• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A pipetting device (10) for aspirating and dispensing a dosing liquid at a dosing point (DO) by means of a working fluid, with a pipetting channel (22) containing working fluid during normal operation, which is further away from the dosing point (DO) along a channel path (K) up to a distance from the metering point (DO) located, but closer to the dosing (DO) Pipettierkanalende (24), wherein the Pipettierkanalende (24) having Kanalendbereich (43) is adapted to a functional component (46), such as a filter component, a gas-permeable liquid barrier component and / or a reactive indicator component to be detachably received in the pipetting channel (22), which is characterized in that the channel end region (43) in a state of the pipetting device (10) which is ready for aspiration and / or dispensation as intended Pipettierkanalende (24) having the first portion (40) with a larger Kana The first and the second portion (42) along the channel path (K) relative to each other between the operative state and a component release state movable are, wherein a free channel volume (44) of a in the first section (40) located Pipettierkanalabschnitts in the ready state is greater than in the component release state.
    公开号:CH712234A2
    申请号:CH00141/17
    申请日:2017-02-07
    公开日:2017-09-15
    发明作者:Bruggisser Elia；Panzer Armin
    申请人:Hamilton Bonaduz Ag；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    The present invention relates to a pipetting device for aspirating and dispensing a dosing liquid at a dosing by means of a working fluid, with a working fluid containing during normal operation operating pipette, which from a location further away from the Dosierort along a channel path to a distance from the dosing However, the dosing but closer Pipettierkanalende runs, wherein the Pipettierkanalende having Kanalendbereich is adapted to a functional component, such as a filter component, a gas-permeable liquid barrier member and / or a reactive indicator component, releasably received in the pipetting.
    A generic pipetting device is known from WO 01/03 835 A1. This shows a pipetting device with a piston-cylinder arrangement, by means of which a pressure of the working fluid can be changed by means of a displacement of the piston cylinder movably guided in the cylinder along the cylinder axis and thus an aspiration or a dispensing operation can be carried out by the intermediary of the working fluid. In general, the control of the aspiration and the dispensing process takes place in a conventional manner by a targeted change in the pressure of the working fluid relative to the prevailing in the external environment of the pipetting atmospheric pressure.
    In the generic pipetting a pipette tip is releasably attachable to the cylinder of the piston-cylin-der-arrangement and is usually changed after each dosing. By "dosing" is referred to in the present application, both an aspiration and a dispensing process.
    At the cylinder of the known pipetting occurs at its dosierortferneren axial longitudinal end connected to the pipetting piston rod. This can be actuated to change the pressure in the working fluid. At the opposite, the dosing closer to the axial longitudinal end of the cylinder, a communication opening is provided to communicate a caused by displacement of the pipetting piston in the cylinder pressure change of the working fluid to the dosing.
    The generic document further teaches to arrange in the communication port of the cylinder, a liquid barrier, which passes the gaseous working fluid used, but blocks a passage of liquids. This can prevent that an aspirated dosing liquid by splashes, foaming and the like. Get into the space limited by the cylinder and piston surface working space of the piston-cylinder assembly and thus may possibly cause a contamination of dosing, which doses after this contaminating dosage with the pipetting device become.
    The function component referred to in the generic document as "barrier means" comprises a tubular support structure and as a functional element a membrane which is fixed to the support structure spanning an opening of a through opening of the tubular support structure.
    The tubular support structure has two axially successive sections with different outside diameters. The first, function element remote section is smaller in diameter and is matched in its outer diameter dimension to the inner diameter of the communication port pointing to the dosing such that this support structure portion is insertable into the communication port and can be held there by frictional engagement. The functional element-closer section has a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the communication opening in order to prevent the functional component from penetrating completely into the variable-volume working space of the cylinder, from where it can no longer be removed.
    The functional element itself, so the membrane is arranged at the free longitudinal end of the support structure with the larger diameter section.
    Although in the pipetting device known from WO 01/03 835 A1, the functional component can be arranged on the pipetting device such that it is not subject to any change in length when a pipetting tip is coupled to the pipetting device, regardless of whether a functional component is arranged Pipetting device and pipetting tip formed overall arrangement comes.
    However, in the known pipetting the pipetting used to throw off the cylinder arranged on the functional component again. On the one hand, this is mechanically detrimental to the pipetting piston and on the other hand it means a low but nevertheless not negligible risk of contamination since the pipetting piston of the pipetting device constantly comes into contact with different carrier structures as an essential component of a device for pressure variation in the working fluid. Therefore, it depends on the purity of the support structure particularly, because the pipetting is not readily accessible for cleaning.
    From JP 4 792 879 B2 a further pipetting device is known in which a functional component can be arranged on a pipetting channel. The cylindrically or spherically configured in this document functional element is received in a cylindrical support structure, which in turn has axial sections with different outside diameters.
    A smaller-diameter portion of the support structure is inserted along the Pipettierkanals in through the Pipettierkanalende in the Kanalendbereich until a larger diameter portion whose outer diameter is greater than the diameter of Pipettierkanals at Pipettierkanalende, comes to rest on the Pipettierkanalende having component.
    The known from this document spherical functional element is arranged in a passageway in the support structure. The intended purpose of the pipetting pioneering longitudinal end of the support structure serves as a plug-in end for releasably securing a disposable pipetting tip. The insertion of the pipette tip corresponds in its shape to the smaller diameter axial section of the support structure, so that the pipetting tip either directly in the pipetting or in the device distant longitudinal end of the functional component, more precisely: the support structure of the functional component, can be inserted.
    Although the pipetting piston does not come into contact with the functional element or its support structure, the length of the overall arrangement of pipetting device and pipette tip changes depending on whether the functional component is arranged on the pipetting device or not , This change in length is associated with a change in the dosing location defined by a dosing opening of a coupled pipetting tip. This change in the metering location must be taken into account during operation of the pipetting device.
    In both known pipetting devices, the functional element of the functional component is always outside of the pipetting channel defined by the pipetting device even after the functional component has been arranged on the pipetting device.
    A corresponding disadvantage of a change in the position of the dosing relative to the pipetting device depending on whether a functional component is provided or not, also applies to the known from US 2013/0 203 089 A1 pipetting. A functional component with a functional element and a support structure carrying the functional element can likewise be arranged between the pipetting device and the pipetting tip at this pipetting device.
    It is therefore an object of the present invention to develop a generic pipetting such that a functional component in the pipetting of the pipetting - for a given pipetting - without changing the distance of the dosing from the Pipettierkanalende can be arranged and, compared with the generic state of the art, with reduced mechanical Load and reduced risk of contamination for the pipetting from the pipetting device is solvable.
    This object is achieved according to a first aspect of the present invention by a pipetting device of the type mentioned, in which the Kanalendbereich in a intended for aspiration and / or dispensation ready state of the pipetting a Pipettierkanalende having the first section with a larger channel cross-section and a comprising a second channel of smaller channel cross-section provided at a distance from the pipetting channel end. The first and second sections are movable along the channel path relative to each other between the ready state and a component release state. In this case, a free channel volume of a Pipettierkanalabschnitts located in the first section in the ready state is greater than in the component release state.
    Thus, the functional component in the free channel volume of the first section with a larger channel cross-section, which also has the Pipettierkanalende and thus a dosierortnähere mouth of Pipettierkanals be included. The second section with a smaller channel cross-section provided at a distance from the pipetting channel end can limit the penetration depth of the functional component from the pipetting channel end along the channel path into the pipetting channel as a physical barrier.
    The pipetting channel of the pipetting device is defined only by such components and component sections that are permanently, i. for multiple aspiration and Dispensationsvorgänge, part of the pipetting device. Components, such as pipetting tips or adapters, which are only temporarily coupled to the pipetting device for aspiration and subsequent dispensing, such as pipetting tips or adapters, are not part of the device-specific pipetting channel.
    Due to the relative movement of the two sections to each other, the detachably received in the first portion of the Kanalendbereichs functional component can be removed again from the Kanalendbereich and dropped. For this purpose, it is provided that the free channel volume of the pipetting channel section located in the first section, in which a functional component can be accommodated in the ready state, is greater in the operational state than in the component release state. In the component release state, the free channel volume available for receiving the functional component in the first section of the channel end region is reduced in size by the previously made relative movement of the first and second sections of the channel end region such that the reduced free channel volume is no longer sufficient to accommodate the functional component. Thus, in the component release state, either no functional component can be received in the channel end region, or an already received functional component is or is released from the channel end region.
    By "ready state" of the pipetting device is meant a state that the pipetting device has as intended immediately before aspiration or a dispensation of dosing. It does not matter for the presence of the ready state whether a pipetting tip is actually coupled to the pipetting device, and this should not be ruled out. The decisive factor is essentially that the channel end region is present as it exists immediately before or during an aspiration or dispensation.
    By "dosing" is meant that place where aspirated or dispensed directly dosing liquid. This dosing is indicated with coupled pipette tip through the dosing of the pipette tip. When the pipetting tip is not coupled, the metering location is a location which is located along the extended imaginary channel path in the channel end region at a distance from the pipetting device and spaced in a direction in which the metering process will take place. A person skilled in the art will readily see in a pipetting device, even without a pipetting tip, in which direction, starting from the end of the pipetting channel, the metering location is located. On the exact distance of the dosing from Pipettierkanalende it does not matter to determine the subject of claim 1.
    In the present case, the pipetting channel serves to transmit pressure changes in the working fluid. For this purpose, the pipetting device can comprise a pressure-changing device which can be designed as a piston-cylinder device or as a rotating pump or as an overpressure and vacuum reservoir which can be activated and deactivated by valves. For the safety of the pressure transmission device against undesired contamination, a pipetting channel path which separates the channel end region from the pressure change device is arranged between the channel end region with the two mentioned sections: first and second section, and the pressure variation device.
    As a functional component can be thought of a filter component, which removes, for example, components in the working fluid. Such components may be aerosols which may enter the working fluid by evaporation or atomization of aspirated dosing liquid.
    Likewise, the functional component may be a liquid barrier component, the gaseous working fluid flow in two opposite flow directions along the channel path, for liquid, however, forms a flow barrier.
    Likewise, the functional component may be an indicator component which indicates the presence of a chemical substance by a reaction, as is known, for example, as litmus tests for acids and bases.
    Constructively, the reduction of the space provided for receiving the functional component free channel volume in the first section of Kanalendbereichs be characterized in that the first and the second section, starting from the ready state relative to each other along the channel path while approaching the second section to the Pipettierkanalende in the component -Lösezustand are movable. As a result of this approach movement, the second section can be inserted into the free channel volume which is present in the ready state and, as the introduction increases, reduce the free channel volume.
    In principle, the pipetting channel in the channel end region can have any desired course, including a curved course. Preferably, however, the pipetting channel is formed at least in the channel end region with the first and the second section in a straight line with a channel axis as the channel path. The channel path thus defines an axial direction. In the case of a curved channel path, the axial direction is defined at one location as a local axial direction through the respective tangent to the channel path.
    To avoid undesired flow obstacles in the Pipettierkanalabschnitt located in the Kanalendbereich, in particular by angling or deflections of flow paths, it is preferred if each trained in the first and in the second section Pipettierkanalabschnitte at least in the ready state, preferably in the component release state, preferably also in each intermediate position achievable between these states, are coaxial with each other. The coaxiality also facilitates relative movement, in particular if the pipetting channel sections in the first and in the second section are coaxial with each other in any intermediate position that can be reached between the operational state and the component release state.
    In principle, it can be thought of forming the channel end region as a one-piece channel end region component, in which the relative movement of the first and second sections along the channel path takes place by a deformation of the channel end region component. By way of example, a channel end region component forming the channel end region may be made of sufficiently soft elastic plastic, such as silicone plastic and the like. Then, not only is the relative deformability of the first and second sections readily possible while reducing the free channel volume in the first section. Rather, the channel end region component can also rest on an inner wall of a pipetting tip coupled to the pipetting device and thus contribute to the sealing of the pipetting tip with respect to the outside environment.
    In order to ensure as completely as possible relative movement over the entire Relativbewegungsweg of the first and second section and to continue to avoid during the relative movement deformation of the two sections can be provided according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, that the first section a first section component and the second section is formed on a separate from the first formed second section member, wherein the section members of the channel end portion are displaceable relative to each other along the channel path.
    Since a recorded functional component, especially during a metering process, should be securely received in the channel end region, it is advantageous if the first and the second portion are biased relative to each other in the operational state.
    Di ese bias can be based on the intrinsic elasticity of the Kanalendbereich component itself in the above-outlined one-piece solution, determined essentially by the component shape and the component material of the integral Kanalendbereich component.
    In the alternative solution with different section components, a spring arrangement can be provided between the first and the second section component. This spring arrangement may also be formed integrally with the first and / or the second section component. In order to be able to obtain a short dimension of the channel end region as axially as possible, that is to say along the channel path, the spring arrangement preferably comprises disk springs or is a disk spring arrangement with exclusively disk springs. In this case, the spring arrangement, for example for adjusting the spring stiffness, can be formed separately from the first and from the second section component and particularly preferably be detachably or exchangeably provided on the pipetting device.
    The pipetting device usually has, in addition to the first and / or the second section of the channel end region, further movable operating components. Such operating components may include a ferrule as part of a coupling device for releasable coupling of a pipette tip or a stripping device for stripping a previously coupled pipette tip. In order to be able to provide such operating components with the required precise mobility, the pipetting device preferably has a device basic structure, on which at least one operating component, preferably a plurality of operating components, can be provided relative to the device basic structure and possibly also relative to one another.
    Since the pipetting device usually has to be approximated to a container for carrying out a dosing process, either to immerse a coupled pipette tip into a dosing liquid reservoir to be aspirated or to lower a pipetting tip filled with dispensing liquid to be dispensed into a container, the device basic structure is preferably arranged so as to be displaceable relative to a spatially fixed device frame towards and away from the metering location. For example, the device basic structure can be movably guided on the device frame via a corresponding guide device.
    The device framework is intended to be the source of a dormant device coordinate system for the pipetter.
    Although it can remain basically open, how exactly the relative mobility of the first and second section can be solved constructively, it is advantageous for reasons of increased device stability, when the second section, in particular realized as a second section component, is arranged stationary relative to the device base structure , and the first section, in particular again realized as a first section component, is arranged movably relative to the second section on the device basic structure. As a result, moreover, the number of components that are to be arranged on the device base structure so as to be movable in total is reduced.
    Preferably, the second portion is arranged by a latching engagement or by a threaded form-fitting engagement releasably fixed to the device base structure.
    By "detachable" is meant to avoid misunderstanding in the present application always the operational and intended solubility, i. E. a solvability that does not require destruction of the components.
    The functional component can in principle be held by friction in the pipetting channel section formed in the first section of the channel end region. Moreover, in order to absorb the functional component as safely as possible in the channel end region, it can be provided that the pipetting channel has a taper formation in the first section of the channel end region, in the region of which the clear width of the pipetting channel has a smaller dimension than in one along the channel path between the regeneration formation and the second section of the pipetting channel. The rejuvenation formation can be formed directly at the end of the pipetting channel, that is to say at the mouth of the pipetting channel, for example by a circumferential radial projection, which protrudes radially inwards from the pipetting channel wall defining the pipetting channel. However, a plurality of projections distributed around the pipetting channel path in the circumferential direction may also be sufficient. The tapering formation in the first section of the channel end region is preferably axially closer to the pipetting channel end than to the second section in order to provide sufficient space for receiving the functional component between the taper formation and the second section.
    Preferably, the pipetting device for releasable coupling of a pipette tip, in particular a disposable pipette tip, formed, which is why the pipetting preferably has a coupling formation formed therefor. The coupling formation is preferably a coupling component assembly formed from a plurality of coupling components.
    The first or / and the second section of the channel end region, in particular as the first and / or second section component, may be part of this coupling formation. Preferably, the second portion is part of the coupling formation, this applies in particular for the realization of the second portion by a second section component. In this case, the second section component can be designed with sufficient rigidity in order to also be able to assume functional tasks of the coupling formation. The number of operating components and section components to be movably provided relative to the device basic structure can thus be reduced, which increases the reliability of the pipetting device.
    Therefore, the present invention also relates to a pipetting device designed and refined as described above with a pipetting tip detachably connectable to the pipetting device. The pipette tip extends along a pipette tip axis. Their one axial end region has as a coupling end region a negative feedback formation for detachable coupling to the coupling formation. Their other axial end region opposite the coupling end region has, as a dosing end region, a metering opening which defines the metering location in the state coupled to the pipetting device.
    When coupled to the pipetting pipette tip Pipettierkanalbahn in the channel end and the Pipettierpitzenachse are usually collinear.
    A lengthwise arrangement of pipetting device and pipette tip along the channel path or coupled pipette tip along the Pipettierpitzenachse can advantageously be obtained in that the Kopplungsendbereich the pipette tip when the pipetting tip is coupled to the pipetting, coaxial with at least a part of the Kanalendbereichs extends and surrounds this radially outward. This is because, in the case of a pipetting tip coupled to the pipetting device, the channel end region is located at least partially or even completely in the pipetting tip, in particular in its coupling end region. The arrangement of a functional component in the first section of the channel end region thus causes no change in any length dimension of the overall arrangement formed by the pipetting device and the coupled pipette tip.
    The present invention further relates to a pipetting device designed and developed further as described above with a functional component formed separately from the pipetting device. In this case, the functional component has an abutment section whose outer dimension is not smaller than the clear width of a pipetting channel section in the first section of the channel end region, this abutment section of the functional component, after it has been received in the pipetting channel, coming into contact with an inner wall of the pipetting channel.
    Due to the described abutment contact of the functional component on the inner wall of the pipetting channel, a frictional position assurance of the functional component in the first section of the channel end region can be ensured. Due to the radial excess of the functional component relative to the clear width of the pipetting channel section in the first section of the channel end region, this frictional engagement can be relatively strong, so that the functional component sits firmly in the first section of the channel end region. This fixed seat of the functional component is possible since the functional component can be pushed out and ejected mechanically reliably out of the first section of the channel end region by the second section.
    In order to reliably prevent undesired migration of the functional component along the pipetting channel into the pipetting device, the clear width of the pipetting channel in the second section of the channel end region is preferably sufficiently small, for instance smaller than the outside dimension of the abutment section, to ensure complete penetration of the functional component to avoid the pipetting channel in the second section of the channel end area. However, a partial penetration or penetration of the functional component in the second section may well be possible.
    The functional component can be positionally secured with a relatively small surface pressure along the channel path in the direction of the pipetting device in that a Pipettierkanalende hinweisendes longitudinal end of the second portion is complementary to an outer portion of the functional component.
    Another decisive advantage of the present invention over the prior art is that it allows the functional component to be accommodated directly and without an intermediate arrangement of a support structure at least partially surrounding a functional element in the channel end region of the pipetting channel. By contrast, all functional components disclosed in the prior art discussed at the beginning have a functional element accommodated in a support structure. Thus, the production of the usable for the present pipetting functional component is greatly facilitated.
    This development of a generic pipetting device with a carrier structure-free functional component, which is thus formed by the functional element alone, is so advantageous that it is sought as a development of the aforementioned generic pipetting separate patent protection.
    Thus, in contrast to the prior art, the functional element itself to be taken or be directly in the pipetting.
    Preferably, the functional component is formed in a spherical shape, so that no alignment of the functional component is necessary for its inclusion in the channel end region.
    The term "functional component" denotes both a, in particular spherical, support structure with a functional element accommodated therein and a functional element, in particular spherical, used as functional component alone.
    The pipetting device of the present application may be part of an advantageous pipetting system, which in addition to the pipetting device comprises a functional component supply and a functional component conveyor. The conveying device is designed to convey a functional component - with or without a carrier structure, preferably without carrier structure as a mere functional element-out of the functional component supply to a predetermined supply position, in order to provide the functional component for receiving through the channel end region of the pipetting channel of the pipetting device, wherein the functional component in FIG the supply position can be received by the channel end of the pipetting channel to use its intended function. As a result, the releasable reception of a functional component in the pipetting device can be automated in an advantageous manner, which not only increases the process reliability with regard to the success of the admission, but also the achievable process hygiene.
    In order to ensure that only exactly one functional component for receiving by the pipetting device is provided at the supply position and in its surroundings, the pipetting system may have a separating device which separates a plurality of functional components accommodated in the functional component supply between functional component supply and supply position.
    The separating device may for example be provided in a manner known per se at the outlet of the functional component supply, for example in the form of a due to their shape and size only a single functional component receiving charge that is filled when empty, gravity driven in functional component supply with a functional component and then can be emptied into the functional component conveyor by displacement from the functional component supply addition. Other types of separating devices are known and replaceable.
    In principle, the functional component conveying device can have an automated gripper, for example in the form of a multi-axis robot, which can pick up a functional component at a location in the functional component supply and store it at the provisioning position. In this case, the functional component conveyor may also be separating device. However, the expense of using a multi-axis robot or a comparable automated apparatus to transport individual functional components seems inappropriate.
    The functional component conveying device can be formed simply but effectively, by gravity only by a groove or generally by a conveyor track with inclination orthogonal to the direction of gravity, to obtain from gravity the necessary acceleration of the functional component for movement from a delivery point of the Function component supply to effect the provisioning position.
    In order to ensure that the functional component comes to lie in exactly the delivery position even with only gravity-driven movement in the ready position, it can be provided that the pipetting at the supply position has an arrangement formation, which is designed to at least a functional component relative to the Kanalendbereich to be arranged in the supply position in an area arranged at an angle to the channel path in the channel end region. The orthogonal surface is preferably a plane orthogonal to the channel path or a cone with a large opening angle of preferably more than 75 °, particularly preferably more than 80 °, half the opening angle of the cone. For example, the arrangement formation may be a recess in which the movement of the functional component ends in the ready position. Especially in the case of the preferred use of spherical functional components, the arrangement formation can be surrounded by a conical surface to ensure that the functional component always reaches the ready position. The opening angle is thereby large in order to allow the first section of the channel end region with the pipetting channel end to approach the channel path angled surface sufficiently to thereby introduce the functional component sufficiently deep into the Pipettierkanalabschnitt located in the first section.
    The conical surface around the provisioning position thus serves as a kind of feeding funnel for feeding functional components to the provisioning position.
    For an orderly disposal of used functional components, the pipetting system may have a discharge container for receiving used functional components, the discharge container having a container inlet with an inlet opening. The inlet opening preferably has a greater inside width than the functional component which can be thrown into the ejection container. An edge of the container inlet surrounding the inlet opening can be contacted by the channel end region, in particular by the first section thereof. The discharge container and in particular the edge surrounding its inlet opening must be sufficiently stable that upon contact of the discharge container through the Kanalendbereich the pipetting the relative movement of the first and second section can be triggered by relative movement of device basic structure of the pipetting and discharge container along the channel path to a recorded Drop off functional component.
    In principle, any portion of the pipetting device can be contacted with the edge of the container surrounding the inlet opening; the first part of the channel end region receiving the functional component is directly contactable with the edge surrounding the inlet opening in order to reduce the number of components required to form the pipetting device and To keep the pipetting system low.
    WO 01/03 835 A1 also discloses a generic method for the detachable arrangement of a functional component, such as a filter component, a gas-permeable liquid barrier component and / or a reactive indicator component, in a channel end region of a pipetting channel of a pipetting device, in particular one as above described pipetting device, particularly preferably as part of a pipetting, the method comprising the following steps: - Providing a functional component at a ready position, - Moving the pipetting device to a standby position, in which the course of lying in the channel end region and reaching to the Pipettierkanalende portion of Pipetting channel intended to be extended extended to the staging position, surrounding or cutting the staging position; moving the channel end range from the standby position along the extended imaginary course to the staging position and thereby - introducing the functional component through the pipetting channel end into the section of the pipetting channel located in the channel end region.
    A major advantage of the present invention over the technical teaching known from the generic WO 01/03 835 A1 is also that by using the spherical functional component, preferably formed by the functional element alone, an alignment of the functional component prior to insertion, in particular Impressions, the same can be omitted by the Pipettierkanalende in the Kanalendbereich. The supply of functional components from a functional component supply to a provision position, where the functional component is received by the pipetting device, can thereby be considerably simplified. The method of recording the functional component can run faster and safer, since an alignment process is omitted as a source of error.
    The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:
    1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a pipetting device according to the invention of the present invention in a pipetting system,
    Fig. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the pipetting apparatus of Fig. 1 coupled thereto pipetting tip and
    3 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the pipetting device of FIGS. 1 and 2 immediately after a functional component has been ejected.
    In Fig. 1 an inventive embodiment of a pipetting device of the present application is generally designated 10. The pipetting device 10 is part of a pipetting system 12, which in addition to the pipetting device 10 has a functional component supply 14, a separating device 16 and a functional component conveying device 18.
    The pipetting device 10 has a device base structure 20, which forms a skeleton of the pipetting device 10, on which relative to the device base structure 20 and also relative to each other movable operating components can be provided.
    In the device base structure 20, a pipetting channel 22 is formed, which extends along a straight-line channel path K in the exemplary embodiment to a pipetting channel end 24.
    The duct channel K, which has been extended beyond the pipetting channel end 24, extends to a theoretical metering point DO, at which the pipetting device 10 could aspirate or dispense currently metering liquid.
    The pipetting device 10 is displaceable as a whole along the channel path K relative to a device frame, not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in order to approximate a dosing location DO and to be removed therefrom.
    A crimping sleeve 26 may be provided on the device base structure as an operating component which may be movable relative to the device base structure 20 along the channel path K to axially compress an elastic sealing and locking ring 28 and thereby radially outwardly of the channel path K its outer diameter away (see Fig. 2). Between the ferrule 26 and the sealing and locking ring 28, a crimping plate 30 may be provided in order to be able to introduce force in the circumferential direction about the channel path K with as uniform a surface pressure as possible in the sealing and locking ring 28.
    Fixed relative to the device base structure 20 is a component 32, in the illustrated embodiment by screwing into the device base structure 20. On the part 32, on the one hand, a part of the pipetting channel 22 is formed. On the other hand, a basic structure-fixed abutment 34 can be formed against which the sealing and locking ring 28 is deformed by the movement of the ferrule 26. The component 32 is a second section component in the sense of the introduction to the description.
    On the component 32, a support member 36 is arranged, which is movable relative to the component 32 along the channel path K. In the intended operating state shown in FIG. 1, in which the pipetting device 10 is ready for dosing, ie for aspiration or dispensing, of a dosing liquid when a pipetting tip is coupled to it, the mounting component 36 is located relative to the component 32 in FIG its one axial end position. In this, the support member 36 is biased relative to the component 32 by a spring assembly 38, which is preferably supported on the side facing away from the ring 28 to avoid unnecessary high component numbers 34. The abutment 34 is preferably formed integrally with the component 32, for example by injection molding. The support member 36 is a first section member in the sense of the introduction to the description.
    With the exception of the external thread, with which the component 32 is screwed into the device base structure 20, the component 32 is preferably rotationally symmetrical with respect to the channel path K.
    Likewise, the support member 36 is preferably rotationally symmetrical with respect to the channel path K.
    In the operational state of the pipetting apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, a first section 40 of the pipetting channel 22, which surrounds the pipetting channel end 24 and extends from it into the pipetting apparatus 10, is formed in the holding member 36. A second section 42 following the channel path K onto the first section 40 is formed in the component 32. The diameter of the preferably rotationally symmetrical pipetting channel 22 is greater in the first section 40 than in the second section 42. The sections 40 and 42 form the channel end region 43, which also encompasses the pipetting channel end.
    The pipetting channel 22 provides in the operational state in the first section 40, a free channel volume 44, in which a functional component 46, such as a filter component, is detachably receivable. In order to be able to securely hold the functional component 46 in the free channel volume 44, the holding component 36 has a taper projection 48 at its end region forming the pipetting channel end 24 which protrudes radially inwards from the holding component 36 towards the channel path K and thus forms a reduced pipetting channel diameter section. compared with the pipetting channel diameter in the remaining first section 40.
    The reception of a functional component 46 takes place as follows: In the functional component reservoir 14, a multiplicity of functional components 46 are provided. The separation device 16 provided on the output side of the functional component supply 14 ensures that in each case only exactly one functional component 46 leaves the supply 14 to the pipetting device 10.
    The separating device 16, for example controlled by a control device not shown in FIG. 1, outputs a single functional component 46 to the functional component conveying device 18, which in the present case is formed by a channel with a V-shaped cross-section, which drives the output and exclusively gravity-driven moved functional components 46 positively leads to the in FIG. 1 located in the drawing plane provision position BP. The spherical functional components 46 can roll in the channel 18.
    At the provisioning position BP, an arrangement formation 50 is provided, for example in the form of a pot-shaped component with lateral inlet 52, through which the individual functional components 46 can roll into the arrangement formation 50.
    The arrangement formation 50 has a side wall 54 which restricts the range of motion of the functional component 46 in the arrangement formation 50 that is radial relative to the channel path K.
    The side wall 54 is adjoined by a bottom surface 56, which is designed as a conical surface with a large cone angle, see the half cone angle a in FIG. 1.
    The arrangement formation 50 has, at the provision position BP, a recess 58 in which finally the functional component 46 conveyed into the arrangement formation 50 comes to rest.
    In Fig. 1, the pipetting device 10 is shown not only in its intended operating state, but also in a standby position, in which they a provided in the deployment position BP functional component 46 by mere approach along the pipetting channel K in the first section 40 of the pipetting 22 can record.
    For this purpose, the first section 40 has an axial length along the channel path K, which preferably corresponds to at least half the diameter of the functional component 46. Preferably, the first section 40 is formed axially shorter than the diameter of the functional component 46.
    In the standby position of the pipetting apparatus 10, the provision position BP is located in a virtual pipetting channel 22 'that has been extended beyond the pipetting channel end 24 and has been thought of as extended. Preferably, in the standby position of the pipetting device 10, the channel path K, which is intended to pass centrally through the pipetting channel 22, intersects the supply position BP in its extension. For this purpose too, the channel path K is to be extended beyond the pipetting channel end 24 away from the pipetting device 10, as shown in FIG. 1.
    The pipetting device 10 in FIG. 1 can absorb the functional component 46 by lowering along the channel path K. In this case, the support member 36 is slipped over the functional member 46 until it comes to a complementary to the outer shape of the functional component 46 formed longitudinal end portion 60 of the component 32 in abutment.
    The spherical functional component 46 is thus pressed into the free channel volume 44 of the support member 36 and the pipetting channel 22 in the first section 40. It lies with its relative to the channel path K festzustellenden equator 61 on the inner wall of Pipettierkanals 22 in the first section 40 and is frictionally held there and is also held by the radial projection 48 in the first portion 40 of the support member 36 (see Fig. 2).
    The component 32 has radially outward on the abutment 34 to the support member 36 and thus to the dosing DO projecting apron portion 62 which limits the receiving space for the spring assembly 38 radially outward and at the same time as a motion guide to guide the axial relative movement of the support member 36 relative to the component 32 is used.
    The components 32 and 36 may be made of plastic or metal. They can be made of different or the same materials.
    In Fig. 2, the pipetting device 10 is shown coupled thereto pipetting tip 64.
    A coupling end region 66 of the pipette tip extends coaxially to the holding component 36 and to at least one section of the component 32. A functional component 46 accommodated in the pipetting device 10, more precisely in the pipetting channel 22 of the pipetting device 10, is thus coupled to the pipetting device 10 Pipetting tip 64 in the pipetting tip 64. As a result, a distance of a dosing opening, not shown, of the pipette tip 64 from the pipetting channel end 24 is always the same regardless of whether a functional component 46 is received in the pipetting channel 22 or not.
    Although in comparison to FIG. 1, the ferrule 26 along the channel path K to the abutment 34 is moved towards and thus the sealing and locking ring 28 squeezed, however, Fig. 2 shows a state of operation ready state of the pipette does not matter then to determine whether the ready state of the pipetting device 10 is present or not. Crucial for this is only the relative position of the support member 36 relative to the component 32. The squeezing of the ring 28 has no influence on this position in the illustrated embodiment.
    When pipetting tip 64 is coupled to the pipetting device 10, a pipetting tip longitudinal axis P coincides with the channel path K, which has been extended beyond the pipetting channel end 24 and extended. Channel channel K and pipette tip longitudinal axis P are thus collinear.
    In Fig. 3, the pipetting apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown in its component release state. In this state, the support member 36 against the biasing force of the spring assembly 38 along the channel path K from the expected dosing DO moved away to the abutment 34. The spring assembly 38 is therefore compressed. Consequently, the free channel volume 44 in the first section 40 of the channel end region 43 is reduced. This reduction is such that, starting from the pipetting channel end 24, the pipetting channel section located in the first section 40 extends less than half the diameter of a functional component 46, preferably less than one third of this diameter, deep into the pipetting apparatus 10. As a result, the functional component 46 initially received in the first section 40 of the pipetting channel 22 or of the channel end region 43 is released from the pipetting device 10.
    For this purpose, the pipetting system 12 shown in FIG. 1 has a discharge container 70. Its inlet opening 72 has a clear width that is greater than the largest diameter of the functional component 46. Preferably, the inlet opening 72 even has a greater inside width than the free channel volume 44 in the first section 40 of the channel end region 43.
    The inlet opening is surrounded by an edge 74, which is contacted by the end face 76 of the support member 36. For this purpose, the pipetting device 10 is first moved into a position in which the channel path K is aligned with the inlet axis E of the container inlet 78 of the discharge container 70. Then the pipetting device 10 is lowered along the channel path K to the discharge container 70, wherein the end face 76 of the support member 36 comes into contact with the edge 74 of the container inlet 78 and with continued lowering of the pipetting device 10 against the biasing force of the spring assembly 38 along the channel path K to the abutment 34 is moved. When lifting the pipetting device 10 from the container inlet 78, the support member 36 is moved under the action of the force of the spring assembly 38 along the channel path K back to the ready state.
    A Gleitführungsanordnung 80 bordering the Dosierortnähere longitudinal end of the component 32 is fixedly mounted on the component 32 and also moves relative to the support member 36 when it is moved along the channel path K relative to the component 32.
    For reasons of the highest possible rigidity of the container inlet 78 of the discharge container 70, this is preferably designed as a cone or as a cylinder.
    The filter component 46 may be made of a plastic, detached from the illustrated embodiment, for example, a polyolefin such as polypropylene or polyethylene, preferably polyethylene. The functional component 46 may be sintered to achieve a desired gas permeability or formed as a fiber tangle. It is preferably sintered from a powder material. The pore size in the functional component 46 is preferably in a range of 15 to 50 μm, wherein the volume fraction of the pore volume in the total volume of the functional component 46 is not less than 35%. With a pressure difference of 50 mbar between positive pressure and low pressure side in the pipetting channel, a gas flow permeating the functional component of about 350 to 750 ml / min is thus achieved.
    The material forming the filter member 46 may be coated, for example, it may be hydrophobic. It may also be coated with indicator substances which change color in the presence of predetermined chemical substances.
    [0106] The functional component 46 is preferably formed solely by a functional element and has no housing.
    权利要求:
    Claims (24)
    [1]
    The ball shape of the functional component 46 impressively recognizes in FIG. 1 that an alignment of the functional component relative to the pipetting device 10 can be completely dispensed with and the functional component 46 is always ready to be received by the pipetting device 10 as soon as it is in the ready position BP has come to rest. claims
    1. A pipetting device (10) for aspirating and dispensing a dosing liquid at a dosing (DO) by means of a working fluid, with a working fluid containing during normal operation operation pipetting channel (22) of a dosing (DO) remote location along a channel path (K ) to a distance from the dosing (DO) located, but closer to the dosing (DO) Pipettierkanalende (24), wherein the Pipettierkanalende (24) having Kanalendbereich (43) is adapted to a functional component (46), such as about a filter component, a gas-permeable liquid barrier member and / or a reactive indicator component, in the pipetting channel (22) releasably receive, characterized in that the Kanalendbereich (43) in a intended for aspiration and / or dispensation ready state of the pipetting device (10) a the Pipettierkanalende (24) having the first portion (40) with a larger channel cross-section and a second portion (42) of smaller channel cross-section spaced from the pipetting channel end (24), the first and second portions (42) being movable along the channel path (K) relative to each other between the operative condition and a component release condition in which a free channel volume (44) of a pipetting channel section located in the first section (40) is greater in the operational state than in the component release state.
    [2]
    2. Pipetting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first (40) and the second section (42) starting from the ready state relative to each other along the channel path (K) while approaching the second section (42) to the Pipettierkanalende ( 24) and thereby in introducing the second portion (42) in the first section (40) existing free channel volume (44) are movable in the component release state.
    [3]
    3. Pipetting device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respectively in the first (40) and in the second section (42) formed Pipettierkanalabschnitte at least in the ready state, preferably in the component release state, preferably in each between them States attainable intermediate position, coaxial with each other.
    [4]
    4. Pipetting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first section (40) is formed on a first section component (36) and the second section (42) is formed on a separate second section component (32), wherein the section members (32,36) relative to each other along the channel path (K) are displaced.
    [5]
    5. Pipetting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first (40) and the second portion (42) are biased in the ready state.
    [6]
    6. Pipetting device (10) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that between the first (36) and the second section member (32) has a spring arrangement (38), preferably for reasons of short dimensions along the channel path (K) a disc spring assembly ( 38) is provided.
    [7]
    7. Pipetting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device basic structure (20), preferably a device frame (20) which can be displaced relative to a space-fixed device frame towards and away from the metering point (DO) at least one operating component (26, 28, 30), preferably a plurality of operating components (26, 28, 30), is provided movably relative to the device basic structure (20), the second portion (42), in particular the second portion component (32), is arranged stationary relative to the device base structure (20), in particular releasably arranged under latching or threaded form-fitting engagement.
    [8]
    8. Pipetting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipetting channel (22) in the first section (40) of the channel end region (43) has a taper formation (48), in the region of which the clear width of the pipetting channel (22) has a smaller dimension than in a region of the pipetting channel (22) remote from the rejuvenation formation (48) along the channel path (K).
    [9]
    9. Pipetting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a coupling formation, in particular a coupling component assembly which is adapted to releasably couple a pipetting tip (64) to the pipetting device (10).
    [10]
    10. The pipetting device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second section (42), in particular the second section component (32), is part of the coupling formation.
    [11]
    11. Pipetting device (10) according to claim 9, comprising a pipetting tip (64), which can be coupled detachably to the pipetting device (10), which extends along a pipette tip axis (P) and whose one axial end region serves as a coupling end region (66) has releasable coupling to the coupling formation and the Kopplungsendbereich (66) opposite other axial end portion as dosing a metering has a dosing, which defines in the coupled to the pipetting device (10) state the dosing (DO).
    [12]
    12. The pipetting device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the Kopplungsendbereich (66) of the pipette tip (64) in the coupled to the pipetting device (10) coaxially with at least a portion of the Kanalendbereichs (43) extends and surrounds this radially outward ,
    [13]
    13. The pipetting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims with a separate from the pipetting device (10) formed functional component (46), wherein the functional component (46) has a contact portion (61) whose dimension is not smaller than the inside diameter of a range of Pipetting channel (22) in the first section (40) of the channel end region (43), wherein the abutment portion (61) of the functional component (46) after its inclusion in the pipetting channel (22) in the region of the pipetting channel (22) in abutment against an inner wall of the Pipetting channel (22) passes.
    [14]
    14. The pipetting device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the clear width of the pipetting channel (22) in the second section (42) of the channel end region (43) is sufficiently small to allow complete penetration of the functional component (46) into the second Section (42) of the Kanalendbereichs (43) located Pipettierkanalabschnitt to avoid.
    [15]
    15. The pipetting device (10) as claimed in claim 13, wherein a longitudinal end (60) of the second section (42) pointing towards the pipetting channel end (24) is designed to be complementary to an outer section of the functional component (46).
    [16]
    16. The pipetting device (10) according to the preamble of claim 1 or any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a separate from the pipetting device (10) formed functional element (46) as the functional component (46) which directly and without intermediate arrangement a support structure at least partially surrounding the functional element (46) in the Kanalendbereich (43) of the pipetting channel (22) is receivable.
    [17]
    17. Pipetting device (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the functional component (46) has a spherical shape.
    [18]
    18. Pipetting device (12) with a pipetting device (10) according to claim 17 and further comprising a functional component supply (14) and a functional component conveying device (18), which is adapted to a functional component (46) from the functional component supply (14) to a in order to supply the functional component (46) for receiving through the channel end region (43) of the pipetting channel (22), wherein the functional component (46) in the ready position (BP) through the channel end region (43) of the pipetting channel (BP). 22) is receivable for the use of its intended function.
    [19]
    19. Pipetting system (12) according to claim 18, characterized in that it has a separating device (16) which separates a plurality of functional components (46) accommodated in the functional component supply (14) between the functional component supply (14) and the provision position (BP).
    [20]
    20. Pipetting system (12) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that it has an arrangement formation (50) at the provision position (BP), which is adapted to a functional component (46) relative to the channel end region (43) at least in one of Channel track (K) in the channel end region (43) arranged in an angle surface (56), in particular plane to arrange in the ready position (BP).
    [21]
    21. Pipetting system (12) according to claim 20, characterized in that the arrangement formation (50) at the provision position (BP) has a recess (58).
    [22]
    22. Pipetting system (12) according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the functional component conveying device (18) has a groove.
    [23]
    23. Pipetting system (12) according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that it comprises a discharge container (70) for receiving used functional components (46), wherein the discharge container (70) has a container inlet (78) with an inlet opening (72). wherein the inlet opening (72) has a greater inside width than the functional component (46) which can be ejected into the ejection container (70), and wherein an edge (74) of the container inlet (78) surrounding the inlet opening (72) protrudes from the channel end region (43 ), in particular of the first section (40), is contactable.
    [24]
    24. Method for the detachable arrangement of a functional component (46), such as a filter component, a gas-permeable liquid barrier component or / and a reactive indicator component, in a channel end region (43) of a pipetting channel (22) of a pipetting device (10), in particular a pipetting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 17, particularly preferably as part of a pipetting system (12) according to one of claims 18 to 23, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a functional component (46) to a ready position (BP), - moving the pipetting device (10) to a standby position in which the course of a portion of the pipetting channel (22) located in the channel end region (43) extending to the pipetting channel end (24), extended toward the staging position (BP), surrounds the staging position (BP) or cutting, moving the Kanalendbereichs (43) from the standby position (BP) along the verl lengthens the imaginary course to the provision position (BP) and thereby pushes the functional component 46 through the pipetting channel end 24 into the section of the pipetting channel 22 located in the channel end region 43, characterized in that the functional component 46 is spherical so that the method has no step of aligning the functional component (46).
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    同族专利:
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    引用文献:
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    JP4792879B2|2005-08-31|2011-10-12|住友ベークライト株式会社|Pipette cartridge|
    EP2425260A1|2009-04-27|2012-03-07|Agency For Science, Technology And Research|Apparatus and method for dispensing a liquid|
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    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    DE102016203312.3A|DE102016203312A1|2016-03-01|2016-03-01|Pipetting device with automatically exchangeable functional component, in particular filter, and method for alignment-free recording of a functional component in a pipetting|
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