Microdosing System with a Pulsed Laser

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a micro-dosing system that uses a pulsed laser to precisely introduce tiny, discrete amounts of fluids (as gas clouds) into a channel that carries a stream of carrier gas. Unlike traditional microfluidic dosing methods (which rely on micropumps or valves), this approach uses laser pulses to evaporate or propel the fluid through a fine capillary nozzle, resulting in highly controlled, contact-free generation of very small quantities (down to the femtogram range) of volatile substances.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Biochemical or chemical analysis where precise quantities of fluids need to be introduced into a detector (such as mass spectrometry or chromatography)
• Printing technologies requiring exact micro-droplet deposition
• Generation of highly controlled targets or gas clouds for EUV (extreme ultraviolet) light generation systems
• Drug discovery and pharmaceutical research where micro-reactions are performed
• Scent release or pheromonal studies in environmental chambers
• Metrology applications requiring precision dosing of reagents or standards
• Lab-on-a-chip and microfluidics platforms for miniaturized experiments

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables ultra-precise, reproducible dosing of fluids down to the femtogram or picogram scale
• Contactless dosing minimizes contamination and eliminates the risk of substrate damage
• Adaptable for different fluid properties and volatile substances due to adjustable laser energy and nozzle size
• Modular construction allows the system to be tailored for specific applications
• Minimizes mixing and diffusion of the dosed gas cloud in the carrier stream for sharper, more defined pulses
• Highly scalable for miniaturization and integration with microfluidic or analytical devices
• Offers flexible operation with adjustable frequency, pulse duration, and energy to suit a wide range of fluids and tasks

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Known micro-metering systems for use in a variety of technical fields (print technology, EUV generation, metrology, chemical/biotechnological analytics) generate discrete fluid quantities into the femtogram range by way of micropumps, ultrasonic exciters, solenoid valves or displacement membranes. As an alternative, with the micro-metering system according to the invention, minimal gas clouds having discrete quantities up into the picogram and femtogram range are generated with a defined frequency and pulse duration by way of a pulsed laser (11). For this purpose, a rising capillary (07) self-filling with fluid (06) is provided, which protrudes into the flow duct (05) with a nozzle opening (09). The focus (13) of the pulsed laser (11) is directed at the nozzle opening (09) or at the rising capillary (07). The emitted laser pulses (12) have variable energy which is greater than the evaporation energy of the fluid (06), so that with each laser pulse (12) a gas cloud (02) is introduced into the flow duct (05) (depending on the laser focus (13), either by direct evaporation or by pressure pulse). Preferably laminarly stratified air flows in the flow duct (05). In order to prevent the gas clouds (02) from diffusing, the concentration thereof can be provided in the low pressure ranges (23) of an ultrasonic wave (22).