# US 9,517,464 B2 · Dispensed liquid measurement device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,464 B2 - Document ID: US9517464B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/096,940 - Filed: 2013-12-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05 - Applicants: Ian K. Glasgow; Brian Kolb; Andrea Habura - Inventors: Ian K. Glasgow; Brian Kolb; Andrea Habura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517464B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/0293: {for liquids} - B01L 3/5027: {by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip} - G01F 17/00: Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies (measuring linear dimensions to determine volume G01B) - G01F 25/0084: {for measuring volume} - G01F 25/0092: {for metering by volume} - B01L 2200/148: Specific details about calibrations - B01L 2300/028: Graduation - B01L 2300/0838: Capillaries - B01L 2400/0406: capillary forces - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME ## Abstract A measurement device containing one or more capillaries to measure the volume of a dispensed fluid and determine the volumetric accuracy of the dispensing device. The measurement device can contain a reservoir containing the fluid to be measured and there may be an additional reservoir for a secondary fluid. A viewing window is necessary to complete a manual measurement and may include a magnifying lens. The liquid well by the capillary inlet may be shaped such that the measurement fluid is directed toward the capillary. The well may have features designed to position the dispensing device toward the capillary, or to position the well proximal to the capillary after it is filled. The well may also have surfaces or coatings which attract or do not attract various types of substances. The measurement device may interface with sensors to output measurement data. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid measurement device for verifying the calibration of a pipettor or other fluid dispenser of volumes up to 200 microliters, comprising: a. a well for receiving liquid from said fluid dispenser; b. a capillary positioned so that its proximal end is facing said well; c. said capillary having an opening at its proximal end; d. said capillary having an internal hydrophilic surface and a diameter capable of drawing aqueous liquid from said well using surface tension when said capillary and said well are positioned close to or in contact with each other; e. said capillary positioned at an incline with its proximal end lower than its distal end; f. a viewing area at a preselected region along the length of said capillary enabling a user to determine the volume of liquid drawn into said capillary; g. said well having a hydrophobic surface; h. said well in a horizontal position to receive liquid; and i. a pivot, a four-bar linkage, or a slide for moving said well or said proximal end of said capillary to within 0.5 mm of each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liquid measurement device of claim 1, wherein said device contains a magnifying lens at its viewing area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The liquid measurement device of claim 1, wherein said capillary contains markings to delineate predetermined volumes of liquid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The liquid measurement device of claim 1, wherein said device contains a sensor to indicate whether the volume of liquid drawn into said capillary is within a range of predetermined volumes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The liquid measurement device of claim 1, wherein said device contains an additional reservoir capable of storing liquid to be measured. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The liquid measurement device of claim 5, wherein said reservoir contains a colored liquid to allow for distinct identification of said liquid to be measured. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The liquid measurement device of claim 1, wherein said device contains one or more V-shaped or inverted V-shaped structures to support said fluid dispenser while it is dispensing fluid into said well. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The liquid measurement device of claim 1, wherein said device contains a plurality of said capillaries of the same or different size, and a plurality of said wells in a one-to-one correspondence. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The liquid measurement device of claim 8, wherein said device has a housing with multiple channels, each said channel having one capillary and one well and each said channel capable of being separated from an adjacent channel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The liquid measurement device of claim 8, wherein said device is configured to be compatible with laboratory instrumentation for use with standardized microtiter plates. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The liquid measurement device of claim 1, wherein said device has a module to be placed on the tip of said pipettor or fluid dispenser that will guide, place or lock said pipettor or fluid dispenser in a predetermined location relative to said well. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The liquid measurement device of claim 9, wherein each said capillary has a different size.