Method and apparatus for dispensing low nanoliter volumes of liquid while minimizing waste
US6709872B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
There is provided a method and apparatus for aspirating a volume of liquid into a syringe from a sample of the liquid. A substantial portion of the liquid in the syringe is subsequently dispensed from the syringe and returned to the sample. Accordingly, a small portion of the aspirated liquid is retained in the syringe. One or more nanoliter volumes of the liquid retained in the syringe are then dispensed from the syringe to a container for further use or analysis. It will be understood, therefore, that the volume of the originally aspirated liquid is substantially larger than the volume of liquid dispensed for further use or analysis. The invention also includes a method and apparatus for aspirating and dispensing a plurality of liquids by using a plurality of syringes, and also can be used to dispense liquids onto microplates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.