Patent ID: 6372483
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: B01J,B01L,C40B,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for fabricating an array of biopolymers on a substrate, comprising:(a) a substrate station on which the substrate can be mounted; (b) a dispensing head having: at least one jet which can dispense droplets onto a substrate, the jet including a chamber with an orifice, and including an ejector which, when activated, causes a droplet to be ejected from the orifice; (c) a positioning system to move at least one of the dispensing head and mounted substrate with respect to the other so that multiple droplets dispensed from the head onto the substrate will form an array thereon; (d) a venturi having an inlet and an outlet, and a throat opening communicating with the chamber; and (e) an adjustable venturi outlet control valve communicating with the venturi outlet so that selectable pressure can be applied to the head chamber by adjustment of the outlet control valve.