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US 7,501,283 B2Granted
Fluid dispensing apparatus
AssigneeSakura Finetek U.S.A., Inc.
InventorsMichael Hersch, Henry Palermo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid dispensing apparatus includes a mounting assembly having a plurality of mounting apertures and a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridges positioned within the mounting apertures. The mounting apertures and cartridges include matching cross-sectional profiles that lack symmetry. Each fluid dispensing cartridge includes a fluid reservoir, at least one valve, a metering chamber and a piston. The apparatus also includes a magnetic switch assembly controlling the movement of the piston and a means for damping the movement of the piston.
Claims35
A fluid dispensing system comprising:
- a linearly translatable mounting assembly having a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridge mounting stations;
- a receiving assembly positioned beneath the mounting assembly, the receiving assembly including a plurality of receiving member positions on its top surface;
- a plurality of heating elements respective ones of which are situated beneath the plurality of receiving member positions;
- and
- a plurality of self-contained fluid dispensing cartridges individually mounted at respective fluid dispensing mounting stations, wherein each fluid dispensing cartridge comprises a fluid reservoir releasably coupled to a fluid dispensing assembly, the fluid reservoir defined by a cover comprising an open end in fluid communication with the fluid dispensing assembly and a side opposite the open end, wherein the reservoir provides a fluid source.
2 more elements
A fluid dispensing system comprising:
- a receiving assembly including a top surface and a plurality of receiving member positions on the top surface;
- a plurality of heating elements respective ones of which are situated beneath the plurality of receiving member positions;
- a linearly translatable mounting assembly having a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridge mounting stations thereon;
- a plurality of self-contained fluid dispensing cartridges mounted to the mounting assembly at the mounting stations, wherein each fluid dispensing cartridge includes a fluid reservoir releasably coupled to a fluid dispensing assembly, the fluid reservoir defined by a cover comprising an open end in fluid communication with the fluid dispensing assembly and a side opposite the open end, wherein the reservoir provides a fluid source;
- a plurality of actuator assemblies, at least one of which corresponds to each of the fluid dispensing cartridge mounting stations;
- and
- a controller in communication with each of the actuator assemblies, the controller actuating the actuator assemblies to dispense fluid from cartridges mounted in the respective cartridge mounting stations.
4 more elements
A fluid dispensing system comprising:
- a movable mounting assembly having a plurality of fluid dispensing cartridge mounting stations;
- a substantially stationary receiving assembly positioned beneath the mounting assembly, the receiving assembly including a plurality of receiving member positions on its top surface and heating elements situated beneath the plurality of receiving member positions;
- and
- a plurality of self-contained fluid dispensing cartridges individually mounted on respective fluid dispensing mounting stations wherein each fluid dispensing cartridge comprises a fluid reservoir releasably coupled to a fluid dispensing assembly, the fluid reservoir defined by a cover comprising an open end in fluid communication with the fluid dispensing assembly and a side opposite the open end, wherein the reservoir provides a fluid source.
1 more element
A method of dispensing fluids on to samples mounted on microscope slides comprising:
- positioning a plurality of microscope slides one each on a respective tray;
- positioning each of said trays on a receiving assembly in a linear arrangement, the receiving assembly comprising heating elements situated in a linear arrangement beneath each of said trays;
- mounting a self-contained fluid dispensing cartridge on a linearly and rotatably translatable mounting assembly, wherein the fluid dispensing cartridge includes a reservoir releasably coupled to a fluid dispensing assembly, the reservoir defined by a cover comprising an open end in fluid communication with the fluid dispensing assembly and a side opposite the open end, wherein the reservoir provides a fluid source;
- linearly and rotatably moving said mounting assembly to position the fluid dispensing cartridge above a selected one of said trays;
- and
- dispensing fluid.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.