JPS58142243A - Multiple channel pipeter - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pipetting, and more particularly to multichannel pipettes. The pipettor of the present invention was developed for injecting a required solution into the wells of a multi-well plate used for various test experiments in laboratories.

Currently, the only equipment available to perform the necessary pipetting operations when using multi-well plates is large, complex equipment. This known device is bulky and difficult to use. The problem with this device is that it is not designed to be easily operated by humans. These devices require a user to hold the device, direct it to a desired well, and operate the device, and it is extremely difficult to simultaneously measure and supply the required amount of liquid and operate the device accurately. As a result, test experiments using known devices for liquid supply were often adversely affected. Furthermore, current pipetters are expensive because they use precision machined parts.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel pipettor, an instrument designed to be easy and precise to operate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel pipettor that allows precise control of the filling operation and increases filling accuracy. Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel pipettor, which is made primarily of synthetic resin moldings, has relatively inexpensive parts, is easy to assemble, and can be manufactured at low cost. provides a multi-channel pipettor for easy positioning and accurate filling.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel pipettor that combines a disposable tip with an automatic tip dispenser, making the operation easy and convenient.

A preferred embodiment of the multi-channel pipettor according to the invention to achieve the above objectives is summarized as follows. The pipettor's case has front and rear walls and a large opening near the top of the case to accommodate the fingers.

Install the block inside the case below the opening. The block is formed with a plurality of parallel cylinders extending downwardly from the lower end of the case. Each cylinder has a disposable tip slidably engageable at its lower end. A piston plate is installed inside the case and reciprocated parallel to the cylinder axis. The piston plate is installed below the opening of the case. A plurality of pistons mounted on the piston plate each extend into the cylinder.

When the piston plate reciprocates, the piston moves axially within the cylinder. The piston plate is moved by a finger-actuated slide and is moved by interaction between ramps formed together on the slide and the piston plate.

A stripper plate connected to the piston plate has a flange at its lower end and slides along the outer surface of the cylinder. When the piston plate reaches its lowest position, the stripper plate discharges the chips that have engaged with the lower end of the cylinder. A stop member is provided on the case to prevent the finger actuated slide from inadvertently moving to the lowest position. A locking device is installed in the case and attached to the piston plate, and the user is informed by tactile sense that the piston has moved within the cylinder to a position of a predetermined displacement amount.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Illustrative embodiments and drawings will be described to clarify objects and advantages of the present invention.

The swivel head 10 shown in the figure has a pistol-grip type case 20 which, by means of a pace 22 and a cover 24, forms a wide narrow chamber 26 in which various parts of the device are mounted. The main components within chamber 26 include a cylinder block 28 having a plurality of cylinders 30, a piston plate 32 supporting a series of pistons 34 extending into the cylinders 30, and a finger actuated slide 36. Volume controller 38 produces a tactile signal to the operator upon actuation of the pipettor. The device further includes a stripper plate 40 for removing a disposable fill tube (tip) 42 attached to the cylinder, and a release button 44 for controlling the operation of the stripper plate 40 by limiting the movement of the slide.

Each part will be explained in detail below.

The pace 22 forms an assembly platform for the main parts, and includes a support wall 50 and
It has a front flange 52 and a rear flange 54, with the flanges 52,54 flared slightly upwardly at an angle of about 10' to form a pistol grip shape of the case. Flange 56 forms the top edge of the base, and bottom edge 58 is free of flanges, rims, etc.

The cover 24 is two-sided symmetrical with respect to the base 22 and has a front wall 60 . Front flange 62. It has a rear flange 64° and a top 7 flange 66. A flange 68 is provided on the lower edge of the cover 24 in a concavo-convex shape to support the cylinder 60 of the block 28 as described below. When the case is closed by threaded screws 69, the flanges of the base and cover contact each other and surround the chamber 26.

Provide operation holes 70 and 72 in the base and cover and slide 3
6 and the slide 36 forms the trigger of the pipettor.

A cylinder block 28 mounted at the bottom of the chamber 26 forms a number of parallel cylinders 60. A lower tapered nozzle 74 of cylinder 30 extends outwardly from chamber 26 and aligns with a semicircular slot 76 formed in flange 68 of cover 24 . The cylinders are integrally formed with the plate 78, and at the top of each cylinder there is a 0-I seat formed in the plate 78 as shown in FIG.
I support J Song 0. Retainer 8 in surface contact with plate 78
2 holds the O-ring in place. board 78
and retainer 82 are retained within chamber 26 by opposed base and cover flange pairs 88,90. A shallow recess 92 is provided in the base and cover, and the plate 78. as shown in Figure 2.6. Hold the long edge of the retainer 82.

The piston plate 62 attached to the chamber 26 is connected to the fourth to sixth piston plates in the chamber 26.
It reciprocates in the direction shown by arrow button 0 in the figure. The plate 62 has a cylinder device plate 78 and a flange 103 parallel to the retainer 82.
．． 105 forms a lower channel 102 which supports the piston 34 and extends into the cylinder as shown in FIG. 2.3. A slot 104 formed in the front surface 6 of the plate 32 engages with a lip 1o8 formed on the inner surface of the side wall 60 of the cover to guide the reciprocating movement of the plate 62.

The upper edge of the piston plate 32 is inclined at about 35 degrees with respect to the center line of the slot button 6. The upper edge 110 forms a channel 112 as shown in FIG.
6 engages a channel 113 formed in the lower edge 114 of the piston plate to maintain an operative connection between the slide and the plate and to transmit the movement of the slide to the piston plate.

By forming the upper edge 11o of the piston plate and the lower edge of the slide into a stepped portion, the connecting portion is formed between the base and the cover at the opening lower 0.
No exposure to 72. As shown in Figures 4-6, the piston plate is not visible through the opening.

The piston 64 can be formed as an integral part of the piston plate or can be later attached to the plate as a separate part. In the example shown, the pistons are manufactured separately and each have a collar 120 at the top that engages a recess 122 formed in the flange 103 of the plate 62.

The main panel of the piston plate 32 is formed with a y-rectangular opening 160 to accommodate the displacement control device 38. The device 38 is provided with a U-shaped slide 162 for reciprocating within the aperture 130, with side edges 134 of the slide engaging and guiding the side edges of the aperture.

A compression spring 140 shown in FIG. 2 is engaged with a post 166 formed along the right side of the opening 130 such that the left end of the spring contacts the slide 132 and pushes the slide to the left in FIGS. 4-6. A post 142 attached to the wall 50 of the base 22 projects across the path of the slide 162 so that the slide springs 14
Limit the dimension moving to the left by 0. Post 142 contacts the left end surface 146 of the slide.

If the piston plate 62 reciprocates in the direction shown by the arrow 100,
A surface 146 of slide 132 slides along post 142. Surface 146 is formed with a step 148 which contacts post 142 and provides resistance to downward movement of the piston plate as the slide moves downwardly with the piston plate. The compression spring 140 is flexible and allows the slide to move further to the right when the shoulder 148 contacts the post without inhibiting downward movement of the piston plate. Therefore, it becomes a tactile signal that informs the operator of the specific position of the piston plate. That is, the pipettor operator receives signals from the column 142 and the step 148 to know the amount of piston 34 being ejected within the cylinder 30 .

How to use the signal will be explained when explaining the operation of the pipettor.

The finger actuated slide 36 has a flat plate 16 with a grip opening 162.
0, and the opening lower of the base and cover 22.24 is 0.72
corresponds to the shape of A flange 164 surrounding the aperture 162 protects the user's fingers placed within the aperture to manipulate the pipettor. The slide 36 is located within the chamber 26 in the direction of arrow 1 in FIGS.
It goes back and forth as shown in 66.

The lower edge 114 of the slide 36 is stepped like the upper part of the piston plate 32, and the channel 11 formed in the lower edge 114! l
connects to a channel 112 in the upper edge 110 of the piston plate 32.

A slot 176 is provided in the upper edge 174 of the slide 36 to engage ribs 178 formed in the base 22 to retain the slide and limit the movement of the slide to the reciprocating motion of arrow 166. A compression spring 180 is attached to the boss 178 at the rear of the slide 66.
, the spring 180 engages the channel 17 of the next step 22.
9 and push the slide to the left in Figures 4-6. Pushing the slide to the right in FIG. 5.6 against the spring force causes the piston plate to move downwardly within the chamber 26 due to engagement of the ramps between the slide and the piston plate.

Release button 44 is pivotally supported on top of chamber 26 by a pin 190 extending between the base and the cover. The button 44 has two arms 192, 194 and is adapted to the edge shape of the case. A short compression spring 196 engaged with a post 198 attached to arm 192 contacts peg 193 and presses button 144 clockwise in FIGS. 4-6 to maintain the position shown in FIGS. 5-6. A stop 202 is provided on the arm 194 of the button 44 and projects into the path of a projection 204 attached to the upper rear edge of the slide 66. Stop 202 defines the limit of retraction against the force of sliding spring 180 when in the position of FIG. 4.5. When the arm 192 of the button 44 is pressed and the button is pushed counterclockwise against the spring 196, the stop 202 is released from the protrusion 2.
02, the slide can be moved to the fully retracted position shown in FIG.

A stripper plate 40 is supported below the piston plate 32 and reciprocates with the plate 62 in the direction shown by arrow 100. S) I
The J collar plate 40 has an ar rectangular shape, and a flange 220 along the upper edge engages with the bottom back side of the piston plate 62. The stripper plate has tabs 222 secured to slots formed in the piston plate, such as by adhesive. A plurality of curved grooves 224 are provided on the front surface of the plate 40 to receive the side portions of the cylinders 28. Groove 22
The edges of 4 slide within notches formed in the side edges of plate 78 and retainer 82. FIG. 2 shows only the notches of retainer 82. FIG. S) A shallow notch 232 is provided in the leg 230 at the lower edge of the IJ collar plate to surround the nozzle portion 74 of the cylinder 28.

(b) When the IJ collar moves downward, the legs 260 engage the removable tip 42 and remove the tip from the nozzle 74.

As mentioned in the preamble, the pipettor of the present invention is used to fill the wells of a 96-well plate for performing various laboratory test experiments. This board has 12 rows of 8 quels,
The pipettor of the invention fills all wells in a row simultaneously. By repeating this operation 12 times, all 96 wells are filled. The user holds the pistol grip-shaped case of the user, and slides two fingers, for example, the toe and the middle finger or the middle finger and the nameless finger, through the open lower part 0, 72 of the case 20.
come into contact with. The palm surrounds the case and the edges of the base and cover 5
4.64 and held in the same way as a gun grip in all cases, with the toga finger extending to the back. A normally disposable tip 41 is attached to the nozzle 74 of each cylinder so that the pipettor can draw and supply fluid to be placed in each well of the tray.When the pipettor is empty, the user pulls the trigger formed by the finger slide 36. , the slide moves to the right and the piston plate moves down so that the piston 34 enters the cylinder by the required distance.

In this state, the user can confirm that the shoulder 148 of the capacity control device is
Feel the resistance in contact with 2. This position is shown in FIG.

The slide 132 is selected to have a particular notch 148 such that when the shoulder 148 contacts the post 142 and creates resistance, the piston displacement within the cylinder is a particular required volume. Once the slide 132 is moved to that position, the user places the lower end of the tip 42 into the solution to be drawn into the pipettor. When the user releases the slide, the slide returns to the leftmost position shown in FIG. 4 under the force of spring 180, and piston 34 retracts from cylinder 28, creating a negative pressure and drawing solution into the cylinder.

Next, the user holds the pipettor in the same way as a gun grip and holds the tip 4.
Match the bottom edge of 2 to the row of wells to be filled. The user pulls the trigger and moves the slide to the right, bringing the shoulder 148 of the volume controller into contact with the post 142. By this operation, the liquid in the cylinder is discharged into the well. To completely drain the solution in the cylinder, the user pulls the trigger to move the piston downward so that the shoulder 148 passes through the post 142. Spring 140 is compressed and slide 132 moves to the right. As shown in FIG. 5, when shoulder 148 contacts post 142, stop 202 does not contact protrusion 204, allowing further movement of the slide to the right. Move the slide to the right to bring the protrusion 204 into contact with the stop 202 and complete evacuation of the cylinder. Repeat the above procedure to fill all rows of wells.

When the user discards the chip 42, press the release button 44.
is pushed against the spring 196, and the stop 202 is pushed against the protrusion 204.
outside the route. Press button 44 to move the slide to the 6th position.
It can be moved to the right end position shown in the figure, where the legs 230 of the strike IJ collar plate contact the upper edge of the tip 42 and push the tip out of the nozzle 74.

As mentioned above, the present invention provides various advantages.

First, almost all parts other than the spring can be made by injection molding of synthetic resin, and there are very few machined parts. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of each part is relatively low. Second, the pipettor is small and easy to handle, and there is no discomfort when using it. The pipettor's case fits nicely in the palm and can be held and used with one hand without fatigue. The case structure has a short tip 72 extending from the bottom of the gun grip.
It is easy for the user to align the chip well.

The arrangement of the cylinder allows the tip to be tilted slightly forward from the bottom of the shank, making it easier for the user to position the tip in the well. The cylinder is inclined at approximately 20° to the vertical axis of the case. This device is capable of filling and discharging the cylinder and discharging the disposable chips in the same stroke. At the same time, the secure stop prevents the chip from being accidentally ejected. The release button 44 can be pressed with the tow finger of the hand holding the pipettor, or with the other hand.

Another important advantage of the present invention is fine control during the filling operation, and the angular relationship between the slide and the piston plate results in a significantly greater amount of movement of the slide relative to the reciprocating size of the piston plate. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of engagement between the piston plate and the slide is approximately 55° relative to the direction of movement of the piston plate. Therefore, the ratio of the stroke of the slide to the stroke of the piston is 2:1 or more. The large sliding stroke allows the user to precisely control the movement of the piston within the cylinder when drawing the solution.

The present invention can be modified in various ways, and the examples and drawings are illustrative and do not limit the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a multichannel pipettor according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a developed view of the pipettor in Figure 1, Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a side view of the pipettor with the cover removed and shows the rest position, and Figure 5 Figure 6 is a side view similar to Figure 4 but showing the slide moved to the first position; Figure 6 is a side view similar to Figure 4 but showing the slide pulled to the chip ejection position. It is. 10 pipettor 20 case 22 base 24 cover 28 cylinder block 30 cylinder. 32 Piston plate 34 Piston 36 Finger operated slide 38 Capacity control device 40 Stripper plate 42 Chip 44 Release button 70.72 Opening 4 Nozzle 78 plate 82 Retainer 132 Slide 142 Pillar 148 Shoulder 202 Stop 222 Tap FIG, 3 FIG, θ

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A multi-channel pipettor, which includes a case having a support wall and an opening for inserting a finger near the top end of the support wall, and a plurality of parallel cylinders mounted below the opening in the case. a block extending downwardly from the lower end so that a filling tube, such as a tip, can be slidably engaged with the lower end of the cylinder;
A piston plate is mounted below the opening so that it can reciprocate within the case parallel to the cylinder axis, a plurality of pistons are attached to the piston plate and extend into the cylinder and move in the axial direction within the cylinder as the piston plate reciprocates; Mounted within the case in alignment with the cylinder is a finger-actuated slide that reciprocates along a path at an acute angle to the path of the bisted plate, and the slide and piston plate are formed to engage each other and direct the movement of the slide. A filling tube is provided with an inclined surface to allow movement of the piston in the cylinder and a flange at the lower end connected to the piston plate to slide along the lower edge of the cylinder and engage the lower end of the cylinder when the piston plate is in its lowest position. A stripper plate is attached to the case and selectively includes a stop member that prevents the slide from moving the piston plate to the lowest position. A multi-channel pipettor comprising: a locking device that senses movement by a selected amount of ejection. 2. The pipettor according to claim 1, wherein the case is provided with a side line that cooperates with the opening, and the case is shaped like a gun handle to facilitate the operation of the slide inside the opening. 6. The pipettor according to claim 2, further comprising a spring that engages with the slide within the case to press the slide and maintain the piston in the retracted position within the cylinder. 4. The engagement device has a pillar installed at a fixed position in the case, a driven member supported on the piston plate and moved along the pillar surface when the piston plate reciprocates, and a driven member formed on the driven member and moved along the pillar surface when the piston plate reciprocates. 2. A pipettor as claimed in claim 1, including a shoulder engaging said shoulder to vary the load on said slide to indicate displacement of said piston. 5. The pipettor according to claim 2, wherein the axis of the cylinder forms about 20' with respect to the vertical, and the cylinder extends downwardly and away from the user. 6. A multi-channel pipettor, comprising a case, a plurality of cylinders whose axes are parallel to each other inside the case, and a piston that is movably installed in the case and moves together to support the plurality of pistons that reciprocate within the cylinders. The plate, a finger-operated slide movably mounted in the case at an angle relative to the movement path of the piston plate, and the slide and piston plate are interconnected, and the piston plate and the piston in the cylinder are reciprocated by the operation of the slide. A multi-channel pipettor characterized in that it has a connecting means for connecting the pipette. □゛Z Pipettor according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a tactile signal device mounted in the case and indicating the amount of piston displacement in the cylinder when the piston moves by sliding. 8. The cylinder is extended outside the case, and its lower end is tapered to engage the filling tip, and the stripper is attached to the case and moves together with the piston plate to discharge the tip from the cylinder when the slide is moved to the end position. The pipettor according to claim 6, characterized in that: 9 A suppressing device is installed in the case and operatively coupled to the slide to press the slide toward a first position in which the piston is retracted relative to the cylinder, and the suppressing device is pressed against the suppressing device by operation of a finger of the slide. Claim 6, characterized in that the piston moves into the cylinder to move the slide towards a second position for ejecting the cylinder contents.
Pipetta as described in section. 10. The cylinder was extended to the outside of the case and the lower end was tapered to engage the filling tip and the tab, and the cylinder was attached to the case and moved together with the piston plate, causing the slide to move from the first position past the second position to the final position. 10. A pipettor as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that it is provided with a stripper for occasionally removing the tip from the cylinder. 11. The pipettor according to claim 10, further comprising a tactile display device mounted within the case to indicate the amount of piston discharged from the cylinder when the piston moves by sliding. 12. The pipettor of claim 10, wherein the pipettor mounted to the case includes a releasable stop member for selectively preventing movement of the slide from the second position to the terminal position. 13. The pipettor according to claim 11, wherein the case is shaped like a pistol grip, and a finger-operated slide is exposed within an opening formed in the case. 14. A case, at least one cylinder within the case, and a piston plate movably mounted within the case supporting a piston for each cylinder, the piston plate moving the piston within the cylinder as it moves within the case. Reciprocate,
a finger actuated slide slidably mounted on the case at an angle in the path of movement of the piston plate; and an interconnection device connecting the slide and the piston plate to reciprocate the piston plate and the piston by actuation of the slide. Pipetta featuring. 15. The pipettor according to claim 14, wherein the case is shaped like a pistol grip, and the cylindrical gun grip bottom portion extends outside the case. 16. The pipettor according to claim 11, wherein the cylindrical gun grip bottom portion extends outside the case. 1Z The pipettor according to claim 5, wherein the cylindrical gun grip bottom portion extends outside the case. 18. Claim 1, wherein the interconnection device between the slide and the piston plate makes the linear movement distance of the piston plate less than % of the linear movement distance of the slide.
The pipettor described in item 4.