DISPENSING DEVICE HAVING A DISPENSER FOR DISPENSING A LIQUID CONTAINING AT LEAST ONE CELL AND/OR AT LEAST ONE PARTICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing device having a dispenser for dispensing a liquid containing at least one cell and/or at least one particle and an optical detection device for optically detecting at least a region of the dispenser, which has a light source for emitting an illuminating light for illuminating the region and a deflection device for deflecting a detection light emanating from the region. The dispensing device is characterised in that the deflection device deflects the detection light at least twice, in particular exactly twice.

Claims

1. A dispensing device (1) comprising: a dispenser (2) for dispensing a liquid (4) containing at least one cell (3) and/or at least one particle, and an optical detection device (5) for optically detecting at least a region (6) of the dispenser (2), the optical detection device (5) having a light source (7) for emitting an illuminating light (8) for illuminating the region (6) and a deflection device (9) for deflecting a detection light (15) emanating from the region (6), wherein the deflection device (9) deflects the detection light (15) at least twice.

2. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a. the deflection device (9) deflects the illuminating light (8) at least twice, and/or b. the illuminating light (8) exiting through a first side (10) of the deflection device is deflected at least twice by the deflection device (9) relative to the illuminating light (8) entering through a second side (11) of the deflection device and/or c. the illuminating light (8) exiting from the deflection device (9) runs offset to the illuminating light (8) entering the deflection device (9) and/or d. the illuminating light (8) exiting from the deflection device (9) is displaced substantially parallel, to the illuminating light (8) entering the deflection device.

3. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein a. the detection light (15) exiting from the deflection device (9) runs offset to the detection light (15) entering the deflection device (9) and/or b. the detection light (15) exiting from the deflection device (9) is displaced substantially parallel, to the detection light (15) entering the deflection device (9) and/or c. the detection light (15) exiting through a second side (11) of the deflection device (9) is deflected at least twice by the deflection device (9) relative to the detection light (15) entering through a first side (10) of the deflection device.

4. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a. the deflection device (9) has at least one prism (24) for deflecting the detection light (15) and/or the illuminating light (8) and/or b. the deflection device (9) has at least one prism (24) with a base area which has at least four corners and/or c. the deflection device (9) has at least one oblique prism, and/or d. the deflection device (9) has a prism (24), wherein a first side (10) of the prism (24) through which illuminating light (8) exits from the prism (24) runs parallel to a second side (11) of the prism (24) through which illuminating light (8) enters the prism (24).

5. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device (9) has at least two mirrors for deflecting the detection light (15) and/or the illuminating light (8).

6. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a. the optical detection device (5) has an objective (12) and/or b. the optical detection device (5) has an objective (12) and the deflection device (9) is arranged in the beam path of the detection light (15) and/or of the illuminating light (8) between the objective (12) and the dispenser (2) and/or c. the optical detection device (5) has an objective (12) and the deflection device (9) deflects the detection light (15), into the objective (12).

7. The dispensing device (1) according claim 1, wherein a. the deflection device (9) is mechanically connected to the dispenser (2) and/or b. the deflection device (9) is attached to the dispenser (2) and/or c. the deflection device (9) deflects the illuminating light (8) directly into the region (6); and/or d. a lens is attached to a side of the deflection device (9) facing the dispenser (2) or e. a lens having a planar side is attached to a side of the deflection device (9) facing the dispenser (2).

8. (canceled)

9. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the objective (12) is arranged such that an optical axis (13) of the objective (12) runs transversely, to an output direction (R) of the liquid from the dispenser (2).

10. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, comprising an actuator for actuating the dispenser (2), wherein a. the actuator is a piezo actuator and/or b. the optical detection device (5) has an objective (12), and the actuator and the objective (12) are opposite each other in relation to the dispenser (2).

11. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the optical detection device (5) detects the detection light (15) emanating from the region (6) of the dispenser (2) and has a read-out device (14) for reading out the detected detection light (15).

12. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the optical detection device (5) has an imaging device (16), wherein a. based on the detected detection light (15), the imaging device (16) generates an image and/or b. the imaging device (16) generates an image of the region (6) of the dispenser (2).

13. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 11, wherein a. the optical detection device (5) has an evaluation device (17) for evaluating the detected detection light (15), or b. the optical detection device (5) has an evaluation device (17) for evaluating the detected detection light (15), wherein an algorithm for at least partial elimination of an imaging error is stored in the evaluation device (17).

14. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 13, wherein a. the evaluation device (17) evaluates the detected detection light (15) to determine an optical property of the region (6) of the dispenser (2) or b. based on the detected detection light (15), the evaluation device (17) determines whether no cell (1) and/or no particle is arranged in the region (6) of the dispenser (2) or whether exactly one single cell (3) and/or one single particle is arranged in the region (6) of the dispenser (2) or whether several cells and/or several particles are arranged in the region (6) of the dispenser (2).

15. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the optical detection device (5) has a further light source (18) for dispensing an excitation light (19) for illuminating the at least one region (6) of the dispenser (2) and/or at least one other region of the dispenser (2).

16. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 15, wherein the excitation light (19) and the illuminating light (8) at least partially have a common beam path.

17. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 15, wherein a. the read-out device (14) is designed for reading out a detected further detection light (20) and/or b. based on a further detection light (20), the imaging device (16) generates a further image of the region (6) and/or the at least one other region.

18. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 17, wherein a. the evaluation device (17) evaluates the detected further detection light (20) to determine a further optical property of the region (6) and/or of the at least one other region and/or b. based on the detected further detection light (20), the evaluation device (17) determines whether no fluorescent cell (3) and/or no fluorescent particle is arranged in the region (6) and/or the at least one other region or whether exactly one single fluorescent cell (3) and/or exactly one single fluorescent particle is arranged in the region (6) and/or another region and/or whether several cells (3) and/or several particles are arranged in the region.

19. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 15, wherein a. the optical detection device (5) has a further read-out device (21) for reading out a detected further detection light (20) and/or that b. the optical detection device (5) has a further imaging device (22) for generating a further image of the region (6) and/or the at least one other region based on a detected further detection light (20).

20. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 19, wherein the optical detection device (5) has a further evaluation device (23), wherein a. the further evaluation device (23) evaluates the detected further detection light (20) to determine a further optical property of the region (6) and/or of the at least one other region and/or wherein b. based on the further detection light (20), the further evaluation device (23) determines whether no fluorescent cell (3) and/or no fluorescent particle is arranged in the region (6) and/or the at least one other region or whether exactly one single fluorescent cell (3) and/or exactly one single fluorescent particle is arranged in the region (6) and/or another region and/or whether several cells (3) and/or several particles are arranged in the region.

21. The dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a diversion device for diverting the dispensed liquid and/or a suction device for siphoning off the dispensed liquid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS

[0050] The subject of the disclosure is shown schematically in the figures, wherein elements that are the same or have the same effect are mostly provided with the same reference symbols. In the figures:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a dispensing device according to the disclosure according to a first embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a dispensing device according to the disclosure according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a dispensing device 1 which has a dispenser 2 for dispensing a liquid 4 containing at least one cell 3 and/or at least one particle and an optical detection device 5 for optically detecting at least one region 6 of the dispenser 2. The optical detection device 5 has a light source 7, such as an LED lamp, for emitting an illuminating light 8 and a deflection device 9 having a prism 24. The illuminating light 8 is used for illuminating the region 6 and is deflected twice by the deflection device 9. A detection light 15 then emanating from region 6 is also deflected twice by the deflection device 9.

[0054] The deflection device 9 is designed in such a way that the illuminating light 8 exiting through the first side 10 of the prism is displaced parallel to the illuminating light 8 entering through the second side 11 of the prism. Likewise, the detection light 15 exiting through the second side 11 of the prism is displaced parallel to the detection light 15 entering through the first side 10 of the prism. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the light source 7 emits the illuminating light 8.

[0055] The deflection device 9 is arranged in such a way that it deflects the illuminating light 8 to the region 6 of the dispenser 2. The region 6 of the dispenser 2 corresponds to an output area of the dispenser 2. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the dispenser 2 has dispensed a liquid 4, in particular a drop of liquid, which contains a cell 3. The liquid 4 is fed into a container 29. The dispenser 2 is actuated by an actuator, not shown, in particular a piezo actuator.

[0056] The optical detection device 5 also has an objective 12. The objective 12 is arranged in such a way that an optical axis 13 of the objective 12 runs perpendicular to an output direction R of the liquid 4 from the dispenser 2. The deflection device 9 is arranged in the beam path of the illuminating light 8 and/or of the detection light 15 between the dispenser 2 and the objective 12.

[0057] In addition, the optical detection device 5 has a filter 25 which is arranged in the beam path of the illuminating light 8 between the objective 12 and the light source 7. The filter 25 is designed in such a way that it deflects the illuminating light 8 in the direction of the objective 12. In addition, the filter 25 is designed in such a way that it lets through the detection light 15 emanating from the region 6, which is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. The detection light 15 let through by the filter 25 is deflected by a beam deflector 26 in the direction of an imaging device 16. The detection light 15 and the illuminating light 8 partially have a common beam path.

[0058] A read-out device 14 arranged in the imaging device 16 reads out the detection light 15 detected by a detector of the imaging device 16. Based on the detected detection light 15, in particular on the information read out by the read-out device 14, the imaging device 16 can generate an image of the region 6.

[0059] The imaging device 16 is electrically connected to an evaluation device 17, which is for example a computer, of the optical detection device 5. The evaluation device 17 can evaluate the recorded detection light 15. In particular, the evaluation device 17 can evaluate the information read out by means of the read-out device 14. Based on the detection light 15, the evaluation device 17 can determine an optical property of the region 6. By determining the optical property of region 6, it is possible to determine whether no cell 3 and/or no particle is arranged in the illuminated region or at least one cell 3 and/or at least one particle is arranged

[0060] The evaluation device 17 is electrically connected to a control device 28. Based on the evaluation result of the evaluation device 17, the control device 30 controls the dispensing process of the dispenser 2. The control device 30 is electrically connected to a moving device 29. The moving device 29 can move the dispenser 2 and/or the container 29 in such a way that the liquid 4 can be dispensed into the desired storage location.

[0061] In addition, the control device 30 can control a deflection and/or suction device 32 of the dispensing device 1. The control device 30 can control the deflection and/or suction device 32 in such a way that the dispensed liquid 4 is deflected and/or siphoned off if no cell 3 and/or no particle is arranged in the liquid 4 or if several cells 3 and/or several particles are arranged in the liquid 4.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a dispensing device according to the disclosure according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the optical detection device 5 additionally has a further light source 18, a further imaging device 22 and a further read-out device 21. The further light source 18 can be a laser and the further imaging device 22 can be a camera. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the further light source 18 emits an excitation light 19. In contrast, the light source 7 does not emit any illuminating light 8.

[0063] Another difference is that the second embodiment has a further filter 28 instead of the beam deflector 26. The further filter 28 is designed in such a way that it deflects the detection light 15, not shown, to the imaging device 16. In addition, the further filter 28 is designed in such a way that it lets through a further detection light 20. The optical detection device 5 also has a further beam deflector 27 which deflects the further detection light 20 in the direction of the further imaging device 22, wherein the further detection light 20 is detected by a detector of the further imaging device 22. The further detection light 20 is deflected twice by the deflection device 9, analogously to the detection light 15.

[0064] The further light source 18 emits the excitation light 19 for illuminating the region 6 of the dispenser 2, which is passed through the further beam deflector 27, the further filter 28, the filter 25 to the objective 12. The excitation light 19 and the illuminating light 8 have a common beam path. In particular, both the illuminating light 8 and the excitation light 19 are passed through the objective 12 and the deflection device 9.

[0065] The detected further detection light 20 emanating from the region 6 as a result of the excitation light 19 is read out by the further read-out device 21. The further detection light 20 can be fluorescent light emitted by the cell 3 and/or by the particle, provided that a cell 3 and/or a particle with fluorescent properties is arranged in the region 6 of the dispenser 2. Based on the further detection light 20, the further imaging device 22 can generate a further image of the region 6 of the dispenser 2. The further evaluation device 23 evaluates the further detection light 20 and determines whether no fluorescent cell 3 and/or no fluorescent particle is arranged in region 6 or whether at least one cell 3 and/or at least one particle is arranged in the region 6.

[0066] The excitation light 19 and the further detection light 20 partially have a common beam path.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0067] 1 Dispensing device

[0068] 2 Dispenser

[0069] 3 Cell

[0070] 4 Liquid

[0071] 5 Optical detection device

[0072] 6 Region

[0073] 7 Light source

[0074] 8 Illuminating light

[0075] 9 Deflection device

[0076] 10 First side

[0077] 11 Second side

[0078] 12 Objective

[0079] 13 Optical axis

[0080] 14 Read-out device

[0081] 15 Detection light

[0082] 16 Imaging device

[0083] 17 Evaluation device

[0084] 18 Further light source

[0085] 19 Excitation light

[0086] 20 Further detection light

[0087] 21 Further read-out device

[0088] 22 Further imaging device

[0089] 23 Further evaluation device

[0090] 24 Prism

[0091] 25 Filter

[0092] 26 Beam deflector

[0093] 27 Further beam deflector

[0094] 28 Further filter

[0095] 29 Container

[0096] 30 Control device

[0097] 31 Moving device

[0098] 32 Deflection and/or suction device

[0099] R Output direction