# US 9,517,497 B2 · Rinsing device for microplate

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- Number: US 9,517,497 B2
- Document ID: US9517497B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/942,848
- Filed: 2013-07-16
- Published: 2014-01-23
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2012-07-20
- Assignees: MEDICATEC Inc.
- Applicants: MEDICATEC Inc.
- Inventors: Hiroyasu Tsukioka
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517497B2

## CPC

- B08B 9/08: Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
- B01L 13/02: {for receptacle or instruments}
- G01N 35/1004: {Cleaning sample transfer devices}
- B01L 3/5085: {for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates}
- B01L 2300/0829: Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
- B01L 2400/0487: fluid pressure, pneumatics
- B01L 2400/065: sliding valves
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A rinsing device is comprised of a rinsing head including a first flow path extending horizontally, and a second flow path extending horizontally and being disposed below or above the first flow path so as not to communicate with the first flow path; one or more nozzles arranged horizontally and projecting vertically downward from the rinsing head; and one or more sliding members including passages in fluid communication with the nozzles, the sliding members slidably fitting in the rinsing head and being movable between a first position to place the passages in fluid communication with the first flow path and a second position to place the passages in fluid communication with the second flow path.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rinsing device comprising:
a rinsing head including a first flow path extending horizontally, and a second flow path extending horizontally and being disposed below or above the first flow path so as not to communicate with the first flow path, and an intermediate layer extending horizontally between the first flow path and the second flow path;
a support member arranged above the rinsing head and controlled by a lifting device for moving up and down;
a plurality of nozzles attached to the bottom of the support member, and arranged horizontally and projecting vertically downward;
each nozzle in the plurality of nozzles including a sliding member, a nozzle tip projecting from the sliding member, a passage running throughout the sliding member and the nozzle tip, and an opening located on a side of the sliding member in fluid communication with the passage,
the sliding members slidably fitting in the rinsing head and being movable between a first position to align the openings with the first flow path to place the passages in fluid communication with the first flow path and a second position to align the openings with the second flow path to place the passages in fluid communication with the second flow path, and
the intermediate layer comprising a plurality of blocks positioned so that the blocks are in fluidly tight contact with the openings when the openings are positioned in the intermediate layer and are aligned with the blocks.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The rinsing device of claim 1, further comprising:
a first line connected with the first flow path and configured to pressurize and inject a fluid into the first flow path; and
a second line connected with the second flow path and configured to exert a negative pressure on the second flow path.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The rinsing device of claim 1, wherein the sliding members are positioned to penetrate the first flow path and the second flow path and configured to be vertically movable.