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:
Apr. 08, 2008
Filed:
Jan. 31, 2005
Richard N. Ellson, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Mitchell W. Mutz, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Shehrzad Ahmed Qureshi, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Richard G. Stearns, Felton, CA (US);
Richard N. Ellson, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Mitchell W. Mutz, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Shehrzad Ahmed Qureshi, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Richard G. Stearns, Felton, CA (US);
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods are provided for analyzing characteristics of fluids in the context of an acoustic ejection system. Such a system has a controller, an acoustic radiation generator, and a coupling medium coupling the radiation to a reservoir holding fluid. The methods can use acoustic radiation to both perturb a surface of the fluid in the reservoir and analyze the effect of the perturbation. The methods may use information about prior fluids. The methods of the invention can determine physical characteristics such as speed of sound and viscosity. The methods also include ways to determine a level of acoustic energy suitable to eject a droplet. Preferably the methods are executed automatically under control of programming of a controller of an acoustic ejection system.