Patent ID: 7294309

Claim:
A fluid dispensing system comprising: a fluid container; a dispensing head in fluid communication with the fluid container; a displacement mechanism which delivers fluid from the fluid container to the dispensing head such that an aliquot of liquid is delivered to a distal end of the dispensing head where the aliquot of liquid is retained due to surface tension between the liquid and the distal end of the dispensing head; and a pressurized gas displacement mechanism which delivers an aliquot of gas to the distal end of the dispensing head which causes the aliquot of liquid retained at the distal end of the dispensing head to separate from the distal end of the dispensing head; wherein the dispensing head defines a lumen through which the aliquot of liquid is delivered to the distal end of the dispensing head and a needle positioned within the lumen that extends beyond the distal end of the lumen, the needle forming the distal end of the dispensing head where the aliquot of liquid is retained.