JP2017075808A - Liquid supply device and chip unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid supply device and a chip unit which can prevent contamination, which achieve excellent workability, and which can supply a constant amount of liquid, during the supply of the liquid.SOLUTION: A liquid supply device 10 includes: a liquid storage container 1 for storing a liquid L; a liquid channel 2 for guiding the liquid L in the liquid storage container 1; and a liquid discharge part 5 for discharging the liquid L in the liquid channel 2. The liquid discharge part 5 includes a chip unit 20 connected to the liquid channel 2. The chip unit 20 includes: a connector 11 connected to the liquid channel 2; and an end chip 12 which is detachably and externally attached to the connector 11 and which discharges the liquid L.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus and a chip unit.

For example, in order to supply a liquid such as a medium used in a culture apparatus or the like to a container or the like, for example, a pipette apparatus is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a pipette device 100 that is an example of a pipette device, and the pipette device 100 includes a syringe pump unit 101 and a pipette nozzle 102. The syringe pump unit 101 includes a cylinder unit 106 and an operation unit 107. A pipette tip 103 is attached to the tip of the pipette nozzle 102.
In order to supply a part of the liquid L in the liquid storage container 104 to the receiving container 105 using the pipette device 100, as shown in FIG. 5A, a part of the liquid L in the liquid storage container 104 is supplied. Then, the pipette tip 103 is sucked by the operation of the operation unit 107, and the liquid L in the pipette tip 103 is discharged to the receiving container 105 by the operation of the operation unit 107 as shown in FIG.

JP 2013-136052 A

  In the liquid supply using the pipette device 100, if the cleanliness of the working environment is insufficient, the liquid storage container 104 and the receiving container 105 are used when the liquid L is transferred from the liquid storage container 104 to the receiving container 105. There was a risk of contamination. In addition, since the work of transferring the liquid is time-consuming, improvement has been desired in terms of workability. Moreover, the supply amount of the liquid L may become inaccurate.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a liquid supply apparatus and chip that can prevent contamination in supplying a liquid, can improve workability, and can maintain a constant supply amount of liquid. The challenge is to provide units.

One aspect of the present invention includes a liquid storage container for storing a liquid, a liquid flow path for guiding the liquid in the liquid storage container, and a liquid discharge unit for discharging the liquid in the liquid flow path. The liquid discharge section has a chip unit connected to the liquid flow path, and the chip unit is detachably attached to the connector connected to the liquid flow path and the connector. Provided is a liquid supply device having a tip for discharging the liquid.
The liquid supply device may further include a pump for sending the liquid in the liquid flow path toward the liquid discharge unit.
The liquid supply device has a storage liquid mass detection means for detecting the mass of the liquid in the liquid storage container, and a control for controlling the liquid feed amount based on a detection value of the storage liquid mass detection means. It is good also as a structure provided with a part.
The liquid supply device controls discharge amount of the liquid based on a detection value of the discharge liquid mass detection unit for detecting a mass of the liquid discharged by the liquid discharge unit, and a detection value of the discharge liquid mass detection unit. It is good also as a structure provided with these control parts.
In the liquid supply device, a vent groove is formed on the outer surface of the connector on which the tip is inserted, and communicates with a space closer to the tip than the connector in the inner space of the tip. It is good also as a structure in which the vent which connects the internal space of a ventilation groove and the external space of the said front-end | tip tip is formed.
The tip chip may be formed with a ventilation groove that communicates the space on the tip side of the connector with the outer space of the tip chip in the inner space of the tip chip.

  One aspect of the present invention is a liquid storage container having a lead-out port for leading out a liquid, a liquid channel connected to the lead-out port for guiding the liquid in the liquid storage container, and a liquid in the liquid channel Used in the liquid discharge unit of a liquid supply apparatus including a liquid discharge unit for discharging the liquid, and a connector connected to the liquid flow path and a connector detachably attached to the connector to discharge the liquid There is provided a tip unit having a tip for cutting.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, since liquid is transferred through the liquid flow path, contamination in the liquid storage container and the receiving container can be prevented, and a sterile condition can be maintained.
In addition, since the liquid is transferred through the liquid flow path, the number of operations by the operator is small, so that the liquid supply operation can be facilitated and the liquid supply amount can be accurately determined.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the liquid supply apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a first example of a liquid ejection unit of the liquid supply apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a second example of the liquid discharge unit of the liquid supply apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a third example of the liquid ejection unit of the liquid supply apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a pipette apparatus. (A) is a figure explaining operation which attracts | sucks the liquid in a liquid storage container. (B) is a diagram illustrating an operation for discharging a liquid.

[Liquid supply device]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a liquid supply apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid supply device 10 includes a liquid storage container 1, a liquid flow path 2, a pump 3, a clamp 4, a liquid discharge unit 5, a stored liquid mass detection unit 6, and a discharge liquid mass. The detection means 7 and the control part 8 are provided. Reference numeral 9 denotes a receiving-side container that receives the liquid L discharged from the liquid discharge unit 5.

The liquid storage container 1 can store the liquid L therein.
As the liquid storage container 1, for example, a flexible container made of a soft packaging material such as a film can be used. Although the material of the film which comprises the liquid storage container 1 is not specifically limited, Thermoplastic resins, such as a polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyolefin, and these laminated bodies are mentioned.
The liquid storage container 1 can be produced by sealing the film at the periphery. Examples of the sealing method include heat sealing (heat sealing), ultrasonic sealing, high frequency sealing, cooling sealing, and the like.
It is preferable that the liquid storage container 1 can seal the liquid L. As a result, the liquid L does not come into contact with the external air, so that the aseptic condition inside the liquid storage container 1 can be maintained.

The liquid storage container 1 is preferably transparent or translucent in order to make the inside visible. Further, when light shielding is necessary to prevent the liquid L from being altered, the liquid storage container 1 is preferably opaque or dark. The liquid storage container 1 may have a light shielding part and a transparent part (window).
Although the capacity | capacitance (size) of the liquid storage container 1 is not specifically limited, For example, it can be set as 0.1L-5000L. The liquid storage container 1 is preferably a single use (disposable) container. The liquid storage container 1 may be a rigid container or a semi-rigid container.

  The liquid storage container 1 has a lead-out port 1a for leading the liquid L inside to the outside. A cock, a cap and the like can be provided in the outlet 1a.

The liquid flow path 2 is connected to the outlet 1 a, and the liquid L in the liquid storage container 1 can be led out from the outlet 1 a and led to the liquid ejection unit 5.
As the liquid channel 2, for example, a flexible tube can be used. As a material for the liquid flow path 2, a material excellent in chemical resistance, weather resistance, etc., such as silicone resin and thermoplastic elastomer is preferable. The liquid channel 2 may be provided with a filter, a flow monitor, a flow meter, a valve, a pump, and the like.

The pump 3 can send the liquid L in the liquid flow path 2 toward the liquid discharge unit 5.
As the pump 3, a peristaltic pump (peristaltic pump), a diaphragm pump, or the like can be used.
The peristaltic pump includes, for example, a drive unit such as a motor, a roller that is rotationally driven by the drive unit, and a pressing wall. In the peristaltic pump, the roller travels along the liquid flow path 2 while pressing and crushing the liquid flow path 2 against the pressing wall, thereby sending the liquid L in the liquid flow path 2 toward the liquid discharge unit 5. be able to.
The pump 3 can control the feeding amount of the liquid L based on a control signal from the control unit 8.
By using the pump 3, the operation for transferring the liquid L is facilitated.

The clamp 4 has, for example, a pair of pressing portions (not shown) and can close the internal space of the liquid flow path 2 by sandwiching and crushing a tube that is the liquid flow path 2.
The clamp 4 sandwiches the liquid flow path 2 by the pressing portion and crushes to close the internal space to stop the flow of the liquid L, and releases the pressure to the liquid flow path 2 to free the liquid L. Can be switched to an open state that allows easy distribution.
The clamp 4 can control the feeding amount of the liquid L based on a control signal from the control unit 8. For example, supply and stop of the liquid L can be selected by switching between a closed state and an open state based on a control signal from the control unit 8.
The clamp 4 can operate the pressing portion by a driving portion such as a motor.

FIG. 2 shows a liquid ejection unit 5 </ b> A which is a first example of the liquid ejection unit 5.
The liquid ejection unit 5 </ b> A includes a chip unit 20 connected to the liquid flow path 2 and a protection member 13 that surrounds at least a part of the chip unit 20. The chip unit 20 includes a connector 11 connected to the tip of the liquid flow path 2 and a tip chip 12 attached to the connector 11.
The central axis C1 is the central axis of the connector 11, and the central axis C2 is the central axis of the tip 12. A direction along the central axes C1 and C2 is also referred to as a height direction. The upper and lower portions in the following description are in accordance with FIG. For example, of the directions along the central axes C1 and C2, the direction from the tip 15b of the cylinder portion 15 toward the top plate portion 14 is the upper side, and the opposite direction is the lower side.

The connector 11 of the liquid discharge unit 5 </ b> A includes a top plate portion 14 and a cylindrical tube portion 15 extending from the peripheral edge 14 a of the top plate portion 14.
The top plate portion 14 is formed in, for example, a disc shape having an introduction port 14b in the center.
The cylindrical portion 15 can be a cylindrical shape having a circular cross section that gradually decreases in diameter from the peripheral edge 14a (base end 15a) of the top plate portion 14 toward the distal end 15b. It is preferable that the cylinder part 15 inclines at a fixed angle with respect to the central axis C1. The cylindrical portion 15 is preferably in the shape of a truncated cone.

The connector 11 can introduce the liquid L in the liquid flow path 2 into the internal space of the connector 11 through the introduction port 14 b and discharge the liquid L from the opening 15 c of the tip 15 b of the cylindrical portion 15.
In the connector 11, the tip 12 is externally inserted into the mounted region 15 e on the outer surface 15 d of the cylindrical portion 15. The mounted region 15e is a region including the tip 15b in the outer surface 15d and can be a region having a constant height over the entire circumference. The attached region may be a partial region on the outer surface of the tube part, or may be the entire region of the outer surface of the tube unit.

A connector groove portion 17 (ventilation groove) is formed on the outer surface 15d of the cylindrical portion 15. The connector groove portion 17 is formed in the mounting region 15e.
The connector groove portion 17 includes a circumferential groove 18 along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 15 and a plurality of extending grooves 19 formed from the circumferential groove 18 to the tip 15b.
The circumferential groove 18 is preferably an annular groove formed over the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 15.

The extending groove 19 can be formed, for example, along the maximum inclination line of the outer surface 15d. The plurality of extending grooves 19 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 15. The number of extending grooves 19 may be one.
Since the extending groove 19 reaches the distal end 15 b, the extended groove 19 communicates with the distal end space 22 of the distal tip 12 when the distal tip 12 is attached to the connector 11. Therefore, the extending groove 19 communicates the internal space 18 a of the circumferential groove 18 and the distal end space 22 of the distal tip 12.
The front end space 22 is a space on the front end side of the connector 11 in the internal space of the front end chip 12, that is, a space on the front end side (lower side) than the front end (tip 15 b) of the connector 11.

  The cross-sectional shapes of the circumferential groove 18 and the extending groove 19 can be rectangular, for example. The cross-sectional shapes of the circumferential groove 18 and the extending groove 19 are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a semicircular shape or a V shape.

  The connector 11 may be fixed to the liquid channel 2 or may be detachably attached to the liquid channel 2. The connector 11 may be formed integrally with the liquid flow path 2.

The distal tip 12 can be formed in a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section that gradually decreases in diameter from the proximal end 12a toward the distal end 12b. The tip 12 is preferably inclined at a constant angle with respect to the central axis C2. The tip 12 is preferably a truncated cone.
The inner diameter of the proximal end 12 a of the distal tip 12 is larger than the outer diameter of the distal end 15 b of the connector 11. The inclination angle of the inner surface 12d of the tip 12 (inclination angle with respect to the central axis C2) is preferably substantially equal to the inclination angle of the outer surface 15d of the cylindrical portion 15 of the connector 11 (inclination angle with respect to the central axis C1).

The tip 12 is detachably attached to the connector 11 by being externally inserted into the attachment region 15 e of the connector 11.
In a state where the distal tip 12 is extrapolated to the connector 11, the inner surface 12 d of the distal tip 12 contacts the outer surface 15 d (attached region 15 e) of the cylindrical portion 15 of the connector 11. The tip 12 can be kept attached to the connector 11 by friction with the outer surface 15d of the connector 11, for example. It is preferable that the center axis C2 of the tip 12 coincides with the center axis C1 of the connector 11.

  The tip 12 can discharge the liquid L introduced from the liquid flow path 2 through the connector 11 to the outside through the opening 12c of the tip 12b. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid L discharged from the tip 12 is supplied to the receiving container 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, one or more vent holes 21 are provided in the tip chip 12 at a position where at least a part thereof is at the same height as the circumferential groove 18 in a state where the tip chip 12 is mounted on the connector 11. Is formed.
The vent 21 is formed so as to penetrate the tip 12 in the thickness direction. Since at least a part of the vent hole 21 is at the same height as the circumferential groove 18, the internal space 18 a of the circumferential groove 18 and the external space 23 of the tip 12 can be communicated with each other.

  As described above, the extending groove 19 of the connector groove portion 17 communicates the internal space 18a of the circumferential groove 18 with the distal end space 22 of the distal tip 12, so that the vent 21 has the circumferential groove 18 and the extending groove 19. The tip portion space 22 of the tip tip 12 and the external space 23 are communicated with each other via the. Therefore, the air in the external space 23 can be introduced into the distal end space 22 through the lower opening of the protective member 13, the vent 21, the circumferential groove 18, and the extending groove 19.

  The tip 12 can be disposable (disposable, single use). By using the tip 12 supplied in a sterile state, the liquid L can be maintained in a sterile state.

The protection member 13 includes, for example, a top plate portion 25 and a cylindrical tube portion 26 that extends downward from the peripheral edge 25 a of the top plate portion 25. The protection member 13 can be a covered cylinder.
The protection member 13 surrounds the entire connector 11 and most of the tip 12. Therefore, it is possible to protect the connector 11 and the tip 12 and prevent foreign matter from entering the liquid L.

The liquid ejection unit 5 is not limited to the liquid ejection unit 5A illustrated in FIG. 2, and may have a structure illustrated in FIG. 3 or FIG.
FIG. 3 shows a liquid ejection unit 5B which is a second example of the liquid ejection unit 5. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the already described configurations, and the description thereof is omitted.
The liquid discharge unit 5B includes a chip unit 30. The chip unit 30 includes a connector 41 connected to the tip of the liquid flow path 2 and a tip chip 42 attached to the connector 41.
The connector 41 is different from the connector 11 shown in FIG. 2 in that the connector groove portion 17 is not provided on the outer surface 15d of the cylindrical portion 15.

The distal tip 42 is different from the distal tip 12 shown in FIG. 2 in that the distal tip 42 does not have the vent hole 21 and instead has a plurality of tip groove portions 43 (ventilation grooves) formed on the inner surface 42d.
The tip groove portion 43 is formed from the base end 42 a to the tip end 42 b of the tip tip 42. The plurality of chip grooves 43 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the tip chip 42. The chip groove 43 can be formed, for example, along the maximum inclination line of the inner surface 42d.
The cross-sectional shape of the chip groove 43 is a rectangle. The number of chip groove portions 43 is not particularly limited and can be one or more.

  Since the tip end 42 is used in the liquid discharge unit 5B, the air in the external space can be introduced into the tip end space 44 of the tip tip 42 through the tip groove portion 43.

FIG. 4 shows a liquid ejection unit 5 </ b> C that is a third example of the liquid ejection unit 5. The liquid discharge unit 5 </ b> C includes a chip unit 40. The chip unit 40 is different from the chip unit 30 shown in FIG. 3 in that a tip chip 52 is used instead of the tip chip 42.
The tip 52 is different from the tip 42 shown in FIG. 3 in that a plurality of tip grooves 53 (ventilation grooves) having a V-shaped cross-section are formed on the inner surface 52d instead of the tip groove 43. The tip groove portion 53 is formed from the base end 52 a to the tip end 52 b of the tip tip 52. The chip groove 53 can be formed, for example, along the maximum inclination line of the inner surface 52d.

  Since the tip end 52 is used in the liquid ejection unit 5C, the air in the external space can be introduced into the tip end space 54 through the tip groove 53.

  3 and 4, the connector 41 without the connector groove is used. However, the liquid discharge portions 5B and 5C include a connector having a connector groove, for example, the connector 11 shown in FIG. It may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stored liquid mass detection means 6 can detect the mass of the liquid storage container 1. The stored liquid mass detection means 6 includes a mass meter 31 and a suspension part 32.
The mass meter 31 is, for example, a load cell, and can detect the mass of the liquid L in the liquid storage container 1 suspended by the suspension unit 32 and output a detection signal. The mass meter 31 can calculate the mass of the liquid L in the liquid storage container 1 by subtracting the previously measured mass of the liquid storage container 1 itself from the mass including the liquid storage container 1 and the liquid L.

The discharge liquid mass detection means 7 has a mass meter 33, and the receiving container 9 can be placed on the upper surface 7a.
The mass meter 33 is, for example, a load cell, and can detect the mass of the liquid L in the receiving container 9 and output a detection signal. The mass meter 33 can calculate the mass of the liquid L in the receiving container 9 by subtracting the mass of the receiving container 9 itself measured in advance from the mass including the receiving container 9 and the liquid L.

  The control unit 8 can control the amount of the liquid L fed in the pump 3 based on a detection signal from at least one of the stored liquid mass detection unit 6 and the discharge liquid mass detection unit 7. For example, if the running speed of the roller is adjusted by adjusting the driving amount of the driving unit of the pump 3 (peristaltic pump) based on the detection signal, the feeding amount of the liquid L can be controlled.

  The control unit 8 can be constituted by, for example, a computer, a controller, a processor, and the like. The control method may be ON / OFF control or other control. The detection signal transmission method to the control unit 8 is not particularly limited, and a wired transmission such as a cable may be used, or a wireless transmission may be used.

  The liquid storage container 1, the liquid channel 2, the connector 11, and the tip 12 are preferably sterilized before use. The sterilization means can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and examples thereof include radiation such as γ rays, heating with water vapor and the like, and gas such as ethylene oxide.

[First example of liquid supply method]
Next, a first example of a method for supplying a liquid using the liquid supply apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
In the liquid supply method of the first example, a method of controlling the amount of liquid L delivered by the pump 3 based on the detection value of the stored liquid mass detection means 6 is adopted.
Although the liquid L stored in the liquid storage container 1 is not specifically limited, For example, it is a liquid culture medium. The liquid L is not limited to this, and may be water, oil, a solution, a solvent, a dispersion, an emulsion, a suspension, or the like. The liquid L may contain powder, cells, solid medium, beads and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pump 3 is driven to send the liquid L in the liquid storage container 1 through the liquid flow path 2 toward the liquid discharge unit 5 (5A).
As shown in FIG. 2, in the liquid ejection part 5 </ b> A, the liquid L introduced from the liquid channel 2 through the connector 11 can be ejected to the outside from the opening 12 c of the tip chip 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid L discharged from the tip 12 is supplied to the receiving container 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vent 21 of the tip 12 communicates the tip space 22 and the external space 23 of the tip 12 via the circumferential groove 18 and the extension groove 19, so that the air in the external space 23 Can be introduced into the tip end space 22 through the vent hole 21, the circumferential groove 18 and the extending groove 19. Therefore, the liquid L does not accumulate in the tip end space 22 of the tip 12.
Therefore, contamination caused by the liquid pool generated in the tip end space 22 can be prevented, and the aseptic state of the liquid L can be reliably maintained. Further, since no liquid pool is generated, the backflow of the liquid L to the liquid flow path 2 does not occur.

When the liquid L in the liquid storage container 1 is led out through the liquid flow path 2, the mass of the liquid L in the liquid storage container 1 becomes small.
When the mass of the liquid L detected by the stored liquid mass detection means 6 reaches a predetermined set value, for example, the control unit 8 sends a control signal to the pump 3 to stop the pump 3 and to the receiving side container 9. The supply of the liquid L is stopped. Thereby, the amount of the liquid L supplied to the receiving container 9 becomes a predetermined amount.

[Second Example of Liquid Supply Method]
Next, a second example of a method for supplying a liquid using the liquid supply apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
In the liquid supply method of the second example, a method of controlling the amount of liquid L delivered by the pump 3 based on the detection value of the discharge liquid mass detection means 7 is adopted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pump 3 is driven, the liquid L in the liquid storage container 1 is sent toward the liquid discharge unit 5 (5 </ b> A), discharged from the tip 12, and supplied to the receiving container 9.
When the mass of the liquid L detected by the discharge liquid mass detection means 7 reaches a predetermined set value, for example, the control unit 8 sends a control signal to the pump 3 to stop the pump 3 and to the receiving side container 9. The supply of the liquid L is stopped. Thereby, the amount of the liquid L supplied to the receiving container 9 becomes a predetermined amount.

Since the liquid supply device 10 transfers the liquid L through the liquid flow path 2, unlike the pipette device 100 shown in FIG. Therefore, contamination in the liquid storage container 1 and the receiving container 9 can be prevented and a sterile condition can be maintained.
In addition, since the liquid L is transferred through the liquid flow path 2, the operation by the operator is less than that of the pipette device 100 shown in FIG. Furthermore, the supply amount of the liquid L can be determined accurately.
Since the tip 12 is detachable from the connector 11, it is easy to maintain the sterilized state of the liquid L by appropriately exchanging the new tip 12 in a sterile state with the used tip 12.

  When the stored liquid mass detection means 6 is used, the amount of liquid L delivered by the pump 3 is controlled based on the mass of the liquid L in the liquid storage container 1, so that less operator operation is required. Nation risk can be further reduced. In addition, the operation of supplying the liquid L can be facilitated, and the supply amount of the liquid L can be determined with high accuracy.

  When the discharge liquid mass detecting means 7 is used, the amount of liquid L delivered by the pump 3 is controlled based on the mass of the liquid L in the receiving side container 9, so that the operation by the operator can be reduced. Nation risk can be further reduced. In addition, the operation of supplying the liquid L can be facilitated, and the supply amount of the liquid L can be determined with high accuracy.

  When the liquid discharge portions 5B and 5C shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are adopted instead of the liquid discharge portion 5A shown in FIG. 2, the air in the external space passes through the tip groove portions 43 and 53 and the tips of the tip tips 42 and 52 It can be introduced into the partial spaces 44 and 54. Therefore, the liquid L does not accumulate in the tip end spaces 44 and 54 of the tip tips 42 and 52. Therefore, contamination can be prevented and the aseptic state of the liquid L can be reliably maintained.

As mentioned above, although this invention has been demonstrated based on suitable embodiment, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
In the liquid supply apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the pump 3 is provided. However, when the liquid L can be transferred from the liquid storage container 1 to the liquid discharge unit 5 by another configuration, the liquid storage is performed by gravity, for example. When the liquid L in the container 1 can be guided to the liquid discharge unit 5, the liquid supply device can be configured without a pump.
In this case, the control of the liquid feeding amount by the control unit can be performed by an operation of a clamp. For example, in FIG. 1, when the mass of the liquid L detected by the stored liquid mass detection means 6 or the discharge liquid mass detection means 7 reaches a predetermined set value, the control unit 8 sends a control signal to the clamp 4. The liquid flow path 2 can be switched from the open state to the closed state by the feeding and driving unit. Thereby, supply of the liquid L to the receiving side container 9 can be stopped, and the quantity of the liquid L supplied to the receiving side container 9 becomes a predetermined quantity.

  The liquid supply apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes the storage liquid mass detection unit 6 and the discharge liquid mass detection unit 7, but either one of the storage liquid mass detection unit 6 and the discharge liquid mass detection unit 7 may be omitted. Good.

  In the liquid discharge portions 5B and 5C shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tip groove portions 43 and 53 are formed from the base ends 42a and 52a of the tip tips 42 and 52 to the tip ends 42b and 52b. The structure is not limited to the illustrated example as long as the air in the space can be introduced into the tip portion space of the tip. For example, if the tip groove portion reaches a position where the upper end is open to the external space and the lower end faces the tip end space, the air in the outer space can be introduced into the tip end space of the tip tip.

  The liquid supply apparatus of the present invention can be suitably used for biotechnology-related apparatuses such as culture apparatuses and column chromatography apparatuses. In the case of performing control by the control unit, the liquid supply apparatus can include an input unit such as a switch, an output unit such as a display panel, a program stored in the control unit, a memory, and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid storage container, 2 ... Liquid flow path, 3 ... Pump, 4 ... Clamp, 5 ... Liquid discharge part, 6 ... Reserved liquid mass detection means, 7 ... Discharge liquid mass detection means, 8 ... Control part, 10 ... Liquid Supply device, 11 ... connector, 12 ... tip tip, 15d ... outer surface, 15e ... attached region (outer surface of connector into which tip tip is inserted), 17 ... connector groove (ventilation groove), 20, 30, 40 ... chip unit , 21 ... vent hole, 22, 44, 54 ... tip end space (space on the tip end side of the connector in the inner space of the tip), 23 ... external space, 43, 53 ... tip groove (ventilation groove).

Claims (7)

A liquid storage container for storing liquid;
A liquid flow path for guiding the liquid in the liquid storage container;
A liquid discharge part for discharging the liquid in the liquid flow path,
The liquid ejection part has a chip unit connected to the liquid flow path,
The chip unit includes a connector connected to the liquid flow path, and a tip chip that is detachably attached to the connector and discharges the liquid.   The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pump for sending the liquid in the liquid flow path toward the liquid discharge unit. A storage liquid mass detection means for detecting the mass of the liquid in the liquid storage container;
The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to control the amount of the liquid fed based on a detection value of the stored liquid mass detection unit. Discharge liquid mass detection means for detecting the mass of the liquid discharged by the liquid discharge unit;
The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to control the amount of the liquid fed based on a detection value of the discharge liquid mass detection unit. On the outer surface of the connector on which the tip is inserted, a ventilation groove is formed which leads to a space on the tip side from the connector in the inner space of the tip.
5. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the tip has a vent opening that allows communication between the internal space of the vent groove and the external space of the tip. Feeding device.   6. The vent tip is formed with a ventilation groove that communicates a space closer to the tip than the connector and an outer space of the tip in the inner space of the tip. The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of the above. A liquid storage container having a lead-out port for leading out the liquid; a liquid channel connected to the lead-out port for guiding the liquid in the liquid storage container; and a liquid discharge for discharging the liquid in the liquid channel And used in the liquid discharge part of a liquid supply device comprising:
A chip unit comprising: a connector connected to the liquid flow path; and a tip chip that is detachably attached to the connector and discharges the liquid.

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