WO2008068605A1

WO2008068605A1 - Tip mounting device for sampling device

Info

Publication number: WO2008068605A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/003808
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Roussel
Original assignee: Gilson S.A.S.
Priority date: 2006-12-07
Filing date: 2007-12-06
Publication date: 2008-06-12

Abstract

A tip mounting device is provided for use with a pipette and/or a pipetting system. The tip mounting device includes a body including a first aperture, a sealing element mounted in the first aperture of the body, and a second tip holding end mounted in the first aperture of the body. The sealing element includes a second aperture configured to accept the first tip holding end of the pipette. The second tip holding end is configured to accept a sampling tip and includes a third aperture. The second aperture and the third aperture are positioned in communication to provide fluid transfer between the second aperture and the third aperture when the tip mounting device is assembled.

Description

TIP MOUNTING DEVICE FOR SAMPLING PIPETTE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of French Patent Application No. 0655371 , filed December 7, 2006. French Patent Application No. 0655371 , including the specification, drawings, claims and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The field of the disclosure relates generally to the area of sampling pipettes, also called laboratory pipettes or liquid transfer pipettes, intended to be used for sampling and for the aspiration and dispensation of liquids.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Sampling pipettes are known from the prior art, having a conventional design of the type integrating a body forming a handle, and a lower portion having at its end part one or more tip cones, or tip holders, whose known function is to hold sampling tips, also called consumables.

[0004] In this respect, it is noted that this type of design is found both in single channel pipettes, namely having a single tip holder at the end of one pipette shaft, and in multichannel pipettes i.e. having a plurality of tip holders at the end of a plurality of pipette shafts, whether the pipette is manual or motorized.

[0005] However, the particular shape adopted for each tip holding end of a pipette strongly determines the type of sampling tip that cooperates with the pipettes currently being used, because the connection obtained between these two elements, after press-fitting them together, must both be sealed and sufficiently rigid to prevent loss of the tip during use. In other words, a pipette with a given tip holding shape is generally adapted to cooperate with a particular type of sampling tip having a shape meeting the above-mentioned sealing and securing functions, but nevertheless remaining non-adapted for use with other types of sampling tips. In this respect, a change in the entire lower portion of the pipette may be needed to accommodate a different tip because the entire lower portion is usually screwed onto the body forming a handle. However, this method represents an unnecessary change in the pipette in use, in that only the end part of this lower portion i.e . the part shaped to hold a sampling tip needs to be adapted to receive sampling tips of a type other than the type for which the pipette was initially designed.

[0006] The problem of incompatibility between the shape of the pipette's tip holding end and the shape of the sampling tips is generally encountered when a sampling pipette, whose tip was originally intended to be attached by an operator by manual press-fitting, is used in an automated pipette positioning system such as a multi-axis robot e.g. a so-called two or three-axis pipetting robot, where the number of axes may be greater than three. The type of sampling tip used in a pipetting system with an automated pipette positioning system, generally has a shape that is not adapted for press-fitting onto the end of a standard, conventional sampling pipette originally intended to be handled by an operator for the press-fitting operation of the sampling tip(s).

[0007] Also, the shaft end of a standard, conventional sampling pipette is usually of a substantially rough and approximately cylindrical shape, representing few problems for an operator conducting the manual press-fitting of a sampling tip of complementary shape. Effectively, during this manual operation, despite the shape of the pipette shaft end part, the operator having visual access to the parts to be press-fitted can easily adapt/correct the handling operation to achieve the desired press-fitting. On the other hand, when using an automated positioning system in which the tip holding shaft end is automatically brought towards the sampling tip to be fitted, the shaft end has a more tapered shape to ensure its safe, problem-free automatic fitting into the tip to be fitted. This is achieved, for example ,by providing the tip holding end of the pipette shaft with a relatively pronounced conical shape. Tests have shown that the use of a tip holding end of a conventional, standard sampling pipette, in an automated positioning system, inevitably results in a collision between the tip holding end part and the top part of the sampling tip when the shaft is moved.

[0008] Additionally, when using multichannel pipettes, the tip holding ends of the pipette shafts may not be arranged relative to each other with sufficient accuracy, in terms of spacing and alignment, to allow easy handling by an operator conducting manual fitting of the sampling tips. Also, these spacing and alignment defects may become extremely problematic for automated fitting, since this may result in multiple collisions between a tip holding shaft end and its associated sampling tip.

SUMMARY

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, a tip mounting device is provided. The tip mounting device includes, but is not limited to, a body including a first aperture, a sealing element mounted in the first aperture of the body, and a second tip holding end mounted in the first aperture of the body. The sealing element includes, but is not limited to, a second aperture configured to accept the first tip holding end of the pipette. The second tip holding end is configured to accept a sampling tip and includes, but is not limited to, a third aperture. The second aperture and the third aperture are positioned in communication to provide fluid transfer between the second aperture and the third aperture when the tip mounting device is assembled.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, a device is provided. The device includes, but is not limited to, a pipette and the tip mounting device. The pipette includes, but is not limited to, a pipette body and a first tip holding end extending from the pipette body.

[0011] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, the pipette, an automated positioning system for positioning the pipette, and the tip mounting device. The automated positioning system includes, but is not limited to, a first beam and an attachment arm mounted to the first beam for movement in a first direction. The tip mounting device is mounted to the attachment arm of the automated positioning system. [0012] Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pipetting system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0015] Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pipetting system of Fig. 1 taken along line M-Il in Fig. 3;

[0016] Fig. 3 is partial cross-sectional view along line Ill-Ill in Fig. 2;

[0017] Fig. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the tip mounting device of the pipetting system of Figs. 2 and 3;

[0018] Fig. 5 is a side view of a pipetting system according to a second exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view along line Vl-Vl of Fig. 5; and

[0020] Fig. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the tip mounting device of the pipetting system of Figs. 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0021] With reference to Fig. 1 , a pipetting system 1 is show in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Pipetting system 1 includes an automated positioning system 2 for a pipette and a pipetting device 4 mounted on automated positioning system 2.

[0022] The automated positioning system 2 can be of any form known to those skilled in the art. In the exemplary embodiment, automated positioning system 2 includes a three-axis robot comprising a first beam 6 oriented along a direction Y, a second beam 8 oriented along a direction X, and a third beam 10 oriented along a direction Z. The directions X, Y, and Z are orthogonal to each other. The second beam 8 provides automated movement with respect to the first beam 6 in direction Y, and similarly the third beam 10 provides automated movement with respect to the second beam 8 in direction X. In addition, a mounting arm 12 of automated positioning system 2 has automated movement with respect to the third beam 10 in direction Z. Consequently, the mounting arm 12 of the automated positioning system 2 provides automated movement in space as desired which, by means of programming adapted to the automated positioning system 2, enables one or more successive steps to be performed consisting respectively of ensuring the press-fitting of sampling tips, sampling a liquid using these same sampling tips, transferring the sampled liquid to other receptacle(s), and ejecting the sampling tips.

[0023] The pipetting device 4 includes a pipetting apparatus 14 on which a sampling tip 1 6 or consumable is mounted. The pipetting apparatus 14, shown Fig. 1 , in the assembled state effectively comprises a sampling pipette 18 and a tip mounting device 20 designed to be assembled on sampling pipette 18 as will be explained in detail below.

[0024] The sampling pipette 18 may be of any shape known to persons skilled in the art, and, in the exemplary embodiment, is in the shape of a conventional, standard pipette originally intended to be handled by an operator for the press-fitting of a sampling tip. More precisely, sampling pipette 18, manual or motorized, in its upper part comprises a body 22 forming a handle, and a lower part 24 which integrates a tip holding end 26 of substantially cylindrical shape. As is known to those skilled in the art, the lower part 24 may be screw mounted onto the body 22.

[0025] The sampling tip 16 i s not directly mounted on the holding end 26 , but instead is mounted on the tip mounting device 20 itself fitted onto the tip holding end 26 of the pipette shaft. Thus, the tip mounting device 20 is inserted between the tip holding end 26 of the sampling pipette 18 and the sampling tip 16 and acts as an "adapter" advantageously allowing the pipette to be adapted to receive a sampling tip of a type other than the type for which it was initially designed.

[0026] The pipetting apparatus 14 shown in the assembled state in Fig. 1 and formed of the sampling pipette 18 and tip mounting device 20, can therefore offer a wider area of application than that of the pipette alone, in terms of the number of different types of tips which can be fitted onto the pipette. In this case, in the described exemplary embodiment, the tip mounting device 20 effectively allows a sampling tip 16 to be mounted that is specially adapted for automated use, whose shape usually differs substantially from the shape of the tips which can be received by the sampling pipette 18 originally intended to be handled by an operator for the press-fitting of the sampling tip.

[0027] As shown Fig. 1 , the movement of the pipetting system 4 commanded by the automated positioning system 2 is made by means of a rigid mechanic link between the tip mounting device 20 and automated positioning system 2, and more particularly between an attachment arm 28 of the tip mounting device 20 and the mounting arm 12 of the automated positioning system 2. Fo r e x a m p I e , this link may be made using screwing bolts (not visible in Fig. 1 ) which pass through holes provided for this purpose in mounting arm 12 and attachment arm 28. A l so , the sampling pipette 18 may be fixed simply in "non-accurate" fashion onto the mounting arm 12 e.g. by sliding sampling pipette 18 in a ring 29 secured to mounting arm 1 2 as shown in Fig. 1 , because the accuracy of movement of the sampling tip 16 derives exclusively from the rigid link between mounting arm 12 and attachment arm 28.

[0028] With reference to Figs. 2 to 4 detailing portions of the pipetting device 4, and in particular tip mounting device 20, it can be seen that tip mounting device 20 comprises a main body 30 that may be formed of metal such as aluminum or an alloy thereof. Main body 30 is preferably made in a single piece with the attachment arm 28 intended to be fixedly joined to mounting arm 12 of the automated positioning system 2. [0029] An interior of main body 30 is hollow, and in its upper part, includes a sealing element 32 configured to receive the tip holding end 26 of the pipette. Sealing element 32 is preferably made of a flexible material such as an elastomer, rubber, etc. through which an aperture 34 is pierced to receive the tip holding end 26 and extends along a sampling tip axis 36 forming a main axis of the sampling pipette 18. The sealing element 32, also called a receptacle, is intended to form a sealed connection with the tip holding end 26 of the sampling pipette 18 entering into its receiving aperture 34, and becomes deformed as can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3. The positioning of the sampling pipette 18 on the tip mounting device 20 is performed by inserting the tip holding end 26 of the pipette into the aperture 34 of sealing element 32 designed so that it deforms. Sampling pipette 18 is held in position by body 22, by exerting firm pressure so that the tip holding end 26 is pressed down as far as possible. The two parts 26, 32, under the deformation of the receiving aperture 34, then come into close contact, meaning that the connection obtained is firm with a strong seal. The operation of mounting the tip mounting device 20 onto the tip holding end 26 of the pipette may be performed before mounting the pipetting apparatus 14 onto the automated positioning system 2.

[0030] The sealing element 32 may be of multiple shapes, such as a tiered shape allowing it to receive different models of pipettes, and preferably is of an interchangeable nature so that it can be adapted in the best way possible to the shape of the tip holding end 26 that it is intended to receive in aperture 34. For this purpose, the sealing element 32 is designed to bear downwards on a shoulder 38 of the main body 30 by means of another shoulder 40 formed on the body for example at mid-height. Also, the sealing element 32 bears upwards against a closing plate 42 closing an upper part of the main body 30 and provided with a passageway 44 allowing the insertion of the tip holding end 26 of the pipette. As shown in Fig. 4 , the mounting of the closing plate 42, preferably made of aluminium or an alloy thereof, onto the main body 30 is substantially orthogonal to the axis 36 and is achieved by screwing. Therefore, to change the sealing element 32, the operator unscrews the closing plate 42 , slides the sealing element 32 out of the main body 30, and inserts a new sealing element 32, also by sliding the new sealing element 32 into the main body 30. The new sealing element 32 has a more suitable shape for the tip holding end 26 of the pipette being used. This changing operation is completed by screwing the closing plate 42 back onto the main body 30.

[0031] The tip mounting device 20 also includes a tip holding end 48 whose shape differs from the tip holding end 26 of the pipette, so that it is compatible with the sampling tip 16 for which its use is desired. For example, the shape of the tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20 may be more tapered in order to allow safe, problem-free, automatic insertion of the tip holding end 48 into the sampling tip 16 to be used. This may be achieved, for example, by imparting a relatively marked conical shape to the tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20. The tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20, provided with a passageway 50 passing though it and centered on axis 36, communicates with the associated receiving aperture 34 into which it is designed to lead directly. Provision is made so that there is contact between the lower end of the sealing element 32 and the upper part of the tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20, housed inside main body 30, thereby generating direct communication between the receiving aperture 34 and the passageway 50.

[0032] As mentioned above, the tip holding end 48 of the of the tip mounting device 20 may be of multiple shapes, and also is preferably of an interchangeable nature so that it can be adapted in the best way possible to the shape of the sampling tip 16 which it is intended to receive, by press fitting.

[0033] For this purpose, the upper part of the tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20 forms a shoulder 54 simply abutting/bearing downwards against an inner portion of a lower closing plate 56 of the main body 30, and more precisely against a collar 58 projecting from the inner surface of the lower closing plate 56 towards the inside of main body 30. In addition, the tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20 also bears upwards against the sealing element 32. [0034] The lower closing plate 56 closing the lower part of the main body 30 is equipped with an aperture or through aperture 60 allowing the passing of the tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20. As shown Fig. 4 , the mounting of the lower closing plate 56 on main body 30 is substantially orthogonal to axis 36 and is achieved by screwing. The lower closing plate 56 is preferably made of aluminium or an alloy thereof. Therefore to change the tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20, the operator only has to unscrew the lower closing plate 56, slide the tip holding end 48 already in place out of the aperture 60, insert a new tip holding end 48 by sliding the new tip holding end 48 into the aperture 60. The new tip holding end 48 is more suitable for the shape of the sampling tip to be used. This changing operation is completed by re-screwing the lower closing plate 56 back onto the lower portion of the main body 30.

[0035] With reference to Figs. 5 to 7, a second exemplary embodiment is shown. One of the main differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment lies in the use of a sampling pipette 18 which is a multichannel pipette having a plurality of pipette tip holding ends 26 aligned along a direction orthogonal to their respective axes, also referenced 36. Therefore, the tip mounting device 20 is designed based on the tip mounting device 20 having as many receiving apertures 34 as there are pipette tip holding ends 26 , each associated with a tip mounting device 20 tip holding end 48. In addition, each tip mounting device 20 tip holding end 48 carries a sampling tip 1 6 and integrates a passageway 50 passing through it which communicates with the associated receiving aperture 34 , preferably directly.

[0036] In the second exemplary embodiment, the tip mounting device 20 is designed to obtain a shape of tip holding end that is different to the shape of the tip holding ends 26 of the pipette equipped with device 20 and/or to fine-tune the accuracy of the relative arrangement of the tip holding ends and/or to obtain an assembly in which the pitch of the tip holding ends is modified with respect to the pitch of the tip holding ends of sampling pipette 1 8. Also, provision is made for structural differences between the tip mounting device 20 in the second embodiment and that in the first embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0037] Among these differences is the absence of closing plate 42. The main body 30 of th e se co n d exe m p l a ry e m bod i m e nt not being closed in its upper part. Also each deformable sealing element, in the second embodiment referenced as a sealing element 1 32 , is not intended to define the entirety of the receiving aperture 34, but only a lower part thereof. The sealing element 1 32 is in the form of a simple seal deformed when receiving the associated tip holding end 26 of the pipette, and therefore only defines part of the receiving aperture 34. The plurality of sealing elements 132 may be replaced by a single, pierced sealing plate e.g. in elastomer, for the purpose of simplifying the fabrication of the tip mounting device 20.

[0038] The other part of the receiving aperture 34 i s defined by a through aperture, made in the upper part of the main body 30 and optionally by a recess 62 made in the upper part of the tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20. In this case, the receiving aperture 34 extends either side of the sealing element 132 via the body aperture and via the recess 62 against which the tip holding end 26 of the pipette is intended to come into contact, in order to obtain direct communication between passageway 50 and the aperture of the tip holding end 26 of the pipette as can be seen in Fig. 6. Jn this respect, the downward abutment of the tip holding ends 26 of the pipette against their respective recesses 62 allows a blunt contact to be made between the sampling pipette 18 and the tip mounting device 20 when mounting the tip mounting device 20 on a multichannel sampling pipette. Also, each sealing element 132 is fixed in position by clamping the sealing element 132 between the upper part of the main body 30, defining the apertures through which are passed the tip holding ends 26 of the pipette and which partly form the receiving apertures 34, and the upper end of the associated tip holding end 48 of the tip mounting device 20.

[0039] To change the sealing elements 132 and/or the tip holding ends 48 of the tip mounting device 20, all that is required is to dismount the lower closing plate 56 of the main body 30 by unscrewing, then to proceed in similar manner as for the above-described first exemplary embodiment.

[0040] Therefore, generally, the described pipetting system includes a tip mounting device for a pipette, whose original purpose consists of equipping the pipette in order to obtain an assembly integrating a sample tip holding system adapted/modified with respect to the initial system provided on the pipette, making it advantageously possible to widen the scope of application of the pipette. The adaptation of the end of the pipette shaft provided by equipping it with the tip mounting device allows different tip holding shapes to be obtained relative to the initial tip holding shape of the pipette and/or allows fine-tuning of the accuracy of the relative arrangement of the tip holding ends in the particular case of a multichannel sampling pipette.

[0041] Additionally, the adaptation of a pipette tip holding system offered by the tip mounting device makes it possible to optionally obtain an assembly with a modified pitch of the tip holding ends compared with the pitch of the multichannel pipette used, this pitch possibly being defined as the spacing between the different tip holding ends.

[0042] Using the described tip mounting device, a pipette shaft having a given shape of tip holding end is not only able to cooperate with a particular type of sampling tip having a complementary shape to this pipette shaft, but can also be used with one or more other types of sampling tips having a complementary shape to the shape of the tip mounting device 20 tip holding end. Provision is made so that the connection obtained after press-fitting the tip holding end of the tip mounting device into the sampling tip is both sufficiently sealed and sufficiently rigid to avoid loss of the tip during use. As a result, the field of application of the original pipette is extended without it being necessary to change the entirety of the lower part of the pipette integrating the tip holding ends, unlike in the prior art.

[0043] The tip mounting device of the invention can be designed with each receiving aperture adapted to receive a pipette shaft end whose shape is typically the shape usually found on sampling pipettes originally intended to be handled by an operator for the press-fitting operation of the tip(s), and can be designed to have a tip holding end of different shape adapted for press fitting a sampling tip of the type usually used in pipetting systems with an automated pipette positioning system. Thus, whereas the end of the pipette shaft intended to be received by the receiving aperture may have a substantially rough, non-smoothed shape and be approximately cylindrical, the tip holding end of the tip mounting device preferably has a smoother, more tapered shape to ensure safe, problem-free insertion of the tip mounting device 20 tip holding end into a sampling tip. This is achieved, for example, by making provision for a relatively marked conical shape at the tip holding end of the tip mounting device 20 to avoid a collision with the edge of the sampling tip, called the tip collar, during automated movement of the tip mounting device.

[0044] Also, as mentioned above, in the particular case of multichannel pipettes, the tip holding ends of the pipette shafts may not be sufficiently accurately arranged in terms of spacing and alignment to allow easy handling by an operator performing manual press-fitting of the sampling tips. The tip mounting device is able to overcome this disadvantage by applying the required accuracy to the tip holding ends of the tip mounting device, and mounting it onto the sampling pipette lacking such accuracy. In this respect, it is to be noted that fine-tuned accuracy can in particular permit the adapting of a pipette for use with automated tip press-fitting operations, since the risks of collision between a tip holding end and its associated tip are greatly reduced.

[0045] Preferably, the tip mounting device also comprises a main body carrying attachment means allowing the assembly of the tip mounting device onto an automated pipette positioning system. Therefore, when the tip mounting device is integrated in a pipetting system comprising one or more tips press-fitted onto this device, and a sampling pipette, the mechanical connection of this pipetting system with the automated positioning system is fully satisfactory. This connection is made at a lower portion of the pipetting system, in the vicinity of the sampling tip or tips, making it possible to eliminate certain error factors likely to be detrimental to the accuracy of the movement applied by the automatic system to the pipetting system, such as bending of the lower part of the pipette. In addition, with said arrangement, the positioning of the sampling tip or tips with respect to the automated positioning system is independent of the positioning of the pipette with respect to this same positioning system directly carrying the tip mounting device, which means that the holding of the whole sampling pipette on this positioning system need not be specific or precise. The attachment means may comprise an attachment arm secured to the main body and made in one piece with the main body.

[0046] Again, the device comprises a plate closing the main body, this plate having at least one through aperture in which a tip mounting device 20 tip holding end passes. Hence, the accuracy of spacing and alignment of the tip mounting device 20 tip holding ends, when applied to a multichannel pipette, can be provided by the accuracy of the through apertures made in the closing plate. In this case, provision is made so that each tip holding end of the tip mounting device cone abuts an inner portion of the closing plate.

[0047] Also, each tip holding end of the tip mounting device may be interchangeable so that the user is able to best adapt the tip holding system of the tip mounting device to conditions encountered. This interchangeability may for example be achieved by dismounting/re-assembling the closing plate carrying the tip holding ends of the tip mounting device, the dismounting/re-assembling of the plate on the main body of the tip mounting device, for example, by screwing.

[0048] Each receiving aperture may be at least partly defined by a sealing element intended, by deformation thereof, to form a sealed connection with the tip holding end of the pipette shaft that it is intended to receive. This sealing element, made in elastomer or any other flexible material able to provide the sealing function mentioned above, may therefore form all or part of the receiving aperture. It is specified that provision may be made for each sealing element to be interchangeable without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0049] A pitch associated with the receiving apertures for the tip holding ends of the pipette may be different from a pitch associated with the tip holding ends of the tip mounting device. [0050] The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The functionality described may be implemented in a single executable or application or may be distributed among modules that differ in number and distribution of functionality from those described herein. Additionally, the order of execution of the functions may be changed depending on the embodiment. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and as practical applications of the invention to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A tip mounting device comprising: a body including a first aperture; a sealing element mounted in the first aperture of the body, the sealing element comprising a second aperture configured to accept a first tip holding end of a pipette; and a second tip holding end mounted in the first aperture of the body, the second tip holding end configured to accept a sampling tip, the second tip holding end comprising a third aperture; wherein the second aperture and the third aperture are positioned in communication to provide fluid transfer between the second aperture and the third aperture when the tip mounting device is assembled.

2. The tip mounting device of claim 1 , further comprising the sampling tip.

3. The tip mounting device of claim 1 , further comprising a closing plate mounted to a surface of the body to hold the sealing element in the communication position.

4. The tip mounting device of claim 3, wherein the closing plate is removably mounted to the body to allow replacement of the sealing element.

5. The tip mounting device of claim 1 , further comprising a closing plate mounted to a surface of the body to hold the second tip holding end in the communication position.

6. The tip mounting device of claim 5, wherein the closing plate is removably mounted to the body to allow replacement of the second tip holding end.

7. The tip mounting device of claim 6, wherein the closing plate is removably mounted to the body to allow replacement of the sealing element.

8. The tip mounting device of claim 7, wherein the closing plate comprises a plate and a collar extending from the closing plate in a direction toward the first tip holding end of the pipette.

9. The tip mounting device of claim 8, wherein the second tip holding end comprises a shoulder wherein the shoulder abuts the collar when the tip mounting device is assembled.

10. The tip mounting device of claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is formed of an elastomer.

11. The tip mounting device of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of apertures that extend from the first aperture in a direction toward the first tip holding end of the pipette.

12. The tip mounting device of claim 11 , wherein the sealing element is a sealing plate that comprises a plurality of second apertures.

13. The tip mounting device of claim 12, wherein the second tip holding end comprises a plurality of third apertures, and further wherein the plurality of second apertures and the plurality of third apertures are positioned in communication to provide fluid transfer.

14. The tip mounting device of claim 13, wherein the sealing element is mounted between the plurality of apertures and the plurality of third apertures.

15. The tip mounting device of claim 1 , wherein the second aperture of the sealing element comprises a tiered shape.

16. The tip mounting device of claim 1 , wherein the sealing element further comprises a first shoulder on a surface opposite the second aperture, wherein the body further comprises a second shoulder, and further wherein the first shoulder abuts the second shoulder when the tip mounting device is assembled.

17. The tip mounting device of claim 1 , wherein the second tip holding end further comprises an exterior surface configured to accept the sampling tip, the exterior surface having a conical shape.

18. The tip mounting device of claim 1 , wherein a first pitch of the second apertures is different than a second pitch of the third aperture.

19. A device comprising: a pipette comprising; a pipette body; and a first tip holding end extending from the pipette body; and a tip mounting device comprising a body including a first aperture; a sealing element mounted in the first aperture of the body, the sealing element comprising a second aperture configured to accept the first tip holding end of the pipette; and a second tip holding end mounted in the first aperture of the body, the second tip holding end configured to accept a sampling tip, the second tip holding end comprising a third aperture; wherein the second aperture and the third aperture are positioned in communication to provide fluid transfer between the second aperture and the third aperture when the tip mounting device is assembled.

20. A system comprising: a pipette comprising a pipette body; and a first tip holding end extending from the pipette body; an automated positioning system for positioning the pipette, the automated positioning system comprising ; a first beam; and an attachment arm mounted to the first beam for movement in a first direction; and a tip mounting device mounted to the attachment arm, the tip mounting device comprising a body including a first aperture; a sealing element mounted in the first aperture of the body, the sealing element comprising a second aperture configured to accept the first tip holding end of the pipette; and a second tip holding end mounted in the first aperture of the body, the second tip holding end configured to accept a sampling tip, the second tip holding end comprising a third aperture; wherein the second aperture and the third aperture are positioned in communication to provide fluid transfer between the second aperture and the third aperture when the tip mounting device is assembled.