EP1017497A1

EP1017497A1 - Micrometering system

Info

Publication number: EP1017497A1
Application number: EP98946328A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dieter Husar; Rüdiger HUHN
Original assignee: Eppendorf Netheler Hinz GmbH; Eppendorf Geraetebau Netheler and Hinz GmbH
Current assignee: Eppendorf SE
Priority date: 1997-08-26
Filing date: 1998-08-13
Publication date: 2000-07-12
Also published as: JP2001513439A; DE19737173B4; WO1999010099A1; DE19737173A1

Abstract

A micrometering system has a reservoir (1), a micromembrane pump the inlet of which is connected to the reservoir (1), a free jet meter (6) the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the micromembrane pump (4), a metering hole (8) connected to the outlet of the free jet meter (6) and a metering control (19) which co-operates with the micromembrane pump (4) and free jet meter.

Description

Microdosing system

The invention relates to a microdosing system for dosing liquid volumes in the range from about one nanoliter to a few microliters

In the known dosing systems, a rough distinction is made between pipettes, dispensers and multifunctional dosing devices.All three groups can work according to two different physical principles.Either the dosing of the liquid is mediated by an air cushion, or the liquid is directly displaced without an air cushion in between differentiated with adjustable volume The dosing quantities are between 0.5 μl and 2500 μl

Piston stroke pipettes can be designed as fixed or adjustable pipettes and operate in a volume range of less than 1 μl up to 10 ml. The sample is drawn into a plastic tip, whereby it is separated from the piston in the pipette by an air cushion as the weight of the liquid column a pipetting error to be corrected "hangs" on the air cushion

Pipettes or dispensers that work on the principle of direct displacement do not have these errors. They are used in particular when dispensing liquid with high vapor pressures, high viscosities, high densities and in molecular biology - e.g. in the polymerase chain reaction - You have tips or syringes with an integrated piston , which is coupled to a drive device of the pipette Multi-channel pipettes, dispensers and electronic dosing systems work according to the above principles. Multi-channel pipettes can significantly reduce the number of necessary pipetting processes by using several doses of the same type. This is also the case for dispensers that gradually dispense a quantity of liquid that has been taken in, and which are also available in multi-channel versions. Electronic pipettes and Dosing systems allow pipetting with high reproducibility and have a wide range of applications due to the integrated dispensing function. They work in a volume range from 1 μl to 50 ml

Accurate, simple and inexpensive dosing of smaller liquid volumes would be desirable. Chemical analyzes could then be carried out more precisely, faster and more cost-effectively, the latter also because of the lower media consumption.This enabled new routine diagnoses, e.g. in the area of medical care or environmental protection, which were previously only possible difficult to implement or too expensive In applications in the field of biotechnology (eg sequencing of genes, genome analysis), the information content of the investigations could be increased by improving the dosing quality. A substantial improvement in the dosing systems in the field of biotechnology could, among other things, lead to advances in the development of livestock and crops and the control of fungal, bacterial and viral infectious diseases

Based on this, the object of the invention is to create an accurate and simple microdosing system with a dosing volume in the range from a few nanoliters to a few microliters The object is achieved by various microdosing systems, the features of which are specified in claims 1, 13, 21, 25, 36, 43, 60, 67, 72 and 74. Advantageous configurations of these systems are specified in the subclaims

The first solution concerns a microdosing system

a reservoir, a micromembrane pump, the input of which is connected to the reservoir, a free-jet metering device, the input of which is connected to the output of the micromembrane pump, a metering opening connected to the output of the free-jet metering device, and

- A metering control that is operatively connected to the micro diaphragm pump and free jet metering device

Before or after integration into the microdosing system, the reservoir can be pre-filled with liquid by means of external devices or filled with liquid by means of the micromembrane pump. The liquid can be a reagent, for example an enzyme. The micromembrane pump can also be liquid from the reservoir or from the outside into the free-jet metering device Pumping The free jet dispenser can dispense the pumped liquid in the free jet. The free jet capability enables dosing quantities in the range from one nanoliter to a few microliters with high dosing accuracies without carry-over. that on a sub- Strate dosing can also be carried out here. Larger dosing quantities can also be dispensed. Furthermore, when the free-jet dosing device is at rest, the micromembrane pump can drive an auxiliary liquid column (e.g. water), which can come from the reservoir or can be sucked in from the outside, the auxiliary liquid column being a pipette piston of an air cushion or seal - Verdrangersystems acts

In the case of free jet delivery, the metered quantity can be controlled via the displacement volume of the free jet device and, moreover, via the stroke volume or several stroke volumes of the micromembrane pump

The second solution concerns a microdosing system with a compressible reservoir from which liquid can be compressed by

- A free jet dosing device can be required, the input of which is connected to the reservoir, a metering opening connected to the output of the free jet metering device and a metering control that is operatively connected to the free jet metering device

The reservoir can be filled with liquid (e.g. reagent, enzyme) using external devices before or after integration into the microdosing system. The free-jet dosing device is filled by simply or repeatedly compressing the reservoir. For this purpose, the reservoir can have an externally accessible, movable wall The free-jet dispensing of the liquid from the metering opening can be carried out for this purpose. The metering control controls the free-jet metering device in free-jet mode The dosing quantity can be controlled via the displacement volume of the free jet dosing device

The third solution concerns a microdosing system with a single reservoir,

- A free jet dosing device, the pressure chamber of which is the aforementioned reservoir, the

- is open to a metering opening and

- A metering control that is operatively connected to the free jet metering device

The pressure chamber of the free jet dosing device can be filled with liquid before or after integration into the system by means of external devices. For free jet delivery of the liquid from the metering opening, the metering control controls the free jet device in free jet mode. The metering quantity can be controlled via the displacement volume of the free jet metering device, i.e. via the Volume displaced when the diaphragm of the free jet dispenser moves For the purpose of dispensing several dosing quantities, the displacement volume of the diaphragm can be controlled in several steps

The fourth solution relates to a microdosing system with a reservoir, a micromembrane pump, the input of which is connected to the reservoir,

- A metering opening connected to the outlet of the micromembrane pump and a metering control that is operatively connected to the micromembrane pump,

- Micro-diaphragm pump and reservoir in microsystem technology or hybrid technology are combined to form a component which can be exchanged and connected to an actuation module

The reservoir can be filled with liquid (e.g. reagent, enzyme) from outside or after integration into the system or filled with the micro membrane pump, which can be controlled accordingly by the dosing control. The dosing control controls the dispensing of liquid from the dosing opening the micromembrane pump in pump mode The dosing quantity can be controlled via the stroke volume of the micromembrane pump After the system has been emptied, the micromembrane pump and reservoir, which are combined in microsystem technology or hybrid technology to form an interchangeable component, can be exchanged for another component that can already be pre-filled

The actuation module has, in particular, the function of a holder for the component and can in particular be a handle (in the case of a hand-held device) or a stationary device. The actuation module can in principle have all of the system components that are not part of the replaceable component. A connection or coupling of such components to the Component can in particular be done mechanically, via electrical plug connections, optocouplers etc. The actuation module can in particular include actuation devices (switches, buttons, fastening elements etc) and / or display devices (LCD display etc) and / or drive devices and / or the metering control. This also applies for all other solutions that may have an actuation module

The fifth solution concerns a microdosing system with a reservoir,

a micromembrane pump, the inlet of which is connected to the reservoir,

- A metering opening connected to the outlet of the micromembrane pump and a metering control that is operatively connected to the micromembrane pump, which controls the displacement of an auxiliary liquid column from the reservoir for a suction of liquid through the metering opening or an expulsion of liquid from the metering opening by controlling the micromembrane pump into pumping operation steers in one direction or the other

The reservoir can be filled with auxiliary liquid before or after integration into the system. In this variant, too, the auxiliary liquid forms a piston which - like a pipette piston - draws or drives liquid through the metering opening. The metered quantity can be controlled via the stroke volume of the micromembrane pump. which is known or can be determined on the basis of a calibration along a measuring section. The metering quantity can also be controlled by moving the auxiliary liquid column along a predetermined section which corresponds to the metering of the desired quantity

The sixth solution relates to a microdosing system with a reservoir having a capillary compensation system, a free jet metering device, the input of which is connected to the capillary compensation system, a metering opening connected to the output of the free jet metering device, and a metering control which is operatively connected to the free jet metering device

The capillary compensation system is used to store and capillary transport the liquid from the reservoir into the free jet dispenser.It can also compensate for fluctuations in ambient conditions such as air pressure and temperature and the liquid volume consumed by the free jet dispenser.The capillary compensation system comprises one or more connected capillaries that hold the storage volume of the reservoir. It can have at least one capillary with a meandering or preferably spiral shape

The capillary compensation system can only transport liquid from the reservoir into the free-jet metering device, due to the fact that capillary forces take effect, to the inlet of which it is connected. In principle, this does not require any additional suction or pressure forces, which had to be applied, for example, by means of an additional pump or a compressible reservoir

For a free jet delivery of the liquid from the metering opening, the metering control controls the free jet meter into the free jet mode. The capillary forces can effect a uniform liquid transport into the free jet meter. Laral compensation system prevent liquid from being pressed back into the reservoir

The capillary compensation system prevents bubbles from appearing in the stored liquid volume during acceleration, for example when the reservoir falls, which can disrupt the metering process. This is particularly the case with a meandering and spiral course of the capillary, since when accelerating essentially forces are perpendicular to the Occurrence of the capillary wall A corner and edge-free or low-profile course of the capillary, as is possible in particular with a meandering or spiral-shaped course of the capillary, furthermore favors filling of the reservoir without the inclusion of bubbles

The capillary compensation system can be ventilated at at least one point away from the connection to the free jet dispenser, so that the outflow of liquid is compensated for by the inflow of air.The capillary forces then simultaneously prevent the reservoir from leaking out.The capillary compensation system can also be caused by a migrating with the liquid Be plugged closed, the environmental contact of the liquid prevents and additionally counteracts leakage Of course, the reservoir with the capillary compensation system can also be designed to be compressible

A reservoir with a capillary compensation system can also advantageously be used in the other solutions for a microdosing system. The patent application includes these variants

The seventh solution concerns a microdosing system a plastic reservoir,

- An essentially plate-shaped, designed as a microsystem component delivery device with a micromembrane pump and / or a free jet dispenser, the reservoir and the component being fastened to one another in an overlapping relationship, the input of the delivery device being connected to the reservoir, a metering opening connected to the outlet of the delivery device and

- A metering control that is operatively connected to the delivery device

Thus, this microdosing system is based on a hybrid component, which comprises the plastic reservoir and the microsystem-technical delivery device. This favors relatively large-volume reservoirs, unlike a microdosing system in which the reservoir and delivery device are designed as a microsystem-technical component. At the same time, this configuration enables the construction of the microdosing system favored, especially if the hybrid component is replaceably connected to an actuation module

A corresponding hybrid component can advantageously also be present in the other solutions for a microdosing system. The patent application includes these variants

The eighth solution relates to a microdosing system with a reservoir, a delivery device with a micromembrane pump and / or a free-jet metering device, the input of which is connected to the reservoir, a metering opening connected to the output of the delivery device, a metering control in operative connection with the delivery device, an actuation module with which the component comprising the reservoir is exchangeably connected, and a temperature-controlled carrier in which the component removed from the actuation module can be inserted

This microdosing system favors the dosing of temperature-sensitive substances.The component which comprises the reservoir can comprise at least one further component of the microdosing system, for example at least part of the delivery device and / or the dosing control.It can be designed as a hybrid component or as a whole microsystem technology by inserting the component into one Temperature-adjustable carrier before and / or after dosing enables a targeted and thus energetically favorable temperature control of the dosing liquid. The carrier can be used to store one or more components in a laboratory refrigerator. However, it can also be used to transport at least one component between a refrigerator and the workplace Furthermore, the wearer can temper the components at the workplace. In particular, passive temperature control systems come into consideration for the wearer, for example with a cow battery filled with brine. However, it can also be an active temp erier system, especially with a Peltier element. The system is particularly suitable for the dosing of enzymes

If the other solutions for a microdosing system have an interchangeable component that includes the reservoir, they can also have a temperature-adjustable carrier The patent application includes these variants

The ninth solution concerns a microdosing system with a reservoir,

a delivery device with a micromembrane pump and / or a free-jet metering device, the inlet of which is connected to the reservoir, a metering opening connected to the outlet of the delivery device,

- a metering control in operative connection with the delivery device,

- Wherein a component comprising the reservoir and / or the conveying device is interchangeably connected to an actuation module, has a coding and the actuation module has a scanning device for coding the component

The coding can relate to information about a full substance and / or one or more dosing properties of the interchangeable component.It can contain information about which enzyme is in a reservoir, when the reservoir was filled, an expiration date, what amount or residual amount of liquid The reservoir contains the dosing quantity which the delivery device delivers when a certain actuation or control is carried out, etc. The actuation module can scan the coding by means of the scanning device, so that the information, if necessary after processing by an evaluation device, can be used as a basis for the dosing, displayed or otherwise used Correspondingly, the other solutions for a microdosing system can also be equipped with a coding and a scanning device, provided that they have a component that is interchangeably connected to an actuation module. The patent application includes these variants

The tenth solution concerns a microdosing system with a reservoir,

- A delivery device with a free jet dosing device and possibly a micromembrane pump, the input of the delivery device being connected to the reservoir, a metering opening connected to the outlet of the delivery device, a dosing control in operative connection with the delivery device and

- A light source for a light beam, the emission axis of which is aligned with the metering opening in such a way that the light beam characterizes the axis of movement and / or the point of impact of the liquid dispensed from the metering opening

When dispensing free jet, the microdosing system can eject drops or fluid jets, the total liquid volume of which is typically in the range from 10 to 200 nl. These cannot be seen with the naked eye, which impairs precise dosing. The light source characterizes the path of movement and / or the impact of the Liquid and thereby enables a safe supply of the metered quantity to the desired location. This "light pointer" is preferably used as a hand-held device when the microdosing system is implemented. It can be integrated into the microdosing system by means of a laser diode The light beam can take place directly, via light guides or via an integrated light guide structure of a microsystem component of the microdosing system

Such a light pointer can advantageously also be present in the other solutions for a microdosing system which have a free-jet dosing device. The patent application includes these variants

Some terms of this application are explained in more detail below

A “microdosing system” is a dosing system that comprises at least one microsystem component

A “microsystem technology” component is a preferably micromechanical component that is at least partially manufactured in semiconductor technology, preferably silicon technology

Micromembrane pump, free-jet metering device and / or other components of the microdosing systems according to the invention can be produced in microsystem technology from a semiconductor chip compactly or from several semiconductor chips in hybrid construction. Microsystem technology components can also be combined with conventional components, for example a plastic reservoir, to form a hybrid component

A “micromembrane pump” is a microsystem-technical diaphragm pump with a pump chamber having inlet and outlet, a pump membrane assigned to it and an electrostatic, piezoelectric, thermo-mechanical or similar drive or actuator assigned to it It is characteristic of a micromembrane pump that it pumps the liquid against a counterpressure which is limited with regard to overcoming capillary forces, viscosity forces and surface tensions. The pump pressure is not sufficient to expel the liquid from a metering opening, ie to dispense it in the free jet, rather it runs or drips Liquid from the metering opening driven by the acceleration of gravity However, a micromembrane pump can typically - compared to a free jet meter - pump large volume flows.It is particularly suitable for continuous operation and, depending on the design, can pump in different directions.Typical - but not absolutely necessary - is furthermore the presence of active or passive valves at the inlet and / or outlet of the pumping chamber

A “free jet metering device” is a metering element with a pressure chamber, to which a pressure pulse can be exerted on the liquid contained therein by means of a membrane and an actuator acting thereon, which leads to the ejection of liquid from a metering opening. The metering opening of the free jet metering device is typically - but not absolutely necessary Executed on a nozzle A free jet dosing device is therefore able to accelerate a liquid volume in such a way that the interfacial tension is liquid / solid at the metering opening and the liquid volume is thrown off. Depending on the accelerated volume, drops or jets are formed is preferably a microsystem element, but does not necessarily have to be microsystem technology

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing of some exemplary embodiments. Show in the drawings a combined microdosing system for dosing in free jet, onto a substrate or for pipetting in a schematic block diagram,

Microsystem-technical construction of the micro-diaphragm pump and the free jet meter of the same system in a schematic longitudinal section,

Dispenser with exchangeable dosing and reagent unit in a schematic block diagram,

ipette with inert flask in a schematic block diagram,

Dispenser / diluter with inert flask and calibration section in a schematic block diagram,

ipette with inert flask and adjustable displacement in a schematic block diagram,

a reservoir with a spiral capillary on a dosing chip in a perspective exploded view,

9 another reservoir in snap connection with a dosing chip in front view (FIG. 8) and in longitudinal section (FIG. 9),

another reservoir in snap connection with a dosing chip in side view with cutout, 1 and 12 foot area of an actuation module with inserted fluid module according to FIG. 10 in a side view (FIG. 11) and in a front view (FIG. 12),

a reservoir with compensation piston on a dosing chip in partial section,

a reservoir with compensation bag on a dosing chip in partial section,

passive cooling carrier with fluid modules in perspective view,

active cooling carrier with fluid module ready for insertion in an actuation module in perspective view,

and 18 fluid module with coding and aligned scanning device in perspective view from the front (FIG. 17) and the coding section of the fluid module in perspective view from the rear (FIG. 18),

and 20 a fluid module in an actuation module with light pointer over a substrate in perspective view (FIG. 19) and fluid jet and light beam of the same modules in side view (FIG. 20),

Dosing chip with integrated light-guiding structure in a perspective view In the various exemplary embodiments, corresponding elements are designated with the same reference numbers

The microdosing system according to FIG. 1 has a reservoir 1, which has a filter 2 at the top for pressure equalization with the surroundings and is connected at the bottom via a line 3 to the input of a micromembrane pump 4, the output of which is connected via a line 5 to the input of a free jet meter 6 , which has a nozzle 7 with a metering opening 8 on the outlet side

2 shows an example of the microsystem design of the micromembrane pump 4 and free jet meter 6 in a single component. These components are made up of several semiconductor layers. The lines 3 and 5 are formed in the bottom layer 9. The pressure chamber is located in the layer 9a above 10 of the free jet meter 6 and the outlet valve 14 of the micromembrane pump 4 Furthermore, it has a membrane 13 assigned to the pressure chamber 10. The layer 11 arranged above it has the end sections of the lines 3 and 5. A fourth layer 18 forms the inlet valve 14a of the micromembrane pump 4 and the counter bearing for the piezoelectric actuating element 17 for the membrane 13 The layer 15a arranged above forms the pump chamber 12 of the micromembrane pump 4 with the associated membrane 15. An actuating element 16 acts on the membrane 15 and is supported on the layer 15a via a bridge-shaped counter bearing 18a

When the membrane 15 of the micromembrane pump 4 bulges upwards, this liquid sucks through the line 3 and the check valve 14a. The membrane 15 is then returned to the starting position shown. moved and the liquid is printed through the check valve 14 into the line 5 and the pressure chamber 10 (the liquid outlet into the line 3 is blocked). The piezo actuator 17 then causes a sudden reduction in the pressure chamber 10 and the liquid is expelled through the nozzle 7

According to FIG. 1, a metering controller 19 is present, which has a microcontroller 20, a control panel (including volume input) 21, a display 22 and an energy supply in the form of a battery 23. The microcontroller 20 is connected to the micro diaphragm pump 4 via a level adjustment 24 and the free jet dosing device 6. The system can be operated as follows using the dosing control 9

If the reservoir 1 has already been filled with liquid 25, the free jet meter 6 can be filled with liquid by means of the micromembrane pump 4. The filled liquid is then thrown out of the nozzle 7 in a free jet by the free jet meter 6 The system can also be filled by the micro-diaphragm pump 4 working in the opposite direction and sucking liquid through the nozzle 7 of the free jet meter 6 and pumping it into the reservoir 1

Furthermore, liquid 25 can be pumped out of the reservoir 1 by the micromembrane pump 4 through the stationary free-jet metering device 6, so that it runs out of the nozzle 7. This metering method enables metering onto a substrate with a larger volume flow. The metering quantity can be controlled via the known stroke volume of the micromembrane pump 4 become In a further mode of operation, a column of an auxiliary liquid 25 is driven by the micromembrane pump 4. The column acts as an inert pipette piston which draws in or ejects external liquid through the nozzle 7. An exchangeable pipette tip 26 with a metering opening 8 ′ can be plugged onto the nozzle 7 To minimize the air cushion between the liquid column and the liquid to be dosed, the liquid column can be pressed into the pipette tip 26. After dosing, part of the auxiliary liquid 25 can be discarded by pumping it out of the nozzle 7

Instead of the reservoir 1, a reservoir 1 'with a filter 2' and a capillary compensation system 1 '' can also be used, which replenishes liquid evenly and prevents it from leaking

The microdosing system according to FIG. 3 has a dosing and reagent unit 27 which is implemented in microsystem technology. This has a reservoir 1 with a filter 2 for pressure equalization with the environment and a micromembrane pump 4 connected to it via a line 3. Instead or in addition, it can also have a free jet dosing device Furthermore, it has an externally protruding delivery tube 28 with a metering opening 8. Finally, there is an electrical contact 29 for coupling the micromembrane pump 4 to a metering control 19

The dosing and reagent unit 27 has a receptacle 30 on the side in the foot region 31 of a housing 32, so that the dispensing tube 28 protrudes axially beyond the foot region. In the middle region 33 of the housing 32, the dosing control 19 is arranged on a printed circuit board 34, which controller 20, control panel 21, display 22 and level adjustment 24 has the dosing control 19 is connected to a counter contact 35 in the receptacle 30, which interacts with the contact 29 of the dosing and reagent unit 27. Furthermore, the dosing control 19 is arranged with a fixed base 31 in the housing Optical sensor 36 connected to the dispensing tube 27 of the dosing and reagent unit 27 that can be used. Then the dosing control 19 is also connected to a dispenser button 37, which is located on the side of the housing foot 31. Finally, it has a connection to a battery 23 in the head area 38 of the Housing 1

This dosing system is prepared for operation by inserting a dosing and reagent unit 27 pre-filled with a reagent (e.g. an enzyme) into the receptacle 30. Operating mode or dosing quantity can be specified via the keyboard 21. In the first dosing step, the micromembrane pump 4 pumps liquid 25 out of the Reservoir 1 until the sensor 36 detects the meniscus and thus reaches a defined zero position. The metered quantity is then controlled via the known stroke volume of the micromembrane pump 4. With further metering, the metering control 19 can assume that the liquid column is present at the end of the dispensing tube 28 To avoid carryover, small amounts of reagent are discarded. When the dosing and reagent unit 27 is emptied, it is replaced by a new, prefilled unit. Instead, it can be filled up through the delivery tube 28 by the micromembrane pump 4 in reverse Ric is operated

The microdosing system according to FIG. 4 has a reservoir 1 with a pressure equalization to the environment via a filter 2, which via a line 3 with a Micromembrane pump 4 is connected to reservoir 1 and micromembrane pump 4 are combined to form an interchangeable pump unit 39, the reservoir being pre-filled with an auxiliary liquid 25

There is also a dosing control 19 with a microcontroller 20, control panel 21, display 22, power supply 23, which is connected to the micro-diaphragm pump 4 via a level adjustment 24 (and separable contacts) .Microcontroller 20 also has a connection to an optical sensor 40, which is one dispensing line 41 connected to the outlet of the micro-diaphragm pump 4 is assigned to the end of the dispensing line 41, an exchangeable pipette tip 42 is attached which has an aerosol filter 43 at its plug-in opening and a metering opening 8 'at its end

This system works as an air cushion pipette. For this purpose, the auxiliary liquid 25 is shifted by the micromembrane pump 4 so that the liquid column is detected by the sensor 40. Then the system has reached its zero position. According to the desired metering quantity, the micromembrane pump 4 shifts the liquid column so that it closes like a pipette piston Dosing liquid is sucked into or ejected from the pipette tip 42. The desired dosing volume is achieved via the control of the known stroke volume of the micromembrane pump 4. After a dosing process, the pipette tip 40 and part of the liquid column can be discarded. When the auxiliary liquid 25 is used up, a new pump unit is used 39 used

5 also works according to the air cushion principle. In contrast to the above embodiment, there are two sensors 40 ′, 40 ″, which are at a distance x from one another of the discharge line 41 with the diameter ser d are connected to the dosing control 19. In addition, thinning tubes (diluter) 44 'or distribution tubes (dispenser) 44 "can be connected to the discharge line 41, each having an aerosol filter 45', 45" in the connection area and metering openings 8 'at the other end, 8 "

In this system, the control of the metering quantity is also based on the reproducible and therefore calibratable stroke volume of the micromembrane pump 4. At the beginning of a metering (or a metering series) the auxiliary fluid column for a calibration of the stroke volume is shifted between the two optical sensors 40 ', 40 "if a diluter 44 ', several liquid quantities Vi, V ₂ to V _n can be sucked in separately from each other by air bubbles and mixed in the desired quantity ratio when dispensed

When the dispenser tube 44 "is attached, a total liquid quantity n x V, which is dispensed in n individual steps V, can be drawn in

FIG. 6 differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 4 in that a second sensor 40 "is present, which is also connected to the metering control 19 and is displaceable along the discharge line 41. For this purpose, the sensor 40" is fastened to a nut 46 which is fastened by means of a spindle 47 is displaceable, which is held in rotary bearings 48, 49. The spindle 47 has a rotary wheel 50 for manual adjustment. It also carries an encoder 51, which is read by the metering control 19

By turning the wheel 50, the distance between the sensors 40 ', 40 "is set so that it corresponds to the desired metering volume. speaks The dosing control 19 then shifts the auxiliary liquid column between the positions of the sensors 40 ', 40 "in order to draw liquid into the pipette tip 42 or to eject it from the latter

According to FIG. 7, a reservoir 52 has an essentially plate-shaped plastic body 53, in which an essentially spiral, capillary liquid channel 54 is formed, which has straight and interconnected channel sections. The liquid channel 54 is in the plastic body of an upwardly open, U-shaped groove It is delimited at the top by a cover plate 55, which can also be made of plastic. The cover plate can advantageously be welded without a gap using a laser method, ultrasonically jointed or heat-sealed as a film

The design of the reservoir 52 made of plastic favors a large storage volume

The outer end of the liquid channel 54 opens into a front side of the plastic body 53 in a filling opening 56. This can be closed by means of a filter 57, which is slightly pressed into the liquid channel 54. The filter 57 enables air compensation when emptying the reservoir 52, but prevents contamination of the liquid in the liquid channel and the environment through the liquid. Wetting properties of the filter 57 can also prevent liquid from escaping to the outside

From the center of the spiral liquid channel 54, a capillary passage opening 58 extends through the plastic body 53. The passage opening 58 opens out above the entrance of a microsystem technology nically designed delivery device 59 This is a plate-shaped semiconductor chip (dosing chip) which is inserted in a step 60 on the underside of the plastic body 53. The delivery device 59 can be a free-jet metering device in particular

Capillary forces acting on the filled liquid in the liquid channel 54 force the liquid through the passage opening 58 into the delivery device 59, from which it is released. The capillary forces also counteract an unintentional leakage of the liquid from the filling opening 56. The spiral arrangement of the liquid channel prevents that the liquid thread in the liquid channel 54 tears due to accelerations that can occur during handling, for example due to a fall. Such accelerations essentially result in forces perpendicular to the wall of the liquid channel 54, which in turn causes bubbles to occur which can interfere with the metering process, is prevented

Instead of the filter 57, there can also be a plug which moves with the liquid and does not leave any residues on the wall of the liquid channel 54. This can in particular be a highly viscous fluid plug

Similar to a winding capacitor, a reservoir can also have two wound foils, which are at a short distance from one another and form a spiral liquid channel. An embodiment with a wound capillary (e.g. with a wound hose), in particular with a spatial arrangement of the spiral, is also possible 8 and 9, a reservoir 61 has a base plate 62 and an associated receiving body 63, in which a rectangular storage space 64 is formed. From the storage space 64, liquid is supplied through a supply capillary 65 to a conical nozzle 66 on the other side of the base plate 62

Hook-shaped snap elements 67 protrude from the sides of the base plate 62. By means of these snap elements 67, a delivery device in the form of a semiconductor chip 68 (dosing chip) is held with respect to the base plate 62 in such a way that the connecting piece 66 presses against a sealing surface around an inlet 69 of the delivery device 68, reservoir 61 and dosing chip 68 together form a fluid module

The reservoir 61 can be made entirely of plastic. The configuration of the feed capillary 65 is favored by its formation from two parts 62, 63

FIG. 10 shows a fluid module 70 of a similar design, but with the reservoir 61 'projecting laterally beyond the dosing chip 68. In the protruding section of the reservoir 61', the storage space 64 'for liquid is formed, which extends into the base plate 62' as well extends into the receiving body 63 '

The semiconductor chip 68 has its metering opening at 71, from which liquid is dispensed in the dispensing direction (arrow A). The fluid module 70 is directed downward so that the storage space 64 'is always arranged above the supply capillary 65' care of the dosing chip 68 by gravity and the action of the feed capillary 65 '

According to FIGS. 11 and 12, an actuation module 72 has a receiving shaft 73 at the lower end, into which a fluid module 70 according to FIG. 10 is inserted. It is held on the projecting section of its reservoir 61 '. In the case shown, between elastic pressure elements 74, 75, one of which against the base plate 62 'and the other against the receiving body 63'. Furthermore, the actuation module 72 has assigned an actuator 76 to the receiving shaft 73, which rests without a gap on a membrane of the dosing chip 68. For this purpose, holding tongs 77, 78 print the dosing chip 68 with the membrane against the Actuator 76 The holding tongs 77, 78 are closed at the end of the axial insertion movement of the fluid module 70 in direction E into the receiving shaft 73. By actuating the actuator 76, liquid can be ejected

13 shows a section of a fluid module 70 'consisting of a dosing chip 68' and a reservoir 61 ', the storage space 64 "of which is connected at one end to a supply capillary 65" to the dosing chip 68' and on the other side is open to the atmosphere. In the storage space 64 " a piston 79 is inserted in a sealing manner. This seals off the storage space 64 "from the atmosphere and brings about a pressure equalization by adding pressure through the supply capillary 65" when the liquid is withdrawn. The piston 79 can also be used to actuate liquid from the outside into the supply capillary 65 "and to print into the dosing chip 68 '. In addition, the piston 79 can be pulled out in order to refill the reservoir 61' Instead of a piston, there can be a highly viscous fluid plug that moves with almost no resistance when the liquid is removed

14 shows a section of another fluid module 70 ", the reservoir 61" of which also has a storage space 64 '", the opening to the atmosphere of which is closed by a bag or balloon 80 made of flexible material (for example silicone). The reservoir 61" is transverse to Storage space 64 '"divided and the balloon 80 is clamped on the edge in the division plane between the two molded part halves of the reservoir 61"

The balloon 80 also shields the liquid in the storage space 64 '"from the atmosphere. However, if liquid is discharged from the storage space 64'" through the supply capillary 65 '"to the dosing chip 68', the flexible balloon 80 adapts to the respective liquid volume by deformation. as indicated in the drawing for two situations in thin lines 80 ', 80 ". If the restoring force of the balloon 80 is negligible, refilling is facilitated. A balloon 80 made of elastic material can support the liquid requirement to the dosing chip 68'

The filling of the storage space 64 '"can take place via the supply capillary 65'" or an additional connection. However, the balloon 80 can also consist of a material which can be pierced by the hollow needle of a filling device and which heals itself after the hollow needle has been pulled out at the puncture site

The fluid modules 70 ′ ″ shown in FIGS. 15 to 19 can fundamentally have a structure as is shown in particular in FIGS. 7 to 10. They all have a reservoir, but they essentially have one box-shaped housing 81, which has a dispensing head 82 at the bottom, which has the metering opening at the lower end

According to FIG. 15, several such fluid modules 70 '"can be inserted into a temperature-adjustable carrier 83, which is box-shaped and has a plurality of receptacles 84 for fluid modules 70'" which are open towards the top and have a cross section corresponding to the box-shaped part of the housing 81. The receptacles 84 have a wall which tightly surrounds the fluid modules 70 '"used. The walls of the receptacles 84 are surrounded by at least one cavity of the carrier 83, into which a temperature fluid can be filled in order to form a cow battery. The temperature fluid can be act as a brine Depending on the desired temperature, the salt concentration in the cow's accumulators can be adjusted, which influences the melting temperature. In the case of the carrier shown, the concentration is adjusted so that the melting temperature is minus 10 ° C in order to cool the fluid modules 70 '"accordingly. to be reached The set temperature is on a label t 85 noted, which is glued to the outside of the carrier 83

The fluid modules 70 '''can be color-coded and / or labeled, for example on an outer surface 86. Corresponding color tabs or plug-in elements 87 can be arranged in corresponding receptacles 88 or places next to the receptacles 84 in which the correspondingly encoded fluid modules 70'"are located or to which they are to be assigned. This prevents confusion between different fluid modules 70 ′ ″ Such a temperature control system can be used to store filled fluid modules 70 ″ in the laboratory refrigerator, at the workplace and for transport

According to FIG. 16, a fluid module 70 is inserted into an actuation module 72 ', from which, however, in contrast to FIG. 11, it protrudes. The fluid module 70' "is aligned with an actively tempered carrier 83 '. This has a single receptacle 84' with a complementary cross section to that of the housing 81 of the fluid module 70 '"and a downwardly projecting housing section 72" of the actuation module 72', which will be discussed in connection with FIG. 19. For cooling the fluid module 70 '"in the receptacle 84', the carrier 83 ' Have Peltier elements These are supplied with power via a connecting cable 89. To compensate for temperature fluctuations and for heat storage, the carrier 83 ′ can have a heat sink 90 on the outside

This cooling system is particularly suitable for stationary arrangement at the workplace. The heat sink 90 also favors use for transport purposes and charging in a laboratory refrigerator

By attaching an actuation module 72 ', a fluid module 70' "can be removed from the respective carrier 83 or 83 '

17 and 18 show a fluid module 70 '"which has a coding 91 on the housing 81, more precisely on an upper edge thereof. The coding 91 is formed by the fact that at certain locations 92, 92', 92", 92 '"there is a depression 93 or no depression In order to read the coding 91, an actuation module has a scanning device 94 which, at the places 92, 92 ', 92 ", 92'", corresponds to probe pins 95 or other sensors which can detect the absence and / or the presence of a recess 93 the actuation module can recognize the fluid module 70 '' used in each case

FIG. 19 again shows the lower part of the actuation module 72 'with the fluid module 70' "inserted, in order to explain a further peculiarity of this system. In addition to the protruding section of the fluid module 70 '", the actuation module 72' has a housing section 72 projecting laterally and downwards ", in which a laser diode 96 is arranged. It is aligned in such a way that it characterizes the movement axis and the impact point of the liquid emitted by the fluid module 70 '". As can be seen better from FIG. 20, the radiation axis 98 of the laser diode 96 intersects the movement axis 99 for this purpose of the liquid emerging from the dispensing head 82 at an acute angle α and is focused on the point of intersection with the movement axis 99.If a substrate 100 with its surface is exactly in the point of intersection, the light beam 98 marks the point of impact exactly in the event of deviations in the position of the substrate 100 in a focus area 101 around the intersection The marking is only in a target area 102 on the surface of the substrate, which is very small due to the acute cutting angle α

The housing section 72 ″ can also house an optical fiber that aligns the light of a laser diode with the radiation axis 98

21 shows a dosing chip 68 "with an integrated light-guiding structure. The dosing chip 68" is rectangular, but has a beveled one Corner 103 on In a lower layer 104, a delivery device, which is a free jet meter and possibly a micro-diaphragm pump, is formed in semiconductor technology.This has its metering opening in the lower section 103 'of the beveled corner.The movement axis 99' of the liquid jet is perpendicular to the bevel of the Corner 103 aligned

Above the layer 104 there is a glass layer 105 which has a light-guiding structure. The light-guiding structure guides light from an external light source 106, which is assigned to one side of the glass layer 105, to an upper section 103 "of the chamfered corner 103. There is the glass layer 105 a micromechanically manufactured lens 107 is integrated. The bundled light emerges perpendicular to the bevel of the corner 103 along the radiation axis 98 ', which is parallel to the movement axis 99' of the liquid

The outside of the glass layer can have a light-tight cover 108 in order to avoid light losses

In addition, a reservoir for liquid can be integrated in the layer 104 or 105. The reservoir can also be formed by an additional layer in microsystem technology, or it can be superimposed in a conventional design or arranged externally

In addition, liquid delivery can be indicated by a perceptible signal, for example an acoustic signal, a “flickering” of the light pointer or simply by a marked pressure point on an actuation button

Claims

Expectations

1 microdosing system with

- a reservoir,

a micromembrane pump, the inlet of which is connected to the reservoir,

a free jet metering device, the input of which is connected to the outlet of the micromembrane pump,

- A metering opening connected to the outlet of the free jet meter and

2 System according to claim 1, wherein the metering control for filling the free jet dosing device with liquid from the reservoir controls the micromembrane pump in the pumping mode and the free jet metering device in the idle state

3 System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metering control for an at least partial filling of free jet doser, micromembrane pump and reservoir through the metering opening with liquid controls the micromembrane pump in the pumping operation with reversal of direction and the free jet meter in the idle state

4 System according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metering control for a free jet dispensing liquid from the metering opening controls the free jet meter in the free jet mode The system of claim 4, wherein the metering controller for free jet delivery controls the micromembrane pump to the idle state

System according to Claim 4 or 5, in which the dosing control controls the dosing quantity for the free jet delivery via the displacement volume of the free jet dosing device

System according to one of Claims 4 to 6, in which the metering control controls the metered quantity when the free jet is emitted via the stroke volume or the stroke volumes of the micromembrane pump when filling the free jet meter

System according to one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the metering control for draining the liquid from the metering opening controls the micromembrane pump into pump mode and the free jet meter into the idle state

System according to Claim 8, in which the metering control controls the metered amount of the flowing liquid via the stroke volume or the stroke volumes of the micromembrane pump

A system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the metering controller displaces an auxiliary liquid column from the reservoir for aspirating liquid through the metering opening or for expelling liquid from the metering opening by controlling the micromembrane pump into pumping operation in one direction or the other and controls the free jet dosing in idle mode The system of claim 10, wherein the dosing control controls the dosing amount of the liquid to be drawn in or driven out via the stroke volume or the stroke volumes of the micromembrane pump

System according to one of Claims 1 to 1 1, in which the components of the micromembrane pump and / or free jet metering device and / or reservoir and / or metering control are combined to form a component using microsystem technology or hybrid technology

Microdosing system with

- a compressible reservoir from which liquid can be compressed by

a free jet metering device can be required, the input of which is connected to the reservoir,

- A metering opening connected to the outlet of the free jet meter and

The system of claim 13, wherein the reservoir has at least one moveable wall accessible for compression from the outside

The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein a moveable wall of the reservoir is a plug that seals against the atmosphere in a connecting portion of the reservoir, or a membrane that seals the reservoir or a bag that defines the reservoir System according to one of Claims 13 to 15, in which a microvalve designed as a non-return valve is arranged between the reservoir and the free-jet metering device, which passes liquid from the reservoir into the free-jet metering device and blocks the passage of the liquid in the opposite direction

System according to one of Claims 13 to 15, in which an active microvalve is arranged between the reservoir and the free-jet metering device, which is in operative connection with the metering control and is actuated by the metering control for filling the free-jet metering device and controlled in the blocking state for free-jet metering

System according to Claim 17, in which a full level sensor is arranged in the free jet meter, which is in operative connection with the metering control which, when the free jet meter is filled, controls the closing of the microvalve as soon as the full level sensor detects the liquid level

System according to one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the dosing control controls the dosing quantity via the displacement volume of the free jet dosing device

System according to one of claims 13 to 19, in which the components reservoir and / or free jet meter and / or microvalve and / or full level sensor are combined to form a component in microsystem technology or hybrid technology

Microdosing system with - a single reservoir,

- is open to a metering opening and

The system of claim 21, wherein the metering controller controls the metered amount of the liquid to be dispensed by the free jet meter via the displacement volume of the free jet meter

The system of claim 22, wherein the dosing controller controls the displacement volume of the free jet dosing device in several steps for the purpose of dispensing a plurality of dosing amounts

System according to one of claims 21 to 23, in which the components free jet dosing and dosing control are combined to form a component in microsystem technology or hybrid technology

Microdosing system with

- a reservoir,

a micromembrane pump, the inlet of which is connected to the reservoir,

- A metering opening connected to the outlet of the micromembrane pump and

a metering control that is operatively connected to the micromembrane pump, - Micro-diaphragm pump and reservoir in microsystem technology or hybrid technology are combined to form a component which can be exchanged and connected to an actuation module

The system of claim 25, wherein the metering controller controls the metering volume via the stroke volume of the micromembrane pump

The system according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the dosing control for setting a starting position for the displacement of the liquid column is connected to a sensor for detecting the meniscus of the liquid at the beginning of a displacement distance of the liquid

The system of claim 27, wherein the sensor is associated with a delivery tube for the liquid

The system of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the delivery tubes are connected to the component

System according to one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the component is interchangeably connected to the foot area of an actuation module

System according to one of Claims 25 to 30, in which the dosing control is permanently connected to the actuation module and the component is connected to the dosing control so as to be separable via electrical contacts

System according to one of claims 25 to 31, wherein the sensor is permanently connected to the actuation module System according to one of Claims 25 to 32, in which the metering control, display and / or operating device are accommodated on a common printed circuit board

The system of claim 33, wherein the circuit board is arranged in the central region of the actuation module

System according to one of Claims 25 to 34, in which the energy supply is accommodated in the head region of the actuation module

Microdosing system with

- a reservoir,

a micromembrane pump, the inlet of which is connected to the reservoir,

- A metering opening connected to the outlet of the micromembrane pump and

- A metering control that is operatively connected to the micromembrane pump and that controls the displacement of an auxiliary liquid column from the reservoir for a suction of liquid through the metering opening or an expulsion of liquid from the metering opening by controlling the micromembrane pump into pumping operation in one direction or the other

The system of claim 36, wherein the metering controller controls the metering amount via the stroke volume of the micromembrane pump A system according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the dosing control for setting a starting position for the displacement of the auxiliary liquid column is connected to a sensor for detecting the meniscus of the auxiliary liquid at the beginning of a displacement path of the auxiliary liquid

System according to one of claims 36 to 38, wherein the dosing control determines the dosing quantity on the basis of a calibration of the stroke volume, which it does by moving the auxiliary fluid column by means of the micromembrane pump along a calibration path between sensors which are operatively connected to it, for the detection of the meniscus of the auxiliary fluid column determined

System according to one of Claims 36 to 39, in which the dosing control controls the dosing volume by controlling the auxiliary liquid by means of the micromembrane pump along the distance, which can be set manually or by means of a mechanical drive, of two sensors that are operatively connected to it for detecting the meniscus of the auxiliary liquid on a displacement path moves, and the distance between the sensors corresponds to the volume to be dosed

The system of claim 40, wherein the actuator has a spindle with an actuator and a spindle nut and a sensor attached to the spindle nut

System according to one of claims 36 to 41, in which the components of the micromembrane pump and / or reservoir and / or metering control a component in microsystem technology or in hybrid technology are combined

Microdosing system with

a reservoir having a capillary compensation system,

- a free jet dosing device, the input of which is connected to the capillary compensation system,

- A metering opening connected to the outlet of the free jet meter and

The system of claim 43, wherein the capillary balancing system has at least one meandering or spiral capillary

System according to claim 43 or 44, in which the capillary compensation system is closed towards a filling and / or venting opening by a plug which can migrate with a liquid filled in the capillary compensation system

System according to one of Claims 43 to 45, in which the capillary compensation system is formed by a channel system in a plate body

The system of claim 46, wherein the plate body has a cover plate closing the channel system The system of claim 46 or 47, wherein the capillary balancing system has a passageway running through the plate body and intersecting the channel system for connection to the free jet metering device

System according to one of claims 43 to 48, in which the capillary compensation system has a wound capillary

System according to one of Claims 43 to 49, in which a microvalve designed as a non-return valve is arranged between the reservoir and the free-jet metering device, which allows liquid to flow from the reservoir into the free-jet metering device and blocks the passage of the liquid in the opposite direction

System according to one of claims 43 to 49, in which an active microvalve is arranged between the reservoir and the free jet metering device, which is in operative connection with the metering control and is controlled by the metering device to fill the free jet metering device and is controlled in the blocking state for free jet dispensing

System according to Claim 51, in which a full-level sensor is arranged in the free-jet meter, which is operatively connected to the metering control which, when the free-jet meter is filled, controls the closing of the microvalve as soon as the full-level sensor detects the liquid level System according to one of claims 43 to 52, in which the metering control controls the metering quantity via the displacement volume of the free jet device

System according to one of Claims 43 to 53, in which the reservoir and / or free jet dosing device and / or dosing control in microsystem technology or hybrid technology are combined to form one component

System according to one of Claims 43 to 54, in which the reservoir consists of plastic and is fastened to a microsystem component which comprises the free-jet metering device

The system of claim 55, wherein the reservoir has a snap connection to the component

System according to one of Claims 43 to 56, in which the reservoir is pressed with a connecting piece against a sealing seat of the free-jet metering device which has an inlet

System according to one of claims 55 to 57, in which the reservoir has a projection over the component and is connected to the projection with an actuation module

The system of claim 58, wherein the component with the free jet dispenser bears free of play against an actuator for the free jet meter that is permanently connected to the actuation module

Microdosing system with - a plastic reservoir,

an essentially plate-shaped delivery device designed as a microsystem component with a micromembrane pump and / or a free-jet metering device, the reservoir and the component being fastened to one another in an overlapping relationship and the entrance of the delivery device being connected to the reservoir,

- A metering opening connected to the output of the conveyor and

- A metering control that is operatively connected to the delivery device

The system of claim 60, wherein the reservoir has a snap connection to the component

System according to Claim 60 or 61, in which the reservoir is pressed with a connecting piece against a sealing seat of the conveying device which has an inlet

System according to one of claims 60 to 62, wherein the reservoir has a protrusion over the microsystem component and is connected to an actuation module on the protrusion

System according to one of Claims 60 to 63, in which the micromembrane pump and / or the free-jet metering device rests without play on an actuator permanently connected to the actuation module System according to one of claims 60 to 64, in which the reservoir is arranged vertically downward above the conveying device when the metering opening is aligned

A system as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 65, in which the reservoir is compressible

Microdosing system with

- a reservoir,

a delivery device with a micromembrane pump and / or a free jet metering device, the input of which is connected to the reservoir,

a metering opening connected to the outlet of the delivery device,

- a metering control in operative connection with the delivery device,

- An actuation module, with which the component comprising the reservoir is exchangeably connected, and

- A temperature-adjustable carrier in which the component removed from the actuation module can be inserted

The system of claim 67, wherein the reservoir is filled with an enzyme

The system of claim 67 or 68, wherein the carrier has one or more temperature-controlled receptacles for one or more components The system of claim 69, wherein the cross-section of the receptacle is complementary to the cross-section of the component

The system of any of claims 67 to 70, wherein the carrier comprises a brine-filled cow pack

Microdosing system with

- a reservoir,

a metering opening connected to the outlet of the delivery device,

- a metering control in operative connection with the delivery device,

The system of claim 72, wherein the coding relates to information about a full substance and / or one or more dosing properties of the replaceable component

System according to Claim 72 or 73, in which the coding and scanning takes place mechanically, magnetically, inductively, optically and / or chemically 75 System according to claim 74, wherein the coding of recesses and / or projections of the component are formed and the scanning device scans the presence and / or the dimensions of the projections or recesses

76 System according to one of claims 72 to 75, in which the scanning device is connected to an evaluation device and / or a display device and / or a storage device and / or a control device

77 microdosing system with

- a reservoir,

a delivery device with a free jet dosing device and possibly a micro-membrane pump, the input of the delivery device being connected to the reservoir,

a metering opening connected to the outlet of the delivery device,

- A metering control in operative connection with the delivery device and

78. The system of claim 77, wherein the light source is a laser diode 79 System according to claim 77 or 78, in which the radiation axis is aligned parallel to the axis of the metering opening and extends on or immediately adjacent to this

80 System according to one of claims 77 to 79, in which the radiation axis is oriented at an acute angle to the axis of the metering opening and intersects this approximately in the impact of the liquid

81 System according to one of claims 77 to 80, wherein the light source has a focusing of the light beam approximately at the point of impact of the liquid

82 System according to claim 80 or 81, in which a plurality of light sources with intersecting axes of intersection in the liquid are present

83 System according to one of claims 77 to 82, in which the light beam is aligned via light guides and / or via a light guide structure integrated in a microsystem component

84 System according to one of claims 1 to 83, wherein the reservoir is prefilled with liquid

85 System according to one of claims 1 to 84, in which the reservoir has a capillary compensation system

86 System according to one of claims 1 to 85, wherein the metering opening has a nozzle shape 87 System according to one of claims 1 to 86, wherein the metering opening is formed on an exchangeable pipette tip

88 System according to one of claims 1 to 87, in which a component is interchangeably connected to an actuation module

89 System according to one of claims 1 to 88, in which the reservoir is connected via a feed capillary to the inlet of the free jet metering device

90 System according to one of claims 1 to 89, in which a cooling device and / or thermal insulation for the liquid is present in particular in the reservoir

91 System according to one of claims 1 to 90, in which a heating device for the liquid is present in particular in the micromembrane pump, free jet metering device and / or connecting lines

92 System according to one of claims 1 to 91, in which a mechanical or fluidic closure is present between the reservoir or metering opening

93 System according to one of claims 1 to 92, wherein the metering control comprises a microcontroller

94 System according to one of claims 1 to 93, which is designed multi-channel with a common reservoir or multiple reservoirs

95. System according to one of claims 1 to 94, which is designed as a hand-held device.