Apparatus and method for introducing micro-volume liquid
View Patent ↗An apparatus and method for introducing micro-volume liquid. The method includes the following steps. A multi-channel inkjet print head is provided. The multi-channel inkjet print head includes a nozzle plate and a cartridge. The nozzle plate includes a plurality of nozzles. The cartridge includes a plurality of channels, communicating with the nozzles on the nozzle plate, and a plurality of openings located at the channels. The nozzle plate contacts with a buffer. The buffer is introduced into the channels via the nozzles on the nozzle plate by pressure. Reagents are introduced into the channels through the openings.
1. A method for introducing micro-volume liquid comprising:
providing a multi-channel inkjet print head including a cartridge and a nozzle plate with a plurality of nozzles, wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of channels, communicating with the nozzles on the nozzle plate, and a plurality of openings located at the channels;
contacting the nozzle plate with a buffer;
introducing the buffer into the channels via the nozzles by providing a pressure; and
introducing reagents into the channels via the openings.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the buffer excludes biomolecules therein.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
after introducing the buffer into the channels, removing part of the buffer from the channels.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the volume of the removed buffer is not less than the volume of the introduced reagents.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pressure is positive so that the buffer is pushed into the channels via the nozzles.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pressure is negative so that the buffer is drawn into the channels via the openings.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the negative pressure is generated by vacuuming the openings.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reagents include biomolecules therein, and the biomolecules are oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins, or derivatives thereof.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reagents are introduced into the channels by pipettes.
10. An apparatus for introducing micro-volume liquid comprising:
a multi-channel inkjet print head including cartridge and a nozzle plate with a plurality of nozzles, wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of channels, communicating with the nozzles on the nozzle plate, and a plurality of openings located at the channels;
a container for receiving a buffer, wherein the buffer and the nozzle plate are in contact;
a pressure supply for providing pressure to the multi-channel inkjet print head so that the buffer is introduced into the channels; and
an injector, disposed in the channels, for receiving a reagent therein and introducing the reagent into the channels via the openings.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:
an absorber, disposed in the channels, for removing a predetermined amount of the buffer from the channels.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the pressure supply communicates with the container, and provides a positive pressure to the container so that the buffer is pushed into the channels.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the pressure supply communicates with the openings, and provides a negative pressure to the channels so that the buffer is drawn into the channels.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the reagents includes biomolecules therein, and the biomolecules are oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins, or derivatives thereof.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the buffer excludes the biomolecules.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the injector is a pipette.