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Process of handling liquids in an automated liquid handling apparatus

  • US 5,525,515 A
  • Filed: 08/01/1994
  • Issued: 06/11/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A process for handling liquids in an automated liquid handling apparatus, the process comprising:

  • (a) aspirating a liquid from a first vessel having defined cartesian x-y-z coordinates into a dispensing tip positionable along at least one cartesian coordinate through an opening in the tip;

    (b) dispensing at least a portion of the liquid through the opening of the tip into a second vessel;

    (c) positioning the tip opening and an end of a rinse tubing apart from each other yet sufficiently close to each other that, under the influence of a suitable vacuum applied to the rinse tubing, an incipient droplet of the liquid at the opening of the tip would be drawn across the space between the tip opening and the rinse tubing without contacting any other solid surface;

    (d) urging a remaining droplet of liquid to the tip opening after the dispensing step (b); and

    (e) applying sufficient vacuum force to the rinse tubing to draw a stream of air into the rinse tubing, wherein the tip opening and the rinse tubing are positioned such that the air stream entrains the urged liquid droplet into the rinse tubing without contacting any other solid surface.

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