Importance

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Abstract

A dispensing apparatus and method is provided for accurately and precisely dispensing various desired patterns of reagent onto a substrate or other receptive surface or receptacle. The invention provides high-speed on-the-fly dispensing of various desired reagent patterns as provided by the operator in the form of a graphic bit map file. In one embodiment the dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing head having an inlet end and an outlet end. The dispensing head is responsive to a first signal to dispense droplets of liquid reagent onto a substrate. The substrate or dispensing head are secured in association with a table or carriage. The table is responsive to a second signal for providing for relative X, X-Y or X-Y-Z motion between the substrate and the dispensing head. A controller is adapted to receive data representative of a desired reagent pattern and to output and coordinate the first and second signals so as to cause relative motion between the substrate and the dispensing head and, simultaneously, to cause the dispensing head to dispense droplets of liquid reagent at one or more desired locations on the substrate to form the desired reagent pattern. The controller adjusts the phase lag or lead between the first and second signals to compensate for the magnitude of relative motion between the substrate and the dispensing head given the probable trajectory of each droplet of liquid reagent. Optionally, a direct current fluid source, such as a positive displacement pump, may be provided in series with the dispensing head for precisely regulating the quantity or flow rate of liquid reagent provided to the dispensing head.

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First Claim