EP-4741057-A2 - AUTO-PIPETTING APPARATUS AND METHOD

EP4741057A2EP 4741057 A2EP4741057 A2EP 4741057A2EP-4741057-A2

Abstract

An auto-pipetting apparatus includes a dispensing head with at least one pipetting tip mandrel having an elongated stud body with an insertion end. The at least one pipetting tip mandrel mates with a pipetting tip. A first adjustable seal, disposed on the elongated stud body, and a second adjustable seal, disposed on the elongated stud body, seal the pipetting tip mated to the at least one pipetting tip mandrel. The first adjustable seal defines a snub surface. The snub surface effects a substantially continuous circumferential contact seal with radially impinging contact between the pipetting tip and the at least one pipetting tip mandrel. The second adjustable seal is adjustable between a disengaged position and an engaged position and effects a releasable grip and another substantially continuous circumferential contact seal between the pipetting tip and the at least one pipetting tip mandrel around the pipetting tip.

Inventors

GILCHRIST, ULYSSES
CONNORS, ROBERT

Assignees

HighRes Biosolutions, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20180131

Claims (20)

An auto-pipetting apparatus comprising: a frame; a drive section mounted to the frame; a dispensing head connected to the frame and having a plurality of pipetting tip mandrels, each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels having an elongated stud body with a dispensing end, each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels being configured for mating with a respective pipetting tip into which the elongated stud body of the pipetting tip mandrel is inserted dispensing end first; a seal pair of adjustable seals mounted to each pipetting tip mandrel, the seal pair of adjustable seals is disposed with one seal of the seal pair separated from another seal of the seal pair at different lengths of the elongated stud body from the dispensing end; and a seal pair adjustment member that is: separate and distinct from the elongated stud body, coupled with each pipetting tip mandrel, and operably connected to the drive section so that actuation of the drive section effects relative drives motion between of the seal pair adjustment member and relative to and independent of motion of a respective elongated stud body of each pipetting tip mandrel coupled to the seal pair adjustment member; wherein the seal pair adjustment member commonly engages both seals, of the seal pair, substantially simultaneously adjusting each seal of the seal pair from a corresponding disengaged position, in which each seal forms a clearance fit between a respective pipetting tip mandrel and the respective pipetting tip, to an engaged position in which each seal of the seal pair contacts the respective pipetting tip mated to the respective pipetting tip mandrel effecting a releasable grip that substantially simultaneously grips the respective pipetting tip mated to the respective pipetting tip mandrel with both seals of the seal pair.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substantially simultaneous gripping, of the respective pipetting tip mated to the respective pipetting tip mandrel, with both seals of the seal pair of adjustable seals is effected with but one actuation motion substantially common for each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels mated to the respective pipetting tip.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 1, wherein contact between the respective pipetting tip and one seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals in the engaged position forms a substantially continuous circumferential contact seal between the respective pipetting tip mandrel and the respective pipetting tip mated thereto.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the substantially continuous circumferential contact seal is effected on adjustment of the one seal to the engaged position.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 1, wherein contact between the respective pipetting tip and both seals of the seal pair of adjustable seals in the engaged position forms more than one substantially continuous circumferential contact seals between the respective pipetting tip mandrel and the respective pipetting tip mated thereto.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the more than one substantially continuous circumferential contact seals are effected on adjustment of each seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals to the engaged position.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the more than one substantially continuous circumferential contact seals are effected substantially simultaneously with but one actuation motion substantially common for each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 1, wherein each seal pair adjustment member coupled the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels is operably coupled to a common drive member with another seal pair adjustment member so that each of the seal pair adjustment member and the other another seal pair adjustment member are actuated in unison with a common actuation action of the common drive member.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 1 8, wherein the drive section comprises a motor mounted to the frame and operably connected to each seal pair adjustment member, coupled to the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels, via a common screw drive.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the motor is operably connected to each seal pair adjustment member, coupled to the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels, through a connecting lever commonly actuating each seal pair adjustment member so that each seal pair of adjustable seals grips the respective pipetting tip, mated to each of the pipetting tip mandrels of the plurality pipetting tip mandrels, in substantial unison with another seal pair of adjustable seals that grips another respective pipetting tip.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 1, wherein one adjustable seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals defines a snub surface of the respective pipetting tip mandrel snubbing insertion of the respective pipetting tip mandrel into the respective pipetting tip.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing head is a 96 pipetting tip dispensing head with the clearance fit having a gap ratio of 1.02 to 1.
The auto-pipetting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing head is a is a 384 pipetting tip dispensing head with the clearance fit having a gap ratio of 1.11 to 1.
An auto-pipetting method comprising: providing a frame; providing a drive section mounted to the frame; providing a dispensing head connected to the frame and having a plurality of pipetting tip mandrels, each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels having an elongated stud body with a dispensing end, each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels being configured for mating with a respective pipetting tip into which the elongated stud body of the pipetting tip mandrel is inserted dispensing end first; providing a seal pair of adjustable seals mounted to each pipetting tip mandrel, the seal pair of adjustable seals is disposed with one seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals separated from another seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals at different lengths of the elongated stud body from the dispensing end; providing a seal pair adjustment member that is: separate and distinct from the elongated stud body, coupled with each pipetting tip mandrel, and operably connected to the drive section so that actuation of the drive section effects relative drives motion between of the seal pair adjustment member relative to and independent of motion of a respective elongated stud body of and each pipetting tip mandrel coupled to the seal pair adjustment member; and commonly engaging both seals, of the seal pair of adjustable seals, with the seal pair adjustment member to substantially simultaneously adjust each seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals from a corresponding disengaged position, in which each seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals forms a clearance fit between a respective pipetting tip mandrel and the respective pipetting tip, to an engaged position in which each seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals contacts the respective pipetting tip mated to the respective pipetting tip mandrel effecting a releasable grip that substantially simultaneously grips the respective pipetting tip mated to the respective pipetting tip mandrel with both seals of the seal pair of adjustable seals.
The auto-pipetting method of claim 14, wherein the substantially simultaneous gripping, of the respective pipetting tip mated to the respective pipetting tip mandrel, with both seals of the seal pair of adjustable seals is effected with but one actuation motion substantially common for each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels mated to the respective pipetting tip.
The auto-pipetting method of claim 14, further comprising forming a substantially continuous circumferential contact seal between the respective pipetting tip mandrel and the respective pipetting tip mated thereto with contact between the respective pipetting tip and one seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals in the engaged position.
The auto-pipetting method of claim 16, further comprising effecting the substantially continuous circumferential contact seal on adjustment of the one seal to the engaged position.
The auto-pipetting method of claim 14, further comprising forming more than one substantially continuous circumferential contact seals between the respective pipetting tip mandrel and the respective pipetting tip mated thereto with contact between the respective pipetting tip and both seals of the seal pair of adjustable seals in the engaged position.
The auto-pipetting method of claim 18, further comprising effecting the more than one substantially continuous circumferential contact seals on adjustment of each seal of the seal pair of adjustable seals to the engaged position.
The auto-pipetting method of claim 18, further comprising effecting the more than one substantially continuous circumferential contact seals substantially simultaneously with but one actuation motion substantially common for each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Non-Provisional of and claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/452,572, filed on January 31, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND 1. Field The exemplary embodiments generally relate to automated liquid handling and dispensing, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for auto-pipetting. 2. Brief Description of Related Developments Generally disposable pipette tips, used with automated liquid handling and dispensing systems enable repeated use of such pipetting systems to transfer different fluid samples without cross-contamination of the fluid samples. Disposable pipette tips are generally have a hollow, elongated and generally conical shape. The upper end of the pipette tip typically includes a collar that is mounted to pipetting tip mandrel the automated liquid handling and dispensing system. Generally the disposable pipette tips are held on the pipetting tip mandrel through a friction coupling generated by a tapered fit between pipetting tip mandrel and the pipette tip collar, as well as sealing rings on the inside circumference of the pipette tip collar, to secure and seal the pipette tips to the mounting shaft. The fit between the pipetting tip mandrel and the disposable tip is achieved by pushing the pipetting tip mandrel into the tapered pipette tip collar until the pipetting tip mandrel is wedged into the pipetting tip. A seal between the pipetting tip and the pipetting tip mandrel is formed between the tip collar and the mounting shaft as a result of crushing the sealing ring and/or stretching the diameter of the collar. Automated liquid handling and dispensing systems generally have a number of pipetting tip mandrels on a common dispensing head so that a number of samples can be transferred together in a single movement of the dispensing head. Loading the disposable pipetting tips on each of the pipetting tip mandrels generally requires substantial force in order to get all of the pipetting tips to adequately attach to respective pipetting tip mandrels of the common dispensing head. The force required to adequately attach the pipetting tips to the pipetting tip mandrels may directly impact the size and cost of at least some portions of the automated liquid handling and dispensing system as actuators of the automated liquid handling and dispensing system need to be sized to generate enough force to load the pipetting tips onto the pipetting tip mandrels. In addition, the actuators need to have enough capacity to load the pipetting tips onto the pipetting tip mandrels, for example, continually for a long period of time. The structure of the automated liquid handling and dispensing system also needs to have enough stiffness that deformation of the structure does not impact loading of the pipetting tips onto the pipetting tip mandrels. It would be advantageous to have an automated liquid handling and dispensing system that loads pipetting tips onto respective pipetting tip mandrels with sufficient force while keeping the size and cost of the automated liquid handling and system to a minimum. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing aspects and other features of the disclosed embodiment are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an auto-pipetting apparatus in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Fig. 1A is a schematic illustration of an auto-pipetting apparatus in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the auto-pipetting apparatus in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Fig. 2A is a schematic illustration of a portion of the auto-pipetting apparatus in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the auto-pipetting apparatus in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the auto-pipetting apparatus in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Figs. 5A and 5B are schematic illustrations of an interfacing between a portion of the auto-pipetting apparatus and a disposable pipetting tip in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Fig. 5C is a schematic illustration of an interfacing between a portion of the auto-pipetting apparatus and a disposable pipetting tip in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Figs. 6A and 6B are schematic illustrations of an interfacing between a portion of the auto-pipetting apparatus and a disposable pipetting tip in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Fig. 7 is a flow diagram in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Fig. 8 is a flow diagram in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of a pipetting tip