The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 03, 1999
Applicant:
Inventor:
Peter Wiktor, Seattle, WA (US);
Assignee:
Other;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B01L 3/02 ; B01L 1/100 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B01L 3/02 ; B01L 1/100 ;
Abstract
A piezoelectric actuated device for acquiring and dispensing fluid samples is described. Fluid samples are acquired or drawn up into the device by dipping the tip into a fluid and applying an alternating current electrical signal to the piezoelectric element. Removing the tip from the fluid and applying another electrical signal causes drops of fluid to be ejected for non-contact dispensing. The device optionally incorporates a second piezoelectric element functioning as a sensor to detect if it is empty, plugged or working properly. An optional heater, temperature sensor and feedback circuitry regulate the temperature of the device.