Microproportioning system

• US 7,485,263 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eppendorf AG
• Original Assignee: Eppendorf AG
• Inventors: Huhn, Rüdiger, Husar, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon; Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US10/790,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20040166028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,800 Days
• Field of Search: 422/100, 422/103, 422105-106, 422/108, 738/632.5, 738/633.2, 738/64, 738/640.2, 738/641.1, 738/641.4, 738/643.4
• US Class Current: 422/506
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/14 Process control and prevention of errors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/027 Digital display, e.g. LCD, LED
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0439 ultrasonic vibrations, vibrating piezo elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/021 Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1039 Micropipettes, e.g. microcapillary tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1041 Ink-jet like dispensers

Abstract

A microproportioning system includes a reservoir, a micro-diaphragm pump the entrance of which is connected to the reservoir, an open-jet proportioner the entrance of which is connected to the exit of the micro-diaphragm pump, a proportioning port connected to the exit of the open-jet proportioner, and a proportioning control which is in an operative communication with the micro-diaphragm pump and the open-jet proportioner

Claims

1. A microproportioning system, comprising:

a reservoir;

a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connected to the reservoir;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump;

a proportioning control means which is in an operative communication with the micro-diaphragm pump; and

common printed circuit board;

wherein the micro-diaphragm pump and the reservoir are combined to form one constructional element exchangeably connected to an actuator module in one of a microsystem technology and hybrid technology; and

wherein at least two components of the microproportioning system selected from the group consisting of proportioning controls means, a display, and an operating means are accommodated on the common printed-circuit board.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the printed-circuit board is disposed in a middle region of the actuator module.

3. A microproportioning system, comprising:

a reservoir;

a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connected to the reservoir;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump;

a proportioning control means which is in an operative communication with the micro-diaphragm pump; and

an actuator module;

wherein the micro-diaphragm pump and the reservoir are combined to form one constructional element exchangeably connected to the actuator module in one of a microsystem technology and hybrid technology; and

wherein a power supply is accommodated in a head region of the actuator module.

4. A microproportioning system, comprising:

a reservoir;

a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connected to the reservoir;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump; and

a proportioning control means operationally communicating with the micro-diaphragm pump for controlling operation of the micro-diaphragm pump in one of two opposite pumping directions to thereby control displacement of an auxiliary liquid column from the reservoir for suction of liquid through the proportioning port and an expulsion of liquid from the proportioning port;

wherein the proportioning control means controls a proportioned volume by controlling the displacement of the auxiliary liquid column along a distance between two sensors which are in an operative communication with the proportioning control means,

wherein the distance between the two sensors corresponds to the proportioned volume and is adjustable by one of manual adjustment and adjustment using a mechanical drive, and the two sensors detect meniscus of the auxiliary liquid column along a displacement length, and

wherein the mechanical drive includes a screw having a servo-drive and a screw nut, with one of the two sensors being mounted on the screw.

5. A microproportioning system, comprising:

a reservoir with a to-be-metered liquid;

a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connected to the reservoir;

an open jet proportioner having an entrance connected to an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the open jet proportioner; and

a proportioning control means operatively communicating with the micro-diaphragm pump and the open-jet proportioner,

wherein the reservoir is provided with at least one component of the microproportioning system selected from the group consisting of cooling means and a heat insulation for the to-be-metered liquid.

6. A microproportioning system, comprising:

a reservoir with a to-be-metered liquid;

a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connected to the reservoir;

an open jet proportioner having an entrance connected to an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the open jet proportioner;

a proportioning control means operatively communicating with the micro-diaphragm pump and the open-jet proportioner; and

a heating means provided at least in one of the components of the microproportioning system selected from the group consisting of the micro-diaphragm pump, the open jet proportioner, and connecting lines for heating the to-be-metered liquid.

7. A microproportioning system, comprising:

a reservoir with an auxiliary liquid;

a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connected to the reservoir;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump; and

a proportioning control means operatively communicating with the micro-diaphragm pump for controlling displacement of an auxiliary liquid column from the reservoir for effecting one of suction of the liquid through the proportioning port and expulsion of liquid from the proportioning port by controlling an operation of the micro-diaphragm pump in one of a first direction in which the micro-diaphragm pump pumps the liquid from the reservoir and a second opposite direction in which the liquid is sucked into the reservoir, at least partially;

wherein the proportioning control means is adapted to control a volume being proportioned by controlling a stroke volume of the micro-diaphragm pump; and

wherein the proportioning control means is adapted to determine the volume being proportioned on basis of calibration of the stroke volume that it establishes by displacing an auxiliary liquid column by the micro-diaphragm pump along with a calibration length between two sensors operatively connected with the proportioning control means for detection of meniscus of an auxiliary liquid column.

8. A microproportioning system comprising:

a reservoir with a to-be-metered liquid;

a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connected to the reservoir;

an open jet proportioner having an entrance connected to an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the open jet proportioner; and

a proportioning control means operatively communicating with the micro-diaphragm pump and the open-jet proportioner;

wherein the reservoir has a capillary balance system.

9. A microproportioning system comprising:

a reservoir with a to-be-metered liquid;

at least one system component selected from the group consisting of a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connectable to the reservoir, and an open jet proportioner having an entrance connectable to one of an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump and to the reservoir;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the at least one of the micro-diaphragm pump and the open jet proportioner;

a proportioning control means operative by communicating with at the least one of the micro-diaphragm pump and the open jet proportioner;

wherein the reservoir and at least one of a micro-diaphragm pump and an open jet proportioner are combined to form one constructional element exchangeably connected to an actuator module in one of microsystem technology and hybrid technology; and

wherein the proportioning control means is connected to a sensor for detection of meniscus of the liquid at the beginning of a displacement length of the liquid for adjustment of an initial position for displacement of a liquid column.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the sensor is associated with a dispensing tube for the liquid.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the dispensing tube is connected to a constructional element.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the constructional element is exchangeably connected to a base region of an actuator module.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the proportioning control means is permanently connected to the actuator module, and the constructional element is separably connected to the proportioning control means by an electric contact.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein a sensor is permanently connected to the actuator module.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein a power supply is accommodated in a head region of the actuator module.

16. A microproportioning system comprising:

a reservoir with a to-be-metered liquid;

at least one system component selected from the group consisting of a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connectable to the reservoir, and an open jet proportioner having an entrance connectable to one of an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump and the reservoir;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the at least one of the micro-diaphragm pump and the open jet proportioner;

a proportioning control means operative by communicating with at the least one of the micro-diaphragm pump and the open jet proportioner;

a common printed circuit board; and

an actuator module;

wherein the reservoir and at least one of a micro-diaphragm pump and an open jet proportioner are combined to form one constructional element exchangeably connected to the actuator module in one of microsystem technology and hybrid technology; and

wherein at least one system component selected from the group comprising the proportioning control means, display, and operating means is accommodated on the common printed-circuit board.

17. A microproportioning system, comprising:

a reservoir with an auxiliary liquid;

a micro-diaphragm pump having an entrance connected to the reservoir;

a proportioning port connected to an exit of the micro-diaphragm pump; and

a proportioning control means operatively communicating with the micro-diaphragm pump for controlling displacement of an auxiliary liquid column from the reservoir for effecting one of suction of the liquid through the proportioning port and expulsion of liquid from the proportioning port by controlling an operation of the micro-diaphragm pump in one of a first direction in which the micro-diaphragm pump pumps the liquid from the reservoir and a second opposite direction in which the liquid is sucked in the reservoir, at least partially;

wherein the proportioning control means is connected to sensors for detection of meniscus of the liquid at beginning of a displacement length of the liquid for adjustment of an initial position for displacement of an auxiliary liquid column.