US20200298558A1 - Liquid dispensing apparatus and liquid discharging device - Google Patents
Liquid dispensing apparatus and liquid discharging device Download PDFInfo
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- US20200298558A1 US20200298558A1 US16/899,349 US202016899349A US2020298558A1 US 20200298558 A1 US20200298558 A1 US 20200298558A1 US 202016899349 A US202016899349 A US 202016899349A US 2020298558 A1 US2020298558 A1 US 2020298558A1
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- liquid
- discharging device
- chemical liquid
- use history
- dispensing apparatus
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
- G01N35/00594—Quality control, including calibration or testing of components of the analyser
- G01N35/00613—Quality control
- G01N35/00623—Quality control of instruments
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
- B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
- B41J2/04536—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits using history data
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B13/00—Machines or plants for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces of objects or other work by spraying, not covered by groups B05B1/00 - B05B11/00
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
- B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
- B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
- B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
- B05B17/0615—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers spray being produced at the free surface of the liquid or other fluent material in a container and subjected to the vibrations
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
- B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
- B41J2/0458—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on heating elements forming bubbles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
- B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
- B41J2/04581—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on piezoelectric elements
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
- G01N35/00722—Communications; Identification
- G01N35/00732—Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
- G01N35/00722—Communications; Identification
- G01N35/00871—Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1009—Characterised by arrangements for controlling the aspiration or dispense of liquids
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1081—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane
- G01N35/1083—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane with one horizontal degree of freedom
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
- B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
- B41J2202/15—Moving nozzle or nozzle plate
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
- G01N35/00722—Communications; Identification
- G01N35/00732—Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
- G01N2035/00742—Type of codes
- G01N2035/00782—Type of codes reprogrammmable code
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
- G01N35/00722—Communications; Identification
- G01N35/00732—Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
- G01N2035/00792—Type of components bearing the codes, other than sample carriers
- G01N2035/00811—Type of components bearing the codes, other than sample carriers consumable or exchangeable components other than sample carriers, e.g. detectors, flow cells
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
- G01N35/00722—Communications; Identification
- G01N2035/00891—Displaying information to the operator
- G01N2035/009—Displaying information to the operator alarms, e.g. audible
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/00584—Control arrangements for automatic analysers
- G01N35/00722—Communications; Identification
- G01N2035/00891—Displaying information to the operator
- G01N2035/0091—GUI [graphical user interfaces]
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N2035/1027—General features of the devices
- G01N2035/103—General features of the devices using disposable tips
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N2035/1027—General features of the devices
- G01N2035/1034—Transferring microquantities of liquid
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- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- Quality & Reliability (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Coating Apparatus (AREA)
- Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
- Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
- Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a liquid discharging device includes a storage unit storing a use history indicating whether the liquid discharging device has been previously used, and a discharging device mounted on a liquid dispensing apparatus and configured to discharge a liquid when supplied a discharge voltage in response to a discharge signal received from the liquid dispensing apparatus.
Description
- This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,087, filed on Aug. 20, 2018, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-159482, filed Aug. 22, 2017, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to a liquid dispensing apparatus and a liquid discharging device.
- In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a liquid is dispensed through a liquid discharging device. The liquid discharging device can be detachable from the liquid dispensing apparatus so that it can be discarded after a single use to prevent contamination.
- However, there is a problem in existing dispensing systems in that the discharging device might be reused or kept in service even though the discharging device is designed, or at least intended, only for single use.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a discharging system according to a first embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a top view of a liquid discharging device according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the liquid discharging device according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F4-F4 ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F5-F5 ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the discharging system according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a configuration example of an IC module according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a liquid dispensing apparatus according to the first embodiment. -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a liquid dispensing apparatus according to a second embodiment. -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F10-F10 ofFIG. 4 according to a third embodiment. - In general, according to one embodiment, a liquid discharging device includes a storage unit storing a use history indicating whether the liquid discharging device has been previously used, and a discharging device mounted on a liquid dispensing apparatus and configured to discharge a liquid when supplied a discharge voltage in response to a discharge signal received from the liquid dispensing apparatus.
- Hereinafter, liquid dispensing apparatuses and liquid discharging devices according to certain example embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted, that the particular embodiments explained below are some possible examples of liquid dispensing apparatuses and chemical liquid discharging devices according to the present disclosure and do not limit the possible configurations, specifications, or the like of liquid dispensing apparatuses and liquid discharging devices according to the present disclosure. The drawings are schematic and are in some instances drawn with exaggeration and omissions for purposes of explanatory convenience. In general, components are not drawn to scale. The number of components, the dimensional ratio between different components, or the like does not necessarily match between different drawings or to actual devices.
- A discharging system according to a first embodiment discharges a predetermined liquid using a piezo jet method. For example, the discharging system discharges several picoliters (pL) to several microliters (μL) of a liquid into a microplate, a multi-well plate, or the like according to a user operation. For example, the discharging system is used in a laboratory in a technical field such as biology, chemistry, or pharmacy research.
- A configuration example of the discharging system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 5 .FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of thedischarging system 500.FIG. 2 is a top view of a chemicalliquid discharging device 2.FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a surface of the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 from which a liquid is discharged.FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F4-F4 inFIG. 2 .FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F5-F5 inFIG. 4 . - As shown in
FIG. 1 , thedischarging system 500 includes a chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1, the chemicalliquid discharging device 2, ahost computer 18, and the like. Thedischarging system 500 may have more elements in addition to the elements depicted inFIG. 1 , or some of the elements depicted inFIG. 1 may be omitted in some embodiments. - The chemical liquid dispensing apparatus (also referred to as a host apparatus) 1 controls the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 to dispense a liquid from the chemicalliquid discharging device 2. - The chemical
liquid dispensing apparatus 1 includes a base 3 of a rectangular flat plate shape, and a mounting module 5 (also referred to as a mounting portion) that mounts the chemicalliquid discharging device 2. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 dispenses the liquid into amicroplate 4 having 1536 wells. Here, the front to rear direction of the base 3 is referred to as an X direction, and the right to left direction of the base 3 is referred to as a Y direction. The X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal. - The
microplate 4 is fixed to the base 3. Themicroplate 4 includes a plurality ofwells 300. Each well 300 of themicroplate 4 holds a predetermined volume of a liquid. For example, the liquids in the microplate can be chemicals, reagents, solutions, solvents, or the like and/or may include cells, blood cells, bacteria, plasma, antibodies, DNA, nucleic acids or proteins. - The chemical
liquid dispensing apparatus 1 includes a pair of right and left Xdirection guide rails microplate 4 on the base 3. Both ends each of the Xdirection guide rails bases - A Y
direction guide rail 8 extending in the Y direction is installed between the Xdirection guide rails direction guide rail 8 are fixed to an Xdirection moving base 9 that is slidable in the X direction along the Xdirection guide rails - The Y
direction guide rail 8 includes a Ydirection moving base 10 that allows amounting module 5 to move in the Y direction along the Ydirection guide rail 8. Themounting module 5 is mounted on the Ydirection moving base 10. The chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is fixed to themounting module 5. - The chemical
liquid discharging device 2 is supported so as to be movable to an arbitrary position in the XY directions orthogonal to each other by a combination of an operation of a movement in the Ydirection moving base 10 along the Ydirection guide rail 8 in the Y direction and an operation of a movement in the Xdirection moving base 9 along the Xdirection guide rails - In the
mounting module 5, aslit 32 for fixing the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is formed. When the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is inserted into theslit 32 from a front surface opening portion side of theslit 32, the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is fixed to the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. - The
mounting module 5 includes adriving circuit 11, a reader-writer 40 and the like. - The
driving circuit 11 drives the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 based on a signal from theprocessor 15. For example, thedriving circuit 11 supplies a signal, electric power, or the like to the liquid discharging device to discharge the liquid from the chemicalliquid discharging device 2. - The reader-writer 40 (also referred to as a communication unit) is an interface device for communicating data to and from an
IC module 50 of the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 in accordance with a communication protocol of theIC module 50. For example, when theIC module 50 is a contact type module, the reader-writer 40 physically and electrically connects to a contact unit of theIC module 50, and the like. - When the
IC module 50 is a non-contact type module, the reader-writer 40 is an antenna, a communication control unit, or the like, for wirelessly communicating with theIC module 50. The reader-writer 40 supplies power to activate theIC module 50, supplies clocks to theIC module 50, controls a reset operation of theIC module 50, transmits/receives data to/from theIC module 50, and the like. - The reader-
writer 40 further transmits various commands to theIC module 50, receives a response for the transmitted command from the IC module, and the like, based on a control from theprocessor 15. - The reader-
writer 40 is installed at a position corresponding to the position of theIC module 50 of the chemicalliquid discharging device 2. That is, the reader-writer 40 is at a position where the reader-writer 40 can communicate with theIC module 50 when the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is set in the mountingmodule 5. - The chemical
liquid discharging device 2 discharges the liquid based on a control of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. - The chemical
liquid discharging device 2 includes abase member 21 of a flat planar shape that is a plate of a rectangular plate shape. As shown inFIG. 2 , a plurality of chemicalliquid holding containers 22 is arranged in a row in the Y direction, on a surface side of thebase member 21. In the first embodiment, eight chemicalliquid holding containers 22 are included. However, the number is not limited to eight. As shown inFIG. 4 , the chemicalliquid holding container 22 is a container of a cylindrical shape having a bottom, of which a top surface is opened. A chemical liquid holding container recessedportion 21 a of a cylindrical shape is formed at a position corresponding to each chemicalliquid holding container 22, on the surface side of thebase member 21. - The bottom portion of the chemical
liquid holding container 22 is adhered and fixed to the recessedportion 21 a. A bottomsurface opening portion 22 a serving as a liquid outlet port is formed at the center position on the bottom portion of the chemicalliquid holding container 22. The opening area of a topsurface opening portion 22 b is larger than the opening area of the bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the liquid outlet port. - At both ends of the
base member 21,mount fixing notches 28 for mounting and fixing the mountingmodule 5 are formed respectively. Themount fixing notch 28 is engaged with the mountingmodule 5. Twonotches 28 of thebase member 21 are formed in a notch shape of a semi-length cylindrical shape. Themount fixing notch 28 may be a notch shape of a semi-circular shape, a semi-elliptical shape, a triangular shape, or the like. In the first embodiment, the shapes of the twonotches 28 are different from each other. Therefore, the left and right shapes of thebase member 21 are different, and it is easy to identify the posture of thebase member 21. - The chemical
liquid discharging device 2 includes theIC module 50 on thebase member 21. When the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is set in the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1, the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 includes theIC module 50 at a position capable of communicating with the reader-writer 40. InFIG. 2 , the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 includes theIC module 50 at a center in Y axis direction. - The
IC module 50 stores the use history of the chemicalliquid discharging device 2. TheIC module 50 transmits a response including the use history for a command transmitted from the reader-writer 40. TheIC module 50 updates the use history in accordance with the command transmitted from the reader-writer 40. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , the same number ofelectrical substrate 23 as the chemicalliquid holding container 22 are arranged in row in the Y direction, on a rear surface side of thebase member 21. Theelectrical substrate 23 is a flat plate member of a rectangular shape. As shown inFIG. 4 , an electrical substrate recessedportion 21 b for mounting theelectrical substrate 23 and a chemical liquid discharge array portion opening 21 d connected with the electrical substrate recessedportion 21 b are formed, on the rear surface side of thebase member 21. A base end portion of the electrical substrate recessedportion 21 b extends to the vicinity of an upper end portion of thebase member 21 inFIG. 3 (the position in the vicinity of the right end portion inFIG. 4 ). As shown inFIG. 4 , a distal end portion of the electrical substrate recessedportion 21 b extends to a position overlapping a portion of the chemicalliquid holding container 22. Theelectrical substrate 23 is adhered and fixed to the electrical substrate recessedportion 21 b. - An
electrical substrate wiring 24 is patterned and formed on a surface opposite to an adhesive fixing surface of the electrical substrate recessedportion 21 b, on theelectrical substrate 23.Wiring patterns driving element 130 are formed on theelectrical substrate wiring 24. - A control
signal input terminal 25 for inputting an electrical signal (also referred to as a driving signal) from the drivingcircuit 11 is formed at one end portion of theelectrical substrate wiring 24. An electrodeterminal connection portion 26 is provided at the other end portion of theelectrical substrate wiring 24. - The
base member 21 includes the chemical liquid discharge array portion opening 21 d. As shown inFIG. 3 , the chemical liquid discharge array portion opening 21 d is an opening portion of a rectangular shape and is formed at a position overlapping with the chemical liquid holding container recessedportion 21 a on the rear surface side of thebase member 21. - A chemical
liquid discharge array 27 is adhered and fixed to the bottom surface of the chemicalliquid holding container 22 with the chemicalliquid discharge array 27 covering the bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the chemicalliquid holding container 22. The chemicalliquid discharge array 27 is disposed at a position corresponding to the chemical liquid discharge array portion opening 21 d of thebase member 21. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , the chemicalliquid discharge array 27 is formed by laminating anozzle plate 100 and apressure chamber structure 200. Thenozzle plate 100 includes anozzle 110 that discharges the liquid, adiaphragm 120, the drivingelement 130 that is a driving unit, aninsulation film 140 that insulates the drivingelement 130, aprotection film 150 that is protection layer, aliquid repellant film 160. Anactuator 170 includes thediaphragm 120 and the drivingelement 130. For example, a plurality ofnozzles 110 is arranged in 3×3 rows. The plurality ofnozzles 110 is positioned inside the bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the liquid outlet port of the chemicalliquid holding container 22. The chemicalliquid holding container 22, thepressure chamber structure 200, theactuator 170, and the like form a discharging portion that discharges the liquid. - For example, the
diaphragm 120 is integrated with thepressure chamber structure 200. When a heat treatment is performed on asilicon wafer 201 in an oxygen atmosphere, a SiO2 (silicon oxide) film is formed on the surface of thesilicon wafer 201. Thediaphragm 120 uses the SiO2 film on the surface of thesilicon wafer 201 formed by the heat treatment in the oxygen atmosphere. Thediaphragm 120 may be formed by depositing the SiO2 film on the surface of thesilicon wafer 201 by a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method. - The film thickness of the
diaphragm 120 is preferably in a range of 1 to 30 μm. Thediaphragm 120 may use a semiconductor material such as SiN (silicon nitride), Al2O3 (aluminum oxide), or the like, instead of the SiO2 film. - The driving
element 130 is formed in eachnozzle 110. The drivingelement 130 is an annular shape surrounding thenozzle 110. The shape of the drivingelement 130 is not limited, and may be, for example, a C shape in which a portion of the circular ring is cut out. - The driving
element 130 is electrically connected to the electrodeterminal connection portion 26. The drivingelement 130 is driven by electric power supplied from the electrodeterminal connection portion 26. - The driving
element 130 includes a piezoelectric film that is a piezoelectric material, and uses PZT (Pb(Zr, Ti)O3: lead zirconate titanate). For example, a piezoelectric film included in the drivingelement 130 may use a piezoelectric material such as PTO (PbTiO3: lead titanate), PMNT (Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 −PbTiO3), PZNT (Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3—PbTiO3), KNN (a compound of KNbO3 and NaNbO3), ZnO, and AlN may be used. - The piezoelectric film included in the driving
element 130 generates a polarization in the thickness direction. When an electric field in the same direction as the polarization is applied to the drivingelement 130, the drivingelement 130 extends or contracts in a direction orthogonal to the electric field direction. That is, the drivingelement 130 contracts or extends in a direction orthogonal to the film thickness direction. - The
nozzle plate 100 includes theprotection film 150. Theprotection film 150 includes a chemicalliquid passage portion 141 of a cylindrical shape that is connected to thenozzle 110 of thediaphragm 120. - The
nozzle plate 100 includes theliquid repellant film 160 that covers theprotection film 150. For example, theliquid repellant film 160 is formed by spin-coating, for example, a silicone resin having a characteristic of repelling a chemical liquid. Theliquid repellant film 160 may also be formed by a fluorinated resin material or the like. - The
pressure chamber structure 200 includes awarp reduction film 220 that is a warp reduction layer on a surface opposite to thediaphragm 120. Thepressure chamber structure 200 includes apressure chamber 210 that penetrates thewarp reduction film 220, is positioned at the position of thediaphragm 120, and is connected to thenozzle 110. For example, thepressure chamber 210 is formed in a circular shape positioned in the same axis as thenozzle 110. - The
pressure chamber 210 includes an opening portion connected to the bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the chemicalliquid holding container 22. It is preferable that the size L in the depth direction of the opening portion of thepressure chamber 210 is larger than the size D in the width direction of the opening portion of thepressure chamber 210. The size L in the depth direction is set to be larger than the size D in the width direction. Therefore, the pressure applied to the liquid in thepressure chamber 210 may delay an escape to the chemicalliquid holding container 22 by a vibration of thediaphragm 120 of thenozzle plate 100. - In the
pressure chamber structure 200, the side on which thediaphragm 120 of thepressure chamber 210 is disposed is referred to as afirst surface 200 a and the side on which thewarp reduction film 220 is disposed is referred to as asecond surface 200 b. The chemicalliquid holding container 22 is adhered to the side of thewarp reduction film 220 of thepressure chamber structure 200 by, for example, an epoxy type adhesive. Thepressure chamber 210 of thepressure chamber structure 200 is connected to the bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the chemicalliquid holding container 22 by an opening portion of the side of thewarp reduction film 220. - The
diaphragm 120 deforms in the thickness direction by an operation of the drivingelement 130 of a surface shape. The chemicalliquid discharging device 2 discharges the liquid supplied to thenozzle 110 by a pressure change generated in thepressure chamber 210 of thepressure chamber structure 200 due to the deformation of thediaphragm 120. - Next, a control system of the discharging
system 500 will be described. - As described above, the discharging
system 500 includes the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1, the chemicalliquid discharging device 2, thehost computer 18 and the like. - The
host computer 18 controls the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 according to a user operation. Thehost computer 18 includes anoperation unit 18 a, adisplay unit 18 b, and the like. Thehost computer 18 includes a processor, a RAM, a ROM, a non-volatile memory (NVM), and the like. - The
operation unit 18 a receives an operation instruction from the user. For example, theoperation unit 18 a is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like. - The
display unit 18 b displays various kinds of information by a control of theprocessor 15. For example, thedisplay unit 18 b includes a liquid crystal display. When theoperation unit 18 a includes a touch panel or the like, thedisplay unit 18 b may be formed integrally with theoperation unit 18 a. - The
host computer 18 receives various inputs through theoperation unit 18 a. For example, thehost computer 18 receives an input indicating that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with a liquid. Thehost computer 18 receives an input selection for discharging the liquid from the chemicalliquid holding container 22. - When the
host computer 18 receives the input selection for discharging the liquid from the chemicalliquid holding container 22, thehost computer 18 transmits a signal for discharging the liquid to the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. - The
host computer 18 may receive inputs for each chemicalliquid holding container 22. For example, thehost computer 18 may receive an input indicating that the filling has been completed or discharging has been instructed separately for each chemicalliquid holding container 22. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 includes the X direction movingbase control circuit 9 a, the X direction movingbase motor 9 b, the Y direction movingbase control circuit 10 a, the Y direction movingbase motor 10 b, the drivingcircuit 11, theprocessor 15, thememory 16, theinterface 17, the reader-writer 40, and the like. Such units are connected to each other through a data bus. The chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 may have more elements in addition to the elements depicted inFIG. 6 , or some of the elements depicted inFIG. 6 may be omitted in some embodiments. - The
processor 15 has a function of controlling all operations of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. Theprocessor 15 may include an internal cache, various interfaces, and the like. Theprocessor 15 realizes various processes by executing a program stored in advance in the internal cache, thememory 16, or the like. - Some of the various functions realized by the execution of the program by the
processor 15 may be realized by a hardware circuit. In this case, theprocessor 15 controls a function executed by the hardware circuit. - The
memory 16 stores various data. For example, thememory 16 stores a control program, a control data, and the like. The control program and the control data are incorporated in advance according to a specification of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. The control program is a program or the like supporting the function realized by the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. - The
memory 16 temporarily stores data or the like under processing of theprocessor 15. Thememory 16 may store data necessary for executing an application program, an execution result of the application program, and the like. - The
interface 17 is an interface for communicating data to and from thehost computer 18. For example, theinterface 17 is connected to thehost computer 18 through a wired or wireless line. For example, theinterface 17 may support a LAN connection, a USB connection, or a Bluetooth connection. - The X direction moving
base control circuit 9 a drives the X direction movingbase motor 9 b based on a signal from theprocessor 15. The X direction movingbase control circuit 9 a drives the X direction movingbase motor 9 b by supplying a signal or electric power to the X direction movingbase motor 9 b. - The X direction moving
base motor 9 b moves the Xdirection moving base 9 in the X direction. For example, the X direction movingbase motor 9 b is connected to the Xdirection moving base 9 through a gear or the like and moves the Xdirection moving base 9 in the X direction. - The Y direction moving
base control circuit 10 a drives the Y direction movingbase motor 10 b based on a signal from theprocessor 15. The Y direction movingbase control circuit 10 a drives the Y direction movingbase motor 10 b by supplying a signal or electric power to the Y direction movingbase motor 10 b. - The Y direction moving
base motor 10 b moves the Ydirection moving base 10 in the Y direction. For example, the Y direction movingbase motor 10 b is connected to the Ydirection moving base 10 through a gear or the like and moves the Ydirection moving base 10 in the Y direction. - Next, the
IC module 50 will be described. -
FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of theIC module 50. - The
IC module 50 includes an IC chip Ca and a communication unit 55 (also referred as an external interface). - The
communication unit 55 and the IC chip Ca are integrated in theIC module 50 and connect to each other. The IC chip Ca includes aprocessor 51, aROM 52, aRAM 53, aNVM 54, and the like. Theprocessor 51, theROM 52, theRAM 53, theNVM 54 and thecommunication unit 55 are connected to each other through a data bus. The IC module may have more elements in addition to the elements depicted inFIG. 7 , or some of the elements depicted inFIG. 7 may be omitted in some embodiments. - The
processor 51 has a function of controlling all operations of theIC module 50. Theprocessor 51 realizes various processes based on a control program or control data, which is stored in advance in theROM 52 or theNVM 54. Theprocessor 51 realizes controls and information processes for each unit of theIC module 50 by executing a program. For example, theprocessor 51 carries out operation controls for theIC module 50 or various processes in accordance with an operational state of theIC module 50 by executing a program stored in theROM 52. - Some of the various functions realized by the execution of the program by the
processor 51 may be realized by a hardware circuit. In this case, theprocessor 51 controls a function executed by the hardware circuit. - The
ROM 52 is a nonvolatile memory in which a control program, control data, and the like are stored in advance. TheROM 52 is incorporated into theIC module 50 in a state of storing the control program, the control data, and the like at a manufacturing stage. That is, the control program and the control data stored in theROM 52 are incorporated in advance according to a specification of theIC module 50 and the like. - The
RAM 53 is a volatile memory. TheRAM 53 temporarily stores data or the like under processing of theprocessor 51. For example, theRAM 53 functions as a calculation buffer, a receiving buffer and a transmitting buffer. The calculation buffer temporarily holds results of various calculation processes executed by theprocessor 51 or the like. The receiving buffer holds command data received by the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 via thecommunication unit 55 or the like. The transmitting buffer holds messages (referred to response data) transmitted to the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 via thecommunication unit 55 or the like. - The
NVM 54 includes a nonvolatile memory capable of writing and rewriting data, for example, an EEPROM®, a flash ROM, or the like. TheNVM 54 stores a control program, an application, various data, and the like according to an operational application of theIC module 50. For example, program files and data files are created in theNVM 54. The control program, the various data, or the like is written in each of the created files. - The
NVM 54 includes astorage area 54 a that stores the use history. The use history will be described in detail later. - The
communication unit 55 is an interface for communicating data to and from the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. That is, thecommunication unit 55 is an interface for communicating with the reader-writer 40 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. When theIC module 50 is implemented as a contact type IC card, thecommunication unit 55 includes a communication control unit and a contact unit for physically and electrically connecting to the reader-writer 40 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 in order to transmit and receive a signal. For example, theIC module 50 is activated by receiving operating power and an operating clock from the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 thorough the contact unit. - When the
IC module 50 is implemented as a non-contact type IC card, thecommunication unit 55 includes a communication control unit, such as a modulation/demodulation circuit, and an antenna for wirelessly communicating with the reader-writer 40 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. For example, theIC module 50 receives a radio wave from the reader-writer 40 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 through the modulation/demodulation circuit or the like. TheIC module 50 is activated by generating operating power and an operating clock from the radio wave using a power source unit that is not shown in the drawing. - Next, the use history stored in the
storage area 54 a will be described. - The use history indicates whether or not the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has been used. For example, the use history indicates whether or not the liquid is discharged from the chemicalliquid discharging device 2. When the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 discharges the liquid once (from at least one chemical liquid holding container 22), the use history indicates that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used. - For example, the use history is a bit or the like indicating whether or not the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has been used. For example, in a case of “0”, the use history indicates that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has not been used (unused). In in a case of “1”, the use history indicates that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used. - For example, at the time of manufacturing the chemical
liquid discharging device 2, the use history indicates that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has not been used (unused). - Next, a function realized by the
processor 51 of theIC module 50 will be described. The following function is realized by theprocessor 51 executing the program stored in theNVM 54 or the like. - First, the
processor 51 has a function of transmitting the use history to the reader-writer 40 through thecommunication unit 55. - For example, the
processor 51 receives a command requesting the use history from theprocessor 15 through thecommunication unit 55. When theprocessor 51 receives the command, theprocessor 51 acquires the use history from thestorage area 54 a. When theprocessor 51 acquires the use history, theprocessor 51 transmits a response including the use history to theprocessor 15 through thecommunication unit 55. - The
processor 51 has a function of rewriting the use history according to a command from the reader-writer 40. - For example, the
processor 51 receives a command instructing to write information indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used in thestorage area 54 a through thecommunication unit 55. When theprocessor 51 receives the command, theprocessor 51 stores the information (for example, bit) indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is used as the use history in thestorage area 54 a. When theprocessor 51 stores the information indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used in thestorage area 54 a, theprocessor 51 transmits a response indicating that the use history is successfully rewritten to the reader-writer 40 through thecommunication unit 55. - When the
processor 51 stores the information indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used as the use history, theprocessor 51 may lock thestorage area 54 a. - Next, the function realized by the
processor 15 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 will be described. The following function is realized by theprocessor 15 executing the program stored in thememory 16 or the like. - First, the
processor 15 has a function of acquiring the use history from theIC module 50. - The
processor 15 determines whether or not the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is set in the mountingmodule 5. For example, theprocessor 15 determines whether or not the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is set in the mountingmodule 5 according to a signal from a sensor that is not shown in the drawing. - When it is determined that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 is set in the mountingmodule 5, theprocessor 15 transmits a command requesting the use history to theIC module 50 through the reader-writer 40. Theprocessor 15 receives a response including the use history as a response for the command from theIC module 50. - The
processor 15 has a function of discharging the liquid from the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 based on the acquired use history. - When the acquired use history indicates that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has not been used, theprocessor 15 causes the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 to discharge the chemical liquid. - For example, the operator supplies a predetermined amount of the liquid to the chemical
liquid holding container 22 from the topsurface opening portion 22 b of the chemicalliquid holding container 22 by a pipette or the like. The liquid is inside the chemicalliquid holding container 22. The bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the bottom portion of the chemicalliquid holding container 22 is connected to the chemicalliquid discharge array 27. The liquid in the chemicalliquid holding container 22 is filled in eachpressure chamber 210 of the chemicalliquid discharge array 27 through the bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the bottom surface of the chemicalliquid holding container 22. - The liquid reagent in the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 includes any of, for example, a low molecular weight compound, a fluorescent reagent, a protein, an antibody, a nucleic acid, a plasma, a bacteria, a blood cell or a cell. In general, a main solvent in the liquid (substance having the largest weight ratio or volume ratio) is water, glycerin, or dimethylsulfoxide. - The user inputs an operation instruction for discharging the liquid to the
operation unit 18 a of thehost computer 18. The operator may input the operation instruction for discharging the liquid from a specific chemicalliquid holding container 22. - When the
host computer 18 receives the operation instruction for discharging the liquid, thehost computer 18 transmits a signal (discharge signal) instructing the discharge of the liquid with respect to the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. The discharge signal may be an instruction of the discharge of the liquid from a specific chemicalliquid holding container 22. - The
processor 15 receives the discharge signal through theinterface 17. When the acquired use history indicates that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has not been used, theprocessor 15 causes the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 to discharge the liquid based on the discharge signal. - The
processor 15 controls the X direction movingbase motor 9 b and the Y direction movingbase motor 10 b to move the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 set in the mountingmodule 5 to a predetermined position. For example, theprocessor 15 moves the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 to a position where the plurality ofnozzles 110 is inserted into a well 300. Theprocessor 15 may move the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 to the predetermined position according to the discharge signal. - When the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 is moved to the predetermined position, theprocessor 15 applies a discharge voltage to the drivingelement 130 using the drivingcircuit 11 for discharging the liquid. - The
processor 15 transmits a signal to the drivingcircuit 11, and a voltage control signal is input from the drivingcircuit 11 to the drivingelement 130. In response to the application of the voltage control signal, the drivingelement 130 deforms thediaphragm 120 to change the volume of thepressure chamber 210. Therefore, the liquid is discharged as a droplet from thenozzle 110 of the chemicalliquid discharge array 27. As a result, the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 dispenses a predetermined amount of liquid from thenozzle 110 to the well 300 of themicroplate 4. - To dispense the predetermined amount of liquid to each well 300 of the
microplate 4, theprocessor 15 repeats an operation of transmitting a signal to the X direction movingbase control circuit 9 a, the Y direction movingbase control circuit 10 a, and the drivingcircuit 11. - The number of times and the position at which the
processor 15 causes the liquid to be discharged are not limited to a specific configuration. - When the use history indicates that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has not been used, theprocessor 15 may transmit a signal indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has not been used to thehost computer 18. Thehost computer 18 may display that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has not been used on thedisplay unit 18 b or the like, based on the corresponding signal. - When the acquired use history indicates that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has been previously used, theprocessor 15 does not discharge the liquid from the chemicalliquid discharging device 2. - For example, when the acquired use history indicates that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has been previously used, theprocessor 15 does not discharge the liquid even when theprocessor 15 receives the discharge signal. Theprocessor 15 transmits a signal indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used to thehost computer 18 through theinterface 17. - When the
host computer 18 receives the corresponding signal, thehost computer 18 displays a warning or the like indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used on thedisplay unit 18 b or the like. - The
processor 15 has a function of storing the use history indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used in theIC module 50 of the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 when the liquid has been discharged. - When the discharge of the liquid has been completed, the
processor 15 generates a command instructing to rewrite the use history to indicate that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used. For example, theprocessor 15 generates a command instructing to rewrite the use history stored in thestorage area 54 a. Theprocessor 15 transmits the generated command to theIC module 50 through the reader-writer 40. - The
processor 15 receives a response indicating that the rewriting has been completed from theIC module 50 through the reader-writer 40. When theprocessor 15 receives a response indicating that the rewriting has been failed or when theprocessor 15 has not receive the response, theprocessor 15 may re-transmit the generated command to theIC module 50. - Next, an operation example of the
processor 15 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 will be described. -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing the operation example of theprocessor 15 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. - First, the
processor 15 determines whether or not the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is set in the mounting module 5 (ACT 11). When it is determined that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is not set in the mounting module 5 (ACT 11, NO), theprocessor 15 returns toACT 11. - When it is determined that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 is set in the mounting module 5 (ACT 11, YES), theprocessor 15 reads the use history from the IC module 50 (ACT 12). According to the use history fromIC module 50, theprocessor 15 determines whether or not the use history indicates that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used (ACT 13). - When it is determined that the use history indicates that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has not been used (is previously unused) (ACT 13, NO), theprocessor 15 determines whether or not the discharge signal has been received through the interface 17 (ACT 14). When it is determined that the discharge signal has not been received through the interface 17 (ACT 14, NO), theprocessor 15 returns to ACT 14. - When it is determined that the discharge signal has been received through the interface 17 (ACT 14, YES), the
processor 15 causes the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 to discharge the liquid according to the discharge signal (ACT 15). - When the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has been caused to discharge the liquid, theprocessor 15 rewrite the use history stored in theIC module 50 to indicate that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used (ACT 16). - When it is determined that the use history indicates that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has been previously used (ACT 13, YES), theprocessor 15 transmits the signal indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used to thehost computer 18 through the interface 17 (ACT 17). - When the used history stored in the
IC module 50 indicates that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used (ACT 16), or when the signal indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used is transmitted to the host computer 18 (ACT 17), theprocessor 15 ends the operation. - The chemical
liquid discharging device 2 may include a memory for storing the use history instead of theIC module 50. The chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 may directly access to the memory to acquire the use history. The chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 may directly access to the memory to rewrite the use history to indicate that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used. - The
host computer 18 may transmit a request to rewrite the use history to indicate that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used to theprocessor 15. Theprocessor 15 may rewrite the use history stored in theIC module 50 to indicate that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used according to the request. - The
IC module 50 may store the use history of each chemicalliquid holding container 22. That is, theIC module 50 stores the information indicating whether or not each chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been used. - For example, the
processor 15 acquires the use history of each chemicalliquid holding container 22 from theIC module 50. After the processor acquires the use history, theprocessor 15 receives the discharge signal from thehost computer 18 for discharging the liquid from the chemicalliquid holding container 22. Once the discharge signal has been received, theprocessor 15 determines whether or not the use history indicates the corresponding chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been previously used. When the use history indicates that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has not been used (that is unused), theprocessor 15 causes the chemicalliquid holding container 22 to discharge the liquid according to the discharge signal. Once the discharge operation has been completed, theprocessor 15 rewrites the use history of the corresponding chemicalliquid holding container 22 stored in theIC module 50 to indicate that the corresponding chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been used. - When the use history of the corresponding chemical
liquid holding container 22 indicates that the corresponding chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been used, theprocessor 15 does not perform the discharge operation even after theprocessor 15 receives the discharge signal. In this case, theprocessor 15 may transmit a signal indicating that the corresponding chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been previously used to thehost computer 18. - The discharging system can rewrite the use history of the corresponding liquid discharging device in the IC module. The discharging system can check the use history before discharging a liquid from the liquid discharging device. When the use history stored in the IC module indicates that the liquid discharging device has been used, the discharging system does not cause the liquid discharging device to discharge the liquid.
- When the liquid discharging device discharges the liquid, the discharging system rewrites the use history stored in the IC module to indicate that the liquid discharging device has been used.
- As a result, the discharging system can prevent the discharge of a liquid via the reuse of a liquid discharging device that has been previously used.
- A chemical
liquid dispensing apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus according to the second embodiment rewrites the use history stored in theIC module 50 to indicate that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been used once the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with the liquid. The same reference numerals are used for the components that are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions of repeated components may be omitted. - The
host computer 18 receives an input indicating that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with a liquid through theoperation unit 18 a. For example, when the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with the liquid, the user enters an input that indicating filling of the liquid has been completed to theoperation unit 18 a. - When the
host computer 18 receives the input indicating the filling of the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been completed, thehost computer 18 transmits a filling signal indicating that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with the liquid to the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 through theinterface 17. - Next, the function realized by the
processor 15 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 will be described. The following function is realized by theprocessor 15 executing the program stored in thememory 16 or the like. - The
processor 15 has a function of detecting that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with the liquid. - For example, the
processor 15 determines whether or not the filling signal has been received from thehost computer 18. When it is determined that the filling signal has been received from thehost computer 18, theprocessor 15 determines that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with the liquid. - The chemical
liquid dispensing apparatus 1 or the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 may include a sensor for detecting that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with the liquid. Theprocessor 15 may detect that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with the chemical liquid using the corresponding sensor. - A method of detecting whether or not the chemical
liquid holding container 22 has been filled with the liquid by theprocessor 15 is not limited to any specific method. - The
processor 15 has a function of rewriting the use history stored in theIC module 50 to indicate that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used when theprocessor 15 detects that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been filled with the liquid. - The operation of rewriting the use history stored in the
IC module 50 to indicate that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used by theprocessor 15 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. - Next, an operation example of the
processor 15 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 will be described. -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing the operation example of theprocessor 15 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1. - First, the
processor 15 determines whether or not the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is set in the mounting module 5 (ACT 21). When it is determined that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 is not set in the mounting module 5 (ACT 21, NO), theprocessor 15 returns to ACT21. - When it is determined that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 is set in the mounting module 5 (ACT 21, YES), theprocessor 15 reads the use history from the IC module 50 (ACT 22). According to the use history, theprocessor 15 determines whether or not the use history indicates that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been previously used (ACT23). - When the user history indicates that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has not been used (unused) (ACT23, NO), theprocessor 15 determines whether or not the filling signal has been received through the interface 17 (ACT 24). When it is determined that the filling signal has not been received through the interface 17 (ACT 24, NO), theprocessor 15 returns toACT 24. - When it is determined that the filling signal has been received through the interface 17 (
ACT 24, YES), theprocessor 15 rewrites the use history stored in theIC module 50 to indicate that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used (ACT 25). - When the use history stored in the
IC module 50 indicates that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used, theprocessor 15 determines whether or not the discharge signal has been received through the interface 17 (ACT26). When it is determined that the discharge signal has not been received through the interface 17 (ACT 26, NO), theprocessor 15 returns toACT 26. - When it is determined that the discharge signal has been received through the interface 17 (
ACT 26, YES), theprocessor 15 causes the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 to discharge the liquid according to the discharge signal (ACT27). - When it is determined that the use history indicates that the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has been used (ACT 23, YES), theprocessor 15 transmits the signal indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used to thehost computer 18 through the interface 17 (ACT28). - When the chemical
liquid discharging device 2 has been caused to discharge the liquid (ACT27), or when the signal indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2 has been used has been transmitted to the host computer 18 (ACT28), theprocessor 15 ends the operation. - Similarly to the first embodiment, the
IC module 50 may store the use history of each chemicalliquid holding container 22. That is, theIC module 50 stores information indicating whether or not each chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been used. - For example, the
processor 15 acquires the use history of each chemicalliquid holding container 22 from theIC module 50. After theprocessor 15 acquires the use history, theprocessor 15 receives the filling signal from thehost computer 18 indicating the chemical liquid holding container has been filled. When theprocessor 15 receives the filling signal, theprocessor 15 determines whether or not the use history of the corresponding chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been used. When the use history stored in theIC module 50 indicates that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 has not been used (unused), theprocessor 15 rewrites the use history of the corresponding chemicalliquid holding container 22 to indicate that the corresponding chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been used. - When the use history indicates that the corresponding chemical
liquid holding container 22 has been used, theprocessor 15 does not perform the discharge operation even after theprocessor 15 receives the discharge signal. In this case, theprocessor 15 may transmit a signal indicating that the corresponding chemicalliquid holding container 22 has been used to thehost computer 18. - The discharging system can rewrite the use history stored in the IC module to indicate that the chemical liquid discharging device has been used once the chemical liquid holding container has been filled with the liquid. As a result, the discharging system can store the information indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device has been used in the IC module of the chemical liquid discharging device and can prevent contamination after the chemical liquid holding container has filled with the liquid but has not discharged the liquid by the user.
- A liquid discharging device according to a third embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the liquid discharging device according to the third embodiment discharges the liquid by a thermal jet method. The same reference numerals are used for the components that are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions of repeated components may be omitted.
- The discharging
system 500′ according to the third embodiment includes a chemicalliquid discharging device 2′. - The chemical
liquid discharging device 2′ includes a chemicalliquid discharge array 27′ in place of the chemicalliquid discharge array 27. -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F10-F10 ofFIG. 4 . - As shown in
FIG. 10 , the chemicalliquid discharge array 27′ is formed by laminating asilicon substrate 400 and aphotosensitive resin 450. Aninlet port 411 connected to the bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the liquid outlet port of the chemicalliquid holding container 22 is formed on a surface side (referred to as asecond surface 400 a) of thesilicon substrate 400. A thin filmheat transfer heater 432 which is an actuator and a wiring (not specifically depicted) that is connected to the thin filmheat transfer heater 432 are formed on a rear surface side (also referred to as afirst surface 400 b) of thesilicon substrate 400. The thin filmheat transfer heater 432 is electrically connected to the electrodeterminal connection portion 26. - The
photosensitive resin 450 is a substrate on which apressure chamber 410 is formed. Aflow path 451 connected to theinlet port 411, thepressure chamber 410, and thenozzle 110 are formed on thephotosensitive resin 450. Thepressure chamber 410 is an area where the thin filmheat transfer heater 432 is formed in theflow path 451. The thin filmheat transfer heater 432 generates heat by electric power supplied from a wiring. The liquid in thepressure chamber 410 is heated and boiled by the thin filmheat transfer heater 432, and thus the liquid is discharged from thenozzle 110. - For example, a plurality of
nozzles 110 is arranged in six rows in the X direction and two rows in the Y direction. The plurality ofnozzles 110 is positioned inside the bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the liquid outlet port of the chemicalliquid holding container 22. - Next, an operation of discharging the liquid will be described. The bottom
surface opening portion 22 a of the lower portion of the chemicalliquid holding container 22 is connected to theinlet port 411 and theflow path 451 of the chemicalliquid discharge array 27′. The liquid in the chemicalliquid holding container 22 is filled from the bottomsurface opening portion 22 a of the chemicalliquid holding container 22 to eachpressure chamber 410 in theflow path 451 formed on thephotosensitive resin 450 through theinlet port 411 formed on thesilicon substrate 400. - The voltage control signal input to the control
signal input terminal 25 of theelectrical substrate wiring 24 from the drivingcircuit 11 is applied to a plurality of thin filmheat transfer heater 432 of the chemicalliquid discharge array 27′. Therefore, the plurality of thin filmheat transfer heater 432 generates heat, and the liquid in thepressure chamber 410 is heated and boiled. As a result, the liquid is discharged from thenozzle 110 as a chemical liquid droplet. A predetermined amount of liquid is dispensed from thenozzle 110 to the well 300 of themicroplate 4. - In the thermal jet method, the liquid is come into contact with the thin film
heat transfer heater 432 having a temperature equal to or higher than 300° C. Therefore, in the thermal jet method, it is preferable that the chemical liquid with high heat resistance that is not deteriorated even when the liquid is come into contact with a heater having a temperature equal to or higher than 300° C. is discharged. - The discharging system configured as described above stores the use history of the chemical liquid discharging device in the IC module provided in the corresponding chemical liquid discharging device. The discharging system checks the use history when the liquid is discharged from the chemical liquid discharging device. When the use history stored in the IC module indicates that the chemical liquid discharging device has been used, the discharging system does not discharge the liquid from the chemical liquid discharging device.
- The discharging
system 500′ may have a characteristic of Second Embodiment. That is, theprocessor 15 of the chemicalliquid dispensing apparatus 1 of the dischargingsystem 500′ stores the information indicating that the chemicalliquid discharging device 2′ has been used in theIC module 50 when theprocessor 15 detects that the chemicalliquid holding container 22 of the chemicalliquid discharging device 2′ is filled with the chemical liquid. - The chemical liquid discharging device has a simple structure compared to a piezo jet method, and thus it is possible to miniaturize the actuator. Therefore, the chemical liquid discharging device can dispose the nozzles at high density compared to the piezo jet method.
- In the example embodiments described above, the driving
element 130 that is the driving unit has a circular shape. However, the shape of the driving unit is not limited. For example, the shape of the driving unit may be a diamond shape, an ellipse shape, or the like. The shape of thepressure chamber 210 is not limited to a circular shape, and the shape of thepressure chamber 210 may be a diamond shape, an ellipse shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. - In the example embodiment described above, the
nozzle 110 is disposed at the center of the drivingelement 130. However, as long as the liquid can be discharged from thepressure chamber 210, the position of thenozzle 110 is not limited. For example, thenozzle 110 may be formed the outside of the drivingelement 130 rather than the inside of the area of the drivingelement 130. - While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Claims (20)
1. A liquid dispensing apparatus, comprising:
a mounting portion on which a liquid discharging device can be mounted;
a reader-writer configured to acquire a use history from a storage unit on the liquid discharging device that is mounted on the mounting portion;
a driving circuit to supply driving voltages to a discharging device of the liquid discharging device mounted on the mounting portion; and
a controller configured to:
cause the reader-writer to read the use history in storage unit of the liquid discharging device, and
cause the driving circuit to supply a discharge voltage to the discharging device if the acquired use history indicates the liquid discharging device has not been previously used.
2. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to cause the use history to indicate that the liquid discharging device has been used if the controller causes the driving circuit to supply the discharge voltage to the discharging device.
3. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to cause the use history to indicate that the liquid discharging device has been previously used if the controller detects that a liquid holding container of the liquid discharging device has been filled with the liquid.
4. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid discharging device comprises a modulation/demodulation circuit and an antenna for wirelessly communicating with the reader-writer.
5. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid discharging device comprises a piezoelectric film.
6. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the discharging device is a heater.
7. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reader-writer includes an antenna, and the use history is acquired via a communication through the antenna.
8. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reader-writer acquires the use history via a wired connection to the liquid discharging device.
9. A liquid dispensing apparatus, comprising:
a mount for a liquid discharging device;
a reader-writer configured to read a use history from the liquid discharging device mounted on the mount;
a driving circuit to supply driving voltages to an actuator of the liquid discharging device; and
a controller configured to:
cause the reader-writer to read the use history from the liquid discharging device, and
control the driving circuit to supply a discharge voltage to the actuator only if the acquired use history indicates the liquid discharging device has not been previously used.
10. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the reader-writer to change the use history of the liquid discharging device to indicate that the liquid discharging device has been used after the controller controls the driving circuit to supply the discharge voltage to the actuator.
11. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the reader-writer to change the use history of the liquid discharging device to indicate that the liquid discharging device has been previously used if the controller detects that a liquid holding container of the liquid discharging device has been filled with liquid.
12. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the reader-writer includes an antenna, and the use history is acquired via a communication through the antenna.
13. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the reader-writer acquires the use history via a wired connection to the liquid discharging device.
14. A method for discharging a liquid from a liquid dispensing device, comprising:
determining a liquid dispensing device is mounted on a liquid dispensing apparatus;
reading a use history from a storage device on the liquid dispensing device after the liquid dispensing device has been mounted on the liquid dispensing apparatus;
driving an actuator of the liquid dispensing device to discharge a liquid only if the use history indicates that the liquid dispensing device has not been previously used; and
changing the use history stored in the storage device to indicate that the liquid dispensing device has been previously.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the use history is acquired wirelessly directly from the liquid dispensing device.
16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the use history is acquired via a wired connection to the liquid dispensing device.
17. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the use history stored in the storage device is changed according to a wireless communication between the liquid dispensing apparatus and the liquid dispensing device.
18. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the use history stored in the storage device is changed according to a communication via wired connection between the liquid dispensing apparatus and the liquid dispensing device.
19. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric film.
20. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the actuator comprises a heater.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US16/899,349 US20200298558A1 (en) | 2017-08-22 | 2020-06-11 | Liquid dispensing apparatus and liquid discharging device |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2017-159482 | 2017-08-22 | ||
JP2017159482A JP7019344B2 (en) | 2017-08-22 | 2017-08-22 | Drug droplet drop device and drug solution discharge device |
US16/105,087 US10717272B2 (en) | 2017-08-22 | 2018-08-20 | Liquid discharging device storing a use history |
US16/899,349 US20200298558A1 (en) | 2017-08-22 | 2020-06-11 | Liquid dispensing apparatus and liquid discharging device |
Related Parent Applications (1)
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US16/105,087 Division US10717272B2 (en) | 2017-08-22 | 2018-08-20 | Liquid discharging device storing a use history |
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US20200298558A1 true US20200298558A1 (en) | 2020-09-24 |
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US16/899,349 Abandoned US20200298558A1 (en) | 2017-08-22 | 2020-06-11 | Liquid dispensing apparatus and liquid discharging device |
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US11879766B2 (en) | 2020-05-15 | 2024-01-23 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Droplet dispensing apparatus |
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JP2019184495A (en) | 2018-04-13 | 2019-10-24 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Droplet dispensing device |
JP7433821B2 (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2024-02-20 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Chemical liquid dropping device |
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WO2011024218A1 (en) * | 2009-08-26 | 2011-03-03 | 株式会社ミマキエンジニアリング | Printer device and printing method using same |
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JP2017015466A (en) | 2015-06-29 | 2017-01-19 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Droplet injection device |
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JP2018048928A (en) | 2016-09-23 | 2018-03-29 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Droplet injecting device |
JP6779724B2 (en) | 2016-09-23 | 2020-11-04 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Droplet injection device |
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JP2018048926A (en) | 2016-09-23 | 2018-03-29 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Droplet injecting device |
JP7012430B2 (en) | 2016-12-21 | 2022-01-28 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Chemical discharge device and chemical droplet lowering device |
JP2018163015A (en) | 2017-03-24 | 2018-10-18 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Droplet dispensing device |
JP7019303B2 (en) | 2017-03-24 | 2022-02-15 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Droplet dispenser |
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JP2018163017A (en) | 2017-03-24 | 2018-10-18 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Droplet dispensing device |
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---|---|---|---|---|
US11879766B2 (en) | 2020-05-15 | 2024-01-23 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Droplet dispensing apparatus |
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EP3447500A1 (en) | 2019-02-27 |
CN109420580B (en) | 2021-10-26 |
JP2019037910A (en) | 2019-03-14 |
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CN109420580A (en) | 2019-03-05 |
US10717272B2 (en) | 2020-07-21 |
US20190061342A1 (en) | 2019-02-28 |
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