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:
Jun. 19, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 20, 2005
Roger O. Williams, Paradise Valley, AZ (US);
Humphrey W. Chow, Cupertino, CA (US);
Charles A. Reichel, Fremont, CA (US);
Roger O. Williams, Paradise Valley, AZ (US);
Humphrey W. Chow, Cupertino, CA (US);
Charles A. Reichel, Fremont, CA (US);
EDC Biosystems, Inc., Milpitas, CA (US);
Abstract
Devices useful in liquid transfer applications and in particular, devices for controlling the free surface of a source liquid in acoustic liquid ejection systems are disclosed. The devices advantageously maintain a source liquid to be transferred at a constant height and reduce disturbances formed in the liquid due to droplet ejection. In one variation, a well plate includes a plurality of wells each having a capillary. Source liquid in a well moves up the capillary due to capillary action and arrives at a certain height. The height arrived at remains constant despite the source liquid depleting from the well during the ejection process. The capillary can be separately joined or integral with the well plate. An acoustic wave emitter positioned adjacent to the well plate emits a focused acoustic beam that causes at least some of the liquid in the capillary to be ejected.