Abstract: A level control mechanism is provided for a biofluid drop ejection device which ejects biofluid drops in small volumes. The biofluid drop device includes a drop ejection mechanism having a transducer which generates energy used to emit the biofluid drops. A reagent cartridge or biofluid holding area holds a biofluid, isolated from the drop ejection mechanism to avoid contamination between the biofluid drop ejection mechanism and the reagent cartridge. The reagent cartridge is connected to the drop ejection mechanism such that upon operation of the mechanism, the biofluid is emitted in controlled biofluid drops. A level sensor is positioned to sense a height of the biofluid within the cartridge. Upon sensing the height of the biofluid below a certain level, an adjustment is made to the height by providing at least one of additional biofluid to the cartridge, and raising the level of the entire reagent cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for depositing a particulate marking material onto a substrate, comprising (a) a printhead having defined therein at least one channel, each channel having an inner surface and an exit orifice with a width no larger than about 250 microns, the inner surface of each channel having thereon a conductive polymer coating; (b) a propellant source connected to each channel such that propellant provided by the propellant source can flow through each channel to form propellant streams therein, the propellant streams having kinetic energy, each channel directing the propellant stream through the exit orifice toward the substrate; and (c) a marking material reservoir having an inner surface, the inner surface having thereon the conductive polymer coating, the reservoir containing particles of a particulate marking material, the reservoir being communicatively connected to each channel such that the particulate marking material from the reservoir can be controllably introduced into the propellan

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising a matrix which comprises particles comprising a core resin and a shell resin thereover, wherein at least one of the core resin and the shell resin contains a chelating agent and a spiropyran compound of the formula wherein n is an integer representing the number of repeat —CH2— units and R is —H or —CH═CH2, wherein the shell resin is the continuous phase of the matrix, wherein the spiropyran compound can produce changes in the optical and photoactive properties of the resin containing the spiropyran when irradiated.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for ensuring quality control in printed biological assays is provided. A multi-ejector system having a plurality of individual drop ejectors is loaded with a variety of biofluids. Biofluids include at least a carrier fluid, a biological material to be used in the testing, and markers, such as fluorescent dyes. Data regarding the biofluid loaded in each of the drop ejectors is stored along with an expected signature output of the biofluid. Particularly, the signature output represents signals from individual ones of the fluorescent markers included within the biofluid. Once a biological assay consisting of the biofluid drops has been printed, a scanner capable of detecting the markers scans the biological assay and obtains signature output signals for each of the drops of the biological assay.

Abstract: A marking apparatus is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. At sufficient velocity, and with appropriate marking material, the marking material may be kinetically fused to the substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A multiple-ejector system for printing arrays of biofluids include a tooling plate having a plurality of sets of tooling pins extending outward from the surface of the tooling plate. A printed circuit board is provided having pairs of power connection pins and ground return pins extending from a surface of the circuit board. A plurality of biofluid drop ejection units are provided and include alignment grooves and at least a transducer. Each of the plurality of biofluid drop ejection units are connected to a corresponding one of a set of tooling pins by connection of the tooling pins and alignment grooves. The power connection pins of the pairs are in operational connection with respective transducers and the ground return connection pins of the pairs are in operational connection with a body portion of the drop ejection units. The different drop ejection units will contain different biofluids which are to be emitted onto a substrate.

Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed for use in a marking apparatus in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without re-registration. The cartridge may be replacably attached to the marking apparatus, and may contain one or more marking materials, propellant, etc.

Abstract: An air jet game comprising an air jet conduiting member having a plurality of air jet outlets and a controller adapted to selectively control at least partially, the flow of air out of the air jet outlets in order to move an object located in an air flow path of the outlet in a desired direction.

Abstract: A method of marking is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Liquid marking material, such as ink, is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without re-registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for ensuring quality control in printed biological assays is provided. A multi-ejector system having a plurality of individual drop ejectors is loaded with a variety of biofluids. Biofluids include at least a carrier fluid, a biological material to be used in the testing, and markers, such as fluorescent dyes. Data regarding the biofluid loaded in each of the drop ejectors is stored along with an expected signature output of the biofluid. Particularly, the signature output represents signals from individual ones of the fluorescent markers included within the biofluid. Once a biological assay consisting of the biofluid drops has been printed, a scanner capable of detecting the markers scans the biological assay and obtains signature output signals for each of the drops of the biological assay.

Abstract: A device for the transport and/or metering of marking material includes a plurality of phased electrodes, for example formed on a substrate. An electrostatic traveling wave may be generated along the electrodes to sequentially attract particles of marking material, and thereby transport them to a desired location. The electrodes may be formed in a planar structure. A matrix interconnection scheme allows for reduced lead count.

Abstract: A method of marking employs a marking apparatus in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. At sufficient velocity, and with appropriate marking material, the marking material may be kinetically fused to the substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is single-pass, full-color printing.

Abstract: A marking apparatus is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Marking material, such as ink, toner, etc., is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. At sufficient velocity, and with appropriate marking material, the marking material may be kinetically fused to the substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and marking material allow for high throughput, high resolution marking. Multiple marking materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration.

Abstract: An improved method for the sequencing of DNA fragments is provided. The method includes using a known process for DNA fragment separation, such as capillary electrophoresis, and imaging the resultant gel plate with a full-width array scanner or a two-dimensional amorphous silicon image sensor array. The DNA sample is placed within a well of the separation apparatus, such as a capillary tube or plurality thereof. The separation apparatus is then placed in a buffer. An electric field is then applied, forming a bias between the ends along which the sample is separated. Once separated, the large area detector scans the entire gel plate and resultant image data is provided. By way of the improved method, the entire gel plate can be scanned at the same time and repeatedly, resulting in greater accuracy and a shorter time to sequence.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for delivering medication to the lungs is described. Acoustic ink printing technology is modified to operate as an inhaler that generates tiny droplets near a patient's nose or mouth. The tiny droplets are easily carried by air currents into the patient's lungs. The inhaler itself is preferably a battery operated portable device that can be easily carried and easily cleaned to avoid contaminating the medication.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for delivering medication to the lungs is described. Acoustic ink printing technology is modified to operate as an inhaler that generates tiny droplets near a patient's nose or mouth. The tiny droplets are easily carried by air currents into the patient's lungs. The inhaler itself is preferably a battery operated portable device that can be easily carried and easily cleaned to avoid contaminating the medication.

Abstract: An air jet game comprising an air jet conduiting member having a plurality of air jet outlets and a controller adapted to selectively control at least partially, the flow of air out of the air jet outlets in order to move an object located in an air flow path of the outlet in a desired direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.