Pipettor and externally sealed pipette tips

Abstract

A pipettor uses no pistons in order to provide highly automated, precise and accurate pipetting operations. Additionally, a self-aligning pipette tip enables better engagement of such pipette tips by the pipettor. The pipette tips may be automatically engaged and locked into place by the pipettor and may be automatically disengaged to enable highly-automated pipetting processes for industrial and laboratory purposes. Open proximal ends of the pipette tips are engaged by a pipette block, which then forms a temporary seal with the individual pipette tips. Displacement of the pipette block with respect to the pipette tips increased or decreases the effective volume of the pipette tip allowing it to aspirate or expel fluids in a precise, accurate, and predictable way.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001] This patent application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 119,100 filed Apr. 8, 2002 for PIPETTOR AND EXTERNALLY SEALED PIPETTE TIP, which application is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] This invention relates to pipettors and pipette tips and more particularly to a piston free pipettor and a self-aligning and self-sealing pipette tip.[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art[0005] Pipetting systems are used in laboratories for the transfer of relatively small quantities of liquids in a precise and accurate manner. The liquid is normally drawn into the tips by suction and is subsequently released into the wells of microtiter plates or other receptacles. Frequently the transfer involves samples, which are moved from one set of spaced receptacles to another set of receptacles.[0006] The use of pipette devices for the transfer and dispensing of precise quan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a relatively low maintenance, multiple-pipette tip pipettor that is free of pistons while delivering precise and accurate amounts of fluids by pipetting.

[0026] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a pipette tip that is inexpensive to manufacture.

[0027] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a pipette tip that is usefully implemented in both manual and automated processes.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a left side and partial cutaway view of the pipettor of the present invention, including the pipette tip holder and the locked pipette tips with the chassis shown at a near maximal withdrawal distance that allows the pipette tips to clear the pipette holder.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, in practice, such multiple pipette tip mounting procedures often result in some of the pipette tips being mounted at different axial orientations on some of the mounting shafts or mandrels.

Several disadvantages arise from the use of O-rings, not the least of which is the greater expense and manufacturing.

Additionally, O-rings require lubrication and other activities leading to high maintenance with respect to such O-rings.

O-rings need replacement from time to time and due to compression introduce an element of unreliability into the volumes pipetted especially as needed amounts of pipetted liquids become smaller and smaller and progress further and further into the microvolume range.

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