EP4281220A1 - Dispositif de pipetage à main - Google Patents

Dispositif de pipetage à main

Info

Publication number
EP4281220A1
EP4281220A1 EP22700849.7A EP22700849A EP4281220A1 EP 4281220 A1 EP4281220 A1 EP 4281220A1 EP 22700849 A EP22700849 A EP 22700849A EP 4281220 A1 EP4281220 A1 EP 4281220A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipetting
screen
input
parameter
parameters
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22700849.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Alisa GRUSCHKA
Kathlen JOST
Negar Rajabi
Jan Eckhoff
Johannes EGGER
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.)
Eppendorf SE
Original Assignee
Eppendorf SE
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 Eppendorf SE filed Critical Eppendorf SE
Publication of EP4281220A1 publication Critical patent/EP4281220A1/fr
Pending 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
    • 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
    • B01L3/0237—Details of electronic control, e.g. relating to user interface
    • 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
    • B01L2300/02—Identification, exchange or storage of information
    • B01L2300/023—Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
    • 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
    • B01L3/0275—Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
    • 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
    • B01L3/0286—Ergonomic aspects, e.g. form or arrangement of controls

Definitions

  • Such hand-held pipetting devices are commonly used in medical, biological, biochemical, chemical and other laboratories. They are used in the laboratory to transport and transfer fluid samples with small volumes, in particular for precise dosing of the samples.
  • Two known classes of such hand-held pipetting devices differ in the respective physical principle of liquid intake and delivery. The liquid is either metered using the air cushion principle or the principle of direct displacement is used. The first class of devices are referred to as air cushion pipettes, the second class as positive displacement.
  • Air cushion pipettes use a piston and cylinder system to do the actual measurement.
  • An air cushion separates the sample aspirated into a plastic tip from the piston inside the pipette.
  • a vacuum is created in the tip, which causes the liquid to rise into the tip.
  • the air cushion moved by the piston acts like an elastic spring on which the volume of liquid in the tip hangs.
  • Hand-held pipetting devices that work according to the positive displacement principle use tips with an integrated piston as the transfer container, which is coupled to the piston rod of the dosing device during the pipetting process and takes over the actual dosing process. In this case, since the plunger can displace the entire interior volume of the tip, essentially no air cushion forms between the aspirated sample and the end of the plunger.
  • Both classes of hand-held pipetting devices, the air-cushion pipettes and the positive displacement pipettes are also included under the term piston-operated pipette.
  • Hand-held pipettes are designed for one-handed use by human users.
  • laboratory machines with robotized gripping arms whose gripping tools simulate the activities of a human hand for operating a hand-held pipette and which are set up for handling and operating a hand-held pipette.
  • the amount of sample dispensed by a single actuation can correspond to the amount of sample sucked into the device.
  • a quantity of sample taken corresponding to a plurality of delivery quantities is released again step by step.
  • single-channel pipetting devices and multi-channel pipetting devices with single-channel pipetting devices containing only a single dispensing/receiving channel and multi-channel pipetting devices containing multiple dispensing/receiving channels, which in particular allow multiple samples to be dispensed or received in parallel.
  • the hand-held pipetting devices described within the scope of the present invention are hand-held, computer-controlled piston-operated pipettes with an electric piston drive, also referred to as hand-held, electric pipetting devices or hand-held, electric piston-operated pipettes.
  • An example of a prior art hand-held electronic air-cushion pipette is the Eppendorf Xplorer® and Xplorer® plus from Eppendorf AG, Germany, Hamburg;
  • Examples of hand-held, electronic dispensers are the Multipette® E3 and Multipette® E3x from Eppendorf AG, Germany, Hamburg.
  • Electric pipetting devices offer numerous advantages over non-electrical pipetting devices, since a large number of functions are implemented in a simple manner can be.
  • the implementation of specific, program-controlled pipetting processes can be simplified in electric pipetting devices by automating or partially automating them.
  • Typical pipetting parameters for controlling such pipetting processes by means of corresponding pipetting programs relate to the volume when liquid is sucked in or dispensed, its sequence and repetitions, and possibly its time parameters in the time distribution of these processes.
  • An electrical pipetting device can be designed to be operated in one operating mode or in a plurality of operating modes.
  • An operating mode can provide that a set with one or more pipetting parameters of the pipetting device, which influence or control a pipetting process of the pipetting device, is automatically queried, set and/or used.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held pipetting device with an efficient and ergonomic operating concept.
  • the invention relates to a hand-held pipetting device for pipetting at least one liquid sample, with a connecting section for connecting at least one pipetting container, with an electrically controlled movement element for sucking in the at least one sample into the at least one pipetting container, holding the sample in the at least one pipetting container and sample delivery from the at least one pipetting container when carrying out a pipetting process, with a touch-sensitive screen for entering the values of user-definable pipetting parameters, with a parameter set of at least one pipetting parameter defining a pipetting process, with an electrical control device which has a data processing device which programs to control the movement element depending on the at least one pipetting parameter of the parameter set is, with at least one operating element, the actuation of which by the user starts the pipetting process defined according to the parameter set.
  • pipetting devices The advantage of hand-held, electric pipetting devices (referred to below as pipetting devices for short) lies in the electronic configurability of the automated or partially automated pipetting processes in these devices.
  • the challenge is to find an operating concept for such devices, which can implement an unmanageable number of functions, configuration options and programming, that gives the user an intuitive, efficient and ergonomic working experience.
  • the inventors developed an operating concept that solves the problem using a number of inventions, including the invention according to the present claims.
  • Performing an automated pipetting process always includes also at least one user activity that triggers at least the automated pipetting process, usually by actuating an operating element of the pipetting device.
  • Partially automated pipetting processes of certain application scenarios can require, for example, that a user, in addition to starting a pipetting process divided into sub-processes, at least also starts triggering a sub-process by actuating an operating element.
  • the automated pipetting processes of a specific application scenario can be defined by a set of pipetting parameters which the user sets before starting an automated pipetting process using the operating device of a user interface device of the pipetting device and/or adopts from default settings and/or from a memory loads.
  • the user interface of such embodiments of the pipetting device has a selection option, for example a control wheel or a list of selectable fields on a touchscreen, by means of which a so-called "operating mode" can be selected, which represents the specific application scenario or in which the whole Set of pipetting parameters is selected that belong to this specific application scenario and that the user can set before starting the associated automated pipetting process.
  • the automated pipetting process then runs according to a pipetting program specified as an operating program in this operating mode.
  • the pipetting device or data processing device is programmed so that the user manually defines an automated pipetting process by selecting pipetting parameters, and thus in particular defines a set of pipetting parameters (pipetting parameter set) of a user-defined pipetting process.
  • This set of pipetting parameters can partially or completely correspond to a predetermined set of pipetting parameters of an operating mode.
  • a pipetting process typically provides that, according to a pipetting program, a certain amount of sample is taken from a start container into a pipetting container connected to the piston-operated pipette, in particular a pipette tip, and/or is dispensed into a target container, in particular dispensed in doses.
  • a pipetting process can preferably be controlled by at least one, two, three or preferably more pipetting parameters, with which the said pipetting process, or a function or component thereof, can be influenced or defined in the desired manner.
  • These pipetting parameters are preferably at least partially and preferably completely selected and/or entered by the user, in particular via the at least one operating element of the user interface device of a piston-operated pipette or an external data processing device.
  • the pipetting device is in particular set up or the data processing device is programmed to automatically supplement the set of pipetting parameters with at least one further pipetting parameter, in particular as a function of the (selected) pipetting parameters.
  • at least one pipetting parameter is not defined by the user, but is specified, for example, by the pipetting device, in that it is stored there, for example in a known manner, in a data memory or is determined automatically.
  • At least one pipetting parameter is provided, with which the number of immediately consecutive or indirectly consecutive pipetting volumes is defined, preferably at least one pipetting parameter, with which the number of aspiration steps and/or dispensing steps and preferably also the respective associated pipetting volumes, the respective associated pipetting speeds and/or accelerations, and/or the respectively associated time intervals between the steps.
  • Typical pipetting parameters that can be used to manually define user-defined pipetting processes can be found in the following description of typical application scenarios for automated pipetting processes:
  • a typical application scenario which is provided as a partially automated process in pipetting devices, is the dispensing (abbreviated to “DIS”) of a volume taken up in the pipetting container (pipette tip or dispenser tip).
  • DIS dispensing
  • Each partial delivery e.g. the dispensing of a total sample of 1 ml from a pipetting container into a total of ten separate target containers of a microtiter plate, requires the user to position the pipetting device above a storage container with sample liquid to be distributed, dip the tip of the pipetting container into the storage liquid, by actuating a control element takes up a starting volume, triggers a reverse stroke by actuating a control element, whereby the system is brought into a defined starting position, positioned above the first target container, the electrically driven delivery of a metered partial volume of 0.1 ml starts by actuating a control element, the pipetting device above moves and positions the next target container of the microtiter plate, restarts the electrically driven delivery of a metered
  • the dosed delivery of the partial amounts is carried out according to the specification of pipetting parameters including one, several or all of the following pipetting parameters: the total volume of the sample to be distributed, the partial volumes of the sample to be distributed and/or the number of dispensing steps for dispensing the same partial volumes, the sample intake rate and/or a possibly deviating sample dispensing speed, the volume of a reverse stroke, the volume of an overstroke.
  • the dispensing function is particularly suitable for quickly filling a microtiter plate with a reagent liquid and can be used, for example, to carry out an ELISA.
  • An application scenario preferably relates to “Automatic Dispensing” (ADS) a sample.
  • Associated operating parameters are each preferably: the volume of the individual sample, relating to the pipetting volume during one of several dispensing steps; the number of dispensing steps; the duration of the time interval according to which the dispensing steps are automatically carried out one after the other at constant time intervals--the time interval can define these time intervals or, for example, the delay between the end and the beginning of successive dispensing steps; the speed at which the sample(s) is taken up; the rate at which the sample(s) is dispensed.
  • This dispensing function is even more convenient for filling a microtiter plate, since the user does not have to repeatedly trigger a dispensing step by pressing a button, for example, but dispensing is time-controlled after the automatic dispensing has started.
  • the execution of the operating program belonging to such a set of pipetting parameters the automatic dispensing can take place under the condition that the corresponding program takes place at least when an actuating element is actuated continuously, for example when a button is continuously pressed. This is advantageous, for example, in the case of long dispensing series or reactions in which precise observation of a time window is required.
  • the automatic dispensing function is even more convenient for filling a microtiter plate, as the user does not have to trigger a single dispensing step himself, but this is done automatically, which can be used to carry out an ELISA, for example.
  • An application scenario preferably relates to the "pipetting with subsequent mixing" (P/Mix) of a sample.
  • Assigned pipetting parameters are preferably: the volume of the sample to be sucked in and/or the sample to be dispensed; the mixing volume; the number of mixing cycles; the speed of picking up the sample; the speed at which the sample is dispensed.
  • the "pipette with subsequent mixing" function is recommended, for example, for pipetting very small volumes. Becomes a dosing volume ⁇ 10 . L is selected, it is advisable to flush this into the respective reaction liquid. This is possible by automatically starting a mixing movement after the liquid has been dispensed.
  • the mixing volume and the mixing cycles are defined beforehand.
  • This operating mode is, for example, the delivery of a liquid that is heavier to dose than water due to its physical properties, the residues of which in the pipette container, in particular the pipette tip, are then rinsed out of the pipette container or pipette tip using the liquid already provided. Another application would be the immediate mixing of the liquid dispensed with the liquid provided.
  • This operating mode is advantageous, for example, when adding DNA to a PCR mixed solution.
  • An application scenario preferably relates to the "multiple recording" of a sample, also referred to as “reverse dispensing” or as "ASP" for aspiration.
  • Associated pipetting parameters are preferably: the volume of the sample(s) to be aspirated; the number of samples; the recording speed; the delivery speed.
  • the function is used for multiple intake of a quantity of liquid and delivery of the total quantity. In this case, multiple filling of the pipetting container in one operation is not provided.
  • the speed is the same for all samples.
  • the following preferably occurs in the embodiment: starting from the basic position, the pipetting device takes up a partial volume in each case by actuating the first type of operating device.
  • This function is used to collect a sample and a diluent, separate them with an air bubble and dispense the whole.
  • the speed is the same for all partial volumes.
  • the following preferably occurs in the embodiment: starting from the basic position, the pipetting device first takes up the diluent volume, then the air bubble and finally the sample. Each recording is preferably triggered separately by actuating the operating device of the first type. Then the total amount is delivered in one go.
  • An application scenario preferably relates to the "sequential dispensing" (SeqD) of samples.
  • the number of samples is preferably the leading parameter for entering the individual volumes.
  • the pipetting device When entering the volume, the pipetting device must always check whether the maximum volume of the pipetting device is not being exceeded; if necessary, a warning message is output. After all parameters have been entered, the pipetting device takes up the total volume after the first type of operating device has been actuated, and an individual volume in each case after the second type of operating device has been actuated. All other processes are preferably like normal dispensing.
  • a button pressing a button, whether the next sample should be taken or before the next one first a "blowout", i.e. a complete, safe blowing out of the sample still contained in the pipetting container by means of overstroke, and/or whether the pipetting container is to be changed.
  • a "blowout" i.e. a complete, safe blowing out of the sample still contained in the pipetting container by means of overstroke, and/or whether the pipetting container is to be changed.
  • An application scenario preferably relates to the "reverse pipetting" (rPip) of samples.
  • Associated pipetting parameters are each preferably: the volume of the individual sample; the speed of recording; the speed of delivery; Activation of the counter.
  • rPip reverse pipetting
  • more than the volume to be dosed is taken up. This is achieved by the piston being moved down before the liquid is taken up, namely by actuation of the second type, i.e., e.g. by pressing a button or "rocker down", to the lower position of a blowout, i.e. an overstroke of the piston, which exceeds the position of the piston during a pipetting stroke.
  • the pipetting device records the volume of the blowout and the set volume.
  • the pipetting device performs an additional stroke, which is released again immediately. This is similar to dispensing, but is preferably done with automatic dispensing of the discard stroke at maximum speed.
  • the piston of the pipetting device automatically moves to the blowout and remains in the lower position.
  • the first type of operating device is actuated: the piston moves upwards by the blowout distance and by the stroke for the pipetting volume.
  • a second type of operating device is actuated: the piston moves the stroke for the pipetting volume down and remains in front of the stand blowout.
  • two actuations of the second type of operating device take place: the piston carries out the blowout and remains in the lower position.
  • the operating device is actuated in the first way: the piston moves the pipetting stroke up.
  • the "rPip” mode is particularly suitable for pipetting plasma, sera and other liquids with a high protein content.
  • the "pipette” mode is particularly suitable for aqueous solutions.
  • the “rPip” mode is particularly suitable for solutions containing wetting agents in order to minimize foaming when dispensing into the target vessel.
  • the liquid is taken up in particular with an overstroke (blowout volume).
  • the overflow typically does not belong to the delivery volume and is preferably not delivered into the target vessel. Especially when the same sample is reused, the overtravel can remain in the tip. If another liquid is used, the overflow and/or preferably the pipetting container is preferably discarded.
  • An operating program in particular a control program for carrying out the desired pipetting process, is preferably controlled by a set of pipetting parameters.
  • the control program can be in the form of electrical circuits of the control device and/or can be in the form of an executable program code that is suitable for controlling a control device that can be controlled by program code and is preferably programmable.
  • the pipetting device or an external data processing device is preferably designed to automatically check the values of the pipetting parameters entered by the user (pipetting parameter values) and to compare them with a permitted range of the respective pipetting parameter. If the pipetting parameter value entered by the user is outside the permissible range, the input is either not accepted, a warning is issued on the screen and/or acoustically, or it is set to a default value, which is e.g. the minimum value or the maximum value or the last permissible value entered can be, or an automatically corrected value is used.
  • the pipetting device preferably has at least one touch-sensitive or non-touch-sensitive screen and/or preferably a number of at least partially predefined display pages (also referred to as “screen pages”) that are stored in the pipetting device in the form of display page data and that can be displayed on one screen or distributed over several screens, preferably to fill the entire screen.
  • the screen area is preferably essentially rectangular, possibly also square.
  • the shorter side of the rectangle is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the pipetting device. In this way, a list of entries standing one below the other, in particular lines, can be longer.
  • the longer side of the rectangle is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A of the pipetting device. In this way, an array of adjacent entries, particularly columns, could be longer.
  • the GUI at least preferably contains the display of a screen page (in particular: “home screen”) on the screen, in which pipetting parameters of a parameter set of pipetting parameters are displayed.
  • the data processing device is accordingly programmed so that a screen page is displayed on the screen, in which pipetting parameters of a parameter set of pipetting parameters are displayed.
  • the expression "a pipetting parameter is displayed on the screen” means that the currently set value of the pipetting parameter is displayed on the screen.
  • a description of the pipetting parameter can be displayed, in particular a text description, a characteristic pictogram, or a physical unit of the quantity described by the pipetting parameter, if the pipetting parameter relates to such a parameter, eg "pL" for a volume.
  • the person skilled in the art can also know or learn from the context to which pipetting parameter a displayed value is assigned, even if a description is missing on the screen.
  • the data processing device is programmed in particular to display the screen page, a start screen, synonymously referred to as the home screen (analogous to the homepage in Internet browsers). It is preferred that a plurality or multitude of user inputs on the GUI lead back to this home screen.
  • This home screen can advantageously be used to display the entire parameter set of a user-defined pipetting process—or one taken from a previously saved application scenario—and to enable settings for the associated pipetting parameters.
  • the home screen is displayed in particular after the pipetting devices are switched on, in particular immediately after switching on, it being possible for purely informative pages to be displayed before the home screen, e.g. a company logo, device information, etc.
  • Standby mode After a period of inactivity of the pipetting device -especially after a possible standby mode - the pipetting parameters of a basic parameter set are displayed; this basic parameter set is in particular the pipetting parameter set displayed after switching on the pipetting device;
  • “Inactivity” can mean that no user operation or display touch was detected on the device for a predefined time - predefined according to the factory setting or defined by the user - and/or that an optionally available sensor (e.g. an acceleration sensor, motion sensor, proximity sensor) of the pipetting device did not Movement and / or approach of a user has detected.
  • Standby mode may be automatically activatable after a predetermined period of inactivity.
  • An input tile is understood to mean a marked input area of the screen page displayed on the touchscreen, touching which represents an input, with the programming preferably starting a subsequent action as a result of this touch, in particular the display of an input interface. It may be that the detection area, which is evaluated by the control program as input for this input tile, deviates from the marked area, eg is larger, but preferably the marked area, ie the visible input tile, corresponds to the detection area. If the detection area is larger than the marked area, incorrectly located touches will also be detected as input.
  • the pipetting device preferably has a light-sensitive photo sensor.
  • the control device in particular the data processing device, is preferably set up or programmed to keep the screen brightness of the screen in a predetermined relationship to the light intensity received by the photo sensor, which can mean that the screen brightness is increased when the intensity of the outside light increases, and in particular the screen brightness is lowered with a falling intensity of the outside light.
  • the screen brightness can also be constant, can in particular be preset at the factory, can be automatically adjustable depending on other parameters—for example depending on a loaded application scenario or a loaded user profile, and/or can be adjustable by the user.
  • the at least one selected pipetting parameter is added to the current parameter set and on the screen page displayed.
  • the screen page has a size, in particular length or width, that exceeds the display area available on the screen for displaying the screen page.
  • Input tiles can be provided in this initially invisible area of the screen page, each of which in particular describes a value or information describing the value of the pipetting parameter belonging to the input tile - e.g. a switch that shows the "on/off" of a specific pipetting parameter, in particular the "on /off" of the function represented by this pipetting parameter.
  • the Screen Page may be larger than the display area available on the Screen for displaying the Screen Page; in this case the screen page may be scrollable, e.g. vertically scrollable. However, it can also be scrollable, in that tapping on a screen area or swiping the screen - based on the well-known "Wsche" input gesture - leads to scrolling of the screen content, i.e. to the display of that area of the screen page that is below, above or to the side of the current one displayed area of the screen follows.
  • the data processing device is preferably programmed to, after detection of this user-actuated selection of a pipetting parameter, in particular a second pipetting parameter, that
  • the at least one - in particular second - pipetting parameter the at least one first pipetting parameter of the parameter set, in particular a base pa- rameter set, is added in order to use this at least one first pipetting parameter to form the pipetting parameters of a user parameter set that define a user-defined pipetting process
  • the data processing device of the pipetting device is programmed to display a graphical user interface (GUI) on the screen, the GUI containing at least the following: display of a screen page, in particular a home screen, on the screen in which pipetting parameters of a parameter set of Pipetting parameters are displayed, the screen page containing at least one first input tile which displays the value of at least one first pipetting parameter of a parameter set, in particular a basic parameter set, which defines a pipetting process, in particular a basic pipetting process, and touching which opens an input interface which allows the user to enter the value of the at least one first pipetting parameter, the screen page having at least one input field which, when touched, allows the user to select at least one second pipetting parameter allows, the data processing device being programmed to, after detection of this user-actuated selection, that the at least one second pipetting parameter is added to the at least one first pipetting parameter of the parameter set, in particular the basic parameter set, in order to form the pipetting parameters of a user parameter set with this at
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • a program set screen page is preferably provided, in which one or more pipetting parameter sets, optionally limited to a maximum total number M3, are displayed, in particular listed, which were created by programming by the user.
  • This programming can be done in particular on a programming screen page, on which the user assembles program steps step by step from predefined program steps according to a modular system, the sequence of a pipetting process that can be defined by pipetting parameters in program steps, with these inputs being checked for consistency, in particular by the control program or another program, and the corresponding one being derived from this programmed pipetting parameter set is created and, in particular according to the user's specifications, is added to the program set screen page, that is to say it is in particular saved.
  • An auto program set screen page is preferably provided, in which one or more pipetting parameter sets, optionally limited to a maximum total number M4, are displayed, in particular listed, which have previously been manually set and executed by the user from setting steps of pipetting parameters and/or pipetting processes by a recorder function of the pipetting device , i.e. essentially without user intervention, were derived and then stored in particular in the data storage device.
  • this recorder function is triggered by the user touching an input field of the GUI that defines the start of the recording of the recorder function, and in particular this recorder function is terminated by the user touching an input field of the GUI that defines the end of the recording of the Recorder function defined.
  • the values of these pipetting parameters are specified and the actuating elements are actuated in order to carry out the aspiration or dispensing of sample volumes in the desired way - simulated or not, which means that the movement element moved by the motor either preferably cannot move or preferably can move after actuation of the actuating elements.
  • This "teach-in" property of the recorder function while the pipette is being set up and the pipetting is being carried out, the associated pipetting parameter set can be created and saved, in particular without the user having to deal with a programming (macro) language implemented in the pipetting device.
  • a program (macro) code is preferably generated by the recorder function, which can then be edited again by the user, in particular in the programming screen page.
  • a scenario screen page is preferably provided in which one or more pipetting parameter sets, optionally limited to a maximum total number M5, are provided displayed, in particular listed, which were provided in particular by the manufacturer.
  • These sets of pipetting parameters can define one, several or all of the application scenarios described at the outset.
  • the corresponding set of pipetting parameters is selected by touching the input field or the input tile that stands for the corresponding application scenario and has a corresponding abbreviation.
  • the total number M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 mentioned can in particular be selectable or can be fixed, e.g. to any number between 1 to 50, in particular 2 to 30, in particular 5 to 25.
  • the basic parameter set can in particular include three pipetting parameters, in particular the pipetting parameters volume V, speed v (two-component, vectorial parameter: the intake/release), number of repeat steps n (this intake or release).
  • the volume is in particular a volume to be sucked into the pipetting container or a volume to be dispensed from it in the event of a single intake and/or dispensing.
  • information about the physical unit is preferably also displayed in the input tile, eg mL or pL.
  • the speed is, in particular, a vectorial value that contains the two semantically related information on the speed of recording the pipetting speed liquid in the sample container and the rate of delivery from the sample container.
  • the numerical values associated with the speed can be proportional to the rate of the liquid volume exchanged between the pipetting container and the environment (alternative: non-proportional relationship).
  • User-selectable speeds can be specified by speed levels, which can be represented by ordinal numbers, for example 1 ... 10 or letters A ... J or other symbols, where level 4 does not have to represent twice the speed compared to level 2, but can.
  • a basic parameter set is selected in particular in such a way that it defines an executable pipetting process, as is the case in particular in the example (V,v,n) mentioned.
  • An input field is preferably provided as an extra button, in particular only a single input field is provided, which is designed as an extra button, which in particular has a different shape and/or color and/or background color than the input tiles displayed on the screen, and/or a marginal position in the Screen.
  • Touching the extra button preferably causes the display of a selection screen, instead of the screen, home screen, and as the latter superimposed screen (overlay)), in particular a predetermined selection of available pipetting parameters, i.e. those stored in a data storage device, in the form of a selection list, which information, in particular Contains short descriptions (to identify the content of the pipetting parameter) about selectable second pipetting parameters from which the user can select the at least one second pipetting parameter.
  • the selection screen or the selection list is closed and the screen page, in particular the home screen, is displayed again, which now also displays at least one second input tile in addition to the at least one first input tile, which shows the selection and/or a value of the at least one second pipetting parameter or information representing this value about this at least one second pipetting parameter.
  • the wording “at least one first input tile” means in particular that, for example, exactly three “first input tiles” can be provided, so that the “at least one second input tile” that may have been added is the fourth of the four input tiles that are now displayed.
  • the at least one second pipetting parameter can assume a value that can be selected by the user, touching the at least one second input tile - within the selection screen/selection list or after closing the selection screen/selection list- opens an input interface, which allows the user to enter the value of the at least one second pipetting parameter.
  • a number N> 1 of input fields, in particular input tiles, is preferably displayed on the screen page, in particular as a scrollable or pageable list of input tiles, with each input field having information, in particular a brief description, a pictogram and/or a physical unit is assigned and displayed via a second pipetting parameter that can be selected using the input field.
  • the selection and/or a value or information representing this value of the at least one second pipetting parameter is displayed.
  • the at least one second pipetting parameter can assume a value that can be selected by the user, touching the at least one second input tile, which is now displayed on the screen/home screen, allows the user to enter the value of the at least one second pipetting parameter allows.
  • the data processing device is preferably programmed to display a screen page on the screen, in particular a home screen, which contains at least one first input tile which contains the value of at least one first pipetting parameters and touching which opens an input interface that allows the user to enter the value of the at least one first pipetting parameter.
  • This input interface is preferably a screen area in which a number block is displayed, the number keys of which can be touched individually and can be used by the user to enter a sequence of numbers that defines the value of the at least one first pipetting parameter.
  • the screen area can also be the screen area of a new screen that replaces the current screen.
  • the input interface may also include a scrollable list of choices, or other input such as an input roller, of possible numeric values or other selectable fields provided with information, or a parallel display of a plurality of possible selectable numeric values.
  • the input interface preferably has an input field in which the user confirms the value change previously made.
  • the input interface preferably has an input field in which the input or value setting is canceled and the screen page, in particular the home screen, is returned to.
  • the input interface can have a numeric keypad, at least one selection field for selection from a list, in particular a pull-down menu, at least one selection wheel (“picker wheel”) and other means for changing a numerical value of a To effect parameters, in particular pipetting parameters.
  • the data processing device is preferably programmed in such a way that when the value entered by a user via an input interface for a pipetting parameter is not allowed, some information is displayed on the screen and preferably
  • a valid value is automatically set instead of the invalid value
  • At least one pipetting parameter that is an alternative to the pipetting parameter mentioned is selected and in particular assigned the value of the user or another suitable value;
  • the user's input is undone and, in particular, a new input is made possible
  • the data processing device is preferably programmed to display a screen page on the screen, in particular the home screen, which contains a list of essentially rectangular input tiles which are arranged in particular one below the other and in particular extend essentially over the entire screen page. In this way, the available space is optimally used and operation is ergonomic.
  • the data processing device is preferably programmed to display a start screen page (home screen) on the screen, which is in particular this screen page for displaying the pipetting parameters of a parameter set of pipetting parameters, and which is replaced by a second image by a laterally or vertically directed swipe gesture.
  • screen page and which is replaced by a third screen page by a laterally or vertically opposite swipe gesture This does not preclude other screen pages from being able to be displayed by further swipe gestures, starting from the second or third screen page.
  • At least one screen page is preferably provided, which provides the following special function of the pipetting device: the pipetting parameter of a target volume is required, which can be entered or changed via an input field. By continuously actuating an actuating element, liquid is taken up into the pipetting container until the target volume is reached.
  • the special function for dispensing a target volume of liquid is optionally provided: liquid is dispensed from the pipetting container by continuously actuating an actuating element until the target volume is reached.
  • the data processing device is preferably programmed in such a way that the third screen page has a list of input fields, with each input field having an abbreviation and with touching the input field loading one of the following parameter sets: a historical parameter set used in the past and automatically saved, the one historical pipetting process defined; parameter sets that represent certain predefined application scenarios; parameter sets, which are parameter sets saved by the user;
  • the screen (also referred to as “display”) is a touch-sensitive screen (also referred to as “touch screen”). It is preferably a color display.
  • a touch screen can serve as an input medium
  • a non-touch-sensitive screen can at least serve as an output medium for outputting information, or can serve as an input medium in combination with (one) control element(s) arranged next to the screen, especially if screen areas have the function of the inform each control element, which is then designed as a so-called soft key, which can perform a variable function in particular.
  • the screen is preferably substantially rectangular. In this way, the screen area can be optimally used by using essentially rectangular input tiles and/or rectangular information fields displayed on the screen.
  • a planar screen is preferably aligned with planar sections of a housing front in which the screen is placed. This makes it easier to touch areas of the touchscreen that are close to the edge if it is protected all around by the front of the housing.
  • the data processing device is programmed to display a screen page, in particular an output screen page, which contains a separate input area, in particular also referred to as a special button, touching which closes the output screen page and displays the Causes the input screen page or another screen page on the screen, and this other screen page can also enable the editing of parameter values contained in the pipetting parameter set. Touching the special button can also cause a running pipetting process to be aborted, it being possible for this abort to have to be confirmed by the user with a security query.
  • a screen page in particular an output screen page, which contains a separate input area, in particular also referred to as a special button, touching which closes the output screen page and displays the Causes the input screen page or another screen page on the screen, and this other screen page can also enable the editing of parameter values contained in the pipetting parameter set. Touching the special button can also cause a running pipetting process to be aborted, it being possible for this abort to have to be confirmed by the user with a security query.
  • the termination of a completed pipetting process also leads in particular to an input screen page being displayed again instead of the output screen page, without it being necessary to touch the special button, with information about the successfully completed pipetting process being able to be output before/after this. It does not have to be exactly the previous input screen page to which you return using the special button, e.g. if the speed is to be adjusted quickly when the pipetting sequence ("do") has already started. It can be provided that after the pipetting process has started, not all parameter values can be changed/corrected, but only certain parameter values of the current pipetting parameter set.
  • the definition particularly preferably relates to the state of the pipetting device in which the pipetting process was started and the electrically controlled movement element is moved; it may then be the case that the definition does not apply if the pipetting device is in the state in which the pipetting process was started and the electrically controlled moving element is not being moved.
  • This makes it possible, for example in the case of a multi-step pipetting process, after a completed pipetting process or a completed partial step of a multi-step pipetting process, to display an output screen page which allows a pipetting parameter of the parameter set to be changed, but preferably not all pipetting parameters of the parameter set that can be changed in the previously displayed input screen were changeable, in particular the input screen displayed immediately before starting the pipetting step.
  • the aspirating and/or dispensing speed can be such a pipetting parameter whose change does not necessarily change the result of the pipetting process and which can therefore be adapted to the user's needs - in the meantime or between completed partial steps of the pipetting process.
  • the output screen page but not the input screen page, the input field known as a special button, touching which closes the (Output) screen page and the display of this input screen page or another input screen page on the screen.
  • the input field known as a special button, touching which closes the (Output) screen page and the display of this input screen page or another input screen page on the screen.
  • the output screen has the modifier, it is clear that the input screen, specifically the home screen, does not have the modifier, since the modifier is defined as closing the output screen, which must therefore be currently displayed.
  • the input screen has an input field called an extra button, touching which opens up the possibility for the user to change the set of pipetting parameters of the parameter set, which is subsequently displayed in the input screen.
  • the input screen page, but not the output screen page has an input field called an extra button, touching which causes a selection screen to be displayed, which in particular displays a predefined selection of available pipetting parameters, i.e.
  • first pipetting parameters are understood to be those that have already been displayed previously in the input screen page, while “second pipetting parameters” are understood to be those that are added to the first pipetting parameters.
  • the output screen page and/or a further output screen page displayed following the output screen page preferably has no possibility of to change the, in particular more than half, in particular all of the pipetting parameters previously displayed in the input screen and changeable by input.
  • the output screen page and/or a further output screen page displayed following the output screen page does not have the possibility of displaying the total number or a part f (in particular: f > % or f > 2/3 or f > 1/2 or f > 1/ 3 or f > 1/4) or to change at least one of the pipetting parameters previously displayed in the input screen page and changeable by input.
  • the output screen and/or a further output screen displayed after the output screen has no possibility, in particular no input field, to change at least one predetermined pipetting parameter previously displayed in the input screen and changeable by input, in particular to change it directly and/or indirectly.
  • This at least one predetermined pipetting parameter is preferably selected from the following list of possible pipetting parameters:
  • the pipetting volume can be a volume that is to be sucked into the pipetting container during the pipetting process or during a sub-step of a multi-step pipetting process, or it can be a volume that is to be released from the pipetting container during the pipetting process or during a sub-step of a multi-step pipetting process, in particular during volume to be dispensed in a multi-step dispensing process.
  • the output screen page or a subsequently displayed output screen page in particular apart from the special button, has no input field, in particular no input field, touching which results in a, in particular immediate, change in the content of the output screen page and/or a, in particular immediate, change in the started pipetting process Has.
  • the output screen or a subsequently displayed output screen in particular apart from the special button, has no input field for changing one of the pipetting parameters that were displayed in the previously displayed input screen and could be changed there by an input.
  • the output screen page or a subsequently displayed output screen page does not have an input field for changing a pipetting parameter, touching which, in particular directly or indirectly, enables one or more or all pipetting parameters of the parameter set of pipetting parameters entered by means of the input screen page to be changed.
  • a pipetting parameter touching which, in particular directly or indirectly, enables one or more or all pipetting parameters of the parameter set of pipetting parameters entered by means of the input screen page to be changed.
  • “Change immediately” means in particular that after touching the input field, an input interface opens immediately in which the user can change the value of the displayed pipetting parameter.
  • “Change indirectly” means in particular that an input screen page with at least one input field opens first, touching it immediately opens an input interface where the user can change the value of the displayed pipetting parameter.
  • the output screen page displays different content, preferably depending on the sub-step of an automated multi-step pipetting process that is currently taking place, in particular the values of the pipetting parameters that define the currently running sub-step, e.g. the delivery of a partial volume Vt with a specific delivery rate v2, as a sub-step i of a total of N steps of the pipetting process.
  • the pipetting parameters that define the currently running sub-step, e.g. the delivery of a partial volume Vt with a specific delivery rate v2, as a sub-step i of a total of N steps of the pipetting process.
  • This can be the case, for example, in the "Dis" application scenario.
  • the output screen page but not the input screen page, displays a progress indicator, which contains information about the progress of the multi-step pipetting process, preferably depending on the partial step of an automated multi-step pipetting process that is currently taking place.
  • a progress indicator which contains information about the progress of the multi-step pipetting process, preferably depending on the partial step of an automated multi-step pipetting process that is currently taking place.
  • the start of a pipetting process can satisfy different start conditions or can be fixed. It can take place immediately by (first) actuating an actuating element, or, in the sense of a security query or for other reasons, in a second actuation immediately following this first actuation (i.e. in particular without the special button being touched), possibly a third actuation of a Actuator done, which is different from the touch screen.
  • the data processing device is preferably programmed to display the input screen page, in particular the home screen, for the display and input of pipetting parameters of a parameter set of pipetting parameters, and if the actuation of the at least one actuating element (different from the screen) is detected, an output screen page is displayed on the screen instead of the input screen page (abbreviated: "do") to display pipetting parameters of the parameter set defined in the input screen page, and in particular to start the pipetting process triggered by this actuation or by a subsequent actuation of one of the operating elements (different from the screen), or in particular if these the actuation of the at least one actuating element causing the display of the output screen page is detected or upon the subsequent actuation of one of these actuating elements, the according to this Pipetti to start the pipetting process defined in the parameter set.
  • the data processing device is preferably programmed in such a way that the start conditions mentioned can be selected by the user on the pipetting device via an input interface of the GUI.
  • the input screen page preferably differs from the, in particular each, output screen page, preferably in its graphic representation; in particular, the output screen page has a different color scheme and/or a different arrangement of markings and/or information fields.
  • the output screen page will display different content, preferably depending on the partial step of an automated multi-step pipetting process currently taking place, in particular the values of the pipetting parameters currently defining the partial step, e.g. the delivery of a partial volume Vt with a specific delivery speed v2 as partial step i of the total N steps of the pipetting process. This can be the case, for example, in the "Dis" application scenario.
  • the concept of distinguishing between an input screen page and an output screen page forms a significant ergonomic advantage in operation, since the user recognizes with minimal effort whether he is currently in a - possibly interrupted - on an operation awaiting pipetting or in a setup mode.
  • the concept of the input screen and the output screen thus implies such an input mode and output mode of the pipetting device that are easily distinguishable for the user.
  • the data processing device can be programmed so that the actuation of an ejection button (to eject a pipette tip) of the pipetting device while an output screen is being displayed, i.e. in particular in the output mode of the pipetting device, in some scenarios or in principle leads to the input screen page, in particular home screen, instead of the output screen page , or another input screen is displayed and/or the pipetting process is stopped or aborted.
  • an ejection button to eject a pipette tip of the pipetting device while an output screen is being displayed, i.e. in particular in the output mode of the pipetting device, in some scenarios or in principle leads to the input screen page, in particular home screen, instead of the output screen page , or another input screen is displayed and/or the pipetting process is stopped or aborted.
  • a pipetting program that is defined by the pipetting parameters of a parameter set can have several temporal phases, e.g. if repetitively or cyclically determined sequences of steps or partial steps are repeated. For example, if a pipetting process includes 10 sequences of steps, the output screen preferably shows for each step that is executed which of the 10 sequences of steps is currently being executed and/or how many sequences of steps remain. In addition, the pipetting parameter(s) of the current (active) step can be displayed. The output screen preferably shows the active parameter settings so that it is clear what happens next when the actuator is pressed, e.g. pipetting step 3 of 3 with 150 pL and speed X.
  • the output screen page preferably displays different content, preferably depending on the sub-step of an automated multi-step pipetting process that is currently taking place, in particular the values of the pipetting parameters that define the currently running sub-step, e.g. the dispensing of a partial volume Vt with a specific dispensing speed v2, as sub-step i of a total of N steps of the pipetting process. This can be the case, for example, in the "Dis" application scenario.
  • the output screen page preferably has a display element, in particular a one-part or multi-part output tile.
  • the display element displays various contents, preferably depending on the partial step currently taking place of an automated multi-step pipetting process, in particular the values of the pipetting parameters which define the currently running sub-step.
  • the display element occupies a variable or constant area of the output screen page.
  • the first view of the display element in a first state in which it displays sub-step i (i is a counting index that counts the sub-steps running in particular sequentially), preferably differs from a second view in a second state in that sub-step i+ 1 indicates.
  • the difference in the view can be that in the first state a counting index i and in the second state a counting index i+1 is displayed in the output screen page, in particular in the display element.
  • the difference in the view can consist in the fact that in the first state and in the second state different values of pipetting parameters are displayed in the output screen page, in particular in the display element, which are used in the respective partial step.
  • further output tiles with successively planned future partial steps can be displayed at least partially and simultaneously.
  • the display element can contain the first output tile and one or more of the second and/or third output tiles.
  • the display element has said first output tile, said second output tile and said third output tile.
  • the first output tile is preferably arranged spatially between the second and the third output tile.
  • the indicator element is also referred to as an indicator wheel or indicator roller.
  • the display roller preferably has at least three positions (e.g. middle, left, right; or: middle, top, bottom), which can be occupied by output tiles characterizing a respective part of the journey.
  • a progress indicator which contains information about the progress of the multi-step pipetting process, is preferably displayed in the output screen page, in particular in the display element, in particular in at least one output tile of the display element.
  • the counting index i and additionally the value N of the total number of partial steps of the multi-step pipetting process can be displayed, for example in the form of a text output “i of N” or “i/N”.
  • the progress indicator can additionally or alternatively contain a non-numerical and graphical representation of the progress, in particular a progress bar, or a route representing the successively running sub-steps 1...N with a graphically highlighted position of the currently running sub-step i.
  • a display element has several output tiles depending on the sub-step, e.g. in the case of a display roller, provision can be made to show the change from the first view to a second view of the display element in an animated manner.
  • the lateral positions of an indicator roller can be shown in shaded or brightened order, in particular, to simulate or show a three-dimensional object (roller, wheel) and/or to simulate or show perspective. This makes working with the pipetting device even more intuitive.
  • the data processing device is preferably programmed to detect the actuation of an actuation element, in particular the first actuation element, by the user and to start the pipetting process defined according to the parameter set depending on the actuation of the actuation element. It is possible for the pipetting process to start immediately after the actuation element has been actuated, or for one or two intermediate processes to take place before the start, e.g. a blow-out, i.e.
  • the pipetting device has an operating rocker and a first and a second actuating element, which can be actuated separately from one another by the operating rocker, in that pressing a first pressure surface of the operating rocker actuates the first actuating element and pressing a second pressure surface of the operating rocker actuates the second actuating element, wherein the first and second pressure surfaces are haptically distinguishable.
  • the first and second pressure surfaces can be distinguished with regard to the following haptically perceptible and distinguishable external features: * the direction of the optional curvature of the first and second pressure surfaces, in particular in that the first pressure surface is concave and the second pressure surface is convex; * the surface structures of the first and the second pressure surfaces; * the materials of the first and second printing surfaces.
  • the first actuating element can in particular cause the sample to be picked up and the second actuating element can in particular cause the sample to be dispensed.
  • the second actuation element can in particular cause the sample to be taken up, and the first actuation element can in particular cause the sample to be dispensed
  • the pipetting device has a housing which is arranged as a handle for holding the pipetting device with a single hand of the user and which has an axial section containing the piston, along whose longitudinal axis A the piston runs, and wherein the pipetting device has a first and a second actuating element, which can be actuated separately from one another by an operating rocker, which is mounted on a plateau surface of the pipetting device, in particular a thumb rest surface, which is arranged at an angle 80 ⁇ a ⁇ 180° to the longitudinal axis and which preferably slopes downwards.
  • the “down” direction designates the direction of gravity when the longitudinal axis of the pipetting device is arranged parallel to gravity.
  • the Plateau area arranged in particular so that the user's thumb rests on the thumb support surface when holding the pipetting device with one hand essentially without tiring ("sweet spot" of the gripping hand).
  • the pipetting device preferably has a housing which has plastic or consists of plastic.
  • the plateau surface is perpendicular to a plane that runs through the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to a surface of the screen.
  • the pipetting device preferably has a housing with an axial section containing the movement element, in particular a piston or a piston rod, along whose longitudinal axis the movement element runs, and a head section which has a front surface inclined to the longitudinal axis, which extends through the surface of the screen and preferably a this enclosing frame is formed, the screen occupying at least 70%, preferably at least 80% or even at least 90% of the front surface; and in particular wherein a frame front surface lies in a first plane and the screen lies in a second plane identical to or parallel to the first plane.
  • the invention also relates to a system for entering pipetting parameters, having the hand-held pipetting device according to the invention, and an external data processing device, in particular a smartphone or tablet PC, which has an external screen, ie a screen that is not part of the pipetting device, and a data processing device that is is programmed to display an external input screen page (“set”) in the external screen for displaying and entering the pipetting parameters of a parameter set of pipetting parameters, the external input screen page and the input screen page of the pipetting device essentially having the same content, i.e.
  • the screen page has the same functionality ,
  • the system being set up to transmit the pipetting parameters defined on the external data processing device to the pipetting device and there to To use the definition of a pipetting process, and or to transmit the pipetting parameters defined on the pipetting device to the external data processing device and to store them there.
  • the invention also relates to a computer program code for providing an input screen page on the screen of a hand-held pipetting device, which is used for pipetting at least one liquid sample and has a connecting section for connecting at least one pipetting container, an electrically controlled movement element, in particular a piston, a piston rod or another Element, for aspirating the at least one sample into the at least one pipetting container, for holding the sample in the at least one pipetting container and for dispensing the sample from the at least one pipetting container when performing a pipetting process, and a touch-sensitive screen for entering the parameter values of user-definable pipetting parameters, wherein a parameter set of pipetting parameters completely defines the pipetting process, and the pipetting device has an electrical control device with data processing has a line device which is programmed to control the movement element as a function of the at least one pipetting parameter, and at least one actuating element which can be actuated by a user's finger pressure, in particular thumb pressure, and the actuation of which starts the pipetting process defined according to
  • the electrical control device of the pipetting device or of an external data processing device also referred to as control device or control device for short, preferably has a data processing device, which in particular has at least one central processor (CPU).
  • the data processing device can contain a microcontroller.
  • the control device preferably has a microcontroller.
  • the control device preferably has at least one memory device or a data memory for storing data, in particular pipetting parameters and/or one or more computer programs or computer program codes.
  • the control device preferably contains at least one piece of control software or a control program which uses this at least one pipetting parameter in order to automatically carry out at least one function of the pipetting process or a part of the pipetting process or the pipetting process.
  • the control software or the control program is used in particular by the data processing device Executed control device, in particular by a CPU of the data processing device.
  • the control software or the control program is stored in particular in a data storage device of the device. This data storage device is preferably a non-volatile memory.
  • the pipetting device or an external data processing device can have a sensor device, e.g. a sensor for detecting an environmental parameter, in particular the temperature, the humidity or the pressure, the motor current used for the piston drive of the pipetting device.
  • the motor current can be used to determine the viscosity of the pipetted liquid and thus to identify the liquid.
  • the sensor device can also be designed to carry out a measurement with which a parameter, in particular pipetting parameters, in particular the type of a pipetting container connected to the pipetting device, in particular the maximum filling volume of the pipetting container, in particular a pipette tip, can be determined.
  • the pipetting device or an external data processing device can be designed to automatically determine at least one pipetting parameter as a function of the measured value of the sensor device. This improves the optimization of the pipetting parameters required for precise pipetting.
  • the pipetting device and/or an external data processing device is preferably operated independently of the mains.
  • the respective device can be provided with a chargeable voltage source, for example one or more rechargeable batteries.
  • the device can have a charging interface connected to the chargeable voltage source.
  • Pipette tips are, in particular, disposable products and are preferably made of plastic. Depending on the required maximum volume of liquid, different pipette tips are used with the piston pipette. Typical nominal volumes of commercially available pipette tips are, for example, 10 pL, 20 pL, 100 pL, 200 pL, 300 pL, 1000 pL, 1250 pL, 2500 pL, 5 mL, 10 mL (pL: microliter; mL: milliliter).
  • the interior of the pipette tip is in a pipetting position, also known as the plug-on position, in which the pipette tip is connected to the connecting section of the piston-operated pipette, fluidically connected to the pipetting channel of the piston-operated pipette, which is connected to the negative pressure/ overpressure is applied.
  • FIG. 1a shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipetting device according to the invention, here an air-cushion pipette.
  • FIG. 1b shows a detail of the operating rocker of the pipetting device from FIG. 1a.
  • FIG. 1c shows a view of the pipetting device from FIG. 1a rotated slightly about the longitudinal axis A.
  • FIG. 1d shows a detail of the pipetting device from FIG. 1a in a perspective side view, with a visible touchscreen.
  • 1e schematically shows a system according to the invention according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • 2a uses two images of the header area of a pipetting device according to the exemplary embodiment to show the functionality of the GUI of the pipetting device to switch between two main types of screen pages, namely between an input screen page and an output screen page.
  • FIG. 2b shows input screen pages of the GUI and below it (symbolically) an actuating element of the pipetting device starting from an input screen page (“set”), which is replaced by an output screen page by actuating the actuating element. the content of which changes successively in the dispensing pipetting process (“Dis”) shown here.
  • 2c shows an input screen page of the GUI, with a list of abbreviations for the list of pipetting parameters currently selected for the pipetting parameter set, the list of abbreviations being implemented in the form of “tags” arranged at the top edge of the screen, each of which shows an abbreviation of the selected pipetting parameters ; this means that the user has an overview of the pipetting parameters that have already been selected, even if he does not see the entire (scrollable) selection list.
  • Figure 2d shows an input screen, in particular the home screen, of the GUI and a parameter selection screen which is overlaid on the input screen when a separate input field on the input screen is touched.
  • 2f shows an output screen page of the pipetting device according to the invention according to the exemplary embodiment, in a multi-step pipetting process.
  • 3a uses two images of the header area of a pipetting device according to the exemplary embodiment to show further functionalities of the GUI of the pipetting device, namely adding further pipetting parameters or functions to the current parameter set via a selection list in the selection screen starting from a home screen.
  • 3b uses two images of an inventive pipetting device according to an exemplary embodiment to show further functionalities of the GUI of the pipetting device, namely adding further pipetting parameters or functions to the current parameter set starting from a home screen with scrollable content or a scrollable selection list.
  • 5a shows, based on several images of the screen of a pipetting device according to the exemplary embodiment, the functionality of the GUI of the pipetting device for setting pipetting parameter values using an input mask.
  • FIG. 6 shows the functionality of the GUI of the pipetting device, based on several images of the screen of a pipetting device according to the invention, for selecting predetermined parameter sets representing certain application scenarios.
  • 7a shows, based on two images of the screen of a pipetting device according to the exemplary embodiment, the functionality of the GUI of the pipetting device to mark a current parameter set as a favorite, which is then saved as a favorite and in particular in a favorites screen page as a selectable list entry, namely as a correspondingly informative input tile. is shown.
  • 7b uses two images of the screen of a pipetting device according to the invention according to the exemplary embodiment to show the functionality of the GUI of the pipetting device, that the input tile identifying a favorite parameter set has an input field in the favorites screen page, touching which transfers the parameters of the favorite parameter set to a separate screen, which is then displayed , in which the parameter values and/or the parameter selection of the favorite parameter set can be changed.
  • FIG. 1a shows the hand-held pipetting device according to the invention for pipetting at least one liquid sample, here an air-cushion pipette 1.
  • This has: a connecting section 2 for connecting at least one pipetting container 19, here one Pipette tip, with a movement element electrically controlled by the control device 5, here the piston 3, for sucking in the at least one sample into the at least one pipetting container 19, holding the sample in the at least one pipetting container and dispensing sample from the at least one pipetting container when carrying out a pipetting process , with a touch-sensitive screen 4 on the front surface 14a of the head section 14 of the pipetting device, for entering the parameter values of user-definable pipetting parameters, a parameter set of pipetting parameters completely defining the pipetting process, the electrical control device 5 having a data processing device 6 which is used to control the moving element 3 is programmed as a function of the at least one pipetting parameter, as well as a data memory 7 and a communication unit 8 for wireless communication with an external data processing device a u
  • the pipetting device has an electric motor 18 which is fed by an accumulator 17 and which moves the piston rod or the piston 3 within the cylinder piston 12 so that in the pipetting channel 13 a suction pressure or a discharge pressure is the result.
  • the electronic control allows precise dosing.
  • An ejection button 15 is provided, which allows the pipette tip 19 to be ejected from the connecting section 2 by means of an ejection sleeve of the pipetting device.
  • the data processing device is programmed to interrupt an ongoing pipetting process if the release button 15 is actuated and to replace any output screen page that may still be displayed with an input screen page 100, 100'.
  • the pipetting process defined according to the current parameter set would be started by the user actuating one of the two actuating elements 9a, 9b.
  • the selection of the pipetting parameters of a parameter set that defines the desired semi-automated pipetting process and the setting of the values of these pipetting parameters takes place using a GUI that implements the special operating concept according to the invention. This operating concept is explained using the following figures.
  • the output screen page 200 preferably depending on the straight partial step of an automated multi-step pipetting process taking place, display various contents, in particular the values of the pipetting parameters currently defining the partial step, e.g. the dispensing of a partial volume Vt with a specific dispensing speed v2 as partial step i of a total of N steps of the pipetting process.
  • the pipetting parameters currently defining the partial step e.g. the dispensing of a partial volume Vt with a specific dispensing speed v2 as partial step i of a total of N steps of the pipetting process.
  • an input screen page 100_1 is first displayed, which contains the set of pipetting parameters for a dispensing process that runs partially automatically; the extra button 101_1, which is slightly different graphically compared to the extra button 101, enables the pipetting parameter list to be processed analogously.
  • the actuation of the actuating element namely here the switch 9a or the first pressure surface 10a of the operating rocker 10, leads the pipette device from the "set" mode to the "do" mode, the output screen page 200_1 is now displayed, which contains the special button 201_1. which is graphically modified compared to the special button 201 and otherwise has an analogous effect.
  • the output screen belonging to the partial step of dispensing the first partial dispensing volume of 120 pl is displayed in output screen page 200_1.
  • Actuation of the actuating element, here the second pressure surface 10b of the operating rocker 10 initiates the delivery of the partial volume, each further actuation of the pressure surface 10b leads to the next partial delivery step.
  • the perception of the multi-stage pipetting process and the operation of the pipetting device are more intuitive.
  • the display roller here has a horizontal axis of rotation, the change in position of the output tiles runs in the vertical direction. Alternatively, a vertical axis of rotation or an inclined axis of rotation would be possible.
  • a display roller 203′′ is also displayed here, which has the middle output position or output tile 203a′′, the upper output tile 203b′′ and the lower output tile 203c′′, which work analogously to the display roller 203′.
  • the output screen page 200" has additional functionality that is achieved using additional output fields and input fields.
  • an output screen page preferably does not have an input field that shows the value of a pipetting parameter and whose touching in the next step would enable a pipetting parameter to be changed, as is implemented in the present exemplary embodiments.
  • the "Do" mode that is present while an output screen page is being displayed, it is not possible to change pipetting parameters, and at most it is possible via intermediate steps, and not all pipetting parameters of the parameter set can be changed. For example, it may be possible to change the speed at which the liquid is dispensed/received during an ongoing multi-step pipetting process.
  • the input field with the exclamation mark and the surrounding arrow allows a pipetting process to be repeated in the event that the eighth sub-step just carried out has to be repeated, e.g. due to a user error.
  • the input fields mentioned are therefore, following the logic of the GUI, not input fields which show the value of a pipetting parameter and touching which would enable a pipetting parameter to be changed in the next step.
  • the note “Protocol Lisa 250" in output tile 222" indicates that an individually programmed pipetting process with the name “Lisa 250" specified by the user, for example, is carried out and logged at the same time, i.e. it is saved, for example, in a log file of the pipetting device.
  • the special button 201 "leads to the closing of the output screen page 200".
  • each output tile in particular is not an input tile, and therefore has no input field that would result in a function being touched, and therefore does not allow any input.
  • the concept of distinguishing between an input screen page and an output screen page forms a significant ergonomic advantage in operation, since the user recognizes with the least effort whether he is currently in a - possibly interrupted - waiting for an operation - Pipetting process is in progress or in a setting mode.
  • the concept of the input screen and the output screen thus implies such an input mode and output mode of the pipetting device that are easily distinguishable for the user.
  • the pipetting device 1 has precisely a first 9a and a second actuating element 9b, which can be actuated separately from one another, in particular by means of a rocker switch 10.
  • the data processing device 6 is programmed to detect the actuation of the first or second actuating element 9a or 9b by the user and to start the pipetting process defined according to the parameter set.
  • the pipetting device has the operating rocker 10 and the first 9a and the second actuating element 9b, which can be actuated separately from one another by the operating rocker 10 in that pressing a first pressure surface 10a of the operating rocker 10 actuates the first actuating element 9a and pressing a second pressure surface 10b the rocker switch actuates the second actuating element 9b, the first and the second pressure surface being haptically distinguishable.
  • the pipetting device 1 has a housing 11, which is designed as a handle for holding the pipetting device with a single hand of the user, and which has an axial section 11 containing the moving element, along the longitudinal axis A, the moving element 3 runs.
  • the angular arrangement of the plateau section of the operating rocker results in an ergonomically arranged thumb rest surface.
  • the thumb rest surface is arranged starting from the longitudinal axis and is in particular perpendicular to a plane which runs through the longitudinal axis A and perpendicular to a surface of the planar screen 4 .
  • the position of the plateau section which is at the same height as the hand rest in relation to the longitudinal axis, results in the advantageous ergonomics.
  • the head section 14 has the front surface 14a, which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A and is formed by the surface of the screen 4 and a frame enclosing it, with the screen occupying approximately 80% of the front surface here; the frame front surface 14a lies in a first plane and the planar screen 4 lies in a second plane identical to the first plane.
  • the edge areas of the screen can also be easily touched by the user, and the available area of the touchscreen 4 can thus be optimally used.
  • the edges of the screen are not exposed and are protected by the frame front surface 14a.
  • the housing 11 has the connecting section 2 (working cone) for at least one pipetting container 19 and the ejection button 15, the contact surface of which can be moved along a path into the housing by pressing the ejection button, with the pipetting device being set up such that when the end of this path is reached, the The pipetting container, in particular the pipette tip, is ejected or an electrical signal is generated which triggers the ejection of the at least one pipetting container.
  • the connecting section 2 working cone
  • the ejection button 15 the contact surface of which can be moved along a path into the housing by pressing the ejection button, with the pipetting device being set up such that when the end of this path is reached, the The pipetting container, in particular the pipette tip, is ejected or an electrical signal is generated which triggers the ejection of the at least one pipetting container.
  • the input tiles are here white, rectangular areas of the screen, which can be recognized by corresponding drawing or contrasting with the gray background and extend with their width b over almost the entire width B of the screen 4. This results in advantageous ergonomics. Although this applies to the input tiles mentioned, it does not have to apply to all input fields of the input screen page, see FIG. 1d.
  • a first input tile 103 here three input tiles 103a, 103b, 103c
  • 5a for example, the image area with the numeric keypad of screen page 100a , opens, which allows the user to enter the value of the at least one first pipetting parameter, screen page 100 containing an input field 101, touching which causes the display, here in a separate screen page 110, of a selection list which contains a list of brief descriptions (here : quick mix, reverse, step time, auto blow off etc.)) further selectable pipetting parameters (here qm, rev, st, abo etc.), from which the user can select at least one second pipetting parameter (here qm, rev, st, or abo etc.), which is added to the at least one first pipetting parameter of the basic parameter set in order to use this to define the pipetting parameters of the parameter set of pipetting parameters that determines the pipetting process, with the selection list being closed after the selection of the at least one second pipetting parameter has been completed and screen page 100 being displayed again, which now also displays at least one second input tile in addition to the at least one first input tile 103 , which displays
  • the The content of the home screen can also be expanded, e.g. by an area 106 that is expanded downwards and by scrolling (vertical swiping or tapping on the control panel 105), or also other areas, in which the possible pipetting parameters are listed and can be selected/activated, and whose values can subsequently be edited.
  • the invention mentioned represents a particularly advantageous aspect of the innovative operating concept of a pipetting device.
  • the inventors learned from user studies that a significant fraction of users can achieve a more efficient workflow with a pipetting device in which the user usually defines the desired pipetting processes as he wishes , by adding pipetting parameters, i.e. functions or features, to an existing, for example a proven parameter set or a basic parameter set.
  • this approach efficiently leads to the goal of defining an individually desired pipetting process.
  • a basic parameter set is provided on a screen, in particular a home screen, which can be executed immediately, there is an immediate sense of achievement when operating it offered without the need for lengthy study of operating instructions.
  • the data processing device 6 is preferably programmed to do this, if the value entered by a user via an input interface 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d for a pipetting parameter is not permitted, information is displayed on the screen and preferably
  • a valid value is automatically set instead of the invalid value
  • At least one pipetting parameter that is an alternative to the pipetting parameter mentioned is selected and in particular assigned the value of the user or another suitable value;
  • the user's input is undone and, in particular, a new input is made possible
  • the data processing device 6 is preferably programmed to display a screen page 100 on the screen 4, which display a list of input tiles 103a, 103b, 103c, which in particular essentially extend over the entire screen page.
  • the input tile with the abbreviation “measure volume”) and touching the input field loads a predetermined set of parameters, which defines a predetermined pipetting process, with a further screen page 120a being displayed in particular after this input field has been touched; and where in particular the third screen page 130 has a list of input fields, with each input field having an abbreviation (here e.g. the input tile with the abbreviation "150pl steps 6" etc.) and where touching the input field has a historical one used in the past and automatically saved, loads a set of parameters that defines a historical pipetting process, with a different screen page being displayed after touching this input field in particular.
  • abbreviation here e.g. the input tile with the abbreviation "150pl steps 6" etc.
  • 1e shows the system 300 for entering pipetting parameters, comprising the hand-held pipetting device 1, an external data processing device 50, which has an external screen 51 and a data processing device 52, which is programmed to display and input an external input screen on the external screen to display the pipetting parameters of a parameter set of pipetting parameters, the content of the external input screen and the input screen of the pipetting device being essentially the same, the system being set up to transmit the pipetting parameters defined on the external data processing device to the pipetting device and to use them there to define a pipetting process.
  • FIG. 7a shows the functionality of the GUI of the pipetting device to mark a current parameter set as a favorite, which is then saved as a favorite and in particular in a favorites screen page as a selectable list entry, namely as a correspondingly informative input tile , is shown.
  • An input field correspondingly marked with a favorites symbol (asterisk) here detects a user touch, as a result of which a pipetting parameter set defined in the input screen page 100_3 is saved as a favorite, which is illustrated by the color change of the favorites symbol.
  • FIG. 8a and 8b belong together and use a sequence of numerous images of the screen with the actuating element of a pipetting device according to the embodiment shown below (symbolically) to show the functionality of the GUI of the pipetting device to define the pipetting parameters of a user-defined pipetting process using a recorder function of the pipetting device.
  • a user programming process starts from a screen titled "Programs" which has already been described as an "Auto Program Set Screen”. Another program can be created using an input field "+” on this screen page. Then, here on a subsequent screen page, an input field "record” is offered, touching which starts the recorder function or the recording.
  • a status bar on the screen shows the information that recording is in progress ("Recording").
  • the automatically assigned designation "Program 2" is displayed in the program list of the "Programs" screen page as an input tile; touching them allows editing the program, in particular changing its name.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de pipetage doté d'un écran tactile et un système comprenant ledit dispositif de pipetage. Selon le concept de fonctionnement du dispositif de pipetage, des valeurs de paramètres de pipetage peuvent être réglées par l'utilisateur sur au moins une page d'écran d'entrée, un actionnement de l'élément d'actionnement entraîne l'affichage d'une page d'écran de sortie et l'initiation d'un processus de pipetage défini selon les paramètres de pipetage, et la mise en contact d'un champ d'entrée séparé de la page d'écran de sortie mène à une page d'écran d'entrée.
EP22700849.7A 2021-01-25 2022-01-24 Dispositif de pipetage à main Pending EP4281220A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21153260 2021-01-25
PCT/EP2022/051500 WO2022157363A1 (fr) 2021-01-25 2022-01-24 Dispositif de pipetage à main

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4281220A1 true EP4281220A1 (fr) 2023-11-29

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22700849.7A Pending EP4281220A1 (fr) 2021-01-25 2022-01-24 Dispositif de pipetage à main

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Country Link
EP (1) EP4281220A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2024505834A (fr)
CN (1) CN116782999A (fr)
WO (1) WO2022157363A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7540205B2 (en) * 2007-09-17 2009-06-02 Viaflo Corp. Electronic pipettor
CN108031501B (zh) 2012-02-13 2021-04-23 恩姆菲舍尔科技公司 电子吸液管
PL2641656T3 (pl) * 2012-03-20 2019-08-30 Eppendorf Ag Elektryczne urządzenie do pipetowania i sposób eksploatacji elektrycznego urządzenia do pipetowania

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WO2022157363A1 (fr) 2022-07-28
JP2024505834A (ja) 2024-02-08

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