Apparatus for testing pipetting needle linearity in an automated analyzer
First Claim
1. An analyzer comprising:
- a) a horizontally disposed baseplate on which primary containers and secondary containers are disposed;
b) a metering device for measuring a predetermined volume of a liquid;
c) a pipetting needle for transferring a predetermined volume of liquid from a primary container to a secondary container, the pipetting needle being formed of an electrically conductive material and being connected by tubing to the metering device;
d) a transport device for the controlled transport of the pipetting needle in three directions at right angles to one another, two of the transport directions extending horizontally and the third transport direction extending vertically;
e) an electrically conductive reference body having a top edge and being positioned at a predetermined location with respect to the analyzer; and
f) a control device for controlling the metering device and the transport device, the control device comprising;
1) means for guiding the tip of the pipetting needle around the the external periphery of the top edge of the reference body, the tip of the pipetting needle being guided at a specific distance from the top edge of the reference body, the distance being a measure of the acceptable curvature of the pipetting needle, and2) an electrical circuit between the pipetting needle and the reference body for detecting an electrical contact between the tip of the pipetting needle and the reference body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An analyzer has a horizontally disposed baseplate on which primary containers and secondary containers are disposed, a pipetting needle, a transport device, and a control device. The pipetting needle is formed of an electrically conductive material and is connected to a metering device by a tubing, and is for transferring a predetermined volume of liquid each time from a primary container to a secondary container. The transport device is for the controlled transport of the pipetting needle in three directions at right angles to one another, two of the transport directions extending horizontally and the third transport direction extending vertically. The control device is for controlling the metering device and the transport device. For the purpose of testing the linearity of the pipetting needle the analyzer includes a device for guiding the tip of the pipetting needle around the periphery of the top edge of a reference body (the tip of the pipetting needle is guided at a specific distance from the top edge of the reference body, which distance is a measure of the acceptable curvature of the pipetting needle), and an electrical circuit for detecting electrical contact between the tip of the pipetting needle and the reference body.
39 Citations
5 Claims
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1. An analyzer comprising:
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a) a horizontally disposed baseplate on which primary containers and secondary containers are disposed; b) a metering device for measuring a predetermined volume of a liquid; c) a pipetting needle for transferring a predetermined volume of liquid from a primary container to a secondary container, the pipetting needle being formed of an electrically conductive material and being connected by tubing to the metering device; d) a transport device for the controlled transport of the pipetting needle in three directions at right angles to one another, two of the transport directions extending horizontally and the third transport direction extending vertically; e) an electrically conductive reference body having a top edge and being positioned at a predetermined location with respect to the analyzer; and f) a control device for controlling the metering device and the transport device, the control device comprising; 1) means for guiding the tip of the pipetting needle around the the external periphery of the top edge of the reference body, the tip of the pipetting needle being guided at a specific distance from the top edge of the reference body, the distance being a measure of the acceptable curvature of the pipetting needle, and 2) an electrical circuit between the pipetting needle and the reference body for detecting an electrical contact between the tip of the pipetting needle and the reference body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification