EP2123359B1 - Pipette device for aspirating and dispensing a metered liquid - Google Patents

Pipette device for aspirating and dispensing a metered liquid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2123359B1
EP2123359B1 EP08008525A EP08008525A EP2123359B1 EP 2123359 B1 EP2123359 B1 EP 2123359B1 EP 08008525 A EP08008525 A EP 08008525A EP 08008525 A EP08008525 A EP 08008525A EP 2123359 B1 EP2123359 B1 EP 2123359B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
cylinder
work
pipetting apparatus
pipetting
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EP08008525A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2123359A1 (en
Inventor
Armin Panzer
Patrick Schelling
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Hamilton Bonaduz AG
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Hamilton Bonaduz AG
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Priority to EP08008525A priority Critical patent/EP2123359B1/en
Priority to AT08008525T priority patent/ATE511921T1/en
Priority to ES08008525T priority patent/ES2364990T3/en
Priority to JP2009109567A priority patent/JP4855496B2/en
Priority to US12/435,772 priority patent/US8245586B2/en
Publication of EP2123359A1 publication Critical patent/EP2123359A1/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
    • B01L3/021—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
    • B01L3/0217—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids of the plunger pump type
    • 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
    • B01L2200/143—Quality control, feedback systems
    • B01L2200/146—Employing pressure sensors
    • 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
    • B01L2200/143—Quality control, feedback systems
    • B01L2200/147—Employing temperature sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
    • B01L2300/0627—Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
    • B01L2400/0475—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
    • B01L2400/0478—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure pistons

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pipetting device for aspirating and dispensing a dosing fluid by means of a different working fluid, wherein the working fluid is housed in a variable volume working space extending along a channel axis and at least at least along an axial portion thereof with respect to the channel axis is formed by a piston-cylinder system, with a cylinder bounding the working chamber along a cylinder section in the radial direction and with a piston bounding the working chamber in a first axial direction, wherein the cylinder and piston are arranged to be movable relative to one another, so that the piston Cylinder system has an open for aspiration and dispensing axial dosing L jossend Scheme and an axial working longitudinal end region closed by the piston.
  • Such pipetting devices are for example from the EP-A-1 745 851 or the EP-A-1 412 759 known. From these documents is also known to measure the pressure of the working fluid in order to draw conclusions about the proper course of a performed aspiration and / or dispensation can.
  • Pipetting devices of the type mentioned above are used for high-precision dosing of fluids, especially liquids, in laboratories and in industry.
  • the amount of absorbable, ie aspiratable dosing fluid is limited by the maximum possible change in the volume of the working space of the pipetting device.
  • the volume of the involvement of the piston with limited working space is changed to a greater extent than if the piston, as known from the prior art, an inner piston, which in the interior of the cylinder at the Cylinder inner wall is guided.
  • the difference in the working volume change at the same stroke of a pipetting device of the present invention in comparison with the prior art corresponds to the volume from the cross-sectional area of the cylinder wall multiplied by the stroke.
  • the working space is formed at least along an axial portion of the working space by a piston-cylinder system
  • a piston-cylinder system contributes to the formation of the working space.
  • pipetting tips and the like which likewise contribute to the volume of the working space in the case of their coupling, can be coupled to the piston-cylinder system.
  • the piston-cylinder system is limited by the piston in the first axial direction from the interior of the piston-cylinder system and is open in a second axial direction opposite to the first direction, so that in this second direction one by enlargement or reduction the working space caused pressure change in the working fluid can act on the dosing and this can thus be directed into the working space or out of this.
  • channel axis is usually a straight-line channel axis. However, it should not be excluded that the channel axis can also take a curvilinear course, if this should be necessary for special applications.
  • cylinder section is meant the axial section of the pipetting channel along which the cylinder extends.
  • the tightness required to operate the working space may be established between the piston and cylinder by confronting a radially outer surface of the cylinder in a working cylinder end region near the working longitudinal end region of the piston-cylinder system with a radially inner surface of the piston one of the two surfaces is provided a seal which on the other surface is applied to seal the piston and the cylinder against each other and thus the working space from the environment.
  • the piston may have a depression, which, based on the channel axis and when viewed in the mounted state, is limited in the radial direction by a piston skirt circulating around the channel axis, is limited in the first axial direction by a piston crown, and is open in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction.
  • piston skirt for reasons of particularly simple production is advantageously cylindrical.
  • the piston if injection-molded, can be provided with draft angles so that the piston skirt tapers or widens from its open longitudinal end to the piston crown.
  • the piston-cylinder system can then be easily configured with outer piston when the working cylinder end portion is received in the recess of the piston such that the piston and cylinder are movable relative to each other.
  • such a pressure sensor is usually coupled via a lateral opening in the cylinder wall to the working space.
  • the pressure is merely a preferred state variable of the working fluid, which is particularly easily detectable and meaningful with regard to the quality of a dosing process.
  • the pipetting device if the sensor is provided at the greatest possible distance from the actual location of the recording of the working fluid in the working space in order to avoid interaction between sensor and dosing fluid as much as possible, in particular mutual contamination or malfunction of the sensor. Therefore, to monitor the quality of a dosing with a pipetting a sensor is received on the piston, which is adapted to detect at least one state variable of the working fluid, preferably the pressure thereof.
  • the temperature and / or the density of the working fluid could be detected.
  • the outer bulb of the pipetting device according to the invention is formed with a depression, so that it can be provided for attachment of the sensor to the piston that a recess bounding the piston wall has an opening at which the sensor is provided for detecting the state variable.
  • a particularly functionally reliable and space-saving possibility for mounting the sensor on the piston is to close the opening in the piston wall with the sensor. Particularly preferred, because it saves a considerable amount of space, it is when the sensor forms part of a piston wall bounding the recess of the piston. In this case, not only the case is to be detected that the sensor forms an integral part of the piston wall, but also that case in which the sensor, optionally via a substrate or the like, is attached directly to the closing of the opening on the piston.
  • the senor can be arranged in the region of the piston crown, in particular form a part of the same.
  • the piston is formed at least in two parts, with a shell part which has at least one passage opening, and with a cover part which is connected to the shell part such that it closes the at least one passage opening on one side.
  • the shell part then forms with respect to the channel axis a radial wall of the piston-cylinder system formed using the piston, while the cover part forms an axially facing interface of the piston.
  • the senor can be arranged so as to save space so that it is traversed by the virtual channel axis.
  • At least one sensor for detecting a state variable of the working fluid can be provided on the cover part.
  • the sensor is arranged at a location which in the mounted state of the pipetting device is aligned axially with the passage opening in the casing part, ie is located radially within a boundary wall of the casing part for limiting the passage opening in an end region near the lid part.
  • a pipetting head with a plurality of working spaces, which are preferably arranged in the manner of a matrix.
  • a matrix is preferably a matrix applied in mutually orthogonal rows and columns.
  • the individual work spaces are usually formed separately from each other.
  • a quality check of dosing is particularly simple and thorough possible if each workspace is assigned a sensor for detecting a state variable of the working fluid.
  • the shell part can be designed as a perforated plate to form a plurality of outer pistons.
  • the thickness of the perforated plate can be oriented at the desired stroke of the outer bulb, so that the thickness of the shell part at least corresponds to the desired stroke of the outer bulb, optionally with the addition of safety distances for seals and collision avoidance.
  • a plurality of state-size sensors can be arranged on the cover part, preferably these are also arranged in a matrix, in accordance with the intended arrangement of outer bulb. It is particularly simple to arrange the state-size sensors on an end face of the cover part on the surface thereof, although it should not be ruled out that the cover part has depressions or even passage openings in which the state-size sensors are accommodated.
  • the at least one state variable sensor is connected via lines to a control and / or computer unit, which processes signals supplied by the state variable sensor.
  • FIG. 1 is an essential portion of a pipetting device according to the invention generally designated 10. It is a multi-pipetting head with 384 pipetting channels 12, which are arranged in an orthogonal matrix of 16 ⁇ 24 pipetting channels 12.
  • Each pipetting channel 12 runs along a channel axis K from a metering-side longitudinal end 14 of the pipetting device 10 to a working-side longitudinal end 16 thereof.
  • the starting point of the description of the pipetting device 10 according to the invention is a frame-fixed central support plate 18, on which metallic cylinders 20 are received via insulation elements 22 made of electrically insulating elastomer.
  • the cylinders 20, which are formed as a hollow cylinder, are thus stationary, ie machine frame fixed to the support plate 18 added.
  • the pipetting channels 12 are connected to a signal line connection 23, of which only one is shown for the sake of simplicity.
  • FIG. 1 located below the frame-fixed support plate 18 is a relative to this along the channel axes K movable Quetschplatte 24, which in a conventional manner, the coupling of in the FIGS. 1 to 4 not shown pipetting tips on coupling ends 26 of the pipetting device 10 allows.
  • a scraper plate 30 movable relative to the support plate 18 along the channel axes K ensures safe ejection of pipetting tips from the coupling ends 26 of the pipetting channels 12 and thus for decoupling of pipetting tips from the pipetting tips FIG. 1 illustrated multiple pipetting head.
  • the cylinders 20 are also surrounded by an elastomeric isolation element 32 in the crimp plate 24 for electrical isolation therefrom.
  • the isolation elements 32 are arranged in the Quetschplatte 24 with a radial distance from the cylinders 20 so as not to hinder a relative movement of the Quetschplatte 24 relative to the cylinders 20.
  • the pipetting channels 12 each have a crimp ring 34, which by an axial movement of the Quetschplatte 24 in the FIGS. 1 and 2 is compressed axially below mediation of the ferrules 28 and thereby radially expanded due to its transverse contraction properties, so that a pipette tip, depending on the configuration of their in the coupling state the squeezing ring 34 radially outwardly negative feedback geometry frictionally and / or positively at the coupling end 26 of the pipetting 12th can be held.
  • FIG. 1 provided on the support plate 18 relative to this longitudinal of the channel axes K movable a metering plate 36.
  • This metering plate 36 which is drivable relative to the carrier plate 18 in the direction of the channel axes K for movement via a partially shown movement drive mechanism 38, forms a plurality of outer pistons 40 which radially and axially externally surround a working cylinder longitudinal end 20a of the cylinder 20.
  • the outer pistons 40 formed by the metering plate 36 have a depression 42 into which the area of the working cylinder longitudinal end 20a of the cylinders 20 is received.
  • Each pipetting channel 12 thus comprises a working space 44, which is defined by the filled with working fluid volume of the recess 42 of the piston 40 and in the FIGS. 1 to 4 Not shown inner volume in the cavity of the cylinder 20 and thus at least until the metering cylinder end 20 b of the cylinder 20 is sufficient.
  • the working space still extends as far as the axial longitudinal ends of the pipetting channels 12, ie up to the openings of the coupling ends 26 and, in the case of coupled pipetting tips, even into the pipetting tips.
  • the portion of the working spaces 44 surrounded by the pistons 40 and the cylinders 20 is of particular interest.
  • the cylindrical inner wall of the piston 40 is formed by a cylindrical insulating member 46 from each other for the purpose of electrical insulation of pistons and cylinders.
  • the metering plate 36 is formed in several parts in the present example, namely by a shell part 54 which contains a plurality of through holes 56 and is thus configured as a perforated plate of predetermined thickness.
  • the shell part 54 is closed by a cover part 58 in a first direction E, wherein a sealing mat 60 with through-openings 62 is provided for sealing the working space 44 at the contact point between the cover part 58 and the shell part 56.
  • a pressure sensor 64 is arranged for each pipetting channel 12. These pressure sensors 64, of which in FIG. 4 only one is shown, close the through holes 62 of the sealing mat 60 and thus form part of the piston crown 66th
  • the pressure sensors 64 are connected via signal lines, not shown, to a computer unit for evaluating the signals supplied by the pressure sensors 64.

Abstract

The apparatus (10) has a hollow shaped metallic cylinder (20) delimiting a work space (44) along a cylinder section in a radial direction, and a pot-shaped hollow outer piston (40) delimiting the work space in axial direction. The cylinder and the piston move with respect to each other such that a piston-cylinder system has an axial longitudinal end region for metering liquids and an axial longitudinal end region for work. The piston surrounds outer side of the cylinder in the longitudinal region for work. The piston accommodates a pressure sensor (64) for acquiring pressure of a work fluid.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Pipettiervorrichtung zur Aspiration und Dispensation eines Dosierfluids mit Hilfe eines von diesem verschiedenen Arbeitsfluids, wobei das Arbeitsfluid in einem Arbeitsraum mit veränderlichem Volumen aufgenommen ist, welcher sich längs einer Kanalachse erstreckt und bezogen auf die Kanalachse zumindest zumindest längs eines axialen Abschnitts desselben durch ein Kolben-Zylinder-System gebildet ist, mit einem den Arbeitsraum längs eines Zylinderabschnitts in radialer Richtung begrenzenden Zylinder und mit einem den Arbeitsraum in einer ersten axialen Richtung begrenzenden Kolben, wobei Zylinder und Kolben relativ zueinander beweglich angeordnet sind, so dass das Kolben-Zylinder-System einen zur Aspiration und Dispensation offenen axialen Dosier-Längsendbereich und einen durch den Kolben geschlossenen axialen Arbeits-Längsendbereich aufweist.The present invention relates to a pipetting device for aspirating and dispensing a dosing fluid by means of a different working fluid, wherein the working fluid is housed in a variable volume working space extending along a channel axis and at least at least along an axial portion thereof with respect to the channel axis is formed by a piston-cylinder system, with a cylinder bounding the working chamber along a cylinder section in the radial direction and with a piston bounding the working chamber in a first axial direction, wherein the cylinder and piston are arranged to be movable relative to one another, so that the piston Cylinder system has an open for aspiration and dispensing axial dosing Längsendbereich and an axial working longitudinal end region closed by the piston.

Derartige Pipettiervorrichtungen sind beispielsweise aus der EP-A-1 745 851 oder der EP-A-1 412 759 bekannt. Aus diesen Druckschriften ist überdies bekannt, den Druck des Arbeitsfluids zu messen, um hieraus Rückschlüsse über den ordnungsgemäßen Ablauf einer durchgeführten Aspiration oder/und Dispensation ziehen zu können.Such pipetting devices are for example from the EP-A-1 745 851 or the EP-A-1 412 759 known. From these documents is also known to measure the pressure of the working fluid in order to draw conclusions about the proper course of a performed aspiration and / or dispensation can.

Pipettiervorrichtungen der eingangs genannten Art dienen der hoch genauen Dosierung von Fluiden, insbesondere Flüssigkeiten, in Labors und in der Industrie.Pipetting devices of the type mentioned above are used for high-precision dosing of fluids, especially liquids, in laboratories and in industry.

Die Menge an aufnehmbarem, also aspirierbarem Dosierfluid ist dabei begrenzt durch die maximal mögliche Änderung des Volumens des Arbeitsraums der Pipettiervorrichtung.The amount of absorbable, ie aspiratable dosing fluid is limited by the maximum possible change in the volume of the working space of the pipetting device.

Da in der Regel Pipettiervorrichtungen zur Anwendung kommen, bei welchen mehrere sogenannte "Pipettierkanäle", welche jeweils über einen Arbeitsraum verfügen, matrixartig zeilen- und spaltenweise angeordnet sind, sind die einen Pipettierkanal bildenden Komponenten miniaturisiert ausgebildet, so dass nicht nur die Arbeitsräume ein absolut gesehen kleines Volumen aufweisen, sondern auch die Relativbewegung von Kolben und Zylinder des Kolben-Zylinder-Systems lediglich eine kleine Arbeitsvolumenänderung ermöglicht, was das zu aspirierende und zu dispensierende Volumen an Dosierfluid nach oben begrenzt.Since usually pipetting devices are used, in which several so-called "Pipettierkanäle", each having a working space, are arranged like a row and column by column, the pipetting channel forming components are miniaturized, so that not only the workrooms seen an absolute Having small volume, but also the relative movement of the piston and cylinder of the piston-cylinder system allows only a small change in working volume, which limits the aspirating and dispensing volume of dosing to the top.

Die in den oben genannten Druckschriften des Standes der Technik offenbarten Drucksensoren, welche an jedem Pipettierkanal in der Regel seitlich vorgesehen sind, benötigen zusätzlich Bauraum, der zu Lasten des Kolben-Zylinder-Systems eingespart wird, was die maximal mögliche Arbeitsvolumenänderung weiter verringert.The disclosed in the above-mentioned publications of the prior art pressure sensors, which are usually provided laterally on each pipette, require additional space, which is saved at the expense of the piston-cylinder system, which further reduces the maximum possible change in working volume.

Es ist daher Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, eine Pipettiervorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art derart weiterzubilden, dass mit ihr bei im Wesentlichen gleichem Relativbewegungsbereich zwischen Kolben und Zylinder eine größere Menge an Dosierfluid aufgenommen werden kann als dies bisher im Stand der Technik möglich ist.It is therefore an object of the present invention, a pipetting device of the type mentioned in such a way that with her at substantially the same range of relative movement between the piston and cylinder, a larger amount of dosing fluid can be added than is possible in the prior art.

Diese Aufgabe wird gelöst durch eine gattungsgemäße Pipettiervorrichtung, bei welcher der Kolben als Außenkolben ausgebildet ist und im Arbeits-Längsendbereich des Kolben-Zylinder-Systems den Zylinder außen umgibt und auf dem kolben ein Sensor aufgenommen ist.This object is achieved by a generic pipetting device, in which the piston is designed as an outer piston and the outer circumferential region of the piston-cylinder system surrounds the cylinder outside and on the piston, a sensor is received.

Durch die Ausgestaltung des Kolbens als Außenkolben wird bei gleichem Hub das Volumen des unter Beteiligung des Kolbens mit begrenzten Arbeitsraums in stärkerem Maße verändert, als wenn der Kolben, wie aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt, ein Innenkolben wäre, der im Inneren des Zylinders an der Zylinderinnenwand geführt ist. Der Unterschied der Arbeitsvolumenänderung bei gleichem Hub einer Pipettiervorrichtung der vorliegenden Erfindung im Vergleich zum Stand der Technik entspricht dabei dem Volumen aus der Querschnittsfläche der Zylinderwand multipliziert mit dem Hub.Due to the design of the piston as an outer bulb, the volume of the involvement of the piston with limited working space is changed to a greater extent than if the piston, as known from the prior art, an inner piston, which in the interior of the cylinder at the Cylinder inner wall is guided. The difference in the working volume change at the same stroke of a pipetting device of the present invention in comparison with the prior art corresponds to the volume from the cross-sectional area of the cylinder wall multiplied by the stroke.

Wenn in der vorliegenden Anmeldung ausgesagt ist, dass der Arbeitsraum zumindest längs eines axialen Abschnitts des Arbeitsraums durch ein Kolben-Zylinder-System gebildet ist, so soll dadurch lediglich angezeigt sein, dass ein Kolben-Zylinder-System zur Bildung des Arbeitsraums beiträgt. An das Kolben-Zylinder-System können, wie aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt, etwa Pipettierspitzen und dergleichen ankoppelbar sein, welche im Falle ihrer Ankopplung ebenfalls zum Volumen des Arbeitsraums beitragen.If it is stated in the present application that the working space is formed at least along an axial portion of the working space by a piston-cylinder system, it is merely intended to indicate that a piston-cylinder system contributes to the formation of the working space. As is known from the prior art, pipetting tips and the like, which likewise contribute to the volume of the working space in the case of their coupling, can be coupled to the piston-cylinder system.

Das Kolben-Zylinder-System ist ausgehend vom Inneren des Kolben-Zylinder-Systems in der ersten axialen Richtung durch den Kolben begrenzt und ist in einer der ersten Richtung entgegengesetzten zweiten axialen Richtung offen, so dass in dieser zweiten Richtung eine durch eine Vergrößerung oder Verkleinerung des Arbeitsraums bewirkte Druckänderung im Arbeitsfluid auf das Dosierfluid einwirken kann und dieses somit in den Arbeitsraum hinein oder aus diesem heraus geleitet werden kann.The piston-cylinder system is limited by the piston in the first axial direction from the interior of the piston-cylinder system and is open in a second axial direction opposite to the first direction, so that in this second direction one by enlargement or reduction the working space caused pressure change in the working fluid can act on the dosing and this can thus be directed into the working space or out of this.

Die genannte Kanalachse ist in der Regel eine geradlinige Kanalachse. Jedoch soll nicht ausgeschlossen sein, dass die Kanalachse auch einen krummlinigen Verlauf annehmen kann, wenn dies für Sonderanwendungen erforderlich sein sollte.The named channel axis is usually a straight-line channel axis. However, it should not be excluded that the channel axis can also take a curvilinear course, if this should be necessary for special applications.

Mit "Zylinderabschnitt" ist der axiale Abschnitt des Pipettierkanals bezeichnet, längs welchem sich der Zylinder erstreckt.By "cylinder section" is meant the axial section of the pipetting channel along which the cylinder extends.

Die zum Funktionieren des Arbeitsraums erforderliche Dichtigkeit kann zwischen Kolben und Zylinder dadurch hergestellt sein, dass einer radial äußeren Fläche des Zylinders in einem dem Arbeits-Längsendbereich des Kolben-Zylinder-Systems nahen Arbeits-Zylinderendbereich eine radial innere Fläche des Kolbens gegenüberliegt, wobei an wenigstens einer der beiden Flächen eine Dichtung vorgesehen ist, welche an der jeweils anderen Fläche anliegt, um den Kolben und den Zylinder gegeneinander und somit den Arbeitsraum gegen die Umgebung abzudichten.The tightness required to operate the working space may be established between the piston and cylinder by confronting a radially outer surface of the cylinder in a working cylinder end region near the working longitudinal end region of the piston-cylinder system with a radially inner surface of the piston one of the two surfaces is provided a seal which on the other surface is applied to seal the piston and the cylinder against each other and thus the working space from the environment.

Zur Aufnahme des Zylinders im Außenkolben kann der Kolben eine Vertiefung aufweisen, welche, bezogen auf die Kanalachse und bei Betrachtung im montierten Zustand, in radialer Richtung durch einen um die Kanalachse umlaufenden Kolbenmantel begrenzt ist, in der ersten axialen Richtung durch einen Kolbenboden begrenzt ist und in einer der ersten axialen Richtung entgegengesetzten zweiten axialen Richtung offen ist.For receiving the cylinder in the outer bulb, the piston may have a depression, which, based on the channel axis and when viewed in the mounted state, is limited in the radial direction by a piston skirt circulating around the channel axis, is limited in the first axial direction by a piston crown, and is open in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction.

Dies führt zu einem Kolben mit topfförmiger Ausnehmung, wobei der Kolbenmantel aus Gründen besonders einfacher Fertigung vorteilhafterweise zylindrisch ausgebildet ist. Es soll jedoch nicht ausgeschlossen sein, dass der Kolben dann, wenn er spritzgusstechnisch hergestellt ist, mit Entformschrägen versehen sein kann, so dass sich der Kolbenmantel von seinem offenen Längsende zum Kolbenboden hin verjüngt oder aufweitet.This leads to a piston with cup-shaped recess, wherein the piston skirt for reasons of particularly simple production is advantageously cylindrical. However, it should not be ruled out that the piston, if injection-molded, can be provided with draft angles so that the piston skirt tapers or widens from its open longitudinal end to the piston crown.

Um einen möglichst großen Kolbenhub realisieren zu können, ist es von Vorteil, die oben angesprochene Dichtung zur Abdichtung von Kolben und Zylinder gegeneinander am kolbenbodenfernen Längsendbereich des Kolbenmantels oder/und im Arbeits-Zylinderendbereich des Zylinders anzuordnen.In order to realize the largest possible piston stroke, it is advantageous to arrange the above-mentioned seal for sealing the piston and cylinder against each other on Kolbenboden remote longitudinal end of the piston skirt and / or in working cylinder end of the cylinder.

Das Kolben-Zylinder-System kann dann einfach mit Außenkolben ausgestaltet sein, wenn der Arbeits-Zylinderendbereich in der Vertiefung des Kolbens derart aufgenommen ist, dass Kolben und Zylinder relativ zueinander beweglich sind.The piston-cylinder system can then be easily configured with outer piston when the working cylinder end portion is received in the recess of the piston such that the piston and cylinder are movable relative to each other.

Dabei sei ausdrücklich darauf hingewiesen, dass es für das Funktionieren der erfindungsgemäßen Pipettiervorrichtung keine Rolle spielt, ob der Kolben maschinengestellfest und der Zylinder beweglich an der Pipettiervorrichtung vorgesehen ist oder umgekehrt, oder ob gegebenenfalls sogar sowohl Kolben als auch Zylinder relativ zu einem ortsfesten Gestell der Pipettiervorrichtung beweglich angeordnet sind.It should be expressly understood that it does not matter to the functioning of the pipetting device according to the invention, whether the piston machine frame fixed and the cylinder is provided movably on the pipetting or vice versa, or if necessary even both piston and cylinder relative to a fixed frame of the pipetting device are movably arranged.

Wie bereits oben im Zusammenhang mit dem Stand der Technik angedeutet wurde, ist es bekannt, den Druck des Arbeitsfluids im Arbeitsraum zu messen, um daraus Rückschlüsse auf die Qualität eines Dosiervorgangs zu ziehen.As has already been indicated above in connection with the prior art, it is known to measure the pressure of the working fluid in the working space in order to draw conclusions about the quality of a dosing process.

Im Stand der Technik ist ein solcher Drucksensor in der Regel über eine seitliche Öffnung in der Zylinderwand an den Arbeitsraum angekoppelt.In the prior art, such a pressure sensor is usually coupled via a lateral opening in the cylinder wall to the working space.

Weiterhin ist der Druck lediglich eine bevorzugte Zustandsgröße des Arbeitsfluids, welche besonders leicht erfassbar und aussagekräftig hinsichtlich der Qualität eines Dosiervorgangs ist.Furthermore, the pressure is merely a preferred state variable of the working fluid, which is particularly easily detectable and meaningful with regard to the quality of a dosing process.

Weiterhin ist es für die Pipettiervorrichtung von Vorteil, wenn der Sensor in möglichst großer Entfernung vom tatsächlichen Ort der Aufnahme des Arbeitsfluids in den Arbeitsraum vorgesehen ist, um eine Wechselwirkung zwischen Sensor und Dosierfluid möglichst zu vermeiden, insbesondere eine wechselseitige Verschmutzung oder eine Funktionsstörung des Sensors. Daher ist zur Qualitätsüberwachung eines Dosiervorgangs mit einer Pipettiervorrichtung an dem Kolben ein Sensor aufgenommen, welcher dazu ausgebildet ist, wenigstens eine Zustandsgröße des Arbeitsfluids, vorzugsweise dessen Druck, zu erfassen.Furthermore, it is advantageous for the pipetting device if the sensor is provided at the greatest possible distance from the actual location of the recording of the working fluid in the working space in order to avoid interaction between sensor and dosing fluid as much as possible, in particular mutual contamination or malfunction of the sensor. Therefore, to monitor the quality of a dosing with a pipetting a sensor is received on the piston, which is adapted to detect at least one state variable of the working fluid, preferably the pressure thereof.

Als andere oder weitere Zustandsgrößen könnten beispielsweise die Temperatur oder/und die Dichte des Arbeitsfluids erfasst werden.As other or further state variables, for example, the temperature and / or the density of the working fluid could be detected.

Wie oben bereits gesagt wurde, ist der Außenkolben der erfindungsgemäßen Pipettiervorrichtung mit einer Vertiefung ausgebildet, so dass zur Anbringung des Sensors am Kolben vorgesehen sein kann, dass eine die Vertiefung begrenzende Kolbenwandung eine Öffnung aufweist, an welcher der Sensor zur Erfassung der Zustandsgröße vorgesehen ist.As already stated above, the outer bulb of the pipetting device according to the invention is formed with a depression, so that it can be provided for attachment of the sensor to the piston that a recess bounding the piston wall has an opening at which the sensor is provided for detecting the state variable.

Eine besonders funktionssichere und platzsparende Möglichkeit zur Anbringung des Sensors am Kolben besteht darin, mit dem Sensor die Öffnung in der Kolbenwandung zu verschließen. Besonders bevorzugt, weil in erheblichem Maße platzsparend, ist es, wenn der Sensor einen Teil einer die Vertiefung des Kolbens begrenzenden Kolbenwandung bildet. Dabei soll nicht nur der Fall erfasst sein, dass der Sensor einen integralen Teil der Kolbenwandung bildet, sondern auch jener Fall, bei welchem der Sensor, gegebenenfalls über ein Substrat oder dergleichen, unmittelbar zum Verschließen der Öffnung an dem Kolben angebracht ist.A particularly functionally reliable and space-saving possibility for mounting the sensor on the piston is to close the opening in the piston wall with the sensor. Particularly preferred, because it saves a considerable amount of space, it is when the sensor forms part of a piston wall bounding the recess of the piston. In this case, not only the case is to be detected that the sensor forms an integral part of the piston wall, but also that case in which the sensor, optionally via a substrate or the like, is attached directly to the closing of the opening on the piston.

Besonders einfach und Platz sparend kann der Sensor im Bereich des Kolbenbodens angeordnet sein, insbesondere einen Teil desselben bilden. Hierzu kann konstruktiv vorgesehen sein, dass der Kolben wenigstens zweiteilig ausgebildet ist, mit einem Hüllenteil, welches wenigstens eine Durchgangsöffnung aufweist, und mit einem Deckelteil, welches derart mit dem Hüllenteil verbunden ist, dass es die wenigstens eine Durchgangsöffnung einseitig verschließt. Das Hüllenteil bildet dann bezogen auf die Kanalachse eine radiale Wandung des unter Verwendung des Kolbens gebildeten Kolben-Zylinder-Systems, während das Deckelteil eine in axialer Richtung weisende Grenzfläche des Kolbens bildet.Particularly simple and space-saving, the sensor can be arranged in the region of the piston crown, in particular form a part of the same. For this purpose, it may be provided constructively that the piston is formed at least in two parts, with a shell part which has at least one passage opening, and with a cover part which is connected to the shell part such that it closes the at least one passage opening on one side. The shell part then forms with respect to the channel axis a radial wall of the piston-cylinder system formed using the piston, while the cover part forms an axially facing interface of the piston.

Ganz allgemein kann der Sensor Platz sparend derart angeordnet sein, dass er von der virtuellen Kanalachse durchsetzt ist.Quite generally, the sensor can be arranged so as to save space so that it is traversed by the virtual channel axis.

In diesem Falle kann an dem Deckelteil wenigstens ein Sensor zur Erfassung einer Zustandsgröße des Arbeitsfluids vorgesehen sein. Vorzugsweise ist der Sensor an einer Stelle angeordnet, welche im montierten Zustand der Pipettiervorrichtung axial mit der Durchgangsöffnung im Hüllenteil fluchtet, also radial innerhalb einer Begrenzungswand des Hüllenteils zur Begrenzung der Durchgangsöffnung in einem dem Deckelteil nahen Endbereich gelegen ist. Mit einer derartigen Kombination aus Hüllenteil und Deckelteil lassen sich auch Außenkolben bilden, welche für Mehrfach-Pipettierköpfe geeignet sind, so dass mit einem Hüllenteil und einem Deckelteil eine Mehrzahl von Außenkolben gebildet sein können.In this case, at least one sensor for detecting a state variable of the working fluid can be provided on the cover part. Preferably, the sensor is arranged at a location which in the mounted state of the pipetting device is aligned axially with the passage opening in the casing part, ie is located radially within a boundary wall of the casing part for limiting the passage opening in an end region near the lid part. With such a combination of shell part and cover part can also form outer bulb, which are suitable for multiple pipetting, so that with a shell part and a lid part a plurality may be formed by outer bulb.

Zur Steigerung der Effektivität der hier beschriebenen Pipettiervorrichtung kann diese einen Pipettierkopf mit einer Mehrzahl von Arbeitsräumen aufweisen, welche vorzugsweise matrixartig angeordnet sind. Eine derartige Matrix ist vorzugsweise eine in zueinander orthogonalen Zeilen und Spalten angelegte Matrix. Die einzelnen Arbeitsräume sind dabei in der Regel gesondert voneinander ausgebildet.To increase the effectiveness of the pipetting device described here, it may have a pipetting head with a plurality of working spaces, which are preferably arranged in the manner of a matrix. Such a matrix is preferably a matrix applied in mutually orthogonal rows and columns. The individual work spaces are usually formed separately from each other.

In diesem Falle ist eine Qualitätsüberprüfung von Dosiervorgängen dann besonders einfach und gründlich möglich, wenn jedem Arbeitsraum ein Sensor zur Erfassung einer Zustandsgröße des Arbeitsfluids zugeordnet ist.In this case, a quality check of dosing is particularly simple and thorough possible if each workspace is assigned a sensor for detecting a state variable of the working fluid.

Wie oben bereits angedeutet, kann das Hüllenteil zur Ausbildung einer Mehrzahl von Außenkolben als Lochplatte ausgebildet sein. Dabei kann die Dicke der Lochplatte am gewünschten Hub des Außenkolbens orientiert sein, so dass die Dicke des Hüllenteils wenigstens dem gewünschten Hub des Außenkolbens, gegebenenfalls unter Zugabe von Sicherheitsstrecken für Dichtungen und zur Kollisionsvermeidung entspricht.As already indicated above, the shell part can be designed as a perforated plate to form a plurality of outer pistons. In this case, the thickness of the perforated plate can be oriented at the desired stroke of the outer bulb, so that the thickness of the shell part at least corresponds to the desired stroke of the outer bulb, optionally with the addition of safety distances for seals and collision avoidance.

Dann kann an dem Deckelteil eine Mehrzahl von Zustandsgrößensensoren angeordnet sein, vorzugsweise sind diese ebenfalls matrixartig angeordnet, und zwar entsprechend der vorgesehenen Anordnung von Außenkolben. Besonders einfach sind die Zustandsgrößensensoren an einer Stirnseite des Deckelteils an dessen Oberfläche anzuordnen, wenngleich nicht ausgeschlossen sein soll, dass das Deckelteil Vertiefungen oder sogar Durchgangsöffnung aufweist, in welchen die Zustandsgrößensensoren aufgenommen sind.Then, a plurality of state-size sensors can be arranged on the cover part, preferably these are also arranged in a matrix, in accordance with the intended arrangement of outer bulb. It is particularly simple to arrange the state-size sensors on an end face of the cover part on the surface thereof, although it should not be ruled out that the cover part has depressions or even passage openings in which the state-size sensors are accommodated.

Der wenigstens eine Zustandsgrößensensor ist über Leitungen mit einer Steuer- oder/und Rechnereinheit verbunden, welche vom Zustandsgrößensensor gelieferte Signale verarbeitet.The at least one state variable sensor is connected via lines to a control and / or computer unit, which processes signals supplied by the state variable sensor.

Die vorliegende Erfindung wird im Folgenden anhand der beiliegenden Zeichnungen näher erläutert werden. Es stellt dar:

Fig. 1
einen Längsschnitt durch einen wesentlichen Teil einer erfindungs- gemäßen Pipettiervorrichtung,
Fig. 2
einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt des Bereichs II der Pipettiervorrich- tung von Figur 1,
Fig. 3
einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt des Bereichs III der Pipettiervorrich- tung von Figur 1 und Fig. 4 einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt des Bereichs IV der Pipettiervorrich- tung von Figur 1.
The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:
Fig. 1
a longitudinal section through an essential part of a pipetting device according to the invention,
Fig. 2
an enlarged section of the area II of the pipetting of FIG. 1 .
Fig. 3
an enlarged section of the area III of the pipetting of FIG. 1 and Fig. 4 an enlarged section of the area IV of the pipetting of FIG. 1 ,

In Figur 1 ist ein wesentlicher Abschnitt einer erfindungsgemäßen Pipettiervorrichtung allgemein mit 10 bezeichnet. Es handelt sich dabei um einen Mehrfach-Pipettierkopf mit 384 Pipettierkanälen 12, welche in einer orthogonalen Matrix von 16 x 24 Pipettierkanälen 12 angeordnet sind.In FIG. 1 is an essential portion of a pipetting device according to the invention generally designated 10. It is a multi-pipetting head with 384 pipetting channels 12, which are arranged in an orthogonal matrix of 16 × 24 pipetting channels 12.

Jeder Pipettierkanal 12 verläuft entlang einer Kanalachse K von einem dosierseitigen Längsende 14 der Pipettiervorrichtung 10 bis zu einem arbeitsseitigen Längsende 16 derselben.Each pipetting channel 12 runs along a channel axis K from a metering-side longitudinal end 14 of the pipetting device 10 to a working-side longitudinal end 16 thereof.

Ausgangspunkt der Beschreibung der erfindungsgemäßen Pipettiervorrichtung 10 ist eine gestellfeste mittlere Trägerplatte 18, an welcher metallische Zylinder 20 über Isolationselemente 22 aus elektrisch isolierendem Elastomer aufgenommen sind. Die Zylinder 20, welche als Hohlzylinder ausgebildet sind, sind somit ortsfest, d.h. maschinengestellfest an der Trägerplatte 18 aufgenommen. Die elektrisch isolierenden Isolationselemente 22 dienen der Isolation der elektrisch leitfähigen Zylinder 20 von der ebenfalls elektrisch leitfähigen Trägerplatte 18, so dass für jeden Pipettierkanal 12 gesondert eine kapazitive Füllstandsmessung möglich ist (sogenannte "cLLD" = "capacitive Liquid Level Detection").The starting point of the description of the pipetting device 10 according to the invention is a frame-fixed central support plate 18, on which metallic cylinders 20 are received via insulation elements 22 made of electrically insulating elastomer. The cylinders 20, which are formed as a hollow cylinder, are thus stationary, ie machine frame fixed to the support plate 18 added. The electrically insulating insulating elements 22 are used to isolate the electrically conductive cylinder 20 from the likewise electrically conductive support plate 18 so that a separate capacitive level measurement is possible for each pipetting channel 12 (so-called "cLLD" = "capacitive liquid level detection").

Zu dieser kapazitiven Füllstandsmessung sind die Pipettierkanäle 12 mit einem Signalleitungsanschluss 23 verbunden, von welchen der Einfachheit halber nur einer dargestellt ist.For this capacitive level measurement, the pipetting channels 12 are connected to a signal line connection 23, of which only one is shown for the sake of simplicity.

In Figur 1 befindet sich unterhalb der gestellfesten Trägerplatte 18 eine relativ zu dieser längs der Kanalachsen K bewegliche Quetschplatte 24, welche in an sich bekannter Weise die Ankopplung von in den Figuren 1 bis 4 nicht dargestellten Pipettierspitzen an Kopplungsenden 26 der Pipettiervorrichtung 10 ermöglicht.In FIG. 1 located below the frame-fixed support plate 18 is a relative to this along the channel axes K movable Quetschplatte 24, which in a conventional manner, the coupling of in the FIGS. 1 to 4 not shown pipetting tips on coupling ends 26 of the pipetting device 10 allows.

Eine relativ zur Trägerplatte 18 längs der Kanalachsen K bewegliche Abstreiferplatte 30 sorgt für ein sicheres Abwerfen von Pipettierspitzen von den Kopplungsenden 26 der Pipettierkanäle 12 und somit für eine Entkopplung von Pipettierspitzen von dem in Figur 1 dargestellten Mehrfachpipettierkopf.A scraper plate 30 movable relative to the support plate 18 along the channel axes K ensures safe ejection of pipetting tips from the coupling ends 26 of the pipetting channels 12 and thus for decoupling of pipetting tips from the pipetting tips FIG. 1 illustrated multiple pipetting head.

Ähnlich wie in der Trägerplatte 18 sind die Zylinder 20 auch in der Quetschplatte 24 zur elektrischen Isolation von dieser durch ein elastomeres Isolationselement 32 umgeben. Im Gegensatz zur Trägerplatte 18 sind die Isolationselemente 32 in der Quetschplatte 24 jedoch mit radialem Abstand von den Zylindern 20 angeordnet, um eine Relativbewegung der Quetschplatte 24 relativ zu den Zylindern 20 nicht zu behindern.Similar to the carrier plate 18, the cylinders 20 are also surrounded by an elastomeric isolation element 32 in the crimp plate 24 for electrical isolation therefrom. In contrast to the support plate 18, however, the isolation elements 32 are arranged in the Quetschplatte 24 with a radial distance from the cylinders 20 so as not to hinder a relative movement of the Quetschplatte 24 relative to the cylinders 20.

Nahe der Kopplungsenden 26 weisen die Pipettierkanäle 12 jeweils einen Quetschring 34 auf, welcher durch eine axiale Bewegung der Quetschplatte 24 in den Figuren 1 und 2 nach unten unter Vermittlung der Quetschhülsen 28 axial gestaucht und aufgrund seiner Querkontraktionseigenschaften dadurch radial gedehnt wird, so dass eine Pipettierspitze, je nach Ausgestaltung ihrer im Ankopplungszustand den Quetschring 34 radial außen umgebenden Gegenkopplungsgeometrie, reib- oder/und formschlüssig an dem Kopplungsende 26 der Pipettierkanäle 12 gehalten werden kann.Near the coupling ends 26, the pipetting channels 12 each have a crimp ring 34, which by an axial movement of the Quetschplatte 24 in the FIGS. 1 and 2 is compressed axially below mediation of the ferrules 28 and thereby radially expanded due to its transverse contraction properties, so that a pipette tip, depending on the configuration of their in the coupling state the squeezing ring 34 radially outwardly negative feedback geometry frictionally and / or positively at the coupling end 26 of the pipetting 12th can be held.

Wie aus Figur 1 ersichtlich ist, ist in Figur 1 über der Trägerplatte 18 relativ zu dieser Längs der Kanalachsen K beweglich eine Dosierplatte 36 vorgesehen. Diese Dosierplatte 36, welche über einen nur zum Teil dargestellten Bewegungsantriebsmechanismus 38 relativ zur Trägerplatte 18 in Richtung der Kanalachsen K zur Bewegung antreibbar ist, bildet eine Vielzahl von Außenkolben 40, welche ein Arbeits-Zylinderlängsende 20a der Zylinder 20 radial und axial außen umgeben.How out FIG. 1 is apparent is in FIG. 1 provided on the support plate 18 relative to this longitudinal of the channel axes K movable a metering plate 36. This metering plate 36, which is drivable relative to the carrier plate 18 in the direction of the channel axes K for movement via a partially shown movement drive mechanism 38, forms a plurality of outer pistons 40 which radially and axially externally surround a working cylinder longitudinal end 20a of the cylinder 20.

Die durch die Dosierplatte 36 gebildeten Außenkolben 40 weisen eine Vertiefung 42 auf, in welche der Bereich des Arbeits-Zylinderlängsendes 20a der Zylinder 20 aufgenommen ist.The outer pistons 40 formed by the metering plate 36 have a depression 42 into which the area of the working cylinder longitudinal end 20a of the cylinders 20 is received.

Jede Pipettierkanal 12 umfasst damit einen Arbeitsraum 44, welcher definiert wird durch das mit Arbeitsfluid gefüllte Volumen der Vertiefung 42 der Kolben 40 und dem in den Figuren 1 bis 4 nicht dargestellten Innenvolumen im Hohlraum der Zylinder 20 und somit wenigstens bis zum Dosier-Zylinderlängsende 20b der Zylinder 20 reicht. Tatsächlich reicht der Arbeitsraum noch bis zu den axialen Längsenden der Pipettierkanäle 12, d.h. bis zu den Öffnungen der Kopplungsenden 26 und, im Falle angekoppelter Pipettierspitzen, sogar von dort noch in die Pipettierspitzen hinein.Each pipetting channel 12 thus comprises a working space 44, which is defined by the filled with working fluid volume of the recess 42 of the piston 40 and in the FIGS. 1 to 4 Not shown inner volume in the cavity of the cylinder 20 and thus at least until the metering cylinder end 20 b of the cylinder 20 is sufficient. In fact, the working space still extends as far as the axial longitudinal ends of the pipetting channels 12, ie up to the openings of the coupling ends 26 and, in the case of coupled pipetting tips, even into the pipetting tips.

Für die vorliegende Erfindung ist jedoch der von den Kolben 40 und den Zylindern 20 umgebene Abschnitt der Arbeitsräume 44 von besonderem Interesse.However, for the present invention, the portion of the working spaces 44 surrounded by the pistons 40 and the cylinders 20 is of particular interest.

Die zylindrische Innenwandung der Kolben 40 ist zum Zwecke der elektrischen Isolation von Kolben und Zylindern voneinander durch ein zylindrisches Isolationselement 46 gebildet.The cylindrical inner wall of the piston 40 is formed by a cylindrical insulating member 46 from each other for the purpose of electrical insulation of pistons and cylinders.

In dem in den Figuren 1 bis 4 gezeigten Beispiel ist an dem dem Kolbenboden 48 fernen Längsende 50 der Kolben 40 in jedem Kolben 40 eine um den Zylinder 20 umlaufende und an der Außenwand des Zylinders 20 dichtend anliegende Dichtung 52 vorgesehen, welche den Arbeitsraum 44 zwischen Kolben 40 und Zylinder 20 gegen die Außenumgebung abdichtet.In the in the FIGS. 1 to 4 shown example is provided on the piston head 48 distant longitudinal end 50 of the piston 40 in each piston 40 a circumferential to the cylinder 20 and on the outer wall of the cylinder 20 sealingly fitting seal 52 which the working space 44 between Piston 40 and cylinder 20 seals against the outside environment.

Die Dosierplatte 36 ist im vorliegenden Beispiel mehrteilig gebildet, nämlich durch ein Hüllenteil 54, welches eine Mehrzahl von Durchgangsöffnungen 56 enthält und somit als Lochplatte vorbestimmter Dicke ausgestaltet ist.The metering plate 36 is formed in several parts in the present example, namely by a shell part 54 which contains a plurality of through holes 56 and is thus configured as a perforated plate of predetermined thickness.

Ausgehend von dem Arbeitsraum 44 ist das Hüllenteil 54 in einer ersten Richtung E durch ein Deckelteil 58 verschlossen, wobei zur Abdichtung des Arbeitsraums 44 an der Berührstelle zwischen Deckelteil 58 und Hüllenteil 56 eine Dichtungsmatte 60 mit Durchgangsöffnungen 62 vorgesehen ist.Starting from the working space 44, the shell part 54 is closed by a cover part 58 in a first direction E, wherein a sealing mat 60 with through-openings 62 is provided for sealing the working space 44 at the contact point between the cover part 58 and the shell part 56.

Im Deckelteil 58 sind, jeder Durchgangsbohrung 56 des Hüllenteils 54 zugeordnet, für jeden Pipettierkanal 12 ein Drucksensor 64 angeordnet. Diese Drucksensoren 64, von welchen in Figur 4 lediglich einer dargestellt ist, verschließen die Durchgangsöffnungen 62 der Dichtungsmatte 60 und bilden somit einen Teil des Kolbenbodens 66.In the cover part 58, associated with each through-bore 56 of the shell part 54, a pressure sensor 64 is arranged for each pipetting channel 12. These pressure sensors 64, of which in FIG. 4 only one is shown, close the through holes 62 of the sealing mat 60 and thus form part of the piston crown 66th

Die Drucksensoren 64 sind über nicht dargestellte Signalleitungen mit einer Rechnereinheit zur Auswertung der von den Drucksensoren 64 gelieferten Signalen verbunden.The pressure sensors 64 are connected via signal lines, not shown, to a computer unit for evaluating the signals supplied by the pressure sensors 64.

Claims (14)

  1. Pipetting apparatus for aspiration and dispensation of a metering fluid with the aid of a work fluid which differs from the former, the work fluid being accommodated in a work space with a variable volume which extends along a channel axis and, with reference to the latter, is formed by a piston-cylinder system at least along an axial section of the channel axis, having a cylinder which delimits the work space along a cylinder section in the radial direction and a piston which delimits the work space in a first axial direction, the cylinder and the piston being arranged so that they can move with respect to each other such that the piston-cylinder system has an axial longitudinal end region for metering, which is open for aspiration and dispensation, and an axial longitudinal end region for work which is closed by the piston, the piston being designed as an outer piston and surrounding the cylinder on the outside in the longitudinal end region for work of the piston-cylinder system, characterized in that the piston accommodates a sensor which is designed to acquire at least one state variable of the work fluid, preferably the pressure of the latter.
  2. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 1,
    characterized in that a radially inner surface of the piston lies opposite a radially outer surface of the cylinder in a cylinder end region for work in the vicinity of the longitudinal end region for work of the piston-cylinder system, with a seal being provided on at least one of the two surfaces which butts against the respective other surface in order to seal the piston and the cylinder against one another.
  3. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 2,
    characterized in that the piston has a hollow which, with respect to the channel axis and when observed in the assembled state, is delimited in the radial direction by a piston skirt running about the channel axis and in the first axial direction by a piston head, and which is open in a second axial direction which is counter to the first axial direction.
  4. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 3,
    characterized in that the cylinder end region for work is accommodated in the hollow of the piston such that it can undergo relative motion.
  5. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4,
    characterized in that a piston wall which delimits the hollow has an opening at which the sensor for acquiring the state variable is provided.
  6. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 5,
    characterized in that the sensor closes off the opening.
  7. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 3,
    characterized in that the sensor forms part of a piston wall which delimits the hollow of the piston.
  8. Pipetting apparatus according to one of Claims 5 to 7,
    characterized in that the sensor is arranged in the region of the piston head or forms part of the latter.
  9. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 8, taking Claim 3 into account,
    characterized in that the piston is made from at least two parts, with a casing part with at least one through-hole and with a cover part which is connected to the casing part in such a fashion that it closes off the at least one through-hole on one side.
  10. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 9,
    characterized in that at least one sensor for acquiring a state variable of the work fluid is provided on the cover part, preferably at a point which is axially aligned with the through-hole in the assembled state of the apparatus.
  11. Pipetting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that it has a pipette head with a multiplicity of work spaces which are preferably arranged like a matrix.
  12. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 11,
    characterized in that a sensor for acquiring a state variable of the work fluid is assigned to each work space.
  13. Pipetting apparatus according to Claim 11 or 12, taking Claim 9 into account,
    characterized in that the casing part is a perforated plate.
  14. Pipetting apparatus according to one of Claims 11 to 13, taking Claim 9 into account,
    characterized in that a multiplicity of state variable sensors are arranged, preferably like a matrix, on the cover part, preferably on an end face of the latter.
EP08008525A 2008-05-06 2008-05-06 Pipette device for aspirating and dispensing a metered liquid Active EP2123359B1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08008525A EP2123359B1 (en) 2008-05-06 2008-05-06 Pipette device for aspirating and dispensing a metered liquid
AT08008525T ATE511921T1 (en) 2008-05-06 2008-05-06 PIPETTING DEVICE FOR ASPIRATION AND DISPENSATION OF A DOSING FLUID
ES08008525T ES2364990T3 (en) 2008-05-06 2008-05-06 PIPETAR DEVICE FOR THE ASPIRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF A DOSED FLUID.
JP2009109567A JP4855496B2 (en) 2008-05-06 2009-04-28 Pipetting device for aspiration and dispensing of measuring fluid
US12/435,772 US8245586B2 (en) 2008-05-06 2009-05-05 Pipetting apparatus for aspiration and dispensation of a metering fluid

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EP08008525A EP2123359B1 (en) 2008-05-06 2008-05-06 Pipette device for aspirating and dispensing a metered liquid

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EP2123359B1 true EP2123359B1 (en) 2011-06-08

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US8245586B2 (en) 2012-08-21
ATE511921T1 (en) 2011-06-15
EP2123359A1 (en) 2009-11-25
ES2364990T3 (en) 2011-09-20
JP2009271068A (en) 2009-11-19
JP4855496B2 (en) 2012-01-18
US20090277285A1 (en) 2009-11-12

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