Print Cartridge Registration Using Camera-Based Well Plate Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In life science applications, small variations in the placement of well plates and print cartridges cause misalignments, leading to misfires of fluid ejection from print dies, resulting in inefficient sample preparation.
Innovation Solution
A registration system using a single camera and light source measures offsets of well plates and print dies, allowing precise alignment through a processor-controlled stage movement to ensure accurate fluid ejection into desired wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual placement of well plates and print cartridges is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to small variations in placement causing misalignments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration by capturing images of fiducial markers on the well plate and print cartridge before fluid ejection. The processor calculates offset values based on these images and uses them to adjust stage positioning, ensuring accurate alignment is established in advance before the actual sample preparation process begins.
2Manufacturing precision
If offset compensation through image capture and processing is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional camera and processing components
Solution Approach 1:
Fiducial markers serve as intermediaries between the well plate/print cartridge and the camera system. These markers provide easily detectable reference points that enable the processor to calculate positioning offsets without requiring complex direct measurement of the entire well plate or print cartridge structures.
3Productivity
If precise alignment within microns is achieved, then productivity is improved by reducing misfires, but measurement precision requirements increase due to the need for micron-level offset detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by capturing images of fiducial markers, calculating offset values, and using these offsets to adjust stage positioning before fluid ejection. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that alignment errors are detected and corrected, reducing misfires and improving sample preparation efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In example implementations, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a moveable stage, a print cartridge, a camera, and a processor. The moveable stage is to hold a well plate. The print cartridge holder is to hold a print cartridge that includes a print die over the moveable stage. The camera is located above the movable stage and the print cartridge holder. The camera is positioned such that the movable stage and the print die are within a field of view of the camera. The processor is to calculate a first offset a first offset of the well plate and a second offset of the print die. The movement of the movable stage is controlled by the processor in accordance with the first offset and the second offset.