Pipette structure and methods utilizing same

Abstract

A pipette structure (160B) includes first and second body sections (164, 166) connected at a junction and including first and second fluid passages, respectively, with the pipette structure including (i) a bellows joint (165) permitting pivotal movement between the first and second body sections (164, 165), and / or (ii) the second fluid passage of the second body section includes greater width dimension at a sample introduction end than a width dimension at the junction. Such a pipette structure may be embodied in a unitary measuring pipette or an extension tip device for a measuring pipette. A method is provided for transferring material between an interior of a cell culture housing that includes a structured surface defining an array of microwells suitable for three-dimensional culture of multi-cell aggregates and an external environment. A method for fabricating a pipette structures is further provided.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C §120 to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 729,626, filed September 11, 2018, which is based upon the contents of that application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates generally to pipette structures, such as integral measuring pipettes and extended tip devices for use with measuring pipettes, and methods of using the same. Background technique [0004] A pipette is a well-known tubular device that usually has openings at both ends and is designed for dispensing measured volumes of liquid. Pipettes have found widespread use in several industries where precise measurement and delivery of fluids is required, especially in medical and laboratory testing and analysis. Measuring pipettes generally appear as straight glass or plastic tubes with one tapered end, and they are scale...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Due to this small angular positioning of the pipette 60 , the tip 65 is arranged significantly non-parallel with respect to the structured surface 74 , thereby making it difficult to extract the desired microwell 76 , especially from a microwell 76 disposed at a long distance from the port opening 85 . Well to remove a sample of cell aggregates

The small diameter of the opening defined in the tip 65 of the pipette 60 also limits the ability to simultaneously pipette cell aggregates from multiple adjacent microwells 76

While larger pipettes can be equipped with larger tip openings, the need to accommodate the operation of the pipette body relative to the port opening 85 prevents larger diameter pipettes from being used with image 3 Exemplary use of cell culture housing 70 with

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