Hydrophobic Dispense Tip Control for Sub-Microliter Fluid Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating, reciprocating pumps struggle to dispense fluid volumes below 10 microliters in air without additional intervention, while technologies like piezo electric inkjet and BioDot® systems require heat and cannot be integrated into certain products.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispensing system using a stepper motor-operated pump with a hydrophobic dispense tip, capable of operating at specific speeds and accelerations, ensures fluid separation from the tip without adhesion, allowing precise dispensing of 1 microliter or less in air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating, reciprocating pump is used to dispense fluid, then the dispense mechanism can be integrated into unique products and avoid heat exposure, but the minimum dispense volume is limited to around 10 microliters in air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the rotating, reciprocating pump, specifically operating it in a reciprocating mode with controlled acceleration and deceleration cycles. By adjusting the pump's speed, stroke volume, and reciprocation frequency, the system achieves precise dispense volumes of 1 microliter or less while maintaining the benefits of mechanical pump integration without heat exposure.
2Reliability
If the pump speed and acceleration are increased to overcome adhesion forces, then fluid can be dispensed cleanly without remaining drops, but the risk of fluid instability or splashing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic reciprocating action of the pump, where the pump operates in cycles of acceleration and deceleration. The pump accelerates to overcome adhesion forces and cleanly separate the fluid drop, then decelerates to allow the dispense tip to refill. This periodic reciprocation pattern ensures reliable fluid separation while maintaining fluid stability through controlled motion cycles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves precise and repeatable dispensing of small fluid volumes by overcoming adhesion forces, utilizing a rotating, reciprocating pump with a hydrophobic material to ensure no fluid remains adhered to the tip, enabling integration into various products without heat exposure.
Implementation Method 1
A dispense tip including a hydrophobic material is in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump head
Implementation Method 2
a pump having a stepper motor operably connected to a pump head
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for dispensing fluid including a pump having a stepper motor operably connected to a pump head. The pump head has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is adapted to be in fluid communication to a fluid reservoir. A controller is operably connected to the motor. The controller drives the motor wherein a speed and an acceleration of the stepper motor is selected to overcome adhesion between the dispense tip and the dispensed fluid. A dispense tip formed of a hydrophobic material is in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump head.