# US 8,273,307 B2 · Microdispenser and associated operating method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,273,307 B2 - Document ID: US8273307B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/720,265 - Filed: 2006-05-29 - Published: 2009-03-05 - Granted: 2012-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 2005-06-03 - Assignees: Scienion AG - Inventors: Holger Eickhoff; Christian Wurzel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8273307B2 ## CPC - G01N 35/10: Devices for transferring samples {or any liquids} to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices {(G01N35/0099 takes precedence)} - G01N 2035/1039: {Micropipettes, e.g. microcapillary tubes} - 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) ## Abstract The invention relates to a microdispenser (1) for dispensing a liquid sample in a dispensing device, with a sample container (2) for receiving the liquid sample, and with a nozzle (7) for dispensing the sample located in the sample container (2). The microdispenser (1) with the filled sample container (2) can in this case be stored independently of and fluidically separately from the dispensing device, without the sample escaping from the sample container (2) during storage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A microdispenser for dispensing a liquid sample in a dispensing device, comprising a) a sample container for holding the liquid sample, b) a nozzle for dispensing the sample located in the sample container, wherein the nozzle is adapted to dispense the liquid sample in a form of microdroplets, c) an actuator for discharging the liquid sample located in the sample container through the nozzle, wherein the actuator is a piezo actuator, d) a closure adapted for closing the nozzle for storage of the microdispenser and adapted for opening the nozzle for dispensing the sample liquid, e) a valve for venting the sample container during the dispensing of the liquid sample, a marking containing information about the microdispenser or about the liquid sample located in the sample container, said marking being an optical code, and g) a sponge arranged in the sample container such that the sponge is adapted to generate a holding vacuum in the sample container due to capillary forces acting on the liquid sample, wherein: (i) the microdispenser with the sample container containing the liquid sample can be stored independently of and fluidically separated from the dispensing device, without the sample escaping from the sample container during storage, (ii) the sample container has an integrated sample reservoir in order to be able to dispense a plurality of samples one after the other without a need for refilling, (iii) no sample supply line for the microdispenser is provided, (iv) the nozzle is provided with a coating, and (v) the coating has an effect selected from the group consisting of protein-immobilization, DNA-immobilization, permission of specific adsorption of biomolecules, prevention of coagulation of the liquid sample, purification of the liquid sample and concentrating of the liquid sample. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the microdispenser is configured for a single use, and the sample container is not refillable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sample container is completely closed apart from the nozzle and has no opening apart from the nozzle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a valve for filling the sample container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a shrink fit material connecting the valve to the sample container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive connecting, wherein the valve to the sample container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein an inside of the sample container has a stepped cross-section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The microdispenser according to claim 7, wherein the stepped cross-section is a narrowing of the cross-section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The microdispenser according to claim 7, wherein the stepped cross-section is a widening of the cross-section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sample container is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass and ceramic. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass and ceramic. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is structurally integrated in the microdispenser. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is structurally separate from the microdispenser. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a material fit connection of the actuator and the sample container. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a friction fit connection of the actuator and the sample container. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a form fit connection of the actuator and the sample container. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuator surrounds the outside of the sample container as a sleeve and compresses and expands the sample container upon electrical actuation of the actuator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is fixed on the sample container by way of a mounting sleeve. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The microdispenser according to claim 18, wherein the mounting sleeve has a spring slot, which runs in an axial direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The microdispenser according to claim 18, wherein the mounting sleeve is fixed on the sample container by screwing. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The microdispenser according to claim 18, wherein the mounting sleeve is fixed on the sample container by means of a securing ring. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the closure is a member selected from the group consisting of a stopper, a closure film, a wax and a closure cap. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sample container has a volume in a range from 1 nl to 1 ml. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle diameter in a range from 10 μM to 100 μm. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The microdispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sample container has a working chamber in addition to the sample reservoir, wherein the sample reservoir has a larger volume than the working chamber. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) An operating method for a microdispenser according to claim 1, said method comprising the following steps: (a) closing the nozzle prior to storage of the microdispenser; (b) storing the microdispenser comprising the sample container containing the liquid sample separately from the dispensing device; (c) reading information about the microdispenser or about the sample located in the sample container from the optical code; (d) opening the nozzle after storage and before dispensing the sample; (e) dispensing the liquid sample in the form of microdroplets; and (f) venting the sample container through a valve during the dispensing step. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The operating method according to claim 26, wherein the sample container is not refilled and the microdispenser is disposed of after at least one dispensing operation. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The operating method according to claim 26, wherein: the information is read from the marking during storage of the microdispenser, and the microdispenser is removed from storage or remains in storage depending on the information that is read. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The operating method according to claim 26, wherein the microdispenser is returned to storage after a dispensing operation. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The operating method according to claim 26, wherein the sample container is filled with the liquid sample through the nozzle by capillary action. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The operating method according to claim 26, wherein the sample container is filled with the liquid sample through a valve. ### Claim 32 (depends on 26) The operating method according to claim 26, wherein concentration of the sample is provided by way of the coating of the nozzle and of the sample container.