Method of attaching a pipette tip and an apparatus for such method

• US 20050125163A1
• Filed: 10/14/2004
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sartorius Biohit Liquid Handling Oy (Sartorius AG)
• Original Assignee: Biohit Oyj
• Inventors: Suovaniemi, Osmo, Ekholm, Pertti
• Granted Patent: US 7,563,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/33
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/023 adapted for different sizes of tubes, tips or container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/02 Identification, exchange or storage of information
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/027 Digital display, e.g. LCD, LED
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0227 Details of motor drive means B01L3/0231, B01L3/0234 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0279 co-operating with positive ejection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/103 using disposable tips

Abstract

The object of this invention is a method for attaching a pipette tip and an apparatus for such method. The method comprises the following steps: opening the interlocking which attaches the replaceable part with the help of electronically controlled interlocking mechanism for detaching or receiving the replaceable part; saving the information of the opening of the interlocking mechanism to the control electronics of the pipette; closing the interlocking which attaches the replaceable part with the help of the electronically controlled interlocking mechanism for attaching the replaceable part; saving the information of the closing of the interlocking mechanism to the control electronics of the pipette; providing the dispensing parameters and/or type and/or size of the replaceable part with the help of a keyboard to the control electronics to ensure the attachment of a desired replaceable part and to achieve pipetting readiness. The object of this invention is thus also to present a pipetting apparatus where the setting mechanism of the replaceable part is so arranged that it prevents accidentally perfomed setting mistakes but does not require using of a special tip.

Claims

1. Method for securing the attachment of and identifying a replaceable part which receives a liquid to be pipetted and which is attacheable to the pipetting device, characterized in that, the method comprises the following steps:

opening the interlocking which attaches the replaceable part with the help of an electronically controlled interlocking mechanism for detaching or receiving the replaceable part;

saving the information of the opening of the interlocking mechanism to a control electronics of the pipette;

closing the interlocking which attaches the replaceable part with the help of the electronically controlled interlocking mechanism for attaching the replaceable part;

saving the information of the closing of the interlocking mechanism to the control electronics of the pipette;

providing the dispensing parameters and/or type and/or size of the replaceable part with the help of a keyboard to the control electronics to ensure the attachment of a desired replaceable part and to achieve a pipetting readiness.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the replaceable part is a plunger-cylinder unit, whose plunger when the replaceable part is attached to the pipetting device is moved with help of a plunger adjustment means in relation to the cylinder during the pipetting movement for receiving and removing the liquid to be pipetted, whereat it is possible to arrange different types of replaceable parts to the pipette device, whereat still for all types it is arranged one and the same relative position of the plunger and the cylinder.

3. Electronically controlled pipette, which comprises:

body, which comprises an end part, where the detachable replaceable part is receivable;

electronic control means, which control the functioning of the pipette;

executing keyboard;

plunger movable in a longitudial direction of the body for portioning liquid to be pipetted;

characterized in that, the pipette further comprises;

electronically controlled interlocking means, with which the detachable replaceable part is interlockable to its position or detachable;

means for carrying the status of the interlocking means to the electronic control means;

with the keyboard the dispensing parameters and/or type and/or size of the replaceable part are possible to input to the electronic control means to ensure the attachment of the desired replaceable part and to achieve a pipetting readiness.

4. Electronically operated pipette according to claim 3, characterized in that, the pipette comprises:

has interlocking means which adjust in crosswise direction of the body, with which the replaceable part is interlockable to its position or detachable;

directing means for directing the movement of the interlockable means to a direction that differs from the longitudial direction;

movement of the plunger is continuable so that the continued movement of the plunger is turnable to a direction different from the longitudial direction with directing means which direct the movement of the interlocking means.

5. Pipette according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, the replaceable part is a plunger-cylinder combination.

6. Pipetting system which comprises a syringe with an attaching part and a syringe plunger and a suction device, wherein in the suction device:

there is a body, which comprises an end part, where the detachable replaceable part is receivable;

there is an electronic control means, which control the functioning of the pipette;

there is an executing keyboard;

there is a plunger movable in a longitudial direction of the body for portioning liquid to be pipetted;

there is an interlocking means which adjust in crosswise direction of the body, with which the replaceable part is interlockable to its position or detachable;

there is a directing means for directing the movement of the interlockable means to a direction that differs from the longitudial direction;

movement of the plunger is continuable so that the continued movement of the plunger is turnable to a direction different from the longitudial direction with directing means which direct the movement of the interlocking means

with the keyboard the dispensing parameters are possible to input to the electronic control means.

7. System according to claim 6, wherein in the suction device:

there is a receiving space in the body for the attachment part;

there is a receiving part, where the receiving space of the plunger for the syringe plunger;

there is attachment means for detachably attaching the attacment part and/or the syringe plunger to their receiving openings;

there is adjusting means of the plunger for moving the receiving part inside the pipette body;

the receiving part and the syringe plunger are movable through openings in an axial direction of their receiving openings to their receiving positions.

8. Pipetting system according to claim 7, characterized in that, the pipette further comprises:

operating arm (4) turnably beared to the receiving piece which is connected to a gripping means, to move the gripping means in a radial direction;

support point (5) which directs the movement of the operating arm;

operating arm comprises a first shoulder (6) which attaches the syringe plunger to its attachment position and a second shoulder (7) which is connected to a support point in the pipette body, with the help of which second shoulder and support point the axial movement of the receiving piece for detaching and/or attaching the syringe and the syringe plunger is directable also in the radial direction.

9. Pipetting system according to claim 6, characterized in that, in the pipette there is further for the attaching part and for the syringe plunger arranged distinct attachment means which both attachment means have distinct directing means with the help of which the attachment means are movable in the radial direction.