Patent ID: 6995024

Claim:
Apparatus for use in dispensing a selected volume of each of a plurality of liquid samples, comprising a liquid-support plate having a plurality of liquid-support regions, each capable of supporting a liquid meniscus thereon, a first electrode containing a plurality of electrode connections, each operatively connected to one of said liquid support region, for electrical contact with a meniscus supported in such region, a substrate having a first side confronting said plate and a plurality of sample-holding regions formed in said first side, a second electrode disposed between said liquid-support plate and said substrate, said second electrode defining an electrode gap adapted to accommodate movement of a liquid droplet ejected from a liquid-support region to a sample region, and a control unit including a power source for applying a voltage potential across the two electrodes, thereby to eject a selected volume of the liquid from one or more of said liquid-support regions to one or more of said sample-holding regions.