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WO1986002161A1 - Techniques d'utilisation de pipettes pourvues de bouts remplaçables - Google Patents

Techniques d'utilisation de pipettes pourvues de bouts remplaçables Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1986002161A1
WO1986002161A1 PCT/US1984/001571 US8401571W WO8602161A1 WO 1986002161 A1 WO1986002161 A1 WO 1986002161A1 US 8401571 W US8401571 W US 8401571W WO 8602161 A1 WO8602161 A1 WO 8602161A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tip
stem
barrel
end section
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1984/001571
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Donald H. Devaughn
Edward H. Ii Maker
Philip S. Watts
Dallas L. Raty
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP19840903739 priority Critical patent/EP0197921A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US1984/001571 priority patent/WO1986002161A1/fr
Publication of WO1986002161A1 publication Critical patent/WO1986002161A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/021—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
    • B01L3/0217—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids of the plunger pump type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to pipetting apparatus and more particularly to specific manual and automated pipetting techniques utilizing replaceable tips and certain support equipment.
  • Another object of the present invention is to achieve the last-mentioned object by providing a pipetting
  • a further object of the present invention is to wipe away any residue of a given sample from both the outside and the inside of the barrel after all of the collected sample has been dispensed, thereby further avoiding cross-contamination.
  • a more particular object of the present invention is to provide a rapid and reliable way of automatically removing a used tip from-an associated stem forming part of the pipetting apparatus and rapid and reliable ways of placing a new tip onto the stem.
  • Another particular object of the present invention is to provide a specific pipette tip which is designed to be readily removed from or readily impaled by an associated pipetting stem in a rapid, reliable and economical fashion.
  • Still another feature of the present invention is that after a sample has been dispensed from the barrel of the pipettor, the tip as it is being ejected from the barrel wipes the inside surface of the barrel clean. Thus, any sample residue is removed from the inside surface of the barrel and cross-contamination is further avoided.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an uncomplicated and economical arrangement for collecting used pipette tips which are separated from an associated stem forming part of the pipetting apparatus along with the previously mentioned barrel while providing means for automatically wiping any residue of a given specimen from an outer surface section of the barrel.
  • Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an uncomplicated, reliable and yet economical technique for automating the pipetting procedure which utilizes replaceable tips and which is compatable with the last mentioned tip collecting and residue wiping arrangement.
  • the pi ⁇ petting apparatus disclosed herein utilizes a pipetting device including an elongated barrel and plunger assembly.
  • the barrel has forward and rearward open ends and an inner chamber extending therebetween.
  • the plunger assembly includes a plunger stem which carries a tip on its front end section for movement along the barrel chamber and means for moving the tip within the barrel in a controlled manner for collecting and dispensing a controlled amount of a given specimen.
  • the tip is connected to the front end section of the stem so as to be readily removable therefrom and connectable thereto without damage to the stem, whereby a given tip can be readily replaced with another tip.
  • manual means are provided for moving the stem and connected tip and in another embodiment automated means are provided.
  • the plunger stem is preferably sufficiently long relative to its associated barrel chamber so as to make the tip and the front end section of the stem movable into a "tip eject" position outside and in front of the forward end of the barrel.
  • the tip is specifically designed relative to the barrel and its associated stem for automatic removal from the latter while in this position. This is accomplished in accordance with the present invention by making at least a portion of the
  • the pipetting device thus far described is operated manually.
  • the overall apparatus includes means for operating the pipetting device in a power driven, automated fashion.
  • a specimen is collected within a given barrel chamber and dispensed therefrom and the used tip is replaced with a new tip in a power driven, automated procedure.
  • the present invention also provides a collection chamber for used tips and an arrangement including an automatically replaceable cloth which wipes any specimen residue from the outer surface of the front end section of the barrel each time a tip is removed.
  • Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a manually operated pipetting device designed in accordance with the present invention to include a readily displaceable pipette tip;
  • Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of a front end portion of a stem forming part of the pipetting device illustrated in Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is an axial sectional view of a replaceable tip forming part of the pipetting device illustrated in Figure 1 and designed to be readily removed from and connected with the front end section of the stem illustrated in Figure 3 without damaging the latter;
  • Figure 5 is a top plan view of a pipette tip containing plate arrangement for aiding in placing a tip of the type illustrated in Figure 4 onto the stem end portion illustrated in Figure 3 and in an operating position in the overall pipetting device shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 6 is a sectional view of the arrangement shown in Figure 5, taken generally along line 6-6 in Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the pipetting device illustrated in Figure 1 and specifically shown in a stored condition without a pipette tip;
  • Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 of the pipetting device but showing how a pipette tip is placed on its associated stem utilizing the arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 6;
  • Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7 and 8 of a pipetting device but showing how the pipette tip placed on the stem is located within a barrel which also forms part of the pipetting device;
  • Figures 10-14 diagrammatically illustrate how the pipetting device of Figure 1 is used to collect a given specimen within its barrel and thereafter dispense the
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement designed in accordance with the present invention for collecting used pipette tips and, at the same time, wiping an outer surface of the pipette barrel of specimen residue;
  • Figure 16 is a partially broken away top plan view of a section of the arrangement of Figure 15, specifically a section illustrating its cleaning chamber;
  • Figure 17 is a side elevational view in section of the cleaning chamber illustrated in Figure 16, taken generally along line 17-17 in Figure 16;
  • Figure 18 is a partially broken away top plan view of the overall arrangement illustrated in Figure 15, specifically illustrating a drive system forming part of the overall arrangement;
  • Figure 19 is a perspective view of an automated, power driven pipetting device designed in accordance with a number of features of the present invention including the utilization of replaceable pipette tips;
  • Figure 20 is a partially broken away side elevational view of a bottom section of the device illustrated in Figure 19 and specifically illustrating its stem in a tip eject position;
  • Figure 21 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a pipette tip for use with the device illustrated in Figure 19;
  • Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the automated, power driven pipetting device illustrated in Figure 19;
  • Figure 23 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device illustrated in Figure 19;
  • Figure 24 is a sectional view of a portion of the device of Figure 19, taken generally along line 24-24 in Figure 23;
  • Figure 25 is a side elevational view of another portion of the device of Figure 19, particularly a view illustrating how a replaceable tip is impaled onto the associated stem and placed into its associated barrel;
  • Figure 26 is a schematic illustration of circuit components forming part of the pipetting device illustrated in Figure 19 for operating the device in an automated, power driven fashion;
  • Figure 27 schematically illustrates additional circuitry forming a modification to the automated pipetting device shown in Figures 19-25.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a manually operated pipetting device designed in accordance with the present invention.
  • This device is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 in Figure 1 and includes a hollow main body 12 and an elongated open ended barrel 14 which are connected together at adjacent ends by means of a coupling 16.
  • the device also includes a stem 18 having a front section 20 which extends co-axially through main body 12 and a chamber 22 defined by barrel 14, as best
  • the stem also includes a cross-sectionally larger back section 24 which carries a fingerhold 25 and which extends partially into main body 12 through an end cap 26.
  • the end cap is connected around the back end of the main body which serves as a support guide for section 24.
  • the main body 12 for any given device 10 will have a given length corresponding to the desired stroke length of stem 18 for determining the. desired amount of sample to be taken.
  • main body 12 takes the form of a cylindrical sleeve which is externally threaded at its forward and rearward ends for thread connection with coupling 16 and end cap 26 respectively.
  • coupling 16 engages behind an annular flange 32 forming the back end of barrel 14 for connecting the barrel to the main body and end cap 26 includes a central opening 34 for receiving stem section 24.
  • the overall stem is supported for axial movement relative to main body 12 and barrel 14 by a number of components located within the main body. These components include an upper inner sleeve 36 disposed around stem 18 at the juncture between stem sections 20 and 24 and a lower inner sleeve 38 disposed around stem section 22 a predetermined distance from member 36.
  • Upper sleeve 36 serves to limit the upward movement of the stem by engaging the underside of cap 26 and lower sleeve 38 serves to limit the downward movement of the stem by engaging shoulder 32 of barrel 14.
  • an upper spring 40 is disposed around the segment of end section 22 between members 36 and 38 and a larger spring 42 is disposed between member 38 and an inner annular shoulder 44 inside barrel 14 inwardly of and below flange 32.
  • Spring 40 is more easily compressed than spring 42 thus enabling the operator to tactilly position the tip of the Ready/Discharge position as described below.
  • the overall pipetting device 10 includes a pipette tip which is shown in Figure 4 at 46 and which, in accordance with the present invention, is designed to be readily and rapidly mountable to and removable from a forwardmost end segment 48 of stem 18 without damage to the stem.
  • segment 48 of the stem which is shown best in Figure 3 includes a constricted portion 50 of stem section 20 and endmost enlarged bulb 52 at the otherwise free end of portion 50.
  • pipette tip 46 includes a hollow • main body 54 having an inner cavity 56 corresponding generally in configuration to the combined outer surface of constricted portion 50 and bulb 52.
  • the pipette tip also includes a solid cylindrical forwardmost plug segment 58 and a rearwardmost cylindrical flange 60 having a central hole 62 which opens into cavity 56 and which is defined by an inwardly tapered cross-sectionally circular side wall 64.
  • the plug segment 58 of pipette tip 46 and its flange 60 are movable between re ⁇ laxed, expanded configurations as shown in Figure 4 and forced, contracted configurations.
  • the entire tip is an integrally formed unit constructed of a resiliently defor able, elastomeric material such as a suitable rubber or plastic material, for example, a polyethylene material meeting these requirements.
  • plug segment 58 and flange 60 can be made movable between their expanded and contracted configurations.
  • cavity 56 serves to receive front end segment 48 of the stem in a
  • FIG. 5 discloses a tip holding plate arrangement 66 which includes a flat plate 68 having a top side 70 containing a plurality of predesigned cavities 72 extending into the body.
  • Each Q cavity includes an uppermost cavity section 74 and a cross-sectionally smaller bottom cavity section 76 located below and co-axial with the upper section.
  • Section 74 has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the front end segment of 5 barrel 14 so as to receive the latter therein in a
  • Bottom section 76 is axially the same length as pipette tip 46 and has a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to but slightly smaller than the cross-sectional configurations of plug portion 58 and flange 60. More specifically, cavity section 76 has an inside diameter that corresponds in size to the inside diameter of the barrel chamber 22 and thus is sufficiently small to receive and maintain a pipette tip in its contracted configuration as illustrated in Figures 6 and 8. With regard to this latter drawing figure, it should be noted that the cross-sectional configuration of cavity section 76 corresponds identically to the cross-sectional configuration of barrel chamber 22.
  • a front end section of barrel 14 is placed in the cavity section 74 directly above the contracted tip and the stem 18 is caused to move so that its front end segment 48 moves from a position within the barrel chamber ( Figure 7) to the external position just mentioned ( Figure 8). This, in turn, causes stem portion 50 and bulb 52 to enter opening 56 and interlock with the tip. Thereafter, stem segment 48 is drawn back into the barrel chamber ( Figure 9) and carries the
  • FIGs 10-13 attention is directed to the way in which pipetting device 10 functions to collect a given specimen within its barrel chamber and thereafter dispense it therefrom.
  • barrel 14 is shown with stem 18 and a pipette tip 46 in its LOADED position, that is, connected to the stem and disposed within the barrel chamber.
  • the front end segment 48 of stem 20 and tip 46 have been moved to a READY position within barrel chamber 22 and at its forwardmost end. With the tip in this position, a front end section of the barrel is placed in the specimen to be collected generally indicated at 80 in Figure 11.
  • tip 46 is moved upward to its FILLED position, thereby drawing a predetermined quantity of the specimen into the barrel chamber behind it.
  • main body 12 may be made available in different lengths, as indicated above. This allows the stroke of the stem to be varied, thereby allowing different amounts of sample to be drawn up into barrel 14.
  • the coupling means 16 and end cap 26 are thread connected with an associated main body.
  • the end cap can be turned relative to its main body to precisely adjust (fine tune) the amount of sample to be obtained.
  • housing 84 defines three separate inner compartments, a central compartment 86 and two side compartments 88 and 90 which are separated from one another by spaced upstanding walls 92 and 94.
  • the central chamber serves to collect used pipette tips and, at the same time, it includes an assembly of components for automatically wiping specimen residue from the outer surface of the front end section of barrel 14.
  • the assembly of components just mentioned includes an elongated strip of loosely woven cotton material 96, most of which is initially stored within its own container 98 within compartment 86 in the folded fashion shown in Figure 17.
  • An end section of this material is passed through a cooperating opening in container 98 and extends along a horizontal path directly under an opening 100 into the central chamber from the top side of housing 84.
  • the material thereafter passes between a drive roller 102 and a press roll 104 which, with other components to be discussed, serves to move the sheet material in incremental steps from its supply container 98 along a horizontal path in the direction of arrow 106 and eventually to the bottom of chamber 86.
  • overall arrangement 82 serves to collect used pipette tips after they are used by pipetting device 10 and for wiping specimen residue from a front end section of barrel 14. More specifically, after the device has been used to collect and dispense a
  • the barrel 14 is inserted through opening 100 in arrangement 82 sufficiently to pass its specimen contaminated front end section through strip material 96 as best illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 17. With the barrel in this position, its pipette tip is removed, thereby causing it to fall to the base of chamber 86. After this has been accomplished, the barrel is removed from chamber 86. As the front end section of the barrel contaminated with the collected specimen is inserted into and removed from the mesh material, the specimen residue is removed by the material.
  • cooperating control components in chambers 88 and 90 forming part of arrangement 82 respond to this procedure by automatically moving the strip material an increment in the direction of arrow 106 after the pipette barrel has been removed. This places a clean segment . of the material directly under, opening 100 for the next cycle.
  • control components which include an electrical stepping motor 108 powered by a suitable power cell 110 both of which are located in chamber 88.
  • the stepping motor includes a drive shaft 112 which is coupled to drive roller 102 in chamber 86 (see Figure 16) .
  • the components also include a control circuit comprising a light source 114, a cooperating photocell 116 and suitable time delay electric circuitry generally indicated at 118.
  • the light source and photo cell are respectively disposed within chambers 88 and 90 in a common horizontal plane and are in optical alignment through cooperating openings 120 and 122 in the side walls 92 and 94, respectively.
  • OMPI - ⁇ S>J As best seen in Figure 17, the light source and photocell are positioned such that the line of sight between the two is interrupted when barrel 14 is positioned within chamber 86 in the manner described previously. This is important to the operation of the control circuitry 118. More specifically, until a given pipette barrel is inserted into and removed from chamber 86, stepping motor remains de-energized and sheet material 96 does not move.
  • circuitry 118 which causes the power cell 110 to energize the stepping motor a predetermined period of time thereafter sufficient to allow the barrel to be entirely removed from chamber 86.
  • the motor is energized only sufficient to cause its shaft to be rotated an increment which, in turn, causes the sheet material to move an increment, as described previously.
  • the circuitry 118 automatically resets itself in order to maintain the motor in a de-energized state until the pipette barrel is again inserted into and thereafter removed from chamber 86, at which time the process is repeated.
  • housing 84 includes suitable means for obtaining access to chamber 86 as well as the other chambers. As illustrated ' in Figure 15, a door 124 serves this purpose.
  • FIG. 19 This apparatus which is generally indicated at 130 in Figure 19 is best, illustrated in this latter figure in conjunction with Figures 20-25.
  • the overall apparatus is shown including an outermost housing 132 including switches 134, 136 and 138 to be discussed hereinafter and a readout display 140 which will also be discussed hereinafter.
  • the apparatus also includes an elongated open ended pipette barrel 142 partially depending from the bottom end of housing 132 in a vertically extending direction.
  • a stem 144 which is only partially shown in Figures 19 and 20 also comprises part of the overall apparatus and is shown extending through barrel 142 so that a front end section 146 thereof is disposed outside and below the barrel's inner chamber 148.
  • Front end section 146 may be identical to the front end section 48 of previously described stem 22 (see Figure 3) or it may be more arrow shaped as illustrated in Figure 20.
  • a replaceable tip 148 corresponding in function to previously described tip 46 is disposed on stem section 146 and is best shown separate from the stem in Figure 21.
  • tip 148 has an opening or cavity 150 which corresponds in configuration to stem section 146. It also includes a main body 152 having an outwardly flared back end 154 and a front plug segment in the form of a radially outward circumferential flange 155 corresponding in function to plug segment 58 of plug tip 46 (see Figure 4) . Like previously described pipette tip 46, tip 148 is designed to move between a relaxed expanded position larger cross-sectionally than barrel chamber 148 and a forced contracted position sufficiently small to fit tightly but slidably within barrel chamber 148. In a preferred embodiment, the tip is constructed as an integral unit from a resiliently
  • deformable material for example, rubber.
  • Figure 20 shows part of a pipette tip feed plate generally indicated at 156 and part of a tip supply magazine generally indicated at 158.
  • magazine 158 serves to contain a supply of replaceable tips 148 and is designed to deliver these tips, one at a time, to the feed plate 156, as will be described in detail hereinafter.
  • the feed plate serves to place successive pipette tips in a LOADING position directly over and in alignment with the top open end of barrel 142.
  • an arrangement of components forming part of the overall apparatus to be described in conjunction with Figures 22-25 serve to automatically place the stem 144 in a sufficiently raised position such that stem section 146 is above feed plate 156, that is, in its LOADING position. ⁇ Thereafter, the stem is caused to move downward and into the awaiting tip for connecting the latter thereto. The stem continues to move causing its front end section and the impaled tip to enter barrel chamber 148. As the tip enters the barrel chamber it is forced into its contracted configuration in a manner to be discussed hereinafter with regard to Figure 25. In accordance with the automated process, stem section 146 and its tip move all the way down to the bottom end of the barrel and stop at what is referred to as the READY position.
  • the front end section of the barrel is placed into a given specimen or a given specimen is brought into this position while the barrel remains stationary.
  • the stem is then raised so as to move the tip upward to a predetermined FILLED position which depends upon the desired amount of specimen to be collected.
  • the specimen collected is dispensed into a new container by moving tip 148 from its FILLED position
  • stem section 146 and the stem are moved to the previously mentioned EJECT position outside and below the barrel chamber, causing the tip to automatically move to its relaxed, expanded configuration. Thereafter, the stem section 146 is brought back into the barrel chamber, thereby causing the tip to be ejected therefrom since the tip no longer can fit back into the barrel.
  • the previously described arrangement 82 could be utilized in conjunction with this latter step.
  • overall apparatus 130 includes a number of components in addition to those recited for carrying out the procedure just described in an automated manner. These additional components are best illustrated in Figures 22-24 and include an arrangement
  • the addi ⁇ tional components also include an arrangement 162 including the feed plate 156 and the magazine 158.
  • these additional components include the previously mentioned switches 134, 136 and 138 and the display 140 as well as the control circuitry schematically illustrated in Figure 26 at 164.
  • arrangement 160 This arrangement includes a vertically extending threaded shaft 166 supported within housing 132 for rotation about its own
  • a reversable motor 180 also forms part of arrangement 160 and is coupled to shaft 166 through a series of gears generally indicated at 182 so as to rotate the shaft about its own axis either clockwise or counterclockwise in a controlled manner to be described hereinafter.
  • a suitable power supply such as the battery 184 shown within housing 132 forms part of circuitry 164 for energizing motor 180 in a controlled fashion.
  • arrangement 160 includes a jack screw 186 threadably mounted around the shaft 166 so as to move down " the shaft when the latter is rotated in one direction and up the shaft when it rotates in the opposite direction.
  • the jack screw is fixably connected to a top end section of pipette stem 144 so as to cause the stem to move up and down with it. More specifically, the jack screw is moved in a controlled manner between four distinct positions along shaft 166 in order to place the stem in its LOADING, FILLED, READY, (DISPENSE) or EJECT position.
  • arrangement 160 includes four HALL effect sensors SI, S2, S3 and S4 in predetermined locations along the length of and adjacent to shaft 166.
  • jack screw 186 is constructed of a magnetic material or, as illustrated in Figure 23, carries with it a magnetic member 188.
  • the four sensors and this sensing member along with cooperating circuitry forming part of the circuit arrangement 164 indicate if and when member 188 is directly adjacent any one of these sensors by producing a corresponding electrical signal.
  • Sl is fixedly mounted within housing 132 by any suitable means at a location corresponding to the LOADING position of stem 144.
  • the S2 sensor is suitably fixedly mounted within the housing at a location corresponding to the READY (DISPENSE) position of the stem and the sensor S4 is fixedly located in a suitable manner within the housing so as to correspond to the EJECT position of the stem.
  • the S3 sensor is located within the housing so as to correspond to the FILLED position of the stem but is preferably supported for limited vertical movement between various adjustable positions so as to be able to adjust the FILLED position and thereby adjust the amount of specimen to be collected.
  • sensor S3 is preferably mounted on its own jack screw (not shown) which, in turn, would be mounted on its own threaded shaft (not shown) similar to shaft 166 and rotatable manually on and between, for example, the support plates 168 and 170 for adjusting the FILLED position.
  • circuit arrangement 164 in cooperation with the sensors SI, S2, S3 and S4 can be utilized to automatically move the stem 144 between its LOADING, READY (DISPENSE) , FILLED and EJECT positions automatically.
  • the control signals from the sensors can be used to coordinate arrangement 160 with arrangement 162 to be described below.
  • this arrangement includes feed plate 156 and tip magazine 158.
  • the feed plate is best illustrated in Figures 22 and 24 and is shown somewhat disc shaped so as to include horizontally extending top and bottom, sides 190 and 192 ( Figure 23) , respectively, and a vertically extending circular side
  • Side wall 194 includes equally circumferentially spaced semi-circular slots 196 and a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced through holes 198 extending through the plate from its top side 5 to its bottom side for reasons which will be described hereinafter.
  • the entire plate is located within housing 132 under shaft 166 and support plate 170 and includes a centrally located, downwardly depending support stem 200 extending into a cooperating bearing 202 located in a 0 support frame 204.
  • the support frame and the bearing support the stem 200 and therefore the entire feed plate for rotation about its central axis, again for reasons to be described hereinafter.
  • the tip magazine 158 is 5 shown including an elongated main body 206 having a plurality of elongated chambers 208 (see Figure 24) located outwardly., of and equally circumferentially spaced around a central passageway 210.
  • the outer chambers are open ended and, as will be seen o hereinafter, serve to receive and store pipette tips 148.
  • the tips are urged downward toward the feed plate 156 (see Figure 22) by a spring, not shown, located in each elongated chamber 208.
  • the central passageway 210 is closed at its bottom end (see Figure 23) and is 5 opened at its top end for the reasons to follow.
  • the top end of main body 206 is adapted to receive an end cap 212 which closes the top ends of chambers 208 and which includes a central opening in alignment with passageway 210.
  • the bottom end of the magazine body 206 is located partially over a segment of feed plate 156 as best seen in Figure 24 and partially over a bottom cover plate 212 forming part of the housing.
  • the magazine is supported for axial rotation in this position at its top end by a 5 support pin 214 having a bottom end section disposed
  • the pin 214 carries a fixed top flange 218 and a slidable bottom washer 220 with a compression spring 222 therebetween.
  • the bottom washer engages against top cap 212 and the spring urges the bottom washer and the entire magazine downwards.
  • the bottom end of the magazine body includes a downwardly facing opening 224 which is semi-circular in cross-section for receiving a similarly configured drive thumb 226 which is best illustrated in Figure 22.
  • Drive thumb 226 is fixedly connected for rotation with a horizontal gear 228 which comprises part of an overall gear arrangement generally indicated at 230.
  • This gear arrangement also includes a worm gear within worm gear housing 232 and a gear 234 connected to the output shaft of a drive motor 236.
  • the drive motor serves to rotate drive thumb 226 through the gear arrangement 230 for rotating magazine 158 in a controlled manner in cooperation with arrangement 160, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
  • gear arrangement 230 includes suitable gears (not shown) for coupling motor 236 with feed plate 156 for rotating the latter in synchronism with magazine 158.
  • arrangement 162 like arrangement 160, utilizes the various circuitry forming part of circuit arrangement 164.
  • This circuitry includes a limit switch 240 ( Figure 24) having an actuation arm 242 which carries a roller 244 designed to engage within the slots 196 around the feed plate 156.
  • the limit switch is designed so that its roller 244 continuously engages against the outer periphery of feed plate and therefore within the slots 196, one at a time. When the roller engages within one of these slots the switch is in one position and when the roller is forced out of a slot by movement of the feed plate (in the manner described hereinafter) the
  • each of the chambers is sufficiently large in cross-sectional configuration to support a stack of tips in a loose fitting fashion such that the tips are urged toward the bottom of the chamber by a compression spring located in each chamber.
  • the springs are not used and the tips are fed from the magazine by gravity.
  • holes 198 will depend upon whether or not a gravitational feed or spring force is utilized in placing the tips therein. If a gravitational feed approach is used, the holes 198 must be made sufficiently large to receive by means of gravity at least a sufficiently long segment of each tip such that the top end of the latter clears the bottom of magazine 158. Whether a tip is registered in hole
  • opening 198 by means of gravity or force, the opening must be configured so as not to allow the tip to pass entirely therethrough upon receipt.
  • One way to accomplish this is to inwardly taper each of the holes from its top end to its bottom end.
  • Another way is to provide the pipette tip with an outwardly and rearwardly flaring back end or wing as in tip 148. In this way, the back end prevents the tip from freely passing through opening 198, that is, without an intention to do so, as seen best in Figure 25.
  • barrel chamber 148 is uniformly configured along its entire length, except for a top end segment 148'. This top end segment is larger at its uppermost end and tapers inwardly to merge with the rest of the chamber as illustrated in Figure 25.
  • chamber section 148' is slightly larger than the forwardmost end of tip 148 and thereby is adapted to readily receive the latter as the tip is forced into chamber 148. More specifically, with a given tip within its associated opening 198 directly over barrel 142 in the manner illustrated in Figure 25, stem 144 is caused to move from its position illustrated in Figure 25 downward so as to impale the tip and force the latter into barrel 148. As the tip moves through barrel section 148' it is forced into its contracted configuration by the constricting cross-sectional areas leading to the uniform barrel section.
  • tip 148 it may not be necessary to taper barrel chamber 148.
  • tip 148 is sufficiently resilient so as to elongate when it is first impaled by stem 144, its cross-sectional dimensions may be sufficiently reduced to fit within the uniform cross-section of barrel 148. After the initial impaling force has been removed, the tip will attempt to return to its natural (non-elongated) state but will be prevented from doing so by the chamber wall.
  • Another way to eliminate the taper in barrel chamber 148 is to provide an inwardly tapering front end segment on the pipette tip itself sufficient to fit within a uniformly configured barrel chamber. However, this means that the tapered front end section would not fit tightly within the chamber and is therefore not a preferred approach.
  • the feed plate and the magazine and the gears interconnecting them with motor 236 are designed such that the hole 198 that was in registry with barrel chamber 148 comes into registry with the next magazine chamber 208, specifically the A chamber and thereby receives a new pipette tip.
  • a hole 198 which already includes a pipette tip automatically comes into registry with barrel chamber.
  • mode switch 138 is in the position illustrated in Figure 19, that is, in its TWO SWITCH mode.
  • stem 144 is in its READY (S2) position within barrel 142 with a tip 148 connected thereto.
  • the switch 134 is depressed and held in this position which automatically causes the stem to move upward from its READY position to its FILLED position (S3) .
  • the barrel may be moved to a specimen receiving station.
  • switch 134 the stem is automatically moved from its FILLED position to its DISPENSE position (S2) .
  • the feed plate and magazine do not move.
  • Apparatus 130 is now ready to repeat its pipetting procedure.
  • Apparatus 130 may be operated in a SINGLE SWITCH mode by moving the switch 138 to the right as viewed in Figure 19.
  • this mode only switch 134 is used to operate the apparatus.
  • stem 144 is caused to move one step of its cycle, that is, from one of its operating positions to the following one in the normal operating procedure.
  • depressing and releasing switch 134 causes the stem to move to its FILLED position.
  • the switch is depressed and released, the stem moves to its DISPENSE position. Thereafter it is caused to move to its EJECT position and then to its LOADING position and finally to its READY position, each of these steps requiring the operator to depress and release switch 134.
  • Circuit arrangement 164 includes the necessary circuitry to operate apparatus 130 in either its TWO SWITCH or SINGLE SWITCH mode.
  • the actual circuitry illustrated in Figure 26 corresponds to a specific working embodiment and is provided for exemplary purposes only.
  • the circuitry per se could vary and, in any event, be readily provided in view of the teachings herein.
  • certain modifications to this circuitry could be provided depending upon the desired operation of the overall apparatus. For example, while the actual working embodiment of apparatus 130 referred to previously does not include the visual display 140 shown in Figure 20, the apparatus could be readily modified to include one indicating the
  • jackscrew 186 is shown electro- mechanically connected to a lineal precision potentiometer 300 by means of a suitable wiper arm 302.
  • the potentiometer is connected across a voltage, for example, the SVDC source illustrated.
  • the voltage picked off of the . pot is used to drive the visual display 140 which may be a conventional digital voltmeter having a liquid crystal display.
  • Suitable, readily providable circuitry generally indicated at 304 may be provided for processing and calibrating the voltage from the pot so that the display indicates the position of the tip 148 by monitoring the position of the jackscrew.
  • the sensor S3 could be monitored for movement on a suitable support post 306 relative to the other sensors discussed above in order to establish the amount of specimen to be sampled.
  • Sensor S3 includes its own wiper arm 308 which cooperates with pot 300 and circuitry 304 for visually indicating the selected specimen amount by the position of the sensor (actually its wiper arm) along the pot.
  • a switch forming part of circuitry 304 could be provided for alternately selecting between the outposts from wipers 302 and 308 or two LCD arrangements could be used.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

Procédés et dispositifs manuels et automatiques d'utilisation de pipettes pour le prélèvement et l'administration de quantités déterminées d'un spécimen donné. Chacun de ces dispositifs utilise une pipette (10) comprenant une tige (20) pourvue d'un bout remplaçable (46) et chaque pipette est conçue de sorte qu'un bout, une fois utilisé, puisse être automatiquement ôté de la tige associée. Chaque dispositif comprend également un agencement particulier (66) permettant de placer un nouveau bout sur une tige donnée et chaque dispositif utilise un agencement spécifique (86) permettant de recueillir les bouts utilisés et d'éliminer les restes de spécimen de certains composants de son dispositif de pipette.
PCT/US1984/001571 1984-10-02 1984-10-02 Techniques d'utilisation de pipettes pourvues de bouts remplaçables Ceased WO1986002161A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19840903739 EP0197921A1 (fr) 1984-10-02 1984-10-02 Techniques d'utilisation de pipettes pourvues de bouts rempla ables
PCT/US1984/001571 WO1986002161A1 (fr) 1984-10-02 1984-10-02 Techniques d'utilisation de pipettes pourvues de bouts remplaçables

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1984/001571 WO1986002161A1 (fr) 1984-10-02 1984-10-02 Techniques d'utilisation de pipettes pourvues de bouts remplaçables

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1986002161A1 true WO1986002161A1 (fr) 1986-04-10

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1984/001571 Ceased WO1986002161A1 (fr) 1984-10-02 1984-10-02 Techniques d'utilisation de pipettes pourvues de bouts remplaçables

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0197921A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1986002161A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009051654A1 (de) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-05 Eppendorf Ag Dosiervorrichtung für Flüssigkeiten und Verfahren zum Dosieren von Flüssigkeiten

Citations (14)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US197017A (en) * 1877-11-13 Improvement in dose-measurers
US3045674A (en) * 1958-11-24 1962-07-24 Graham Chemical Corp Hypodermic syringe piston
US3253592A (en) * 1962-06-08 1966-05-31 Baxter Don Inc Plastic syringe
GB1209182A (en) * 1967-03-15 1970-10-21 Pye Ltd Injectors for injecting measured micro-quantities of liquid samples
US3572998A (en) * 1969-05-12 1971-03-30 Erik W Anthon Liquid sampling and pipetting apparatus
USRE27637E (en) * 1968-08-16 1973-05-08 Pipetting system
US3791560A (en) * 1968-09-26 1974-02-12 Precision Sampling Corp Seals (psc-14)
US3915651A (en) * 1972-09-22 1975-10-28 Us Government Direct digital control pipette
US4084730A (en) * 1975-09-18 1978-04-18 Labora Mannheim Gmbh Fur Labortechnik Measuring and pipetting device
US4215092A (en) * 1976-04-08 1980-07-29 Osmo A. Suovaniemi Apparatus for liquid portioning and liquid transferring
US4346742A (en) * 1980-06-02 1982-08-31 P.M. America, Inc. Method for diluting a liquid test sample and computer controlld diluting apparatus
US4362064A (en) * 1980-01-11 1982-12-07 Marteau D Autry Eric Positive-displacement pipette
US4399712A (en) * 1981-02-09 1983-08-23 Nichiryo Co., Ltd. Semi-automatic electro-mechanical pipette with controlled tip remover
US4418580A (en) * 1981-10-13 1983-12-06 Sherwood Medical Company Pipettor mechanism and disposable tip and piston assembly

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US197017A (en) * 1877-11-13 Improvement in dose-measurers
US3045674A (en) * 1958-11-24 1962-07-24 Graham Chemical Corp Hypodermic syringe piston
US3253592A (en) * 1962-06-08 1966-05-31 Baxter Don Inc Plastic syringe
GB1209182A (en) * 1967-03-15 1970-10-21 Pye Ltd Injectors for injecting measured micro-quantities of liquid samples
USRE27637E (en) * 1968-08-16 1973-05-08 Pipetting system
US3791560A (en) * 1968-09-26 1974-02-12 Precision Sampling Corp Seals (psc-14)
US3572998A (en) * 1969-05-12 1971-03-30 Erik W Anthon Liquid sampling and pipetting apparatus
US3915651A (en) * 1972-09-22 1975-10-28 Us Government Direct digital control pipette
US4084730A (en) * 1975-09-18 1978-04-18 Labora Mannheim Gmbh Fur Labortechnik Measuring and pipetting device
US4215092A (en) * 1976-04-08 1980-07-29 Osmo A. Suovaniemi Apparatus for liquid portioning and liquid transferring
US4362064A (en) * 1980-01-11 1982-12-07 Marteau D Autry Eric Positive-displacement pipette
US4346742A (en) * 1980-06-02 1982-08-31 P.M. America, Inc. Method for diluting a liquid test sample and computer controlld diluting apparatus
US4399712A (en) * 1981-02-09 1983-08-23 Nichiryo Co., Ltd. Semi-automatic electro-mechanical pipette with controlled tip remover
US4418580A (en) * 1981-10-13 1983-12-06 Sherwood Medical Company Pipettor mechanism and disposable tip and piston assembly

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009051654A1 (de) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-05 Eppendorf Ag Dosiervorrichtung für Flüssigkeiten und Verfahren zum Dosieren von Flüssigkeiten
DE102009051654B4 (de) * 2009-10-30 2013-01-03 Eppendorf Ag Dosiervorrichtung für Flüssigkeiten und Verfahren zum Dosieren von Flüssigkeiten
US8570029B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2013-10-29 Eppendorf Ag Metering apparatus for liquids and method for metering liquids

Also Published As

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