Method for calibrating an acoustic droplet dispensing apparatus
US7661289B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/1041
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention comprises a method for calibrating a droplet dispensing apparatus using acoustic energy to dispense a plurality of droplet sets of a liquid from a source container into a plurality of target containers, with each droplet set being comprised of one or more individual droplets of the liquid, and with a liquid level of the liquid in the source container being measured before each of the droplet sets are dispensed. The average droplet volume for the individual droplets in each of the droplet sets is then calculated by detecting the presence of an indicator, such as a fluorescent chemical. Once the average droplet volume has been calculated, it is determined if the average droplet volume for each droplet set is acceptable or not acceptable. Where the average droplet volume is determined to be not acceptable, an existing droplet dispensing parameter is changed to a new droplet dispensing parameter that will cause the average droplet volume for that droplet set to change. A burst curve is then generated that will cause the new droplet dispensing parameter for each droplet set to be used if a subsequent plurality of droplet sets are dispensed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.