Pipettor including compliant coupling
First Claim
1. A pipettor for transferring liquids on an automated instrument comprising:
- a linear actuator;
a barrel;
a piston comprising a flared portion and being enclosed within the barrel, the piston comprising a fluid tight seal with the inner wall of the barrel, the piston and the barrel being cooperatively configured to allow movement of the piston within the barrel; and
a compliant coupling comprising a first connecting feature affixing the compliant coupling to the linear actuator, a second connecting feature affixing the compliant coupling to the piston, an intermediate member connecting the first connecting feature and the second connecting feature, wherein the first connecting feature, the second connecting feature, and the intermediate member form a gap, and a compressible member within the gap and interposed between the first connecting feature and the second connecting feature, the compliant coupling connecting the piston and the linear actuator, andwherein the flared portion is disposed within the gap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.
299 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A pipettor for transferring liquids on an automated instrument comprising:
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a linear actuator; a barrel; a piston comprising a flared portion and being enclosed within the barrel, the piston comprising a fluid tight seal with the inner wall of the barrel, the piston and the barrel being cooperatively configured to allow movement of the piston within the barrel; and a compliant coupling comprising a first connecting feature affixing the compliant coupling to the linear actuator, a second connecting feature affixing the compliant coupling to the piston, an intermediate member connecting the first connecting feature and the second connecting feature, wherein the first connecting feature, the second connecting feature, and the intermediate member form a gap, and a compressible member within the gap and interposed between the first connecting feature and the second connecting feature, the compliant coupling connecting the piston and the linear actuator, and wherein the flared portion is disposed within the gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification