Apparatus for controlling the free surface of a liquid in a well plate
US7232549B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/1041
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Devices useful in liquid transfer applications and in particular, devices for controlling the free surface of a source liquid in acoustic liquid ejection systems are disclosed. The devices advantageously maintain a source liquid to be transferred at a constant height and reduce disturbances formed in the liquid due to droplet ejection. In one variation, a well plate includes a plurality of wells each having a capillary. Source liquid in a well moves up the capillary due to capillary action and arrives at a certain height. The height arrived at remains constant despite the source liquid depleting from the well during the ejection process. The capillary can be separately joined or integral with the well plate. An acoustic wave emitter positioned adjacent to the well plate emits a focused acoustic beam that causes at least some of the liquid in the capillary to be ejected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.