Acoustic assessment of fluids in a plurality of reservoirs
US6938995B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2695
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides devices and methods for acoustically assessing the contents of a plurality of reservoirs that are typically provided as an array. An acoustic radiation generator is employed for generating acoustic radiation having an image field of a size sufficient to interrogate a plurality of selected reservoirs at one time. The generator is placed in acoustic coupling relationship via a fluid acoustic coupling medium to the selected reservoirs, and acoustic radiation generated by the generator is transmitted through the coupling medium, an exterior surface of the selected reservoirs, and the selected reservoirs. A characteristic of the transmitted acoustic radiation is analyzed so as to assess the contents of each of the selected reservoirs. Fluid may be ejected from the selected reservoirs according to the assessment. Optionally, a means is provided for removing fluid acoustic coupling medium from the exterior surface after acoustic assessment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.