Variable volume dispenser and method
A variable volume dispenser contains a set of one or more fill tubes, each having a rod or other volume-limiting member slidably mounted therein. Suction pressure can aspirate supported oligonucleotide beads or other powder, granulate, or particulate material into the fill tubes for dispensing selected volumes into wells or other containers. The rods or other members can be constructed to comprise a filter having a pore size smaller than the particulate material to be manipulated so that the material cannot be lodged inside the fill tube. In various embodiments, the volume of powder or other material to be aspirated can be selectively set by moving the rods to different locations within the fill tubes using electromagnets. In various embodiments, individual rods can be independently activated.
1 . A dispensing system, comprising:
at least one fill tube;
a first volume limiter having a first end and a second end, the second end being movably disposed inside the at least one fill tube to define a receiving volume in the at least one fill tube; and
a pressure source in fluid communication with the receiving volume of the at least one fill tube and configured to aspirate a defined volume of material into the receiving volume of the at least one fill tube.
2 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a support, wherein the at least one fill tube is disposed upon the support.
3 . The dispensing system of claim 2 , further comprising:
one or more support motors in mechanical communication with the support;
wherein the at least fill tube is disposed upon the support, and wherein the one or more support motors are configured to move the support.
4 . The dispensing system of claim 3 , wherein:
the one or more support motors comprise at least three support motors; and
the at least three support motors are configured to move the support in an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction.
5 . The dispensing system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more support motors are configured to move the support in a rotational direction.
6 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a limiter motor in mechanical communication with the first volume limiter;
wherein the limiter motor is configured to move the first volume limiter relative to the at least one fill tube.
7 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a filter disposed at or in the second end of the first volume limiter.
8 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure source comprises an air pump.
9 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure source is configured to generate at least one of a negative pressure and a positive pressure in at least one of the receiving volume in the at least one fill tube and the first volume limiter.
10 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a processor configured to control at least the movement of the first volume limiter and the support.
11 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more retainment regions disposed adjacent the at least one fill tube;
wherein the one or more retainment regions are configured to retain a powder, and wherein the at least one fill tube is configured to aspirate the powder from the one or more retainment regions.
12 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the first volume limiter is extendable beyond an end of the at least one fill tube to expose the first volume limiter for cleaning.
13 . A method of extracting material, comprising:
moving a first volume limiter in at least one fill tube to select a volume of material to be received in the at least one fill tube; and
aspirating the selected volume of material into the at least one fill tube by applying pressure from a pressure source in fluid communication with the at least one fill tube.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
disposing the at least one fill tube on a support; and
moving the support using at least three support motors in mechanical communication with the support, wherein the at least three support motors are configured to move the support in an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the moving comprises moving the support in a rotational direction.
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
moving the first volume limiter relative to the at least one fill tube using a limiter motor.
17 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
controlling at least the movement of the first volume limiter and the support using a processor.
18 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
aspirating powder from one or more retainment regions disposed adjacent to the at least one fill tube, into the at least one fill tube.
19 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
extending an end of the first volume limiter beyond an end of the at least one fill tube to expose the first volume limiter; and
cleaning the first volume limiter.