Patents by Inventor Chris D. Smith

Chris D. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for electrostatic dispensing of microdroplets
    Patent number: 6995024
    Abstract: An apparatus and device for dispensing femtoliter to nanoliter volumes of liquid samples are disclosed. The apparatus includes a liquid-support plate, two electrodes, a substrate, and a control unit. The liquid support plate has a plurality of liquid-support regions, each capable of supporting a liquid meniscus thereon. The first electrode contains a plurality of electrode connections, each operatively connected to one of the liquid support regions, for electrical contact with a meniscus supported in such region. The substrate has a first side confronting the plate and an opposite side, and a plurality of sample-holding regions formed in the first side. The second electrode is disposed adjacent one of the two substrate sides. Thus, a selected volume of the liquid can be ejected from or to one or more of the liquid-support regions to or from one or more of the sample-holding regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Chris D. Smith, Pablo E. Garcia, Thomas P. Low, Eric J. Shrader
  • Method and apparatus for electrostatic dispensing of microdroplets
    Publication number: 20030049177
    Abstract: An apparatus and device for dispensing femtoliter to nanoliter volumes of liquid samples are disclosed. The apparatus includes a liquid-support plate, two electrodes, a substrate, and a control unit. The liquid support plate has a plurality of liquid-support regions, each capable of supporting a liquid meniscus thereon. The first electrode contains a plurality of electrode connections, each operatively connected to one of the liquid support regions, for electrical contact with a meniscus supported in such region. The substrate has a first side confronting the plate and an opposite side, and a plurality of sample-holding regions formed in the first side. The second electrode is disposed adjacent one of the two substrate sides. Thus, a selected volume of the liquid can be ejected from or to one or more of the liquid-support regions to or from one or more of the sample-holding regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Chris D. Smith, Pablo E. Garcia, Thomas P. Low, Eric J. Shrader