Process for metering, in particular microvolumes of a liquid; application to obtaining controlled dilutions, especially nanomolar dilutions

摘要

A capillary cavity is provided in communication with a liquid bath container. The cavity is metered with a predetermined quantity of a liquid by a process that includes: (a) providing at least one capillary cavity, which outwardly emerges via an introduction orifice and is dimensioned such that the liquid cannot enter or leave the cavity spontaneously; (b) providing a bath of the liquid; (c) evacuating the cavity, initially free of any liquid, in order to bring its internal pressure to a value that is less than a pressure prevailing above the liquid bath; (d) connecting the interior of the capillary cavity, which is at least partially evacuated, to the liquid bath via the introduction orifice, thereby filling the cavity; (e) separating the filled capillary cavity from a remainder of the liquid bath; (f) emptying the capillary cavity which is filled and separated from the liquid bath via the introduction orifice. The method and device have applications including, for example, diluting a precise amount of liquid with a diluent.