EP0076222B1 - Automatic pipetting device - Google Patents

Automatic pipetting device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0076222B1
EP0076222B1 EP82440027A EP82440027A EP0076222B1 EP 0076222 B1 EP0076222 B1 EP 0076222B1 EP 82440027 A EP82440027 A EP 82440027A EP 82440027 A EP82440027 A EP 82440027A EP 0076222 B1 EP0076222 B1 EP 0076222B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipette
valve
actuator
unit
constituted
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EP82440027A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0076222A1 (en
Inventor
Jean Bajard
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AT82440027T priority Critical patent/ATE18363T1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/0203—Burettes, i.e. for withdrawing and redistributing liquids through different conduits

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of handling volumes of liquids for operations such as taking samples or dispensing reagents or dilutions, and relates to an automatic pipetting device intended for this purpose.
  • a pipette in particular of the bulb type, to which are added two photoelectric detectors signaling the arrival of the meniscus at a high position and at a low position, a three-way valve and two positions and a piping and reservoir system allowing circulation of the liquid by gravity, alternately to fill the pipette from a reservoir, in one position of the valve, then to empty said pipette in another container, in the other position the valve, the filling and emptying of the pipette being checked by checking the position of the meniscus by means of the detectors.
  • the present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.
  • an automatic pipetting device which is constituted by an automatic pipetting actuator and by a pipette block forming two dissociable sub-assemblies, the pipette block being removably mounted in the actuator, even in the filled state, while remaining sealed, and consisting of a pipette connected at its lower end to a three-way valve and three positions, provided with a drive member, and which is extended by piping elements, one of which leads to a product reservoir, the pipette being provided at its upper end with a sealed pneumatic connection device also used for positioning the pipette, and the automatic pipetting actuator consisting of a stepper motor provided with a withdrawable coupling for driving the valve of the pipette block, by a photoelectric meniscus detection assembly comprising a movable detector driven in translation, by a pneumatic suction and discharge device connected to the pipette, by an electronic control unit provided with a control and display panel, and by a quick blocking lever of the pipette block
  • the automatic pipetting device is essentially constituted by an automatic pipetting actuator 1 and by a pipette block 2, which form two dissociable subsets.
  • the pipette block 2 is removably mounted in the actuator 1 and is formed by a pipette 3 connected at its lower end to a three-way, three-position valve 4, provided with a drive member 5, which is extended by piping elements 6, one of which leads to a product reservoir 7.
  • a sealed pneumatic connection device 8 which is also used for its positioning.
  • the automatic pipetting actuator 1 is constituted by a stepping motor 9 provided with a withdrawable coupling 10 for driving the valve 4 of the pipette block 2, by a assembly 11 for photoelectric detection of the position of the meniscus, by a pneumatic suction and delivery device 12 connected to the pipette 3, by an electronic control assembly 13 provided with a control and display panel 14, and by a lever 15 for quick locking of the pipette unit 2.
  • the valve 4 is housed in a valve body 16 used for centering the pipette 3 and having openings 17 for connecting the pipe elements 6 (FIG. 3), and is constituted by a base 18 (FIG. 4) having the form d '' a disc and comprising, on one face around its center, a raised part 19 with a perfectly flat and polished surface forming a first sealing part, and in which three channels 20, 21 of which perpendicularly end, lead to the opposite face of the disc, and the third of which, 21, is connected to a perpendicular channel 22 ending in a cut plane 23 at the periphery of the disc 18 for the connection of the pipette 3, by a rotary valve 24 forming the second piece of sealing and also comprising a perfectly flat and polished face, in which is provided a cell 25 of curved shape (FIG. 5).
  • the channels 20, 21 are advantageously arranged at 120 ° from each other, and the cell 25 has an angle at the center, enclosing its ends, of 120 °.
  • the ends of the cell 25 can be superimposed exactly on the orifices of the channel 21 and of one of the channels 20 in one of its rotational positions, or on the orifices channel 21 and the other channel 20 in the other position of rotation, no connection being established in the middle position of the valve 24 and the channels 20, 21 being closed in a sealed manner in this position.
  • the valve 24 On the face opposite to that carrying the cell 25, the valve 24 is provided with a central contact surface 26 and two or more recesses 27 distributed at regular intervals on the periphery, these recesses cooperating with drive pins 28 integral with a part forming the coupling member 5 so as to produce a peripheral drive, this part 5 being pressed punctually in its center on the surface 26, one or the other of these two parts in contact having for this purpose a domed shape, and being loaded by tension springs 29 by means of a transverse key 30, or the like, this part 5 being, moreover, guided in a sleeve 31 for mounting in the body 16, where it is immobilized by means of a pressure screw 32, or a similar securing device, the assembly of springs 29 and transverse key 30 forming an automatic return device in the middle position of the valve 4.
  • the coupling member 5 is provided with a transverse slot 33, arranged along the vertical axis of the pipette and allowing its drive connection with the coupling 10 of the motor 9.
  • valve 4 a perfect seal is obtained between its constituent elements and its rapid rotation drive can be carried out without overturning effect, the bearing force being applied to the center of the valve 24 without requiring a very precise orientation of the drive member 5.
  • the provision of at least two clearances 27 for training, or a higher number of these clearances arranged at regular intervals helps to avoid a couple of overturning, these clearances 27 and the corresponding pins 28 also having the effect of maintaining the coaxiality between valve 24 and base 18.
  • the base 18 and the valve 24 are advantageously made of a material resistant to corrosion by chemical agents, and they are dimensioned in such a way that the joint widths make it possible to obtain the internal and external seals essential in all positions.
  • the valve body 16 Perpendicular to the drive member 5, the valve body 16 is provided with a bore 34 allowing the positioning of the pipette 3 by means of pins 35 cooperating with a circular groove of a metallic cylindrical sleeve 36 fixed on the lower end of the pipette 3 coaxial therewith and resting on the cut plane 23 of the base 18 of the valve 4 with the interposition of a compressed seal 37, this sleeve always having the same outside diameter, whatever the outside diameter of the pipette and the caliber of the pipette. Thanks to this embodiment, the pipette 3 is secured to the valve body 16 without residual play, and the positioning of the block 16 will automatically cause that of the pipette 3.
  • the sealed pneumatic connection device 8 fitted to the upper end of the pipette 3 is in the form of a sleeve similar to that fitted to the lower part of the pipette 3, this sleeve cooperating, on the one hand, with a guide bore (not shown) positioned in the actuator 1 and, on the other hand, with a compressible seal connected to the pneumatic device 12 for suction and discharge.
  • This device 12 allows the movement of the liquids handled by vacuum for the suction and by relative overpressure for the discharge, that is to say the distribution of the liquids.
  • any pipette can be mounted, regardless of its size, in any valve body to form a pipette block of constant size, and all the pipette blocks 2 thus formed can be mounted perfectly interchangeably in the actuator 1.
  • the pipettes 3 used consist of calibrated calibrated tubes, that is to say of constant section over their entire length, provided with two graduation lines engraved at a distance from each other corresponding to the nominal volume of the pipette.
  • the inside diameters of these tubes may vary slightly, the distances between the lines can therefore also vary, so that the actuator 1 must be equipped with a device which takes account of this possible variation.
  • the assembly 11 for photoelectric detection of the position of the meniscus is arranged in the actuator 1 parallel to the pipette 3 and is constituted by a lower fixed detector 38 at the level of which the lower graduation lines of all the pipettes 3, and by an upper mobile detector 39 displaceable by means of a screw-nut assembly 40, or similar device, by a stepping motor 41, which is controlled by the electronic control assembly 13 as a function of data relating to the calibration of the pipette block 2 considered, composed on the control and display panel 14.
  • the lower detector 38 is held in abutment at the lower graduation lines of the pipettes 3 by means of an elastic device with springs, or the like, and can be retracted under the action of a push from the upper mobile detector 39 when the latter is moved down until it reaches said level of the lower graduation lines of the pipettes 3, so that the entire useful or nominal volume of the pipette 3 can be used as a burette.
  • the electronic control unit 13 is provided with calculation means, which make it possible to determine for the pipette block 2 considered intermediate volumes as a function of requirements.
  • the lever 15 for rapid locking of the pipette block 2 is advantageously an eccentric or elastically loaded lever, simultaneously carrying out the sealed application of the upper end of the pipette 3 against the guide bore of the actuator 1, l clutch between the drive member 5 of the valve 4 and the coupling 10 of the stepping motor 9, and the locking in position of the pipette block 2 in the actuator 1 with simultaneous alignment of the pipette 3 with the axis of the detectors 38 and 39, an unlocking of the lever 15 having the effect of instantaneously releasing the pipette block 2 for its possible replacement by another.
  • the pipette block 2 can be arranged, together with other pipette blocks, on an alternative or continuous, circular or linear transport device, of the type known, its establishment and maintenance in the actuator 1, as well as its removal being carried out automatically by said transport device by means of a jack, or the like.
  • the pipette block 2 being able to easily and quickly be interchanged, and the program for the new pipette block in place can be dialed using its distinctive number.

Abstract

Apparatus for automatic buretting comprises an automatic buretting actuator (1) and a burette unit (2) in the form of two separable subassemblies. The burette unit (2) is removably mounted in the actuator (1) even when filled, while remaining closed in a sealed fashion and is constituted by a burette (3) connected at its lower end to a valve (4) with three passages and three positions, provided with an actuator (5). The automatic buretting actuator (1) is constituted by a stepping motor (9) provided with a connection (10) for operating the valve (4) of the burette unit (2). An electronic control assembly (13) has a control and display panel (14). A lever (15) provides quick release of the burette unit (2).

Description

La présente invention concerne le domaine de la manipulation de volumes de liquides pour des opérations telles que le prélèvement d'échantillons ou la distribution de réactifs ou de dilutions, et a pour objet un dispositif de pipetage automatique destiné à cet effet.The present invention relates to the field of handling volumes of liquids for operations such as taking samples or dispensing reagents or dilutions, and relates to an automatic pipetting device intended for this purpose.

Actuellement, dans les opérations manuelles de laboratoire consistant à manipuler ou à déterminer des volumes de liquide de manière reproductible et précise, on utilise généralement des pipettes ou des burettes graduées, la mesure étant réalisée par positionnement relatif d'un ménisque et de traits de graduation. Ces matériels connus sont simples, fiables, et peu coûteux.Currently, in manual laboratory operations consisting in manipulating or determining volumes of liquid in a reproducible and precise manner, pipettes or graduated burettes are generally used, the measurement being carried out by relative positioning of a meniscus and of graduation lines. . These known materials are simple, reliable, and inexpensive.

Il existe également des dispositifs automatiques de pipetage tels que des diluteurs, des distributeurs ou des titreurs, qui sont le plus souvent du type à seringue permettant une mécanisation plus aisée que les pipettes, le mouvement du piston de la seringue, notamment, étant motorisé.There are also automatic pipetting devices such as dilutors, distributors or titrators, which are most often of the syringe type allowing easier mechanization than pipettes, the movement of the piston of the syringe, in particular, being motorized.

Cependant, ces dispositifs connus présentent l'inconvénient d'être moins précis et moins fiables que les pipettes, des fuites pouvant se produire au joint de piston et pouvant avoir pour conséquence un grippage de ce dernier.However, these known devices have the drawback of being less precise and less reliable than the pipettes, leaks which may occur at the piston seal and which may result in the latter seizing up.

Enfin, il est également connu d'utiliser une pipette, notamment du type à bulbe, à laquelle sont adjoints deux détecteurs photoélectriques signalant l'arrivée du ménisque à une position haute et à une position basse, une vanne à trois voies et deux positions et un système de tuyauteries et de réservoir permettant une circulation du liquide par gravité, alternativement pour remplir la pipette à partir d'un réservoir, dans une position de la vanne, puis pour vider ladite pipette dans un autre récipient, dans l'autre position de la vanne, le remplissage et la vidange de la pipette étant vérifiés par contrôle de la position du ménisque au moyen des détecteurs.Finally, it is also known to use a pipette, in particular of the bulb type, to which are added two photoelectric detectors signaling the arrival of the meniscus at a high position and at a low position, a three-way valve and two positions and a piping and reservoir system allowing circulation of the liquid by gravity, alternately to fill the pipette from a reservoir, in one position of the valve, then to empty said pipette in another container, in the other position the valve, the filling and emptying of the pipette being checked by checking the position of the meniscus by means of the detectors.

Après réglage préalable d'un tel distributeur, il est possible de distribuer une quantité donnée d'un liquide d'une façon parfaitement répétitive. Toutefois, du fait de ce règlage préalable, une grande souplesse d'utilisation n'est pas possible, en particulier en ce qui concerne un changement des volumes manipulés et des liquides manipulés.After prior adjustment of such a dispenser, it is possible to dispense a given quantity of a liquid in a perfectly repetitive manner. However, due to this prior adjustment, great flexibility of use is not possible, in particular with regard to a change in the volumes handled and the liquids handled.

La présente invention a pour but de pallier ces inconvénients.The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

Elle a, en effet, pour objet un dispositif de pipetage automatique qui est constitué par un actionneur automatique de pipetage et par un bloc-pipette formant deux sous-ensembles dissociables, le bloc-pipette étant monté dans l'actionneur de manière amovible, même à l'état rempli, tout en restant clos de façon étanche, et étant constitué par une pipette reliée à son extrémité inférieure à une vanne à trois voies et trois positions, munie d'un organe d'entraînement, et qui est prolongée par des éléments de tuyauterie, dont l'un aboutit à un réservoir de produit, la pipette étant munie à son extrémité supérieure d'un dispositif de raccordement pneumatique étanche servant également au positionnement de la pipette, et l'actionneur automatique de pipetage étant constitué par un moteur pas-à-pas muni d'un accouplement débrochable pour l'entraînement de la vanne du bloc-pipette, par un ensemble de détection photoélectrique du ménisque comprenant un détecteur mobile entraîné en translation, par un dispositif pneumatique d'aspiration et refoulement relié à la pipette, par un ensemble électronique de commande pourvu d'un tableau de commande et de visualisation, et par un levier de blocage rapide du bloc-pipette, la dissociabilité des deux sous-ensembles découlant de leur embrochage ou débrochage réalisé conjointement, d'une part, dans la partie basse du bloc-pipette, par le dispositif d'accouplement de la vanne à son moteur d'entraînement, et, d'autre part, à l'extrémité supérieure de la pipette, par le dispositif de raccordement pneumatique, de sorte que la dissociation des deux sous-ensembles peut être effectuée quel que soit l'état de remplissage de la pipette, le liquide restant confiné dans celle-ci et n'entrant jamais au contact de l'actionneur.It has, in fact, for its object an automatic pipetting device which is constituted by an automatic pipetting actuator and by a pipette block forming two dissociable sub-assemblies, the pipette block being removably mounted in the actuator, even in the filled state, while remaining sealed, and consisting of a pipette connected at its lower end to a three-way valve and three positions, provided with a drive member, and which is extended by piping elements, one of which leads to a product reservoir, the pipette being provided at its upper end with a sealed pneumatic connection device also used for positioning the pipette, and the automatic pipetting actuator consisting of a stepper motor provided with a withdrawable coupling for driving the valve of the pipette block, by a photoelectric meniscus detection assembly comprising a movable detector driven in translation, by a pneumatic suction and discharge device connected to the pipette, by an electronic control unit provided with a control and display panel, and by a quick blocking lever of the pipette block, the dissociability of the two sub-assemblies arising of their racking-in or racking-out carried out jointly, on the one hand, in the lower part of the pipette block, by the device for coupling the valve to its drive motor, and, on the other hand, at the upper end pipette, by the pneumatic connection device, so that the dissociation of the two sub-assemblies can be carried out whatever the filling state of the pipette, the liquid remaining confined in it and never entering the actuator contact.

L'invention sera mieux comprise grâce à la description ci-après, qui se rapporte à un mode de réalisation préféré, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif, et expliqué avec référence aux dessins schématiques annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en élévation latérale d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en élévation frontale du bloc-pipette ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en coupe, à plus grande échelle, du bloc-pipette ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en plan, à échelle agrandie, de l'embase de la vanne, et
  • la figure 5 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 4 du clapet rotatif de la vanne.
The invention will be better understood thanks to the description below, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the pipette block;
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, of the pipette block;
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the valve base, and
  • Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 of the rotary valve.

Conformément à l'invention, et comme le montre plus particulièrement, à titre d'exemple, la figure 1 des dessins annexés, le dispositif de pipetage automatique est essentiellement constitué par un actionneur automatique de pipetage 1 et par un bloc-pipette 2, qui forment deux sous-ensembles dissociables. Le bloc-pipette 2 est monté de manière amovible dans l'actionneur 1 et est formé par une pipette 3 reliée à son extrémité inférieure à une vanne 4 à trois voies et trois positions, munie d'un organe d'entraînement 5, et qui est prolongée par des éléments de tuyauterie 6 dont l'un aboutit à un réservoir de produit 7. A son extrémité supérieure la pipette 3 est munie d'un dispositif 8 de raccordement pneumatique étanche, qui sert également à son positionnement.According to the invention, and as shown more particularly, by way of example, Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, the automatic pipetting device is essentially constituted by an automatic pipetting actuator 1 and by a pipette block 2, which form two dissociable subsets. The pipette block 2 is removably mounted in the actuator 1 and is formed by a pipette 3 connected at its lower end to a three-way, three-position valve 4, provided with a drive member 5, which is extended by piping elements 6, one of which leads to a product reservoir 7. At its upper end the pipette 3 is provided with a sealed pneumatic connection device 8, which is also used for its positioning.

L'actionneur automatique de pipetage 1 est constitué par un moteur pas-à-pas 9 muni d'un accouplement débrochable 10 pour l'entraînement de la vanne 4 du bloc-pipette 2, par un ensemble 11 de détection photoélectrique de la position du ménisque, par un dispositif pneumatique 12 d'aspiration et de refoulement relié à la pipette 3, par un ensemble électronique de commande 13 pourvu d'un tableau de commande et de visualisation 14, et par un levier 15 de blocage rapide du bloc-pipette 2.The automatic pipetting actuator 1 is constituted by a stepping motor 9 provided with a withdrawable coupling 10 for driving the valve 4 of the pipette block 2, by a assembly 11 for photoelectric detection of the position of the meniscus, by a pneumatic suction and delivery device 12 connected to the pipette 3, by an electronic control assembly 13 provided with a control and display panel 14, and by a lever 15 for quick locking of the pipette unit 2.

La vanne 4 est logée dans un corps de vanne 16 servant au centrage de la pipette 3 et présentant des ouvertures 17 de liaison des éléments de tuyauterie 6 (figure 3), et est constituée par une embase 18 (figure 4) ayant la forme d'un disque et comportant, sur une face autour de son centre, une partie surélevée 19 à surface parfaitement plane et polie formant une première pièce d'étanchéité, et dans laquelle aboutissent perpendiculairement trois canaux 20, 21 dont deux, 20, débouchent sur la face opposée du disque, et dont le troisième, 21, est relié à un canal perpendiculaire 22 aboutissant dans un plan coupé 23 à la périphérie du disque 18 pour le raccordement de la pipette 3, par un clapet rotatif 24 formant la deuxième pièce d'étanchéité et comportant également une face parfaitement plane et polie, dans laquelle est prévu un alvéole 25 de forme courbe (figure 5).The valve 4 is housed in a valve body 16 used for centering the pipette 3 and having openings 17 for connecting the pipe elements 6 (FIG. 3), and is constituted by a base 18 (FIG. 4) having the form d '' a disc and comprising, on one face around its center, a raised part 19 with a perfectly flat and polished surface forming a first sealing part, and in which three channels 20, 21 of which perpendicularly end, lead to the opposite face of the disc, and the third of which, 21, is connected to a perpendicular channel 22 ending in a cut plane 23 at the periphery of the disc 18 for the connection of the pipette 3, by a rotary valve 24 forming the second piece of sealing and also comprising a perfectly flat and polished face, in which is provided a cell 25 of curved shape (FIG. 5).

Les canaux 20, 21 sont avantageusement disposés à 120° les uns des autres, et l'alvéole 25 présente un angle au centre, renfermant ses extrémités, de 120°. Ainsi, après application du clapet 24 sur l'embase 18, les extrémités de l'alvéole 25 peuvent se superposer exactement aux orifices du canal 21 et de l'un des canaux 20 dans l'une de ses positions de rotation, ou aux orifices du canal 21 et de l'autre canal 20 dans l'autre position de rotation, aucune liaison n'étant établie en position médiane du clapet 24 et les canaux 20, 21 étant fermés de manière étanche dans cette position.The channels 20, 21 are advantageously arranged at 120 ° from each other, and the cell 25 has an angle at the center, enclosing its ends, of 120 °. Thus, after application of the valve 24 on the base 18, the ends of the cell 25 can be superimposed exactly on the orifices of the channel 21 and of one of the channels 20 in one of its rotational positions, or on the orifices channel 21 and the other channel 20 in the other position of rotation, no connection being established in the middle position of the valve 24 and the channels 20, 21 being closed in a sealed manner in this position.

Sur la face opposée à celle portant l'alvéole 25, le clapet 24 est pourvu d'une surface de contact centrale 26 et de deux ou plusieurs dégagements 27 répartis à intervalles réguliers sur la périphérie, ces dégagements coopérant avec des tétons d'entraînement 28 solidaires d'une pièce formant l'organe d'accouplement 5 de manière à réaliser un entraînement périphérique, cette pièce 5 s'appuyant ponctuellement en son centre sur la surface 26, l'une ou l'autre de ces deux pièces en contact ayant à cet effet une forme bombée, et étant chargée par des ressorts de traction 29 par l'intermédiaire d'une clavette transversale 30, ou analogue, cette pièce 5 étant, en outre, guidée dans un manchon 31 de montage dans le corps 16, où il est immobilisé au moyen d'une vis de pression 32, ou d'un dispositif d'assujettissement analogue, l'ensemble ressorts 29 et clavette transversale 30 formant un dispositif de rappel automatique en position médiane de la vanne 4.On the face opposite to that carrying the cell 25, the valve 24 is provided with a central contact surface 26 and two or more recesses 27 distributed at regular intervals on the periphery, these recesses cooperating with drive pins 28 integral with a part forming the coupling member 5 so as to produce a peripheral drive, this part 5 being pressed punctually in its center on the surface 26, one or the other of these two parts in contact having for this purpose a domed shape, and being loaded by tension springs 29 by means of a transverse key 30, or the like, this part 5 being, moreover, guided in a sleeve 31 for mounting in the body 16, where it is immobilized by means of a pressure screw 32, or a similar securing device, the assembly of springs 29 and transverse key 30 forming an automatic return device in the middle position of the valve 4.

A son extrémité opposée au clapet rotatif 24, l'organe d'accouplement 5 est pourvu d'une fente transversale 33, disposée suivant l'axe vertical de la pipette et permettant sa liaison d'entraînement avec l'accouplement 10 du moteur 9.At its end opposite to the rotary valve 24, the coupling member 5 is provided with a transverse slot 33, arranged along the vertical axis of the pipette and allowing its drive connection with the coupling 10 of the motor 9.

Grâce à ce mode de réalisation de la vanne 4, il est obtenu une étanchéité parfaite entre ses éléments constitutifs et son entraînement en rotation rapide peut être effectué sans effet de renversement, l'effort d'appui étant appliqué au centre du clapet 24 sans nécessiter une orientation très précise de l'organe d'entraînement 5. En outre, la prévision d'au moins deux dégagements 27 pour l'entraînement, ou d'un nombre plus élevé de ces dégagements disposés à intervalles réguliers contribue à éviter un couple de renversement, ces dégagements 27 et les tétons 28 correspondants ayant également pour effet de maintenir la coaxialité entre clapet 24 et embase 18.Thanks to this embodiment of the valve 4, a perfect seal is obtained between its constituent elements and its rapid rotation drive can be carried out without overturning effect, the bearing force being applied to the center of the valve 24 without requiring a very precise orientation of the drive member 5. In addition, the provision of at least two clearances 27 for training, or a higher number of these clearances arranged at regular intervals helps to avoid a couple of overturning, these clearances 27 and the corresponding pins 28 also having the effect of maintaining the coaxiality between valve 24 and base 18.

L'embase 18 et le clapet 24 sont avantageusement réalisés en un matériau résistant à la corrosion des agents chimiques, et ils sont dimensionnés de telle manière que les largeurs de joint permettent l'obtention des étanchéités interne et externe indispensables dans toutes les positions.The base 18 and the valve 24 are advantageously made of a material resistant to corrosion by chemical agents, and they are dimensioned in such a way that the joint widths make it possible to obtain the internal and external seals essential in all positions.

Perpendiculairement à l'organe d'entraînement 5, le corps de vanne 16 est pourvu d'un alésage 34 permettant le positionnement de la pipette 3 au moyen de goupilles 35 coopérant avec une gorge circulaire d'un manchon cylindrique métallique 36 fixé sur l'extrémité inférieure de la pipette 3 coaxialement à celle-ci et s'appuyant sur le plan coupé 23 de l'embase 18 de la vanne 4 avec interposition d'un joint comprimé 37, ce manchon ayant toujours le même diamètre extérieur, quel que soit le diamètre extérieur de la pipette et le calibre de celle-ci. Grâce à ce mode de réalisation, la pipette 3 est solidarisée avec le corps de vanne 16 sans jeu résiduel, et le positionnement du bloc 16 entraînera automatiquement celui de la pipette 3.Perpendicular to the drive member 5, the valve body 16 is provided with a bore 34 allowing the positioning of the pipette 3 by means of pins 35 cooperating with a circular groove of a metallic cylindrical sleeve 36 fixed on the lower end of the pipette 3 coaxial therewith and resting on the cut plane 23 of the base 18 of the valve 4 with the interposition of a compressed seal 37, this sleeve always having the same outside diameter, whatever the outside diameter of the pipette and the caliber of the pipette. Thanks to this embodiment, the pipette 3 is secured to the valve body 16 without residual play, and the positioning of the block 16 will automatically cause that of the pipette 3.

Le dispositif 8 de raccordement pneumatique étanche équipant l'extrémité supérieure de la pipette 3 est sous forme d'un manchon analogue à celui équipant la partie inférieure de la pipette 3, ce manchon coopérant, d'une part, avec un alésage-guide (non représenté) positionné dans l'actionneur 1 et, d'autre part, avec un joint d'étanchéité compressible relié au dispositif pneumatique 12 d'aspiration et de refoulement. Ce dispositif 12 permet la mise en mouvement des liquides manipulés par dépression pour l'aspiration et par surpression relative pour le refoulement, c'est-à-dire la distribution des liquides. Du fait que les manchons supérieur et inférieur ont toujours le même diamètre, et que les pipettes ont toutes la même longueur, n'importe quelle pipette peut être montée, quel que soit son calibre, dans tout corps de vanne pour former un bloc-pipette de gabarit constant, et tous les blocs-pipette 2 ainsi constitués peuvent se monter de façon parfaitement interchangeable dans l'actionneur 1.The sealed pneumatic connection device 8 fitted to the upper end of the pipette 3 is in the form of a sleeve similar to that fitted to the lower part of the pipette 3, this sleeve cooperating, on the one hand, with a guide bore ( not shown) positioned in the actuator 1 and, on the other hand, with a compressible seal connected to the pneumatic device 12 for suction and discharge. This device 12 allows the movement of the liquids handled by vacuum for the suction and by relative overpressure for the discharge, that is to say the distribution of the liquids. Because the upper and lower sleeves always have the same diameter, and the pipettes are all the same length, any pipette can be mounted, regardless of its size, in any valve body to form a pipette block of constant size, and all the pipette blocks 2 thus formed can be mounted perfectly interchangeably in the actuator 1.

Les pipettes 3 utilisées sont constituées par des tubes calibrés jaugés, c'est-à-dire à section constante sur toute leur longueur, munis de deux traits de graduation gravés à une distance l'un de l'autre correspondant au volume nominal de la pipette. Les diamètres intérieurs de ces tubes pouvant varier légèrement, les distances séparant les traits peuvent de ce fait varier aussi, de sorte que l'actionneur 1 devra être équipé d'un dispositif tenant compte de cette variation possible.The pipettes 3 used consist of calibrated calibrated tubes, that is to say of constant section over their entire length, provided with two graduation lines engraved at a distance from each other corresponding to the nominal volume of the pipette. The inside diameters of these tubes may vary slightly, the distances between the lines can therefore also vary, so that the actuator 1 must be equipped with a device which takes account of this possible variation.

A cet effet, l'ensemble 11 de détection photoélectrique de la position du ménisque est disposé dans l'actionneur 1 parallèlement à la pipette 3 et est constitué par un détecteur fixe inférieur 38 au niveau duquel sont disposés les traits de graduation inférieurs de toutes les pipettes 3, et par un détecteur mobile supérieur 39 déplaçable au moyen d'un ensemble vis-écrou 40, ou dispositif analogue, par un moteur pas-à-pas 41, qui est commandé par l'ensemble électronique de commande 13 en fonction de données relatives à l'étalonnage du bloc-pipette 2 considéré, composées sur le tableau de commande et de visualisation 14. Ces données sont avantageusement introduites dans une mémoire de l'ensemble 13 au cours d'une opération de calibration préalable conduite par un opérateur, et au cours de laquelle un bloc-pipette 2 donné sera affecté d'un numéro d'identification donné, qu'il suffira de composer à chaque utilisation du bloc-pipette, de sorte que le réglage pré-établi s'effectuera automatiquement dès composition du numéro d'identification.For this purpose, the assembly 11 for photoelectric detection of the position of the meniscus is arranged in the actuator 1 parallel to the pipette 3 and is constituted by a lower fixed detector 38 at the level of which the lower graduation lines of all the pipettes 3, and by an upper mobile detector 39 displaceable by means of a screw-nut assembly 40, or similar device, by a stepping motor 41, which is controlled by the electronic control assembly 13 as a function of data relating to the calibration of the pipette block 2 considered, composed on the control and display panel 14. These data are advantageously entered into a memory of the assembly 13 during a prior calibration operation carried out by an operator , and during which a given pipette block 2 will be assigned a given identification number, which it will suffice to dial each time the pipette block is used, so that the preset adjustment will be carried out automatically. as soon as the identification number is dialed.

Conformément à une caractéristique de l'invention, pour une utilisation du dispositif comme burette, le détecteur inférieur 38 est maintenu en butée au niveau des traits de graduation inférieurs des pipettes 3 au moyen d'un dispositif élastique à ressorts, ou autres, et peut être escamoté sous l'action d'une poussée du détecteur mobile supérieur 39 lorsque ce dernier est déplacé vers le bas jusqu'à atteindre ledit niveau des traits de graduation inférieurs des pipettes 3, de sorte que la totalité du volume utile ou nominal de la pipette 3 peut être utilisée comme burette.According to a characteristic of the invention, for use of the device as a burette, the lower detector 38 is held in abutment at the lower graduation lines of the pipettes 3 by means of an elastic device with springs, or the like, and can be retracted under the action of a push from the upper mobile detector 39 when the latter is moved down until it reaches said level of the lower graduation lines of the pipettes 3, so that the entire useful or nominal volume of the pipette 3 can be used as a burette.

Conformément à une caractéristique de l'invention, l'ensemble électronique de commande 13 est pourvu de moyens de calcul, qui permettent de déterminer pour le bloc-pipette 2 considéré des volumes intermédiaires en fonction des besoins.According to a characteristic of the invention, the electronic control unit 13 is provided with calculation means, which make it possible to determine for the pipette block 2 considered intermediate volumes as a function of requirements.

Le levier 15 de blocage rapide du bloc-pipette 2 est avantageusement un levier à excentrique, ou chargé élastiquement, réalisant simultanément l'application étanche de l'extrémité supérieure de la pipette 3 contre l'alésage-guide de l'actionneur 1, l'embrayage entre l'organe d'entraînement 5 de la vanne 4 et l'accouplement 10 du moteur pas-à-pas 9, et le verrouillage en position du bloc-pipette 2 dans l'actionneur 1 avec alignement simultané de la pipette 3 avec l'axe des détecteurs 38 et 39, un déblocage du levier 15 ayant pour effet de libérer instantanément le bloc-pipette 2 pour son remplacement éventuel par un autre.The lever 15 for rapid locking of the pipette block 2 is advantageously an eccentric or elastically loaded lever, simultaneously carrying out the sealed application of the upper end of the pipette 3 against the guide bore of the actuator 1, l clutch between the drive member 5 of the valve 4 and the coupling 10 of the stepping motor 9, and the locking in position of the pipette block 2 in the actuator 1 with simultaneous alignment of the pipette 3 with the axis of the detectors 38 and 39, an unlocking of the lever 15 having the effect of instantaneously releasing the pipette block 2 for its possible replacement by another.

Conformément à une variante de réalisation de l'invention, non représentée aux dessins annexés, le bloc-pipette 2 peut être disposé, ensemble avec d'autres blocs-pipette, sur un dispositif de transport alternatif ou continu, circulaire ou linéaire, de type connu, sa mise en place et son maintien dans l'actionneur 1, ainsi que son retrait étant effectués automatiquement par ledit dispositif de transport au moyen d'un vérin, ou analogue.According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the pipette block 2 can be arranged, together with other pipette blocks, on an alternative or continuous, circular or linear transport device, of the type known, its establishment and maintenance in the actuator 1, as well as its removal being carried out automatically by said transport device by means of a jack, or the like.

Grâce à l'invention, il est possible de distribuer de manière répétitive et extrêmement précise des volumes de liquides différents sans risquer de pollution des circuits de distribution et sans nécessiter d'opération de rinçage de ces circuits, le bloc-pipette 2 pouvant facilement et rapidement être interchangé, et le programme concernant le nouveau bloc-pipette mis en place pouvant être composé grâce à son numéro distinctif.Thanks to the invention, it is possible to distribute repetitively and extremely precisely volumes of different liquids without risking pollution of the distribution circuits and without requiring an operation of rinsing these circuits, the pipette block 2 being able to easily and quickly be interchanged, and the program for the new pipette block in place can be dialed using its distinctive number.

Claims (12)

1. Automatic pipetting device constituted by an automatic pipetting actuator (1) and a pipette unit (2) forming two disconnectable subassemblies, the pipette unit (2) being mounted in the actuator (1) in a detachable manner, even in the filled state, whilst remaining sealingly closed, and being constituted by a pipette (3) whose lower end is connected to a 3-way and 3-position valve (4), having a drive member (5), and which is extended by piping elements (6), of which one leads to a product reservoir (7), the upper end of the pipette (3) being provided with a tight pneumatic connecting device (8) which is also used for the positioning of the pipette (3), the automatic pipetting actuator (1) being constituted by a stepping motor (9), which is provided with a disengageable coupling (10) for driving the valve (4) of pipette unit (2), by a meniscus photoelectric detection assembly (11) incorporating a mobile detector (39) driven in translation, by a pneumatic suction and delivery device connected to the pipette (3), by an electronic control assembly (13) having a control and display panel (14), and by a lever (15) for the rapid blocking of the pipette unit (2), the disconnectability of the two subassemblies resulting from their joint engagement or disengagement, on the one hand, in the lower part of the pipette unit (2) by the device for coupling the valve to its drive motor and, on the other hand, at the upper end of the pipette (3), by the pneumatic connection device (8), in such a way that the disconnection of the two subassemblies can be carried out no matter what the filling state of the pipette (3), the liquid remaining confined in the latter and never coming into contact with the actuator (1).
2. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (4) is located in a valve body (16) used for the centring of the pipette (3) and having connection openings (17) of the piping elements (6), and is constituted by a disc-shaped base 18 having on a face around its centre, a raised part (19) with a perfectly flat and polished surface forming a first sealing member, and into which lead perpendicularly three channels (20, 21), of which two (20) issue onto the opposite face of the disc, and of which the third (21), is connected to a perpendicular channel (22) leading into a plane (23) cut on the periphery of the disc (18) for the connection of the pipette (3), by a rotary valve (24) forming the second sealing member and which also has a perfectly flat and polished surface, in which there is provided a curved cavity (25).
3. Device, according to either one of the claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the channels (20, 21) are advantageously positioned at 120° to one another, and the cavity (25) has an angle at the centre, enclosing its ends, of 120°, in such a way that following the application of the valve (24) to the base (18), the ends of the cavity (25) can be exactly superimposed on the orifices of the channel (21) and one of the channels (20) in one of its rotation positions, or on the orifices of the channel (21) and the other channel (20) in the other rotation position, no link being established in the median position of the valve (24) and the channels (20, 21) being tightly closed in this position.
4. Device, according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that on the face opposite to that carrying the cavity (25), the valve (24) is provided with a central contact surface (26) and two or more reliefs (27) distributed at regular intervals around the periphery, said reliefs co-operating with driving pins (28) integral with a member forming the coupling member (5) so as to bring about a peripheral driving, said member (5) bearing centrally in punctiform manner on the surface (26), one or other of said two contacting members having a convex shape for this purpose, and being loaded by tension springs (29) via a transverse key (30), or the like, said member (5) being, in addition, guided in a sleeve (31) for fitting in the body (16), where it is immobilised by means of a set screw (32), or a similar fastening device, the assembly constituted by springs (29) and transverse key (30) forming a device for the automatic return to the median position of the valve (4).
5. Device, according to claim 4, characterized in that at its end opposite to the rotary valve (24), the coupling member (5) is provided with a transverse slot (33), arranged along the vertical axis of the pipette and permitting its driving connection with the coupling (10) of the motor (9).
6. Device, according to either one of the claims 1 and 2, characterized in that perpendicularly to the drive member (5), the valve body (16) is provided with a bore (34) permitting the positioning of the pipette (3) by means of pins (35) co-operating with a circular groove of a metal cylindrical sleeve (36) fixed to the lower end of the pipette (3) co-axially thereto and bearing on the cut plane (23) of the base (18) of the valve (4) with the interposition of a compressed joint (37), said sleeve always having the same external diameter no matter what the external diameter of the pipette (3) and the bore thereof.
7. Device, according to either one of the claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the tight pneumatic connection device (8) equipping the upper end of the pipette (3) is in the form of a sleeve identical to that equipping the lower part of pipette (3), said sleeve co-operating, on the one hand, with a guide bore positioned in the actuator (1) and, on the other hand, with a compressible gasket connected to the pneumatic suction and delivery device (12), said sleeve always having the same external diameter.
8. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly (11) for the photoelectric detection of the position of the meniscus is located in the actuator (1) parallel to the pipette (3) and is constituted by a lower fixed detector (38), at whose level are arranged the lower divisions of all the pipettes (3), and by an upper mobile detector (39) displaceable by means of a screwnut assembly (40) or some similar device, by a stepping motor (41), which is controlled by the electronic control assembly (13) as a function of data relative to the calibration of the pipette unit (2) in question, appearing on the control and display panel (14), in such a way that during a pipette unit change the composition of the corresponding identification number makes it possible to automatically regulate the actuator (1).
9. Device, according to either one of the claims 1 and 8, characterized in that the electronic control assembly (13) is provided with calculating means, which makes it possible to determine intermediate volumes, as a function of needs, for the pipette unit 2.
10. Device, according to either one of the claims 8 and 9, characterized in that for a use of the device as a burette, the lower detector (38) is kept in abutment level with the lower divisions of pipettes (3) by means of an elastic device having springs, or the like, and which can be retracted under the action of a thrust from the upper mobile detector (39) when the latter is moved downwards until it reaches said level of the lower divisions of pipettes (3), so that all the useful or nominal volume of the pipette (3) can be utilised as a burette.
11. Device, according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rapid blocking lever (15) of the pipette unit (2) is advantageously an eccentric or elastically loaded lever, simultaneously permitting the tight application of the upper end of the pipette (3) to the guide bore of the actuator (1), the engagement between the drive member (5) of the valve (4) of the coupling (10) of the stepping motor (9), and the locking in position of the pipette unit (2) in the actuator (1) with the simultaneous alignment of the pipette (3) and the axis of the detectors (38 and 39), a disengagement of the lever (15) having the effect of instantaneously releasing the pipette unit (2) for its possible replacement by another unit.
12. Device, according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the pipette unit (2) can be arranged, together with other pipette units, on a circular or linear, alternating or continuous transport device, of a known type, its putting into place and its maintaining in the actuator (1), as well as its removal being carried out automatically by said transport device using a jack, or the like.
EP82440027A 1981-09-23 1982-09-22 Automatic pipetting device Expired EP0076222B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82440027T ATE18363T1 (en) 1981-09-23 1982-09-22 AUTOMATIC PIPETTING DEVICE.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8118065 1981-09-23
FR8118065A FR2513376A1 (en) 1981-09-23 1981-09-23 AUTOMATIC PIPETTING DEVICE

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0076222A1 EP0076222A1 (en) 1983-04-06
EP0076222B1 true EP0076222B1 (en) 1986-03-05

Family

ID=9262446

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82440027A Expired EP0076222B1 (en) 1981-09-23 1982-09-22 Automatic pipetting device

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4484696A (en)
EP (1) EP0076222B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS5866854A (en)
AT (1) ATE18363T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3269648D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2513376A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1007943C2 (en) 1997-12-31 1999-07-01 Hadewe Bv Apparatus and method for separating sheets from a stack.
US20050269368A1 (en) * 2004-05-14 2005-12-08 Proulx Stephen P Fluid dispenser cartridge with bladder means
DE102005025640A1 (en) * 2005-06-03 2006-12-07 Scienion Ag Microdispenser and associated operating method
CN103105316A (en) * 2012-11-06 2013-05-15 苏州聚阳环保科技有限公司 Injection pump

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1705940A (en) * 1927-06-16 1929-03-19 Stockbridge & Borst Apparatus for dispensing liquids
NL121750C (en) * 1959-06-18
US3143393A (en) * 1959-06-18 1964-08-04 Luc Donald De Seguin Des Hons Apparatus for automatically performing chemical operations and similar or related operations
US3193141A (en) * 1963-08-23 1965-07-06 Swift & Co Device for measuring and dispensing variable amounts of liquid
US3206072A (en) * 1964-09-22 1965-09-14 Calvin R Mencken Pipetting machine
SE327840B (en) * 1968-01-25 1970-08-31 Atuokemi Ab
CH508877A (en) * 1968-04-02 1971-06-15 Micromedic Systems Inc Liquid dispenser
US3491368A (en) * 1968-05-10 1970-01-20 Hewlett Packard Co Automatic dispensing system with fluid purging means
DE2330499A1 (en) * 1973-06-15 1975-01-09 Boepple & Co Kg Mechanical calibration of pipette - using photo detectors of liquid surface to mark each position
DK143719C (en) * 1979-01-03 1982-03-08 Radiometer As PROCEDURE FOR BREATHING A LIQUIDIZING PUMP PUMP AND PUMP PUMP WITH AN ARRANGEMENT FOR USE IN EXERCISE THE PROCEDURE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5866854A (en) 1983-04-21
FR2513376A1 (en) 1983-03-25
US4484696A (en) 1984-11-27
FR2513376B1 (en) 1983-12-09
ATE18363T1 (en) 1986-03-15
EP0076222A1 (en) 1983-04-06
DE3269648D1 (en) 1986-04-10

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