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

• US 7,563,409 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2004
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden; Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nagpaul; Jyoti
• Application Number:
  US10/963,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20050125163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,741 Days
• Field of Search: 422 99-100, 222287-288, 222/326, 738/641.8
• US Class Current: 422/511
• 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 performed setting mistakes but does not require using of a special tip.

Claims

1. A method for securing an attachment of and identifying a replaceable part which receives a liquid to be pipetted and which is attachable to a pipetting device, comprising the steps of:

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

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

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

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

providing 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. The method according to claim 1, wherein

the replaceable part is a plunger-cylinder unit, whose plunger, when the replaceable part is attached to the pipetting device, is moved with the help of a plunger adjustment means in relation to the cylinder during the pipetting movement for receiving and removing 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. An electronically controlled pipette, which comprises:

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

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

an executing keyboard;

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

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

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

wherein

with the keyboard, the dispensing parameters and/or type and/or size of the replaceable part can be inputted to the electronic control means to ensure the attachment of a desired replaceable part and to achieve a pipetting readiness.

4. The electronically operated pipette according to claim 3, further comprising:

a directing means for directing the movement of the interlockable means to a direction that differs from the longitudinal direction, wherein

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

the plunger is continuously movable so that the plunger is turnable to a direction different from the longitudinal direction with the directing means which directs the movement of the interlocking means.

5. The electronically operated pipette according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the replaceable part is a plunger-cylinder combination.

6. A pipetting system which comprises:

a syringe with an attaching part;

a syringe plunger; and

a suction device, wherein in the suction device comprises;

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

an electronic control means, which control a function of the pipette;

an executing keyboard;

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

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

a directing means for directing the movement of the interlockable means to a direction that differs from the longitudinal direction, wherein

the plunger is continuously movable so that the plunger is turnable to a direction different from the longitudinal direction with directing means which direct the movement of the interlocking means, and

with the keyboard the dispensing parameters can be inputted to the electronic control means.

7. The pipetting system according to claim 6, wherein the suction device further comprises:

a receiving space in the body for the attachment part;

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

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

an adjusting means of the plunger for moving the receiving part inside the pipette body, wherein

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

8. The pipetting system according to claim 7, further comprising:

an operating arm turnably disposed to the receiving piece which is connected to a gripping means, to move a gripping means in a radial direction; and

a support point which directs the movement of the operating arm wherein

the operating arm comprises a first shoulder which attaches the syringe plunger to its attachment position and a second shoulder which is connected to the support point in the pipette body, and

with the help of the second shoulder and the support point, the receiving piece for detaching and/or attaching the syringe and the syringe plunger is directable in the axial and radial directions.

9. The pipetting system according to claim 6, wherein an attachment means is arranged for the attaching part and the syringe plunger, respectively, and

each of the attachment means has a distinct directing means, the distinct directing means being movable in the radial direction with the help of the attachment means.