Method and apparatus for modifying pressure within a fluid dispenser

Abstract

A method and apparatus for an automated biological reaction system is provided. In the processing of a biological reaction system, there is a need for consistently placing an amount of fluid on a slide. In order to accomplish this, several methods are used including a consistency pulse and a volume adjust means. Moreover, in order to reliably operate an automated biological reaction system, the dispenser must be reliable, easy to assemble and accurate. Among other things, in order to accomplish this, the dispense chamber is substantially in line with the reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber piston is removed, and the flow of fluid through the dispenser is simplified. Further, in order to operate the automated biological reaction system more reliably, the system is designed in modular pieces with higher functions performed by a host device and the execution of the staining operations performed by remote devices. Also, to reliably catalog data which is used by the automated biological reaction system, data is loaded to a memory device, which in turn is used by the operator to update the operator's databases. The generation of the sequence of steps for the automated biological reaction device based on data loaded by the operator, including checks to determine the ability to complete the run, is provided.

1 . A fluid dispenser comprising in combination: 
 a barrel having a cap, the cap having a surface with at least one hole; and    a valve having a biasing member and a hole sealer, the biasing member having at least two positions,    wherein in a first position of the biasing member, the hole sealer seals the hole and wherein in a second position, the hole sealer does not seal the hole, and    wherein a force places the biasing member in at least one of the two positions.    
     
     
         2 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a passageway from the hole to outside the fluid dispenser.  
     
     
         3 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the passageway includes breaks.  
     
     
         4 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the hole sealer is a bulge substantially spherical in shape.  
     
     
         5 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member has an umbrella shape with a flat surface, the periphery of the flat surface contacting the cap.  
     
     
         6 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 5 , further including breaks, wherein the breaks are abutting at least a portion of the flat surface of the biasing member, and provide a fluid path.  
     
     
         7 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent inside the barrel.  
     
     
         8 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the vent comprises an oliophobic material.  
     
     
         9 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the barrel comprises a reservoir chamber and wherein the vent allows air into the reservoir chamber.  
     
     
         10 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the valve is comprised of an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         11 . The fluid dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the force is mechanical.  
     
     
         12 . A method of equilibrating pressure within a fluid dispenser comprising the steps of: 
 providing a fluid dispenser with a barrel having a cap, the cap having a surface with at least one hole, and a valve having a biasing member and a hole sealer, the biasing member having at least two positions; and    placing the biasing member in one of the two positions by applying a force to the valve,    wherein in a first position of the biasing member, the hole sealer seals the hole and wherein in a second position, the hole sealer does not seal the hole.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the force places the biasing member in the second position.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the force places the biasing member in the first position.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biasing member is a shaped surface with a top, and wherein the mechanical force is applied at the top.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing a passageway for air between inside and outside of the barrel when the barrel is in the second position.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the barrel includes a reservoir chamber, and wherein the fluid dispenser further comprises a vent inside the barrel, and wherein the vent allows air into the reservoir chamber.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein placing the biasing member in one of the two positions includes applying a mechanical force.  
     
     
         19 . A method of mechanically operating a valve for a fluid dispenser, the valve having a head and a bulge, the method comprising the steps of: 
 abutting the bulge against a hole in the fluid dispenser to create a seal;    applying a mechanical force to move the head so that the bulge does not abut the hole; and    reducing the mechanical force so that the bulge abuts the hole.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the head includes a biasing member and wherein the step of abutting is performed by the biasing member.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of reducing the mechanical force includes removing the mechanical force thereby creating the seal between the bulge and the hole.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the head has a center portion, and wherein the mechanical force is applied to the center portion of the head.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of applying a mechanical force to the head creates an opening between the bulge and the hole to allow a passageway between inside the fluid dispenser and outside the fluid dispenser.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the barrel includes a reservoir chamber, and wherein the fluid dispenser further comprises a vent inside the barrel, and wherein the vent allows air into the reservoir chamber.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the vent prevents liquid from leaving the reservoir chamber.