head, disposed in the receptacle at the other end of the passage, communicating with the capillary tube.

12. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the base is provided with at least one recess formed adjacent to each hole, and the receptacle of each of the tube assemblies is provided with at least one protrusion corresponding to the at least one recess for engaging with the base.

13. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the tube assemblies is marked with a code for indicating the type of reagent contained therein.

14. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the base is provided with a first detecting device for detecting the amount of the reagent.

15. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the tube assemblies is provided with a second detecting device for detecting the amount of the reagent contained therein.

16. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the micro-dispenser is pulse pressure ink-jet type.

17. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the micro-dispenser is bubble jet ink-jet type.

18. The dispensing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the micro-dispenser is slit jet ink-jet type.

19. A dispensing device for a biochemical analysis comprising:

a controller; and

at least one micro-dispenser, for dispensing a predetermined amount of reagents to a substrate used in the biochemical analysis, electrically connected to the controller, wherein the micro-dispenser comprises;

a base, having a plurality of holes, electrically connected to the controller, wherein the base is provided with at least one first pad disposed in each of the holes separately; and

an array of tube assemblies, filled with predetermined fluids, detachably disposed in the holes and separately electrically connected to the base, the tube assemblies dispensing the fluids under the control of the controller, wherein the tube assemblies are replaceable;

wherein each of the tube assemblies further comprises;

a receptacle having a passage, wherein the receptacle is provided with at least one second pad corresponding to the at least one first pad, and the second pads abut the first pads when the tube assemblies are inserted into the holes of the base;

a capillary tube, for retaining the fluid, disposed in the receptacle at one end of the passage; and

a print chip head, disposed in the receptacle at the other end of the passage, communicating with the capillary tube.

20. A dispensing device for a biochemical analysis comprising:

a controller; and

at least one micro-dispenser, for dispensing a predetermined amount of reagents to a substrate used in the biochemical analysis, electrically connected to the controller, wherein the micro-dispenser comprises;

a base, having a plurality of holes, electrically connected to the controller, wherein the base is provided with at least one concave portion and at least one first pad disposed in each of the holes separately; and

an array of tube assemblies, filled with predetermined fluids, detachably disposed in the holes and separately electrically connected to the base, the tube assemblies dispensing the fluids under the control of the controller, wherein the tube assemblies are replaceable;

wherein each of the tube assemblies further comprises;

a receptacle, having a passage, provided with at least one protrusion corresponding to the at least one recess for engaging with the base, wherein the receptacle is provided with at least one second pad corresponding to the at least one first pad, and the second pads abut the first pads when the tube assemblies are inserted into the holes of the base;

a capillary tube, for retaining the reagent, disposed in the receptacle at one end of the passage; and

a print chip head, disposed in the receptacle at the other end of the passage, abutting the second pads and communicating with the capillary tube.