Small volume pipettor
OwnerThomas W. Astleinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a small volume pipettor, including: a plurality of pistons; a plurality of liquid delivery needles; motive device to cause one of the pistons to move axially within one of the needles to cause a liquid to be selectively drawn into and discharged from the needle; sealing apparatus disposed around the pistons to effect sealing of upper ends of the needles; assembly apparatus in which the needles and the sealing apparatus are disposed; and apparatus to permit the assembly apparatus to be removed from the pipettor as a one-piece unit. Further provided are novel apparatus to seal upper ends of the needles around the pistons.
Claims8
A volume pipettor apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of pistons;
- (b) a plurality of liquid delivery needles;
- (c) motive means to cause one of said plurality of pistons to move axially within one of said plurality of needles to cause a liquid to be selectively drawn into and discharged from said one of said plurality of needles;
- (d) sealing means disposed around said pistons to effect sealing of upper ends of said needles;
- (e) assembly means in which said needles and said sealing means are disposed;
- (f) means to permit said assembly means to be removed from said pipettor apparatus as a one-piece unit;
- (g) a generally cylindrical seal surrounding and in contact with said one of said pistons;
- and
- (h) a first O-ring encircling said generally cylindrical seal to serve as a tensioning garter spring to effect a tight seal between said generally cylindrical seal and said one of said pistons.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.