US 5,525,302 AGranted

Method and device for simultaneously transferring plural samples

OwnerThomas W. Astleinventor

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Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, a multiple sample transfer device which includes a plurality of hollow pistons disposed in a like number of cylindrical channels and connected to a moving plate to permit simultaneous movement of the pistons. At the lower end of each channel is a removable pipette tip. An apparatus is provided to bring a multiwell sample tray into operating engagement with the pipette tips. Flexible tubes are attached between the upper ends of the hollow pistons and a liquid reservoir. Clamping devices are provided to permit the selective pinching or opening of the tubes. When the tubes are pinched, the pistons can be used in either liquid-back-filled or air displacement modes to aspirate and dispense liquids from and to the sample tray. When the tubes are selectively sequentially pinched or open, aspiration and dispensing can be controlled by the timing of the pinching and the provision of vacuum or pressure in the liquid reservoir. All operations, including mounting and removal of the pipette tips, can be automatically controlled through use of a programmable computer.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A device for selectively dispensing or aspirating a plurality of liquid samples to or from a plurality of sample wells, comprising:

(a) a plurality of parallel channel means having first and second ends lying in first and second common planes;
(b) a plurality of hollow piston means having first and second ends, with said second ends thereof being disposed within said channel means for relative axial movement between said first and second ends of said channel means;
(c) a plurality of fluid sealing means disposed between said piston means and said first ends of said channel means;
(d) a plurality of pipette tips disposed at said second ends of said channel means;
(e) a plurality of tube means having first and second ends, with said second ends thereof being operatively attached to said first ends of said piston means;
(f) reservoir means to which said first ends of said tube means are attached;
(g) flow stopping means disposed between said first and second ends of said tube means to selectively stop fluid flow through said tube means;
(h) means operatively attached to said piston means to selectively simultaneously raise or lower said second ends of said piston means within said channel means;
and
(i) means to fill said device with liquid, so that at least said pipette tips, said channel means, said hollow piston means, and said tube means between said first ends of said piston means and said flow stopping means are substantially filled with said liquid;
such that, when said device is so filled with liquid and said flow stopping means is operated to stop liquid flow through said tube means, raising or lowering said piston means within said channel means will aspirate liquid into or dispense liquid from said pipette tips;
and said device further comprising:
(j) means to selectively apply vacuum or pressure to said reservoir means;
such that, when said flow stopping means is operated to permit fluid flow through said tube means, selectively applying vacuum or pressure to said reservoir means will aspirate liquid into or dispense liquid from said pipette tips.

11 more elements

A method of selectively dispensing or aspirating a plurality of liquid samples to or from a plurality of sample wells, comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of parallel channel means having first and second ends lying in first and second common planes;
(b) providing a plurality of hollow piston means having first and second ends, with said second ends thereof being disposed within said channel means for relative axial movement between said first and second ends of said channel means;
(c) providing a plurality of fluid sealing means disposed between said piston means and said first ends of said channel means;
(d) providing a plurality of pipette tips disposed at said second ends of said channel means;
(e) providing a plurality of tube means having first and second ends, with said second ends thereof being operatively attached to said first ends of said piston means;
(f) providing reservoir means to which said first ends of said tube means are attached;
(g) providing flow stopping means disposed between said first and second ends of said tube means to selectively stop fluid flow through said tube means;
(h) providing means operatively attached to said piston means to selectively simultaneously raise or lower said second ends of said piston means within said channel means;
and
(i) selectively either:
(i) operating said flow stopping means to stop fluid flow through said tube means;
and
(ii) raising or lowering said piston means within said channel means to aspirate liquid into or to dispense liquid from said pipette tips;
or
(iii) operating said flow stopping means to permit fluid flow through said tube means;
and
(iv) selectively applying vacuum or pressure to said reservoir means to aspirate liquid into or to dispense liquid from said pipette tips.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/649,431Filed 1 Feb 1991
Granted: 11 Jun 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B01L 3/0279
Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips: co-operating with positive ejection means
G01N 35/1065
Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices: multiple…
G01N 2035/103
General features of the devices: using disposable tips
Y10T 436/114998
With conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack: with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]