FLUID DISTRIBUTION CARTRIDGE, SYSTEM AND METHOD

专利摘要:
fluid dispensing system. the present invention relates to an apparatus including a fluid reservoir and a compressible measuring chamber including a first end coupled to the fluid reservoir and a second end. the apparatus additionally includes a valve coupled to the second end of the measuring chamber and a nozzle coupled to the valve. a system including linearly translatable cartridge assembly assembly having a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridge assembly stations and a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges mounted to the respective fluid dispensing cartridge assembly stations. the system additionally includes a plurality of compression assemblies coupled to the respective fluid dispensing cartridges and a receiving assembly positioned under the assembly assembly. one method includes positioning a fluid dispensing cartridge comprising a fluid reservoir and a measuring chamber on a sample holding element, applying compressive force to the measuring chamber to eject a predetermined amount of fluid and removing the compressive force to refill the measuring chamber.
公开号:BR102012008059B1
申请号:R102012008059-1
申请日:2012-01-31
公开日:2020-01-07
发明作者:Robert E. Evans；Wolfgang Mueller；Toshiyuki Fujimaki；Shinji Tokudaiji；Yoshitake Okabe；Yoshitada Mizusawa
申请人:Sakura Finetek U.S.A., Inc.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for CARTRIDGE, SYSTEM AND FLUID DISPENSATION METHOD. Background
Field [001] The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing system, specifically a fluid dispensing apparatus that can be used in a biological sample processing system.
Background [002] In various environments, processing and testing of biological samples is required for diagnostic purposes. Generally speaking, pathologists and other diagnosticians collect and study samples from patients, and use microscopic examination and other devices to evaluate samples at cell levels. Typically numerous steps are involved in pathology and another diagnostic process, including collecting biological samples such as blood and tissue, processing samples, preparing microscope slides, staining, examining, retesting or staining, collecting additional samples , re-examining the samples and, at the end, presenting diagnostic verdicts.
[003] While conducting biological tests, it is often necessary to dispense liquids, such as reagents, on test slides containing biological samples. When analyzing tumor tissue, for example, a finely sliced section of the tissue can be placed on a slide and processed through a variety of steps, including dispensing predetermined amounts of liquid reagents on the tissue. Automated reagent fluid dispensing systems have been developed to precisely apply a sequence of pre-selected reagents to test slides.
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2/53 [004] A representative reagent dispensing system includes a reagent dispensing tray that supports multiple reagent containers and is able to position selected reagent containers on slides to receive reagent. The system additionally includes an actuator to facilitate ejecting a reagent out of the reagent container. During operation, the reagent dispensing tray positions a reagent container adjacent to the actuator. The actuator (e.g., piston) contacts, for example, a spring-driven displacement element associated with the reagent container, effecting movement of the displacement element, which in turn causes fluid reagent to be applied over the slides.
Brief Description of the Drawings [005] Modalities of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures in the accompanying drawings in which similar references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to one or the modality in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same modality, and such references mean at least one.
[006] Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid dispensing system.
[007] Figure 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fluid dispensing system.
[008] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a fluid dispensing system.
[009] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the fluid dispensing system of figure 2.
[0010] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the fluid dispensing system of figure 2.
[0011] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a modaliPetição 870190085118, of 30/08/2019, p. 7/68
3/53 of the fluid dispensing system in figure 2.
[0012] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 2.
[0013] Figure 7A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 2 during operation.
[0014] Figure 7B illustrates a cross sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 2 during operation.
[0015] Figure 7C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 2 during operation.
[0016] Figure 7D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 2 during operation.
[0017] Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a fluid dispensing system.
[0018] Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 8 along line 9-9 '.
[0019] Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 8 along line 10-10 '.
[0020] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of the measurement chambers of the fluid dispensing system of figure 8.
[0021] Figure 12 shows a cut-out view of the stabilizer shown in figure 11.
[0022] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid container for a fluid dispensing system.
[0023] Figure 14A illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0024] Figure 14B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
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4/53 [0025] Figure 14C illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0026] Figure 14D illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0027] Figure 15A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0028] Figure 15B illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0029] Figure 15C illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0030] Figure 15D illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0031] Figure 15E illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0032] Figure 16A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0033] Figure 16B illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0034] Figure 16C illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
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5/53 [0035] Figure 16D shows a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0036] Figure 16E illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a compression assembly for a fluid dispensing system during operation.
[0037] Figure 17 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a fluid dispensing system.
[0038] Figure 18 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 17.
[0039] Figure 19 illustrates a perspective view of a modality of a fluid dispensing system.
[0040] Figure 20 is a flow chart of a modality of a fluid dispensing system.
Detailed Description [0041] In the following paragraphs, the invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the modalities and examples shown should be considered as exemplary, rather than as limitations on the invention. In addition, reference to various aspects of the modalities disclosed in this document does not mean that all claimed modalities or methods must include the referenced aspects.
[0042] Figure 1A illustrates a modality of a fluid dispensing system. The fluid dispensing system may be the fluid dispensing cartridge 100, which generally includes fluid reservoir 102 in fluid communication with the measuring chamber 110. Fluid reservoir 102 generally includes a container is configured to retain a predetermined amount of fluid, such as a reagent or sweetener fluid
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6/53 tion. In some embodiments, reservoir 102 includes housing 104.
[0043] Housing 104 may be a rigid housing that is constructed of a fluid impermeable material. It should also be understood that housing 104 can be constructed of any material suitable for retaining liquid such as a chemically inert plastic, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. In addition to containing a fluid, the housing 104 can additionally provide a handle handling surface and a marking surface, so information can be engraved on the cartridge, for example, when writing on the surface or attaching a label. The tag can be, for example, a bar code or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that identifies the contents of reservoir 102 and / or a processing protocol.
[0044] In some embodiments, housing 104 is a shellfish housing having the first part 104A and a second part 104B. The first part 104A and the second part 104B can be separate pieces that are positioned around the measuring chamber 110 and fixed together to form the housing 104. In some embodiments, the first part 104A and the second part 104B are held together by example, by means of a stop or snap mechanism. It is considered that in some embodiments, when the first part 104A and the second part 104B are attached to each other, air is allowed to pass through the joint formed by the parts. In this respect, the junction provides a ventilation mechanism for entering air and equalizing a pressure inside the housing 104. In such embodiments, a liquid within the housing 104 can be inside a fluid balloon or liner positioned inside the housing 104, as will be described in more detail with reference to figure 1B. Still in
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7/53 additional modes, a valve is provided in housing 104 (see figure 1B) to allow ventilation.
[0045] The measuring chamber 110 extends from a base of the fluid reservoir 102 and the housing 104 (as seen). In one embodiment, the measuring chamber 110 is a cylindrical element, for example, a tubular structure of a deformable material. The measuring chamber 110 will be described in more detail with reference to figure 2.
[0046] The nozzle 120 can be positioned at one end of the measuring chamber 110. An external surface of the nozzle 120 can include cutouts 174 to help reduce the amount of material needed to manufacture the nozzle 120 and in turn the weight of the nozzle. nozzle 120. Nozzle 120 can be attached to measuring chamber 110 with nozzle locking mechanism 134. Nozzle locking mechanism 134 may be a cylindrical piece surrounding the measuring chamber 110 and includes arms that attach to nozzle 120 to attach the nozzle 120 to the measuring chamber 110. Representatively, the arms of the nozzle locking mechanism 134 may include hooks that fit under protruding regions formed inside the nozzle 120. (see figure
2). The nozzle 120 can be constructed of any material suitable for retaining liquid such as a chemically inert plastic, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. Fixing the nozzle 120 to the measuring chamber 110 helps to control fluid ejection from the measuring chamber 110.
[0047] In some modalities, collar 116 and extenders 136,
138 can surround an upper region of the measuring chamber 110. Collar 116 secures one end of the measuring chamber 110 within the opening of the housing 104. Extenders 136, 138 can facilitate connection of the measuring chamber 110 to a compression assembly designed for trigger fluid ejection from the measuring chamber
110.
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8/53 [0048] The cover 140 can be additionally provided to cover and protect the measuring chamber 110 during shipment of the cartridge 100. The cover 140 can have any suitable dimensions to cover the portion of the measuring chamber 110 extending out of the housing 104. Representatively, cover 140 may be a hollow cylindrical plastic structure that tapers in diameter. The hooks 142, 144 extending from the edges forming the open end of the cover 140 can be used to secure the cover 140 to the housing 104. The hooks 142, 144 include the barbed ends 146, 148, respectively. The housing 104 may include the openings 150, 152 on opposite sides of the measuring chamber 110. The openings 150, 152 are sized to receive the hooks 142, 144. When the barbed ends 146, 148 of the hooks 142, 144 are inserted into the openings 150, 152, respectively, the barbed ends 146, 148 grasp the edges of the openings 150, 152 to hold the cover 140 in place. The cover 140 can be removed by compressing the cover 140 to dislodge the barbed ends 146, 148 and pull the cover 140 in a direction away from the housing 104. Although a hook-type fastening mechanism is revealed, it is further considered that any other mechanism suitable for securing cover 140 in housing 104 can be used.
[0049] Figure 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 1A through the medium of the fluid dispensing system. In this regard, the fluid dispensing system includes the fluid dispensing cartridge 100 having the fluid reservoir 102 formed by the housing 104. The housing 104 is in fluid communication with the measuring chamber 110. In some embodiments, the housing 104 can optionally include the pressure valve 134 that allows to equalize the pressure inside the housing
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9/53 ment 104 with ambient air pressure. In particular, pressure valve 134 can be used to stabilize pressure within housing 104, so that a vacuum is not formed within housing 104 after a portion of the fluid within housing 104 is dispensed. Pressure valve 134 can be any valve that allows air to enter housing 104. For example, pressure valve 134 can be a unidirectional duckbill check valve. In other embodiments, the pressure valve 134 can be omitted and a joint formed by joining the first part 104A and the second part 104B of housing 104 as discussed above with reference to figure 1A can be used to ventilate the system.
[0050] In some embodiments, a fluid within the fluid reservoir 102 is retained within the fluid flask or liner 106. Flask 106 can be positioned within the inner chamber defined by housing 104. Flask 106 may contain a predetermined amount of a fluid (for example, reagent or a sweetening fluid). The balloon 106 can be expandable in such a way that it expands to conform to the dimensions of the inner chamber of the housing 104. In this respect, a maximum amount of fluid can be retained within the balloon 106 and in turn of the housing 104. it will be appreciated that the balloon 106 can be made of any suitable material that is substantially fluid impervious and flexible. Balloon 106 may be, for example, a balloon such as that available from TechFlex Packaging, LLC of Hawthorne, CA under model number TF-480.
[0051] Balloon 106 helps to reduce ambient air contamination and extends the shelf life of the fluid contained therein. In some embodiments, the balloon 106 includes folds to facilitate expansion of the balloon 106 from a reduced to an expanded configuration. Balloon 106 can
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10/53 have a quadrilateral cross section in the expanded configuration. For example, in embodiments where the housing 104 has a trapezoidal cross section, the balloon 106 may also have a trapezoidal cross section in the expanded configuration. In other embodiments, the balloon 106 may be of any suitable size to retain the desired amount of fluid, for example, an elliptical cross section. Balloon 106 will be described in further detail with reference to figure 13.
The balloon 106 can be coupled to the measuring chamber 110 by means of the connector 108. The connector 108 can be a substantially rigid element having the cylindrical conduit 112 through it. The connector 108 can be made of any material suitable for retaining liquid such as a chemically inert plastic, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. In this regard, fluid from balloon 106 flows through connector 108 and into measuring chamber 110. One end of connector 108 can be sealed (e.g., heat sealed) to balloon 106 in an opening formed at one end of balloon 106 An opposite end of connector 108 can be inserted into one end of the measuring chamber 110 and into the opening 114 formed through a base part of the housing 104.
[0053] The connector 108 can include the upper part 154 and the lower part 158. The balloon 106 is sealed around the upper part 154. The lower part 158 is inserted into the measuring chamber 110. The upper part 154 provides a first flange to help secure the upper part 154 inside the balloon 106. As shown in figure 1B, the first flange formed by the upper part 154 is positioned inside the balloon 106 and the opening of the balloon 106 is sealed around the first flange.
[0054] The bottom part 158 includes the second flange 156 and the third flange 160. The second flange 156 is positioned along a surface.
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11/53 outer surface of the balloon 106 opposite the first flange. The third flange 158 is positioned at one end of the lower part 158 positioned within the measuring chamber 110.
[0055] In some embodiments, collar 116 can be additionally positioned in opening 114 to ensure a fluid-tight seal between connector 108 and measuring chamber 110. Collar 116 can be a ring-shaped structure positioned within the opening 114 and outside the measuring chamber 110. Collar 116 is dimensioned to secure the measuring chamber 110 to the connector 108 and to prevent any gaps between the two structures. In this regard, collar 116 may be small enough to fit into opening 114 and also large enough to fit around measuring chamber 110 to secure or seal the end of measuring chamber 110 to connector 108. In some embodiments, collar 116 may be made of the same or a different material than that of connector 108, for example, a chemically inert plastic.
[0056] The collar 116 may include the annular ring 162 formed around an internal surface of the collar 116. Ring 162 is positioned slightly above the third flange 160 of connector 108 (as seen) so that it compresses a portion of the measuring chamber 110 between ring 162 and third flange 160. This configuration helps to secure measuring chamber 110 around connector 108 and to prevent measuring chamber 110 from separating from connector 108 and, in turn, from the housing 104.
[0057] Collar 116 may additionally include the annular groove
164 formed around an upper edge of the collar 116. The annular groove 164 is dimensioned to receive the upper flange 166 extending from an upper part of the measuring chamber 110. Positioning of the upper flange 166 within the annular groove 164 help
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12/53 in addition to inhibiting separation of the measuring chamber 110 from the housing 104.
[0058] The measuring chamber 110 can be a fluid reservoir configured to retain fluid in it. In this regard, the measuring chamber 110 provides a holding space for a predetermined volume of fluid that has passed from the balloon 106 into the fluid reservoir 102 into the measuring chamber 110 before it is ejected from the cartridge 100. The measuring chamber 110 can be any size or shape desired. The measuring chamber 110 can have a volume that is greater than the volume dispensed during each dispensing cycle of the cartridge 100. In some embodiments, the measuring chamber 110 retains a volume of about 1.5 ml to 4 ml. Representatively, the measuring chamber 110 can be a tubular structure having a diameter of about 6.35 millimeters (0.25 inches) to about 31.75 millimeters (1.25 inches), a length of about 50 , 8 millimeters (2 inches) to about 76.2 millimeters (3 inches) and retain a volume of about 1.5 mL to 4 mL. According to this embodiment, a volume of about 5 pL to about 400 pL ± 5 pL can be dispensed from the measuring chamber 110 during each ejection cycle.
[0059] The measuring chamber 110 can extend from the housing
104 and providing a conduit for fluid to flow from the balloon 106 to an underlying sample. In one embodiment, the measuring chamber 110 may be a cylindrical element, for example, a tubular structure. In one embodiment, the measuring chamber 110 may be a tubular structure having substantially the same diameter along its length. In other embodiments, the measuring chamber 110 may be a tubular structure that is tapered in shape. The measuring chamber 110 may additionally include the upper flange 166 and the lower flange 168 to facilitate attachment of the chamber 110 to the housing
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13/53
104 and nozzle 120 respectively.
[0060] In one mode, to attach the measuring chamber
110 in the housing, the measuring chamber 110 can be inserted into the opening 114 at the end of the housing 104 and around the connector 108 extending through the opening 114. As discussed above, the upper flange 166 of the measuring chamber 110 is positioned inside the annular groove 164 of connector 108 to help secure the measuring chamber 110 in the housing 104. The collar 116 can be additionally placed around the measuring chamber 110 to ensure a fluid-tight seal between the measuring chamber 110 and the connector 108.
[0061] The measuring chamber 110 can be made of a substantially flexible or compressible material. Preferably, the material of the measuring chamber 110 is a material that minimizes chemical permeability and returns to its original shape after compression. Representatively, the measuring chamber 110 can be made of a material such as silicone, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or the like. In this regard, the measuring chamber 110 can be deformed between a resting position and an ejection position. In the resting position, a fluid can be contained inside the measuring chamber 110. Applying a compressive force on the measuring chamber 110 compresses the measuring chamber 110 causing the fluid inside the measuring chamber 110 to be ejected outwards by an opening at the end of the measuring chamber 110. The amount of travel of a compression mechanism applying compressive force can be used to control the volume of fluid ejected. In some embodiments, the dispensing volume can be adjustable. In other modalities, the dispensing volume can be fixed.
[0062] The flow of fluid from the measuring chamber 110 is regulated by valve 118. Valve 118 is generally located in the ex
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14/53 measuring chamber 110. Valve 118 can be a liquid check valve. Representatively, valve 118 may have deformable tabs that seal against each other when the valve is closed and separate from each other to form a gap when the valve is open. When the measuring chamber 110 is in a rest position, valve 118 remains closed and retains fluid within the measuring chamber 110. When the measuring chamber is in an ejection (i.e., compressed) position, valve 118 is open. The pressure created inside the measuring chamber 110 because of the compressive force causes the fluid to be ejected out of the open valve 118. In some embodiments, valve 118 is integrally formed at one end of measuring chamber 110. In this respect, valve 118 is made of the same material as measuring chamber 110. In other embodiments, valve 118 is a separate piece that is attached (for example, glued or heat sealed) to an open end of the measuring chamber 110 and can be made of the same or different material than that of the measuring chamber 110. Valve 118 will be discussed in further detail with reference to figures 2 -5.
[0063] Nozzle 120 can be positioned at one end of the measuring chamber 110 in such a way that a fluid from valve 118 passes through nozzle 120 before leaving cartridge 100. Nozzle 120 is used to control a direction and / or fluid velocity flowing from the measuring chamber 110 out of the cartridge 100. In this respect, the nozzle 120 can include the reservoir 122 dimensioned to receive an end of the measuring chamber 110. The nozzle 120 can additionally include the fluid conduit 132 extending between the reservoir 122 and the opening 124 at one end of the nozzle 120. The dimensions of the fluid conduit 132 and the opening 124 can be selected to control a direction of fluid flow and / or velocity.
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15/53 fluid ejected through valve 118. Representatively, fluid conduit 132 may be of a length and width dimension and opening 124 may be of selected width dimension to control a fluid flow direction and a fluid ejection speed.
[0064] In one embodiment, aperture 124 can be defined by the enlarged bore 170 formed at the end portion of fluid conduit 132. In this aspect, aperture 124 may have a dimension of width greater than a width of fluid conduit 132. Formation of the enlarged bore 170 at the end portion of the fluid conduit 132 helps to prevent excess fluid not dispensed over an underlying sample from remaining along an outer surface of the nozzle 120. In particular, fluid that would normally accumulate on an outer surface of the nozzle nozzle 120 instead of remaining inside the enlarged bore 170. When fluid remains on an external surface of the nozzle 120, it is not dispensed over the sample. This causes the actual volume of fluid dispensed on the sample to be less than the intended volume and can affect sample treatment. The enlarged bore 170 allows this excess fluid to be captured inside the nozzle 120 and dispensed during the next dispensing cycle. Thus, a volume of fluid is dispensed more precisely by cartridge 100. [0065] When nozzle 120 is positioned around measuring chamber 110, flange 168 extending from measuring chamber 110 rests along the upper edge of the nozzle 120. The nozzle locking mechanism 134, which surrounds the measuring chamber 110, is then placed on one side of the flange 168 opposite the nozzle 120. Arms of the nozzle locking mechanism 134 extend beyond the flange 168 towards the nozzle 120 and are inserted into nozzle 120 to lock nozzle 120 in the measuring chamber 110.
[0066] In some modalities, in addition to the locking mechanismPetição 870190085118, of 08/30/2019, p. 20/68
16/53 nozzle tip 134, an adhesive, glue or hot melt process can be used to attach nozzle 120 to measuring chamber 110. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the end of the measuring chamber 110 and an inner surface the nozzle 120 may have complementary ribs or threads in such a way that the nozzle 120 is screwed around one end of the measuring chamber 110. In other embodiments, the nozzle 120 may be integrally formed with the end of the measuring chamber 110. The nozzle 120 is described in further details with reference to figure 2. [0067] Fluid can be ejected from the measuring chamber 110 through valve 118 and the nozzle 120 when compressing the measuring chamber 110. In one embodiment, the compression assembly 126 coupled to the measuring chamber 110 compresses the measuring chamber 110. Although specific compression assemblies are disclosed in this document, the compression assembly is considered 126 can be any type of compressive device that compresses the measuring chamber 110 starting at the top end (i.e., end closest to reservoir 102) and moving to the bottom end (i.e., end furthest from reservoir 102). In this respect, fluid is prevented from flowing beyond the compression assembly 126 and back towards the fluid reservoir 102. Since fluid is prevented from flowing beyond the compression assembly 126 during the ejection cycle, a second valve at a proximal end of the measuring chamber 110 (i.e., end closest to reservoir 102) to prevent reverse flow of fluid into fluid reservoir 102 is unnecessary. In this respect, a fluid conduit 112 of connector 108 positioned inside the measuring chamber 110 is unopposed, for example, by a valve, and allows unobstructed fluid flow from the reservoir 102 into the measuring chamber 110. Additional valves, meanwhile po
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17/53 may be included at each end of the measuring chamber 110 if desired.
[0068] Compression assembly 126 may include compression elements 128 and 130. Compression elements 128 and 130 can be of any size and shape suitable for compressing the measuring chamber 110. Representatively, in one embodiment, the compression elements 128 and 130 are elongated plate-like structures such as those illustrated in figure 1B. In other embodiments, the compression elements 128 and 130 can be, for example, rollers. The compression elements 128 and 130 can be positioned on opposite sides of the measuring chamber 110 and can be moved horizontally (i.e., a direction towards the measuring chamber 110). In some embodiments, the compression elements 128 and 130 can additionally move in a vertical direction along a length of the measuring chamber
110. The compression elements 128 and 130 can be driven in the desired direction, for example, by means of a rotating cam or gear mechanism. In other embodiments, movement of the compression elements 128 and 130 can be triggered by a spring and piston assembly. Although movement of both compression elements is described, it is further considered that in some embodiments only one of the compression elements 128 and 130 can move while the other remains stationary.
[0069] To compress the measuring chamber 110, the compression elements 128 and 130 can be advanced towards each other in the direction of the measuring chamber 110. The compression elements 128, 130 compress (i.e., tighten) the measuring chamber 110 along its length inducing valve 118 to open and a predetermined amount of fluid to be ejected from it. By ejecting the predetermined amount of fluid, the elements
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18/53 compression strips 128 and 130 can be released, allowing the measuring chamber 110 to return to its original configuration. Expansion of the measuring chamber 110 back to its original resting configuration creates an initial vacuum inside the measuring chamber 110 which drags the last drop hanging from the tip of the nozzle 120 back into the enlarged hole 170 of the nozzle 120 for ejection during the next cycle. The phrase last drop as used in this document refers to an amount of fluid that, because of the surface tension of the liquid, forms a drop and remains at the tip of the nozzle 120 after the rest of the fluid is ejected. The presence or absence of the last drop of the ejected fluid changes the amount of fluid applied to the underlying sample. Therefore, it is important that the last drop be considered when ensuring that it is ejected with the initial amount of fluid or dragged back into the measurement chamber and ejected with the next amount of fluid applied to the sample.
[0070] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a fluid dispensing system including a measuring chamber. The measuring chamber 200 includes the tubular part 210. The valve 240 is positioned at one end of the tubular part 210. The valve 240 can be constructed of the cylindrical skirt element 250 arranged circumferentially around the base element 260. The skirt element cylindrical 250 can extend from one end of the tubular part 210. The base element 260 can be formed transversely to the skirt element 250. An opening (see figures 3-5) of valve 240 can be formed through the base element 260 .
[0071] In some embodiments, the measuring chamber 200 additionally includes the ribs 230 formed around an outer surface of the tubular part 210 to facilitate attachment of the nozzle 220. Representatively, the ribs 230 can be formed around
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19/53 an end part of the tubular part 210. An internal surface of the nozzle 220 may include the ribs 280 complementary to the ribs 230. The nozzle 220 can be attached to the tubular part 210 by positioning the end of the tubular part 210 having the valve 240 inside the reservoir 290 of the nozzle 220 and position the ribs 280 of the nozzle 220 between the ribs 230 of the valve 240.
[0072] Once the nozzle 220 is positioned around the valve 240, as discussed above, the nozzle locking mechanism 234, which is positioned around the tubular part 210, can be pushed below the tubular part 210 and into grooves inside the nozzle 220 to lock the nozzle 220 in the tubular part 210. As discussed previously, the flange 268 extending from the tubular part 210 can be positioned between the nozzle 220 and the nozzle locking mechanism 234. in additional embodiments, the nozzle 220 can be attached to the tubular part 210 by means of an adhesive, glue or hot melt. When the nozzle 220 is attached to the tubular part 210, fluid ejected from the tubular part 210 flows out of the nozzle 220 through the opening 270.
[0073] When the tubular part 210 of the measuring chamber 200 is compressed, the valve 240 opens deflecting the skirt element 250 outwards. This deflection of the skirt element 250 causes the skirt element 250 to press against the adjacent surface of the nozzle 220. In this respect, the skirt element 250 creates a seal between the skirt element 250 and the nozzle 220 that prevents any fluid from flow back up along the sides of nozzle 220. Instead, any fluid back up is contained within a region of nozzle 220 defined by skirt 250. This feature is important to ensure that an accurate amount of fluid is delivered to the sample. In particular, if during fluid dispensing the fluid could escape out of the sides of the nozzle 220, the actual amount of fluid dispensed
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20/53 would be less than what is expected. Sealing of skirt element 250 against nozzle 220 will be discussed in more detail with reference to figure 6 and figures 7A-7D.
[0074] Figure 3, figure 4 and figure 5 illustrate various modalities of a valve. Figure 3 illustrates the tubular part 210 of the measuring chamber 200 including the valve 240 having the base element 260. The valve 240 includes the opening 310 formed through the base element 260. In this embodiment, the opening 310 is in the form of a crack. In this regard, when the tubular part 210 of the measuring chamber 200 is compressed, the valve oscillates causing the slit 310 to open and allowing ejection of a fluid retained within the tubular part 210.
[0075] Figure 4 includes the same structures as figure 3 except that, in this embodiment, opening 410 is a Y-shaped opening. Similar to valve 240 in figure 3, when the tubular part 210 of the measuring chamber 200 is compressed , the valve oscillates causing the opening in the form of Y 410 to open and allowing ejection of a fluid retained within the tubular part 210.
[0076] Figure 5 includes the same structures as figure 3 and figure 4 except that, in this embodiment, opening 510 is a cross-shaped opening. Similar to valve 240 of figure 3 and figure 4, when the tubular part 210 of the measuring chamber 200 is compressed, the valve oscillates causing the cross-shaped opening 510 to open and allowing ejection of a fluid retained within the tubular part 210 .
[0077] Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of the measuring chamber of figure 2. In this embodiment, the tubular part 210 of the measuring chamber 200 is shown attached to the nozzle 220. The tubular part 210 can be fixed to the nozzle 220 by means of ribs 230 and 280 and the nozzle locking mechanism 234. Valve 240 is positioned inside nozzle 220. Valve 240 includes base element 260 and skirt element 250. Base element 260 includes flaps 640, 650
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21/53 which are divided in the region 620 to define an opening when the measuring chamber 200 is compressed.
[0078] The skirt element 250 is positioned within the recessed region 610 of the nozzle 220. As can be seen from figure 6, the recessed region 610 is an annular chamber formed inside the reservoir 290 of the nozzle 220. The skirt 250 rests within the recessed region 610 and can be sealed against opposite sides of the recessed region 610 depending on whether skirt element 250 is in an undeflected or deflected configuration. Figure 6 illustrates the skirt member 250 in an undeflected state (i.e., valve 240 is in a closed configuration). When the skirt member 250 is in a deflected state, the flaps 640, 650 open and the skirt 250 deflects and seals against an opposite surface of the recessed region 610. A fluid can then be ejected out of the tubular part 210 through the slot 620 along channel 630 resulting in the opening 270 of the nozzle 220 and out of the nozzle 220. As discussed previously, the part of the nozzle 220 forming the opening 270 includes the enlarged bore 272 to retain any fluids not dispensed within the nozzle 220.
[0079] Figures 7A-7D illustrate a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 2 during operation. In particular, a transition of the measuring chamber 200 between a rest position and an ejection position is illustrated. The measuring chamber 200 is substantially the same measuring chamber disclosed with reference to figure 6. In this respect, the measuring chamber 200 includes the tubular part 210, the valve 240 and the nozzle 220. The valve 240 includes the base element 260 having the tabs 640, 650 which divide in the region 620 to form an opening or slot and the skirt element 250. The skirt element 250 is positioned within the recessed part 610 of the nozzle 220. The tubular part 210 includes the ribs 230 complementary to the ribs 280 of the nozzle 220 to facilitate attachment of the nozzle
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22/53
220 to the tubular part 210.
[0080] Figure 7A illustrates the measuring chamber 200 in a resting position. As can be seen from figure 7A, in the resting position, the slit 620 of valve 240 is in a closed position. Furthermore, the skirt member 250 is in an unflagged state. In this regard, the skirt member 250 rests along an internal surface of the nozzle part 220 defining the recessed part 610. Since the slot 620 is in a closed position, the fluid 710 is retained within the tubular part 210.
[0081] Figure 7B illustrates the measuring chamber 200 in an ejection position. In this regard, the tubular part 210 has been compressed. As discussed earlier, compression of the tubular part causes the slit 620 to open. Fluid 710 is then ejected out of tubular part 210 through slot 620 along channel 630 resulting in opening 270 of nozzle 220 and out of nozzle 220. Opening of valve 240 deflects skirt element 250 towards a surface external part of the nozzle 220 defining the lowered part 610. Deflection of the skirt element 250 effectively seals the skirt element 250 against the lowered part 610 and prevents fluid from flowing upwards in the nozzle 220 between the sides of the tubular part 210 and the nozzle 220.
[0082] Figure 7C illustrates the measuring chamber 200 in an ejection position after the desired amount of fluid is ejected. In this respect, the tubular part 210 has been compressed and the desired amount of fluid has been ejected out of the measuring chamber 200 through opening 270 of nozzle 220. One last drop of fluid 710, however, remains attached to the end of nozzle 220. It is It is desired that the last drop be sucked back into the nozzle 220 and ejected with the next fluid ejection cycle.
[0083] Figure 7D illustrates a modality in which valve 240 has returned to the rest position. As can be seen from
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23/53 of a comparison of figures 7C and 7D, the base element 260 transitions from a substantially convex configuration in the ejection position of figure 7C to a substantially concave configuration in the resting position of figure 7D. This transition creates a vacuum within the area between the nozzle 220 and the base element 260. This vacuum effect draws the last drop of fluid 710 back into the nozzle 220. The last drop 710 then remains within channel 630 or the widened hole 272 of nozzle 220, as shown in figure 7D, until the next fluid ejection cycle. Figure 7D further illustrates the skirt member 250 returning to the undeflected configuration once the valve 240 returns to the rest position. In the non-deflected configuration, the skirt element 250 rests along an internal surface of the nozzle part 220 forming the recess part 610.
[0084] Figure 8, figure 9 and figure 10 illustrate several views of a fluid dispensing system including a fluid dispensing cartridge having two measuring chambers. In particular, figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid dispensing system including a fluid dispensing cartridge having two measuring chambers. Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of Figure 8 along line 9-9 '. Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 8 along line 10-10 '.
[0085] The fluid dispensing cartridge 800 generally includes the fluid reservoir 802 which is in fluid communication with the measuring chambers 810 and 812. The fluid reservoir 802 is generally a container that is configured to retain a predetermined amount of a fluid, such as a reagent or a sweetening fluid. In some modalities, the reser
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24/53 vator 802 includes housing 804. Housing 804 can be a rigid housing that is constructed of a fluid impermeable material similar to housing 104 discussed with reference to figure 1B. Representatively, housing 804 can be constructed of any material suitable for retaining liquid such as a chemically inert plastic, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. In addition to containing a fluid, housing 804 can provide a handle handling surface and a marking surface, so information can be engraved on the cartridge, for example, when writing on the surface or attaching a label. The tag can be, for example, a bar code or RFID that identifies the contents of the 802 reservoir and / or a processing protocol.
[0086] In some embodiments, housing 804 may be a shell-type housing similar to housing 104 discussed with reference to figure 1B. The joint created where the sides of the housing 804 meet can allow air to pass through it to facilitate pressure equalization within the housing 804. In particular, the clearances at the joint can be used to stabilize pressure within the housing 804, so that a vacuum is not formed within housing 804 after a portion of the fluid within housing 804 is dispensed. In some embodiments, housing 804 may optionally include pressure valve 850 which allows pressure within housing 804 to equalize with the ambient air pressure. Pressure valve 850 can be substantially the same as pressure valve 134 discussed with reference to figure 1B. Pressure valve 850 can be any valve that allows air to enter housing 804. For example, pressure valve 850 can be a one-way duckbill check valve.
[0087] Housing 804 can be sized to accommodate fluid balloon 806 and fluid balloon 808. Balloons 806, 808 can
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25/53 be positioned inside the chamber defined by housing 804. In some embodiments, balloons 806, 808 are positioned side by side within housing 804. In other embodiments, housing 804 may include a wall dividing the inner chamber into two chambers in order to separate the balloons 806, 808.
[0088] Balloons 806, 808 may contain a predetermined amount of a fluid (e.g., reagent or sweetening fluid) in them. The fluids contained in balloons 806, 808 can be the same or different. For example, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to use two different fluids that must be retained separately before application to a sample. In this regard, one of the fluids can be contained in the flask 806 and the other fluid in the flask 808. The fluids will not mix until they are ejected from the measuring chambers 810, 812 coupled to the flasks 806, 808, respectively.
[0089] Balloons 806, 808 can be expandable. The 806 balloons,
808 can expand to conform to the dimensions of the inner chamber of housing 804. In this respect, a maximum amount of fluid can be retained inside balloons 806, 808 and, in turn, in housing 804. It should be noted that balloons 806, 808 can be made of any suitable material that is substantially fluid impervious and flexible. Balloon 106 may be, for example, a balloon such as that available from TechFlex Packaging, LLC of Hawthorne, CA under model number TF-480. Use of the 806, 808 balloons can help reduce ambient air contamination and extend the shelf life of the fluid contained therein.
[0090] In some embodiments, balloons 806, 808 include folds to facilitate expansion of balloons 806, 808 from a reduced to an expanded configuration. Balloons 806, 808 can have a quadrilateral cross section in the expanded configuration. For example, in modes where housing 804 has a cross section
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26/53 trapezoidal or an elliptical cross section, balloons 806, 808 can also have a trapezoidal cross section in the expanded configuration such that the two combined balloons conform to the internal dimensions of housing 804. Balloons 806, 808 are considered can have the same or different dimensions. The balloons 806, 808 can be in fluid communication with the measuring chambers 810, 812, respectively.
[0091] Nozzles 834 and 836 can be positioned around the ends of measuring chambers 810, 812, respectively. Similar to nozzle 120 described with reference to figure 1A and figure 1B, nozzles 834, 836 can have enlarged holes 870, 872 formed in openings 838, 840 and cutouts 860, 862. In some embodiments, the locking mechanisms nozzle 864, 866 similar to the nozzle locking mechanism 134 or 234 described with reference to figure 1A and figure 2 can surround the measuring chambers 810, 812 respectively, and attach the nozzles 834, 836 to the measuring chambers 810, 812. Still in additional embodiments, stabilizer 846 can be positioned around nozzles 834, 836 to provide additional support for measuring chambers 810, 812.
[0092] Compression assembly 852 can be coupled to measuring chambers 810, 812 to facilitate fluid ejection. Compression assembly 852 may include compression elements 854, 856 similar to those described with reference to figure 1B. In this embodiment, the compression elements 854, 856 are dimensioned to simultaneously compress the measuring chambers 810, 812 without pressing the chambers together. Representatively, the compression elements 854, 856 have a width dimension at least as large as each of the measuring chambers 810, 812 and a distance between the measuring chambers 810, 812. In this respect, the compression element 854 is positioned ad
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27/53 lying on one side of the measuring chambers 810, 812 and the compression element 856 is positioned adjacent to the opposite side of the measuring chambers 810, 812. When the compression elements 854, 856 are pressed together, they compress each one of the measuring chambers 810, 812 without pressing them together. The compression elements 854, 856 can be driven in the desired direction by means of a rotating cam or gear mechanism coupled to the compression elements 854, 856. In other embodiments, movement of the compression elements 854, 856 can be driven by an assembly spring and piston. Compression of the measuring chambers 810, 812 using the compression assembly 852 can be performed as previously described with reference to figure 1B.
[0093] As shown in figure 9, balloons 806, 808 can be coupled to measuring chambers 810, 812 using connection components similar to those described with reference to figure 1B. In particular, one end of connectors 814, 816 having cylindrical conduits 818, 820 through them can be inserted into the ends of measuring chambers 810, 812. Opposite ends of connectors 814, 816 can be sealed (for example, heat sealed) balloons 806, 808, respectively. The connectors 814, 816, having ends of the measuring chambers 810, 812 positioned over them, can be positioned inside the openings 822, 824 formed through a base part of the housing 804. In this aspect, fluid from the balloons 806, 808 flows through connectors 814, 816 and into measuring chambers 810, 812, respectively. Connectors 814, 816 can be cylindrical elements made of substantially the same material as the connector disclosed with reference to figure 1B.
[0094] The connector 814 can include the upper part 860 and the
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Lower 28/53 868. The upper part 860 is positioned inside the balloon 806 and the lower part 868 is inserted into the measuring chamber 810. The upper part 860 provides a first flange to help secure the upper part 860 inside the balloon 806. As shown in figure 1B, the first flange formed by the upper part 860 is positioned inside the balloon 806 and the balloon opening 806 is sealed around the first flange.
[0095] The lower part 868 includes the second flange 864 and the third flange 872. The second flange 864 is positioned along an outer surface of the balloon 806 opposite the first flange. The third flange 872 is positioned at one end of the lower part 868 positioned inside the measuring chamber 810.
[0096] In some embodiments, collar 826 can be additionally positioned in opening 822 to ensure a fluid-tight seal between connector 814 and measuring chamber 810. Necklace 826 can be a ring-shaped structure positioned within the opening 822 and outside the measuring chamber 810. The collar 826 is dimensioned to secure the measuring chamber 810 in the connector 814 and prevent any gaps between the two structures. In this regard, collar 826 may be small enough to fit inside opening 822 and also large enough to fit around measuring chamber 810 to secure or seal the end of measuring chamber 810 to connector 814. In some modalities, the 826 necklace can be made of a plastic material or the like.
[0097] The collar 826 can include the annular ring 870 formed around an internal surface of the collar 826. The ring 870 is positioned between the second flange 864 and the third flange 872. Ring 870 captures part of the measuring chamber 810 between the third flange 872 and the ring 870 to prevent separation of the measuring chamber 810 from the housing
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29/53
804. The collar 826 additionally includes the annular groove 878 formed around an upper edge of the collar 826. The annular groove 878 is dimensioned to receive the upper flange 880 formed by the measuring chamber 810. Positioning of the upper flange 880 within the annular groove 878 additionally helps to prevent separation of the measuring chamber 810 from the housing 804.
[0098] Connector 816 can be similar to connector 814. Representatively, connector 816 can include the top 862 having a first flange and the bottom 876 having the second flange 866 and the third flange 874. The collar 828 is similar the collar 826 can be additionally provided in the opening 824 to ensure a fluid-tight seal between the connector 816 and the measuring chamber 812. The collar 828 can include the annular ring 886 positioned between the second flange 866 and the third flange 874 for prevent separation of the measuring chamber 812 from the housing 804. The collar 828 may additionally include an annular groove 882 formed around an upper edge to receive the upper flange 884 of the measuring chamber 810. Although collar 826 and collar 828 are described separately, collars 826, 828 are considered to be separate structures or to be integrally formed in such a way that they are connected together.
[0099] The measuring chambers 810, 812 can be substantially the same as the measuring chamber 110 described with reference to figure 1. In this respect, the measuring chambers 810, 812 provide a holding space for a predetermined volume of fluid that has drained from balloons 806, 808, respectively, before being ejected from cartridge 800. Measuring chambers 810 and 812 can be of any desired size or shape. Measuring chambers 810, 812 can have a volume that is greater than the volume dispensed during each cartridge 800 dispensing cycle. It is noted that in
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In modalities such as cartridge 800 having the two measuring chambers 810, 812, the total amount of fluid dispensed in each cycle can be equal to that of modalities such as cartridge 100 of figure 1 having a single measuring chamber. In this respect, the dimensions of the measuring chambers 810, 812 can be smaller than those of the measuring chamber 110 of the cartridge 100 and each of the measuring chambers 810, 812 can hold, for example, a volume of about half that of the chamber measuring 110. Representatively, each of the measuring chambers 810, 812 can be a tubular structure having a diameter of about 3.17 mm (1/8 inch) to about 19.05 mm (0.75 inch) ) and a length of about 50.80 millimeters (2 inches) to about 76.20 millimeters (3 inches). In some embodiments, each of the measuring chambers 810, 812 can hold a volume of about 5 pL to about 200 pL. A combined dispensing volume of the measuring chambers 810, 812 can be between about 5 pL to about 400 pL ± 5 pL during each ejection cycle.
[00100] Measuring chambers 810, 812 can be made of a substantially flexible or compressible material. Preferably, the material of the measuring chambers 810, 812 is a material that minimizes chemical permeability and returns to its original shape after compression. Representatively, measuring chambers 810, 812 can be made of a material such as silicone, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or the like. In this regard, measuring chambers 810, 812 can be deformed between a resting position and an ejection position. In the resting position, a fluid can be contained within the measuring chambers 810, 812. Applying a compressive force to the measuring chambers 810, 812 compresses the measuring chambers 810, 812 causing the fluid inside the measuring chambers 810 , 812 is ejected out of an opening at the end
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31/53 of measuring chambers 810, 812.
[00101] Each of the measuring chambers 810, 812 includes valve 830, 832, respectively, for regulating fluid flow from chambers 810, 812. Valves 830, 832 can be, for example, substantially the same as valve 118 described with reference to figure 1B.
[00102] Nozzle 834 can be positioned at one end of measuring chamber 810 around valve 830. Similarly, nozzle 836 can be positioned at one end of measuring chamber 812 around valve 832. Nozzles 834 , 836 are used to regulate fluid flow from measuring chambers 810, 812, respectively, out of cartridge 800. Nozzles 834, 836 can be substantially similar to nozzle 120 described with reference to figure 1B except that they can be sized to direct fluids flowing through each nozzle into a common stream. In this regard, the nozzles 834, 836 can be sized to receive one end of the measuring chambers 810, 812, respectively. Nozzles 834, 836 can include channels 842, 844 resulting in openings 838, 840, respectively, for ejecting fluids. The enlarged holes 890, 892 can additionally be formed at the ends of the channels 842, 844 defining the openings 838, 840. The channels 842, 844 can have a length and width dimension to control a flow direction and / or ejected fluid velocity. through openings 838, 840 of valves 834 and 836, respectively. In addition, channels 842, 844 can be formed at angles within nozzles 834, 836, respectively, sufficient to direct a fluid flowing out of opening 838 towards a fluid flowing through opening 840 in such a way that flows of fluid are mixed together before contacting the sample.
[00103] A fluid-proof seal can be provided between nozzles 834, 836 and measuring chambers 810, 812, respectively,
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32/53 to attach the nozzles 834, 836 to the measuring chambers 810, 812, respectively. Representatively, the nozzle 834 can be secured around the end of the measuring chamber 810 using an adhesive, glue or hot melt. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the measuring chamber 810 may have ribs 894 and an inner surface of nozzle 834 may have complementary ribs 896 that can be positioned between ribs 894 to help secure nozzle 834 around a portion of end of the measuring chamber 810. In other embodiments, the measuring chamber 810 and the internal surface of the nozzle 834 have complementary threads. Still in additional embodiments, the nozzle 834 can be integrally formed with the end of the measuring chamber 810. The nozzle 836 can be attached to the measuring chamber 812 in a similar or different way to that used to fix the nozzle 834 to the measuring chamber 810 Representatively, the nozzle 836 can be attached to the measuring chamber 812 using an adhesive and / or complementary ribs 888, 898 or threading as discussed above.
[00104] In some embodiments, since the nozzles 834, 836 are attached to the ends of the measuring chambers 810, 812 they can be attached to each other. Representatively, when the nozzles 834, 836 are placed over the measuring chambers 810, 812, the adjacent surfaces of the nozzles 834, 836 can be flat so that they can be placed close to each other without changing a vertical position of the chambers measuring 810, 812. One of the nozzles 834, 836 can include a protruding part and the other of the nozzles 834, 836 can include a receiving part dimensioned to receive the protruding part. When the nozzles 834, 836 are pressed together, the protruding part is inserted into the receiving part to retain the nozzles 834, 836 together. In some embodiments, each of the nozzles 834, 836 may include a proPetition part 870190085118, dated 08/30/2019, p. 37/68
33/53 tuberante and a receiving part.
[00105] The stabilizer 846 can be connected to the measuring chambers 810, 812 and the nozzles 834, 836. In some embodiments, the stabilizer 846 can be a substantially oblong shaped cylindrical structure surrounding the measuring chambers 810, 812 and the nozzles 834 , 836. Compartments can be formed inside the stabilizer 846 which are sized to receive parts of the measuring chambers 810, 812 and the nozzles 834, 836. In some embodiments, the stabilizer 846 is a separate structure from the measuring chambers 810, 812 and the nozzles 834, 836 which are fitted around the measuring chambers 810, 812 and the nozzles 834, 836 once they are assembled. Representatively, stabilizer 846 can include two halves that can be snapped together around chambers 810, 812 and nozzles 834, 836. In other embodiments, nozzles 834 and 836 can be connected to one end of stabilizer 846 and extend from it.
[00106] Each of the measuring chambers 810, 812 additionally includes the lower flanges 893, 897 positioned between the nozzles 834, 836 and the nozzle locking mechanisms 864, 866 to help secure the nozzles 834, 836 in the measuring chambers 810, 812.
[00107] Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid dispensing system of figure 8 along line 10-10 '. As can be seen from this view, the compression elements 854, 856 can be used to compress the measuring chamber 810 (and the measuring chamber 812) to eject a volume of fluid.
[00108] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the measuring chambers illustrated in figure 8. Measuring chambers 810, 812 are shown attached to stabilizer 846 and nozzles 834, 836. As discussed earlier, stabilizer 846 can have an oblong cylindrical shape that covers parts of the measuring chambers 810, 812 and
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34/53 nozzles 834, 836. Nozzles 834, 836 include openings 838, 840, respectively, which direct streams of fluid flowing through them towards each other so that they mix before application to a sample. The nozzles 834, 836 can include the enlarged holes 870, 872 to capture a last drop as discussed above. Nozzle locking mechanisms 864, 866 can be additionally provided to secure nozzles 834, 836 in measuring chambers 810, 812, respectively.
[00109] Figure 12 illustrates a cut-away view of the stabilizer shown in figure 11. The ends of the measuring chambers 810, 812 are shown positioned inside stabilizer compartments 846 sized to receive the measuring chambers 810, 812 and nozzles 834, 836 Nozzles 834, 836 include channels 842, 844 for directing fluid out of openings 838, 840. As can be seen from Figure 12, channels 842, 844 are angled towards each other so that the fluid flow is directed out of the openings 838, 840 and into a single stream.
[00110] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid container for a fluid dispensing system. In this embodiment, the fluid container can be a balloon positioned within the fluid dispensing cartridge. Balloon 1302 can be sized to retain fluid therein. In some embodiments, the edges 1310 and 1312 of balloon 1302 are sealed together (for example, heat sealed). The edge 1314 can be sealed around a connector (for example, connector 108) used to connect a measuring chamber (for example, the measuring chamber 110) to the balloon 1302. The fold 1306 is formed at the end 1304. In this In this aspect, balloon 1302 can be expanded from deflated to inflated. In the deflated configuration, the balloon 1302 can be substantially flat. The addition of a fluid to the 1302 balloon
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35/53 causes balloon 1302 to expand in fold 1306 to an inflated or expanded configuration. Balloon 1302 can expand to any of the shapes described above; for example, for a shape having a quadrilateral cross section.
[00111] The fold 1306 can have a depth D. The depth D of the fold 1306 can be determined based on the desired fluid volume of the balloon 1302. Representatively, as the depth D of the fold 1306 increases, the volume of fluid from balloon 1302 increases further. Representatively, in an embodiment where the balloon 1302 has a length of about 127.00 millimeters (5 inches) and a width of about 101.60 millimeters (4 inches) in the unexpanded configuration, the fold 1306 can have a depth D of about 25.40 millimeters (1 inch) giving the 1302 flask a fluid volume of about 250 ml to about 350 ml in an expanded configuration. In other embodiments, the depth D of the fold 1306 can vary from 15.24 millimeters (0.60 inches) to about 38.10 millimeters (1.5 inches).
[00112] Still in additional embodiments, folds can be included along the edges 1310, 1312 of the balloon 1302 and the end 1304 may not include a fold.
[00113] Figures 14A-14D illustrate an embodiment of a side view of a compression assembly. Figure 14A illustrates the compression assembly 1400 in an open configuration such that it is not compressing the measuring chamber 1404. The compression assembly 1400 can be substantially the same as the compression assembly 126 described with reference to figure 1B. In this regard, the compression assembly 1400 may include the compression elements 1406, 1408 positioned along the sides of the measuring chamber 1404. The measuring chamber 1404 extends from the fluid reservoir 1402 and allows fluid ejection. The camera
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36/53 measurement 1404 and reservoir 1402 can be substantially the same as measurement chamber 110 and fluid reservoir 102, respectively, described with reference to figure 1B. The nozzle 1432 similar to the nozzle 120 described with reference to figure 1B is attached to one end of the measuring chamber 1404. The alignment element 1434 can be additionally attached to a lower part of the compression assembly 1400 to help align the measurement chamber measurement 1404 within compression assembly 1400 together with the fluid dispensing cartridge 100 described with reference to figure 1A. The fluid dispensing cartridge 100 can be positioned on the mounting assembly 1904 via the ball detent seat 1908, as described in more detail with reference to figure 19. Although compression assembly 1400 is described in connection with a single measuring chamber such as the measuring chamber 110 of figure 1B, it is considered that the compression assembly 1400 can be used to compress more than one measuring chamber, for example, the measuring chambers 810, 812 as revealed with reference to figure 8.
[00114] The compression elements 1406, 1408 are substantially flat elements having curved ends. A length of the flat region of the compression elements 1406, 1408 can be modified to control a volume of fluid dispensed by the measuring chamber 1404. Representatively, when the compression elements 1406, 1408 having a length of the flat region between about 12 , 70 mm (0.5 inch) and about 15.24 mm (0.6 inch) are compressed against the measuring chamber 1404, a volume of about 380 pL to about 480 pL can be dispensed.
[00115] The compression elements 1406, 1408 can be attached to the support elements 1410, 1412, respectively. The he
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37/53 support elements 1410, 1412 give movement to the compression elements 1406, 1408. The support elements 1410, 1412 are hingedly attached (for example, by means of a pin, screw or the like) to the compression guides 1414, 1416, respectively. The compression guides 1414, 1416 help to support and position the compression elements 1406, 1408 around the measuring chamber 1404. The compression guides 1414, 1416 are rotatably connected to each other by the articulation mechanism 1422. In this respect, movement of the compression guides 1414, 1416, and in turn of the support elements 1410, 1412 in a direction facing the other, prints movement to the compression elements 1406, 1408 in the direction of the measuring chamber 1404. The spring 1424 is connected between the support element 1410 and the compression guide 1414. In this respect, when the compression guide 1414 is in the open position as shown in figure 14A, the compression element 1406 is predisposed in a direction away from the measuring chamber 1404 and does not compress the measuring chamber 1404. Similarly, the spring 1426 is connected between the support element 1412 and the compression guide 1416 to predispose the compression element 140 1408 in a direction away from measuring chamber 1404 in the open position.
[00116] The actuator 1428 is attached to the support element 1412 by means of the connection plate 1430. The connection plate 1430 is hinged at ends opposite the actuator 1428 and the support element 1412.
[00117] To compress the measuring chamber 1404, the actuator 1428 pushes the connection plate 1430 in a direction towards the measuring chamber 1404. This movement of the connection plate 1430 causes the support element 1412 fixed to the control element Compression 1408 moves in a direction towards the metering chamber 870190085118, of 30/08/2019, pg. 42/68
38/53 dition 1404. The support element 1410 and the compression element 1406 also move in a direction towards the measuring chamber 1404. This initial movement causes the curved ends of the compression elements 1406, 1408 to contact the chamber 1404. Additional movement of the actuator 1428 in one direction of the measuring chamber 1404 causes the curved ends of the compression elements 1406, 1408 to compress the measuring chamber 1404 in the same position as shown in figure 14B.
[00118] As illustrated in figures 14C and 14D, continuous movement of the actuator 1428 in one direction of the measuring chamber 1404 causes the compression elements 1406, 1408 to move towards each other along the length dimension to compress a larger part of the measuring chamber 1404. In particular, as the actuator 1428 continues to push the connection plate 1430, the connection plate 1430 begins to move in a downward direction. The compression guides 1414, 1416 also move downwards as the hinge mechanism 1422 moves downwards to allow the compression guides 1414, 1416 to move towards each other. As further illustrated in figure 14C and figure 14D, the springs 1424 and 1426 expand to allow the flat parts of the compression elements 1406, 1408 to rotate and compress the measuring chamber 1404.
[00119] When the flat parts of the compression elements 1406, 1408 are parallel, as illustrated in figure 14D, the compression assembly 1400 is in the closed configuration. In this position, the measuring chamber 1404 is fully compressed and the desired amount of fluid is ejected. Compression assembly 1400 can then be returned to the open configuration to begin another fluid ejection cycle by releasing actuator 1428 and per
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39/53 prevent the compression elements 1406, 1408 from moving away as shown in figure 14A.
[00120] During compression of the measuring chamber 1404, the most compressed upper part of the measuring chamber 1404 (see figure 14B) remains compressed throughout the entire process. In this regard, a fluid within the measuring chamber 1404 is prevented from leaking to a part of the measuring chamber 1404 above the compressed regions. Since the risk that during the ejection process fluid leaks above the measuring chamber 1404 and back into the housing 1402 is minimal, a valve is not required at an upper end of the measuring chamber 1404.
[00121] Figures 15A-15D illustrate another embodiment of a side view of a compression assembly. Figure 15A illustrates the compression assembly 1500 in an open configuration such that it is not compressing the measuring chamber 1504. The compression assembly 1500 may include the compression elements 1506, 1508 positioned along the sides of the measuring chamber 1504. The measuring chamber 1504 extends from the fluid reservoir 1502 and allows fluid ejection. The measuring chamber 1504 and the reservoir 1502 can be substantially the same as the measuring chamber 110 and the fluid reservoir 102, respectively, described with reference to figure 1. Although the compression assembly 1500 is described in connection with a single such as the measuring chamber 110 of figure 1, it is considered that the compression assembly 1500 can be used to compress more than one measuring chamber, for example, the measuring chambers 810, 812 as disclosed with reference to the figure 8.
[00122] In this embodiment, the compression elements 1506, 1508 can be rollers. Rollers 1506, 1508 can roll over a length dimension of the measuring chamber 1504 to
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40/53 compress the measuring chamber 1504. The rollers 1506, 1508 can rotate around the drive axes 1522, 1524, respectively. The drive axes 1522, 1524 can be positioned on the tracks 1510, 1512 formed inside the housing 1516. The housing 1516 can close the compression assembly 1500. The drive axes 1522, 1524 can move along the tracks 1510, 1512 to guide rollers 1506, 1508 along measuring chamber 1504. Tracks 1510, 1512 can be parallel to each other along a substantial part of the length of measuring chamber 1504 and then open outwardly at one end. In this regard, when the drive shafts 1522, 1524 of the rollers 1506, 1508 are at the far ends of the tracks 1510, 1512, the rollers 1522, 1524 are further apart and do not compress the measuring chamber 1504 as shown in figure 15A.
[00123] Support element 1514 can be provided for drive axes 1506, 1508 along tracks 1510, 1512. Support element 1514 can include recessed regions 1518, 1520 which receive ends of drive axes 1522, 1524 The recessed regions 1518, 1520 are deep enough to allow the drive axes 1506, 1508 to move in a horizontal direction, for example, in the direction of the measuring chamber 1504 or away from it. In this respect, when the support element 1514 is moved in a vertical direction to the ends away from the tracks 1510, 1512, the rollers 1506, 1508 move away from each other and stay apart in order not to compress the measuring chamber 1504 as illustrated in figure 15A. As the support element 1514 is moved downwards in the measuring chamber 1504 (i.e., in a direction away from the fluid reservoir 1502) the rollers 1506, 1508 move towards each other and compress the measuring chamber 1504 as illustrated in the figures
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41/53
15B-15D. Once the ejection cycle has been completed (that is, rollers 1506, 1508 are at the bottom of the tracks 1510, 1512) the support element 1514 is raised back towards the fluid reservoir 1502 in such a way that the rollers 1506, 1508 revert the measuring chamber 1504 to the open configuration shown in figure 15A.
[00124] Figure 15E shows an end view of the compression assembly 1500. From this it can be seen that the support element 1514 and the support element 1515, which is identical to the support element 1514, are positioned at ends opposite the drive shaft 1522. Support elements 1514, 1515 guide drive shaft 1522, and in turn roller 1506, vertically along track 1510. Support elements 1514, 1515 can be connected to each other, for example, by means of a bar or rod between the support elements 1514, 1515. In this respect, the support elements 1514, 1515 move simultaneously.
[00125] The drive element 1526 can be connected to the support element 1514 to move the support elements 1514, 1515 in a vertical direction. In some embodiments, the drive element 1526 can be a rod attached to and extending from the support element 1514. A robotic arm or other mechanism capable of printing movement in a vertical direction can be attached to the drive element 1526 to move the drive element, and in turn drive shaft 1522 and roller 1506 vertically along the measuring chamber 1504 Movement of the drive element 1526 can be printed by a unit including a cam and motor crank.
[00126] Figures 16A-16E illustrate another embodiment of a compression assembly. Figure 16A illustrates the assembly of
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42/53 pressure 1600 in an open configuration such that it is not compressing the measuring chamber 1604. The compression assembly 1600 can include the compression elements 1606, 1608 positioned along the sides of the measuring chamber 1604. The chamber measurement 1604 extends from the fluid reservoir 1602 and allows fluid ejection. The nozzle 1640 can be attached to one end of the measuring chamber 1604. The reservoir 1602, the measuring chamber 1604 and the nozzle 1640 can be substantially the same as the fluid reservoir 102, the measuring chamber 110 and the nozzle 120, respectively, described with reference to figure 1B. Although the compression assembly 1600 is described in connection with a single measuring chamber such as the measuring chamber 110 of figure 1B, it is considered that the compression assembly 1600 can be used to compress more than one measuring chamber, for example, measuring chambers 810, 812 as disclosed with reference to figure 8.
[00127] In this embodiment, the compression elements 1606, 1608 can be rollers. Rollers 1606, 1608 can be positioned around drive axes 1622, 1624, respectively, which facilitates rotation of rollers 1606, 1608. Drive axes 1622, 1624 can be attached to the articulation arms 1610, 1612. The arms pivot points 1610, 1612 pivot around the axes 1626, 1628, respectively, in order to drive the fixed drive axes 1622, 1624 and in turn the rollers 1606, 1608 vertically along the length of the measuring chamber 1604.
[00128] The separator 1642 can be positioned between the rollers 1606, 1608 once they reach a lower part of the measuring chamber 1604 to increase a distance between the rollers 1606, 1608 as they move back up the chamber measuring 1604. If rollers 1606, 1608 are not moved apart before
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43/53 displacement back up the measuring chamber 1604, a vacuum is created at the bottom of the measuring chamber 1604 (region between rollers 1606, 1608 and the valve). This vacuum causes air to be sucked into the measuring chamber 1604. The air moves upwards in the measuring chamber 1604 and into the fluid reservoir 1602. The addition of air to the fluid inside the reservoir 1602 can negatively affect the fluid. For example, adding air to a reagent within the fluid reservoir 1602 increases oxidation of the reagent.
[00129] The separator 1642 includes the base element 1648 positioned around the measuring chamber 1604 and the side element 1650 extending vertically between the rollers 1606, 1608. The side element 1650 has a substantially triangular shape with the widest part positioned close to the base element 1648 in such a way that a distance between the rollers 1606, 1608 is increased as the rollers 1606, 1608 reach one end of the measuring chamber 1604. The separator 1642 is movably positioned along the stem 1644 Representatively, side element 1650 of separator 1642 includes a channel (not shown) sized to fit around part of stem 1644 and allow separator 1642 to slide along stem 1644. Shank 1644 includes spring 1646 surrounding an upper region of the stem 1644, above the separator 1642 to predispose the separator 1642 in a direction away from housing 1602. A second side element, ha ste and spring (not shown) identical to side element 1650, stem 1644 and spring 1646 are found on the opposite side of separator 1642. During operation, rollers 1606, 1608 roll along measuring chamber 1604 and separator 1642 until they reach a lower part of the measuring chamber 1604. When they reach the lower part of the measuring chamber 1604, the separator 1642 moves the
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44/53 rollers 1606, 1608 each other. As rollers 1606, 1608 move back up a length of measuring chamber 1604, separator 1642 can remain between rollers 1606, 1608 for part of the length to ensure that the rollers remain apart from each other by sufficient distance as they move back up in the measuring chamber 1604 to the open position. The separator 1642 is eventually released and pushed down towards a base of the support element 1618 by the spring 1646.
[00130] Gears 1614, 1616 control movement of rollers 1606, 1608. Gears 1614, 1616 may include complementary teeth or projections in such a way that rotation of one drives rotation of the other. Representatively, when the compression assembly 1600 is in the open configuration as illustrated in figure 16A, gear 1614 rotates in a counterclockwise direction by rotating gear 1616 in a clockwise direction. This in turn causes the arm 1610 to articulate counterclockwise and the arm 1612 to articulate clockwise. The articulation of the arms 1610, 1612 moves the rollers 1606, 1608 towards each other to compress the measuring chamber 1604 and vertically along the measuring chamber 1604, in a direction away from the fluid reservoir 1602. In this respect, the measuring chamber 1604 is compressed along its length and fluid inside measuring chamber 1604 is pushed out of one end of the measuring chamber. Once the ejection cycle has been completed (i.e., rollers 1606, 1608 are at the bottom of measuring chamber 1604) rollers 1606, 1608 can revert measuring chamber 1604 to the open configuration shown in figure 16A. In other embodiments, gears continue to turn in such a way that rollers 1606, 1608 are dragged away from measuring chamber 1604 and while
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45/53 until they are back to the position shown in figure 16A.
[00131] Gears 1614, 1616 can be driven by a motorized device or other similar device suitable for driving gears. Also in additional modes, gears 1614, 1616 can be manually activated by the user.
[00132] Gears 1614, 1616 and any motorized device associated with them can be supported by support element 1618. Support element 1618 can be any structure suitable for supporting and coupling gears 1614, 1616 to the fluid dispensing cartridge.
[00133] In some embodiments, rollers 1606, 1608 may include spring assemblies 1630, 1632, respectively. Spring assemblies 1630, 1632 allow rollers 1606, 1608 to be retracted as needed. For example, in order for rollers 1606, 1608 to compress measuring chamber 1604 along its length as shown in figures 16B-16D, rollers 1606, 1608 must extend beyond arms 1610, 1612 as shown in figure 16B and 16D. However, when the rollers 1606, 1608 are on diametrically opposite sides of the measuring chamber 1604, as shown in figure 16C, they do not need to extend so much to compress the measuring chamber 1604. In this respect, the spring assemblies 1630, 1632 allow rollers to retract 1606, 1608 when necessary.
[00134] Figure 16E illustrates an end view of the compression assembly 1600. From this it can be seen that opposite ends of the drive shaft 1622 are supported by the articulation arms 1610, 1612. The articulation arms 1610, 1612 are fixed to the axis 1626 which in turn is fixed to gear 1614. As gear 1614 rotates clockwise or anticlockwise
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46/53 ti-clockwise, gear 1614 rotates shaft 1626, inducing the articulation arm 1610 to articulate and in turn roller 1606 to roll over a length of the measuring chamber 1604. Roller 1608 can be controlled in a similar way in such a way that the rollers 1606, 1608 roll along the length of the measuring chamber 1604 in the same direction and at the same speed.
[00135] Figures 17 and 18 illustrate a modality of a fluid dispensing system. The geometry and mechanism of the 1700 fluid dispensing system varies depending on the operation of the fluid dispensing cartridge selected for use with the 1700 system. As best seen in figure 17, the 1700 system optionally includes the 1702 mounting set having a plurality of stations 1704 on which fluid dispensing cartridge 1706 can be mounted. The fluid dispensing cartridge 1706 can be substantially the same as the fluid dispensing cartridge 100 described with reference, for example, to Figures 1A-1B and Figures 8-10. Stations 1704 preferably include mounting openings 1708 to selectively position a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges 1706 adjacent to actuator mounting 1720. A compression assembly such as one described above can be mounted for each of the 1704 stations (see figure 19). The 1720 actuator assembly can be aligned with a selected compression assembly to activate the compression assembly when desired. The compression assemblies are mounted on the 1704 stations in such a way that when the 1706 cartridges are positioned inside the openings 1708, the measuring chamber is aligned with the respective compression assembly.
[00136] The fluid dispensing system 1700 also optionally includes receiving the 1710 assembly retaining a plurality of
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47/53 receiving elements 1712. Receiving elements 1712 can be any items on which it is desired to dispense fluids from 1706 cartridges. Examples of suitable receiving elements 1712 are slides, trays and mixing containers. In a preferred embodiment, the 1712 receiving elements are microscope slides supported by support elements. Microscope slides can have substrates mounted on them. Examples of suitable substrates are thin slices of tissue samples. [00137] Generally speaking, the receiving assembly 1710 is positioned under the assembly assembly 1702 taking advantage of gravity to deliver fluids dispensed from the 1706 cartridges. Preferably, the assembly assembly 1702 and the receiving assembly 1710 are mobile one relative to each other so that the plurality of cartridges 1706 can be positioned to dispense fluids in any desired receiving element 1712. Any mobility combination of the assembly set 1702 and the receiving assembly 1712 can be selected. For example, both can be mobile or only one can be mobile and the other stationary. In addition, mounting assembly 1702 can be a carousel that is rotatable about a central axis in order to align cartridges 1706 with the desired receiving element 1712. The assembly set 1702 can also be translatable linearly in such a way that it can move from one receiving element 1712 to the next. As shown in figure 18, all receiving elements 1712 can be of the same type of items, such as slides, or alternatively can include different types of items such as slides and containers.
[00138] In an operating example of the 1700 dispensing system, the assembly set 1702 is rotated so that the individual cartridges 1706 are selectively positioned adjacent to
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48/53 one to both 1720 actuator assemblies. Alternatively, the 1700 system may include a plurality of 1720 actuator assemblies that are positioned adjacent to each cartridge 1706 in such a way that rotation of the assembly set 1702 to align each cartridge 1706 with mounting of 1720 actuator is not required.
[00139] The 1720 actuator assembly can be any activation device that drives the 1706 cartridge to emit a controlled amount of fluid. Representatively, the actuator assembly 1720 may include a piston mechanism that aligns, for example, with the actuator 1428 of the compression assembly 1400 (see figures 14A-14D). The 1720 actuator assembly includes, for example, a solenoid, which in response to an electrical signal displaces a piston. The piston can be extended to move the actuator 1428 towards the measuring chamber 1404. As described previously with reference to figures 14A-14D, such movement causes the compression assembly 1400 to compress the measuring chamber 1404 and eject a fluid measuring chamber 1404. The 1720 actuator assembly can be controlled by a processor or controller (as shown) that operates the fluid delivery system.
[00140] The assembly set 1702 can be both moved and rotated with respect to the receiving assembly 1710, so that an individual cartridge 1706 can be selectively positioned above any receiving element 1712. Once the cartridge 1706 is positioned above from one of the receiving elements 1712, the actuator assembly 1720 activates the cartridge 1706 to emit a controlled amount of fluid over the receiving element 1712.
[00141] As seen in figures 17 and 18, in one embodiment the assembly set 1702 is rotatably attached to the support element 1722 in such a way that the 1706 cartridges can be rotated
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49/53 with respect to the 1720 actuator assembly. The 1720 actuator assembly is firmly attached to the support element 1722, optionally under the mounting assembly 1702. Preferably, the support element 1722 can be moved horizontally in such a way that the cartridges 1706 can be both rotated and translated with respect to the 1712 receiving elements. In this way, a chosen 1706 cartridge can be selectively positioned above any 1712 receiving element.
[00142] Although the receiving elements 1712 are shown linearly positioned within the receiving assembly 1710, it is further considered that the receiving elements 1712 can be divided into two or more rows. In this regard, the actuator assembly 1720 can optionally include two or more actuators, for example, the two actuators 1714, 1716 used to dispense fluid over two rows of receiving elements. In operation, actuator 1714 is adapted to dispense fluids over receiving elements 1712 in one row and actuator 1716 is adapted to dispense fluids over receiving elements 1712 in another row. It is further considered that any number of actuators and / or receiving elements can be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[00143] As shown in figure 18, the 1800 system optionally includes supply containers 1802, drainage containers 1804 and valves 1806. Supply containers 1802 can be used to hold liquids such as water to wash the elements of receiving 1712. 1806 valves preferably include switches to direct the flow of liquids when washing 1712 receiving elements. Furthermore, 1806 valves are used to direct the flow of liquids into the 1804 drain containers after the liquids have been used for laPetição 870190085118, of 08/30/2019, p. 54/68
50/53 vary the receiving elements 1712.
[00144] As illustrated in the exploded view of cartridge 1706 and station 1704, cartridge 1706 (including the measuring chamber (s)) is removably positioned inside station 1704. Station 1704 including an assembly of compression mounted thereon is firmly mounted on support element 1722. In this respect, once cartridge 1706 is empty, cartridge 1706 and its associated measuring chamber (s) are removed from station 1704 while the compression assembly remains mounted on the dispensing system at station 1704. A replacement cartridge and measuring chamber (s) can then be placed on station 1704. In other embodiments, the compression assembly can be mounted for cartridge 1706. In this aspect, each of the 1706 cartridges includes a compression assembly and removing the 1706 cartridge also removes the compression assembly.
[00145] Now returning to the structure of the 1706 cartridges, in some embodiments, a horizontal cross-sectional shape of the 1706 cartridges is devoid of symmetry. In this way, mounting opening 1708 in mounting set 1702 is modeled in a similar manner, requiring insertion to be in a particular desired orientation. For example, a substantially trapezoidal shape can be selected by promoting the desired placement guidelines. Figure 19 shows an example of cartridges 1706 having a substantially trapezoidal cross section. In this regard, cartridges 1706 are adapted to fit within the substantially trapezoidal mounting openings 1708 (as shown in figure 17). In other embodiments, the mounting openings 1708 and the cartridges 1706 are other similarly oriented shapes that are devoid of symmetry. Alternatively, 1706 cartridges and 1708 mounting openings can be of any suitable shape or size
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51/53 to position the 1706 cartridges within the 1704 stations and dispense a fluid over the underlying samples.
[00146] Optionally a mounting mechanism can be used to fix so that the 1706 cartridge can be released into a corresponding mounting opening 1708 of the mounting set 1702. In an example, as shown in figure 19, a seat ball stop 1908 is provided on an external surface of the 1902 cartridge housing. As seen in figure 17, the corresponding 1718 balls, optionally spring-loaded, can be located in mounting assembly 1702 adjacent to each mounting opening 1708. Before of insertion in the mounting opening 1708, the cartridge 1902 must be properly aligned in such a way that the trapezoidal shape of the cartridge 1902 is in vertical alignment with the corresponding trapezoidal mounting opening 1708. For proper insertion, cartridge 1902 must be pushed down with sufficient force so that ball 1718 slides into position inside seat 1908.
[00147] Figure 19 illustrates a perspective view of a modality of a fluid dispensing system. Fluid dispensing system 1900 generally includes fluid dispensing cartridge 1902 and compression assembly 1906 mounted on mounting assembly 1904. Fluid dispensing cartridge 1902 can be substantially the same as cartridge 100 described with reference to Figure 1B. The compression assembly 1906 can be substantially the same as the compression assembly 1400 described with reference to figures 14A-14D. It is further considered that the 1906 compression assembly may be the same as any of the other compression assemblies described in this document. Mounting set 1904 can be substantially the same as mounting set 1702 described with reference to figure 17.
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52/53
Although the fluid dispensing cartridge 1902 and the compression assembly 1906 are shown assembled in the assembly assembly 1904, it is considered that other components used for processing samples within an underlying receiving element can be additionally assembled in the assembly assembly 1904.
[00148] As discussed earlier with reference to figures 17-18, the 1902 fluid dispensing cartridge is positioned within a station along an upper surface of the assembly set 1702. The openings 1910 are formed through the set of 1702 assembly under each station. A measuring chamber (not shown) of the 1902 fluid dispensing cartridge is inserted into a corresponding opening 1910. Compression assembly 1906 is mounted below the mounting station, on one side of mounting assembly 1702 opposite the mounting station. The measuring chamber extending through the opening 1910 of the mounting assembly 1702 is positioned inside the compression assembly 1906. The nozzle 1920 of the measuring chamber extends outwardly from the bottom of the compression assembly 1906. The 1912 actuator of the assembly compression plate 1906 confronts a center of the 1904 mounting assembly in such a way that an opposing facing actuator assembly (see actuator assembly 1720 in figures 17-18) is aligned with the 1912 actuator.
[00149] With reference to figure 20, the 1720 actuator assembly is preferably activated using the 2002 controller including the 2004 switches. Optionally the 2002 controller is a programmable computer having a 2006 wireless communication link with the 1720 actuator assembly. The 2002 controller includes, for example, machine-readable media that when executed cause the 1720 actuator assembly to operate. Alternatively, the controller
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53/53
2002 is anything that causes the 1720 actuator assembly to be activated and can include a wired communication link and / or a wireless communication link. Once activated, the 1720 actuator assembly can use the 2008 magnetic link to cause the 1706 fluid dispenser to dispense fluid over a 1712 receiving element.
[00150] It should also be noted that reference throughout this specification for one modality, or one or more modalities, for example, means that a particular resource can be included in the practice of the invention. Similarly, it should be noted that in the description several resources are sometimes grouped together in a single modality, figure, or description of them for the purpose of rationalizing the disclosure and helping to understand various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the invention requires more resources than is expressly reported in each claim. Instead, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects may be less than all the resources of a single revealed modality. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim maintaining itself as a separate modality.
[00151] In the specification described above, the invention was described with reference to specific modalities thereof. However, it is evident that various modifications and changes can be made to this without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set out in the attached claims. The description and drawings, in this way, are to be considered in an illustrative sense instead of in a restrictive sense.

权利要求:
Claims (25)
[1]
1. Fluid dispensing cartridge (100), comprising:
a fluid reservoir (102);
a compressible measuring chamber (110, 200) comprising a first end coupled to the fluid reservoir (102) and a second end, the first end comprising an unopposed fluid conduit for the passage of a fluid between the fluid reservoir and the chamber measuring (110);
a valve (118, 220) coupled to the second end of the measuring chamber (110), characterized by the fact that the valve (118, 240) has a deformable base member (260) and a deformable skirt member (250) positioned around the deformable base member (260); and a nozzle (120, 220) coupled to the valve (118, 240) in which the nozzle (120, 220) defines a valve reservoir (290) connected to a fluid outlet channel (630), in which the valve ( 118, 240) is positioned inside the valve reservoir (290) so that an opening or closing of the valve (118, 240) controls the flow of bidirectional fluid through the fluid outlet channel (630) and where the reservoir of the valve (290) defines a recessed region (610) having an inner side and an outer side that define a space within which a portion of the deformable skirt member (250) remains and the deformable skirt member (250) forms a seal with the outer side of the lowered region (610) when the deformable base member (260) is in an open position and a seal with the inner side of the lowered region (610) when the deformable base member (260) is in a position closed.
[2]
2. Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the fluid reservoir
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2/6 (102) comprises a housing (104) defining a chamber and an expandable balloon (106) positioned within the chamber.
[3]
Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the expandable balloon (106) comprises a quadrilateral cross section in the expanded configuration.
[4]
4. Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the expandable balloon (106) comprises at least one fold.
[5]
5. Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid conduit without opposition (112) is defined by a connector (108) inserted at the first end of the measuring chamber (110) and a fluid it passes through the fluid conduit (112) directly into the measuring chamber (110).
[6]
6. Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (118, 240) is the only valve coupled to the measuring chamber (110).
[7]
7. Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (118, 240) is a liquid check valve.
[8]
Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (118, 240) comprises flaps (640, 650) that open in response to the compression of the measuring chamber (110).
[9]
Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (118, 240) comprises an opening having a single slit, Y or cross shape.
[10]
10. Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the measuring chamber is
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3/6 a first measuring chamber (810) and a second measuring chamber (820) are coupled to the fluid reservoir (102).
[11]
11. Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that the valve is a first valve coupled to the first measuring chamber (810) and a second valve is coupled to the second measuring chamber (820).
[12]
12. Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that the nozzle is a first nozzle (834) coupled to the first measuring chamber (810) and a second nozzle is coupled to the second measuring chamber (820) ).
[13]
13. Fluid dispensing cartridge according to claim 12, characterized in that the first nozzle (834) comprises a first channel (842) and the second nozzle (836) comprises a second channel (844), the first channel directs a fluid flowing through the first nozzle (834) towards a fluid flowing through the second nozzle (836).
[14]
14. System characterized by the fact that it comprises:
a linearly translatable cartridge assembly assembly (1702) having a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridge assembly stations (1704);
a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges (1706) mounted in the respective fluid dispensing cartridge assembly stations, each of the plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges comprising a fluid reservoir (102) coupled to a compressible measuring chamber ( 110, 220) and a valve (118, 240) coupled to the compressible measuring chamber (110, 200), and a nozzle (120, 220) coupled to the valve (118, 240), where the nozzle (120, 220) defines a valve reservoir (290) connected to a fluid outlet channel (630), where the valve (118, 240) is positioned inside the valve reservoir (290) so that a
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4/6 opening or closing the valve (118, 240) controls the flow of bidirectional fluid through the fluid outlet channel (630);
a plurality of compression assemblies (1706) coupled to the respective fluid dispensing cartridges (1706) to compress the compressible metering chamber (110, 200) to eject a fluid from it; and a receiving assembly (1710) positioned under the mounting assembly (1702), the receiving assembly (1701) comprising a plurality of receiving element positions for supporting a sample holding element.
[15]
15. System according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that the cartridge assembly set is rotatable.
[16]
System according to claim 14, characterized in that the fluid reservoir (102) of each of the plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges comprises a housing (640, 650) defining a chamber and an expandable balloon positioned inside the camera.
[17]
17. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the valve (118, 240) of each of the plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges comprises flaps (640, 650) that open in response to the compression of the measuring chamber (110, 200).
[18]
18. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the valve (118, 240) of each of the plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges comprises an opening having a single slit, Y-shaped or cross-shaped dimension .
[19]
19. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the measuring chamber (110, 200) is a first measuring chamber (810) and a second measuring chamber (820) is coupled to the fluid reservoir (102 ).
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5/6
[20]
20. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the valve (118, 200) of each of the plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges is a first valve coupled to the first measuring chamber (810) and a second valve it is coupled to the second measuring chamber (820).
[21]
21. System according to claim 14, characterized in that it additionally comprises a nozzle coupled to the measuring chamber of each of the plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges.
[22]
22. System according to claim 14, characterized in that each of the compression assemblies (1706) comprises a first compression element and a second compression element, the first compression element and the second compression element along a length dimension of the measuring chamber (110) to compress adjacent regions along the length dimension of the measuring chamber.
[23]
23. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the compression assemblies are mounted firmly in the fluid dispensing cartridge assembly stations (1704).
[24]
24. Method, characterized by the fact that it comprises: positioning a fluid dispensing cartridge (100) comprising a fluid reservoir (102) and a measuring chamber (110) on a sample holding element;
apply a compressive force across a length dimension to the opposite sides of the measuring chamber (110) of the fluid dispensing cartridge (100) to eject a first predetermined amount of fluid from the measuring chamber (110) on the retaining element of sample; and
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6/6 removing the compressive force to refill the measuring chamber (110) with a second predetermined amount of fluid from the fluid reservoir (102) and extract any residual first predetermined amount of fluid remaining at one end of a coupled nozzle (220) to the measuring chamber (110) in a counter-hole (272) formed with one end of a fluid conduit (630) of the nozzle (220), so that the counter-hole (272) retains the first predetermined residual amount of fluid for ejection with the second predetermined amount of fluid.
[25]
25. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that once the fluid is ejected onto the sample holding element, the fluid dispensing cartridge (110) is positioned over another sample holding element.

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CN102627248B|2016-08-17|

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BR102012008059A2|2013-11-26|

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AU2012200143B2|2014-07-31|

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US20140284358A1|2014-09-25|

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US20120193376A1|2012-08-02|

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DK3205405T3|2020-08-17|

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CN102627248A|2012-08-08|

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法律状态:
2013-11-26| B03A| Publication of an application: publication of a patent application or of a certificate of addition of invention|

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2018-12-18| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|

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2019-07-09| B06T| Formal requirements before examination|

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2019-11-05| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|

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2020-01-07| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 31/01/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US13/018,609|US8752732B2|2011-02-01|2011-02-01|Fluid dispensing system|

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US13/018,609|2011-02-01|

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