A digital dispense system and method for analyzing samples. The system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. A digital display device is attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user. The fluid volume information is selected from relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.

A solution jetting device includes: a cylindrical member; a movable member that is movably fitted to a hollow portion of the cylindrical member; a first drive mechanism that moves the movable member; a first flow passage that connects a solution container, in which a solution containing a biological sample or containing a reagent to be reacted with a biological sample is contained, to the hollow portion; an openable and closable first on-off valve that is provided on the first flow passage; a jetting tool that jets the solution to an objective region; a second flow passage that connects the hollow portion to the jetting tool; an openable and closable second on-off valve that is provided on the second flow passage; a second drive mechanism as defined herein; and a control unit as defined herein.

Embodiments of the invention related to dispensing devices (100), and more particularly to dispensing devices having a dropper or dispenser (200) associated with a container (900) full of product wherein the dropper (200) may be charged, separated from the container (900), and then used to dispense a product therefrom.

A microfabricated droplet dispensing structure is described, which may include a MEMS microfluidic fluidic valve, configured to open and close a microfluidic channel. The opening and closing of the valve may separate a target particle and a bead from a sample stream, and direct these two particle into a single droplet formed at the edge of the substrate. The droplet may then be encased in a sheath flow of an immiscible fluid.

Metered dispensing of a microfluidic amount of fluid from a reservoir comprises a pressure device which applies a discharge pressure for fluid ejection via a discharge line through a valve arrangement. The valve device has a first valve with a minimum closing time and a second valve with a minimum opening time. A control device provides control signals for operation for metered dispensing of the amount of fluid as follows: a shortened minimum opening time for freeing the discharge line for the fluid flow, which time is shorter than the minimum opening time of the second valve; and a shortened minimum closing time for closing the discharge line for the fluid flow, which time is shorter than the minimum closing time of the first valve. Furthermore, a hand-held device for locally piercing human or animal skin is disclosed.

An apparatus and methods for performing blood coagulation assays using whole blood or plasma samples in a small portable handheld device.

The present invention concerns the technical field of volumetric measurement and volumetric instruments and provides novel devices and methods for the determination of the volume of a fluid.

A system includes a droplet actuator having a droplet-operation gap between top and bottom substrates, a reservoir(s) external to and coupled to the droplet actuator, the reservoir(s) sized for a large-volume fluid, and pressure source(s) external to the droplet actuator and coupled to the at least one reservoir. Operation of the system includes filling the reservoir(s) with a large volume of fluid(s), dispensing droplet(s) of the fluid(s) to the droplet-operation gap using the pressure source(s) as part of performing a droplet operation(s). Movement of the droplet(s) may be effectuated by activating the droplet actuator.

Methods and devices for the formation and/or merging of droplets in microfluidic systems are provided. In certain embodiments a microfluidic droplet merger component is provided that comprises a central channel comprising a plurality of elements disposed and spaced to create a plurality of lateral passages that drain a carrier fluid out of a fluid stream comprising droplets of a first fluid contained in the carrier fluid; and a deformable lateral membrane valve disposed to control the width of said center channel.

A fluid dispenser comprising: a casing (E) that is provided with a dispenser head (11); and a refill cartridge (C) that includes a fluid reservoir (R); wherein the refill cartridge (C) is axially insertable into the casing (E) in such a manner as to connect the fluid reservoir (R) to the dispenser head (11); the fluid dispenser being characterized in that the refill cartridge (C) and the casing (E) are provided with connection means (17, 253) for connecting the refill cartridge (C) in the casing (E) by screw-fastening, so as to bring the fluid reservoir (R) into leaktight contact with the dispenser head (11), the movement, after screw-fastening, of the refill cartridge (C) in the casing (E) towards the dispenser head (11) delivering the fluid to the dispenser head (11).