Device, system, and method for selecting a target analyte or fluid

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for aspirating and dispensing a target analyte, target material, or fluid. A picker may aspirate and dispense the desired material by introducing a pressure gradient. The picker may include a hydraulic fluid to hydraulically couple at least two components, such as a moveable pump component and a cannula.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A picking system comprising:
 a pump block with a diaphragm to deform in response to a stimulus;   a cannula including an adapter and a tube end including a picker tip, adapter to connect to and open end of the pump block;   a seal around an open end of the pump block; and   a hydraulic fluid to at least partially fill a pump volume and to hydraulically couple the diaphragm to the cannula.   
     
     
         2 . The picking system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump volume satisfies the condition given by:
     V   P   =V   HF   +V   MPC   +V   PM   +V   Air ,   
       where V P  represents the pump volume, V HF  represents the volume of the hydraulic fluid, V MPC  represents the volume of the portion of the at least one movable pump component within the pump volume, where V PM  represents the volume of any picked or aspirated material, and where V Air  represents the volume of air within the pump volume,
 wherein V P  is constant. 
 
     
     
         3 . The picking system of  claim 1 , wherein the picker tip has an outer taper ranging from approximately 30 to 89 degrees from the horizontal. 
     
     
         4 . The picking system of  claim 1 , wherein the picker tip is composed of at least one of a ceramic, a metal, a glass, a plastic, or a jewel. 
     
     
         5 . The picking system of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator to provide motion along at least one of the x-, y-, or z-axes, the actuator to be connected to the pump block. 
     
     
         6 . The picking system of  claim 5 , further comprising a mount to connect the actuator to an imaging or detection system. 
     
     
         7 . The picking system of  claim 1 , further comprising a port to extend through the open end of the pump block or in the cannula. 
     
     
         8 . The picking system of  claim 7 , further comprising a loader to connect to the port to fill the volume between the picker tip and the sealed end of the pump block to hydraulically couple the piston and the cannula with the hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         9 . The picking system of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula and the picker tip are separate pieces, and wherein the picker tip includes:
 a first end to be inserted into, over, or in-line the tube end of the cannula,   a second end extending away from the cannula, and   a central bore extending between the first end and the second end.   
     
     
         10 . The picking system of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula and the picker tip are one piece. 
     
     
         11 . The picking system of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm is to deform into the chamber to occupy a portion of the internal pump volume. 
     
     
         12 . The picking system of  claim 11 , wherein the stimulus is selected from the group consisting of electrical energy, thermal energy, acoustic energy, applied pressure, and electromagnetic energy.