Leakage detection apparatus and method for detecting pipette leakage
AssigneeAlmond Designs, Inc.
InventorsFelix Hau Fai YIU, William James SCHOOLS
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Abstract
Aspects of the present disclosure provide a novel design of a pipetting leakage detection apparatus that addresses the shortcomings of the current art for full-time leakage detection for pipetting actions using a single channel pipettor or multichannel pipettors. The pipetting apparatus employs an image capturing device combined with an image analysis process to provide a reliable and comprehensive leakage check for each channel of a multichannel pipettor.
Claims17
A leakage detection apparatus comprising:
- an image capturing device configured to capture an image of at least one pipette tip;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- capture, using the image capturing device, an image of the at least one pipette tip;
- and
- detect a leakage of the at least one pipette tip based on the image.
A method of operating a leakage detection apparatus, the method comprising:
- manipulating at least one pipette tip to aspire a liquid;
- dispensing a portion of the liquid from the at the least one pipette tip;
- capturing an image of the at least one pipette tip;
- and
- detecting a leakage of the at least one pipette tip based on the image.
A leakage detection apparatus comprising:
- means for dispensing a portion of a liquid from at least one pipette tip;
- means for capturing an image of the at least one pipette tip;
- and
- means for detecting a leakage of the at least one pipette tip based on the image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.