Droplet dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A droplet dispensing apparatus includes a droplet ejection device, a microplate holder, a sheet stand, an image capturing device and a controller. The image capturing device is configured to move to a position above the sheet stand. The controller is configured to perform image processing on image data generated from an image captured by the image capturing device when the image capturing device is at the position above the test sheet on the sheet stand, to determine a size of each of test patterns formed by droplets dropped on the test sheet from the array of nozzles. The controller is further configured to generate a data file including the determined size of each of the test patterns. The test sheet colors or discolors at a place receiving a light-transmissive droplet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A droplet dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 a droplet ejection device having a solution holding vessel and an array of nozzles for ejection of droplets communicating with the solution holding vessel;   a microplate holder configured to hold a microplate into which the droplets are ejected;   a sheet stand on which a test sheet for testing a droplet ejection property of the array of nozzles is placeable, the droplet ejection device being configured to horizontally move to a first position above the microplate holder and to a second position above the sheet stand;   an image capturing device configured to move to a position above the sheet stand; and   a controller configured to:
 perform image processing on image data generated from an image captured by the image capturing device when the image capturing device is at the position above the test sheet on the sheet stand to determine a size of each of test patterns formed by droplets dropped on the test sheet from the array of nozzles, and 
 generate a data file including the determined size of each of the test patterns, wherein 
   the test sheet has a receptive layer for receiving a droplet and becomes colored or discolored at a place where a light-transmissive droplet is received.   
     
     
         2 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the droplet ejection device further includes:
 an array of pressure chamber each includes a discharge port for supplying a solution to a corresponding nozzle of the array of nozzles on a first side, and a supply port communicating with the solution holding vessel on a second side, and   an array of actuators each configured to cause a pressure change in a corresponding pressure chamber in the array of pressure chambers to control an ejection of a droplet of the solution from the corresponding nozzle.   
     
     
         3 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the size of each of the test patterns is one of a diameter, an area, or a circumference of the test pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the image capturing device attached to the droplet ejection device and moves with the droplet ejection device. 
     
     
         5 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the microplate holder and the sheet stand are both attached to a base. 
     
     
         6 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the microplate holder and the sheet stand are adjacent to each other in the direction.   
     
     
         7 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the solution holding vessel includes a solution inlet for receiving solution and a solution outlet configured to supply the solution to the array of nozzles. 
     
     
         8 . A droplet dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 a droplet ejection device having a solution holding vessel and an array of nozzles for ejection of droplets communicating with the solution holding vessel;   a stage including a microplate holder configured to hold a microplate into which the droplets are ejected and a sheet stand on which a test sheet for testing a droplet ejection property of the array of nozzles is placeable, the stage being configured to horizontally move to a first position at which the microplate holder is below the array of nozzles and to a second position at which the sheet stand is below the arrays of nozzles;   an image capturing device disposed above a position to which the stage is movable to; and   a controller configured to:
 perform image processing on image data generated from an image of the test sheet on the sheet stand captured by the image capturing device to determine a size of each of test patterns formed by droplets dropped on the test sheet from the array of nozzles, and 
 generate a data file including the determined size of each of the test patterns, wherein 
   the test sheet has a receptive layer for receiving a droplet and becomes colored or discolored at a place where a light-transmissive droplet is received.   
     
     
         9 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the droplet ejection device further includes:
 an array of pressure chamber each includes a discharge port for supplying a solution to a corresponding nozzle of the array of nozzles on a first side, and a supply port communicating with the solution holding vessel on a second side, and   an array of actuators each configured to cause a pressure change in a corresponding pressure chamber in the array of pressure chambers to control an ejection of a droplet of the solution from the corresponding nozzle.   
     
     
         10 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the size of each of the test patterns is one of a diameter, an area, or a circumference of the test pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the image capturing device is integrally provided with the droplet ejection device. 
     
     
         12 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the microplate holder and the sheet stand are both attached to an upper surface of the stage. 
     
     
         13 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the microplate holder and the sheet stand are adjacent to each other in the direction.   
     
     
         14 . The droplet dispensing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the solution holding vessel includes a solution inlet for receiving solution and a solution outlet configured to supply the solution to the array of nozzles. 
     
     
         15 . A method for testing a droplet ejection property of a droplet ejection device, the method comprising:
 setting a test sheet for testing a droplet ejection property of the droplet ejection device at a height above a base substantially matching a height of a microplate when disposed on the base;   positioning the droplet ejection device at a position above the test sheet;   ejecting droplets from an array of nozzles of the droplet ejection device onto the test sheet to form test patterns on the test sheet;   capturing image of the test sheet after ejecting the droplets;   performing image processing on image data generated from the captured image of the test sheet to determine a size of each of the test patterns; and   generating a data file including the determined size of each of the test patterns, wherein   the test sheet has a receptive layer for receiving a droplet and becomes colored or discolored at a place where a light-transmissive droplet is received.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the test sheet is set on a stationary sheet stand disposed adjacent to a stationary microplate holder for holding the microplate, and the droplet ejection device is moved to the position above the test sheet. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein setting the test sheet comprises:
 setting the test sheet on an upper surface of a sheet stand placed on the base adjacent to a microplate holder on the base.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein positioning the droplet ejection device at the position above the test sheet comprises moving a stage on which a test stand for holding the test sheet is disposed to a position below the droplet ejection device. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein setting the test sheet comprises:
 setting the test sheet on an upper surface of a sheet stand disposed on a stage on an upper surface of the base, the stage being moveable in a horizontal direction parallel to the upper surface of the base.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 displaying a user interface including the determined size of each of the test patterns.