Pipette tip washing device

• US 10,155,055 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2016
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grenova, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Grenova, Inc.
• Inventors: Safavi, Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): Markoff, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US15/189,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20160296651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0007 Washing phases
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0015 other treatment phases, e.g. steam or sterilizing phase
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0084 of drawer-type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4214 Water supply, recirculation or discharge arrangements; Devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4242 by using ultraviolet generators
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/17 Combination with washing or cleaning means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/00 Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air body deodorants A61Q15/00; purifying air by respirators A62B, A62D9/00; separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours B01D45/00 - B01D51/00, B03C3/00; chemical or biological purification of waste gases B01D53/34; production of ozone C01B13/10; air-conditioning systems incorporating sterilisation F24F3/16, F24F8/20
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 13/02 for receptacle or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0275 Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/08 the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect substances used, see the relevant classes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0057 by ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/04 by a combination of operations
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0321 using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid E04F17/126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1004 Cleaning sample transfer devices

Abstract

A washing device comprises top, middle, and bottom compartments. The top compartment comprises a manifold dispenser that comprises at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack. A number of liquid outputs is equal to a number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs operably directs fluid at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables. The middle compartment is positioned below the top compartment and comprises a washing chamber capable of receiving fluid output by the plurality of liquid outputs. The washing chamber has a floor comprising a material transparent to ultraviolet light. The bottom compartment is positioned below the washing chamber and has a light source that is capable of outputting UV light in the direction of the washing chamber and through the floor of the washing chamber.

Claims

1. A washing device comprising:

a top compartment comprising a manifold dispenser, wherein the manifold dispenser comprises at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack, a number of liquid outputs being equal to a number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs operably directs fluid at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables;

a middle compartment positioned below the top compartment and comprising a washing chamber capable of receiving fluid output by the plurality of liquid outputs of the manifold dispenser, the washing chamber having a floor comprising a material transparent to ultraviolet (UV) light; and

a bottom compartment positioned below the washing chamber, the bottom compartment having a light source mounted thereto, wherein the light source is capable of outputting UV light in the direction of the washing chamber and through the floor of the washing chamber.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rack comprises a tip rack and the plurality of laboratory consumables comprise a plurality of pipette tips.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the tip rack is configured to hold 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 pipette tips.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the washing chamber is capable of retaining liquid output by the plurality of liquid outputs such that the liquid cannot enter the bottom compartment.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the washing chamber further comprises a waste drain operable to dispense retained liquid from the wash chamber.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the top compartment comprises a plurality of manifold dispensers, each manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a respective rack, a number of liquid outputs of each manifold dispenser being equal to a number of laboratory consumables held by a respective rack such that each one of the fluid outputs operably directs fluid at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the material transparent to UV light comprises quartz glass.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fiber optic channels extending through the manifold dispenser at each of the plurality of liquid outputs.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the light source is further coupled to the plurality of fiber optic channels.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of liquid outputs each comprise a nozzle having an opening into which one of the plurality of fiber optic channels extends.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the wash compartment is further configured to removably receive a wash sleeve, the wash sleeve comprising a material capable of reflecting at least a portion of the UV light output by the light source.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the washing chamber has a plurality of walls and one or more of the plurality of walls comprise a material transparent to ultraviolet (UV) light.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the middle compartment includes one or more additional light sources mounted thereto and proximate to one or more of the plurality of walls of the washing chamber, wherein the one or more additional light sources are capable of outputting UV light in the direction of the washing chamber and through one or more of the plurality of walls of the washing chamber.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more transducers capable of outputting sound in an ultrasonic range into the washing chamber.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more mechanical cylinders that operably agitate the rack.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the middle compartment comprises a drawer capable of opening and closing.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the manifold dispenser is capable of being raised and lowered vertically relative to the middle compartment.