EP1277058A1 - Pipette device with evaporation protection plate - Google Patents

Pipette device with evaporation protection plate

Info

Publication number
EP1277058A1
EP1277058A1 EP01927898A EP01927898A EP1277058A1 EP 1277058 A1 EP1277058 A1 EP 1277058A1 EP 01927898 A EP01927898 A EP 01927898A EP 01927898 A EP01927898 A EP 01927898A EP 1277058 A1 EP1277058 A1 EP 1277058A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipetting
plate
micro
array
head
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01927898A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Holger Deppe
Hanns Wurziger
Alexander Gross
Dirk Tomandl
Andreas Schober
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Merck Patent GmbH
Original Assignee
Merck Patent GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Merck Patent GmbH filed Critical Merck Patent GmbH
Publication of EP1277058A1 publication Critical patent/EP1277058A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • G01N35/1081—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane
    • G01N35/109—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane with two horizontal degrees of freedom
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/14—Process control and prevention of errors
    • B01L2200/142—Preventing evaporation
    • 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
    • G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
    • G01N2035/00079—Evaporation covers for slides
    • 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
    • G01N35/0099—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor comprising robots or similar manipulators

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a pipetting device for automated pipetting of chemical substances in micro-chamber arrays with a holder receiving at least one micro-chamber array and a movably attached pipetting head.
  • Micro-chamber arrays consist of a large number of, for example, matrix-like arranged micro-chambers, which in the simplest case consist of a small cavity, but are also complex reaction containers composed of many individual components
  • Automated pipetting devices are often used for the rapid and economical filling of small sample quantities into the individual microchambers. In doing so, ne pipette passed a short distance over the individual microchambers and a precisely metered amount, usually dissolved in a solvent, of the desired chemical substance is filled into the respective microchamber.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to design a pipetting device in such a way that undesired evaporation effects are largely reduced during a pipetting process with any solvents.
  • the pipetting head is attached to a plate by means of a holding device which is guided over the micro-chamber array in a sliding manner or at a short distance following the movements of the pipetting head during the pipetting process and in connection with a frame which surrounds the micro-chamber array tightly forms a closed gas space above the micro-chamber array, in which the pipetting head protrudes through a suitable opening in the plate.
  • the volume available for the evaporation of the solvent is significantly reduced.
  • an atmosphere saturated with solvent forms in the closed gas space, so that hardly any further evaporation takes place.
  • practically no convection favoring evaporation occurs in the very thin layer above the microchamber array.
  • the pipetting head can be moved vertically out of the opening in the plate.
  • the pipetting head can be removed from the plate with a simple movement or automatically controlled. Refilling or replacing the pipetting head during or after a pipetting process is possible without the solvent escaping in an uncontrolled manner getting directly onto the micro-chamber array.
  • the pipetting head is attached to a vertically movable holding arm, which is longitudinally displaceable on a slide along a guide rail on the plate.
  • a vertically movable holding arm which is longitudinally displaceable on a slide along a guide rail on the plate.
  • the pipetting head can be moved out of the filling position in the direction of a storage container which contains a sufficiently large amount of the solutions to be pipetted.
  • the holding arm of the pipetting head is raised until the tip of the pipetting head is at a sufficient distance from the plate. Then the pipette head, which can now move freely, together with the holding arm, can be moved along the guide rail to beyond the edge of the plate.
  • the storage container is expediently located there, so that the solvent can be automatically taken up by the pipetting head.
  • the automatic refilling leads to a further reduction in evaporation due to the time savings that can be achieved thereby.
  • the plate is so large that, even in the case of an opening of the plate positioned beyond the frame next to the micro-chamber array, the frame tightly surrounding the micro-chamber array is completely covered. If the pipetting head is raised on the plate for filling, the gas space above the micro-chamber array is no longer completely closed due to the remaining opening.
  • the plate In order to keep the gas space closed in this case too and thus to prevent evaporation effects that are otherwise favored, the plate is moved to the side until the opening in the plate is beyond the frame that closely surrounds the micro-chamber array. The pipetting head can then be lifted vertically out of the opening of the plate without the gas space, which is still closed, being connected to the surrounding atmosphere.
  • a trench-like groove receiving a liquid volume is arranged along the frame within the closed gas space.
  • a sufficient amount of the solvent also used for pipetting can be filled into this trench-like groove before the pipetting process.
  • the volume of solvent filled into the trench-like groove is intended for the most effective evaporation.
  • a saturated atmosphere of solvent can be made within the umringe- NEN gas space before a pipetting operation, so that evaporation of the already pipetted Lö ⁇ sungsffens is further reduced during the pipetting.
  • the plate is slidably moved on a sliding support provided above the trench-like groove with a scraper edge.
  • a sliding pad can be made of PTFE, for example, so that disturbing friction effects are largely avoided.
  • small amounts of evaporated solvent can condense on the underside of the plate.
  • a corresponding surface on the underside of the plate sweeps over the sliding support. Condensed solvent is absorbed there by the scraper edge and can drip or flow into the trench-like gutter underneath.
  • the temperature of the micro-chamber array can be regulated. In this way, identical filling conditions can be guaranteed during a pipetting process and also over several filling processes. Furthermore, the evaporation behavior of the solvent already pipetted into the microchambers can be controlled via the temperature of the microchamber array.
  • the temperature of the plate movable above the micro-chamber array can be regulated.
  • the plate temperature due to the large contact area of the plate with the closed gas space, the plate temperature has a direct effect on the enclosed gas volume.
  • the condensation of the solvent can start the underside of the plate can be largely avoided.
  • a troublesome droplet formation on the underside of the movable plate can thus be avoided, so that the precisely metered volume of solvent in the microchambers is not changed unintentionally by solvent drops falling on the microchamber array in an uncontrolled manner.
  • the single figure shows a section through a pipetting device for the automatic pipetting of chemical substances in micro-chamber arrays.
  • a holder 3 consisting of a base plate 1 and fastening devices 2 is used to hold a micro-chamber array 4.
  • a holder 3 consisting of a base plate 1 and fastening devices 2 is used to hold a micro-chamber array 4.
  • a micro-chamber array 4 Around the holder 3 there is a
  • a guide rail 8 is permanently attached to a plate 7 which is movably supported on the sliding support 6.
  • a pipetting head 11 is attached to the holding arm 10, the pipette cannula 12 of which projects through an opening 13 in the plate 7 into a gas space 14 which is completely closed off by the micro-chamber array 4, the frame 5 and the plate 7.
  • the pi Pettierkopf 11 each positioned over the micro-chamber of the micro-chamber array 4 to be filled, by moving the plate 7 together with the structures attached thereon, in particular the pipetting head 11 with the pipette cannula 12 projecting through the opening 13 of the plate 7.
  • the sliding support 6 has a wiping edge 15 on the side facing the closed gas space 14 hm. Solvent condensed on the underside of the plate 7 is absorbed by the stripping edge 15 when the plate 7 is displaced outwards over the sliding support ⁇ and runs down on the inside of the frame 5 located underneath.
  • Sliding pad 6 formed a trench-like groove 16.
  • the condensed solvent stripped from the plate 7 collects.
  • a sufficient amount of the solvent can be deposited in the gray-like channel 16 before a pipetting operation.
  • the solvent gas evaporates out of this trench-like groove 16 and a saturated atmosphere in the closed gas space 14. Evaporation effects of solvent already pipetted out of microchambers of microchamber array 4 are largely suppressed as a result.
  • the plate 7 which is movable above the micro-chamber array 4 is optically transparent. In order to ensure the greatest possible range of application for the pipetting device, all can be closed Gas chamber 14 directly surrounding components of the device consist of chemically largely inactive materials.
  • the plate 7 is not moved over a fixed frame 5, but instead, by moving the holder 3 and frame 5 relative to a permanently fixed plate 7, the micro-chamber array 4 is positioned relative to the pipetting head 11 before each pipetting process ,

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Troublesome evaporative effects occur in a solution decanted in microchambers when chemical substances are pipetted into individual microchambers in an array (4) thereof. In order to prevent such undesirable evaporative effects, the inventive pipette device for automatic pipetting of chemical substances is provided with at least one holder (3) receiving a microchamber array and the moveably arranged head of the pipette (11) is embodied in such a way that it is secured to a plate (7) with the aid of a holding device which follows the movements of the pipette head (11) during the pipetting process. The plate (7) forms an enclosed gas chamber (14) above the microchamber array (4) in conjunction with a frame (5) which surrounds the microchamber array (4) in a tight manner. The pipette head juts out into the gas chamber via an appropriate opening (13) in the plate (7).

Description

PIPETTIERVORRICHTUNG MIT VERDUNSTUNGSSCHUTZ- LATTE PIPETTING DEVICE WITH EVAPORATION LATTE
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Pipettiervorrichtung zum auto- matisierten Pipettieren chemischer Substanzen in Mikrokammerarrays mit einem mindestens ein Mikrokammerarray aufnehmenden Halter und einem beweglich angebrachten Pipettierkopf.The invention relates to a pipetting device for automated pipetting of chemical substances in micro-chamber arrays with a holder receiving at least one micro-chamber array and a movably attached pipetting head.
In den Arbeitsbereichen der kombinatorischen oder analytischen Chemie steigen die Anforderungen hinsichtlich des Probendurchsatzes und der Wirtschaftlichkeit ständig, so daß zunehmend versucht wird, immer mehr einzelne Proben gleichzeitig zu bearbeiten und dabei die verwendeten Pro- benvolumina weitestgehend zu reduzieren. Im Zuge einer fortschreitenden Miniaturisierung der einzelnen Probenbzw. Reaktionsbehälter werden heute üblicherweise sogenannte Mikrokammerarrays verwendet. Mikrokammerarrays bestehen aus einer großen Anzahl von beispielsweise matrixartig an- geordneten Mikrokammern, die im einfachsten Fall aus einem kleinen Hohlraum bestehen, aber auch komplexe, aus vielen Einzelbausteinen zusammengesetzte Reaktionsbehälter seinIn the work areas of combinatorial or analytical chemistry, the requirements with regard to sample throughput and economy are constantly increasing, so that attempts are increasingly being made to process more and more individual samples at the same time and to reduce the sample volumes used as much as possible. In the course of progressive miniaturization of the individual samples or So-called micro-chamber arrays are usually used today. Micro-chamber arrays consist of a large number of, for example, matrix-like arranged micro-chambers, which in the simplest case consist of a small cavity, but are also complex reaction containers composed of many individual components
Zum schnellen und wirtschaftlichen Abfüllen geringer Probenmengen in die einzelnen Mikrokammern werden häufig automatisierte Pipettiervorrichtungen verwendet. Dabei wird ei- ne Pipette in geringem Abstand über die einzelnen Mikrokammern geführt und eine genau dosierte, üblicherweise in einem Lösungsmittel gelöste Menge der gewünschten chemischen Substanz in die jeweilige Mikrokammer abgefüllt.Automated pipetting devices are often used for the rapid and economical filling of small sample quantities into the individual microchambers. In doing so, ne pipette passed a short distance over the individual microchambers and a precisely metered amount, usually dissolved in a solvent, of the desired chemical substance is filled into the respective microchamber.
Je geringer die in eine einzelne Mikrokammer abgefüllte Menge des Lösungsmittels gewählt wird, um so deutlicher machen sich störende Verdunstungseffekte während des Pipettierens mehrerer Mikrokammern eines Mikrokammerarrays be- merkbar. Quantitative Analysen werden durch unkontrollierte Verdunstung stark beeinträchtigt, eine vergleichende Auswertung nacheinander pipettierter Mikrokammern ist nahe zu unmöglich. Die bereits erreichte Miniaturisierung der Mikrokammerarrays macht es deshalb erforderlich, Maßnahmen zur Hemmung der Verdunstungseffekte vorzunehmen.The smaller the amount of solvent that is filled into a single microchamber is selected, the more clearly disturbing evaporation effects become noticeable during the pipetting of several microchambers of a microchamber array. Quantitative analyzes are severely affected by uncontrolled evaporation, a comparative evaluation of successively pipetted microchambers is almost impossible. The miniaturization of the micro-chamber arrays that has already been achieved therefore makes it necessary to take measures to inhibit the evaporation effects.
Die Verwendung eines vergleichsweise schwer flüchtigen Lösungsmittels ist nicht immer eine ausreichende Maßnahme, zumal nicht jedes beliebige Lösungsmittel mit jeder chemi- sehen Substanz kombiniert werden kann. Eine andere Möglichkeit, Verdunstungseffekte während des Pipettiervorgangs zu reduzieren, besteht darin, die gesamte Pipettiervorricht ng in einem abgeschlossenen Behälter unterzubringen, in welchem bereits vor dem eigentlichen Pipettiervorgang eine mit Lösungsmittel gesättigte Atmosphäre hergestellt wird. Eine gesättigte Atmosphäre kann nicht weiteren Lösungsmitteldampf aufnehmen, so daß kaum Verdunstung der Lösungsmittelflüssigkeit aus den Mikrokammern heraus stattfindet. Während eine mit Wasserdampf gesättigte Atmosphäre einfach und wirtschaftlich während des Pipettierens sichergestellt werden kann, ist dies für andere Lösungsmittel als Wasser mit großem Aufwand verbunden oder praktisch nicht möglich. Hin- zu kommt, daß in einem Behälter, der ausreichend groß ist, um eine Pipettiervorrichtung aufzunehmen, immer Konvekti- onsphänomene auftreten können, welche eine schnelle Verdunstung der pipettierten Lösungen begünstigen.The use of a comparatively low volatility solvent is not always an adequate measure, especially since not every solvent can be combined with every chemical substance. Another way of reducing evaporation effects during the pipetting process is to accommodate the entire pipetting device in a closed container in which an atmosphere saturated with solvent is produced before the actual pipetting process. A saturated atmosphere cannot absorb further solvent vapor, so that there is hardly any evaporation of the solvent liquid out of the microchambers. While an atmosphere saturated with water vapor can be ensured simply and economically during pipetting, this is associated with great effort for solvents other than water or is practically impossible. outward it is also the case that convection phenomena can always occur in a container which is large enough to accommodate a pipetting device, which favor rapid evaporation of the pipetted solutions.
Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es demzufolge, eine Pipettiervorrichtung so auszugestalten, daß ungewollte Verdunstungseffekte während eines Pipettiervorgangs mit beliebigen Lösungsmitteln weitgehend reduziert werden.The object of the invention is therefore to design a pipetting device in such a way that undesired evaporation effects are largely reduced during a pipetting process with any solvents.
Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, daß der Pipettierkopf mittels einer Haltevorrichtung auf einer Platte befestigt ist, die den Bewegungen des Pipettierkopfs während des Pipettiervorgangs folgend gleitend oder in ge- ringem Abstand über das Mikrokammerarray geführt wird und in Verbindung mit einem das Mikrokammerarray dicht umgebenden Rahmen einen geschlossenen Gasraum oberhalb des Mikrokammerarrays bildet, in welchen der Pipettierkopf durch eine passende Öffnung in der Platte ragt. Auf diese Weise wird das für die Verdunstung des Lösungsmittels zur Verfügung stehende Volumen deutlich reduziert. Nach kurzer Zeit bildet sich im geschlossenen Gasraum eine an Lösungsmittel gesättigte Atmosphäre, so daß kaum noch weitere Verdunstung stattfindet. In der sehr dünnen Schicht über dem Mikrokam- merarray tritt außerdem praktisch keine die Verdunstung begünstigende Konvektion auf. Mit einem vergleichsweise geringen konstruktiven Aufwand kann das ungewollte Entweichen beliebiger Lösungsmittel aus den einzelnen Mikrokammern während des Pipettiervorganges weitestgehend unterdrückt werden. Einer Ausgestaltung des Erfindungsgedankens zufolge ist vorgesehen, daß der Pipettierkopf aus der Öffnung in der Platte heraus senkrecht beweglich ist. So kann mit einem einfachen Handgriff oder automatisch gesteuert der Pipet- tierkopf von der Platte entfernt werden. Ein Wiederbefüllen oder Austauschen des Pipettierkopfes während oder nach einem Pipettiervorgang ist möglich, ohne daß dabei unkontrolliert austretendes Lösungsmittel direkt auf das Mikrokammerarray gelangt.This object is achieved according to the invention in that the pipetting head is attached to a plate by means of a holding device which is guided over the micro-chamber array in a sliding manner or at a short distance following the movements of the pipetting head during the pipetting process and in connection with a frame which surrounds the micro-chamber array tightly forms a closed gas space above the micro-chamber array, in which the pipetting head protrudes through a suitable opening in the plate. In this way, the volume available for the evaporation of the solvent is significantly reduced. After a short time, an atmosphere saturated with solvent forms in the closed gas space, so that hardly any further evaporation takes place. In addition, practically no convection favoring evaporation occurs in the very thin layer above the microchamber array. The undesired escape of any solvents from the individual microchambers during the pipetting process can be largely suppressed with a comparatively low design effort. According to one embodiment of the inventive concept, it is provided that the pipetting head can be moved vertically out of the opening in the plate. The pipetting head can be removed from the plate with a simple movement or automatically controlled. Refilling or replacing the pipetting head during or after a pipetting process is possible without the solvent escaping in an uncontrolled manner getting directly onto the micro-chamber array.
Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Ausführung des Erfindungsgedankens ist vorgesehen, dass der Pipettierkopf an einem senkrecht beweglichen Haltearm befestigt ist, der auf einem Schlitten entlang einer Führungsschiene auf der Platte längs verschiebbar ist. Um ein automatisches Wiederbefüllen des Pipettierkopfes während oder nach einem Abfüllvorgang zu ermöglichen, ist es wünschenswert, daß der Pipettierkopf aus der Abfüllposition heraus in Richtung eines Vorratsbehälters bewegt werden kann, der eine ausreichend große Men- ge der zu pipettierenden Lösungen enthält. Dazu wird der Haltearm des Pipettierkopfes so weit angehoben, bis die Spitze des Pipettierkopfes einen ausreichenden Abstand zur Platte hat. Dann kann der jetzt frei bewegliche Pipettierkopf samt Haltearm entlang der Führungsschiene bis über de Rand der Platte hinaus verschoben werden. Dort befindet sich zweckmäßigerweise der Vorratsbehälter, so daß daraus das Lösungsmittel automatisiert vom Pipettierkopf aufgenommen werden kann. Während eines Pipettiervorgangs führt das automatische Wiederbefüllen infolge der dadurch erzielbaren Zeitersparnis zu einer weiteren Reduktion der Verdunstung. Vorzugsweise ist vorgesehen, daß die Platte so groß ist, daß auch im Fall einer jenseits des Rahmens neben dem Mikrokammerarray positionierten Öffnung der Platte der den Mikrokammerarray dicht umgebenden Rahmen vollständig be- deckt ist. Wenn der Pipettierkopf auf der Platte zum Befül- len angehoben wird, so ist wegen der verbleibenden Öffnung der Gasraum über dem Mikrokammerarray nicht mehr vollständig abgeschlossen. Um den Gasraum auch in diesem Fall verschlossen zu halten und somit andernfalls begünstigte Ver- dunstungseffekte zu verhindern, wird die Platte so weit zur Seite bewegt, bis die Öffnung in der Platte sich jenseits des das Mikrokammerarray dicht umgebenden Rahmens befindet. Der Pipettierkopf kann dann senkrecht aus der Öffnung der Platte herausgehoben werden, ohne daß eine Verbindung des weiterhin abgeschlossenen Gasraums mit der Umgebungsatmosphäre entsteht.According to an advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, it is provided that the pipetting head is attached to a vertically movable holding arm, which is longitudinally displaceable on a slide along a guide rail on the plate. In order to enable an automatic refilling of the pipetting head during or after a filling process, it is desirable that the pipetting head can be moved out of the filling position in the direction of a storage container which contains a sufficiently large amount of the solutions to be pipetted. For this purpose, the holding arm of the pipetting head is raised until the tip of the pipetting head is at a sufficient distance from the plate. Then the pipette head, which can now move freely, together with the holding arm, can be moved along the guide rail to beyond the edge of the plate. The storage container is expediently located there, so that the solvent can be automatically taken up by the pipetting head. During a pipetting process, the automatic refilling leads to a further reduction in evaporation due to the time savings that can be achieved thereby. It is preferably provided that the plate is so large that, even in the case of an opening of the plate positioned beyond the frame next to the micro-chamber array, the frame tightly surrounding the micro-chamber array is completely covered. If the pipetting head is raised on the plate for filling, the gas space above the micro-chamber array is no longer completely closed due to the remaining opening. In order to keep the gas space closed in this case too and thus to prevent evaporation effects that are otherwise favored, the plate is moved to the side until the opening in the plate is beyond the frame that closely surrounds the micro-chamber array. The pipetting head can then be lifted vertically out of the opening of the plate without the gas space, which is still closed, being connected to the surrounding atmosphere.
Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung des Erfindungsgedankens ist vorgesehen, daß innerhalb des geschlossenen Gasraums am Rahmen entlang eine ein Flüssigkeitsvolumen aufnehmende, grabenartige Rinne angeordnet ist. In diese grabenartige Rinne kann vor dem Pipet iervorgang eine ausreichende Menge des auch zum Pipettieren verwendeten Lösungsmittels gefüllt werden. Das in die grabenartige Rinne abgefüllte Lösungsmittelvolumen ist im Gegensatz zum während des Pipettiervorgangs verwendeten Lösungsmittel für eine möglichst effektive Verdunstung vorgesehen. Auf diese Weise kann schon vor einem Pipettiervorgang eine an Lösungsmittel gesättigte Atmosphäre innerhalb des umschlosse- nen Gasraums hergestellt werden, so daß während des Pipettiervorgangs eine Verdunstung des bereits pipettierten Lö¬ sungsmittels weiter reduziert wird. Einer vorteilhaften Ausführung des Erfindungsgedankens gemäß ist vorgesehen, daß die Platte gleitend auf einer oberhalb der grabenartigen Rinne angebrachten Gleitauflage mit einer Abstreifkante bewegt wird. Eine solche Gleitauflage kann beispielsweise aus PTFE hergestellt werden, so daß störende Reibungseffekte weitgehend vermieden werden. Trotz aller verdunstungshemmenden Maßnahmen können sich geringe Mengen von verdunstetem Lösungsmittel als Kondensat an der Unterseite der Platte niederschlagen. Bei einer Bewegung der Platte überstreicht eine entsprechende Fläche der Plattenunterseite die Gleitauflage. Dabei wird dort kondensiertes Lösungsmittel von der Abstreifkante aufgenommen und kann in die darunter angebrachte grabenartige Rinne tropfen oder fließen.According to an advantageous embodiment of the concept of the invention, it is provided that a trench-like groove receiving a liquid volume is arranged along the frame within the closed gas space. A sufficient amount of the solvent also used for pipetting can be filled into this trench-like groove before the pipetting process. In contrast to the solvent used during the pipetting process, the volume of solvent filled into the trench-like groove is intended for the most effective evaporation. In this way, a saturated atmosphere of solvent can be made within the umschlosse- NEN gas space before a pipetting operation, so that evaporation of the already pipetted Lö ¬ sungsmittels is further reduced during the pipetting. According to an advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, the plate is slidably moved on a sliding support provided above the trench-like groove with a scraper edge. Such a sliding pad can be made of PTFE, for example, so that disturbing friction effects are largely avoided. Despite all measures to prevent evaporation, small amounts of evaporated solvent can condense on the underside of the plate. When the plate moves, a corresponding surface on the underside of the plate sweeps over the sliding support. Condensed solvent is absorbed there by the scraper edge and can drip or flow into the trench-like gutter underneath.
Einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung des Erfindungsgedankens zufolge ist vorgesehen, daß die Temperatur des Mikrokammerarrays regelbar ist. Während eines Pipettiervorgangs und auch über mehrere Füllvorgänge hinweg können so identische Abfüllbedingungen gewährleistet werden. Weiterhin kann über die Temperatur des Mikrokammerarrays das Verdampfungsverhalten des bereits in Mikrokammern pipettierten Lösungsmittels gesteuert werden.According to an advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, it is provided that the temperature of the micro-chamber array can be regulated. In this way, identical filling conditions can be guaranteed during a pipetting process and also over several filling processes. Furthermore, the evaporation behavior of the solvent already pipetted into the microchambers can be controlled via the temperature of the microchamber array.
Vorzugsweise ist vorgesehen, daß die Temperatur der oberhalb des Mikrokammerarrays bewegbaren Platte regelbar ist. Einerseits wirkt sich aufgrund der großen Kontaktfläche der Platte mit dem geschlossenen Gasraum die Plattentemperatur unmittelbar auf das eingeschlossene Gasvolumen aus. Andererseits kann durch eine geschickte Wahl der Temperatur der bewegbaren Platte die Kondensation des Lösungsmittels an der Unterseite der Platte weitgehend vermieden werden. Eine störende Tropfchenbildung an der Unterseite der bewegbaren Platte kann somit vermieden werden, so daß nicht durch unkontrolliert auf das Mikrokammerarray fallende Lösungsmitteltropfen das genau dosierte Lösungsmittelvolumen in Mikrokammern ungewollt verändert wird.It is preferably provided that the temperature of the plate movable above the micro-chamber array can be regulated. On the one hand, due to the large contact area of the plate with the closed gas space, the plate temperature has a direct effect on the enclosed gas volume. On the other hand, through a clever choice of the temperature of the movable plate, the condensation of the solvent can start the underside of the plate can be largely avoided. A troublesome droplet formation on the underside of the movable plate can thus be avoided, so that the precisely metered volume of solvent in the microchambers is not changed unintentionally by solvent drops falling on the microchamber array in an uncontrolled manner.
Eine weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung des Erfindungsgedankens ist Gegenstand eines weiteren Unteranspruchs.Another advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept is the subject of a further subclaim.
Nachfolgend wird ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung näher erläutert, das in der Zeichnung dargestellt ist.An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated below, which is shown in the drawing.
Die einzige Figur zeigt einen Schnitt durch eine Pipettier- Vorrichtung zum automatischen Pipettieren chemischer Substanzen in Mikrokammerarrays.The single figure shows a section through a pipetting device for the automatic pipetting of chemical substances in micro-chamber arrays.
Ein aus einer Bodenplatte 1 und Befestigungsvorrichtungen 2 bestehender Halter 3 dient zur Aufnahme eines Mikrokam- merarrays 4. Um den Halter 3 herum befindet sich ein denA holder 3 consisting of a base plate 1 and fastening devices 2 is used to hold a micro-chamber array 4. Around the holder 3 there is a
Halter 3 und das Mikrokammerarray 4 dicht umgebenden Rahmen 5. An der Oberseite des Rahmens 5 ist eine, beispielsweise aus PTFE angefertigte, Gleitauflage 6 angebracht. Auf einer auf der Gleitauflage 6 beweglich aufliegenden Platte 7 ist eine Führungsschiene 8 dauerhaft befestigt. Auf dieser Führungsschiene 8 längs verschiebbar befindet sich ein Schlitten 9, auf dem ein in der Höhe verstellbarer Haltearm 10 montiert ist. An dem Haltearm 10 ist ein Pipettierkopf 11 angebracht, dessen Pipettenkanüle 12 durch eine Öffnung 13 in der Platte 7 in einen durch das Mikrokammerarray 4, den Rahmen 5 und die Platte 7 vollständig abgeschlossenen Gasraum 14 ragt. Zu Beginn des Pipettiervorgangs wird der Pi- pettierkopf 11 jeweils über der zu befullenden Mikrokammer des Mikrokammerarrays 4 positioniert, indem die Platte 7 samt der darauf befestigten Aufbauten, insbesondere dem Pipettierkopf 11 mit der durch die Öffnung 13 der Platte 7 ragenden Pipettenkanule 12 verschoben wird.Holder 3 and the micro-chamber array 4 tightly surrounding frame 5. On the top of the frame 5, a, for example made of PTFE, sliding pad 6 is attached. A guide rail 8 is permanently attached to a plate 7 which is movably supported on the sliding support 6. A slide 9, on which a height-adjustable holding arm 10 is mounted, is located on this guide rail 8 so as to be longitudinally displaceable. A pipetting head 11 is attached to the holding arm 10, the pipette cannula 12 of which projects through an opening 13 in the plate 7 into a gas space 14 which is completely closed off by the micro-chamber array 4, the frame 5 and the plate 7. At the beginning of the pipetting process, the pi Pettierkopf 11 each positioned over the micro-chamber of the micro-chamber array 4 to be filled, by moving the plate 7 together with the structures attached thereon, in particular the pipetting head 11 with the pipette cannula 12 projecting through the opening 13 of the plate 7.
Die Gleitauflage 6 weist an der zum geschlossenen Gasraum 14 hm gerichteten Seite eine Abstreifkante 15 auf. An αer Unterseite der Platte 7 kondensiertes Losungsmittel wirα bei einer nach außen gerichteten Verschiebung der Platte 7 über die Gleitauflage β hinweg von deren Abstreifkante 15 aufgenommen und lauft an der Innenseite des sich darunter befindenden Rahmens 5 herab.The sliding support 6 has a wiping edge 15 on the side facing the closed gas space 14 hm. Solvent condensed on the underside of the plate 7 is absorbed by the stripping edge 15 when the plate 7 is displaced outwards over the sliding support β and runs down on the inside of the frame 5 located underneath.
An der Innenseite des Rahmens 5 ist etwas unterhalb derOn the inside of the frame 5 is slightly below the
Gleitauflage 6 eine grabenartige Rinne 16 ausgebildet. Dort sammelt sich das von der Platte 7 abgestreifte, kondensierte Losungsmittel. Außerdem kann bereits vor einem Pipettiervorgang eine ausreichende Menge des Losungsmittels m der graoenartigen Rinne 16 deponiert werden. Innernalb kurzer Zeit stellt sich dann durch aus dieser grabenartigen Rinne 16 heraus verdampfendes Losungsmittel e ne an Losungsmittel gesättigte Atmosphäre m dem geschlossenen Gasraum 14 ein. Dadurch werden Verdampfungseffekte von bereits pipettiertem Losungsmittel aus Mikrokammern des Mikrokammerarrays 4 heraus weitgehend unterdruckt.Sliding pad 6 formed a trench-like groove 16. There the condensed solvent stripped from the plate 7 collects. In addition, a sufficient amount of the solvent can be deposited in the gray-like channel 16 before a pipetting operation. Within a short time, the solvent gas evaporates out of this trench-like groove 16 and a saturated atmosphere in the closed gas space 14. Evaporation effects of solvent already pipetted out of microchambers of microchamber array 4 are largely suppressed as a result.
Für eine einfache Kontrollmoglichkeit wahrend des Pipettiervorgangs ist es zweckmäßig, daß die oberhalb des Mikro- kammerarrays 4 bewegbare Platte 7 optisch transparent ist. Um eine größtmögliche Anwendungsbreite der Pipettiervor- richtung zu gewährleisten, können alle den geschlossenen Gasraum 14 direkt umgebenden Bauteile der Vorrichtung aus chemisch weitgehend inaktiven Materialien bestehen.For easy control during the pipetting process, it is expedient that the plate 7 which is movable above the micro-chamber array 4 is optically transparent. In order to ensure the greatest possible range of application for the pipetting device, all can be closed Gas chamber 14 directly surrounding components of the device consist of chemically largely inactive materials.
Für bestimmte Anwendungen kann es vorteilhaft sein, wenn nicht die Platte 7 über einem raumfest fixierten Rahmen 5 verschoben wird, sondern durch Bewegen von Halter 3 und Rahmen 5 relativ zu einer dauerhaft befestigten Platte 7 das Mikrokammerarray 4 vor jedem Pipettiervorgang relativ zum Pipettierkopf 11 positioniert wird. For certain applications, it may be advantageous if the plate 7 is not moved over a fixed frame 5, but instead, by moving the holder 3 and frame 5 relative to a permanently fixed plate 7, the micro-chamber array 4 is positioned relative to the pipetting head 11 before each pipetting process ,

Claims

PipettiervorrichtungP a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e : Pipetting device Patent claims:
1. Pipettiervorrichtung zum automatisierten Pipettieren chemischer Substanzen in Mikrokammerarrays mit einem mindestens ein Mikrokammerarray aufnehmenden Halter und einem beweglich angebrachten Pipettierkopf, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Pipettierkopf (11) mittels einer Haltevorrichtung auf einer Platte (7) befestigt ist, die den Bewegungen des Pipettierkopfs (11) während des Pipettiervorgangs folgend gleitend oder in geringem Abstand über das Mikrokam- merarray (4) geführt wird und in Verbindung mit einem das Mikrokammerarray (4) dicht umgebenden Rahmen (5) einen geschlossenen Gasraum (14) oberhalb des Mikrokammerarrays (4) bildet, in welches der Pipettierkopf (11) durch eine passende Öffnung (13) in der Platte (7) ragt.1. Pipetting device for automated pipetting of chemical substances in micro-chamber arrays with a holder receiving at least one micro-chamber array and a movably attached pipetting head, characterized in that the pipetting head (11) is fastened on a plate (7) by means of a holding device, which prevents the movements of the pipetting head ( 11) is subsequently guided over the microchamber array (4) in a sliding manner or at a short distance during the pipetting process and forms a closed gas space (14) above the microchamber array (4) in connection with a frame (5) which surrounds the microchamber array (4) , into which the pipetting head (11) protrudes through a suitable opening (13) in the plate (7).
2. Pipettiervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Pipettierkopf (11) aus der Öffnung (13) in der Platte (7) heraus -senkrecht beweglich ist.2. Pipetting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pipetting head (11) from the opening (13) in the plate (7) is vertically movable.
3. Pipettiervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Pipettierkopf (11) an einem senkrecht be¬ weglichen Haltearm (10) befestigt ist, der auf einem Schlitten (9) entlang einer Führungsschiene (8) auf der Platte (7) längsverschiebbar ist.3. Pipetting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pipetting head (11) is attached to a vertically be ¬ movable holding arm (10) on a Carriage (9) along a guide rail (8) on the plate (7) is longitudinally displaceable.
4. Pipettiervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Platte (7) so groß ist, daß auch bei jenseits des Rahmens (5) neben dem Mikrokammerarray (4) positionierter Öffnung (13) in der Platte (7) der das Mikrokammerarray (4) dicht umgebende Rahmen (5) vollständig bedeckt ist.4. pipetting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (7) is so large that even beyond the frame (5) next to the micro-chamber array (4) positioned opening (13) in the plate (7) of the micro-chamber array ( 4) tightly surrounding frame (5) is completely covered.
4. Pipettiervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß innerhalb des geschlossenen Gasraums (14) am Rahmen (5) entlang eine ein Flüssigkeitsvolumen aufnehmende, grabenartige Rinne (16) angeordnet ist.4. Pipetting device according to claim 1, characterized in that within the closed gas space (14) on the frame (5) along a liquid volume receiving trench-like groove (16) is arranged.
5. Pipettiervorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Platte (7) gleitend auf einer oberhalb der grabenartige Rinne (16) angebrachten Gleitauflage (6) mit einer Abstreifkante (15) bewegt wird.5. Pipetting device according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate (7) is slidably moved on a above the trench-like groove (16) attached sliding support (6) with a scraper edge (15).
6. Pipettiervorrichung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Temperatur des Mikrokammerarrays (4) regelbar ist.6. Pipetting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature of the micro-chamber array (4) is adjustable.
7. Pipettiervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Temperatur der oberhalb des Mikrokammerarrays (4) bewegbaren Platte (7) regelbar ist.7. Pipetting device according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that the temperature of the above the micro-chamber array (4) movable plate (7) is adjustable.
8. Pipettiervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekenn- zeichnet, daß die oberhalb des Mikrokammerarrays (4) bewegbare Platte (7) optisch transparent ist. 8. Pipetting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (7) which is movable above the micro-chamber array (4) is optically transparent.
EP01927898A 2000-04-28 2001-04-09 Pipette device with evaporation protection plate Withdrawn EP1277058A1 (en)

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DE10020771A DE10020771A1 (en) 2000-04-28 2000-04-28 Pipetting device
DE10020771 2000-04-28
PCT/EP2001/004038 WO2001084163A1 (en) 2000-04-28 2001-04-09 Pipette device with evaporation protection plate

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