Cleaning method of pipetting device, pipetting device and related product

Abstract

The invention discloses a cleaning method of a pipetting device, the pipetting device and a related product. The method comprises the steps that under the condition that the pipetting device is started or restarted or to-be-pipetted liquid is replaced, in response to selection of a liquid-saving cleaning mode, the to-be-pipetted liquid is used for cleaning a pipeline in the pipetting device for multiple times, and each time of pipeline cleaning comprises the following steps that the volume of the to-be-pipetted liquid with the first volume and the volume of air with the second volume are calculated; the sum of the first volume and the second volume is equal to the volume of the liquid storage pipe; a first volume of liquid to be transferred is transferred into the liquid storage pipe through the first liquid inlet pipe, and a second volume of air is transferred into the liquid storage pipe through the first liquid outlet pipe; and the to-be-transferred liquid and air in the liquid storage pipe are discharged through the second liquid outlet pipe. In the embodiment of the invention, a part of liquid to be transferred is extracted through the liquid inlet pipe, and a part of air is extracted through the liquid outlet pipe, so that the liquid to be transferred is saved, and the device is suitable for the situations that the amount of the liquid to be transferred is small or the liquid to be transferred is very precious and bubbles exist in a pipeline.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automated pipetting technology, and in particular to a cleaning method for a pipetting device, a pipetting device, and related products. Background Technology

[0002] Pipettes are an indispensable key piece of equipment in testing and inspection laboratories. In traditional pipetting methods, volumetric flasks, measuring cups, and graduated cylinders are usually used to measure large volumes of liquid, while single-mark pipettes and graduated pipettes are used to measure small volumes of liquid. With the development of science and technology, pipettes, separators, electronic pipetting devices, and other pipetting tools have emerged. Among them, electronic pipetting devices have the characteristics of high pipetting accuracy, high degree of automation, and high pipetting efficiency. Therefore, they have been widely used in many fields such as clinical diagnosis, biotechnology, medicine, chemical industry, environmental protection, and food testing.

[0003] Electronic pipetting devices generally employ a "drive pump + reservoir + tubing" structure. With this structure, the entire pipetting tubing needs to be cleaned every time the liquid to be transferred is changed, or when the device is turned on and restarted, typically at least three times. However, traditional cleaning methods require a large volume of liquid to be transferred, making them unsuitable for situations with small volumes or very precious liquids, and they cannot automatically handle air bubbles appearing in the pipetting tubing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a cleaning method for a pipetting device, a pipetting device, and related products, applicable to situations where the volume of liquid to be transferred is small, the liquid to be transferred is very precious, or air bubbles are present in the pipetting device tubing.

[0005] The embodiments of this application disclose the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for cleaning a pipette, the method comprising:

[0007] When the pipette is powered on, restarted, or the liquid to be transferred is changed, in response to selecting the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the tubing in the pipette is cleaned multiple times with the liquid to be transferred. Each cleaning of the tubing includes the following steps:

[0008] Calculate the volumes of the first volume of liquid to be transferred and the second volume of air to be extracted; wherein the sum of the first volume and the second volume is equal to the volume of the liquid storage tube in the pipetting device, and the first volume and the second volume can be obtained by extracting them at once or by extracting them alternately and accumulating them.

[0009] A first volume of liquid to be transferred is transferred to a storage tube through a first inlet pipe, and a second volume of air is transferred to a storage tube through a first outlet pipe.

[0010] The first volume of liquid to be transferred and the second volume of air are discharged from the storage tube through the second outlet tube.

[0011] In one implementation, when the tubing of the pipette needs to be bubble-washed, in response to selecting a bubble-washing mode, the method further includes:

[0012] Record the number of times the pipette is used, and detect the state of air bubbles in the tubing;

[0013] If the number of pipetting operations is greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning threshold, or if air bubbles are present in the tubing, clean the tubing multiple times with bubble cleaning solution. Each cleaning operation includes the following steps:

[0014] Calculate the volume of the third volume of bubble cleaning fluid to be extracted; wherein the third volume shall not exceed the volume of the storage tube.

[0015] The third volume of bubble cleaning fluid is transferred to the storage tube through the second inlet pipe;

[0016] The third volume of bubble cleaning fluid in the storage tube is discharged through the second outlet pipe.

[0017] In one implementation, before rinsing the tubing in the pipette multiple times with the liquid to be transferred, or after rinsing the tubing in the pipette multiple times with bubble cleaning solution, in response to selecting a pure water rinsing mode, the tubing in the pipette is rinsed multiple times with pure water, each rinsing of the tubing including the following steps:

[0018] Calculate the volume of the fourth volume of purified water to be extracted; wherein the fourth volume shall not exceed the volume of the storage tube.

[0019] The fourth volume of purified water is transferred to the storage tube through the third inlet tube;

[0020] The fourth volume of purified water in the storage tube is discharged through the second outlet pipe.

[0021] In one implementation, when the volume of liquid to be transferred is sufficient, in response to selecting a regular cleaning mode, the tubing in the pipetting device is cleaned multiple times with the liquid to be transferred, each cleaning of the tubing including the following steps:

[0022] Calculate the volume of the fifth volume of liquid to be transferred; wherein the fifth volume does not exceed the volume of the storage tube;

[0023] The fifth volume of liquid to be transferred is transferred to the storage tube through the first inlet pipe;

[0024] The fifth volume of liquid to be transferred is discharged from the storage tube through the second outlet tube.

[0025] In one implementation, the specific steps for performing the liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, pure water cleaning mode, or conventional cleaning mode in the pipette are as follows:

[0026] In response to the name and characteristics of the liquid to be moved input by the terminal device, it determines whether the pipeline needs cleaning;

[0027] When the pipeline needs cleaning, initialize the cleaning methods and parameters in the normal cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode and pure water cleaning mode, and set the threshold values ​​for the number of normal cleaning times N1, liquid-saving cleaning times N2, bubble cleaning times N3, bubble cleaning times Q and pure water cleaning times N4.

[0028] Choose any one of the following cleaning modes—conventional cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode—to prepare for cleaning the pipeline, depending on the actual situation.

[0029] Update the cleaning methods and required parameter values ​​for each cleaning mode;

[0030] Set the cleaning counter value to 0;

[0031] Clean the pipeline using any of the selected cleaning modes: regular cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode. Increment the cleaning counter value by 1 after each cleaning is completed, until the cleaning counter value is greater than or equal to the threshold N1 for regular cleaning, N2 for liquid-saving cleaning, N3 for bubble cleaning, or N4 for pure water cleaning.

[0032] Once all steps of any of the selected cleaning modes—regular cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode—have been completed, set the pipette counter value to 0.

[0033] While the pipette is in the pipetting state, the state of air bubbles in the tubing is detected and the value of the pipetting counter is obtained; the value of the pipetting counter is incremented by 1 each time the pipetting device completes a pipetting operation;

[0034] If the pipette counter value is greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning threshold Q, or if there are bubbles in the tubing, use bubble cleaning solution to clean the tubing until there are no bubbles in the tubing.

[0035] Set the cleaning counter value to 0;

[0036] While the pipetting device is in the pipetting state, the tubing is cleaned with the liquid to be pipetted and air. The cleaning counter value is incremented by 1 after each cleaning is completed, until the cleaning counter value is greater than or equal to the liquid-saving cleaning number threshold N2, thus completing the liquid-saving cleaning mode.

[0037] In one implementation, the state of air bubbles in the pipeline is identified by any of the following methods:

[0038] The state of air bubbles in the pipeline is detected by a pipeline air bubble detection sensor; or...

[0039] Acquire images of the pipeline and, based on these images, identify the state of air bubbles within the pipeline.

[0040] In one implementation, the method also includes:

[0041] Obtain a performance score for each pipeline cleaning session;

[0042] The performance scores, cleaning methods under each cleaning mode, and required parameters are input into the trained deep learning model. This allows the deep learning model to update the optimal cleaning methods and required parameter values ​​for each cleaning mode for the next pipeline cleaning. The deep learning model is trained using historical data, which includes each cleaning method under each cleaning mode and its corresponding parameter values. The parameters include: the total capacity V of the storage pipe, the total liquid inlet volume V1 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the total air inlet volume V2 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the number of liquid extractions n1 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the number of gas extractions n2 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the total liquid inlet volume V3 for each cleaning under the bubble cleaning mode, the total liquid inlet volume V4 for each cleaning under the pure water cleaning mode, the total liquid inlet volume V5 for each cleaning under the conventional cleaning mode, the bubble cleaning threshold Q for the bubble cleaning mode, the conventional cleaning number threshold N1, the liquid-saving cleaning number threshold N2, the bubble cleaning number threshold N3, the pure water cleaning number threshold N4, and the optimal number of cleaning cycles required to complete each cleaning method under each cleaning mode.

[0043] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a pipetting device, including: a controller, a drive device, a liquid storage tube, a first liquid inlet tube, a second liquid inlet tube, a third liquid inlet tube, a first liquid outlet tube, a second liquid outlet tube, a liquid bottle to be piped, a bubble cleaning solution bottle, a water storage bottle, a sample bottle, a waste liquid bottle, a pipeline bubble detection sensor, and a pipeline image acquisition device;

[0044] The first end of the liquid storage tube includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the first end of the first inlet pipe, the first end of the second inlet pipe, and the first end of the third liquid pipe. The outlet is connected to the first end of the first outlet pipe and the first end of the second outlet pipe. The second end of the liquid storage tube is connected to a driving device via a piston. The driving device is used to drive the piston to move within the liquid storage tube to extract or discharge the liquid to be transferred, extract or discharge air, extract or discharge bubble cleaning fluid, and extract or discharge pure water.

[0045] The second end of the first inlet tube is immersed in the liquid to be transferred in the bottle containing the liquid to be transferred.

[0046] The second end of the second inlet tube is immersed in the bubble cleaning solution in the bubble cleaning solution bottle;

[0047] The second end of the third inlet tube is immersed in the purified water in the storage bottle;

[0048] The second end of the first outlet tube is suspended above the mouth of the sample bottle;

[0049] The second end of the second outlet tube is placed in the waste liquid bottle;

[0050] The controller is configured to control the drive device to perform actions so that, in response to the selection of any one of the following cleaning modes—normal cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode—the pipetting device is turned on, restarted, or the liquid to be piped is changed, the pipeline is cleaned.

[0051] A pipeline bubble detection sensor and a pipeline image acquisition device are respectively installed in the pipeline of the pipetting device to identify the status of bubbles in the pipeline in real time.

[0052] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a control device, including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store programs, instructions or code, and the processor is used to execute the programs, instructions or code in the memory to perform the cleaning method as described in any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0053] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which is loaded by a processor to execute the cleaning method as described in any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0054] To make pipetting device cleaning applicable to situations where the volume of liquid to be transferred is small, the liquid to be transferred is very precious, or air bubbles are present in the pipetting device tubing, embodiments of this application provide a method for cleaning a pipetting device. When the pipetting device is turned on, restarted, or the liquid to be transferred is changed, in response to selecting a liquid-saving cleaning mode, the tubing in the pipetting device is cleaned multiple times using the liquid to be transferred. Each cleaning of the tubing includes the following steps: calculating the volumes of a first volume of liquid to be transferred and a second volume of air to be extracted, wherein the sum of the first volume and the second volume is equal to the volume of the reservoir tube in the pipetting device, and the first volume and the second volume can be obtained by extracting them separately at once or by extracting them alternately and accumulating them; transferring the first volume of liquid to be transferred to the reservoir tube through the first inlet tube, and transferring the second volume of air to the reservoir tube through the first outlet tube; and discharging the first volume of liquid to be transferred and the second volume of air from the reservoir tube through the second outlet tube. In this embodiment, a portion of the liquid to be transferred is extracted through the inlet pipe and a portion of the air is extracted through the outlet pipe to conserve the liquid to be transferred. This makes it suitable for situations where the amount of liquid to be transferred is small, the liquid to be transferred is very precious, or there are air bubbles in the pipetting device tubing. Attached Figure Description

[0055] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0056] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a pipetting device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a cleaning method for a pipette in pure water cleaning mode, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a cleaning method for a pipette in a liquid-saving cleaning mode, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a cleaning method for a pipette in bubble cleaning mode, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a cleaning method for a pipette under conventional cleaning mode, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the various cleaning methods performed by a pipetting device under different cleaning modes, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0062] Figure 1The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows: 1-Waste liquid bottle; 2-Waste liquid; 3-Image acquisition device mounting bracket at the liquid outlet; 4-Image acquisition device for the liquid outlet group; 5-Liquid outlet tube to be transferred; 6-Horizontal arm of the liquid outlet bracket; 7-Pipette body; 8-LCD display screen; 9-Operation indicator light; 10-Function button; 11-Keyboard; 12-Sample bottle; 13-Liquid to be transferred; 14-Reservoir piston push rod fixing screw; 15-Reservoir piston and push rod; 16-Reservoir tube and the liquid to be transferred stored therein; 17-Reservoir tube three-way valve; 18-Outlet tube bubble detection sensor; 19-Inlet tube bubble detection sensor. Sensor; 20-Main inlet pipe; 21-Inlet four-way valve; 22-Four-way valve mounting bracket; 23-Inlet end bracket cross arm; 24-Inlet bottle group image acquisition device; 25-Inlet end image acquisition device mounting bracket; 26-Bubble cleaning inlet pipe; 27-Bubble cleaning liquid bottle; 28-Bubble cleaning liquid; 29-Pure water (such as distilled water or deionized water); 30-Storage bottle; 31-Pure water inlet pipe; 32-Liquid to be transferred inlet pipe; 33-Liquid to be transferred bottle; 34-Liquid to be transferred; 35-Storage pipe image acquisition device; 36-Main outlet pipe; 37-Outlet three-way valve; 38-Waste liquid outlet pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0063] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0064] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order of objects. For example, "first switching device" and "second switching device," etc., are used to distinguish different switching devices, not to describe a specific order of switching devices.

[0065] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of the terms "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0066] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the pipetting device and the cleaning method of the pipetting device in the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0067] See Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of a pipetting device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, the pipetting device includes: 1-waste bottle; 2-waste liquid; 3-image acquisition device mounting bracket at the outlet; 4-image acquisition device for the outlet bottle group; 5-outlet tube for the liquid to be transferred; 6-cross arm of the outlet bracket; 7-pipette body; 8-LCD display screen; 9-operation indicator light; 10-function button; 11-keyboard; 12-sample bottle; 13-liquid to be transferred; 14-piston rod fixing screw for the storage tube; 15-piston and rod for the storage tube; 16-storage tube; 17-three-way valve for the storage tube; 18-outlet tube bubble detection sensor; 19-inlet tube bubble detection sensor; 2 0-Main inlet pipe; 21-Inlet four-way valve; 22-Four-way valve mounting bracket; 23-Inlet end bracket crossarm; 24-Inlet bottle group image acquisition device; 25-Inlet end image acquisition device mounting bracket; 26-Bubble cleaning inlet pipe; 27-Bubble cleaning liquid bottle; 28-Bubble cleaning liquid; 29-Pure water (such as distilled water or deionized water); 30-Storage bottle; 31-Pure water inlet pipe; 32-Liquid to be transferred inlet pipe; 33-Liquid to be transferred bottle; 34-Liquid to be transferred; 35-Storage pipe image acquisition device; 36-Main outlet pipe; 37-Outlet three-way valve; 38-Waste liquid outlet pipe.

[0069] The first end of the 16-storage tube includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the first end of the first inlet tube (32-liquid to be transferred inlet tube), the first end of the second inlet tube (26-bubble cleaning inlet tube), and the first end of the third inlet tube (31-pure water inlet tube) via the 20-main inlet tube and the 21-inlet four-way valve. The outlet is connected to the first end of the first outlet tube (5-liquid to be transferred outlet tube) and the first end of the second outlet tube (38-waste liquid outlet tube) via the 36-main outlet tube and the 37-outlet three-way valve. The second end of the 16-storage tube is connected to a driving device (not shown in the figure) via a piston. The driving device is used to drive the piston to move within the 16-storage tube to extract or discharge the liquid to be transferred, extract or discharge air, extract or discharge bubble cleaning liquid, and extract or discharge pure water. The second end of the first inlet tube (32-Liquid to be transferred inlet tube) is immersed in 34-Liquid to be transferred in 33-Liquid to be transferred bottle; the second end of the second inlet tube (26-Bubble cleaning inlet tube) is immersed in 28-Bubble cleaning solution in 27-Bubble cleaning solution bottle; the second end of the third inlet tube (31-Pure water inlet tube) is immersed in 29-Pure water in 30-Water storage bottle; the second end of the first outlet tube (5-Liquid to be transferred outlet tube) is suspended above the mouth of 12-Sample bottle; the second end of the second outlet tube (38-Waste liquid outlet tube) is placed in 1-Waste liquid bottle.

[0070] The controller (not shown in the figure) is configured to control the drive device to perform actions so that, in response to the selection of any one of the following cleaning modes—normal cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode—when the pipetting device is turned on, restarted, or the liquid to be transferred is changed, the tubing is cleaned. The tubing bubble detection sensors (18-outlet tube bubble detection sensor, 19-inlet tube bubble detection sensor) and the tubing image acquisition devices (4-outlet bottle group image acquisition device, 24-inlet bottle group image acquisition device, and 35-storage tube image acquisition device) are respectively installed in the tubing of the pipetting device to identify the bubble status in the tubing in real time.

[0071] The following section will introduce the cleaning method for the pipetting apparatus, based on the aforementioned pipetting apparatus.

[0072] See Figure 2 The figure is a flowchart of a cleaning method for a pipette in pure water cleaning mode provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0073] like Figure 2 As shown, the cleaning method includes the following steps:

[0074] S100: Before repeatedly rinsing the tubing in the pipette with the liquid to be transferred (liquid-saving cleaning method, conventional cleaning method), or after repeatedly rinsing the tubing in the pipette with bubble cleaning solution (bubble cleaning method), the tubing of the pipette is cleaned in response to selecting the pure water cleaning mode.

[0075] Specifically, in the embodiments of this application, when the pipetting device is turned on, restarted, or the liquid to be pipetted is replaced, and the tubing needs to be rinsed (liquid-saving cleaning mode, normal cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode), and when the pipetting device needs to use pure water to clean the tubing during the pipetting process, the pipetting device tubing is cleaned in response to selecting the pure water cleaning mode.

[0076] In this embodiment, the method of selecting the cleaning mode is not specifically limited. For example, it can be selected manually via voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, buttons, touch screen, etc.), or it can be selected automatically by the controller after self-learning and self-optimization through a deep learning model. The controller's automatic selection is the default method, but its priority is lower than that of manual selection. Among the normal cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode, the liquid-saving cleaning mode is the default cleaning mode for the pipetting device.

[0077] In this embodiment of the application, it can be determined whether the liquid to be transferred has been replaced by using a pipeline image acquisition device (such as the 24-inlet bottle group image acquisition device) combined with machine vision technology to observe and identify the status of the 33-liquid bottle to be transferred in real time, or by direct human instruction.

[0078] S1100: Execute the pure water cleaning method (i.e., call the optimal pure water cleaning method and required parameter values ​​from the controller of the pipette) to prepare for cleaning the pipette tubing.

[0079] S1200: Set the cleaning counter value to 0 and start the pure water cleaning method.

[0080] S1300: Calculate the volume of the fourth volume of purified water to be extracted; wherein the fourth volume does not exceed the volume of the storage tube.

[0081] In this embodiment of the application, the specific value of the fourth volume can be set manually by voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, key, touch screen, etc.), or it can be set automatically by the controller after autonomous learning and self-optimization of the deep learning model. The controller's automatic setting is the default method, but this method has a lower priority than the manual setting method.

[0082] S1400: Transfer the fourth volume of purified water from step S1300 to the storage tube through the third inlet pipe.

[0083] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the 36-main outlet pipe is closed, by moving the 15-storage pipe piston and push rod, the 29-pure water is transferred to the 16-storage pipe through the third inlet pipe (31-pure water inlet pipe), the 21-inlet four-way valve, the 20-main inlet pipe and the 17-storage pipe three-way valve, resulting in a fourth volume of 29-pure water.

[0084] S1500: Discharges the fourth volume of pure water from the storage tube through the second outlet tube.

[0085] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the 20-main inlet pipe is closed, by moving the 15-storage pipe piston and push rod, the fourth volume of 29-pure water in the storage pipe is discharged through the 17-storage pipe three-way valve, 36-main outlet pipe, 37-outlet three-way valve, and the second outlet pipe (38-waste liquid outlet pipe).

[0086] S1600: Cleaning stop judgment under pure water cleaning method. If the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the pure water cleaning number threshold N4, the pure water cleaning method is terminated. Otherwise, the count value in the cleaning counter is incremented by 1 (S1700), and steps S1300~S1600 are repeated until the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the pure water cleaning number threshold N4.

[0087] In this embodiment, when the pipette is turned on, restarted, or the liquid to be pipetted is replaced and the tubing needs to be rinsed (liquid-saving cleaning mode, regular cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode), and when the pipette needs to be cleaned with pure water during the pipetting process, the controller of the pipette will automatically execute the pure water cleaning mode to clean the entire tubing of the pipette to remove any contaminants that may be present in the pipette tubing.

[0088] See Figure 3 The figure is a flowchart of a cleaning method for a pipette device in a liquid-saving cleaning mode provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0089] like Figure 3 As shown, the cleaning method includes the following steps:

[0090] S100: When the pipetting device is turned on, restarted, or the liquid to be pipetted is changed and the tubing needs to be rinsed, or when the pipetting device needs to be rinsed in other situations during the pipetting process, the pipetting device tubing is cleaned in response to the selection of the liquid-saving cleaning mode.

[0091] In this embodiment, the method of selecting the cleaning mode is not specifically limited. For example, it can be selected manually via voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, buttons, touch screen, etc.), or it can be selected automatically by the controller after self-learning and self-optimization through a deep learning model. The controller's automatic selection is the default method, but its priority is lower than that of manual selection. Among the normal cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode, the liquid-saving cleaning mode is the default cleaning mode for the pipetting device.

[0092] In this embodiment, it can be determined whether the liquid to be transferred has been replaced. This can be achieved by using a pipeline image acquisition device (such as the 24-inlet bottle group image acquisition device) combined with machine vision technology to observe and identify the status of the 33-liquid bottle to be transferred in real time, or by direct human instruction. In this embodiment, before performing the liquid-saving cleaning method, a pure water cleaning method is first performed to remove any contaminants that may be present in the pipetting device pipeline.

[0093] S1000: Perform a pure water cleaning process to remove any contaminants that may be present in the pipetting device tubing.

[0094] In this embodiment, the specific process of performing the pure water cleaning method has been described in the foregoing embodiments (see [link]). Figure 2 (The embodiments are described in detail here).

[0095] S2100: Execute the liquid-saving cleaning method (i.e., call the optimal liquid-saving cleaning method and required parameter values ​​from the controller of the pipetting device) to prepare for rinsing the tubing of the pipetting device.

[0096] S2200: Set the cleaning counter value to 0 and start the liquid-saving cleaning method.

[0097] S2300: Calculate the volume of the first volume of liquid to be transferred and the second volume of air to be extracted; wherein the sum of the first volume and the second volume is equal to the volume of the liquid storage tube in the pipetting device, and the first volume and the second volume can be obtained by extracting them at once or by extracting them alternately multiple times and accumulating the results.

[0098] In this embodiment of the application, the specific values ​​of the first volume and the second volume can be set manually by voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, buttons, touch screen, etc.), or can be set automatically by the controller after autonomous learning and self-optimization of the deep learning model. The controller's automatic setting is the default method, but this method has a lower priority than the method of manual setting.

[0099] In this embodiment of the application, the size between the first volume and the second volume is not specifically limited. For example, the first volume may be larger than the second volume, the first volume may be equal to the second volume, and the first volume may be smaller than the second volume.

[0100] In this embodiment of the application, the number of times the first volume of liquid to be transferred is required to be extracted and the number of times the second volume of air is required to be extracted are not specifically limited, nor is the order in which the liquid to be transferred and the air are extracted.

[0101] To make it easier to understand, the following explanation will be based on the example of a reservoir with a volume of 10ml, a first volume of 4ml, and a second volume of 6ml.

[0102] Specifically, in one possible implementation, with the 36-main outlet pipe closed, by moving the 15-reservoir pipe piston and push rod, 4 ml of the 34-liquid to be transferred is transferred to the 16-reservoir through the first inlet pipe (32-liquid to be transferred inlet pipe), the 21-inlet four-way valve, the 20-main inlet pipe, and the 17-reservoir pipe three-way valve; with the 20-main inlet pipe closed, by moving the 15-reservoir pipe piston and push rod, 6 ml of air is transferred to the 16-reservoir through the 5-liquid to be transferred outlet pipe, the 37-outlet three-way valve, the 36-main outlet pipe, and the 17-reservoir pipe three-way valve.

[0103] Specifically, in another possible implementation, firstly, with the 36-main outlet pipe closed, by moving the 15-reservoir pipe piston and push rod, 2 ml of the 34-liquid to be transferred is transferred to the 16-reservoir through the first inlet pipe (32-liquid to be transferred inlet pipe), the 21-inlet four-way valve, the 20-main inlet pipe, and the 17-reservoir pipe three-way valve; then, with the 20-main inlet pipe closed, by moving the 15-reservoir pipe piston and push rod, air is allowed to pass through. 6 ml of air is transferred to the 16-storage tube via the 5-liquid outlet tube, 37-outlet three-way valve, 36-main outlet tube, and 17-storage tube three-way valve. Finally, with the 36-main outlet tube closed, the 15-storage tube piston and push rod are moved to transfer 2 ml of the 34-liquid to be transferred through the first inlet tube (32-liquid inlet tube), 21-inlet four-way valve, 20-main inlet tube, and 17-storage tube three-way valve to the 16-storage tube.

[0104] S2400: The first volume of liquid to be transferred in step S2300 is transferred to the storage tube through the first inlet pipe, and the second volume of air in step S2300 is transferred to the storage tube through the first outlet pipe.

[0105] See you again Figure 1 The first inlet pipe is 32-the inlet pipe for the liquid to be transferred, and the first outlet pipe is 5-the outlet pipe for the liquid to be transferred. The relationship between the first inlet pipe, the first outlet pipe, and the storage pipe will not be elaborated here.

[0106] In this embodiment, the specific process of transferring the first volume of liquid to be transferred and the second volume of air into the storage tube has been described in the previous embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0107] S2500: Discharges the first volume of liquid to be transferred and the second volume of air from the storage tube through the second outlet pipe.

[0108] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the 20-main inlet pipe is closed, by moving the 15-storage pipe piston and push rod, the first volume of 34-liquid to be transferred and the second volume of air in the 16-storage pipe are discharged through the 17-storage pipe three-way valve, 36-main outlet pipe, 37-outlet three-way valve and the second outlet pipe (38-waste liquid outlet pipe).

[0109] S2600: Cleaning stop judgment under the liquid-saving cleaning method. If the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the liquid-saving cleaning number threshold N2, the liquid-saving cleaning method is terminated. Otherwise, the count value in the cleaning counter is incremented by 1 (S2700), and steps S2300~S2600 are repeated until the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the liquid-saving cleaning number threshold N2.

[0110] In this embodiment of the application, during the rinsing process of the pipetting device, a portion of the liquid to be transferred is drawn through the first inlet pipe and a portion of air is drawn through the first outlet pipe to save the liquid to be transferred, making it suitable for situations where the amount of liquid to be transferred is small or the liquid to be transferred is very precious.

[0111] Because air bubbles can appear in the tubing of a pipette during operation, the pipette in this embodiment is designed with a bubble cleaning mode to remove detected air bubbles from the tubing. The bubble cleaning mode will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0112] See Figure 4 The figure is a flowchart of a cleaning method for a pipette in bubble cleaning mode according to an embodiment of this application.

[0113] like Figure 4 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0114] S010: Obtain the number of times the pipette is used and detect the state of air bubbles in the tubing.

[0115] In this embodiment of the application, the number of times the pipetting device has been used can be obtained by a pipetting counter.

[0116] In one possible implementation, for air bubbles in the pipeline, embodiments of this application can detect the state of air bubbles in the pipetting device pipeline using a pipeline air bubble detection sensor.

[0117] In another possible implementation, regarding air bubbles in the tubing, embodiments of this application can also acquire an image of the pipetting device tubing and identify the state of air bubbles in the tubing based on the image.

[0118] As mentioned above, the piping system includes a reservoir, inlet pipes, outlet pipes, and valves. Similarly, the images of the piping system can include images of the reservoir, the inlet pipes (first inlet, second inlet, third inlet, and main inlet), the outlet pipes (first outlet, second outlet, and main outlet), and the valves (21-inlet four-way valve, 17-reservoir three-way valve, 37-outlet three-way valve). Air bubble detection sensors can also be positioned at the locations of the reservoir, the inlet pipes (first inlet, second inlet, third inlet, and main inlet), the outlet pipes (first outlet, second outlet, and main outlet), and the valves (21-inlet four-way valve, 17-reservoir three-way valve, 37-outlet three-way valve).

[0119] S100: When the number of pipetting operations is greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning threshold Q, or when bubbles are detected in the tubing, the tubing of the pipetting device is cleaned in response to selecting the bubble cleaning mode.

[0120] Specifically, in this embodiment, the bubble cleaning mode can respond to any time period during the operation of the pipette, such as when the pipette is turned on, restarted, the liquid to be pipetted is replaced, or during the pipetting process of the pipette, as long as the number of pipetting operations is greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning threshold Q or bubbles are detected in the tubing, the controller will automatically execute the bubble cleaning mode to clean the entire tubing of the pipette to remove bubbles from the pipette tubing.

[0121] In this embodiment, the method of selecting the cleaning mode is not specifically limited. For example, it can be selected manually via voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, buttons, touch screen, etc.), or it can be selected automatically by the controller after self-learning and self-optimization through a deep learning model. The controller's automatic selection is the default method, but its priority is lower than that of manual selection. Among the normal cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode, the liquid-saving cleaning mode is the default cleaning mode for the pipetting device.

[0122] S3100: Execute the bubble cleaning method (i.e., call the optimized bubble cleaning method and required parameter values ​​from the pipette controller) to prepare to remove the bubbles detected in the pipette tubing.

[0123] S3200: Set the cleaning counter value to 0 and start the bubble cleaning method.

[0124] S3300: Calculate the volume of the third volume of bubble cleaning fluid to be extracted; wherein the third volume does not exceed the volume of the storage tube.

[0125] In this embodiment of the application, the specific value of the third volume can be set manually by voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, key, touch screen, etc.), or it can be set automatically by the controller after autonomous learning and self-optimization of the deep learning model. The controller's automatic setting is the default method, but this method has a lower priority than the manual setting method.

[0126] S3400: Transfer the third volume of bubble cleaning fluid from step S3300 to the storage tube through the second inlet pipe.

[0127] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the 36-main outlet pipe is closed, by moving the 15-storage pipe piston and push rod, the 28-bubble cleaning fluid is transferred to the 16-storage pipe through the second inlet pipe (26-bubble cleaning inlet pipe), the 21-inlet four-way valve, the 20-main inlet pipe and the 17-storage pipe three-way valve, resulting in a third volume of 28-bubble cleaning fluid.

[0128] In this embodiment, the bubble cleaning solution includes, but is not limited to: ethanol solution, isopropanol solution, acetone solution, and chromic acid cleaning solution (potassium dichromate solution, sodium dichromate solution).

[0129] S3500: Discharges the third volume of bubble cleaning fluid from the storage tube through the second outlet pipe.

[0130] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the 20-main inlet pipe is closed, the 15-storage pipe piston and push rod are moved to discharge the third volume of 28-bubble cleaning fluid in the 16-storage pipe through the 17-storage pipe three-way valve, 36-main outlet pipe, 37-outlet three-way valve, and second outlet pipe (38-waste liquid outlet pipe).

[0131] S3600: Cleaning stop judgment under the bubble cleaning method. If the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning number threshold N3, the bubble cleaning method is terminated. Otherwise, the count value in the cleaning counter is incremented by 1 (S3700), and steps S3300~S3600 are repeated until the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning number threshold N3.

[0132] S3800: Determination of air bubble removal in the tubing. If no air bubbles are detected in the tubing of the pipette, it means that the air bubbles in the tubing have been cleaned. Then, perform the pure water cleaning method (S1100~S1700) and the liquid-saving cleaning method (S2100~S2700) respectively. Otherwise, repeat steps S3200~S3800 until no air bubbles are detected in the tubing of the pipette.

[0133] In this embodiment, before performing the liquid-saving cleaning method (S2100~S2700) to rinse the pipeline after completing the bubble cleaning method (S3100~S3800), a pure water cleaning method (S1100~S1700) is first performed to remove residual bubble cleaning solution from the pipetting device pipeline. The specific process of performing the pure water cleaning method has been described in the aforementioned embodiments (see...). Figure 2 (The embodiments are described in detail here).

[0134] In this embodiment, after the bubble cleaning method (S3100~S3800) and the pure water cleaning method (S1100~S1700) have been completed, a liquid-saving cleaning method (S2100~S2700) is finally performed to rinse the pipetting device tubing, preparing it for pipetting. The specific process of performing the liquid-saving cleaning method has been described in the aforementioned embodiments (see...). Figure 3 (The embodiments are described in detail here).

[0135] In this embodiment, a pipeline bubble detection sensor and / or a pipeline image acquisition device are used to detect and identify the bubble status in the pipetting device pipeline in real time. Once a bubble is detected in the pipeline, the controller of the pipetting device will automatically execute the bubble cleaning mode to clean the entire pipeline of the pipetting device to remove the bubble in the pipeline of the pipetting device.

[0136] In addition, when the volume of liquid to be transferred is sufficient, this application embodiment also provides a conventional cleaning mode to improve the cleaning efficiency of the pipetting device.

[0137] See Figure 5 The figure is a flowchart of a cleaning method for a pipette under conventional cleaning mode provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0138] like Figure 5 As shown, the cleaning method includes the following steps:

[0139] S100: When the pipetting device is turned on, restarted, or the liquid to be transferred is changed, and the tubing needs to be rinsed, or when the pipetting device needs to be rinsed during other situations during the pipetting process, and the volume of liquid to be transferred is sufficient, the pipetting device tubing is cleaned by selecting either the regular cleaning mode or the liquid-saving cleaning mode.

[0140] In this embodiment, the method of selecting the cleaning mode is not specifically limited. For example, it can be selected manually via voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, buttons, touch screen, etc.), or it can be selected automatically by the controller after self-learning and self-optimization through a deep learning model. The controller's automatic selection is the default method, but its priority is lower than that of manual selection. Among the normal cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode, the liquid-saving cleaning mode is the default cleaning mode for the pipetting device. When the volume of liquid to be transferred is sufficient, the normal cleaning mode can also be selected to clean the tubing of the pipetting device.

[0141] In this embodiment of the application, it can be determined whether the liquid to be transferred has been replaced by using a pipeline image acquisition device (such as the 24-inlet bottle group image acquisition device) combined with machine vision technology to observe and identify the status of the 33-liquid bottle to be transferred in real time, or by direct human instruction.

[0142] S1000: Perform a pure water cleaning process to remove any contaminants that may be present in the pipetting device tubing.

[0143] In this embodiment, the specific process of performing the pure water cleaning method has been described in the foregoing embodiments (see [link]). Figure 2 (The embodiments are described in detail here).

[0144] S4100: Perform a routine cleaning procedure (i.e., call the optimal routine cleaning procedure and required parameter values ​​from the pipetting device controller) to prepare the pipetting device tubing for rinsing.

[0145] S4200: Set the cleaning counter value to 0 and start the normal cleaning process.

[0146] S4300: Calculate the volume of the fifth volume of liquid to be transferred; wherein the fifth volume does not exceed the volume of the storage tube.

[0147] In this embodiment of the application, the specific value of the fifth volume can be set manually by voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, key, touch screen, etc.), or it can be set automatically by the controller after autonomous learning and self-optimization of the deep learning model. The controller's automatic setting is the default method, but this method has a lower priority than the manual setting method.

[0148] S4400: Transfer the fifth volume of liquid to be transferred in step S4300 to the storage tube through the first inlet pipe.

[0149] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the 36-main outlet pipe is closed, by moving the 15-storage pipe piston and push rod, the 34-liquid to be transferred is transferred to the 16-storage pipe through the first inlet pipe (32-liquid to be transferred inlet pipe), the 21-inlet four-way valve, the 20-main inlet pipe and the 17-storage pipe three-way valve, resulting in a fifth volume of the 34-liquid to be transferred.

[0150] S4500: Discharge the fifth volume of liquid to be transferred from the storage tube through the second outlet tube.

[0151] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the 20-main inlet pipe is closed, the 15-storage pipe piston and push rod are moved to discharge the fifth volume of 34-liquid to be transferred in the 16-storage pipe through the 17-storage pipe three-way valve, 36-main outlet pipe, 37-outlet three-way valve and second outlet pipe (38-waste liquid outlet pipe).

[0152] S4600: Cleaning stop judgment under the normal cleaning method. If the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the normal cleaning number threshold N1, the normal cleaning method is terminated. Otherwise, the count value in the cleaning counter is incremented by 1 (S4700), and steps S4300~S4600 are repeated until the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the normal cleaning number threshold N1.

[0153] In this embodiment, when the pipette is turned on, restarted, or the liquid to be transferred is changed, or when the pipette requires rinsing during pipetting, and when the volume of liquid to be transferred is sufficient, either the liquid-saving cleaning mode or the regular cleaning mode can be selected to clean the pipette. The liquid-saving cleaning mode is the default cleaning mode for the pipette and can complete the rinsing of the pipette under any circumstances, especially suitable for situations where the volume of liquid to be transferred is small or the liquid is very precious. The tubing rinsing in the regular cleaning mode is only suitable when the volume of liquid to be transferred is sufficient. Compared to the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the regular cleaning mode requires fewer cleaning cycles, thus improving the cleaning efficiency of the pipette tubing.

[0154] In conjunction with the pure water cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and conventional cleaning mode mentioned in the foregoing embodiments, the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, further introduces the cleaning methods of each cleaning mode performed by the pipetting device.

[0155] See Figure 6 The figure is a flowchart of a pipetting device performing various cleaning methods under various cleaning modes according to an embodiment of this application.

[0156] like Figure 6 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0157] Step 1: Enter the name and properties of the liquid to be transferred.

[0158] For example, the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the method of inputting the name and characteristics of the liquid to be transferred, such as manual input (e.g., keyboard, buttons, touch screen, etc.), voice input, and machine vision input.

[0159] Step 2: Determine if the tubing needs cleaning. If the pipetting device tubing needs cleaning, proceed to Step 3; otherwise, proceed to Step 9.

[0160] For example, the method for determining whether the pipetting device tubing needs cleaning in this application embodiment is as follows: when the pipetting device is turned on or restarted, or air bubbles appear in the pipetting device tubing, or the liquid to be pipetted is replaced, or other situations requiring cleaning, such as when a person manually indicates that the pipetting device tubing needs cleaning, or when the controller of the pipetting device determines that cleaning is required after self-learning and self-optimization, the controller of the pipetting device will automatically execute the required cleaning method.

[0161] One way to determine whether the liquid to be transferred has been replaced is by using machine vision technology to observe and identify the status of the liquid bottle in real time, or by direct human instruction.

[0162] Step 3: Initialize each cleaning method and its parameters.

[0163] For example, in the embodiments of this application, initializing each cleaning method and parameter includes: the controller of the pipetting device calls the optimization method corresponding to each cleaning method in each cleaning mode and sets the required parameter values ​​for each cleaning method.

[0164] In this embodiment, the parameters required for each cleaning method under each cleaning mode include: the total capacity value V of the storage tube, the total liquid inlet volume V1 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the total air inlet volume V2 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the number of liquid extractions n1 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the number of gas extractions n2 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the total liquid inlet volume V3 for each cleaning under the bubble cleaning mode, the total liquid inlet volume V4 for each cleaning under the pure water cleaning mode, the total liquid inlet volume V5 for each cleaning under the conventional cleaning mode, the bubble cleaning threshold Q under the bubble cleaning mode, the conventional cleaning number threshold N1, the liquid-saving cleaning number threshold N2, the bubble cleaning number threshold N3, the pure water cleaning number threshold N4, and the optimal number of cleaning cycles required to complete each cleaning method under each cleaning mode.

[0165] In this embodiment of the application, the parameter values ​​required for each cleaning method in each cleaning mode can be set manually by voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, buttons, touch screen, etc.), or can be set automatically by the controller after autonomous learning and self-optimization through a deep learning model. The controller's automatic setting is the default method, but this method has a lower priority than the manual setting method.

[0166] In this embodiment, the optimal cleaning method corresponding to each cleaning method under each cleaning mode can be obtained by the controller of the pipetting device through autonomous learning and self-optimization using a deep learning model. The specific process of the controller's autonomous learning and self-optimization is as follows:

[0167] First, based on technologies such as sensors, automation, IoT, big data, and cloud computing, real-time data on the operating status and parameters of the pipetting device, the degree of air bubbles in the tubing, the characteristics of the liquid to be pipetted, and environmental conditions are collected. This data is then aggregated and stored in the cloud or in the pipetting device's data storage module, preparing for the device controller's autonomous learning and self-optimization. Second, utilizing big data analytics, cloud computing, machine learning, and deep learning technologies, the pipetting device controller can autonomously learn from historical data in the cloud or in the device's data storage module. This allows it to summarize the optimal cleaning methods and corresponding parameter values ​​for each cleaning mode of the current pipetting device, and to explore the relationship between the optimal cleaning effect and various parameters under each cleaning mode. Then it is automatically applied to the corresponding scenarios; finally, by using technologies such as big data analysis, cloud computing, machine learning, and deep learning, the controller of the pipetting device continuously optimizes each cleaning method under each cleaning mode to ensure that each cleaning method under each cleaning mode is always optimal. The specific optimization process is as follows: after each cleaning cycle, the controller of the pipetting device scores the effect of each cleaning method under each cleaning mode and compares the current cleaning effect with the expected cleaning effect and the historical cleaning effect. Based on the comparison results, the controller adjusts the cleaning methods and parameter values ​​under each cleaning mode to achieve continuous self-optimization of each cleaning method under each cleaning mode, so that each cleaning method under each cleaning mode is always optimal.

[0168] Specifically, the effect score, the cleaning methods under each cleaning mode, and the required parameters are input into the trained deep learning model so that the deep learning model can update the optimal cleaning methods and required parameter values ​​under each cleaning mode for the next pipeline cleaning. The deep learning model is trained using historical data, which includes each cleaning method under each cleaning mode and its corresponding parameter values. These parameters include: the total capacity value V of the storage tube, the total liquid inlet volume V1 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the total air inlet volume V2 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the number of liquid extractions n1 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the number of gas extractions n2 for each cleaning under the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the total liquid inlet volume V3 for each cleaning under the bubble cleaning mode, the total liquid inlet volume V4 for each cleaning under the pure water cleaning mode, the total liquid inlet volume V5 for each cleaning under the conventional cleaning mode, the bubble cleaning threshold Q under the bubble cleaning mode, the conventional cleaning number threshold N1, the liquid-saving cleaning number threshold N2, the bubble cleaning number threshold N3, the pure water cleaning number threshold N4, and the optimal number of cleanings required to complete each cleaning method under each cleaning mode.

[0169] Step 4: Select the cleaning mode.

[0170] It should be understood that the cleaning mode in the embodiments of this application can be any one of pure water cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode and conventional cleaning mode.

[0171] In this embodiment, the method of selecting the cleaning mode is not specifically limited. For example, it can be selected manually via voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, buttons, touch screen, etc.), or it can be selected automatically by the controller after self-learning and self-optimization through a deep learning model. The controller's automatic selection is the default method, but its priority is lower than that of manual selection. Among the normal cleaning mode, liquid-saving cleaning mode, bubble cleaning mode, and pure water cleaning mode, the liquid-saving cleaning mode is the default cleaning mode for the pipetting device.

[0172] Step 5: Update the cleaning methods and required parameter values ​​for each cleaning mode selected.

[0173] In this embodiment of the application, the parameter values ​​required for each cleaning method in each cleaning mode can be set manually by voice input or manual input (such as keyboard, buttons, touch screen, etc.), or can be set automatically by the controller after autonomous learning and self-optimization through a deep learning model. The controller's automatic setting is the default method, but this method has a lower priority than the manual setting method.

[0174] Step 6: Set the cleaning counter value to 0 to prepare for cleaning the tubing of the pipetting device.

[0175] Step 7: Clean the tubing of the pipetting device according to the cleaning mode selected in Step 4.

[0176] It should be understood that the specific operation of various cleaning modes has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0177] Step 8: Determine whether to terminate the corresponding cleaning method under the current cleaning mode. If the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the cleaning count threshold corresponding to the current cleaning method, terminate the current cleaning method and execute Step 9. Otherwise, increment the count value in the cleaning counter by 1, and repeat Steps 7 to 8 until the count value in the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the cleaning count threshold corresponding to the current cleaning method.

[0178] For example, in the normal cleaning mode, cleaning is terminated when the value of the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the normal cleaning count threshold N1; in the liquid-saving cleaning mode, cleaning is terminated when the value of the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the liquid-saving cleaning count threshold N2; in the bubble cleaning mode, cleaning is terminated when the value of the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning count threshold N3; and in the pure water cleaning mode, cleaning is terminated when the value of the cleaning counter is greater than or equal to the pure water cleaning count threshold N4.

[0179] Step 9: Set the pipette counter value to 0 and keep the pipette in the pipetting state.

[0180] Step 10: Keep the pipette in the pipetting state and pipette as needed.

[0181] Step 11: Detecting air bubbles in the tubing during pipetting. If air bubbles appear in the tubing of the pipetting device, proceed to Step 12; otherwise, increment the count value in the pipetting counter by 1 and repeat Steps 10-11.

[0182] In one possible implementation of this application, the air bubbles in the pipeline can be detected by a pipeline air bubble detection sensor.

[0183] In another possible implementation, regarding air bubbles in the pipeline, embodiments of this application can also acquire an image of the pipeline and identify the state of air bubbles in the pipeline based on the image.

[0184] Step 12: If the number of pipetting operations is greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning threshold Q, or if bubbles are detected in the tubing, select the bubble cleaning mode to clean the tubing of the pipetting device.

[0185] Step 13: Determine if all air bubbles have been removed from the tubing. If all air bubbles have been removed from the pipette tubing, proceed to Step 14. Otherwise, repeat Steps 12 and 13 until no air bubbles remain in the pipette tubing.

[0186] Step 14: Determine if the tubing needs cleaning after bubble cleaning. If the pipette tubing needs cleaning, proceed to Step 4; otherwise, proceed to Step 15.

[0187] Step 15: Method Termination Judgment. If the pipette terminates pipetting or executes a shutdown command, terminate all cleaning methods and proceed to Step 16; otherwise, proceed to Step 9.

[0188] Step 16: Data Upload and Storage. Upload all relevant data generated during the cleaning process to the cloud or the data storage module of the pipetting device for aggregation and storage. This prepares the pipetting device control module for autonomous learning and self-optimization. The data includes: cleaning methods and their corresponding parameter values ​​under each cleaning mode, pipetting liquid names and their characteristics, and related pipetting data.

[0189] The cleaning method for the pipette device according to the embodiments of this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0190] (1) The cleaning process saves mother liquor. The cleaning method of this application retains the traditional conventional cleaning and pure water cleaning modes, and adds two new modes: sample-saving cleaning and bubble cleaning. These two new cleaning modes can effectively clean the pipetting device tubing and save the liquid to be transferred to the maximum extent. They are particularly suitable for scenarios where the amount of liquid to be transferred is small or the liquid to be transferred is very precious and there are air bubbles in the pipetting device tubing.

[0191] (2) It can detect, identify and process air bubbles in the pipetting device tubing in real time during the pipetting process. The pipetting device uses a pipe bubble detection sensor and / or a pipe image acquisition device to detect and identify the air bubble status in each inlet pipe, each outlet pipe, each valve body and the storage pipe in real time. Once an air bubble is detected in the tubing, the pipetting device controller will automatically execute the air bubble cleaning mode to clean the entire pipetting device tubing to remove the air bubbles in the pipetting device tubing.

[0192] (3) High degree of automation and intelligence. The cleaning method and apparatus of this application not only utilize technologies such as intelligent voice recognition, machine vision recognition, and natural language processing to participate in the cleaning tasks of the pipetting device in various cleaning modes, but also use technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data analysis, cloud computing, machine learning, and deep learning to complete the real-time monitoring and feedback of each cleaning process of the pipetting device in each cleaning mode, so as to realize the autonomous learning and self-optimization of each cleaning method in each cleaning mode of this application. Therefore, the cleaning method and apparatus of this application can not only provide users with personalized cleaning solutions, but also help improve the automation and intelligence level of testing and inspection laboratories.

[0193] (4) Simple to use. When using it, you only need to install and place the pipetting device and the required components, and the pipetting device can automatically complete the cleaning of the tubing, pipetting, fault self-checking and handling. Therefore, the cleaning method and device of this application can be used in a wide range of volumetric and pipetting devices, and has significant social benefits.

[0194] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the cleaning methods of the pipetting device described in this application under various cleaning modes.

[0195] The above description is merely one specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning a pipetting device, characterized in that, The method comprises: In the case of starting, restarting or waiting for the liquid to be moved in the pipette device, in response to selecting the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the pipeline in the pipette device is cleaned multiple times using the liquid to be moved, each time cleaning the pipeline comprising the following steps: Calculate the volume of the first volume of the liquid to be moved and the second volume of air to be extracted; wherein the sum of the first volume and the second volume is equal to the volume of the reservoir in the pipette device, and the first volume and the second volume can be extracted cumulatively at a time or alternately multiple times; Transfer the first volume of the liquid to be moved to the reservoir through the first liquid inlet pipe, and transfer the second volume of air to the reservoir through the first liquid outlet pipe; The first volume of the liquid to be moved and the second volume of air in the reservoir are discharged through the second liquid outlet pipe.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, In the case of needing to perform bubble cleaning on the pipeline in the pipette device, in response to selecting the bubble cleaning mode, before cleaning the pipeline in the pipette device multiple times using the liquid to be moved, the method further comprises: Obtain the number of pipetting times of the pipette device, and detect the bubble state in the pipeline; In the case of the number of pipetting times being greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning threshold, or the presence of bubbles in the pipeline, the pipeline is cleaned multiple times using bubble cleaning liquid, each time cleaning the pipeline comprising the following steps: Calculate the volume of the third volume of the bubble cleaning liquid to be extracted; wherein the third volume is not more than the volume of the reservoir; Transfer the third volume of the bubble cleaning liquid to the reservoir through the second liquid inlet pipe; The third volume of the bubble cleaning liquid in the reservoir is discharged through the second liquid outlet pipe.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Before cleaning the pipeline in the pipette device multiple times using the liquid to be moved, or after cleaning the pipeline in the pipette device multiple times using the bubble cleaning liquid, in response to selecting the pure water cleaning mode, the pipeline in the pipette device is cleaned multiple times using pure water, each time cleaning the pipeline comprising the following steps: Calculate the volume of the fourth volume of the pure water to be extracted; wherein the fourth volume is not more than the volume of the reservoir; Transfer the fourth volume of the pure water to the reservoir through the third liquid inlet pipe; The fourth volume of the pure water in the reservoir is discharged through the second liquid outlet pipe.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, In the case of sufficient amount of the liquid to be moved, in response to selecting the conventional cleaning mode, the pipeline in the pipette device is cleaned multiple times using the liquid to be moved, each time cleaning the pipeline comprising the following steps: Calculate the volume of the fifth volume of the liquid to be moved to be extracted; wherein the fifth volume is not more than the volume of the reservoir; Transfer the fifth volume of the liquid to be moved to the reservoir through the first liquid inlet pipe; The fifth volume of the liquid to be moved in the reservoir is discharged through the second liquid outlet pipe.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The specific steps of executing the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the bubble cleaning mode, the pure water cleaning mode or the conventional cleaning mode in the pipette device are as follows: In response to the terminal device inputting the name and characteristics of the liquid to be moved, and determining whether the pipeline needs to be cleaned; In the case that the pipeline needs to be cleaned, initialize each cleaning method and parameter in the normal cleaning mode, the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the bubble cleaning mode and the pure water cleaning mode, and set the normal cleaning frequency threshold N1, the liquid-saving cleaning frequency threshold N2, the bubble cleaning frequency threshold N3 and the bubble cleaning threshold Q, and the pure water cleaning frequency threshold N4; According to the actual situation, select any one of the normal cleaning mode, the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the bubble cleaning mode and the pure water cleaning mode to prepare to clean the pipeline; Update each cleaning method and required parameter value in each cleaning mode; Set the cleaning counter value to 0; Clean the pipeline according to the selected cleaning mode of any one of the normal cleaning mode, the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the bubble cleaning mode and the pure water cleaning mode, and increase the cleaning counter value by 1 after each cleaning is completed, until the cleaning counter value is greater than or equal to the normal cleaning frequency threshold N1, the liquid-saving cleaning frequency threshold N2, the bubble cleaning frequency threshold N3, and the pure water cleaning frequency threshold N4; In the case that all steps of the selected cleaning mode of any one of the normal cleaning mode, the liquid-saving cleaning mode, the bubble cleaning mode and the pure water cleaning mode are executed, set the pipetting counter value to 0; In the case that the pipetting device is maintained in the pipetting state, detect the bubble state in the pipeline and obtain the pipetting counter value; wherein the pipetting counter value is increased by 1 after each pipetting operation is completed; In the case that the pipetting counter value is greater than or equal to the bubble cleaning threshold Q, or the presence of bubbles in the pipeline is detected, use the bubble cleaning liquid to clean the pipeline until there are no bubbles in the pipeline; Set the cleaning counter value to 0; In the case that the pipetting device is maintained in the pipetting state, use the liquid to be pipetted and the air to clean the pipeline, and increase the cleaning counter value by 1 after each cleaning is completed, until the cleaning counter value is greater than or equal to the liquid-saving cleaning frequency threshold N2, to complete the liquid-saving cleaning mode.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein, The bubble state in the pipeline is identified in any one of the following ways: Detect the bubble state in the pipeline through a pipeline bubble detection sensor; or, Obtain an image of the pipeline, and identify the bubble state in the pipeline based on the image of the pipeline.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein, The method further comprises: Obtain an effect score of each cleaning of the pipeline; The effect score and the cleaning method and required parameters in each cleaning mode are input into the trained deep learning model, so that the deep learning model updates the optimal cleaning method and required parameter value in each cleaning mode required for next time cleaning the pipeline, wherein the deep learning model is trained by historical data, and the historical data includes the cleaning method and corresponding parameter value in each cleaning mode, and the parameters include: total capacity value V of the liquid storage tube, total liquid volume value V1 of each cleaning in the liquid saving cleaning mode, total gas volume value V2 of each cleaning in the liquid saving cleaning mode, liquid extraction frequency n1 of each cleaning in the liquid saving cleaning mode, gas extraction frequency n2 of each cleaning in the liquid saving cleaning mode, total liquid volume value V3 of each cleaning in the bubble cleaning mode, total liquid volume value V4 of each cleaning in the pure water cleaning mode, total liquid volume value V5 of each cleaning in the conventional cleaning mode, bubble cleaning threshold Q in the bubble cleaning mode, conventional cleaning frequency threshold N1, liquid saving cleaning frequency threshold N2, bubble cleaning frequency threshold N3, pure water cleaning frequency threshold N4, and the optimal cleaning frequency required for performing each cleaning method in each cleaning mode.

8. A pipetting device, characterized in that Comprise: a controller, a driving device, a liquid storage tube, a first liquid inlet tube, a second liquid inlet tube, a third liquid inlet tube, a first liquid outlet tube, a second liquid outlet tube, a liquid to be pipetted bottle, a bubble cleaning liquid bottle, a water storage bottle, a sample bottle, a waste liquid bottle, a pipeline bubble detection sensor, and a pipeline image acquisition device; The first end of the liquid storage tube comprises a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the liquid inlet is connected to the first end of the first liquid inlet tube, the first end of the second liquid inlet tube and the first end of the third liquid inlet tube, the liquid outlet is connected to the first end of the first liquid outlet tube and the first end of the second liquid outlet tube, and the second end of the liquid storage tube is connected to the driving device through a piston; wherein the driving device is used to drive the piston to move in the liquid storage tube, to extract or discharge the liquid to be pipetted, to extract or discharge the air, to extract or discharge the bubble cleaning liquid and to extract or discharge the pure water; The second end of the first liquid inlet tube is immersed in the liquid to be pipetted in the liquid to be pipetted bottle; The second end of the second liquid inlet tube is immersed in the bubble cleaning liquid in the bubble cleaning liquid bottle; The second end of the third liquid inlet tube is immersed in the pure water in the water storage bottle; The second end of the first liquid outlet tube is suspended above the bottle mouth of the sample bottle; The second end of the second liquid outlet tube is placed in the waste liquid bottle; The controller is configured to control the driving device to act, so as to clean the pipeline in response to selecting any one of the conventional cleaning mode, the liquid saving cleaning mode, the bubble cleaning mode and the pure water cleaning mode in the case of starting, restarting or replacing the liquid to be pipetted. The pipeline bubble detection sensor and the pipeline image acquisition device are respectively arranged in the pipeline of the pipetting device to identify the bubble state in the pipeline in real time.

9. A control device characterized by comprising: A computer program product comprising a processor and a memory for storing a program, instructions or code for execution by the processor to perform the cleaning method of any one of claims 1-7.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program product comprising a processor and a memory for storing a program, instructions or code for execution by the processor to perform the cleaning method of any one of claims 1-7.

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