Pipetting device, pipette tip coupler, and pipette tip: devices and methods

Inventors

Guzman, Jose Eduardo • Barresi, Thomas • Belton, Dana A.

Assignees

Hamilton Co Inc

Abstract

Pipette tip couplers, pipette tips, coupler and tip combinations, and methods for coupling and decoupling a pipette tip to or from a pipette tip coupler mounted on a pipette device. The pipette tip couplers include a shank, a coupler body distal to the shank, a distal stem and distal end plate distal to the coupler body, a proximal elastomeric element disposed around the shank, a distal elastomeric element disposed around the distal stem, and a coupler stop shoulder surface between the proximal elastomeric element and distal elastomeric element. When a pipette tip is mounted on the pipette tip coupler, the proximal elastomeric element abuts the interior surface of the pipette tip for securing the pipette tip to the coupler, and the distal elastomeric element abuts the interior surface of the pipette tip to form a seal between the coupler and the pipette tip.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a pipette tip coupling device for coupling a pipette tip to a pipette device. The device includes a shank, a distal coupler body, a distal stem portion, and a distal end plate that forms an open-ended interior circumscribing surface defining an open passageway extending longitudinally from a proximal end face through the distal end plate. The coupler body is distal to the shank and has a coupler body diameter greater than the shank diameter.

The coupling device provides a proximal elastomeric element disposed around the shank adjacent to the proximal coupler end surface, and a distal elastomeric element disposed around the distal stem portion adjacent to the distal end plate. In the described embodiments, a dual elastomeric sealing arrangement is used, with a primary upper elastomeric element and a secondary distal elastomeric element. The geometry includes coupler stop shoulder surface(s) between elastomeric elements for axial pre-stress and locking of an axial coupling position.

The described system uses a dual-seal approach to mitigate single-point seal failure while improving controlled axial positioning and alignment of the coupled pipette tip. The disclosed structure further supports counter-axial disengaging force for aiding ejection, and can include electrically conductive elastomer and liquid-level detection circuit contact(s) to detect tip contact with liquid. The description additionally provides coupler geometry variants, including alternative squeeze member geometries and different sealing seat and groove configurations, and an optional internal seal pipette tip assembly that adds a secondary sealing function.

Claims Coverage

The provided independent claim is clm-00001. It defines a pipette tip coupling device with an internal open passageway and a two-elastomer sealing arrangement, with the coupler body diameter greater than the shank diameter.

Independent claim clm-00001 centers on the structural combination of a distal coupler body with an open passageway through a distal end plate and proximal and distal elastomeric sealing elements disposed around the shank and distal stem portion, respectively, while requiring the coupler body diameter to be greater than the shank diameter.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications