# US 2021/0278322 A1 · Digital Dispense System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0278322 A1 - Document ID: US20210278322A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/328,258 - Filed: 2021-05-24 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2019-01-04 - Assignees: Funai Electric Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Funai Electric Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Bruce A Deboard; Michael A. Marra, III; Pramod K. SHARMA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210278322A1 ## CPC - G01N 1/312: {for samples mounted on planar substrates} - B01L 3/0203: {Burettes, i.e. for withdrawing and redistributing liquids through different conduits} - B01L 3/0265: {using valves to interrupt or meter fluid flow, e.g. using solenoids or metering valves} - B01L 3/0268: {using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries} - G01F 11/006: {Details or accessories (general details G01F15/00)} - G01N 1/2813: {Producing thin layers of samples on a substrate, e.g. smearing, spinning-on (G01N1/30 takes precedence)} - G01N 35/00029: {provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides (G01N35/028 takes precedence)} - G01N 35/00722: {Communications; Identification} - G01N 35/1016: {Control of the volume dispensed or introduced} - G01N 35/109: {with two horizontal degrees of freedom} - G01N 2001/2826: {Collecting by adsorption or absorption} - G01N 2001/317: {spraying liquids onto surfaces} - G01N 2035/00039: {Transport arrangements specific to flat sample substrates, e.g. pusher blade} - G01N 2035/00138: {Slides} - G01N 2035/00891: {Displaying information to the operator} - G01N 2035/1041: {Ink-jet like dispensers} - 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) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME ## Abstract A digital dispense system and method for analyzing samples. The system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. A digital display device is attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user. The fluid volume information is selected from relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-6. (canceled) ### Claim 7 A method for staining slides without dipping or immersing slides in a dye, comprising: providing a digital fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit, the fluid droplet ejection system including: a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation device for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a slide holder in an x direction, and a slide holder translation device for moving one or more slides back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction; attaching a digital display device to the digital fluid droplet ejection system; ejecting fluid from the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in one or more locations on the slide while moving the fluid cartridge in the x direction and moving the one or more slides in the y direction; and displaying fluid volume information to a user on the digital display device, wherein the fluid volume information is selected from the group consisting of relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising ejecting two or more fluids on the slides simultaneously. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising ejecting two or more fluids on the slides sequentially. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the fluid volume information is displayed by a bar graph representation of fluid in a particular location on a slide. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the digital display device comprises a relative volume graphic for each fluid dispensed to a slide location on a slide. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the digital display devices comprises an absolute volume graphic of fluid dispensed and a relative volume graphic for each fluid dispensed to a slide location on a slide. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the fluid droplet ejection system comprises a processor and a memory, further comprising storing fluid droplet information in the memory and transferring the fluid droplet information to the digital display device via the processor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the digital display device comprises a portable or laptop computer. ### Claim 15 A method for dispensing fluid into wells of a micro-well plate, the method comprising: providing a digital fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit, the fluid droplet ejection system including: a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation device for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a micro-well plate holder in an x direction, and a micro-well plate holder translation device for moving a micro-well plate back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction; attaching a digital display device to the digital fluid droplet ejection system; ejecting fluid from the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge into one or more wells of the micro-well plate while moving the fluid cartridge in the x direction and moving the micro-well plate in the y direction; and displaying fluid volume information to a user on the digital display device, wherein the fluid volume information is selected from the group consisting of relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid volume information is displayed by a bar graph representation of fluid in the one or more wells of the micro-well plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid volume information comprises a graphic for each fluid dispensed into the one or more wells in the micro-well plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid volume information comprises a graphic of fluid dispensed and a relative volume graphic for each fluid dispensed into the one or more wells of the micro-well plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid droplet ejection system comprises a processor and a memory for storing fluid droplet information and for transferring the fluid droplet information to the digital display device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the digital display device comprises a portable or laptop computer.