Pipette carrier and system

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipette holder (1) with at least two plates (3), each having through-holes (4), wherein the at least two plates (3) are arranged stacked so that the plates (3) at least partially abut one another and the through-holes (4) of the plates (3) are aligned one above the other, and wherein the at least two plates (3) are connected to one another by means of at least one coupling component (5). The invention further relates to a system (13) with a pipette holder (1) and pipette tips (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pipette holder for receiving pipette tips and a system consisting of the pipette holder and pipette tips.

[0002] Repetitive laboratory tasks are increasingly being taken over by automated laboratory equipment. Systems for the automated handling of liquid samples are particularly desirable for biochemical analyses in the fields of chemistry and pharmaceuticals. These so-called liquid handling systems are used for sample preparation and / or for the analysis of the prepared samples. Such laboratory equipment is also known by terms such as pipetting robots, pipetting and analysis devices, or more generally as pipetting devices (see, e.g., DE 20 2007 000 904 U1).

[0003] Automated pipetting devices typically include at least one, and usually several, pipettes, often arranged in pipetting heads that are sometimes interchangeable. Simple pipetting or dispensing devices dispense only a defined quantity of liquid, while in larger devices, the pipetting heads can be moved in one, two, or three directions, or in combination. Complex pipetting devices often perform additional tasks such as transporting and handling laboratory equipment, as well as mixing and incubating samples.

[0004] A pipette is used to draw up and dispense defined volumes of liquid. Typically, the pipette is designed so that the liquid does not enter its interior. Instead, a pipette tip is placed onto the end of the pipette, into which the liquid is drawn. In manual pipettes with only one pipetting channel, which controls the aspiration and dispensing of a defined volume of liquid into and out of the pipette tip by applying appropriate negative or positive pressure, the end of the pipette is usually conical or shaft-shaped. The pipette tip is connected to the end of the pipette by friction, form-fitting, or a combination of both, and is sometimes additionally secured with a sealing element, such as an O-ring.

[0005] Multichannel pipetting devices enable the simultaneous handling of multiple volumes. They achieve this by featuring several pipetting channels. One such multichannel pipetting device is described, for example, in DE 20 2008 013 533 U1. The pipetting channels are mounted in a base plate. The pipette tips are held in place by a sealing plate, which has elastic properties and against which the pipette tips are pressed with a defined force. The sealing plate closes the base plate and, like the base plate, guides the pipette channels. By actively pressing the pipette tips against the sealing plate, it is ensured that when a vacuum is applied, a defined volume of liquid is drawn into and retained in the pipette tip.

[0006] Pipette tips are often provided on so-called magazines. These magazines or plate carriers are typically planar, rigid plates with through-holes in which the pipette tips are held. During use, the magazine loaded with pipette tips is moved towards the sealing plate, pressing the tips against it. Ideally, the longitudinal axes of the pipette tips are aligned parallel to the cross-sectional plane of the sealing plate to ensure optimal sealing. Such a magazine is disclosed, for example, in DE 20 2020 100 836 U1. See also, for example, EP 2 508 259 B1, DE 10 2011 053 808 A1, DE 100 48 637 A1, or US 7,223,369 B2.

[0007] In general, two variants for receiving the pipette tips through the pipetting head of a multi-channel pipetting device have become established in the prior art: In one variant, this is achieved using cone-like components, which are components of the pipetting head or an interchangeable carrier assembly. In an alternative variant, the connection is made via a plate-like carrier to which the pipette tips are functionally connected and which the pipetting head mechanically connects to a pipetting device.

[0008] Pipette tips, and usually their holders as well, are generally considered consumables (single-use products) and are therefore used only once before being disposed of, resulting in high material and cost requirements. Cleaning for reuse is not always possible or poses too high a risk of cross-contamination through the unintentional transfer of residual impurities into subsequent process steps. Furthermore, cleaning requires specific chemicals, which may then themselves require costly disposal. Therefore, it is important to consider how pipette tips can be designed, within the context of a comprehensive analysis, to be intended for single use while still being as environmentally friendly as possible.

[0009] The object underlying the invention is therefore to propose a pipette holder for pipette tips that is as material- and cost-efficient as possible, even in the case of only one use.

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention by a pipette carrier according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 13.

[0011] With regard to the pipette holder, the object of the invention is solved by a pipette holder with at least two plates, each of which has through holes, wherein the at least two plates are arranged stacked so that the plates at least partially rest against each other and the through holes of the plates are aligned one above the other, wherein the at least two plates are connected to each other by means of at least one coupling component.

[0012] The pipette holder according to the invention comprises at least two plates. These plates can be manufactured with a thinner thickness than conventional single-plate holders. This particularly facilitates the production of the plates as injection-molded parts. The plates can be made of a plastic. Preferably, the pipette holder is delivered to the customer pre-assembled. Alternatively, the customer can assemble the pipette holder from the plates, particularly using a pick-and-place machine. The mounting of pipette tips onto the pipette holder is preferably also automated using a pick-and-place machine or similar equipment. The at least two plates are preferably arranged congruently. The at least two plates can have the same length and width. The thickness of the at least two plates can differ or be the same.In particular, the at least two plates lie completely on top of each other. The through-holes of the at least two plates can be aligned. In particular, the at least two plates have the same number of through-holes. The at least one coupling component can connect the at least two plates reversibly or irreversibly.

[0013] In one embodiment, the at least one coupling component is an adhesive or bonding layer. The adhesive or bonding layer can, for example, be applied partially or completely to an edge surrounding the through-holes of at least one of the plates.

[0014] In one embodiment, the at least one coupling component has a recess in one of the plates and a retaining element in an opposing plate, the retaining element being designed to be complementary to the recess. The at least one coupling component can be designed as a plug connection or a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0015] In one embodiment, the through-holes are designed such that their cross-section decreases from the top plate to the bottom plate. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for pipette tips whose circumference decreases from a proximal end to a distal end.

[0016] In one embodiment, the through-holes are designed such that their cross-section decreases continuously from the top plate to the bottom plate. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for pipette tips with a conical cross-section.

[0017] In one embodiment, the pipette holder comprises two plates, with at least one of the plates having a plate-shaped recess on its surface facing the other plate. This plate-shaped recess accommodates the collars of the pipette tips and can be configured such that the pipette tips are held in the recess and through-holes by means of the collars. The recess is specifically designed to correspond to the collars of the pipette tips. The plate-shaped recess can be configured as a pit or depression in the plate. For example, the recess is located in the area of ​​the through-holes. The plates can be manufactured using an injection molding process and / or made of a plastic.

[0018] In a further development of the previous design, the two plates are identical. Both plates have a plate-shaped recess, which are arranged congruently above one another. This allows for the production of only one plate type, from which the pipette holder can be formed.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment, the pipette holder comprises at least two plates, the first plate having a plurality of through-holes with a first base area, and the second plate having a plurality of through-holes with a second base area, the second base area being larger than the first. In this embodiment, the second plate can serve as a support for the first plate. The first plate is preferably arranged above the second plate. The pipette tips are inserted into the through-holes of the first plate and protrude through the through-holes of the second plate.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second plate has a greater thickness than the first plate. For example, the second plate can be manufactured using a continuous casting process, while the first plate can be manufactured using an injection molding process. The second plate is therefore more stable than the first plate and serves as a support for the first plate.

[0021] In one embodiment, the second base is larger than or equal to an integer multiple of the first base, so that the through-holes of the second plate each accommodate several through-holes of the first plate. This simplifies the manufacture of the second plate, which can have significantly fewer through-holes than the first plate. Thus, the first plate can be manufactured according to the common ANSI-SLAS specifications and, for example, have 1536 through-holes, whereas the second plate has only 24 through-holes.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first and second bases are based on different geometries. For example, the first base has a circular geometry. The second base can have a rectangular or square geometry.

[0023] In one embodiment, the pipette holder has a third plate with a plurality of through-holes, the second plate being arranged between the first and third plates. The third plate can have the same number of through-holes as the first plate. The through-holes of the third plate can have a third base area, which is equal to or smaller than the base area of ​​the first plate. The pipette tips are held in or aligned by the through-holes of the first and third plates.

[0024] With regard to the system, the problem is further solved according to the invention by a system consisting of a pipette holder according to one of the preceding claims and a plurality of pipette tips, wherein the pipette tips have a distal end region, a proximal end region and a collar, wherein the pipette tips are received in the through holes.

[0025] Depending on the design of the pipette holder and pipette tips, the pipette tips can rest on the top plate with their collars, or the collars can be held by a recess in at least one of the plates. For example, if the pipette holder comprises two or more stacked plates, the collars can rest on the top plate. The cross-section of the through-holes can correspond to the circumference of the pipette tips. The collar can be located in the proximal end region.

[0026] If at least one of the two plates has a plate-shaped recess on its surface facing the other plate, extending over all the through-holes of the plate, the recess can be designed to be complementary to the ridges, so that the pipette tips are held in the recess by the ridges. Preferably, both plates have a recess, so that both recesses form an interior space in which the ridges can be arranged.

[0027] If the pipette holder comprises at least two plates, the first plate having a plurality of through-holes with a first base area and the second plate having a plurality of through-holes with a second base area, the second base area being larger than the first, the pipette tips can rest with their collars on the first plate. A cross-section of the through-holes in the first plate and, if applicable, the third plate can be designed to correspond to the circumference of the pipette tips.

[0028] The invention will be further described using the following figures. Fig. Items 1-17 will be explained in more detail. They show: Fig. 1: a first embodiment of the system according to the invention. Fig. 2: a side view of the design of Fig. 1. Fig. 3: a first embodiment of the pipette carrier according to the invention. Fig. 4: a detailed view of the first embodiment of the system according to the invention. Fig. 5: a cross-section of Fig. 4. Fig. 6: a cross-section of the first embodiment of the system according to the invention. Fig. 7: a second embodiment of the system according to the invention. Fig. 8: a detailed view of Fig. 7. Fig. 9: a cross-section of Fig. 7. Fig. 10: a second embodiment of the pipette carrier according to the invention. Fig. 11: A detailed view of a second embodiment of the pipette carrier according to the invention in an exploded view. Fig. 12: a second embodiment of the pipette carrier according to the invention during the assembly of the pipette carrier. Fig. 13: a design of the through holes. Fig. 14: a third embodiment of the pipette carrier according to the invention. Fig. 15: a third embodiment of the system according to the invention. Fig. 16-17: four variations of the second plate.

[0029] The characters Fig. Figures 1-2 show a first embodiment of the system 13 according to the invention, comprising a pipette holder 1 and a plurality of pipette tips 2. The pipette holder 1 has at least two plates 3a, 3b with through holes 4, which are arranged stacked so that the plates 3a, 3b at least partially rest on one another and the through holes 4 of the plates 3a, 3b are aligned one above the other. The pipette tips 2 are inserted into the through holes 4 in the system 13. The at least two plates 3a, 3b are further connected to one another by means of at least one coupling component 5. The two plates 3a, 3b in Fig. 1 can be connected to each other by means of a coupling component 5 designed as an adhesive or bonding layer, which is arranged between the two plates 3a,3b.

[0030] An alternative design of the at least one coupling component 5 is in Fig. Figure 3 illustrates this. The coupling component 5 can have a recess 6 in the first plate 3a or the second plate 3b, and a retaining element 7 in the opposing plate 3a, 3b, which are designed to be complementary to each other. In particular, the retaining element 7 engages in the recess 6. The design of the coupling element 5 is not limited to this embodiment of the pipette carrier 1, but can also be used in the other variants shown. In the example shown, both plates 3a, 3b have a plurality of recesses 6 and retaining elements 7, which can be inserted into one another. Other plug-in or snap-fit ​​connections are also possible for connecting the plates 3a, 3b.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 also shows an embodiment of the pipette holder 1, in which the pipette holder 1 comprises two plates 3a, 3b, at least one of which has a plate-shaped recess 11 on its surface 12 facing the other plate 3a, 3b. The recess 11 can be arranged so that it extends over all the through-holes 4 of the plate 3a, 3b. The recess 11 can be designed as a depression in one of the plates 3a, 3b. When the two plates 3a, 3b are assembled, the plate-shaped recess 11 faces the other plate 3a, 3b, so that an interior space is formed between the two plates 3a, 3b. The collars 10 of the pipette tips 2 can be arranged in this interior space. The interaction of the collars 10 with the interior space holds the pipette tips 2 in the pipette holder 1. The arrangement of the pipette tips 2 between the two plates 3a, 3b is shown in detail in the figures. Fig. Figures 4-6 show that the frets 10 can have a larger diameter than the rest of the pipette tip 2. The two plates 3a and 3b are, in particular, identical in design.

[0032] An alternative design of the pipette holder 1 is shown in the figures. Fig. Figures 7-12 illustrate this. Here, the pipette holder 1 comprises at least two plates 3; in the example shown, there are three to five plates 3, which are stacked such that the through-holes 4 of the plates 3 are aligned. The multiple narrow plates 3 are particularly easy to manufacture. The cross-section of the through-holes 4 can decrease or narrow from the top plate to the bottom plate, particularly continuously, as shown in Fig. Figure 9 illustrates this. This can be particularly advantageous for conically shaped pipette tips 2. Such a pipette holder 1 can be used with pipette tips 2 which have a distal end 8 and a proximal end 9 with a collar 10. The pipette tips 2 can rest on the uppermost plate with the collar 10.

[0033] Optionally, the plates 3, or at least one of the plates 3, can have a bending element 14, such as a fold, which is designed such that the plate 3 only aligns itself in a plane when a force, in particular a symmetrical and centric force, is applied to the bending element 14. The bending element 14 can be arranged centrally in at least one of the plates 3. The use of bending elements 14 increases the bending stiffness of the plates 3. For example, if the system 13 is pressed against a sealing plate of an automated pipetting system, the bending elements 14 ensure that the pipette holder 1 aligns in a plane and prevent it from being bent impermissibly.

[0034] The through-holes 4 of the plates 3 of the pipette carrier 1 can be designed differently, as shown in Fig. Figure 11 shows the plates, which may differ in diameter or additional features. Besides cylindrical or conical through-holes without further features, at least one of the plates, here the bottom plate 3c, may have a threading chamfer 19, for example a bevel or a radius, to center the pipette tips 2. In the example shown, the through-holes 4 of plate 3c are smaller than those of the two upper plates 3a and 3b. This threading chamfer 19 enables automated loading and also allows the other plates 3a and 3b to be identical.

[0035] The through holes 4 of the lowest plate 3c can be designed in particular to hold the pipette tips 2 in the through holes 4.

[0036] The through-holes in the two upper plates 3a, 3b then serve only to guide the pipette tips 2. For this purpose, the through-holes 4 in the lowermost plate 3c can be adapted to the circumference of the pipette tips 2 or, for example, have at least two radius segments 20, as in Fig. Figure 13 shows that the at least two radius segments 20 are arranged in a point- or mirror-symmetric manner.

[0037] To assemble the pipette carrier 1, an arrangement device 15 can be used, onto which the plates 3 are arranged and stacked. To align the plates 3 with each other, centering elements 18 can be provided in the plates 3, into which alignment elements 16 of the arrangement device 15 engage. The centering elements 18 are, for example, holes, particularly in an edge of the plate 3, which is, for example, free of through holes 4. Pins are suitable as alignment elements 16. The plates 3 are connected by means of at least one coupling element 5, which, as already described, can be an adhesive or bonding layer or a combination of a recess 6 and a retaining element 7.

[0038] In the characters Fig. Figures 14-17 show a further alternative embodiment of the pipette holder 1 according to the invention. Here, the pipette holder 1 comprises at least a first plate 3a and a second plate 3b. The through-holes 4 of the first plate 3a have a first base surface, and the through-holes 4 of the second plate 3b have a second base surface. The second base surface is larger than the first base surface. The first plate 3b is preferably arranged above the second plate 3b. Preferably, the pipette tips 2 with their collars 10 rest on the first plate 3a. The second plate 3b with the larger through-holes 4 can be considered a support for the first plate 3a. The second plate 3b can therefore have a greater thickness than the first plate 3a. The pipette holder 1 can also comprise a third plate 3c with through-holes 4, wherein the second plate 3b is arranged between the first plate 3a and the third plate 3c.The third plate 3c can also have a lesser thickness than the second plate 3b. For example, the second plate 3b is many times thicker than the first plate 3a and / or the third plate 3c.

[0039] The pipette holder 1 can have a handle 17, which in this example is arranged on the second plate 3b. The handle 17 can also be used on other plates 3 and in other configurations.

[0040] The characters Fig. Figures 16-17 show four embodiments of the second plate 3b. The through-holes 4 of the second plate 3b can be rectangular or square. For example, the through-holes 4 can be elongated holes arranged parallel to a length or width of the second plate 3b. The second base can be greater than or equal to an integer multiple of the first base, so that the through-holes 4 of the second plate 3b each accommodate several through-holes of the first plate 3a.

[0041] Embodiments of the system 13 according to the invention are shown, for example, in the figures Fig. 1-2, Fig. 4-6, Fig. 7-9 and Fig.Figure 15 shows that the pipette tips each have a distal end region 8, a proximal end region 9, and a collar 10. Depending on the design, the collar 10 can rest on the uppermost plate 3 of the pipette holder 1 or be arranged in a recess 11. Reference symbol list 1 pipette holder 2 pipette tips 3 plates 3a first plate 3b second plate 3c third plate 4 through holes 5 coupling component 6 Exclusion 7 Holding element 8 distal end region 9 proximal end region 10 bundles 11 recess 12 Surface area of ​​the plate 13 System 14 Bending element 15 Arrangement devices 16 alignment element 17 handle 18 Centering element 19 Threading slant 20 radius segment QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2007 000 904 U1

[0002] DE 20 2008 013 533 U1

[0005] DE 20 2020 100 836 U1

[0006] EP 2 508 259 B1

[0006] DE 10 2011 053 808 A1

[0006] DE 100 48 637 A1

[0006] US 7,223,369 B2

[0006]

Claims

Pipette carrier (1) with at least two plates (3), each having through holes (4), wherein the at least two plates (3) are arranged stacked so that the plates (3) at least partially rest against each other and the through holes (4) of the plates (3) are aligned one above the other, wherein the at least two plates (3) are connected to each other by means of at least one coupling component (5). Pipette carrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling component is an adhesive or bonding layer. Pipette carrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling component (5) has a recess (6) in one of the plates (3a) and a retaining element (7) in an opposite plate (3b), wherein the retaining element (7) is designed to be complementary to the recess (6). Pipette carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the through holes (4) are designed such that the cross-section of the through holes (4) decreases from the top plate (3a) to the bottom plate (3b). Pipette carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the through holes (4) are designed such that the cross-section of the through holes (4) decreases continuously from the top plate (3a) to the bottom plate (3b). Pipette carrier (1) according to one of claims 1-5, wherein the pipette carrier (1) comprises two plates (3), wherein at least one of the two plates (3) has a plate-shaped recess (11) in its surface (12) facing the other plate (3). Pipette carrier (1) according to claim 6, wherein the two plates (3) are identically designed. Pipette carrier (1) according to one of claims 1 - 7, wherein the pipette carrier (1) comprises at least two plates (3a, 3b), the first plate (3a) having a plurality of through holes (4) with a first base area and the second plate (3b) having a plurality of through holes (4) with a second base area, wherein the second base area is larger than the first base area. Pipette carrier (1) according to claim 8, wherein the second plate (3b) has a greater thickness than the first plate (3a). Pipette carrier (1) according to one of claims 8 - 9, wherein the second base area is greater than or equal to an integer multiple of the first base area, such that the through holes (4) of the second plate (3b) each accommodate several through holes (4) of the first plate (3a). Pipette carrier (1) according to one of claims 8 - 10, wherein the first base and the second base are based on different geometries. Pipette carrier (1) according to one of claims 8 - 11, wherein the pipette carrier (1) has a third plate (3c) with a plurality of through holes (4), wherein the second plate (3b) is arranged between the first plate (3a) and the third plate (3c). System (13) comprising a pipette holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a plurality of pipette tips (2), wherein the pipette tips (2) have a distal end region (8), a proximal end region (9) and a collar (10), wherein the pipette tips (2) are received into the through holes (4).

Images