Labcyte Echo 520, User Manual, Page: 189 / 200

A-5
A.4.3 Transferring the droplet
Figure A.2 illustrates the ADE components discussed above and shows a
droplet being ejected from a 384-well to a 1536-well microplate.
The coupling fluid (distilled water) is pumped into the acoustic transducer
assembly. It exits through the coupler nozzle and flows down into the
coupling fluid catch basin. The coupling fluid is responsible for:
 Maintaining a stable acoustic transducer temperature. Transducer
performance is not consistent if its temperature changes during use.
 Efficiently coupling the acoustic energy between the transducer lens
and the bottom of the source microplate. If the acoustic energy were
to travel through air, it would be substantially attenuated and the
Echo acoustic droplet ejection would not function correctly.
The coupling fluid is returned to the coupling fluid bottle via a suction
created by the vacuum system.
Figure A.2 ADE diagram