Liquid handling device with surface features at a seal
First Claim
1. A liquid handling device comprising:
- a body with at least one channel, the channel having an end for receiving and expelling fluid;
a needle in fluid communication with the end of the channel to aspirate and/or dispense a fluid sample on a work area;
a plunger constructed and arranged for axial movement within the channel;
a contact surface including a surface feature that forms a non-smooth surface; and
a seal provided in the channel that sealingly engages a portion of the plunger with a portion of the body, the seal including a seal member mounted on the body, and at least a portion of the contact surface including the surface feature being located at the seal;
wherein the plunger includes the contact surface for sealing engagement with the seal member, and movement of the plunger in the channel causes movement of the body relative to the plunger at the seal and causes fluid flow at the end of the channel that is effective to aspirate and/or dispense the fluid sample on the work area via the needle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sample handling tool includes a body having at least one plunger associated with a channel and arranged for axial movement within the channel. A seal is provided in the channel and sealingly engaged with a contact surface. The contact surface may include a surface feature, such that when contact surface moves, the seal and surface feature come into at least partial contact with one another. The seal may include an elastomeric member, such as an O-ring or X-ring, and the contact surface may be formed from any suitable material, including ceramic. The surface feature may take on a variety of forms including any suitable texture, surface porosity or include one or more grooves, holes, recesses, indentations, bumps, protrusions, etc., or a combination thereof.
21 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A liquid handling device comprising:
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a body with at least one channel, the channel having an end for receiving and expelling fluid; a needle in fluid communication with the end of the channel to aspirate and/or dispense a fluid sample on a work area; a plunger constructed and arranged for axial movement within the channel; a contact surface including a surface feature that forms a non-smooth surface; and a seal provided in the channel that sealingly engages a portion of the plunger with a portion of the body, the seal including a seal member mounted on the body, and at least a portion of the contact surface including the surface feature being located at the seal; wherein the plunger includes the contact surface for sealing engagement with the seal member, and movement of the plunger in the channel causes movement of the body relative to the plunger at the seal and causes fluid flow at the end of the channel that is effective to aspirate and/or dispense the fluid sample on the work area via the needle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A liquid handling device comprising:
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a body with at least one channel, the channel having an end for receiving and expelling fluid; a needle in fluid communication with the end of the channel to aspirate and/or dispense a fluid sample on a work area; a plunger constructed and arranged for axial movement within the channel; a contact surface including a surface feature that forms a non-smooth surface; and a seal provided in the channel that sealingly engages a portion of the plunger with a portion of the body, the seal including a seal member mounted on the plunger, and at least a portion of the contact surface including the surface feature being located at the seal; wherein the channel includes the contact surface for sealing engagement with the seal member, and movement of the plunger in the channel causes movement of the body relative to the plunger at the seal and causes fluid flow at the end of the channel that is effective to aspirate and/or dispense the fluid sample on the work area via the needle.
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12. A liquid handling device comprising:
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a body with at least one channel, the channel having an end for receiving and expelling fluid; a needle in fluid communication with the end of the channel to aspirate and/or dispense a fluid sample on a work area; a plunger constructed and arranged for axial movement within the channel; a contact surface including a surface feature that forms a non-smooth surface; and a seal provided in the channel that sealingly engages a portion of the plunger with a portion of the body, the seal including a seal member with at least two contact points constructed and arranged for sealing engagement at displaced locations on the contact surface, and at least a portion of the contact surface including the surface feature being located at the seal; wherein movement of the plunger in the channel causes movement of the body relative to the plunger at the seal and causes fluid flow at the end of the channel that is effective to aspirate and/or dispense the fluid sample on the work area via the needle. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A liquid handling apparatus comprising:
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a body with at least one channel; a needle in communication with the channel; a piston constructed and arranged for axial movement within the channel; an engagement surface including a surface means for retaining lubricant; and a seal provided in the channel between the piston and the body, the seal including a seal member mounted on the body, and sealingly engaging the piston and the channel at a portion of the engagement surface, wherein the piston includes the engagement surface for sealing contact with the seal member, and movement of the piston in the channel causes fluid flow in the needle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A liquid handling apparatus, comprising:
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a body with at least one channel; a needle in communication with the channel, the needle having an open end for receiving and expelling fluid; a plunger constructed and arranged for axial movement within the channel, the plunger having a contact surface; at least one groove provided on the contact surface; and an X-ring mounted to the channel and sealingly engaged with the contact surface of the plunger, wherein movement of the plunger in the channel causes fluid flow at the open end of the needle. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification