Method of operating a laboratory instrument
Inventors
Bachmair, Eveline • Gisler, Andreas • Gut, Raphael • Hernandez, Alejandro • Meier, Alexander
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12644900-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and laboratory instrument aimed at reducing the loss of time of liquid level determination each time a liquid container is loaded into an instrument and at the same time reducing waste of liquid containers due to unforeseen changes in the liquid levels by combining a fast liquid level check at an expected liquid level with a liquid level search if no liquid level is found at the expected level, while also ensuring proper liquid aspiration as the liquid level is always verified (expected level is not blindly relied upon).
Core Innovation
A computer implemented method of operating a laboratory instrument retrieves an expected volume of a liquid within a liquid container from a datastore and retrieves a container description indicative of a relationship between volume and height of a liquid within the liquid container. An expected liquid level (eL) is determined based on the container description and the expected volume.
The method performs a liquid level check at the expected liquid level (eL) by vertically displacing a pipettor into an opening of the liquid container to a position corresponding to eL and sensing if liquid is detected at eL. If liquid is detected at eL, the control unit generates a signal indicative of a verified liquid level (vL) equal to eL.
If liquid is not detected at eL, a liquid level search is performed by vertically displacing the pipettor into the opening until liquid is detected. After the liquid level search, the expected liquid level is updated to a liquid level where liquid has been detected, and steps of the check and the search are repeated.
The detected level is used to update and/or verify levels for subsequent operation, including optional updating of an expected liquid volume in the datastore using the container description and a signal indicative of the verified liquid level (vL). The method also supports generating a failure signal when liquid is not detected after repetitions and generating an alert signal when vL is lower than eL.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim directed to a computer implemented method for controlling a laboratory instrument/pipettor using an expected liquid level derived from datastore information, with a check at eL and, if needed, a search until liquid is detected, followed by repeated verification. Dependent claims refine this independent method with repetition limits, datastore updating, optional aspirating with datastore updating, alert signaling when vL<eL, and different vertical displacement speeds for check versus search.
Expected liquid level determination from datastore volume and container description
retrieving an expected volume of a liquid within a liquid container from a datastore; retrieving a container description of the liquid container from the datastore, the container description being indicative of a relationship between volume and height of a liquid within the liquid container; determining an expected liquid level (eL) based on the container description and the expected volume
Liquid level check at expected liquid level with verification signal
performing a liquid level check at said expected liquid level (eL) by the pipettor, the liquid level check comprising displacing the pipettor vertically into an opening of the liquid container to a position corresponding to the expected liquid level and sensing if liquid is detected at the expected liquid level; if liquid is detected at the expected liquid level (eL), generating, by the control unit, a signal indicative of a verified liquid level (vL) equal to the expected liquid level (eL)
Liquid level search when liquid is not detected at expected liquid level and updating eL then repeating
if liquid is not detected at the expected liquid level (eL): performing a liquid level search by the pipettor until liquid is detected, the liquid level search comprising displacing the pipettor vertically into an opening of the liquid container until liquid is detected; updating the expected liquid level (eL) to a liquid level where liquid has been detected using the liquid level search; repeating steps d) through f)
Repetition limit and no-liquid detected signal
repeating steps d) through f) up to a predefined maximum number of times and generating a signal indicative of no liquid detected in the liquid container
Datastore updating of expected liquid volume based on verified liquid level
updating the expected liquid volume in a datastore using the liquid container description and a signal indicative of the verified liquid level (vL)
Requested-volume aspiration with datastore expected-volume updating
retrieving a requested volume of liquid to aspirate, aspirating that volume from a liquid container using a pipettor, and updating in a datastore the expected liquid volume in the container based on container description, a verified liquid level (vL) signal, and the requested volume
Alert when verified liquid level is lower than expected liquid level
generating an alert signal when the verified liquid level is lower than the expected liquid level
Different vertical displacement speeds for check versus search
the liquid level check vertically displaces a pipettor into a liquid container opening at a first speed, while the liquid level search vertically displaces the pipettor within the opening at a second speed that is less than the first speed
Overall claim coverage centers on deriving an expected liquid level (eL) from datastore expected volume and a container description, verifying liquid presence at eL, and performing a liquid level search when verification fails, then updating eL and repeating. Dependent claims further define handling of unsuccessful repeated searches, datastore updating (including after aspirating a requested volume), alert signaling when vL<eL, and different vertical displacement speeds for the check versus the search.
Stated Advantages
Provides a verified liquid level (vL) equal to the expected liquid level (eL) when liquid is detected at eL.
Performs a liquid level search and updates eL to a liquid level where liquid has been detected when liquid is not detected at eL.
Generates a signal indicative of no liquid detected in the liquid container when repetition limits prevent detection.
Generates an alert signal when the verified liquid level (vL) is lower than the expected liquid level (eL).
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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