Patent Publication Number: US-2020298558-A1

Title: Liquid dispensing apparatus and liquid discharging device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     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. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a liquid dispensing apparatus and a liquid discharging device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     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. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         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 F 4 -F 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F 5 -F 5  of  FIG. 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 F 10 -F 10  of  FIG. 4  according to a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. 
     First Embodiment 
     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 the discharging system  500 .  FIG. 2  is a top view of a chemical liquid discharging device  2 .  FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a surface of the chemical liquid discharging device  2  from which a liquid is discharged.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F 4 -F 4  in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F 5 -F 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the discharging system  500  includes a chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 , the chemical liquid discharging device  2 , a host computer  18 , and the like. The discharging system  500  may have more elements in addition to the elements depicted in  FIG. 1 , or some of the elements depicted in  FIG. 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 chemical liquid 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 chemical liquid discharging device  2 . In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  dispenses the liquid into a microplate  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 . The microplate  4  includes a plurality of wells  300 . Each well  300  of the microplate  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 X direction guide rails  6   a  and  6   b  extending in the X direction on both sides of the microplate  4  on the base  3 . Both ends each of the X direction guide rails  6   a  and  6   b  are fixed to fixing bases  7   a  and  7   b  protruding on the base  3 . 
     A Y direction guide rail  8  extending in the Y direction is installed between the X direction guide rails  6   a  and  6   b . Both ends of the Y direction guide rail  8  are fixed to an X direction moving base  9  that is slidable in the X direction along the X direction guide rails  6   a  and  6   b , respectively. 
     The Y direction guide rail  8  includes a Y direction moving base  10  that allows a mounting module  5  to move in the Y direction along the Y direction guide rail  8 . The mounting module  5  is mounted on the Y direction moving base  10 . The chemical liquid discharging device  2  is fixed to the mounting 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 Y direction moving base  10  along the Y direction guide rail  8  in the Y direction and an operation of a movement in the X direction moving base  9  along the X direction guide rails  6   a  and  6   b  in the X direction. 
     In the mounting module  5 , a slit  32  for fixing the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is formed. When the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is inserted into the slit  32  from a front surface opening portion side of the slit  32 , the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is fixed to the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . 
     The mounting module  5  includes a driving circuit  11 , a reader-writer  40  and the like. 
     The driving circuit  11  drives the chemical liquid discharging device  2  based on a signal from the processor  15 . For example, the driving circuit  11  supplies a signal, electric power, or the like to the liquid discharging device to discharge the liquid from the chemical liquid 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 chemical liquid discharging device  2  in accordance with a communication protocol of the IC module  50 . For example, when the IC module  50  is a contact type module, the reader-writer  40  physically and electrically connects to a contact unit of the IC 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 the IC module  50 . The reader-writer  40  supplies power to activate the IC module  50 , supplies clocks to the IC module  50 , controls a reset operation of the IC module  50 , transmits/receives data to/from the IC module  50 , and the like. 
     The reader-writer  40  further transmits various commands to the IC module  50 , receives a response for the transmitted command from the IC module, and the like, based on a control from the processor  15 . 
     The reader-writer  40  is installed at a position corresponding to the position of the IC module  50  of the chemical liquid discharging device  2 . That is, the reader-writer  40  is at a position where the reader-writer  40  can communicate with the IC module  50  when the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is set in the mounting module  5 . 
     The chemical liquid discharging device  2  discharges the liquid based on a control of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . 
     The chemical liquid discharging device  2  includes a base member  21  of a flat planar shape that is a plate of a rectangular plate shape. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of chemical liquid holding containers  22  is arranged in a row in the Y direction, on a surface side of the base member  21 . In the first embodiment, eight chemical liquid holding containers  22  are included. However, the number is not limited to eight. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the chemical liquid 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 recessed portion  21   a  of a cylindrical shape is formed at a position corresponding to each chemical liquid holding container  22 , on the surface side of the base member  21 . 
     The bottom portion of the chemical liquid holding container  22  is adhered and fixed to the recessed portion  21   a . A bottom surface opening portion  22   a  serving as a liquid outlet port is formed at the center position on the bottom portion of the chemical liquid holding container  22 . The opening area of a top surface opening portion  22   b  is larger than the opening area of the bottom surface 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 mounting module  5  are formed respectively. The mount fixing notch  28  is engaged with the mounting module  5 . Two notches  28  of the base member  21  are formed in a notch shape of a semi-length cylindrical shape. The mount 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 two notches  28  are different from each other. Therefore, the left and right shapes of the base member  21  are different, and it is easy to identify the posture of the base member  21 . 
     The chemical liquid discharging device  2  includes the IC module  50  on the base member  21 . When the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is set in the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 , the chemical liquid discharging device  2  includes the IC module  50  at a position capable of communicating with the reader-writer  40 . In  FIG. 2 , the chemical liquid discharging device  2  includes the IC module  50  at a center in Y axis direction. 
     The IC module  50  stores the use history of the chemical liquid discharging device  2 . The IC module  50  transmits a response including the use history for a command transmitted from the reader-writer  40 . The IC 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 of electrical substrate  23  as the chemical liquid holding container  22  are arranged in row in the Y direction, on a rear surface side of the base member  21 . The electrical substrate  23  is a flat plate member of a rectangular shape. As shown in  FIG. 4 , an electrical substrate recessed portion  21   b  for mounting the electrical substrate  23  and a chemical liquid discharge array portion opening  21   d  connected with the electrical substrate recessed portion  21   b  are formed, on the rear surface side of the base member  21 . A base end portion of the electrical substrate recessed portion  21   b  extends to the vicinity of an upper end portion of the base member  21  in  FIG. 3  (the position in the vicinity of the right end portion in  FIG. 4 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , a distal end portion of the electrical substrate recessed portion  21   b  extends to a position overlapping a portion of the chemical liquid holding container  22 . The electrical substrate  23  is adhered and fixed to the electrical substrate recessed portion  21   b.    
     An electrical substrate wiring  24  is patterned and formed on a surface opposite to an adhesive fixing surface of the electrical substrate recessed portion  21   b , on the electrical substrate  23 . Wiring patterns  24   a  and  24   b  respectively connected to a driving element  130  are formed on the electrical substrate wiring  24 . 
     A control signal input terminal  25  for inputting an electrical signal (also referred to as a driving signal) from the driving circuit  11  is formed at one end portion of the electrical substrate wiring  24 . An electrode terminal connection portion  26  is provided at the other end portion of the electrical substrate wiring  24 . 
     The base member  21  includes the chemical liquid discharge array portion opening  21   d . As shown in  FIG. 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 recessed portion  21   a  on the rear surface side of the base member  21 . 
     A chemical liquid discharge array  27  is adhered and fixed to the bottom surface of the chemical liquid holding container  22  with the chemical liquid discharge array  27  covering the bottom surface opening portion  22   a  of the chemical liquid holding container  22 . The chemical liquid discharge array  27  is disposed at a position corresponding to the chemical liquid discharge array portion opening  21   d  of the base member  21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the chemical liquid discharge array  27  is formed by laminating a nozzle plate  100  and a pressure chamber structure  200 . The nozzle plate  100  includes a nozzle  110  that discharges the liquid, a diaphragm  120 , the driving element  130  that is a driving unit, an insulation film  140  that insulates the driving element  130 , a protection film  150  that is protection layer, a liquid repellant film  160 . An actuator  170  includes the diaphragm  120  and the driving element  130 . For example, a plurality of nozzles  110  is arranged in 3×3 rows. The plurality of nozzles  110  is positioned inside the bottom surface opening portion  22   a  of the liquid outlet port of the chemical liquid holding container  22 . The chemical liquid holding container  22 , the pressure chamber structure  200 , the actuator  170 , and the like form a discharging portion that discharges the liquid. 
     For example, the diaphragm  120  is integrated with the pressure chamber structure  200 . When a heat treatment is performed on a silicon wafer  201  in an oxygen atmosphere, a SiO 2  (silicon oxide) film is formed on the surface of the silicon wafer  201 . The diaphragm  120  uses the SiO 2  film on the surface of the silicon wafer  201  formed by the heat treatment in the oxygen atmosphere. The diaphragm  120  may be formed by depositing the SiO 2  film on the surface of the silicon 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. The diaphragm  120  may use a semiconductor material such as SiN (silicon nitride), Al 2 O 3  (aluminum oxide), or the like, instead of the SiO 2  film. 
     The driving element  130  is formed in each nozzle  110 . The driving element  130  is an annular shape surrounding the nozzle  110 . The shape of the driving element  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 electrode terminal connection portion  26 . The driving element  130  is driven by electric power supplied from the electrode terminal connection portion  26 . 
     The driving element  130  includes a piezoelectric film that is a piezoelectric material, and uses PZT (Pb(Zr, Ti)O 3 : lead zirconate titanate). For example, a piezoelectric film included in the driving element  130  may use a piezoelectric material such as PTO (PbTiO 3 : lead titanate), PMNT (Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3   − PbTiO 3 ), PZNT (Pb(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 —PbTiO 3 ), KNN (a compound of KNbO 3  and NaNbO 3 ), 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 driving element  130 , the driving element  130  extends or contracts in a direction orthogonal to the electric field direction. That is, the driving element  130  contracts or extends in a direction orthogonal to the film thickness direction. 
     The nozzle plate  100  includes the protection film  150 . The protection film  150  includes a chemical liquid passage portion  141  of a cylindrical shape that is connected to the nozzle  110  of the diaphragm  120 . 
     The nozzle plate  100  includes the liquid repellant film  160  that covers the protection film  150 . For example, the liquid repellant film  160  is formed by spin-coating, for example, a silicone resin having a characteristic of repelling a chemical liquid. The liquid repellant film  160  may also be formed by a fluorinated resin material or the like. 
     The pressure chamber structure  200  includes a warp reduction film  220  that is a warp reduction layer on a surface opposite to the diaphragm  120 . The pressure chamber structure  200  includes a pressure chamber  210  that penetrates the warp reduction film  220 , is positioned at the position of the diaphragm  120 , and is connected to the nozzle  110 . For example, the pressure chamber  210  is formed in a circular shape positioned in the same axis as the nozzle  110 . 
     The pressure chamber  210  includes an opening portion connected to the bottom surface opening portion  22   a  of the chemical liquid holding container  22 . It is preferable that the size L in the depth direction of the opening portion of the pressure chamber  210  is larger than the size D in the width direction of the opening portion of the pressure 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 the pressure chamber  210  may delay an escape to the chemical liquid holding container  22  by a vibration of the diaphragm  120  of the nozzle plate  100 . 
     In the pressure chamber structure  200 , the side on which the diaphragm  120  of the pressure chamber  210  is disposed is referred to as a first surface  200   a  and the side on which the warp reduction film  220  is disposed is referred to as a second surface  200   b . The chemical liquid holding container  22  is adhered to the side of the warp reduction film  220  of the pressure chamber structure  200  by, for example, an epoxy type adhesive. The pressure chamber  210  of the pressure chamber structure  200  is connected to the bottom surface opening portion  22   a  of the chemical liquid holding container  22  by an opening portion of the side of the warp reduction film  220 . 
     The diaphragm  120  deforms in the thickness direction by an operation of the driving element  130  of a surface shape. The chemical liquid discharging device  2  discharges the liquid supplied to the nozzle  110  by a pressure change generated in the pressure chamber  210  of the pressure chamber structure  200  due to the deformation of the diaphragm  120 . 
     Next, a control system of the discharging system  500  will be described. 
     As described above, the discharging system  500  includes the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 , the chemical liquid discharging device  2 , the host computer  18  and the like. 
     The host computer  18  controls the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  according to a user operation. The host computer  18  includes an operation unit  18   a , a display unit  18   b , and the like. The host 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, the operation 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 the processor  15 . For example, the display unit  18   b  includes a liquid crystal display. When the operation unit  18   a  includes a touch panel or the like, the display unit  18   b  may be formed integrally with the operation unit  18   a.    
     The host computer  18  receives various inputs through the operation unit  18   a . For example, the host computer  18  receives an input indicating that the chemical liquid holding container  22  has been filled with a liquid. The host computer  18  receives an input selection for discharging the liquid from the chemical liquid holding container  22 . 
     When the host computer  18  receives the input selection for discharging the liquid from the chemical liquid holding container  22 , the host computer  18  transmits a signal for discharging the liquid to the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . 
     The host computer  18  may receive inputs for each chemical liquid holding container  22 . For example, the host computer  18  may receive an input indicating that the filling has been completed or discharging has been instructed separately for each chemical liquid holding container  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  includes the X direction moving base control circuit  9   a , the X direction moving base motor  9   b , the Y direction moving base control circuit  10   a , the Y direction moving base motor  10   b , the driving circuit  11 , the processor  15 , the memory  16 , the interface  17 , the reader-writer  40 , and the like. Such units are connected to each other through a data bus. The chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  may have more elements in addition to the elements depicted in  FIG. 6 , or some of the elements depicted in  FIG. 6  may be omitted in some embodiments. 
     The processor  15  has a function of controlling all operations of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . The processor  15  may include an internal cache, various interfaces, and the like. The processor  15  realizes various processes by executing a program stored in advance in the internal cache, the memory  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, the processor  15  controls a function executed by the hardware circuit. 
     The memory  16  stores various data. For example, the memory  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 chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . The control program is a program or the like supporting the function realized by the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . 
     The memory  16  temporarily stores data or the like under processing of the processor  15 . The memory  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 the host computer  18 . For example, the interface  17  is connected to the host computer  18  through a wired or wireless line. For example, the interface  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 moving base motor  9   b  based on a signal from the processor  15 . The X direction moving base control circuit  9   a  drives the X direction moving base motor  9   b  by supplying a signal or electric power to the X direction moving base motor  9   b.    
     The X direction moving base motor  9   b  moves the X direction moving base  9  in the X direction. For example, the X direction moving base motor  9   b  is connected to the X direction moving base  9  through a gear or the like and moves the X direction moving base  9  in the X direction. 
     The Y direction moving base control circuit  10   a  drives the Y direction moving base motor  10   b  based on a signal from the processor  15 . The Y direction moving base control circuit  10   a  drives the Y direction moving base motor  10   b  by supplying a signal or electric power to the Y direction moving base motor  10   b.    
     The Y direction moving base motor  10   b  moves the Y direction moving base  10  in the Y direction. For example, the Y direction moving base motor  10   b  is connected to the Y direction moving base  10  through a gear or the like and moves the Y direction moving base  10  in the Y direction. 
     Next, the IC module  50  will be described. 
       FIG. 7  shows a configuration example of the IC 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 the IC module  50  and connect to each other. The IC chip Ca includes a processor  51 , a ROM  52 , a RAM  53 , a NVM  54 , and the like. The processor  51 , the ROM  52 , the RAM  53 , the NVM  54  and the communication unit  55  are connected to each other through a data bus. The IC module may have more elements in addition to the elements depicted in  FIG. 7 , or some of the elements depicted in  FIG. 7  may be omitted in some embodiments. 
     The processor  51  has a function of controlling all operations of the IC module  50 . The processor  51  realizes various processes based on a control program or control data, which is stored in advance in the ROM  52  or the NVM  54 . The processor  51  realizes controls and information processes for each unit of the IC module  50  by executing a program. For example, the processor  51  carries out operation controls for the IC module  50  or various processes in accordance with an operational state of the IC module  50  by executing a program stored in the ROM  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, the processor  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. The ROM  52  is incorporated into the IC 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 the ROM  52  are incorporated in advance according to a specification of the IC module  50  and the like. 
     The RAM  53  is a volatile memory. The RAM  53  temporarily stores data or the like under processing of the processor  51 . For example, the RAM  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 the processor  51  or the like. The receiving buffer holds command data received by the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  via the communication unit  55  or the like. The transmitting buffer holds messages (referred to response data) transmitted to the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  via the communication 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. The NVM  54  stores a control program, an application, various data, and the like according to an operational application of the IC module  50 . For example, program files and data files are created in the NVM  54 . The control program, the various data, or the like is written in each of the created files. 
     The NVM  54  includes a storage 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 chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . That is, the communication unit  55  is an interface for communicating with the reader-writer  40  of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . When the IC module  50  is implemented as a contact type IC card, the communication unit  55  includes a communication control unit and a contact unit for physically and electrically connecting to the reader-writer  40  of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  in order to transmit and receive a signal. For example, the IC module  50  is activated by receiving operating power and an operating clock from the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  thorough the contact unit. 
     When the IC module  50  is implemented as a non-contact type IC card, the communication 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 chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . For example, the IC module  50  receives a radio wave from the reader-writer  40  of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  through the modulation/demodulation circuit or the like. The IC 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 chemical liquid discharging device  2 . When the chemical liquid discharging device  2  discharges the liquid once (from at least one chemical liquid holding container  22 ), the use history indicates that the chemical liquid 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 chemical liquid discharging device  2  has not been used (unused). In in a case of “1”, the use history indicates that the chemical liquid 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 chemical liquid discharging device  2  has not been used (unused). 
     Next, a function realized by the processor  51  of the IC module  50  will be described. The following function is realized by the processor  51  executing the program stored in the NVM  54  or the like. 
     First, the processor  51  has a function of transmitting the use history to the reader-writer  40  through the communication unit  55 . 
     For example, the processor  51  receives a command requesting the use history from the processor  15  through the communication unit  55 . When the processor  51  receives the command, the processor  51  acquires the use history from the storage area  54   a . When the processor  51  acquires the use history, the processor  51  transmits a response including the use history to the processor  15  through the communication 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 chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used in the storage area  54   a  through the communication unit  55 . When the processor  51  receives the command, the processor  51  stores the information (for example, bit) indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is used as the use history in the storage area  54   a . When the processor  51  stores the information indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used in the storage area  54   a , the processor  51  transmits a response indicating that the use history is successfully rewritten to the reader-writer  40  through the communication unit  55 . 
     When the processor  51  stores the information indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used as the use history, the processor  51  may lock the storage area  54   a.    
     Next, the function realized by the processor  15  of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  will be described. The following function is realized by the processor  15  executing the program stored in the memory  16  or the like. 
     First, the processor  15  has a function of acquiring the use history from the IC module  50 . 
     The processor  15  determines whether or not the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is set in the mounting module  5 . For example, the processor  15  determines whether or not the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is set in the mounting module  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 mounting module  5 , the processor  15  transmits a command requesting the use history to the IC module  50  through the reader-writer  40 . The processor  15  receives a response including the use history as a response for the command from the IC module  50 . 
     The processor  15  has a function of discharging the liquid from the chemical liquid 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, the processor  15  causes the chemical liquid 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 top surface opening portion  22   b  of the chemical liquid holding container  22  by a pipette or the like. The liquid is inside the chemical liquid holding container  22 . The bottom surface opening portion  22   a  of the bottom portion of the chemical liquid holding container  22  is connected to the chemical liquid discharge array  27 . The liquid in the chemical liquid holding container  22  is filled in each pressure chamber  210  of the chemical liquid discharge array  27  through the bottom surface opening portion  22   a  of the bottom surface of the chemical liquid 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 the host computer  18 . The operator may input the operation instruction for discharging the liquid from a specific chemical liquid holding container  22 . 
     When the host computer  18  receives the operation instruction for discharging the liquid, the host computer  18  transmits a signal (discharge signal) instructing the discharge of the liquid with respect to the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . The discharge signal may be an instruction of the discharge of the liquid from a specific chemical liquid holding container  22 . 
     The processor  15  receives the discharge signal through the interface  17 . When the acquired use history indicates that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has not been used, the processor  15  causes the chemical liquid discharging device  2  to discharge the liquid based on the discharge signal. 
     The processor  15  controls the X direction moving base motor  9   b  and the Y direction moving base motor  10   b  to move the chemical liquid discharging device  2  set in the mounting module  5  to a predetermined position. For example, the processor  15  moves the chemical liquid discharging device  2  to a position where the plurality of nozzles  110  is inserted into a well  300 . The processor  15  may move the chemical liquid 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, the processor  15  applies a discharge voltage to the driving element  130  using the driving circuit  11  for discharging the liquid. 
     The processor  15  transmits a signal to the driving circuit  11 , and a voltage control signal is input from the driving circuit  11  to the driving element  130 . In response to the application of the voltage control signal, the driving element  130  deforms the diaphragm  120  to change the volume of the pressure chamber  210 . Therefore, the liquid is discharged as a droplet from the nozzle  110  of the chemical liquid discharge array  27 . As a result, the chemical liquid discharging device  2  dispenses a predetermined amount of liquid from the nozzle  110  to the well  300  of the microplate  4 . 
     To dispense the predetermined amount of liquid to each well  300  of the microplate  4 , the processor  15  repeats an operation of transmitting a signal to the X direction moving base control circuit  9   a , the Y direction moving base control circuit  10   a , and the driving circuit  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, the processor  15  may transmit a signal indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has not been used to the host computer  18 . The host computer  18  may display that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has not been used on the display 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, the processor  15  does not discharge the liquid from the chemical liquid discharging device  2 . 
     For example, when the acquired use history indicates that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been previously used, the processor  15  does not discharge the liquid even when the processor  15  receives the discharge signal. The processor  15  transmits a signal indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been previously used to the host computer  18  through the interface  17 . 
     When the host computer  18  receives the corresponding signal, the host computer  18  displays a warning or the like indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been previously used on the display unit  18   b  or the like. 
     The processor  15  has a function of storing the use history indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used in the IC module  50  of the chemical liquid 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 chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used. For example, the processor  15  generates a command instructing to rewrite the use history stored in the storage area  54   a . The processor  15  transmits the generated command to the IC module  50  through the reader-writer  40 . 
     The processor  15  receives a response indicating that the rewriting has been completed from the IC module  50  through the reader-writer  40 . When the processor  15  receives a response indicating that the rewriting has been failed or when the processor  15  has not receive the response, the processor  15  may re-transmit the generated command to the IC module  50 . 
     Next, an operation example of the processor  15  of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  will be described. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart for describing the operation example of the processor  15  of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . 
     First, the processor  15  determines whether or not the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is set in the mounting module  5  (ACT  11 ). When it is determined that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is not set in the mounting module  5  (ACT  11 , NO), the processor  15  returns to ACT  11 . 
     When it is determined that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is set in the mounting module  5  (ACT  11 , YES), the processor  15  reads the use history from the IC module  50  (ACT  12 ). According to the use history from IC module  50 , the processor  15  determines whether or not the use history indicates that the chemical liquid 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), the processor  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), the processor  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 chemical liquid 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, the processor  15  rewrite the use history stored in the IC module  50  to indicate that the chemical liquid 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), the processor  15  transmits the signal indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been previously used to the host computer  18  through the interface  17  (ACT  17 ). 
     When the used history stored in the IC module  50  indicates that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been previously used (ACT  16 ), or when the signal indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been previously used is transmitted to the host computer  18  (ACT  17 ), the processor  15  ends the operation. 
     The chemical liquid discharging device  2  may include a memory for storing the use history instead of the IC module  50 . The chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  may directly access to the memory to acquire the use history. The chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  may directly access to the memory to rewrite the use history to indicate that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used. 
     The host computer  18  may transmit a request to rewrite the use history to indicate that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been previously used to the processor  15 . The processor  15  may rewrite the use history stored in the IC module  50  to indicate that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been previously used according to the request. 
     The IC module  50  may store the use history of each chemical liquid holding container  22 . That is, the IC module  50  stores the information indicating whether or not each chemical liquid holding container  22  has been used. 
     For example, the processor  15  acquires the use history of each chemical liquid holding container  22  from the IC module  50 . After the processor acquires the use history, the processor  15  receives the discharge signal from the host computer  18  for discharging the liquid from the chemical liquid holding container  22 . Once the discharge signal has been received, the processor  15  determines whether or not the use history indicates the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  has been previously used. When the use history indicates that the chemical liquid holding container  22  has not been used (that is unused), the processor  15  causes the chemical liquid holding container  22  to discharge the liquid according to the discharge signal. Once the discharge operation has been completed, the processor  15  rewrites the use history of the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  stored in the IC module  50  to indicate that the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  has been used. 
     When the use history of the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  indicates that the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  has been used, the processor  15  does not perform the discharge operation even after the processor  15  receives the discharge signal. In this case, the processor  15  may transmit a signal indicating that the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  has been previously used to the host 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. 
     Second Embodiment 
     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 the IC module  50  to indicate that the chemical liquid holding container  22  has been used once the chemical liquid 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 chemical liquid holding container  22  has been filled with a liquid through the operation unit  18   a . For example, when the chemical liquid holding container  22  has been filled with the liquid, the user enters an input that indicating filling of the liquid has been completed to the operation unit  18   a.    
     When the host computer  18  receives the input indicating the filling of the chemical liquid holding container  22  has been completed, the host computer  18  transmits a filling signal indicating that the chemical liquid holding container  22  has been filled with the liquid to the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  through the interface  17 . 
     Next, the function realized by the processor  15  of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  will be described. The following function is realized by the processor  15  executing the program stored in the memory  16  or the like. 
     The processor  15  has a function of detecting that the chemical liquid 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 the host computer  18 . When it is determined that the filling signal has been received from the host computer  18 , the processor  15  determines that the chemical liquid holding container  22  has been filled with the liquid. 
     The chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  or the chemical liquid discharging device  2  may include a sensor for detecting that the chemical liquid holding container  22  has been filled with the liquid. The processor  15  may detect that the chemical liquid 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 the processor  15  is not limited to any specific method. 
     The processor  15  has a function of rewriting the use history stored in the IC module  50  to indicate that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used when the processor  15  detects that the chemical liquid 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 chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used by the processor  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 chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  will be described. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart for describing the operation example of the processor  15  of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1 . 
     First, the processor  15  determines whether or not the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is set in the mounting module  5  (ACT  21 ). When it is determined that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is not set in the mounting module  5  (ACT  21 , NO), the processor  15  returns to ACT 21 . 
     When it is determined that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  is set in the mounting module  5  (ACT  21 , YES), the processor  15  reads the use history from the IC module  50  (ACT  22 ). According to the use history, the processor  15  determines whether or not the use history indicates that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been previously used (ACT 23 ). 
     When the user history indicates that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has not been used (unused) (ACT 23 , NO), the processor  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), the processor  15  returns to ACT  24 . 
     When it is determined that the filling signal has been received through the interface  17  (ACT  24 , YES), the processor  15  rewrites the use history stored in the IC module  50  to indicate that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used (ACT  25 ). 
     When the use history stored in the IC module  50  indicates that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used, the processor  15  determines whether or not the discharge signal has been received through the interface  17  (ACT 26 ). When it is determined that the discharge signal has not been received through the interface  17  (ACT  26 , NO), the processor  15  returns to ACT  26 . 
     When it is determined that the discharge signal has been received through the interface  17  (ACT  26 , YES), the processor  15  causes the chemical liquid discharging device  2  to discharge the liquid according to the discharge signal (ACT 27 ). 
     When it is determined that the use history indicates that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used (ACT  23 , YES), the processor  15  transmits the signal indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used to the host computer  18  through the interface  17  (ACT 28 ). 
     When the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been caused to discharge the liquid (ACT 27 ), or when the signal indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2  has been used has been transmitted to the host computer  18  (ACT 28 ), the processor  15  ends the operation. 
     Similarly to the first embodiment, the IC module  50  may store the use history of each chemical liquid holding container  22 . That is, the IC module  50  stores information indicating whether or not each chemical liquid holding container  22  has been used. 
     For example, the processor  15  acquires the use history of each chemical liquid holding container  22  from the IC module  50 . After the processor  15  acquires the use history, the processor  15  receives the filling signal from the host computer  18  indicating the chemical liquid holding container has been filled. When the processor  15  receives the filling signal, the processor  15  determines whether or not the use history of the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  has been used. When the use history stored in the IC module  50  indicates that the chemical liquid holding container  22  has not been used (unused), the processor  15  rewrites the use history of the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  to indicate that the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  has been used. 
     When the use history indicates that the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  has been used, the processor  15  does not perform the discharge operation even after the processor  15  receives the discharge signal. In this case, the processor  15  may transmit a signal indicating that the corresponding chemical liquid holding container  22  has been used to the host 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. 
     Third Embodiment 
     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 chemical liquid discharging device  2 ′. 
     The chemical liquid discharging device  2 ′ includes a chemical liquid discharge array  27 ′ in place of the chemical liquid discharge array  27 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line F 10 -F 10  of  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the chemical liquid discharge array  27 ′ is formed by laminating a silicon substrate  400  and a photosensitive resin  450 . An inlet port  411  connected to the bottom surface opening portion  22   a  of the liquid outlet port of the chemical liquid holding container  22  is formed on a surface side (referred to as a second surface  400   a ) of the silicon substrate  400 . A thin film heat transfer heater  432  which is an actuator and a wiring (not specifically depicted) that is connected to the thin film heat transfer heater  432  are formed on a rear surface side (also referred to as a first surface  400   b ) of the silicon substrate  400 . The thin film heat transfer heater  432  is electrically connected to the electrode terminal connection portion  26 . 
     The photosensitive resin  450  is a substrate on which a pressure chamber  410  is formed. A flow path  451  connected to the inlet port  411 , the pressure chamber  410 , and the nozzle  110  are formed on the photosensitive resin  450 . The pressure chamber  410  is an area where the thin film heat transfer heater  432  is formed in the flow path  451 . The thin film heat transfer heater  432  generates heat by electric power supplied from a wiring. The liquid in the pressure chamber  410  is heated and boiled by the thin film heat transfer heater  432 , and thus the liquid is discharged from the nozzle  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 of nozzles  110  is positioned inside the bottom surface opening portion  22   a  of the liquid outlet port of the chemical liquid 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 chemical liquid holding container  22  is connected to the inlet port  411  and the flow path  451  of the chemical liquid discharge array  27 ′. The liquid in the chemical liquid holding container  22  is filled from the bottom surface opening portion  22   a  of the chemical liquid holding container  22  to each pressure chamber  410  in the flow path  451  formed on the photosensitive resin  450  through the inlet port  411  formed on the silicon substrate  400 . 
     The voltage control signal input to the control signal input terminal  25  of the electrical substrate wiring  24  from the driving circuit  11  is applied to a plurality of thin film heat transfer heater  432  of the chemical liquid discharge array  27 ′. Therefore, the plurality of thin film heat transfer heater  432  generates heat, and the liquid in the pressure chamber  410  is heated and boiled. As a result, the liquid is discharged from the nozzle  110  as a chemical liquid droplet. A predetermined amount of liquid is dispensed from the nozzle  110  to the well  300  of the microplate  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, the processor  15  of the chemical liquid dispensing apparatus  1  of the discharging system  500 ′ stores the information indicating that the chemical liquid discharging device  2 ′ has been used in the IC module  50  when the processor  15  detects that the chemical liquid holding container  22  of the chemical liquid 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 the pressure chamber  210  is not limited to a circular shape, and the shape of the pressure 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 driving element  130 . However, as long as the liquid can be discharged from the pressure chamber  210 , the position of the nozzle  110  is not limited. For example, the nozzle  110  may be formed the outside of the driving element  130  rather than the inside of the area of the driving element  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.