Device for aspirating, manipulating, mixing and dispensing nano-volumes of liquids

• US 20050208676A1
• Filed: 03/17/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nanoquot, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nanoquot, Inc.
• Inventors: Kahatt, Espir
• Application Number:
  US11/082,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20050208676A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5011 portable during use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/50113 of the pipette type
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/146 Employing pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/02 Drop detachment mechanisms of single droplets from nozzles or pins
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/021 Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0241 Drop counters; Drop formers making arrays for combinatorial libraries B01J19/0046; automation of dispensing for analysis G01N35/10
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A pipettor device and pipette tip for aspirating, mixing, manipulating and dispensing nano-volumes of fluid comprising a directed gas flow along the exterior tip surface to assist in dispensing the liquid.

Claims

1. A pipette tip for a pipetting device comprising:

an elongated body having a front portion, a pipettor interface portion an upper surface and a lower surface;

a plurality of reservoirs positioned at the interface portion, said reservoirs having a plurality of flexible membranes covering the reservoirs along the upper surface or the upper surface and lower surface;

a fluidic channel through said elongated body connecting said plurality of reservoirs;

an aligning means on said pipettor interface portion to position said tip in said pipetting device; and

a means for directing gas flow over the exterior of said elongated body to promote removal of small volumes of liquid from said tip.

2. A pipette tip according to claim 1 further comprising a relief valve positioned at the interface portion.

3. A pipette tip according to claim 1 wherein said tip is disposable.

4. A pipette tip according to claim 1 further comprising a fluid analysis chamber.

5. A pipette tip according to claim 1 wherein said reservoirs are collapsible.

9. A method of dispensing and aspirating nano-volumes of liquid using the pipette tip according to claim 1 and the pipettor device according to claim 6 comprising:

connecting a gas cartridge in said gas cartridge chamber;

affixing said pipette tip according to claim 1 to the pipette tip receiving end of said pipetting device according to claim 6;

adjusting said means for controlling said valves to a desired nano-volume; and

activating said means for controlling said valves to aspirate and or dispense said desired nano-volume.

11. A handheld pipettor according to claim 9 utilizing a pipette tip according to claim 1 wherein said means for aspirating and dispensing comprises:

a gas supply cartridge;

a plurality of gas channels connected to said gas supply cartridge on one end and interfacing with said pipette tip according to claim 1 on the other end; and

a plurality of valves each of said valves controlling gas pressure from said gas supply cartridge to at least one gas channel.

6. A pipetting device comprising:

a housing having a pipette tip receiving end and a plurality of gas channels and a means for providing gas, said plurality of gas channels;

a plurality of valves each of said valves connected to at least one of said gas channels controlling gas pressure in at least one gas channel;

at least one or more supply channels from said means for providing gas for supplying gas to each of said valves;

a means for controlling said valves; and

at least one nozzle on said pipette tip receiving end for directing gas flow over the exterior of a pipette tip to promote removal of small volumes of liquid from said tip.

7. A pipetting device according to claim 6 wherein the device is a pipettor manifold for automated equipment.

8. A pipetting device according to claim 6 wherein the device is a handheld pipettor.

10. A handheld pipettor comprising:

a housing having a pipette tip receiving adapter on one end and indicator panel and adjustment means on the other end, said indicator panel connected to said adjustment means;

a means for aspirating and dispensing a fluid said means able to interface with a pipette tip when fitted in said receiving adapter and connected to said adjustment means for regulating aspirating and dispensing;

a power supply connected to said adjustment means and said means for aspirating and dispensing; and

a means for providing and directing gas flow over the exterior of said pipette tip to promote removal of small volumes of liquid from said tip.