Acoustic radiation for ejecting and monitoring pathogenic fluids
AssigneePicoliter Inc.
InventorsMitchell W. Mutz, Richard N. Ellson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to methods and devices that use focused radiation to handle and/or monitor pathogenic fluids. In particular, a method is provided for dispensing one or more droplets of a fluid containing a pathogen. The method involves providing the pathogen-containing fluid in a reservoir and applying focused radiation to the pathogen-containing fluid in the reservoir in a manner effective to eject a droplet of the fluid therefrom. Often, a pathogen-impermeable enclosure is used.
Claims45
A method for dispensing one or more droplets of a pathogen-containing fluid, comprising:
- (a) providing the pathogen-containing fluid in a reservoir;
- (a′) positioning a substrate so that a designated site on a surface thereof is in droplet-receiving relationship with respect to the reservoir;
- (b) applying focused radiation to the pathogen-containing fluid in the reservoir in a manner effective to eject a droplet of the fluid onto the substrate at the designated site;
- and
- (c) placing a cover over the droplet of the fluid ejected in step (b) such that the cover, in combination with the substrate surface, provides an enclosure in which the pathogen is sealed.
A device for dispensing one or more droplets of a fluid containing a pathogen, comprising:
- a reservoir adapted to contain a fluid;
- an ejector for applying focused radiation to the reservoir in a manner effective to eject a droplet of fluid from the reservoir;
- a means for positioning a substrate such that a substrate is positioned to receive a droplet of fluid from the reservoir;
- and
- a pathogen-impermeable enclosure for isolating the reservoir and substrate therein so that while the pathogen-impermeable enclosure is sealed, the pathogen is unable to exit the enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.