# US 11,835,537 B2 · Fluid ejector system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,835,537 B2 - Document ID: US11835537B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/756,883 - Filed: 2018-10-18 - Published: 2021-01-28 - Granted: 2023-12-05 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-18 - Assignees: TTP Plc - Applicants: TTP Plc - Inventors: Richard Janse Van Rensburg; Benjamin James Metcalf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11835537B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/0293: {for liquids} - G01N 35/1095: {for supplying the samples to flow-through analysers (for a specific analyser see relevant groups, e.g. under G01N15/00, G01N21/00, G01N27/00, G01N30/00, H01J49/00)} - G01N 35/1009: {Characterised by arrangements for controlling the aspiration or dispense of liquids} - B01J 2219/0036: Nozzles - B01J 2219/00389: Feeding through valves - B01L 2200/0673: Handling of plugs of fluid surrounded by immiscible fluid - B01L 2400/0487: fluid pressure, pneumatics - B01L 2400/049: vacuum - B01L 2400/06: Valves, specific forms thereof - G01N 2035/1041: {Ink-jet like dispensers} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS ## Abstract There is provided a sample ejection system for ejecting a sample from a flow of fluid, the system comprises: a fluid flow channel for receiving, in use, the flow of fluid; a fluid inlet channel connected to the flow channel and arranged to receive, in use, pressurised fluid; a fluid outlet channel connected to the flow channel at a location downstream in the flow direction of the flow of fluid and comprises an outlet. The system is arranged such that, in use, pressurised fluid is applied to the fluid flow channel via the fluid inlet channel to drive fluid from the region of the fluid flow channel between the fluid inlet and outlet channels through the fluid outlet channel and out of the outlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sample ejection system for ejecting a sample from a flow of fluid, the system comprising: a controller; and a device having at least one channel comprising: a fluid flow channel for receiving at least one flow of fluid; a first inlet channel coupled to the fluid flow channel for providing a continuous flow of a process fluid to the fluid flow channel; a suction channel coupled to the fluid flow channel at a first location located downstream from the first inlet channel for ejecting the process fluid, wherein the first inlet channel comprises a valve controlled by the controller for selectively opening and closing the valve to stop providing process fluid to the fluid flow channel and wherein the suction channel comprises a valve controlled by the controller for selectively opening and closing the valve to stop the ejection of process fluid from the fluid flow channel; an external vacuum system operatively coupled to the suction channel providing suction for aiding in ejecting the process fluid from the fluid flow channel; a second inlet channel coupled to the fluid flow channel for selectively providing a pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel, wherein the second inlet channel comprises a valve controlled by the controller for selectively opening and closing the valve to introduce pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel, a pressurized fluid supply connected to the second inlet channel for providing the pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel, wherein, in response to introduction of pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel, the fluid flow channel comprises both process fluid and pressurized fluid; and an exit channel coupled to the fluid flow channel at a second location located downstream from the first inlet channel and the second inlet channel for ejecting the process fluid and the pressurized fluid, wherein increased pressure in the fluid flow channel through introduction of the pressurized fluid causes both the process fluid and the pressurized fluid to enter the exit channel from the fluid flow channel and exit the device via the exit channel, wherein entry of the pressurized fluid into the suction channel is prevented at least in part by at least one of (i) configuring the suction channel to have a length greater than a length of the exit channel; or (ii) configuring the suction channel to have a cross-sectional dimension smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the exit channel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A sample ejection system according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid supplied by the pressurized fluid supply is compressible. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A sample ejection system according to claim 2, wherein the pressurized fluid supplied by the pressurized fluid supply is immiscible with the process fluid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A sample ejection system according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle provided at an exit orifice of the exit channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A sample ejection system according to claim 4, wherein the nozzle is a removable insert. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) A sample ejection system according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle tapers inwardly in a direction corresponding to a flow direction of the process fluid and the pressurized fluid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A sample ejection system according to claim 1 wherein a portion of the fluid flow channel located upstream of the first inlet channel provides a flow restriction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A sample ejection system according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the fluid flow channel located downstream of the suction channel provides a flow restriction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A sample ejection system according to claim 1, wherein a detector is provided in the fluid flow channel upstream of the first inlet channel for detecting a component in a flow of process fluid and provide a trigger signal to the controller to trigger supply of a pressurized fluid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A sample ejection system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid flow channel comprises a region of increased cross-sectional area to reduce a flow rate therethrough. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A sample ejection system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid flow channel has a folded flow path to reduce a flow rate therethrough. ### Claim 12 A sample ejection system for ejecting a sample from a flow of fluid, the system comprising: a controller; and a device having at least one channel comprising: a fluid flow channel for receiving at least one flow of fluid; a first inlet channel coupled to the fluid flow channel for providing a continuous flow of a process fluid to the fluid flow channel; a suction channel coupled to the fluid flow channel at a first location located downstream from the first inlet channel for ejecting the process fluid, wherein the first inlet channel comprises a valve controlled by the controller for selectively opening and closing the valve to stop providing process fluid to the fluid flow channel and wherein the suction channel comprises a valve controlled by the controller for selectively opening and closing the valve to stop the ejection of process fluid from the fluid flow channel; an external vacuum system operatively coupled to the suction channel providing suction for aiding in ejecting the process fluid from the fluid flow channel; a second inlet channel coupled to the fluid flow channel for selectively providing a pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel for increasing pressure in the fluid flow channel, wherein the second inlet channel comprises a valve controlled by the controller for selectively opening and closing the valve for approximately 1 millisecond to approximately 10 milliseconds to introduce pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel, a pressurized fluid supply connected to the second inlet channel for providing the pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel, wherein selectively opening and closing the valve for approximately 1 millisecond to approximately 10 milliseconds prevents, at least in part, disruption of the continuous flow of the process fluid, wherein, in response to introduction of pressurized fluid to the fluid flow channel, the fluid flow channel comprises both process fluid and pressurized fluid; and an exit channel coupled to the fluid flow channel at a second location located downstream from the first inlet channel and the second inlet channel for ejecting the process fluid and the pressurized fluid, wherein increased pressure in the fluid flow channel through introduction of the pressurized fluid causes both the process fluid and the pressurized fluid to enter the exit channel from the fluid flow channel and exit the device via the exit channel, wherein entry of the pressurized fluid into the suction channel is prevented at least in part by at least one of (i) configuring the suction channel to have a length greater than a length of the exit channel; or (ii) configuring the suction channel to have a cross-sectional dimension smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the exit channel, wherein pressure in the fluid flow channel reduces in response to ejection of the process fluid and the pressurized fluid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The sample ejection system of claim 12, wherein the pressurized fluid is provided to the fluid flow channel at a pre-determined time basis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The sample ejection system of claim 12, wherein the pressurized fluid is provided to the fluid flow channel in response to a detection of an existence of one or more cells in the fluid flow channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The sample ejection system of claim 12, wherein the pressurized fluid is provided to the fluid flow channel in response to a manually provided input. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The sample ejection system of claim 12, wherein the external vacuum system coupled to the suction channel provides a fixed suction pressure.