CN220610445U - Pipettor and pipetting device with same - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a liquid dispenser and a liquid dispenser with the same. The liquid dispenser comprises a liquid-transferring gun head, wherein a liquid storage cavity for containing liquid is formed on the liquid-transferring gun head; the power piece is connected with the liquid transferring gun head to provide liquid sucking power to enable liquid to enter the liquid storage cavity; and the ultrasonic assembly is used for sending ultrasonic waves towards the head of the pipetting gun so as to quantitatively spray the liquid in the liquid storage cavity. Thus, through setting up ultrasonic assembly, to the liquid gun head ultrasonic wave, make the liquid in the stock solution chamber with the blowout of every portion nanoliter level, through accumulating, realize microscale liquid transfer, the liquid transfer process is accurate, stable.

Description

Pipettor and pipetting device with same

Technical Field

The utility model relates to the technical field of pipetting, in particular to a pipette and a pipetting device with the same.

Background

In modern experiments, many pipetting operations are involved. In particular, in the course of some synthetic biology experiments, it is common to conduct life-body verification experiments based on a large number of biological experiments, involving a large number of micropipettes. Pipetting devices are commonly used as instruments in laboratories, and the accuracy of pipetting can greatly influence the completion effect of experiments.

Pipetting devices are generally classified in principle into gas displacement and liquid displacement. Pipetting devices employing gas displacement typically include a piston chamber and a piston disposed within the piston chamber. The piston moves up and down in the piston cavity to suck or discharge the gas in the piston cavity so as to realize liquid taking and liquid discharging of the gun head connected with the piston cavity. Liquid displacement pipetting devices are used, usually with system liquid in the pipeline, and liquid taking and draining processes are realized by controlling the hydraulic pressure.

However, both of the gas displacement system and the liquid displacement system are difficult to achieve with a pipetting device using both of these systems, and it is difficult to perform pipetting of a very small amount, for example, pipetting of 1 microliter or less.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to at least partially solve the problems of the prior art, according to one aspect of the present utility model, a pipette is provided. The pipette includes: a liquid-transferring gun head, wherein a liquid storage cavity for containing liquid is formed on the liquid-transferring gun head; the power piece is connected with the liquid transferring gun head to provide liquid sucking power to enable liquid to enter the liquid storage cavity; and the ultrasonic assembly is used for sending ultrasonic waves towards the head of the pipetting gun so as to quantitatively spray the liquid in the liquid storage cavity.

Illustratively, the pipette further comprises a communicating tube having a first end and a second end, the pipette tip being connected to the first end, and the power element being connected to the second end.

Illustratively, the pipette further comprises a gun head mounting sleeve disposed on the first end, the pipette gun head being connected to the gun head mounting sleeve.

Illustratively, the ultrasonic assembly includes an ultrasonic generator that is sleeved on the gun head mounting sleeve.

Illustratively, the ultrasonic assembly includes a liquid level detection unit that detects a liquid level of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber.

The liquid level detection unit comprises a signal generation module and a signal receiving module, wherein the signal generation module emits ultrasonic waves towards the liquid storage cavity, and the ultrasonic waves are reflected to the signal receiving module through liquid in the liquid storage cavity.

Illustratively, the signal generating module is electrically connected to the controller, and the signal generating module adjusts the frequency of the ultrasonic wave and the emission time of the ultrasonic wave through the controller.

According to another aspect of the present utility model, there is also provided a pipetting device. The pipetting device comprises a mounting piece and any one of the pipettors, and the pipettors are arranged on the mounting piece.

The mounting member is illustratively coupled to a movement mechanism by which the pipette is movable between at least a first position and a second position.

Illustratively, the pipetting device further comprises a host computer electrically connected to the ultrasound assembly for receiving and/or storing data within the ultrasound assembly.

According to the liquid dispenser provided by the utility model, the ultrasonic assembly is arranged to spray ultrasonic waves to the head of the liquid dispenser, so that liquid in the liquid storage cavity is sprayed out at each nanoliter level, and the micro liquid dispensing is realized through accumulation, so that the liquid dispensing process is accurate and stable.

In the summary, a series of concepts in a simplified form are introduced, which will be further described in detail in the detailed description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Advantages and features of the utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The following drawings are included to provide an understanding of the utility model and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Embodiments of the present utility model and their description are shown in the drawings to explain the principles of the utility model. In the drawings of which there are shown,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipette according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, wherein ultrasound is schematically shown;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a pipette according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model at another view angle, in which ultrasonic waves are schematically shown; and

fig. 3 is a perspective view of a pipette according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model.

Wherein the above figures include the following reference numerals:

110. pipetting gun heads; 120. a power member; 130. an ultrasonic assembly; 140. a communicating pipe; 1401. a second end; 150. a gun head mounting sleeve; 160. and a mounting member.

Detailed Description

In the following description, numerous details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the utility model. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the following description illustrates preferred embodiments of the utility model by way of example only and that the utility model may be practiced without one or more of these details. Furthermore, some technical features that are known in the art have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the utility model.

In the following description, a detailed structure will be presented for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present utility model. It will be apparent that embodiments of the utility model may be practiced without limitation to the specific details that are set forth by those skilled in the art. Preferred embodiments of the present utility model are described in detail below, however, the present utility model may have other embodiments in addition to these detailed descriptions.

The embodiment of the utility model provides a pipette. Referring to fig. 1-3, the pipette includes a pipette tip 110, a power member 120, and an ultrasonic assembly 130. The pipette tip 110 is formed with a liquid reservoir containing liquid. The power member 120 may be coupled to the pipette tip 110 to provide a pipetting power for liquid into the liquid reservoir. The power member 120 may be a syringe pump to ensure the accuracy of the volume of liquid entering the reservoir. The ultrasonic assembly 130 may emit ultrasonic waves toward the pipette tip 110 to quantitatively eject the liquid in the liquid storage chamber.

The operation of the pipette may be understood by the fact that the power member 120 provides a pipetting power to aspirate a predetermined amount (e.g., 1 ml, 2 ml, etc.) of the liquid to be transferred into the reservoir. The ultrasonic assembly 130 emits ultrasonic waves toward the pipette tip 110, which impinge on the liquid and form pulses. The liquid is pulsed so that some tiny droplets of liquid at the head of the pipette tip 110 can be ejected from the pipette tip 110 against the surface tension between other droplets and the pipette tip 110. Because the ultrasonic wave has the characteristic of strong directivity, the energy is easy to concentrate, and the focus is easy to control, so that the volume of liquid sprayed each time is relatively uniform and can be between one and tens of nanoliters. It will be appreciated that the amount of liquid removed is the sum of the volumes of liquid ejected a number of times, i.e. the amount of liquid removed is related to the volume of liquid ejected each time and the number of times liquid is ejected, which is related to the frequency of the emitted ultrasonic waves and the emission duration. That is, the amount of liquid removed by the pipette can be controlled by controlling the conditions such as the frequency of the emitted ultrasonic wave of the ultrasonic assembly 130 and the emission time period.

According to the liquid dispenser provided by the utility model, the ultrasonic assembly 130 is arranged to emit ultrasonic waves to the liquid dispenser gun head 110, so that liquid in the liquid storage cavity is sprayed out at each nanoliter level, and micro liquid dispensing is realized through accumulation, and the liquid dispensing process is accurate and stable.

Illustratively, referring to fig. 1 and 2 in combination, the pipettor may further comprise a communication tube 140. The communication pipe 140 has a first end and a second end 1401, the pipette tip 110 may be connected to the first end, and the power member 120 may be connected to the second end 1401. In this way, the communication pipe 140 communicates the pipette tip 110 and the power element 120, and the selectivity of the installation positions of the pipette tip 110 and the power element 120 is improved. The length, material, etc. of the communicating tube 140 may be set according to the requirements of use, so as to ensure the connection and sealing between the communicating tube and the power member 120 and the pipette tip 110.

1-3, the pipette may further include a gun head mounting sleeve 150. A gun head mounting sleeve 150 is disposed on the first end, and the pipette gun head 110 is connected to the gun head mounting sleeve 150. The gun head mounting sleeve 150 may be sleeved on the outer circumference of the communication pipe 140. Illustratively, the outer diameter of the gun head mount 150 may be set to 8.5mm. Illustratively, the pipette tip 110 may be removably connected to the tip mounting sleeve 150. When a different pipetting operation is required, for example changing the type of liquid to be pipetted or pipetting the liquid again, a new pipetting gun head 110 can be exchanged to avoid reagent contamination. The pipette tip 110 is connected to the tip mounting sleeve 150, and the liquid storage cavity is communicated with the communicating pipe 140 even though the power piece 120 is communicated with the liquid storage cavity. The arrangement of the gun head mounting sleeve 150 can make the mounting of the pipette gun head 110 more stable and convenient. Illustratively, the gun head mounting 150 is made of an elastic material. In this way, the mounting of the pipette tip 110 is further stabilized and the tightness of the connection is ensured. In embodiments having a mount 160, the gun head mounting sleeve 150 may extend from the first end to the mount 160. Illustratively, the pipettor can be arranged with the width of 9mm, which accords with the design of minimum space of 9mm of the international standard SBS board, and meets the requirement of integrally replacing the pipettor used in the pipetting workstation.

Illustratively, the ultrasonic assembly 130 may include an ultrasonic generator that may be sleeved on the gun head mounting sleeve 150. The provision of the gun head mounting sleeve 150 provides a more stable mounting and support for the sonotrode. The ultrasonic generator can be used for emitting ultrasonic waves so that the liquid in the liquid storage cavity can be quantitatively sprayed out. For example, the ultrasonic generator may emit ultrasonic waves of different intensities.

Illustratively, the ultrasonic assembly 130 may include a fluid level detection unit that detects the level of the fluid within the fluid reservoir. The liquid level detection unit can be used for detecting the liquid amount in the liquid storage cavity, so that the influence on liquid transfer caused by too little liquid amount is avoided, and the smoothness of the liquid transfer process is ensured. When the amount of liquid in the liquid storage cavity is less than a predetermined value, the pipette may be moved to the gun-withdrawal position to withdraw the pipette gun 110.

The liquid level detection unit may include a signal generation module and a signal reception module, for example. The signal generation module can emit ultrasonic waves towards the liquid storage cavity, and the ultrasonic waves are reflected to the signal receiving module through liquid in the liquid storage cavity. The signal generating module can emit ultrasonic waves into the liquid storage cavity, and the liquid amount in the liquid storage cavity is judged according to the time received by the signal receiving module. The process can continuously occur in the using process of the liquid dispenser so as to acquire the liquid quantity in the liquid storage cavity in real time. Alternatively, the liquid level detecting unit may start to operate to repeatedly detect the amount of liquid in the liquid storage chamber when the total amount of the ejected liquid is close to the amount of liquid sucked by the power member 120 by recording the amount of the ejected liquid. The liquid level detection unit that sets up like this can detect the liquid volume in the stock solution chamber, avoids influencing the pipetting because the liquid volume is too little, guarantees the smoothness of pipetting process.

For example, a controller may be electrically connected to the signal generation module, and the signal generation module may adjust the frequency of the emitted ultrasonic wave and the emission time of the ultrasonic wave through the controller. Therefore, the controller can control the signal generation module to perform two functions of liquid level detection and liquid quantitative ejection, and the structure is simpler. It will be appreciated that the frequency of the ultrasonic waves used to detect the liquid level may be different from the frequency of the ultrasonic waves used for the quantitative ejection of liquid. The higher the frequency of the ultrasonic wave, the greater the intensity. The intensity of the ultrasonic wave for detecting the liquid level may be lower than that for quantitatively ejecting the liquid. The ultrasonic assembly 130 may be provided with a plurality of transmitting terminals, which may transmit ultrasonic waves of different frequencies, a portion of the transmitting terminals for transmitting ultrasonic waves for detecting a liquid level, and a portion of the transmitting terminals for transmitting ultrasonic waves for quantitatively ejecting the liquid. The controller controls the emitting ends of the two parts respectively to realize two functions of liquid level detection and liquid ejection. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the emitting ends for performing both functions of liquid level detection and liquid ejection may be the same emitting end or the same group of emitting ends, and the controller performs both functions by controlling the frequency of the ultrasonic waves emitted from the emitting ends. In some embodiments, the direction of the ultrasonic waves used to detect the liquid level may be different from the direction of the ultrasonic waves used for the quantitative ejection of liquid. The controller may be coupled to the transmitting end to control the transmitting end to change its transmitting direction. The controller may control the focus of the ultrasonic wave by controlling the direction of the transmitting end, for example. The focal point of the emission end that emits the ultrasonic waves for quantitative ejection of the liquid may be located at the head of the pipette tip 110. For example, the position of the focal point of the emission end of the ultrasonic wave for liquid level detection may be located above the head of the pipette tip 110.

According to another aspect of the present utility model, a pipetting device is also provided. Referring to fig. 1-3, the pipetting device includes a mounting 160 and any of the pipettes described above, which may be disposed on the mounting 160. The pipettor is fixed through the installation of mounting 160 realization pipettor, and then guarantees the stability of pipetting device. Because the technical scheme of any one of the embodiments is adopted in the liquid transfer device, the liquid transfer device at least has the beneficial effects brought by the technical scheme of the embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted. In addition, the pipetting device may also have a distance adjusting mechanism, an operating platform, etc. The spacing adjustment mechanism, operating platform, etc. may have various structures that may be present or may occur in the future and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the present utility model.

Illustratively, the mount 160 may have a movement mechanism attached thereto. The pipette is movable between at least a first position and a second position by a movement mechanism. The first position and the second position may be a movement in a single line, a movement in a single plane, or a movement in a three-dimensional space with respect to the pipetting device. The movement mechanism may be a mechanical arm, i.e. the mechanical arm drives the pipette to move between the first position and the second position. The moving mechanism is arranged, so that the automation degree of the pipetting device is higher, and the pipetting process is simpler and more convenient. For example, when the pipette tip 110 needs to be removed or replaced, the corresponding position of the pipette can be moved by the moving mechanism. For example, when the liquid in the pipette tip 110 is less than a predetermined amount, the movement mechanism may move the pipette to the tip withdrawal position, withdrawing the pipette tip 110.

Illustratively, the pipetting device may further comprise a host computer. The host computer may be electrically connected to the ultrasound assembly 130 to receive and/or store data within the ultrasound assembly 130. The host computer can record the amount of liquid in the pipette tip 110. Specifically, the liquid level detection unit detects the amount of liquid in the pipette tip 110 as the initial amount of liquid when the power member 120 sucks liquid, and this data can be recorded to the upper computer. Thereafter, the data of the frequency and the emission time of the emitted ultrasonic wave, and the volume of the ejected liquid may be recorded to the upper computer as well, so that the subsequent operation is facilitated. For example, when the total volume of the ejected liquid is close to the initial liquid amount, the liquid level detection unit may start to operate, repeatedly detecting the liquid amount in the liquid storage chamber. Thus, the intelligent degree of the pipetting device is higher.

As an example, the procedure of the pipetting device may be as follows: the pipette tip 110 is picked up and mounted on the tip mounting sleeve 150 under the drive of the moving mechanism. Subsequently, the pipette moves to the position where the liquid is to be removed along with the moving mechanism, and the power piece 120 draws the liquid into the pipette tip 110. The ultrasonic assembly 130 emits ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic waves are reflected to the signal receiving module through the liquid in the pipette tip 110, the liquid level of the pipette tip 110, namely the initial liquid amount of the pipette tip 110 is detected, and the data is recorded to the upper computer. The liquid shifter moves to the liquid spraying position under the drive of the moving mechanism, and at this time, the ultrasonic assembly 130 detects the liquid level and records the data to the upper computer. Then, the ultrasonic wave unit 130 emits ultrasonic waves to form pulses, and the partial liquid drops at the head of the pipette tip 110 are ejected and accumulated a plurality of times, that is, quantitative pipetting is performed. The upper computer records the total amount of liquid drop ejection according to the frequency and the emission time of the ultrasonic wave, and repeatedly detects the liquid level when the total amount of liquid drop ejection is close to the initial liquid amount. When the residual liquid amount in the pipette tip 110 is smaller than the preset amount, the moving mechanism drives the pipette to the position of the gun withdrawing tip, and the pipette tip 110 is withdrawn. And then starting from the installation of the gun head, the operation is circulated.

In the description of the present utility model, it should be understood that the azimuth or positional relationships indicated by the azimuth terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "transverse", "vertical", "horizontal", and "top", "bottom", etc., are generally based on the azimuth or positional relationships shown in the drawings, merely for convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, and these azimuth terms do not indicate and imply that the apparatus or elements referred to must have a specific azimuth or be constructed and operated in a specific azimuth, without limiting the scope of protection of the present utility model; the orientation terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer relative to the outline of the components themselves.

For ease of description, regional relative terms, such as "above … …," "above … …," "upper surface at … …," "above," and the like, may be used herein to describe regional positional relationships of one or more components or features to other components or features illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the relative terms of regions include not only the orientation of the components illustrated in the figures, but also different orientations in use or operation. For example, if the element in the figures is turned over entirely, elements "over" or "on" other elements or features would then be included in cases where the element is "under" or "beneath" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "above … …" may include both orientations of "above … …" and "below … …". Moreover, these components or features may also be positioned at other different angles (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other angles), and all such cases are intended to be encompassed herein.

It is noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments in accordance with the present application. As used herein, the singular is also intended to include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and furthermore, it is to be understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" when used in this specification are taken to specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, components, assemblies, and/or combinations thereof.

It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and claims of the present application and the above figures are used for distinguishing between similar objects and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the data so used may be interchanged where appropriate such that embodiments of the present application described herein may be implemented in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.

The present utility model has been illustrated by the above-described embodiments, but it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended to limit the utility model to the embodiments described. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present utility model is not limited to the embodiments described above, and that many variations and modifications are possible in light of the teachings of the utility model, which variations and modifications are within the scope of the utility model as claimed. The scope of the utility model is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (10)

1. A pipette, comprising:

a pipette tip forming a reservoir containing a liquid;

the power piece is connected with the liquid transferring gun head to provide liquid sucking power for enabling the liquid to enter the liquid storage cavity; and

and the ultrasonic assembly is used for sending ultrasonic waves towards the head of the pipetting gun so as to quantitatively spray out the liquid in the liquid storage cavity.

2. The pipette of claim 1 further comprising a communicating tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the pipette tip is connected to the first end and wherein the power member is connected to the second end.

3. The pipette of claim 2 further comprising a tip mounting sleeve disposed on said first end, said pipette tip being connected to said tip mounting sleeve.

4. A pipette as recited in claim 3 wherein said ultrasonic assembly comprises an ultrasonic generator, said ultrasonic generator being nested within said gun head mounting sleeve.

5. The pipette of claim 1 wherein said ultrasonic assembly includes a liquid level detection unit for detecting the level of liquid in said liquid reservoir.

6. The pipette of claim 5 wherein the liquid level detection unit comprises a signal generating module and a signal receiving module, the signal generating module emitting ultrasonic waves toward the interior of the liquid storage chamber, the ultrasonic waves being reflected by liquid in the liquid storage chamber to the signal receiving module.

7. The pipette of claim 6 wherein the signal generating module is electrically connected to a controller, the signal generating module adjusting the frequency of the ultrasonic waves and the emission time of the ultrasonic waves by the controller.

8. A pipetting device comprising a mounting and a pipette as recited in any one of claims 1-7 wherein the pipette is disposed on the mounting.

9. The pipetting device of claim 8, wherein the mounting has a movement mechanism attached thereto by which the pipettor is movable between at least a first position and a second position.

10. The pipetting device of claim 8, further comprising a host computer electrically connected to the ultrasonic assembly to receive and/or store data within the ultrasonic assembly.