Methods and devices for storing and dispensing liquids

Abstract

In a liquid handling system including a liquid handling substrate having a plurality of channels for conducting a liquid sample in said substrate, where the channels terminate in a plurality of exit ports in an outer surface of the substrate for transfer of a quantity of the liquid sample. The handling system also includes a liquid storage and dispensing substrate having a plurality of separable cartridges corresponding to the channels, with each cartridge terminating at a microelectro mechanical system (MEMS) comprising a laminate of glass, silicon and a piezoelectric substance. The handling system further includes a liquid detecting system comprising a light emitting diode and a photo-detector, where each channel includes a reservoir in communication with a corresponding cartridge creating an interface therebetween. The handling system enables a method for storing and dispensing liquids including drawing a liquid sample into the channels either by capillary action, vacuum, electoosmotic flow, a minipump or any combination thereof, storing the liquid sample into the cartridge, and dispensing the liquid sample.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         1 . A liquid handling system, comprising: 
 a liquid handling substrate having a plurality of channels for conducting a liquid sample, said channels terminating in a plurality of exit ports in an outer surface of said substrate for transfer of a quantity of said liquid sample; and    a liquid storage and dispensing substrate having a plurality of cartridges corresponding to said channels, said cartridges terminating in a plurality of exit ports in an outer surface of said substrate for transfer of a quantity of said liquid sample, wherein    each said channel includes a reservoir in communication with a corresponding cartridge creating an interface therebetween,    and wherein    each said cartridge terminates at a dispensing device.    
     
     
         2 . The liquid handling system of  claim 1 , wherein said cartridges comprise a monolithic assembly.  
     
     
         3 . The liquid handling system of  claim 1 , wherein said cartridges are separable.  
     
     
         4 . The liquid handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels number up to approximately 1536.  
     
     
         5 . The liquid handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels number approximately 96, 384 or 1536.  
     
     
         6 . The liquid handling system of  claim 3 , wherein said cartridges are separated using a multifunctional head, said head arrayed in a fountain, roller, conveyor belt or chain geometry.