Piezoelectric dispenser with a longitudinal transducer and replaceable capillary tube

A dispenser for transferring a predetermined quantity of a liquid, comprising:

• a longitudinal transducer, comprising:
• a tube having a length, a wall with a thickness, a lumen, and a tip at a distal end of the tube;
• and
• a piezoelectric actuator operatively coupled to the tube at a location proximal of the tip, a generally V-shaped jaw configuration being used to couple the piezoelectric actuator to the tube;
• an aperture at the tip of the tube;
• and
• a liquid to be dispensed into or onto one or more targets and being loaded within the tube;
• wherein actuation of the piezoelectric actuator causes a pressure wave to propagate along the tube wall from said location of the tube toward the tip of the tube such that radial motion at said location of the tube is transmitted as distally extending axial motion of the tip of the tube, thereby causing a droplet of a predetermined volume to be ejected from the aperture.

A longitudinal transducer for converting a radial displacement to an axial displacement, comprising:

• a tube comprising a generally rigid material and having a length, a wall with a thickness, a lumen, and a tip at a distal end of the tube;
• the rigid material having a modulus of elasticity greater than about 10 GPa;
• a linear or longitudinal piezoelectric actuator clamped to the tube at a location proximal of the tip, a generally V-shaped jaw configuration being used to couple the piezoelectric actuator to the tube;
• and
• an energy source configured to provide at least one voltage pulse to the piezoelectric actuator;
• wherein actuation of the piezoelectric actuator causes a pressure wave to propagate from said location of the tube through the wall of the tube and toward the tip of the tube such that radial motion at said location of the tube is transmitted as distally extending axial motion of the tip of the tube.