Small volume liquid mixing and dispensing system and method

A reusable subsystem of a liquid handling system,

• the reusable subsystem comprising:
• a peristaltic pump;
• a valve assembly comprising a plurality of valves;
• two or more bubble sensors each arranged to detect bubbles in a fluid path;
• a system controller configured to receive input from the bubble sensors, control operation of the peristaltic pump, and control operation of the valve assembly in accordance with a programmed processing protocol;
• and
• case housing the peristaltic pump, and valve operation assembly,
• wherein the pump, valve assembly and bubble sensors are arranged to engage with a fluid path manifold comprising one or more fixed geometry fluid paths, whereby fluid paths can be selectively opened or closed by operation of the valve assembly, at least one fluid sits proximate each of the bubble sensors when secured in the housing such that the bubble sensors can identify bubbles within the fluid path, and the pump engage with a pump tube configured to enable operable engagement between the peristaltic pump and the fluid paths to cause fluid flow within the manifold by operation of the peristaltic pump,
• wherein the controller determines a volume of liquid in one of the fluid paths based on action of the peristaltic pump and inputs from at least one bubble sensor associated with the respective fluid path.

A replaceable subsystem of a liquid handling system, the replaceable subsystem being configured to engage with a reusable subsystem comprising a peristaltic pump, a valve assembly comprising a plurality of valves, two or more bubble sensors each arranged to detect bubbles in a fluid path, a system controller configured to receive input from the bubble sensors, control operation of the peristaltic pump, and control operation of the valve assembly in accordance with a programmed processing protocol;

• and a case housing the peristaltic pump, and valve operation assembly, the replaceable subsystem comprising:
• a fluid path manifold comprising one or more fixed geometry fluid paths, at least one of the fluid paths being configured for engagement with the valve assembly whereby fluid paths can be selectively opened or closed by operation of the valve assembly, the fixed geometry of at least one fluid path being arranged to sit proximate the bubble sensors when secured in the housing such that the bubble sensors can identify bubbles within the fluid path;
• a pump tube configured to enable operable engagement between the peristaltic pump and the fluid paths to cause fluid flow within the manifold by operation of the peristaltic pump;
• a plurality of a plurality of liquid input ports each configured for connection to respective liquid supply components for delivery of respective liquids to the one or more fluid paths;
• at least one gas inlet connected to at least one of the one or more fluid paths to enable gas to enter the fluid path;
• and
• at least one outlet port in fluid communication with the one or more fluid paths to dispense fluid,
• the replaceable subsystem providing a closed environment for mixing and dispensing liquid formulations,
• wherein the controller determines a volume of liquid in one of the fluid paths based on action of the peristaltic pump and inputs from at least one bubble sensor associated with the respective fluid path.