What is this invention?

Droplet dispensing apparatus

If you're using a droplet dispensing apparatus to dispense solutions, it's important to keep an eye on the nozzles. One day, I was using my device and noticed something wasn't right – one of the nozzles was not ejecting solution properly. After closer inspection, I realized that the nozzle had been broken for quite some time. This meant that instead of just a few drops of solution being dispensed at a time, there would be large droplets all over the place whenever this particular nozzle was used. Needless to say, this caused quite a mess and wasted product.Fortunately, there is a way to prevent this from happening in the future – by monitoring your devices' nozzles for malfunctions and taking appropriate action when necessary.

A droplet dispensing apparatus includes a droplet ejecting array having a plurality of nozzles from which solution can be ejected into a microplate on a baseplate. The sensor is configured to detect the solution amount in the microplate, and the controller is configured to detect that one or more nozzles in the plurality of nozzles is malfunctioning during the solution ejection process based on an initial solution amount and final Solution Amount detected by the Sensor. In response, if there is detected malfunction with one or more nozzle(s), then supplementary Droplet Dispensing operation will happen where an additional Solution Amount (based on Initial Solution Amount & FinalSolutionAmount) will be ejected into Micro Plate so as to maintain required dosage for testing process.

What are some key features of the invention?

• Droplet dispensing apparatus
• Microplate
• Nozzle
• Sensor
• Controller

What are some similar inventions on the market?

There are a few similar products on the market that may be useful for monitoring droplet dispensing apparatus. For example, one product is the Droplet Counter from 3M (see image below). This device monitors how many drops of solution are dispensed at a time and provides an indication of whether or not the nozzle is malfunctioning. Additionally, some droplet dispensing apparatuses include built-in sensors that can detect when there's too much liquid in the microplate – this might indicate that someone has attempted to fill up a microplate more than once (i.e., they're trying to cheat by using a faulty nozzle). If this happens, the machine will stop dispensing solutions until it's corrected.

How could this be used?

According to one embodiment, a droplet dispensing apparatus includes a droplet ejecting array having a plurality of nozzles from which solution can be ejected into a microplate on a baseplate. The sensor is configured to detect a solution amount in the microplate and the controller is configured to detect that a nozzle in the plurality of nozzles is malfunctioning during an injection process based on initial solution amount and final Solution Amount as detected by the sensor. In addition, when it is determined that nozzle malfunctions exist, supplemental dispense operations are initiated where an additional Solution quantity (e.g., 50 μL) are injected into the plate based on both initial number and Final number in Micro Plate Detectors readings

What are some things to look out for with this?

There are few risks associated with using a droplet dispensing apparatus. First, if there is any malfunction with the droplet ejecting array, then supplementary Droplet Dispensing operation may be necessary in order to maintain required dosage for testing process. Second, if the solution amount detected by the sensor falls below an initial threshold value or exceeds a final threshold value, then it may indicate that one or more nozzles in the droplet ejecting array is malfunctioning and supplementary Droplet Dispensing operation will need to be performed.

What are the overall impressions of this invention?

Overall, I think the Droplet Counter is a useful tool for monitoring droplet dispensing apparatus. It provides an indication of whether or not the nozzle is malfunctioning and can also detect when there's too much liquid in the microplate – which might indicate that someone has attempted to fill up a microplate more than once (i.e., they're trying to cheat by using a faulty nozzle).

Final comment expressed in a poem (written by an A.I.)

There once was a droplet dispenser
That had an ejecting array
With a plurality of nozzles
For solution to spray
A sensor detected when something was amiss
And the controller would administer a fix

Who owns this patent?

TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Document Number: 11213813