DIGITAL DISPENSE SYSTEM
A digital dispense system and method for preparing samples for analysis. The system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. A digital display device is attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user. The fluid volume information is selected from relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.
1 . A digital dispense system for preparing samples for analysis, comprising
a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit, the fluid droplet ejection system including:
a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed,
a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and
a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction; and
a digital display device attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user, wherein the fluid volume information is selected from the group consisting of relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.
2 . The digital dispense system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid volume information is displayed by a bar graph representation of fluid in a particular location on a slide or fluid in a well of a well plate.
3 . The digital dispense system of claim 1 , wherein the digital display device comprises a relative volume graphic for each fluid dispensed to a well in a well plate or to a slide location on a slide.
4 . The digital dispense system of claim 1 , wherein the digital display device comprises an absolute volume graphic of fluid dispensed and a relative volume graphic for each fluid dispensed to a well in a well plate or to a slide location on a slide.
5 . The digital dispense system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid droplet ejection system further comprises a processor and a memory for storing fluid droplet information and for transferring the fluid droplet information to the digital display device.
6 . The digital dispense system of claim 1 , wherein the digital display device comprises a portable or laptop computer.
7 . A method for staining slides without dipping or immersing slides in a dye, comprising:
providing a digital fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit, the fluid droplet ejection system including:
a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed,
a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a slide holder in an x direction, and
a slide holder translation mechanism for moving one or more slides back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction;
attaching a digital display device to the digital fluid droplet ejection system;
ejecting fluid from the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in one or more locations on the slide; and
displaying fluid volume information to a user on the digital display device, wherein the fluid volume information is selected from the group consisting of relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising ejecting two or more fluids on the slides simultaneously.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising ejecting two or more fluids on the slides sequentially.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the fluid volume information is displayed by a bar graph representation of fluid in a particular location on a slide or fluid in a well of a well plate.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the digital display device comprises a relative volume graphic for each fluid dispensed to a well in a well plate or to a slide location on a slide.
12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the digital display devices comprises an absolute volume graphic of fluid dispensed and a relative volume graphic for each fluid dispensed to a well in a well plate or to a slide location on a slide.
13 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the fluid droplet ejection system comprises a processor and a memory, further comprising storing fluid droplet information in the memory and transferring the fluid droplet information to the digital display device via the processor.
14 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the digital display device comprises a portable or laptop computer.