Pipetting device, pipette tip coupler, and pipette tip: devices and methods
Inventors
Guzman, Jose Eduardo • Barresi, Thomas • Belton, Dana A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12005434-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
Pipette tip couplers, pipette tips, coupler and tip combinations, and methods for coupling and decoupling a pipette tip to or from, respectively, a pipette tip coupler mounted on a pipette device, are disclosed. The pipette tip couplers include an elastomeric element and an annular ring shaped raceway. When the pipette tip is mounted on the pipette tip coupler, the annular ring shaped raceway abuts a first portion of the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall of the pipette tip, and the elastomeric element abuts a second portion of the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall of the pipette tip.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a pipette tip coupler and a pipette tip attachment in which a pipette tip coupler carried by a pipette device is secured to a pipette tip. The pipette tip coupler includes a shank, a coupler body distal to the shank, a distal stem portion, a distal end plate, and an open-ended interior circumscribing surface forming an open passageway extending longitudinally through the distal end plate, with an elastomeric element disposed around the distal stem portion and adjacent to the distal end plate.
The pipette tip ball assembly circumscribes the shank and includes a plurality of spherical balls. A ring-shaped raceway body comprises circumferentially spaced apart guide sockets for carrying the spherical balls and circumferentially spaced apart circular ball openings for receiving and retaining the spherical balls. An annular wedge is provided so that, when mechanical force is applied against the annular wedge, each spherical ball is pushed radially outward along a corresponding guide socket.
The pipette tip is formed with a circumscribing sidewall having an open interior passage with an interior surface extending along a central longitudinal axis from an open proximal end to an open distal end. The pipette tip coupling device is located over the open proximal end with axial alignment between the central longitudinal axis of the pipette tip coupler and the central longitudinal axis of the pipette tip, and inserted into the tip leading with the distal end plate. The applied force causes the spherical balls to abut a first portion of the interior surface to secure attachment, and simultaneously causes the elastomeric element to abut a second portion of the interior surface to form a seal between the pipette tip coupling device and the pipette tip.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes 1 independent claim, which provides the core method and structural combination for securing and sealing a pipette tip on a pipette tip coupling device using a mechanically actuated annular wedge, spherical balls in a raceway, and a distal elastomeric element.
Annular-wedge-actuated spherical-ball tip securement and elastomeric sealing
Applying mechanical force against the annular wedge pushes the plurality of spherical balls radially outward along circumferentially spaced apart guide sockets so that the spherical balls abut a first portion of the pipette tip interior surface to secure the pipette tip, and also abut the elastomeric element against a second portion of the pipette tip interior surface to form a seal between the pipette tip coupling device and the pipette tip.
Pipette tip coupler structure with open passageway and distal elastomeric element
Providing a pipette tip coupler with a shank, a coupler body distal to the shank, a distal stem portion, a distal end plate, and an open-ended interior circumscribing surface forming an open passageway extending longitudinally through the distal end plate, with an elastomeric element disposed around the distal stem portion and adjacent to the distal end plate.
Ring-shaped raceway with guide sockets and ball openings for retaining spherical balls
Providing a pipette tip ball assembly circumscribing the shank that includes a plurality of spherical balls, and providing a ring-shaped raceway body comprising circumferentially spaced apart guide sockets carrying the spherical balls and circumferentially spaced apart circular ball openings for receiving and retaining the spherical balls.
Axial alignment and insertion of distal end plate into open proximal end
Locating the pipette tip coupling device over the open proximal end of the pipette tip with axial alignment between a central longitudinal axis of the pipette tip coupler and the central longitudinal axis of the pipette tip, and inserting the pipette tip coupler through the open proximal end of the pipette tip leading with the distal end plate of the pipette tip coupler.
The independent claim ties tip attachment and sealing to a specific coupler geometry (open-ended passageway with a distal elastomeric element and a ball assembly retained in a ring-shaped raceway) and to a mechanical actuation (annular wedge force) that simultaneously drives spherical-ball abutment for securement and elastomer abutment for sealing, under axial alignment and insertion into the tip.
Stated Advantages
Secures attachment of the pipette tip to the pipette tip coupling device by abutting the spherical balls against a first portion of the pipette tip interior surface.
Forms a seal between the pipette tip coupling device and the pipette tip by abutting the elastomeric element against a second portion of the pipette tip interior surface.
Documented Applications
Use in a pipetting device in which a pipette tip is secured to a pipette tip coupling device carried by the pipette device.
Liquid level detection (LLD) circuit contact using conductive coupling elements in an automated pipetting context.
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