CA2218366A1 - Pipetting needle and rinse station therefor for fluid transfer under inert atmosphere operations - Google Patents
Pipetting needle and rinse station therefor for fluid transfer under inert atmosphere operations Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2218366A1 CA2218366A1 CA 2218366 CA2218366A CA2218366A1 CA 2218366 A1 CA2218366 A1 CA 2218366A1 CA 2218366 CA2218366 CA 2218366 CA 2218366 A CA2218366 A CA 2218366A CA 2218366 A1 CA2218366 A1 CA 2218366A1
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- Prior art keywords
- needle
- pipetting
- needle assembly
- gas
- inlet port
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1079—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices with means for piercing stoppers or septums
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1004—Cleaning sample transfer devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
- B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
- B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
- B01J2219/00279—Features relating to reactor vessels
- B01J2219/00331—Details of the reactor vessels
- B01J2219/00333—Closures attached to the reactor vessels
- B01J2219/00335—Septa
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
- B01J2219/00274—Sequential or parallel reactions; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making arrays; Chemical library technology
- B01J2219/00277—Apparatus
- B01J2219/00351—Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
- B01J2219/00373—Hollow needles
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C40—COMBINATORIAL TECHNOLOGY
- C40B—COMBINATORIAL CHEMISTRY; LIBRARIES, e.g. CHEMICAL LIBRARIES
- C40B60/00—Apparatus specially adapted for use in combinatorial chemistry or with libraries
- C40B60/14—Apparatus specially adapted for use in combinatorial chemistry or with libraries for creating libraries
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
- Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
A coaxial needle assembly for pipetting reagents under inert atmosphere, as well as a rinsing station is described. A preferred coaxial needle assembly includes a non-coring pipetting needle and a gas pressurization needle coaxial with, and of larger diameter than the pipetting needle. In one embodiment, rinse stations that employ a pipetting syringe to deliver cleaning solvents to cleanse the interior and exterior of a contaminated pipetting needle are described. In an alternative embodiment, rinse stations that use cleaning solvent to cleanse the interior and exterior of a contaminated pipetting needle are described.
Description
=
W 096133805 PCT/Ib~G10048~
Plr~ ~lN~i; ~P~nT-~ AND RTr'c:T' STATION THEREFOR FOR
F~UID TRA~K u~ INERT ATMOSPHERE OPERATIONS
FIEI~D OF Tl~E lWV~ ION
The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for use in pipetting work stations, and more specifically to pipetting needles, useful in anhydrous and inert atmosphere operations as well as rinse stations for said needles.
BACRGROUND
Chemical reagents (which may include solvents, reactants, or reactants dissolved in solvents) are used in a wide range of chemical processes. Certain processes and chemistries require that the chemical reagents be kept under an inert or anhydrous atmosphere to prevent reactive groups from reacting with molecular oxygen, water vapor, or other agents commonly found in air.
Examples of atmosphere or moisture sensitive chemistries include peptide chemistry, nucleic acid chemistry, organometallic chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry, and chemistries commonly used to construct combinatorial chemistry libraries (see, e.g., co-p~n~;ng application serial no. 08/422,869 entitled "Methods and Apparatus for the Generation of Chemical Libraries," assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference). Accordingly, such reagents must be stored and used under an anhydrous or inert atmosphere, such as one of argon, nitrogen, or other gases or mixtures of gases. Typically, cont~; n~rs of such reagents (and containers in which reactions using these reagents take place) are sealed from outside air by a gas impermeable septum.
As is known to those skilled in the art, a liquid reagent may be removed from or deposited into a container sealed with a septum through the use of a pipetting needle (and its associated pipetting syringe). When such a needle pierces a septum, the septum forms a gas-tight (or nearly gas-tight) seal around the needle, preventing SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) W 096/33805 PCT~B96/00484 or inhibiting gas flow around the needle. As the needle is removed, the septum seals itself to prevent or inhibit gas leakage.
When a pipetting needle is used to remove a volume of liquid from a septum-sealed container, a partial vacuum is created within that container. If the pressure difference between the inside of the container and the external atmosphere is great enough, outside air may seep into the container through needle holes previously made in the septum. This problem can be reduced or prevented by replacing the volume of liquid removed with an equal or slightly greater volume of inert (or other) gas.
In the past, inert gas has been pumped into septum-sealed containers through the use of two separate needles, or through the use of two needles soldered together. Such soldered needles, called "double-needle liquid-transfer/gas-purge units" are produced by the Aldrich Corporation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In these configurations, one needle is used to remove liquid (i.e., perform the pipetting function), and the other needle is used to pump inert gas into the sealed container. Furthermore, the needles need to rinsed in-between the pipetting operations.
Referring now to Figure 1, a prior art double pipetting needle 100 is shown. Pipetting needle 100 includes a relatively long, hollow needle 102 used for the transfer of liquids, and a relatively short, hollow needle 104 used for the transfer of gas. Needle 102 typically has a non-coring tip 106 and a luer connector fluid port 108, for connection to a pipetting syringe (not shown). Needle 104 typically has a non-coring tip 110 and a luer connector gas port 112 for connection to a source of inert gas (not shown).
The use of a separate needle to pump inert gas into a septum sealed container presents many disadvantages.
For example, the use of such an arrangement may require modification of existing pipetting work stations, such as the TECAN model 5032 (manufactured by TECAN AG, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (~ULE 26) WO 96133805 PCrl~ /00~4 Feldbachstrasse 80, CH-8634 Hombrechtikon, Switzerland).
In addition, the use of two needles soldered together may cause significant damage to the septum, thereby reducing its effective life span.
Accordingly, there r~m~;n~ a need in the art for a pipetting needle ~or use in inert atmosphere operations that causes m;n;m~l damage to a septum, and that requires little or no modification to existing pipetting work stations.
Many chemical processes performed using pipetting work stations require the use of multiple reagents which must be transferred using the same pipetting needle. To prevent cross cont~m;nAtion of reagents, the pipetting needle must be cleaned after exposure to each reagent.
In the past, specialized rinse stations have been used to clean the inside and outside of a cont~m;n~ted pipetting needle.
Referring now to Figure 5, a cross sectional view of a prior art rinse station 50 as used in the Model 396 MPS ~ully automated multiple peptide synthesizer (manufactured by Advanced ChemTech, Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky) is shown. Rinse station 50 includes a cavity 52 in a rinse cup 53, a waste trough 54, and a drain tube 55. To clean a pipetting needle, the tip of the pipetting needle is placed in cavity 52. C~ n;ng solvent is pumped out of the tip of the pipetting needle into cavity 52, forcing the solvent upward to wash the outside tip of the pipetting needle before spilling into waste trough 54, and then out drain tube 55.
This prior art rinse station only cleans the interior and tip of a pipetting needle. While this may be adequate in situations where a pipetting needle can be precisely controlled so as to only cont~m;n~te the tip (as is done in pipetting works station that can detect the reagent surface), this may be inadequate where a relatively large portion of the pipetting needle becomes contaminated. For example, it may be desirable in some circumstances to remove reagents from near the bottom of SU~STiTUTE SHEET (RlJLE 26) =
W 096/33805 PCTAB9~'00~81 the container, where the reagent is less likely to have been exposed to outside air.
Further disadvantages of prior art rinse station 50 are that a relatively large amount of cle~n;ng solvent is reguired to clean a pipetting needle, and a cle~n;n~
operation takes a relatively long time.
Accordingly, there r~m~;nq a need in the art for a pipetting needle rinse station that can quickly and effectively cleanse the entire contaminated portion of a pipetting needle without using large amounts of cleaning solvent.
SUMMARY
The present invention meets these needs by providing a coaxial needle assembly that includes both a pipetting needle, a gas pressurization needle and a needle rinsing station.
A preferred embodiment of the needle assembly includes a pipetting needle having a body portion, a first end with a non-coring tip, and a second end with a fluid port in commlln;cation with the non-coring tip. The preferred needle asse-m-bly also includes a gas pressurization needle coaxial with and of larger diameter than the pipetting needle. The gas pressurization needle includes a body portion, a frustum, or tapered section extending from the body of the gas pressurization needle to the body of the pipetting needle, a gas inlet port, and a gas outlet port in c~mmlln;cation with the gas inlet port.
A preferred embodiment of a rinse station uses cleaning solvent driven by a pipetting syringe to cleanse the interior and exterior of a cont~m;n~ted pipetting needle.
SUBSTI T UTE SHEET (RUEE 26) W~ 9613380S PCTm~96/00~8 1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of a prior art double pipetting needle for use in inert atmosphere operations.
Figure 2 is a side view of a coaxial pipetting needle for use in inert atmosphere operations according to a preferred embodiment.
Figure 3 is a side cross sectional view of portions of the coaxial pipetting needle shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side view of the coaxial pipetting needle shown in Figure 2 as used with a septum sealed cont~;ner.
Figure 5 is a side cross sectional view of a prior art pipetting needle rinse station.
Figure 6 is a side cross sectional view of an alternative pipetting needle rinse station according to a preferred embodiment.
Figure 7 is a side cross sectional view of a pipetting needle rinse station according to a preferred embodiment.
Figure 8 is top view (taken along line A - A) of the alternative pipetting needle rinse station shown in Figure 7.
DETAILED D.SCRIPTION
The structure and function of the preferred embodiments can best be understood by reference to the drawings. The reader will note that the same reference numerals appear in multiple figures. Where this is the case, the numerals refer to the same or corresponding structure in those figures.
COA~TAT~ NEEDLE AS,ST.~MRT.y Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, a coaxial needle assembly 20 according to a preferred embodiment is shown. Coaxial needle assembly 20 includes a pipetting needle 22, preferably having a piercing tip 24.
Piercing tip 24 is preferably a non-coring tip.
Pipetting needle 22 is connected to a conventional SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) W 096/33805 PCT~B9GI'~
pipetting syringe or automated pipetting work station (not shown) through fluid port 26. Fluid port 26 may be a standard female luer connector such that pipetting needle 22 can be connected to a pipetting syringe having a st~n~d male luer connector. Fluid port 26 may also be a stAn~Ard hose barb connector.
Mounted externally to and coaxially with pipetting needle 22 is gas pressurization needle 32.
Pressurization needle 32 includes a gas inlet port 30 and a body 28. Gas inlet port 30 may be a standard male or female luer connector. Gas inlet port 30 may also be a standard hose barb connector. Pressurization from needle 32 terminates at one end with frustum, or tapered section 34, which tapers to meet the exterior of pipetting needle 22. Tapered section 34 may include one or more outlet vents 36 which connect to inlet port 30 via one or more passages 38 in presurization needle 32.
Alternatively, body 32 may include one or more outlet vents 36A which connect to inlet port 30 via one or more passages 38. Needle assembly 20 may also include both outlet vents 36 and outlet vents 36A.
Above inlet port 30 is an upper body portion 40.
Upper body portion 40 is sealed, preferably with solder, to pressurization needle 22 to prevent gas leakage.
Referring now to Figure 4, the operation of coaxial needle assembly 20 will be described. In a typical operation, a quantity of liquid reagent 42 is stored in a container 44. The interior of container 44 is sealed from outside air by a septum 46.
To remove reagent 42 from container 44, a lower portion of pipetting needle 22 and body 32 of pressurization needle 32 pierce septum 46. Tip 24 is placed in reagent 42, and reagent 42 is removed from container 44 preferably through the action of a pipetting syringe (not shown) in commlln;cation with fluid port 26.
While reagent 42 is being removed, inert (or other) gas is simultaneously pumped into container 44 through SUES I ! T UTE SHEET (P,ULE 26) W 096133805 ~CT/lD56,~00q8 vents 36. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure inside cont~; ne~ 44 is regulated to be approximately two pounds per square inch greater than the ambient pressure of the outside air. The maintenance of a slight overpressure within container 44 reduces the chance of cont~m;n~tion with outside air should the integrity of septum 46 be momentarily breached. And should there be a small amount of outside air within container 44, drawing reagent from near the bottom of the cont~; n~r 10 will m;n;m; ze the possibility of withdrawing reagent that has been exposed to outside air.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, needle assembly 20 may be used with automated pipetting stations such as the TECAN Model 5032, or may be used with standard syringes or other pipetting devices as are commonly employed in the art to transport chemical reagents.
RINSE STATIONS
As was discussed above, a pipetting needle may be used with a variety of reagents. Accordingly, it is necessary to cleanse the inside and outside of a pipetting needle between uses to prevent cross cont~m;n~tion between reagents.
Referring now to Figure 2, a portion of a rinse station 60 according to a preferred embodiment is shown.
Rinse station 60 includes a relatively long tube 62 having a closed end 64 and an open, flared end 66. Rinse station 60 may also include a mounting adapter 68 to allow rinse station 60 to fit onto an existing rinse station mount (not shown). Mounting adapter 68 could also be modified to fit in cavity 52 of prior art rinse station 50 (see Figure 1).
The operation of rinse station 60 is as follows:
The entire cont~m;n~ted portion of a pipetting needle (not shown) is placed into tube 62.
A cleaning solvent is then pumped out of the tip of the pipetting needle, cleansing the inside of the needle.
Solvent then flows up tube 62, cleansing the entire SUEST' ~ u, E SHEET (RULE 26) WO ~133--5 PCT~B~6/00~8 cont~m;n~ted exterior portion of the pipetting needle.
CleAn;ng solvent then flows out of end 66 into a waste trough (not shown).
Figure 7 shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of an alternative rinse station 70.
Rinse station 70 includes a tube 72, a cleAn;ng solvent inlet port 74, and one or more cleAn;ng jets 76 connected to inlet port 74 via passages 77 (see Figure 8). In a preferred e-mbodiment~ there are two cleaning jets 76 placed 180 degrees apart from each other.
Cleaning solvent may be supplied to inlet port 74 via supply tube 75. Tube 72 has an open end 78 for receiving a pipetting needle, and a second open end 80, which is a drain for waste cleaning solvent. Rinse station 70 may also include a mounting adapter 71 to allow rinse station 70 to fit onto an existing rinse station mount (not shown).
A cle~n; ~g operation using rinse station 70 is performed as follows: a pipetting needle (not shown) is inserted into tube 72 via open end 78. Cl~An; ng solvent is pumped through the inside of the needle. At the same time, or at a point close in time, cleaning solvent is pumped into port 74 and out through jets 76, preferably generating two streams or jets 79 of cleaning fluid that meet in the center of tube 72. Streams 79 of cleaning fluid spray the exterior of the pipetting needle with cleaning solvent as the needle is moved past cleaning jets 76. The use of cl~An;ng jets 76 allows the exterior of the pipetting needle to be cleansed very quickly and thoroughly with a relatively small amount of cleaning solvent. In addition, the use of cleaning jets 76 allows the interior and exterior of the pipetting needle to be cleansed independently of one another.
Thus, the exterior of the cont~m;nAted pipetting needle is washed with fresh cleaning solvent rather than solvent that may have previously contacted the contAm;n~ted interior of the pipetting needle.
5JB.STITU,,SHEET(RULE26) W 096J33805 PCT~B~C100~34 As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the rinse stations 60 and 70 of Fisures 6 and 7 may be used with a coaxial pipetting needle assembly, as described above. Rinse stations 60 and 70 may also be used with conventional pipetting needles.
The present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment. The invention, however, is not limited to the embodiment depicted and described.
Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
W 096133805 PCT/Ib~G10048~
Plr~ ~lN~i; ~P~nT-~ AND RTr'c:T' STATION THEREFOR FOR
F~UID TRA~K u~ INERT ATMOSPHERE OPERATIONS
FIEI~D OF Tl~E lWV~ ION
The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for use in pipetting work stations, and more specifically to pipetting needles, useful in anhydrous and inert atmosphere operations as well as rinse stations for said needles.
BACRGROUND
Chemical reagents (which may include solvents, reactants, or reactants dissolved in solvents) are used in a wide range of chemical processes. Certain processes and chemistries require that the chemical reagents be kept under an inert or anhydrous atmosphere to prevent reactive groups from reacting with molecular oxygen, water vapor, or other agents commonly found in air.
Examples of atmosphere or moisture sensitive chemistries include peptide chemistry, nucleic acid chemistry, organometallic chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry, and chemistries commonly used to construct combinatorial chemistry libraries (see, e.g., co-p~n~;ng application serial no. 08/422,869 entitled "Methods and Apparatus for the Generation of Chemical Libraries," assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference). Accordingly, such reagents must be stored and used under an anhydrous or inert atmosphere, such as one of argon, nitrogen, or other gases or mixtures of gases. Typically, cont~; n~rs of such reagents (and containers in which reactions using these reagents take place) are sealed from outside air by a gas impermeable septum.
As is known to those skilled in the art, a liquid reagent may be removed from or deposited into a container sealed with a septum through the use of a pipetting needle (and its associated pipetting syringe). When such a needle pierces a septum, the septum forms a gas-tight (or nearly gas-tight) seal around the needle, preventing SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) W 096/33805 PCT~B96/00484 or inhibiting gas flow around the needle. As the needle is removed, the septum seals itself to prevent or inhibit gas leakage.
When a pipetting needle is used to remove a volume of liquid from a septum-sealed container, a partial vacuum is created within that container. If the pressure difference between the inside of the container and the external atmosphere is great enough, outside air may seep into the container through needle holes previously made in the septum. This problem can be reduced or prevented by replacing the volume of liquid removed with an equal or slightly greater volume of inert (or other) gas.
In the past, inert gas has been pumped into septum-sealed containers through the use of two separate needles, or through the use of two needles soldered together. Such soldered needles, called "double-needle liquid-transfer/gas-purge units" are produced by the Aldrich Corporation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In these configurations, one needle is used to remove liquid (i.e., perform the pipetting function), and the other needle is used to pump inert gas into the sealed container. Furthermore, the needles need to rinsed in-between the pipetting operations.
Referring now to Figure 1, a prior art double pipetting needle 100 is shown. Pipetting needle 100 includes a relatively long, hollow needle 102 used for the transfer of liquids, and a relatively short, hollow needle 104 used for the transfer of gas. Needle 102 typically has a non-coring tip 106 and a luer connector fluid port 108, for connection to a pipetting syringe (not shown). Needle 104 typically has a non-coring tip 110 and a luer connector gas port 112 for connection to a source of inert gas (not shown).
The use of a separate needle to pump inert gas into a septum sealed container presents many disadvantages.
For example, the use of such an arrangement may require modification of existing pipetting work stations, such as the TECAN model 5032 (manufactured by TECAN AG, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (~ULE 26) WO 96133805 PCrl~ /00~4 Feldbachstrasse 80, CH-8634 Hombrechtikon, Switzerland).
In addition, the use of two needles soldered together may cause significant damage to the septum, thereby reducing its effective life span.
Accordingly, there r~m~;n~ a need in the art for a pipetting needle ~or use in inert atmosphere operations that causes m;n;m~l damage to a septum, and that requires little or no modification to existing pipetting work stations.
Many chemical processes performed using pipetting work stations require the use of multiple reagents which must be transferred using the same pipetting needle. To prevent cross cont~m;nAtion of reagents, the pipetting needle must be cleaned after exposure to each reagent.
In the past, specialized rinse stations have been used to clean the inside and outside of a cont~m;n~ted pipetting needle.
Referring now to Figure 5, a cross sectional view of a prior art rinse station 50 as used in the Model 396 MPS ~ully automated multiple peptide synthesizer (manufactured by Advanced ChemTech, Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky) is shown. Rinse station 50 includes a cavity 52 in a rinse cup 53, a waste trough 54, and a drain tube 55. To clean a pipetting needle, the tip of the pipetting needle is placed in cavity 52. C~ n;ng solvent is pumped out of the tip of the pipetting needle into cavity 52, forcing the solvent upward to wash the outside tip of the pipetting needle before spilling into waste trough 54, and then out drain tube 55.
This prior art rinse station only cleans the interior and tip of a pipetting needle. While this may be adequate in situations where a pipetting needle can be precisely controlled so as to only cont~m;n~te the tip (as is done in pipetting works station that can detect the reagent surface), this may be inadequate where a relatively large portion of the pipetting needle becomes contaminated. For example, it may be desirable in some circumstances to remove reagents from near the bottom of SU~STiTUTE SHEET (RlJLE 26) =
W 096/33805 PCTAB9~'00~81 the container, where the reagent is less likely to have been exposed to outside air.
Further disadvantages of prior art rinse station 50 are that a relatively large amount of cle~n;ng solvent is reguired to clean a pipetting needle, and a cle~n;n~
operation takes a relatively long time.
Accordingly, there r~m~;nq a need in the art for a pipetting needle rinse station that can quickly and effectively cleanse the entire contaminated portion of a pipetting needle without using large amounts of cleaning solvent.
SUMMARY
The present invention meets these needs by providing a coaxial needle assembly that includes both a pipetting needle, a gas pressurization needle and a needle rinsing station.
A preferred embodiment of the needle assembly includes a pipetting needle having a body portion, a first end with a non-coring tip, and a second end with a fluid port in commlln;cation with the non-coring tip. The preferred needle asse-m-bly also includes a gas pressurization needle coaxial with and of larger diameter than the pipetting needle. The gas pressurization needle includes a body portion, a frustum, or tapered section extending from the body of the gas pressurization needle to the body of the pipetting needle, a gas inlet port, and a gas outlet port in c~mmlln;cation with the gas inlet port.
A preferred embodiment of a rinse station uses cleaning solvent driven by a pipetting syringe to cleanse the interior and exterior of a cont~m;n~ted pipetting needle.
SUBSTI T UTE SHEET (RUEE 26) W~ 9613380S PCTm~96/00~8 1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of a prior art double pipetting needle for use in inert atmosphere operations.
Figure 2 is a side view of a coaxial pipetting needle for use in inert atmosphere operations according to a preferred embodiment.
Figure 3 is a side cross sectional view of portions of the coaxial pipetting needle shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side view of the coaxial pipetting needle shown in Figure 2 as used with a septum sealed cont~;ner.
Figure 5 is a side cross sectional view of a prior art pipetting needle rinse station.
Figure 6 is a side cross sectional view of an alternative pipetting needle rinse station according to a preferred embodiment.
Figure 7 is a side cross sectional view of a pipetting needle rinse station according to a preferred embodiment.
Figure 8 is top view (taken along line A - A) of the alternative pipetting needle rinse station shown in Figure 7.
DETAILED D.SCRIPTION
The structure and function of the preferred embodiments can best be understood by reference to the drawings. The reader will note that the same reference numerals appear in multiple figures. Where this is the case, the numerals refer to the same or corresponding structure in those figures.
COA~TAT~ NEEDLE AS,ST.~MRT.y Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, a coaxial needle assembly 20 according to a preferred embodiment is shown. Coaxial needle assembly 20 includes a pipetting needle 22, preferably having a piercing tip 24.
Piercing tip 24 is preferably a non-coring tip.
Pipetting needle 22 is connected to a conventional SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) W 096/33805 PCT~B9GI'~
pipetting syringe or automated pipetting work station (not shown) through fluid port 26. Fluid port 26 may be a standard female luer connector such that pipetting needle 22 can be connected to a pipetting syringe having a st~n~d male luer connector. Fluid port 26 may also be a stAn~Ard hose barb connector.
Mounted externally to and coaxially with pipetting needle 22 is gas pressurization needle 32.
Pressurization needle 32 includes a gas inlet port 30 and a body 28. Gas inlet port 30 may be a standard male or female luer connector. Gas inlet port 30 may also be a standard hose barb connector. Pressurization from needle 32 terminates at one end with frustum, or tapered section 34, which tapers to meet the exterior of pipetting needle 22. Tapered section 34 may include one or more outlet vents 36 which connect to inlet port 30 via one or more passages 38 in presurization needle 32.
Alternatively, body 32 may include one or more outlet vents 36A which connect to inlet port 30 via one or more passages 38. Needle assembly 20 may also include both outlet vents 36 and outlet vents 36A.
Above inlet port 30 is an upper body portion 40.
Upper body portion 40 is sealed, preferably with solder, to pressurization needle 22 to prevent gas leakage.
Referring now to Figure 4, the operation of coaxial needle assembly 20 will be described. In a typical operation, a quantity of liquid reagent 42 is stored in a container 44. The interior of container 44 is sealed from outside air by a septum 46.
To remove reagent 42 from container 44, a lower portion of pipetting needle 22 and body 32 of pressurization needle 32 pierce septum 46. Tip 24 is placed in reagent 42, and reagent 42 is removed from container 44 preferably through the action of a pipetting syringe (not shown) in commlln;cation with fluid port 26.
While reagent 42 is being removed, inert (or other) gas is simultaneously pumped into container 44 through SUES I ! T UTE SHEET (P,ULE 26) W 096133805 ~CT/lD56,~00q8 vents 36. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure inside cont~; ne~ 44 is regulated to be approximately two pounds per square inch greater than the ambient pressure of the outside air. The maintenance of a slight overpressure within container 44 reduces the chance of cont~m;n~tion with outside air should the integrity of septum 46 be momentarily breached. And should there be a small amount of outside air within container 44, drawing reagent from near the bottom of the cont~; n~r 10 will m;n;m; ze the possibility of withdrawing reagent that has been exposed to outside air.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, needle assembly 20 may be used with automated pipetting stations such as the TECAN Model 5032, or may be used with standard syringes or other pipetting devices as are commonly employed in the art to transport chemical reagents.
RINSE STATIONS
As was discussed above, a pipetting needle may be used with a variety of reagents. Accordingly, it is necessary to cleanse the inside and outside of a pipetting needle between uses to prevent cross cont~m;n~tion between reagents.
Referring now to Figure 2, a portion of a rinse station 60 according to a preferred embodiment is shown.
Rinse station 60 includes a relatively long tube 62 having a closed end 64 and an open, flared end 66. Rinse station 60 may also include a mounting adapter 68 to allow rinse station 60 to fit onto an existing rinse station mount (not shown). Mounting adapter 68 could also be modified to fit in cavity 52 of prior art rinse station 50 (see Figure 1).
The operation of rinse station 60 is as follows:
The entire cont~m;n~ted portion of a pipetting needle (not shown) is placed into tube 62.
A cleaning solvent is then pumped out of the tip of the pipetting needle, cleansing the inside of the needle.
Solvent then flows up tube 62, cleansing the entire SUEST' ~ u, E SHEET (RULE 26) WO ~133--5 PCT~B~6/00~8 cont~m;n~ted exterior portion of the pipetting needle.
CleAn;ng solvent then flows out of end 66 into a waste trough (not shown).
Figure 7 shows a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of an alternative rinse station 70.
Rinse station 70 includes a tube 72, a cleAn;ng solvent inlet port 74, and one or more cleAn;ng jets 76 connected to inlet port 74 via passages 77 (see Figure 8). In a preferred e-mbodiment~ there are two cleaning jets 76 placed 180 degrees apart from each other.
Cleaning solvent may be supplied to inlet port 74 via supply tube 75. Tube 72 has an open end 78 for receiving a pipetting needle, and a second open end 80, which is a drain for waste cleaning solvent. Rinse station 70 may also include a mounting adapter 71 to allow rinse station 70 to fit onto an existing rinse station mount (not shown).
A cle~n; ~g operation using rinse station 70 is performed as follows: a pipetting needle (not shown) is inserted into tube 72 via open end 78. Cl~An; ng solvent is pumped through the inside of the needle. At the same time, or at a point close in time, cleaning solvent is pumped into port 74 and out through jets 76, preferably generating two streams or jets 79 of cleaning fluid that meet in the center of tube 72. Streams 79 of cleaning fluid spray the exterior of the pipetting needle with cleaning solvent as the needle is moved past cleaning jets 76. The use of cl~An;ng jets 76 allows the exterior of the pipetting needle to be cleansed very quickly and thoroughly with a relatively small amount of cleaning solvent. In addition, the use of cleaning jets 76 allows the interior and exterior of the pipetting needle to be cleansed independently of one another.
Thus, the exterior of the cont~m;nAted pipetting needle is washed with fresh cleaning solvent rather than solvent that may have previously contacted the contAm;n~ted interior of the pipetting needle.
5JB.STITU,,SHEET(RULE26) W 096J33805 PCT~B~C100~34 As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the rinse stations 60 and 70 of Fisures 6 and 7 may be used with a coaxial pipetting needle assembly, as described above. Rinse stations 60 and 70 may also be used with conventional pipetting needles.
The present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment. The invention, however, is not limited to the embodiment depicted and described.
Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
Claims (26)
1. A needle assembly for pipetting reactants under anhydrous or inert atmosphere, comprising:
A pipetting needle having a body, a first end with a piercing tip, and a second end with a fluid port in communication with the piercing tip;
and a gas pressurization needle coaxial with and of larger diameter than the pipetting needle, the pressurization needle having a body, a tapered section extending from the body of the gas pressurization needle to the body of the pipetting needle, a gas inlet port, and a gas outlet port in communication with the gas inlet port.
A pipetting needle having a body, a first end with a piercing tip, and a second end with a fluid port in communication with the piercing tip;
and a gas pressurization needle coaxial with and of larger diameter than the pipetting needle, the pressurization needle having a body, a tapered section extending from the body of the gas pressurization needle to the body of the pipetting needle, a gas inlet port, and a gas outlet port in communication with the gas inlet port.
2. A needle assembly as in claim 1 wherein the gas outlet port is in the tapered section.
3. A needle assembly as in claim 1 wherein the gas outlet port is in the body of the gas pressurization needle.
4. A needle assembly as in claim 1 wherein the fluid port is a female luer connector.
5. A needle assembly as in claim 1 wherein the fluid port is a hose barb connector.
6. A needle assembly as in claim 1 wherein the gas inlet port is a male luer connector.
7. A needle assembly as in claim 1 wherein the gas inlet port is a female luer connector.
8. A needle assembly as in claim 1 wherein the gas inlet port is a hose barb connector.
9. A needle assembly as in claim 1 wherein the piercing tip is a non-coring tip.
10. A needle assembly comprising:
A pipetting needle having a body, a first end with a piercing tip, and a second end with a fluid port in communication with the piercing tip;
and a gas pressurization needle coaxial with and of larger diameter than the pipetting needle.
A pipetting needle having a body, a first end with a piercing tip, and a second end with a fluid port in communication with the piercing tip;
and a gas pressurization needle coaxial with and of larger diameter than the pipetting needle.
11. A needle assembly as in claim 10 wherein the gas pressurization needle includes:
A body;
a tapered section extending from the body of the gas pressurization needle to the body of the pipetting needle;
a gas inlet port; and a gas outlet port in communication with the gas inlet port.
A body;
a tapered section extending from the body of the gas pressurization needle to the body of the pipetting needle;
a gas inlet port; and a gas outlet port in communication with the gas inlet port.
12. A needle assembly as in claim 10 wherein the gas outlet port is in the tapered section.
13. A needle assembly as in claim 10 wherein the gas outlet port is in the body of the gas pressurization needle.
14. A needle assembly as in claim 10, wherein the fluid port is a female luer connector.
15. A needle assembly as in claim 10 wherein the fluid port is a hose barb connector.
16. A needle assembly as in claim 11 wherein the gas inlet port is a male luer connector.
17. A needle assembly as in claim 11 wherein the gas inlet port is a female luer connector.
18. A needle assembly as in claim 11 wherein the gas inlet port is a hose barb connector.
19. A needle assembly as in claim 10 wherein the piercing tip is a non-coring tip.
20. A rinse station for cleansing a pipetting needle as defined in claim 1 comprising:
A tube having a first open end for receiving a pipetting needle, a cleaning solvent inlet port, at least one cleaning solvent jet directed towards the interior of the tube, and passages connecting the cleaning solvent inlet port to the cleaning solvent jets.
A tube having a first open end for receiving a pipetting needle, a cleaning solvent inlet port, at least one cleaning solvent jet directed towards the interior of the tube, and passages connecting the cleaning solvent inlet port to the cleaning solvent jets.
21. A rinse station as in claim 20 wherein the tube further includes a second open end for draining waste cleaning solvent.
22. A rinse station as in claim 20 further including a mounting adapter attached to the second open end.
23. A rinse station as in claim 20 wherein the tube has two cleaning solvent jets.
24. A rinse station as in claim 23 wherein the cleaning solvent jets are facing each other.
25. A method for cleansing a pipetting needle having an exterior and a hollow interior, comprising the steps of:
Inserting the needle into a rinse station;
spraying the needle with a jet of cleaning solvent;
and pumping solvent through the interior of the needle.
Inserting the needle into a rinse station;
spraying the needle with a jet of cleaning solvent;
and pumping solvent through the interior of the needle.
26. A method for cleansing a pipetting needle having an exterior and a hollow interior, comprising the steps of:
Inserting the needle into a rinse station;
spraying the needle with opposing jets of cleaning solvent;
moving the needle past the jets of cleaning solvent and pumping solvent through the interior of the needle.
Inserting the needle into a rinse station;
spraying the needle with opposing jets of cleaning solvent;
moving the needle past the jets of cleaning solvent and pumping solvent through the interior of the needle.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US42314195A | 1995-04-17 | 1995-04-17 | |
| US42314295A | 1995-04-17 | 1995-04-17 | |
| US08/423,141 | 1995-04-17 | ||
| US08/423,142 | 1995-04-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2218366A1 true CA2218366A1 (en) | 1996-10-31 |
Family
ID=27025891
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2218366 Abandoned CA2218366A1 (en) | 1995-04-17 | 1996-04-17 | Pipetting needle and rinse station therefor for fluid transfer under inert atmosphere operations |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU5983096A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2218366A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996033805A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2278146A1 (en) * | 1997-01-17 | 1998-07-23 | John Gerald Gleason | Apparatus and process for arraying beads |
| WO2002066151A2 (en) | 2001-01-26 | 2002-08-29 | Symyx Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for parallel processing of multiple reaction mixtures |
| CN115427151A (en) * | 2020-05-01 | 2022-12-02 | 安捷伦科技有限公司 | Device and method for washing pipette tips |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4310010A (en) * | 1980-01-07 | 1982-01-12 | Svoboda Melora J | Apparatus for cleaning closed-end tubes |
| DE3131333A1 (en) * | 1981-08-07 | 1983-02-24 | Klaus 5600 Wuppertal Schäfer | DEVICE FOR RINSING DRINKING VESSELS |
| US4748007A (en) * | 1985-11-27 | 1988-05-31 | Vetrodyne, Inc. | Endoscope disinfecting and storing device |
| US5288467A (en) * | 1988-06-06 | 1994-02-22 | Hans Biermaier | Cleaning and disinfecting machine for medical equipment and instruments, anesthetic tubes, catheters, and endoscopes |
| GB8815787D0 (en) * | 1988-07-02 | 1988-08-10 | Wright P H | Chemical dispensing apparatus |
| US5025818A (en) * | 1989-09-06 | 1991-06-25 | Kalar David L | Paint pump cleaning system |
| US4989623A (en) * | 1989-12-01 | 1991-02-05 | Akzo N.V. | Apparatus and method for cleaning reagent delivery probes |
| US5066336A (en) * | 1989-12-01 | 1991-11-19 | Akzo N.V. | Method for cleaning reagent delivery probes |
| US5133373A (en) * | 1989-12-01 | 1992-07-28 | Akzo N.V. | Apparatus and method for cleaning reagent delivery probes |
| US5156813A (en) * | 1990-07-13 | 1992-10-20 | Medical Laboratory Automation, Inc. | Cup for use with a pipette probe |
| JPH04105066A (en) * | 1990-08-24 | 1992-04-07 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Probe washing vessel |
| US5201331A (en) * | 1991-03-08 | 1993-04-13 | R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co. | Vapor containment apparatus and method |
| CA2132270A1 (en) * | 1993-10-28 | 1995-04-29 | Erich Lerch | Automatic pipetting apparatus having a cleaning device |
-
1996
- 1996-04-17 AU AU59830/96A patent/AU5983096A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-04-17 WO PCT/IB1996/000484 patent/WO1996033805A2/en active Application Filing
- 1996-04-17 CA CA 2218366 patent/CA2218366A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU5983096A (en) | 1996-11-18 |
| WO1996033805A3 (en) | 1997-01-09 |
| WO1996033805A2 (en) | 1996-10-31 |
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