System with handheld pipetting device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for recording a sequence of dispensing operations that are components of a dispensing method used in a laboratory experiment. The system implements the possibility of interrupting and continuing the method recording. The invention also relates to the use of the system.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system including at least one handheld pipetting device and a method for using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Such handheld pipetting devices are commonly used in medical, biological, biochemical, chemical, and other laboratories. They are used to transfer and deliver small fluid samples within the laboratory, particularly for precise metering of samples. Two known types of such handheld pipetting devices differ in the physical principle of aspirating or dispensing liquid. Liquid metering is performed either by the air displacement principle or by the direct displacement principle. The first type of device is called an air displacement pipette, while the second type is called a direct displacement pipette.

[0003] Air-displacement pipettes use a piston-cylinder system for their actual measurement. An air layer separates the sample aspirated into the plastic tip from the piston inside the pipette. Sliding the piston upward generates negative pressure inside the tip, causing the liquid to rise into the tip. The air layer displaced by the piston acts like an elastic spring, suspending the liquid volume inside the tip. In handheld pipettes operating on the principle of direct displacement, the tip, integrated with the piston, is used as a transport container. During dispensing, this piston is connected to the piston rod of the pipette and performs the actual dispensing operation. In this case, the piston can displace the entire internal volume of the tip, so no air layer forms between the aspirated sample and the piston tip. Both types of handheld pipettes, i.e., air-displacement pipettes and direct-displacement pipettes, are encompassed under the concept of piston-stroke pipettes.

[0004] Handheld pipetting devices include those with manually driven piston systems and those with electrically driven piston stroke pipettes, which are often controllable by at least one dispensing program to perform at least one dispensing operation in an automated or semi-automated manner.

[0005] Handheld pipettes are designed to be used by a human user with one hand, but there are also automated laboratory devices with robotized gripping arms whose gripping tools are designed to manipulate and move the handheld pipette, simulating the activity of the human hand to operate the handheld pipette.

[0006] The sample volume dispensed by a single operation of a pipetting device can correspond to the volume of sample aspirated into the device. However, it is also possible for the volume of sample dispensed in response to multiple dispenses to be dispensed again in stages. Furthermore, a distinction is made between single-channel and multi-channel pipetting devices, whereby single-channel pipetting devices contain only a single dispense / aspiration channel, whereas multi-channel pipetting devices contain multiple dispense / aspiration channels, which in particular allow for the parallel dispensing or aspiration of several samples.

[0007] The handheld pipetting device described within the scope of the present invention is preferably, but not limited to, a computer-controlled, motorized piston-driven handheld piston-stroke pipette, also referred to as a handheld motorized pipetting device or a handheld motorized piston-stroke pipette.

[0008] Examples of prior art handheld electronic air displacement pipettes are the Explorer® and Explorer® Plus from Eppendorf (Hamburg, Germany), and examples of handheld electronic dispensers are the Multipet® E3 and Multipet® E3x from Eppendorf (Hamburg, Germany).

[0009] Electronic pipetting devices offer many advantages over non-electronic pipetting devices, as they can perform multiple functions in a simplified manner. In particular, electronic pipetting devices can simplify dispensing operations by automating or semi-automating program-controlled dispensing operations. Typical dispensing parameters for controlling such dispensing operations using corresponding dispensing programs relate to the volume of liquid aspirated or dispensed, the sequence and repetition thereof, and, if applicable, the time parameters for the time distribution of these operations. Electronic pipetting devices can be designed to operate in a single operating mode or in multiple operating modes. An operating mode can automatically query, set, and / or apply a set of one or more pipetting device parameters that affect or control the pipetting operation of the pipetting device.

[0010] Handheld pipetting devices are known that use touch-sensitive screens to allow a user to input dispensing parameters that enable the handheld pipetting device to perform at least semi-automated dispensing operations.

[0011] A simple pipetting system is available from Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany, under the name "VisioNize® Pipette Manager" or "Connected Pipette." Combining a handheld pipetting device and a portable PC that communicates wirelessly into a single device creates a productive and efficient work environment. The portable PC allows the user to configure the pipetting device, in particular to define the dispensing parameters for one or more pipetting operations. The portable PC is an operating module with a touch screen. The core of the system is software called "VisioNize® Pipette Manager," which allows the configuration of one or more handheld pipetting devices via a wireless data connection. The system can control multiple pipetting devices of the same or different types.

[0012] An important point for efficient laboratory work is the reproducibility of the pipetting method performed in an experiment, which includes the sequence of pipetting operations performed on experimental samples. The above-mentioned pipetting system has been equipped with a documentation function, which is the basis of the present invention. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for recording pipetting operations in a user-defined experiment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The above-mentioned object is achieved in particular by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred configurations are the subject matter of the dependent claims and are also described in the detailed description of the invention.

[0015] The present invention relates to a system for recording pipetting operations in a user-defined experiment in which at least one handheld pipetting device is used to dispense at least one sample. The experiment includes a method defined by a sequence of pipetting operations. A parameter set of pipetting parameters defines the pipetting operations. A pipetting operation is a series of steps performed automatically or semi-automatically by the pipetting device, often requiring one or more trigger inputs from the user. These steps include, among other things, electronic / software-controlled or manually controlled operations of operating elements, particularly pistons, to dispense one or more liquid experimental samples. In this context, "dispensing" includes aspirating at least one liquid sample into at least one pipette container, particularly a pipette tip or dispenser tip, subsequently retaining the sample in the at least one pipette container, and expelling the sample from the at least one pipette container into one or more target containers. The pipetting operations defined by the pipetting parameters can be assigned to operating modes of the pipetting device. The pipetting device can provide multiple operating modes to assist users in numerous application scenarios, which are further described below.

[0016] The activities performed in a laboratory experiment in which pipetting operations are used ultimately follow a procedure that each user can individually specify or at least influence. The sum of the activities performed by users to process one or more liquid samples from an initial state to a final state is called an experiment. Typically, not only are numerous samples used, but also many different pipetting devices and corresponding pipetting vessels, which may vary in nominal volume. Efficiency is significantly improved by protocol functionality if each individual pipetting operation in an experiment is tracked electronically / software-controlled, rather than requiring the user to manually record it in a lab book.

[0017] Preferably, the method is not predefined (prescribed). Of particular importance is the ability to record individually occurring methods. This makes the use of the system according to the invention or the method according to the invention functional and flexible. This is especially true when compared with prior art systems in which experiments must always follow a predetermined protocol. In the present invention, the method record itself can be used to define the method, which can then be made available for subsequent new uses or for other users. This goes beyond the method record's mere suitability as a documentation tool.

[0018] The method is preferably defined only by the user who performs it, through its execution and recording. The method is not specifically predefined, nor is it specifically performed according to a predetermined plan. The user defines the method by his or her own actions, i.e., by selecting and executing the dispensing operations. To that extent, the method is not known in advance. The method is not specifically defined by a preprogrammed definition and / or sequence of dispensing operations.

[0019] An experiment includes a method defined by a sequence of dispensing operations. To the extent that a method remains to be defined, the method is preferably considered as not yet defined. A method is defined when the parameters necessary for reproducing the method, in particular the dispensing parameters necessary to define the dispensing operations of the method, and the sequence of dispensing operations, in particular the order in which they are performed and / or the timeline of the sequence, are stored in the system's data storage device. A method is defined when the user performing the method terminates the method by inputting information into a user interface device, thereby ending the method record and ultimately making the method known and specified. An experiment particularly includes methods that are not known in advance and are only defined by performing a sequence of dispensing operations.

[0020] The method is preferably user-defined and not specifically predefined.

[0021] In a more general implementation of the system according to the invention and the method according to the invention, it is immaterial whether a specific user, or alternate users, or users with the same or different user roles, i.e., the same or different users with respect to the user rights optionally granted by the data processing device, define and / or execute the method and / or its method record. Here, it is possible that user authentication is not implemented, or alternatively, that user authentication is implemented. The system or data processing device is preferably programmed so that the methods, in particular the first method and / or the second method, can be defined and / or executed independently of the identity of the user. The system or data processing device is preferably programmed so that the execution of the method can be documented in the form of a method record independently of the identity of the user. These measures allow a correspondingly designed system to be used flexibly, since, in particular, each user of the system can conceive an experiment, define the associated method, record it, pause, continue, or terminate it.

[0022] However, it is also possible and preferred that user authentication is implemented and that the system or data processing device is programmed in such a way that the methods, in particular the first and / or second methods, are defined and executed depending on the user's identity. The system or data processing device is preferably programmed in such a way that the execution of the methods can be documented in the form of a method record depending on the user's identity. The data processing device is preferably programmed to distinguish between users of the system, in particular by means of an authentication method. Users can have user group-specific rights. In particular, they can be administrator users or user users, both of which roles are assigned different user rights according to an assignment list stored in the system's data storage device. The assignment list preferably contains, in association with each user role, the corresponding user rights for reading and writing files and / or accessing system functions.

[0023] The method preferably includes a user-defined sequence of dispensing operations, the order and / or dispensing parameters of which can be defined by a user (in particular, the term "user" can be used synonymously with the term "user"). A user defining the sequence of dispensing operations of a method can in particular also be a user who performs the method by, for example, operating operating elements of a pipetting device of the system to initiate or start the dispensing operations of the method, or a user who pauses the execution of a first method recording by inputting into a user interface device, and / or a user who continues a paused first method recording by inputting into a user interface device, or a user who terminates a paused first method recording by inputting into a user interface device. Here, as mentioned above, the system or data processing device can be programmed to implement user authentication or, alternatively, not to implement user authentication.

[0024] A user who defines a sequence of dispensing operations of a method is in particular also a user who performs the method, for example by operating operating elements of a pipetting device of the system, by initiating or starting the dispensing operations of the method. A user who defines a sequence of dispensing operations of a method is in particular also a user who pauses the execution of a first method recording by inputting into a user interface device. A user who pauses the execution of a first method recording by inputting into a user interface device. A user who continues a paused first method recording by inputting into a user interface device, or who terminates a paused first method recording by inputting into a user interface device.

[0025] The system according to the present invention is a system for recording dispensing operations in a user-defined experiment, which does not involve any particular a priori known method and is therefore initially defined by the user who performs it.

[0026] Basically, in the system according to the invention, the method can also preferably be defined by method parameter data sets, which are stored in a data storage device of the system and can be read by the data storage device so that the user can carry out the predetermined sequence of dispensing operations defined in the method parameter data sets. In this case, the advantage of the user being able to define the method himself by carrying it out is lost, but the advantage of documentation provided by the method record is maintained. In particular, the method record can also preferably store a range of data not included in the method parameter data record, such as time parameters individually selected by the user carrying out the predefined method, and / or preferably sensor data, such as the tilt angle of the pipetting device and / or acceleration data, and / or environmental parameter data (e.g. temperature, humidity) that can be detected by a sensor device of the pipetting device or of the system.

[0027] In electronic pipetting devices, the required dispensing parameters are typically defined by a user prior to execution. To this end, the data processing device is programmed to obtain, via a user interface device, e.g., a touch screen, parameter values ​​for user-definable dispensing parameters of at least one parameter set, which parameter values ​​define at least one dispensing operation to be performed by the at least one handheld pipetting device.

[0028] The pipetting device preferably has at least one operating element, by means of which a user can make inputs to the pipetting device and in particular start a dispensing operation and / or a sub-operation thereof which is subsequently executed automatically. The operation of the at least one operating element in the course of a pipetting operation and / or the sum of events in the course of one or more pipetting operations of a method can be recorded in the recorded data by the data processing device, and preferably each optionally also record information regarding at least one of the operating mode used, the dispensing parameters applied in the pipetting operation, the start and / or end time of the pipetting operation or a sub-operation thereof, identification data of the individual pipetting device used, e.g. its serial number, possibly identification data of a pre-authenticated or selected user (usually the person responsible for carrying out the experiment), and other data which may be provided by other devices and / or sensors involved in the laboratory experiment.

[0029] The documentation function in the system is implemented by providing a method record as a system feature, which is executed by a correspondingly programmed data processing device. When this method record is referred to as a "first method record," this is merely a designation that allows reference to this system feature. Within the system, the first method record can be referenced via "first method identification data." Terms such as "first," "second," and possibly "third" used to designate objects within this specification should generally be understood as designations and do not, in principle, have any function of indicating order or number, unless this function is applicable in the respective context. In particular, the designations "first method record" and "second method record" do not imply that third and further method records are not possible; in this context, the designations "first" and "second" primarily serve to distinguish between method records.

[0030] The present invention explicitly allows for the parallel execution of multiple method records. The data processing device can be programmed to process and, in particular, store the parameter values ​​of multiple pipetting operations performed substantially in parallel in the same or different method records. For example, in exceptional cases, it would be possible for users to simultaneously operate specific pipetting devices, each with one hand, and for their parameter values ​​to be transmitted substantially in parallel to the first communication device and stored in the same or different method records. This type of parallel recording should not be confused with the overlapping recording made possible by the system according to the present invention.

[0031] The data processing device is preferably programmed to register at least one pipetting device for use in the first method, for which purpose in particular identification data of the pipetting device, in particular its serial number, are stored in a first method data set together with identification data of the first method.

[0032] The data processing device is preferably programmed, when registering a pipetting device for use in a first method, to check, based on the identification data of the pipetting device, whether the pipetting device is already registered in another active, i.e., started but not yet finished, method record, and, if so, to not register the first pipetting device for use in the first method. In this way, a pipetting device is assigned to exactly one active method record, which prevents confusion on the part of the user and increases the safety of working with the system.

[0033] Pausing a method record allows, on the one hand, non-documented work, i.e., pipetting operations, to be performed using at least one pipetting device that is or was registered for use in a first method before the recording was paused. On the other hand, this at least one pipetting device can be assigned, by registration, to other method records that were started or running during the pause of the recording, thereby allowing for more efficient use of existing pipetting devices while still allowing for substantially continuous use of the documentation function. Therefore, multiplexing of such type of method record is a preferred development of the present invention.

[0034] During the first method recording, the data storage device records a first sequence of parameter sets corresponding to a first sequence of pipetting operations performed, in particular, with at least one handheld pipetting device used in a first experiment. In a first recording section of the first method recording, a first partial amount of the first sequence of pipetting operations is stored in a first method data set. In a second recording section of the first method recording, a second partial amount of the first sequence of pipetting operations is stored in a first method data set. In a third (i-th, where i is a natural number) recording section of the first method recording, a third (i-th) partial amount of the first sequence of pipetting operations is stored in a first method data set. Each of these recording sections includes a recording pause. Thus, the pipetting operations of the method recording are continuously collected and stored in a first method data set, in particular interrupted by one or more pauses. The pause duration is not limited in time and depends on the user's sequence.

[0035] The system or documentation function according to the present invention is preferably characterized in that the method recording can be paused. This does not necessarily mean that there is a time gap between the time intervals of recordings in the recording sections of the method recording. Rather, the user is preferably able to actively pause the method recording by manually inputting the system, in particular the user interface device, i.e., in response to a user input to the system, in particular the user interface device. This allows the user to, in particular, perform one or more pipetting operations or perform other events, such as settings, on the pipetting device of the system or on a pipetting device registered for use in a method, which are not recorded in the method recording. After the pause, the method recording can be selectively continued or terminated. The data processing device is preferably programmed such that, in the paused state, the first method recording can be selectively continued or terminated.

[0036] The phrase "in response to user input" means that user input made via a user interface device is detected and, optionally, its content is evaluated, and that once this user input is detected, method recording is started, paused or continued, depending on the context of the phrase "in response to user input".

[0037] Pausing (also called pause) does not mean the end of a method record. The pause option provides a previously unknown flexibility to the system when performing and protocolizing laboratory experiments. The data processing device is preferably programmed so that no further recorded data, in particular parameter values, can be added to a method record that has acquired the status "finished" by being saved in the first method data set. However, it is possible to assign a validation value to the first method data set after the end of the first method record, for example to exclude undetected manipulation of the first method data set.

[0038] The data processing device preferably comprises: a) in response to user input, starting recording of a first recording section of a first method recording, in which a first partial amount of a first sequence of parameter sets of a first experimental section is recorded and saved in a data storage device as a first method data set; b) pausing the first method recording in response to user input; It is programmed as follows.

[0039] Preferably, c) in response to the user input and in response to the first method identification data, selecting a stored first method record to terminate or continue the first method record for recording the first experiment, whereby, in the case of continuing, recording of a second recording section of the first method record is initiated to record a second partial amount of the first sequence of parameter sets of the second experimental section. In the case of terminating the first method record, the data processing device is preferably programmed such that further continuation and / or in particular subsequent modification of the first method record is not possible.

[0040] The possibility of continuing the first method recording leads to a number of advantageous application scenarios of the protocolization, and it is also possible to interleave and parallelly perform and record a number of methods N>1, for which it is possible to pause the first method recording, continue or start the second method recording, pause the second method recording, continue or start the third method recording, pause the third method recording, etc.

[0041] The method for using the system may have the following sequential working form, which in particular may be part of the recording section, and includes the following sequentially performed steps: a1) configuring at least one pipetting device with at least one first set of parameters specified by a user at a user interface device; a2) performing at least one dispensing operation according to the setting of at least one pipetting device according to at least one first parameter set; a3) recording the parameter values ​​of the first parameter set in a first method data set; a4) configuring at least one pipetting device with at least a second set of parameters specified by a user at a user interface device; a5) performing at least one dispensing operation according to the setting of at least one pipetting device according to at least one second parameter set; a6) recording the parameter values ​​of the first parameter set in a first method data set;

[0042] In particular, the following sequence can be repeated for each method record (j=1···n, n being a natural number), correspondingly in general multiple times or as frequently as desired: a_i) configuring at least one pipetting device with at least one j-th parameter set specified by a user at a user interface device; a_ii) performing at least one dispensing operation according to the settings of at least one pipetting device according to at least one j-th parameter set; a_iii) recording the parameter values ​​of the j-th parameter set in a first method data set.

[0043] As an alternative to the continuous setting of dispensing operations, the data processing device could be programmed to detect a sequence of parameter sets defined by the user in the user interface device, by which at least one pipetting device is set for a plurality of continuous dispensing operations, and in which the corresponding recording data can be transmitted to the first communication device for recording purposes continuously, for example after completion of each dispensing operation defined by the parameter sets, or the recording data can be transmitted to the first communication device for recording purposes not continuously but continuously, for example at the end of a method or recording section.

[0044] The method records can be assigned to the same user or to different users. The method records are interleaved in time, so that the same pipetting device, identified for example by identification data, can be used in several interleaved method records.

[0045] In a typical application scenario, a user performs a first method on a first sample in a first experiment, dividing the stock solution, e.g., a cell suspension, into separate containers, distributing the aliquots into individual test tubes, and then dispensing the liquid to be mixed into each test tube. Centrifugation of the samples in the individual test tubes may then be required, resulting in a waiting period within the first experiment. By pausing the recording of the first method, the user can start a second, similarly recorded experiment, particularly using the same pipetting device already used in the first method and specifically assigned to the first method by registration, without introducing an unproductive interruption to work. In principle, the number N of interleaved and recordable methods is not limited, particularly N>5, N>10, and particularly N=1 to 100.

[0046] The data processing device is preferably programmed to carry out an authentication procedure, whereby a user logs in with a "session" and user identification data is determined depending on this user, in particular by selecting from a collection of existing user identification data or by assigning newly determined individual user identification data. The method record is made in particular depending on the user identification data, in particular the user identification data being stored together with the method record in the data storage device.

[0047] The data processing device is preferably programmed to distinguish users of the system, in particular by an authentication procedure. This procedure is considered to be a component of an optional user management that can be activated and / or deactivated in particular by a user, who may have user group-specific authorizations. In particular, this user may be an administrator user, who, compared to a standard user, may have the authorization to activate and / or deactivate the user management. When the user management is activated, only each user can access and continue the method assigned to him / her. When the user management is deactivated, various users can access (and therefore continue) the method. For example, laboratory staff member 1 starts a method in the morning, while laboratory staff member 2 continues the method in the afternoon.

[0048] The handheld pipetting device for dispensing at least one liquid sample can be a piston-stroke pipette operating according to the air displacement principle or a repeating pipette operating according to the direct displacement principle, also called a dispenser. a connection for connecting at least one pipette container; an electrically controlled operating element for aspirating at least one sample into at least one pipette vessel, retaining the sample in the at least one pipette vessel, and expelling the sample from the at least one pipette vessel when performing a dispensing operation; an electrical control device designed to control the operating elements in response to at least one dispensing parameter; and preferably and a communications device for receiving parameter values ​​for the user-definable dispensing parameters from a computing device, particularly a portable PC, particularly a tablet PC, located remotely from the pipetting device.

[0049] In particular, each of the portable computing devices preferably includes: the above-mentioned user interface device with a display; the data processing device; Optionally, a first communication device for transmitting parameter values ​​of the user-definable dispensing parameters to at least one second communication device of the at least one handheld pipetting device; Optionally, said data storage device; and a housing in which the above components are arranged and which can be held in a user's hand, particularly in one hand, to enable the computer device to be operated in a single hand.

[0050] The portability of the components makes the system particularly flexible and easy to use in the laboratory.

[0051] Instead of a portable computing device, a non-portable computing device, for example a desktop PC, can also be used. A user interface device with a display can also in principle be a component of the pipetting device.

[0052] The data processing device is preferably programmed to, after pausing the first method recording in step b), detect by the user interface device at least one other parameter set of at least one other dispensing operation that is not part of the first sequence of dispensing operations, wherein in particular the control device is designed to control the operating elements in accordance with the at least one other parameter set after pausing the first method recording in step b). This step achieves the advantage that pausing the method recording also makes it possible to pause the protocolized experiment, during which productive work can continue in the form of at least another dispensing operation that can be set by the user or actually performed by the user.

[0053] The data processing device is preferably programmed to execute a second method recording after pausing the first method recording in step b) and before starting recording of the second recording section of the first method recording in step c). The second method recording records in the data storage device a second sequence of parameter sets corresponding to a second sequence of pipetting operations performed by at least one handheld pipetting device assigned second method identification data (different from the first method identification data) and used in the second experiment, and in particular the time data of these pipetting operations. These steps realize the advantage that the second experiment can be started and recorded during the pause of the first experiment, without interrupting the recording of the first experiment, which can then be continued or terminated later. As in the case where a second experiment (second method) is started after step b), the second experiment can also be continued, provided that it has already been started and its recording has already begun and temporarily paused. The number of interleaved experiments or method records is not limited to "first" and "second" method records, as already emphasized, but any number of methods / experiments can be interleaved and recorded.

[0054] The data processing device preferably displays on the display of the user interface device: Display a screen page containing a button, and operate or touch the button to start method recording; It is programmed as follows.

[0055] The data processing device preferably displays on the display of the user interface device: displaying at least one screen page on which the title of at least one running method record is displayed, and in particular on which the titles of a plurality of current method records are listed; a corresponding method for displaying at least one information field indicating the status of the recording, which status may include "recording paused" or "recording running" or "recording finished"; It is programmed as follows.

[0056] The data processing device preferably displays on the display of the user interface device: displaying a screen page in which the title of at least one running method record is displayed, and in particular the titles of multiple running method records are listed; displaying at least one button, which, when actuated or touched, selects at least one previously paused method record associated with the button; displaying a button that, when operated or touched, continues recording of the selected paused method, particularly while at least one other method is paused; It is programmed as follows.

[0057] The data processing device preferably displays on the display of the user interface device: displaying a screen page in which the title of at least one running method record is displayed, and in particular the titles of multiple running method records are listed; displaying at least one button, which, when actuated or touched, selects at least one previously paused method record associated with the button; A button is displayed, and when the button is operated or touched, the selected paused method recording is continued. It is programmed as follows.

[0058] The data processing device is preferably programmed to provide at least one method dataset of at least one completed method record as a file that can be transferred to an external data processing device, or the contents of the file can be output by printing, displaying on a screen, or transferring to an external data processing device of the system or to a server that is not a component of the system.

[0059] The data processing device is preferably programmed to detect one or more note entries made by the user via the user interface device during the execution of the method recording and to store them together with the corresponding method data set as components of the method data set. The note entries preferably comprise texts individually entered by the user, in particular by means of a virtual keyboard, or alternatively by means of a (hardware) keyboard actually assigned to the portable computing device. However, note entries may also alternatively or additionally comprise a predefined selection list of possible note texts displayed on the screen for the user, from which the user can select an appropriate note text. The content of such note texts may relate to frequently occurring typical situations, such as technical errors observed by the user during pipetting operations or errors caused by the user, or other influencing factors, such as environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, or sample conditions, which may affect the experimental results, in particular as undesirable or desirable factors.

[0060] One or more note entries can each preferably be saved with a timestamp, which in particular allows for later assignment of one or more note entries to other substeps of the dispensing operation of the method, or generally to other recorded events of the method record, and / or allows for chronological classification of the notes. One or more note entries can also each preferably be saved without a specific timestamp. Preferably, the note entries are saved in such a way that their assignment to other events contained in the method data set or to event groups of the method data set is also stored. In this case, these other events or event groups preferably have at least one timestamp. This also allows for chronological classification of the note entries.

[0061] The data processing device is preferably programmed to output the event history (also called "event log") of the method data set, i.e. the sequence of events forming the method record, on the screen of the user interface device, in particular as a list or sequence of these events, each event preferably being displayed with a corresponding explanatory text and / or graphic symbol. The event log can be used as a protocol of the performed experiment or method record.

[0062] Reference to an automated dispensing operation always includes a semi-automated dispensing operation, unless the respective context indicates otherwise. The execution of an automated dispensing operation always includes at least one user action that triggers the automated dispensing operation, which is typically performed by operating an operating element of the pipetting device. A semi-automated dispensing operation for a specific application scenario may require, for example, that in addition to initiating a dispensing operation divided into sub-operations, the user also initiates the triggering of the sub-operations by operating at least an operating element. In certain embodiments of the pipetting device, an automated dispensing operation for a specific application scenario can be defined by a set of dispensing parameters that the user sets before starting the automated dispensing operation via an operating device of the user interface device of the pipetting device and / or that are taken over from default settings and / or loaded from memory. Typically, the user interface of such embodiments of the pipetting device has a selection option, e.g., a list of selectable fields on a control wheel or touch screen, by which a so-called "operating mode" can be selected. This operating mode represents a specific application scenario or belongs to this specific application scenario, and the entire set of dispensing parameters that the user can set before starting the assigned automated dispensing operation is selected. The automatic dispensing operation proceeds according to the dispensing program of this operation mode designated as the operating program.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the system, particularly the pipetting device or the data processing device, is programmed so that a user manually defines an automated dispensing operation by selecting dispensing parameters, thereby defining a set of dispensing parameters for the user-defined dispensing operation (dispensing parameter set). This dispensing parameter set can partially or completely correspond to a specified dispensing parameter set for an operating mode. The dispensing parameters of a dispensing operation preferably relate to or quantify the volume dispensed during the steps of aspirating a sample into a pipette container connected to the piston-stroke pipette or expelling a sample from this pipette container, optionally the sequence and repetition of these steps, optionally the time parameters for the temporal distribution of these operations, and in particular the time variations of such operations, in particular the speed and / or acceleration of aspirating or expelling a sample. In this embodiment, the automated dispensing operation proceeds according to a dispensing program completely defined by these user-defined dispensing parameters.

[0064] The handheld pipetting device according to the invention is preferably designed to be used to perform at least one dispensing operation according to at least one parameter set of at least one, or at least two, or at least three dispensing parameters, in particular in at least one predefined operating mode according to a predefined parameter set of the pipetting device or in a user-defined parameter set, wherein the operating mode is preferably provided with a parameter set of one dispensing parameter each (dispensing parameter set), which dispensing parameter is optionally not user-selectable or at least partially user-selectable and can be supplemented with further dispensing parameters.

[0065] A dispensing operation typically involves a dispensing program in which a specific sample volume is aspirated from a start vessel into a pipette vessel, in particular a pipette tip, connected to a piston-stroke pipette, and / or dispensed, in particular a metered volume, into a target vessel. The dispensing operation can preferably be controlled by at least one, two, three, or preferably more dispensing parameters, which can influence or define the dispensing operation or its functions or components as desired.

[0066] The dispensing parameters for controlling the dispensing operation preferably relate to or quantify the volume dispensed in the step of aspirating a sample into a pipette container connected to the piston stroke pipette or in the step of expelling a sample from this pipette container, optionally the order and repetition of these steps, optionally the time parameters in the temporal distribution of these operations, in particular also the temporal variation of such operations, in particular the speed and / or acceleration of aspirating or expelling the sample, or the number of pre-wetting steps, optionally the volume aspirated and expelled therein.

[0067] These dispensing parameters are preferably at least partly, preferably completely, selected and / or entered by the user, in particular via at least one operating element of the piston-stroke pipette or of a user interface device of an external data processing device.

[0068] A dispensing operation can preferably be or is preferably uniquely defined by a dispensing parameter set, which is preferably at least partially, preferably completely, selected and / or entered by a user, in particular via an operating device of the pipetting device or an external data processing device.

[0069] However, it is also possible that the dispensing operation is not uniquely defined by a dispensing parameter set. In this case, the pipetting device is designed or the data processing device is programmed to automatically supplement the dispensing parameter set with at least one further dispensing parameter, in particular depending on the (selected) dispensing parameter. It is also possible and preferred that at least one dispensing parameter is not defined by the user but is instead specified by the pipetting device, for example because the dispensing parameter is known in advance and stored in a data memory or is automatically detected therein.

[0070] Preferably, at least one dispensing parameter is provided which defines the number of directly consecutive or indirectly consecutive dispensing volumes, preferably the number of aspiration steps and / or discharge steps, preferably the respective associated dispensing volumes, the respective associated dispensing speeds and / or accelerations, and / or the respective associated time intervals between steps.

[0071] Typical dispensing parameters that can be used to manually define a user-defined dispensing operation can be gleaned from the following description of typical application scenarios for automated dispensing operations. Each dispensing scenario is pre-configured by an appropriately named dispensing mode. A dispensing mode can be assigned a dispensing mode ID. The dispensing parameters of a dispensing mode can be set by the user in a user interface device, i.e., a correspondingly designed GUI (see figure), and the pipetting device receives the dispensing parameters, optionally together with the dispensing mode ID, and can set the dispensing mode accordingly in the pipetting device.

[0072] A typical application scenario envisaged for semi-automatic operation in pipetting devices is the dispensing (abbreviated "DIS") of the volume aspirated into a pipette vessel (pipette tip or dispenser tip). For each partial dispense, e.g., dispensing the entire sample totaling 1 ml from a pipette vessel into a total of 10 separate target vessels of a microtiter plate, the user positions the pipetting device above a reservoir vessel containing the sample liquid to be dispensed, immerses the tip of the pipette vessel in the reservoir liquid, operates the operating element to aspirate the initial volume, operates the operating element or automatically triggers a reverse stroke, whereby the system enters a defined initial position, is positioned above the first target vessel, operates the operating element to initiate the motorized dispensing of a 0.1 ml metered portion, moves and positions the pipetting device above the next target vessel of the microtiter plate, and operates the operating element to initiate the motorized dispensing of another 0.1 ml metered portion. These manually performed portion operations (positioning, triggering) followed by the automatic motorized portion-dispensing of 0.1 ml samples (for a total of 10 portion-dispensing steps) are repeated eight more times. The metered dispensing of the portion amounts is performed according to the specification of dispensing parameters, which may include one or more or all of the following parameters: total volume of sample to be dispensed, portion amount of sample to be dispensed and / or number of dispensing steps to dispense equal portion amounts, sample aspiration speed and / or sample dispensing speed optionally deviating therefrom, reverse stroke volume, overstroke volume, and optionally amount and repetition of pre-wetting steps of the pipette container, especially the pipette tip. The dispensing function is particularly suitable for rapidly filling microtiter plates with reagent liquids and can be used, for example, to perform ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).

[0073] The application scenario preferably relates to the "automatic dispensing" (ADS) of samples. The assigned operating parameters are preferably the amount of an individual sample, which corresponds to the dispensed volume during one of several dispensing steps; the number of dispensing steps; the duration of a time interval during which the dispensing steps are automatically performed sequentially at regular time intervals (the time interval can define these time intervals or, for example, a delay between the end and start of successive dispensing steps); the rate at which one or more samples are aspirated; and the rate at which one or more samples are dispensed. This dispensing function is suitable for filling microtiter plates more conveniently, since the user does not have to repeatedly trigger the dispensing steps by operating, for example, by pressing a key; once automatic dispensing is started, dispensing is performed in a time-controlled manner. To execute an operating program belonging to such a dispensing parameter set, automatic dispensing can be performed at least when the operating element is operated without interruption, provided that the corresponding program is executed when, for example, a key is held down. This is advantageous, for example, for long dispensing series or reactions, in which precise adherence to time windows is required. The automatic dispensing function is suitable for filling microtiter plates more conveniently. This is because the user does not have to trigger the individual ejection steps themselves, but rather they are performed automatically, which can be used to perform ELISAs, for example.

[0074] The application scenario preferably concerns the "Piping" of a sample. The assigned pipetting parameters are in particular the volume of sample to be dispensed, the speed at which the sample is aspirated, and the speed at which the sample is expelled.

[0075] The application scenario preferably concerns the "dispense and subsequent mixing" (P / Mix) of a sample. The assigned dispensing parameters are preferably the sample volume to be aspirated and / or dispensed, the mixing volume, the number of mixing cycles, the speed at which the sample is aspirated, and the speed at which the sample is dispensed. The "dispense and subsequent mixing" function is recommended, for example, for dispensing very small amounts. If a dispense volume of less than 10 μL is selected, it is recommended to mix this with the respective reaction liquid. This is possible by automatically starting a mixing operation after dispensing the liquid. The mixing volume and mixing cycle are predefined. An application of this operating mode is, for example, to dispense a dispensed liquid that is heavier than water based on its physical properties and to rinse any remaining liquid in the pipette container, especially the pipette tip, from the pipette container or pipette tip with the aid of a liquid already placed in a receiver. Another application would be to immediately mix the dispensed liquid with the liquid placed in the receiver. This operating mode is advantageous, for example, when adding DNA to a PCR mixture.

[0076] The application scenario preferably concerns the "multiple aspiration" of samples, also called "reverse distribution" or "ASP" for aspiration. The assigned dispensing parameters are preferably the volume of one or more samples to be aspirated, the number of samples, the aspiration speed, and the discharge speed. This function is used to aspirate a liquid volume multiple times and discharge the entire volume. In this case, it is not intended to fill a pipette container multiple times in one operation. The speed is the same for all samples. In implementation, the following procedure is preferably followed: Starting from the basic position, the pipetting device aspirates each partial volume by operating the operating device in a first type of operation. After the last partial volume is aspirated, the pipetting device preferably issues a warning message, which the user must confirm, preferably by operating the operating device in a second type of operation. The entire volume is then again discharged by operating the operating device in a second type of operation. The operating device preferably has at least two operating elements for the first or second type of operation: one for inputting a "first type" operating signal to the control device and another for inputting a "second type" operating signal to the control device. The operating device may have a rocker button that is swingable, in particular about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipetting device, between a first signal-inducing position for a first type of operation ("rocker button up") and a second signal-inducing position for a second type of operation ("rocker button down").

[0077] The application scenario preferably concerns the "dilution" (Dil) of a sample, also called "dilution." The assigned dispensing parameters are preferably the sample volume, the air bubble volume, the diluent volume, the aspiration speed, and the discharge speed, respectively. Maximum diluent volume = nominal volume - (sample + air bubble). This function is used to aspirate the sample and diluent, separating them with an air bubble, and then discharge the entire volume. The speed is the same for all partial volumes. In implementation, the following procedure is preferably followed: starting from the basic position, the pipetting device first aspirates the diluent volume, then the air bubble, and finally the sample. Each aspiration is preferably triggered separately by a first type of operation of the operating device. The entire volume is then discharged in one go.

[0078] The application scenario preferably relates to "sequential dispensing" (SeqD) of samples. The assigned dispensing parameters are preferably the number of samples (preferably a specified maximum number Nmax, preferably 5≦Nmax≦16, preferably Nmax=10), the volume of each individual sample, the aspiration speed, and the discharge speed. This function is used to sequentially dispense a freely selectable maximum volume Nmax. In this case, preferably no multiple filling of the pipette vessel is envisaged. The speed is the same for all samples. In this case, preferably no multiple filling of the pipette vessel is provided. The speed is the same for all samples. The number of samples is preferably the central parameter for inputting the individual volumes. Preferably, when inputting the volume, the pipetting device must always check whether the maximum volume of the pipetting device has been exceeded, and a warning message is issued if necessary. Once all parameters have been entered, the pipetting device aspirates the entire volume in a first type of operation of the operating device and dispenses each individual volume in a second type of operation of the operating device. The rest of the procedure is preferably the same as for standard dispensing.

[0079] The application scenario preferably concerns the "sequential dispensing" (SeqP) of samples. The assigned dispensing parameters are preferably the number of samples (preferably a specified maximum number Nmax, preferably 5≦Nmax≦15, preferably Nmax=10), the volume of each individual sample, the aspiration speed, and the discharge speed. This function is used to dispense a freely selectable maximum volume Nmax in a fixed sequence that is programmed before the start. The speed is preferably the same for all samples. However, it is also possible to set the speed differently. The function sequence corresponds to the dispensing sequence. The pre-entered volumes are processed in the programmed sequence. After dispensing, by operating an operating element, e.g. pressing a key, it is decided whether the next sample should be aspirated or whether a "blowout" should first be performed before the next sample, i.e., to ensure that the sample still contained in the pipette vessel is completely dispensed by an overstroke, and / or whether the pipette vessel should be replaced.

[0080] The application scenario preferably concerns the "reverse dispensing" (rPip) of a sample. The assigned dispensing parameters are preferably the individual sample volume, the aspiration speed, the discharge speed, and the activation of a counter. In this "rPip" function, more than the volume to be dispensed is aspirated. To achieve this, before the liquid is aspirated, the piston is moved downwards by a second type of operation, e.g., by pressing a key or by pressing the "rocker button down," until it reaches the blowout lower position, i.e., the piston's overstroke position beyond the piston's position in the dispensing stroke. When the volumetric aspiration begins, the pipetting device aspirates the blowout volume and the set volume. To remove the drive play in the discharge direction, the pipetting device performs an additional stroke, which is immediately discharged again. This is similar to dispensing, but preferably under automatic discharge of the waste stroke at maximum speed.

[0081] In implementing the application scenario "rPip," the following procedure is preferably followed: First, the piston of the pipetting device (or dispenser tip) automatically moves to the blowout section and stops in the downward position. Second, the first type of operation of the operating device is performed, and the piston moves upward by the stroke corresponding to the blowout section and the dispensed volume. Third, the second type of operation of the operating device is performed, and the piston moves downward by the stroke corresponding to the dispensed volume and stops just before the blowout. Fourth, the second type of operation of the operating device is performed twice, and the piston performs the blowout and stops in the downward position. As an alternative to "fourth," the first type of operation of the operating device is performed, and the piston moves upward by the dispensed stroke. The "rPip" mode is particularly suitable for dispensing plasma, serum, and other liquids with a high protein content. The "Dispense" mode is particularly suitable for aqueous solutions. The "rPip" mode is particularly suitable for solutions containing a wetting agent to minimize the generation of bubbles when dispensing into the target container. The liquid is aspirated specifically with an overstroke (blowout volume). In this case, the overstroke is not usually included in the discharge and is preferably not discharged into the target container. In particular, if the same sample is to be used again, the overstroke can remain in the tip. If another liquid is to be used, the overstroke and / or the pipette container are preferably discarded.

[0082] The dispensing parameter set preferably controls an operating program, in particular a control program, for carrying out the desired dispensing operation, which may be in the form of an electrical circuit of a control device and / or may be constituted by executable program code suitable for controlling a program-code-controllable, preferably programmable, control device.

[0083] The system, pipetting device, portable computing device or external data processing device is preferably designed to automatically check the values ​​of dispensing parameters entered by the user (dispensing parameter values) and compare them with the acceptable ranges for the respective dispensing parameters. If the dispensing parameter values ​​entered by the user are outside the acceptable ranges, the input is not accepted, a visual and / or acoustic warning is issued, or a default value is set, which may be, for example, a minimum or maximum value or the last accepted input value, or an automatically corrected value is used.

[0084] The user interface device preferably has at least one touch-sensitive or non-touch-sensitive screen and / or a number of display pages (also called "screen pages"), preferably at least some of which are predefined and stored in the pipetting device in the form of display page data, which may be displayed on one screen or distributed across multiple screens, preferably across the entire screen. The screens are preferably substantially rectangular, and may even be square.

[0085] The data processing device is preferably programmed to display a graphical user interface (GUI) on a screen (synonym: display) of a user interface device. In the following description of the GUI, the phrase "the data processing device is programmed to..." will be omitted and only the GUI and its functional form will be described, which always means that the data processing means is programmed to implement the corresponding GUI and its functional form. This implementation is a routine activity for a person skilled in the art.

[0086] The GUI preferably includes the display on the screen of at least a screen page (particularly a "home screen") on which the dispensing parameters of the parameter set of dispensing parameters are displayed. The data processing device is thereby programmed to display on the screen a screen page on which the dispensing parameters of the parameter set of dispensing parameters are displayed. The expression "dispensing parameters are displayed on the screen" means that the currently set values ​​of the dispensing parameters are displayed on the screen. Furthermore, a description of the dispensing parameters may be displayed, in particular a text description, a distinctive pictogram, or, if applicable to the dispensing parameter, a physical unit of the amount described by the dispensing parameter, e.g., "μL" for volume. However, even if there is no description on the screen, a person skilled in the art can know or learn from the context which dispensing parameter the displayed value is assigned to.

[0087] In particular, the data processing device is programmed to display a screen page, also referred to as a start screen (synonymously: home page in an Internet browser). Multiple or multiple user inputs to the GUI preferably return to this home screen. This home screen can advantageously be used to display the entire parameter set of a pipetting operation, either user-defined or retrieved from a pre-stored application scenario, and to allow the setting of relevant pipetting parameters. The home screen is displayed, in particular immediately after powering on the user interface device of the portable computing device, although it can also be preceded by a purely informational page, e.g., a company logo or information about the device. Powering on can be triggered by the user operating the display or operating elements of the portable computing device, or by sensor measurements, such as acceleration sensors, motion sensors, or proximity sensors. Such a home screen has proven to be central to enabling the user to intuitively understand the operating concept of the pipetting device.

[0088] The pipetting device or its external data processing device, in particular a computer device, preferably comprises a data storage device. This preferably comprises at least one data memory, in particular a hardware data memory, in particular a non-volatile data memory, in particular an EPROM or FLASH memory. It may also comprise a volatile data memory. However, the data storage device may also be included in another external data processing device, which may be a component of the system, for example a server. This server may in particular implement a file hosting, i.e. a cloud service.

[0089] The data processing device can be a component of the system's electrical control device, in particular a pipetting device, a portable computing device, or an external data processing device. The portable computing device, in particular the electrical control device, can each preferably have a microcontroller, a CPU, and a data memory for storing control software. The electrical control device, also abbreviated as control device or controller, preferably has a data processing device, in particular at least one central processing unit (CPU). The data processing device can include a microcontroller. The control device preferably has a microcontroller. The control device preferably has at least one storage device or data memory for storing data, in particular dispensing parameters and / or one or more computer programs or computer program codes.

[0090] The control device preferably includes at least one control software or control program that uses the at least one dispensing parameter to automatically perform at least one function of the dispensing operation or a part of the dispensing operation or a dispensing operation. The control software or control program is executed in particular by a data processing device of the control device, in particular a CPU of the data processing device. The control software or control program is stored in particular in a data storage device of the device. The data storage device is preferably a non-volatile memory.

[0091] The system, particularly the pipetting device, the portable computing device, or the external data processing device, can have a sensor device, e.g., a sensor for detecting environmental parameters, particularly temperature, humidity, or pressure, of the motor current used to drive the piston of the pipetting device. The motor current can be used, in particular, to determine the viscosity of the dispensed liquid and thus to identify the liquid. The sensor device can also be designed to perform measurements and detect parameters, in particular dispensing parameters, in particular the type of pipette container connected to the pipetting device, in particular the maximum fill volume of the pipette container, in particular the maximum fill volume of the pipette tip. The pipetting device or the external data processing device can be designed to automatically determine at least one dispensing parameter depending on the measurement value of the sensor device. This allows for improved optimization of the dispensing parameters required for accurate dispensing.

[0092] The pipetting device and / or the portable computing device and / or the external data processing device are preferably operated independently of the power grid. In particular, each device may be equipped with a rechargeable power source, for example one or more accumulator batteries. In this case, the device may have a charging interface connected to the rechargeable power source.

[0093] The communication devices, particularly the first or second communication device, are preferably designed for wireless data exchange via a wireless network. The communication devices, particularly the first or second communication device, are preferably configured for data exchange via WLAN, Bluetooth, and / or LoRa-WAN. The system components exchange data particularly via such wireless technologies. The system components, with the exception of at least one pipetting device, can be located in different devices, thus in particular housings, or can be located in the same housing, particularly the housing of a computer device. A data storage device can be integrated into the system, particularly as a component of a server for implementing a file hosting service.

[0094] A pipette container is a container suitable for connection to a connection of a handheld pipetting device, allowing liquid to be aspirated into the pipette container, retained within the pipette container, and dispensed therefrom. Examples of pipette containers are pipette tips and dispenser tips.

[0095] Pipette tips are typically disposable and preferably made of plastic. Different pipette tips are used with piston-stroke pipettes depending on the maximum liquid volume required. Typical nominal volumes of commercially available pipette tips are, for example, 10 μL, 20 μL, 100 μL, 200 μL, 300 μL, 1000 μL, 1250 μL, 2500 μL, 5 mL, and 10 mL (μL: microliter, mL: milliliter). Pipette tips typically have a conical container elongated along its longitudinal axis, with a liquid exchange port at the bottom and an upwardly open conical or tubular end section at the top that can be inserted into a connecting part formed as a working cone of a pipetting device designed as an air-displacement pipette. Liquid is drawn into the pipette tip by negative pressure in the pipette tip's internal chamber. In pipetting devices designed as air-displacement pipettes, this negative pressure is generated by the movement of the pipetting device's operating element, formed as a piston, which generates negative pressure in the air space above the sample in the pipette tip. The inner chamber of the pipette tip is fluidically connected to the pipette channel of the piston-stroke pipette in the dispensing position, also called the recessed position, where the pipette tip is connected to the connection of the piston-stroke pipette. The pipette channel is subjected to negative / positive pressure via the electrically movable cylinder piston of the piston-stroke pipette in the hollow cylindrical piston chamber.

[0096] Dispenser tips are used in direct displacement pipettes, in which there is essentially no air gap between the piston and the liquid sample during dispensing. The piston is a component of the dispenser tip. The dispenser tip has a container portion with a container outlet and a container opening, which functions as a piston-cylinder. The piston engages in the container opening and is movably disposed within the piston-cylinder, allowing the entire aspirated liquid volume to be expelled at its final position. When connecting a dispenser tip to a pipetting device designed as a direct displacement device, the container portion is connected to the connection part of the pipetting device, particularly by snap-fitting or screw-fitting, and the piston is connected to the operating element by a coupling device. Dispenser tips are particularly disposable products and are preferably made of plastic. Different dispenser tips are used with direct displacement devices depending on the maximum amount of liquid required. Typical nominal volumes of commercially available dispenser tips are, for example, 100 μL, 200 μL, 500 μL, 1 mL, 2.5 mL, 5 mL, 10 mL, 25 mL, and 50 mL.

[0097] The handheld pipetting device described within the scope of the present invention is preferably, but not exclusively, a computer-controlled, electronically driven handheld piston-stroke pipette, also referred to as a handheld electronic pipetting device or handheld electronic piston-stroke pipette. However, pipetting devices that can be used with the system according to the present invention can also be mechanical, in particular manually driven, pipetting devices. One possibility for achieving this would be to perform an automatic identification procedure to identify the pipetting device. For this purpose, in particular, a barcode or QR code attached to the housing of the mechanical pipetting device, which may contain identification data (ID, e.g., a serial number), is scanned. This information can then be saved in a corresponding method record to record which pipetting device was used. The recording of the dispensing operations of the mechanical pipetting device can be performed via a detection system, such as a sensor of the pipetting device or an image detection and processing system of the system.

[0098] The invention also relates to a method for applying the system according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

[0099] a) in response to user input, initiating recording of a first recording section of a first method recording, wherein a first subquantity of a first sequence of parameter sets of a first experimental section is recorded and stored in a data storage device as a first method data set; b) pausing the first method recording in response to user input; Preferably, c) selecting a stored first method data set in response to user input and in response to the first method identification data and terminating or continuing the first method recording of the first experiment, and if continuing, starting recording of a second recording section of the first method recording, in which a second partial amount of the first sequence of parameter sets of the second experimental section is recorded.

[0100] Further preferred configurations of the method and system according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings and the description thereof, in which identical elements are designated by substantially identical reference numerals unless otherwise indicated or obvious from the context. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0101] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1a is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a pipetting device that can be used in the system according to the invention of FIG. 1b. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b shows a system according to the present invention that can use the pipetting device of FIG. 1a and that outputs the screen pages shown in FIGS. 2a-2p and 3a-3j as GUI components on its user interface display. [Figure 2a] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2b] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2c] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2d] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2e] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2f] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2g] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2h] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2i] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2j] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2k] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2l] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2m] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2n] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2o]3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 2p] 3 is a diagram of a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 3a] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 3b] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 3c] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 3d] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 3e] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 3f] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 3g] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 3h] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 3i] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 3j] 3 is a diagram showing a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4a]FIG. 4a shows a sequence of user operations that can be performed with multiplexed recording during one or more experiments, or that can be implemented in an exemplary method according to the present invention, in the application of the system according to the present invention in an exemplary configuration. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b shows a sequence of user operations that can be performed with multiplexed recording during one or more experiments, or that can be implemented in an exemplary method according to the present invention, in the application of a system according to the present invention in an exemplary configuration. [Figure 5a] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating screen pages that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 5b] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating screen pages that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 5aa] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating screen pages that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 5bb] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating screen pages that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 5c] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating screen pages that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 5d] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating screen pages that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; [Figure 5e] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating screen pages that can be output on a portable computing device that is a component of the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0102] Figure 1a shows a handheld pipetting device 1 for dispensing at least one liquid sample, here an air-displacement pipette 1, which can be used alongside any other similar pipetting device in a system 100 according to the invention shown in Figure 1b. The pipetting device 1 is assigned a serial number to identify it uniquely within the system. This identification data is stored in the data memory of the pipette and can be read by the system. The pipetting device 1 comprises a connection 2 (actuation cone) for connecting to at least one pipette container 19, here a pipette tip, as shown in Figure 1a; an operating element, here a piston 3 (in the case of an electronic pipetting device, the operating element is an electronic component of the dispenser connected to the piston of the dispenser tip), electrically controlled by the control device 5 in order to aspirate at least one sample into at least one pipette vessel 19, to hold the sample therein, and to expel the sample from the at least one pipette vessel when performing a dispensing operation; a touch-sensitive screen 4 on the front 14A of the pipetting device head 14 for inputting parameter values ​​of user-definable dispensing parameters, wherein a parameter set of dispensing parameters completely defines a dispensing operation; wherein the electrical control device 5 comprises a data processing device 6 programmed to control the operating element 3 depending on at least one dispensing parameter, a data memory 7 and a communication unit 8 for wireless communication with an external data processing device, in particular a portable computing device 50, It is provided with two operating elements (synonym: actuating elements) 9a, 9b which can be activated by the user by means of an operating rocker button 10. By means of the operating elements the user can in particular start a dispensing operation.

[0103] The communication unit 8, which is understood as a "second communication device" in the claims, is configured in particular to exchange data with a corresponding (first) communication device 58 of the portable computing device 50. In particular, the pipette 1 receives configuration data from the portable computing device 50 to operate the pipette 1 in an operating mode selected by the computing device 50. In particular, the pipette 1 then operates in the operating mode selected by the computing device 50. In particular, the dispensing parameters used by the pipette are previously determined by the user and are also received from the computing device 50. The exchanged data may include information regarding the operating mode set by the pipette 1, the dispensing parameters applied to the dispensing operation, the start and / or end times of the dispensing operation or its substeps, identification data (such as serial number) of the individual pipetting devices used, identification data of the possibly pre-authenticated or pre-selected user who is typically responsible for the experiment, as well as other data that may be provided by laboratory devices and / or sensors involved in the experiment. These data may be stored as data in a method dataset.

[0104] The pipetting device comprises an electric motor 18, powered by an accumulator 17, which moves the piston rod or piston 3 within the cylinder piston 12, thereby generating a suction or expulsion pressure in the dispensing channel 13. Accurate metering is possible by electronic control. An eject button 15 is provided, which allows the pipette tip 19 to be removed from the connection 2 by means of an ejection sleeve of the pipetting device. The data processing device is particularly programmed to interrupt any ongoing dispensing operation if the eject button 15 is activated.

[0105] Similarly, FIG. 1b shows another external device 60, typically a tablet PC or a smartphone, by means of which parameters set in the computing device 50, in particular dispensing parameters, can be optionally set or read.

[0106] The selection of dispensing parameters from a parameter set defining a desired semi-automated dispensing operation and the setting of values ​​for these dispensing parameters are performed by a GUI provided on a computing device 50, as shown in FIG. 1b. The computing device 50 has a housing 51 incorporating a touch screen 52. The touch screen 52 serves as the system's user interface device 52. A data processing unit 56 of the computing device 50 is programmed to control one or more method records of the system. The data processing unit 56 of the computing device 50 is programmed to display on the touch screen 52 screen pages of a GUI through which the system is controlled by a user. The corresponding control software is a modified version of the control software "VisioNize® Pipette Manager." Such screen pages are shown in FIGS. 2a-2p and 3a-3j. The functionality of protocolization with pauseable, particularly multiplexable, method records implemented thereby is described below.

[0107] Within Method Recording, the [Process / Run] Records feature is extended for VisioNize® Pipette Manager. From the "Running Recording" screen, users can start a recording (also called recording) and create a time frame that defines the recording point, as well as start a new recording, edit a paused recording, or save a recording from special pages accessible from the bottom bar. Records can be exported and a PDF can be generated according to the filters set. The method record is a single-user scenario (unless an exception occurs).

[0108] The GUI home screen (shown in Figure 2a) allows the operating mode of the connected pipette 1 assigned to a method (identifiable by the method identification data) and the associated dispensing parameters to be set and sent to the pipette 1 (or to multiple pipettes 1 of the same type or other pipettes) and thereby configured.

[0109] Method Recording is available on the home screen as a function to pause recording, continue / pause / save / start a new recording from the "Running Recording" screen and can be invoked from the menu. The screen page "Menu" displays a "Method Recording" button, which when touched gives the user access to all saved and finished recordings.

[0110] At the start of an experimental work, the user can decide to document the subsequent operations. This is especially useful to ensure that the operation passes any audits that may occur at a later date. The method recording feature supports this requirement. The main operations are navigated from the start screen.

[0111] On the start screen shown in Figure 2a, the status bar displays information about whether recording is occurring or not. The status bar displays one of three states: Running Record No record Recording pause The bottom bar has keys assigned to the method recording. The button displays "Running Recording" along with a play / pause icon. This icon acts like a menu on the bottom bar.

[0112] The "Current Recording" (see screen in Figure 2b) can be accessed via the "Current Recording" button in the bottom bar (the so-called "bottom bar"). The top list item is the one currently being recorded. It is highlighted and shows the home icon in the Start screen "in use" style. The date at the end of the list item indicates the creation date (year / month / day, hour:minute). List elements are separated by separator lines.

[0113] The list is dynamic and takes up as much space as necessary, and a scrollbar appears if more records are performed than can fit on one screen. The buttons on the right allow the user to manipulate the records. They are inactive unless a method set is selected from the list on the left. "New Record" is always active and starts a new recording. The first button is context sensitive. It means "Pause Record" or "Continue Selection". The "Pause Record" button is only visible when an active recording is marked. Pressing it pauses (pauses) the recording. The "Continue Record" button is only visible and active when a record other than the top record is selected (if no record is selected the button is inactive). "Save Record" allows the user to save the recording. The recording cannot be edited afterwards. "Information" shows information about the selected recording. Here the user can also edit the information (e.g. title).

[0114] Figure 2c: For each method record (method dataset), the start and end dates (date and time) are displayed. The title of the record is displayed along with the status of the record. The status of a record can be one of the following: "Running"... indicates that a recording is running. (Multiple recordings may be shown as "Running", for example, if multiple users are recording on different devices. Also, multiple recordings may run later if one user pauses one recording and switches between different recordings by continuing another with "Continue" or starting a new recording.) While a recording is running, the activity indicator is shown. "End" → Recording has ended and is locked so that it cannot be edited.

[0115] Below the status, any of the following information elements can be displayed: "By User" → Username, or (if user management is inactive) "Anonymous User"

[0116] If user management is inactive and multiple sessions are active for the "unknown user" and multiple recordings are running, multiple recordings may appear in this list. If user management is active, only the currently logged in user will be visible on this device. If a recording was made with user management active and then user management was deactivated, the username will be displayed here.

[0117] Figure 2d, Figure 2e: Clicking on the drill-down indicator next to a record will take the user to a summary of the record showing the following information: Record name in breadcrumb bar (the "active" part of the breadcrumb, with a blue background) Record title (header) and record title Timespan (header) and start and end times of the recording Associated pipette (header) and number All pipettes used in the recording (if the user was actively using the pipette) and drill-down indicator Only pipettes included in the record are added to this number (pipettes that have been removed from the record are excluded). Removed pipettes will appear in deep blue at the bottom of the list (with, if necessary, the reason why the pipette was removed from the record). Events (header) and event list with drill-down indicators (number increases as more events occur during recording) Notes (optional - only if notes were added when saving the record) VisioNize® Pipette Manager version (header) and software version installed at the time of recording

[0118] Figure 2f, Figure 2g: The breadcrumb bar also displays the current level reached by drilling down on the previous screen. Clicking the "RNA Preparation Test Case A245" button opens the next hierarchical level page. There are also options at the top. export

[0119] The associated page "Associated Pipettes" displays a list of all pipettes that were actively used during the recording. This page consists of a header containing the following elements: Pipette size and type serial number Notes (including "subtitle" information) Additional Information

[0120] Additionally, a list containing the following elements: Pipette icon (representing single or multichannel pipette type) Capacity display badge Pipette serial number Additional information that may include: "Added to..." Date "Deleted by..." User, Date + Time (optional reason) (deleted pipettes are at the bottom of the list)

[0121] Exports performed on this screen will be exported as PDF to a USB stick. Listed here are the relevant pipettes (and all displayed information), as well as all deleted pipettes (marked accordingly), the name of the recording, the user, and the date and time of the recording.

[0122] Removed pipettes are displayed in deep blue and the volume badge is also displayed in an inactive state.

[0123] Figure 2h, Figure 2i, Figure 2j: Events are grouped around and are components of the method record. The details of the event should indicate what was "done", in particular whether a pipette was added or removed from the record. It should also indicate the reason selected for the removal of the pipette, and the date and time it was done. The user who triggered this action is also shown here (when a pipette is removed).

[0124] Figure 2k, Figure 2l, Figure 2m, Figure 2n, Figure 2o, Figure 2p: The user can select the "Save Recording" option on the screen where a recording is running. This is active whenever a recording is selected from the list. A three-step assistant is displayed. The recording name and start time are displayed in the dialog. As soon as the recording is saved, it can no longer be edited and is "locked". The faded-in overlay contains the following elements: title 3-step step counter (matches the dialog (assistant)) Short description Record Name (Date) Next button "Close" button (X) (Sometimes a fingerprint appears on the screen page symbolizing that the user has touched the corresponding button).

[0125] The user can select pipettes to delete by tapping on them. They will be highlighted as selected. Once (at least one) pipette is selected, the user can tap on the drop down box and an overlay will appear; otherwise the drop down box will appear in inactive and in deep blue. In step 2 / 3 the user is shown a summary of the selected records. The summary indicates: Title (of saved records) and on-screen editability Recording (start) time Associated pipettes. If there are too many pipettes to display here, a scroll bar will appear. Associated pipettes are displayed in a list of four, showing the pipette icon, volume badge, serial number and delete option.

[0126] The pipette information is as follows: Pipette icons by type (single channel, multichannel, mechanical) Capacity Badge serial number

[0127] The user can change the title (on screen) or delete the pipette. The delete key allows: A drop-down box will appear below the pipette. The edit icon turns blue. The user can select a pipette to remove from the list by tapping on it.

[0128] In step 2 / 3, the user can edit the title of the record (before saving) and delete any associated pipettes that are displayed. When deleting a pipette, the user can (but does not have to) select a reason for removing the pipette from the record. If a reason is specified, it will be displayed in exports and in the record details. The user can also specify a personal reason. As soon as a pipette is deleted, it will no longer appear in the summary in step 2 / 3. Multiple pipettes can be deleted at once. If the user edits something and then selects Close Assistant, a "Warning" pop-up dialog appears. This is to prevent accidental data loss. In step 3 / 3, the user can optionally enter notes about the record. Selecting "Save Recording" fades in an overlay informing the user that once the record is saved, it will be locked and cannot be edited. If the user accepts this, "Running Recording" fades in on the screen, informing the user that the record was successfully saved. The record will no longer appear in the list displayed here because it has been moved, and can be found in Method Records (accessed from the menu). The reason why a pipette was removed from the record, the time, date, user and pipette (serial number, type, volume) are saved and will appear in all reports created from this record. This information will appear in the "Associated Pipettes" summary, but the pipette will no longer be counted as one of the "Associated Pipettes" (number in the summary list). A pipette cannot be permanently removed from the record, it is simply removed from the list stored internally in the VisioNize Pipette Manager software. Notes can be added to the record in a third step. The text entry field will expand while you are entering information.

[0129] Figure 3a, Figure 3b, Figure 3c: The user can pause a recording. The GUI has two different scenarios and procedures. When the user selects "Pause Recording" on the running recording screen, an overlay appears offering the user several options. The user can select "Continue Paused Recording," which continues the recording and unpauses it. Alternatively, the user can close the overlay with the "Close" button. When the overlay is closed, the recording selection disappears, and the running recording screen displays "No Recording in Progress" in the top field. Another possibility is on the home screen, where the user can pause the recording by tapping a button on the bottom bar. Selecting this button fades in an information panel informing the user that the recording is paused. The status bar still displays the recording, but with the addition of "Paused: Title." The bottom bar button then becomes "Continue Selection" and displays a play icon. This allows the user to easily pause and continue the recording from the home screen.

[0130] Figures 3d, 3e, and 3f: When a recording appears as part of a list of running recordings, the user can select it to continue. Once a recording is selected, an overlay appears, and depending on whether the recording is currently on the home screen or not, the overlay appears in one of two states.

[0131] If there is no recording in the Home Screen Slot, the Continue Selection overlay shows only the newly selected recording, and only one button is displayed in the overlay's button group. The user can either continue the selected recording or close the overlay with the close button. When the overlay is closed, the recording remains selected but is not continued. Clicking Continue Selection takes the user to the Home Screen, where the continued recording is executed and all subsequent actions are linked to the recording.

[0132] If there is a recording in the home screen slot, the overlay has a group of two keys below it, displaying the two recordings in the overlay. The home screen recording displays the home icon and is highlighted in blue. This is to easily distinguish between the two recordings and reuse the same color and icon used for the recording currently running on the screen. If the user selects the "Resume Current Recording" option, the recording from the home screen slot will continue. If "Continue Selected Recording" is selected, the newly selected recording will continue. In either case, the user will be returned to the home screen and the name of the recording will be displayed in the status bar. Closing the overlay with the close button will close the overlay and the selected recording will remain selected.

[0133] Figures 3g, 3h, 3i, and 3j: When user management is inactive, "sessions" are used to allow for the correct identification of "various" user sessions. The user sees all recordings currently running or paused on the "Running Recordings" page. Recordings active on this device within this session are displayed without indicating that other "users" are linked to those recordings. The user can request another recording and continue working on it. The "Running Recordings" page and the listed records show a user indicator whether a recording is linked to another session. The user can "claim" a recording by selecting the recording (the recording is highlighted) and selecting "Continue with selection." A popup is then displayed informing the user that this recording is now linked to another session. The recording name, start type, and user icon are displayed. Clicking "claim" makes the recording the active recording for this session and moves it to a home screen slot, returning the user to the home screen where the recording is requested and running.

[0134] Users are asked to check through social protocols that no one is using this record, as there is no possibility to verify that the record is actually free. It is important that users communicate and stay informed about this, as the dataset cannot be compiled at a later point in time.

[0135] FIG. 4 shows a sequence of user operations (BI) that can be performed in an exemplary application of the system according to the invention in an exemplary configuration, with multiplexed recordings during one or more experiments, or that can be performed in an exemplary method according to the invention.

[0136] 1: Select a recording from the list / Start a new recording. 2: The user follows a protocol / list etc. (e.g. kit). 3: Centrifuge the aliquot volume. 4: The user pauses the current recording. 5: User decides to start / continue (new) recording. 6: The user follows a protocol / list etc. (e.g. kit). 7: The protocol is complete and the user ends the recording. 8: Centrifugation is completed and the user decides to record. 9: The user follows a protocol / list etc. (e.g., a kit). 10: Place the aliquot in the freezer for 2 hours. 11: The user starts a new recording (up to step 12: this can happen quite often). 12: The user prepares the buffer. 13: Next day: User continues recording. 14: Follow protocols / lists etc. (e.g. kits). 15: The protocol is complete and the user ends the recording. 16: The user selects an existing record from a list. 17: Remove the sample from the freezer and process it according to the kit instructions. 18: The protocol is complete and the user ends the recording. 19: Next record, next record, next step... Step 19 Loop: Repeat infinitely.

[0137] Color legend for Figure 4: Blue-green: Records of "protein purification" (records) Purple: PCR records Orange: Buffer preparation (not recorded) Green: "DNA isolation" record

[0138] The method records executed by the system 100 use method identification data, particularly individual method identification data, to distinguish between various methods, particularly the first and second methods, and their respective method records. For example, in FIG. 2b, the method designated "Müller-DNA-Case 254" is assigned first method identification data, the method designated "RNA Analysis-Case 12.53" is assigned second method identification data, the method designated "Müller-DNA-Case 109" is assigned third method identification data, and the method designated "Eppendorf-Case 09.21" is assigned fourth method identification data. In this case, the first, second, third, fourth, and all subsequent method identification data are clearly distinguishable from one another. These method identification data are suitable for uniquely selecting one of the corresponding first, second, third, or fourth method datasets and / or for uniquely continuing or terminating a method record. The content of the method identification data is not important; for example, the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 or their respective binary representations would be suitable to form the respective method identification data.

[0139] The data processing unit 56 of the computing device 50 is programmed to control the method records of the system, in particular the method records described above in Figure 2b. In particular, the data processing unit 56 of the computing device 50 is programmed as follows: receiving by the first communication device 58, after the execution of at least one dispensing operation assigned to the first method, from the at least one second communication device 8, record data comprising parameter values ​​applied when the at least one dispensing operation of the at least one pipetting device was configured and executed; executing a first method record to which first method identification data is assigned by storing the record data as a first method data set in a data storage device (here in particular the portable computer 50 which is a component of the data processing device 56); A first method includes pausing execution of a recording in response to a user input provided by a user interface device; The execution of the paused first method recording, or "paused first method recording" for short, is continued or terminated depending on a user input made on the user interface device, in particular depending on the first method identification data. Termination is effected in this case by the user touching an input field on the touch screen marked "Save Recording" (see FIG. 2l). The data processing device 56 then detects, here by way of example, that the first method (here designated "Müller-DNA-Case 254") identifiable by the first method identification data is intended. Continuation of the method or method recording is preferably no longer possible after saving (FIG. 2p). Continuation of the first method recording, in particular, is effected selectively via the GUI, as shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c. Again, the data processing device 56 detects, here by way of example, that the first method (here designated "Müller-DNA-Case 254") identifiable by the first method identification data is intended.

[0140] The data processor 56 is also programmed to proceed with a first method record, for example "Muller-DNA-Case 254", as follows. In response to the user input and the first method identification data, a first method data set stored in a first recording section of the first method record is selected and recording of a second recording section of the first method record is initiated.

[0141] In this case, the data processing unit 56 is also programmed as follows. The first method recording is paused before starting recording of a second recording section of the first method recording, and then a second method recording assigned to second method identification data different from the first method identification data is executed.

[0142] The multiplexed recording of the two methods is carried out by programming the data processing device 56 as follows. receiving by the first communication device 58, after execution of at least one dispensing operation assigned to the second method, from the at least one second communication device 8, record data comprising parameter values ​​applied when the at least one dispensing operation of the second method was configured and executed; performing a second method recording by storing the recording data as a second method data set in a data storage device, wherein the second method data set includes, inter alia, second method identification data; A second method includes pausing execution of the recording in response to a user input provided by a user interface device; The paused second method recording is continued in response to a user input made on the user interface device, in particular in response to the second method identification data, or the paused second method recording is terminated in response to a user input made on the user interface device, in particular in response to the second method identification data.

[0143] 5a to 5e each show a screen page that can be output on a portable computing device that forms part of the system according to the invention of FIG.

[0144] Figure 5a shows a screen page forming the logged-in user's "home screen" where no method recording is currently taking place, and the user is notified of this by displaying an information field at the top edge of the screen page containing the text "Not currently recording".

[0145] Figure 5b shows a screen page that forms the logged-in user's "home screen," in this case, where a method record is currently being performed. This is indicated to the user by displaying an information field at the top edge of the screen page containing the text "DNA Analysis - Case 45.9 - Mueller." This text also serves as a representation of the corresponding method record.

[0146] The data processing unit 56 is programmed, in accordance with FIGS. 5a-5e, to detect one or more note entries made by the user via the user interface device during execution of a method recording and store them together with the corresponding method data set as components of that data set. To this end, the home screen of FIG. 5b displays a touchscreen control panel labeled "Quick Notes" in the upper edge of the screen. When the user touches this control panel, an overlay window opens, displaying a selection list of predefined note texts (here, possible error conditions, such as "air bubble in tip") (see FIG. 5c). The note texts can be individually selected by the user and are then saved as note entries in the method data set. Selecting the input field for free text entry ("My Thoughts") opens a virtual keyboard with individual text entry options (FIG. 5d).

[0147] The note entry includes text entered individually by the user, in particular by means of a virtual keyboard, or alternatively by means of a (hardware) keyboard (not shown) actually assigned to the portable computing device. Here, the note entry also includes the option of the user being presented with a predefined selection list of possible note texts on the screen, from which the user can select the appropriate note text. The content of such note text here relates to technical errors observed by the user during the dispensing operation, but can also note other typical circumstances, for example, environmental factors such as the temperature, humidity, or sample condition of the sample dispensed in the method, or other undesirable or desirable factors that may affect the outcome of the experiment, among others.

[0148] The one or more note entries are here saved together with a timestamp, which in particular allows for later assignment of the one or more note entries to other sub-steps of the dispensing operation of the method, or generally to other recorded events of the method record, and / or allows for chronological classification of the notes. The timestamp preferably includes the time when the "Quick Note" input field (see Figure 5b) on the touch screen is touched by the user and / or includes the time when the text input possibility assigned to the note entry, here the overlay window of Figure 5c or 5d, is closed.

[0149] The data processing device 56 is programmed to output the event history (also called an "event log") of the method data set, i.e., the sequence of events forming the method record, particularly on the screen of the user interface device, as a list or sequence of these events, each preferably displayed with a corresponding explanatory text and / or graphic symbol. The event log can be used as a protocol of the performed experiment or method record. This is shown in Figure 5e, where the events of the method record labeled "Other Useful Names - TLDR" are displayed in a chronological order from top to bottom, each with a timestamp. The memo entry "Air bubble in tip" made according to Figure 2c and saved with the method record is included, along with the timestamp entry "2020-09-21, 15:22:04." The ability to conveniently save memos is a further improvement for improving the reproducibility of experiments or performed methods. In this way, the protocolization automatically performed by the system is enhanced with information individually introduced by the user. The inventions disclosed herein include the following: [Aspect 1] 1. A system for recording pipetting operations in a user-defined experiment, using at least one handheld pipetting device operable to dispense at least one sample, wherein a parameter set of pipetting parameters defines programmable pipetting operations of the pipetting device, and the experiment is defined by a sequence of pipetting operations, comprising: The system comprises: a user interface device with a display, in particular a touch screen; a data processing device; a data storage device; a first communication device for wireless data exchange between the data processing device and a second communication device of at least one pipetting device; Including, The data processing device includes: receiving, by the first communication device, after execution of at least one dispensing operation assigned to a first method, from at least one second communication device, record data comprising parameter values ​​applied when the at least one dispensing operation of the at least one pipetting device was configured and executed; executing a first method record assigned with first method identification data by storing said record data in a data storage device as a first method data set; Pausing execution of a first method recording in response to a user input provided by the user interface device; continuing the paused first method recording in response to user input provided on the user interface device, or terminating the paused first method recording in response to user input provided on the user interface device. The system is programmed to do so. [Aspect 2] the data processing device is programmed to continue a first method recording by selecting a first method data set stored in a first recording section of the first method record in response to user input and first method identification data and initiating recording of a second recording section of the first method record; In particular, after the execution of at least one other dispensing operation, the first communication device receives from the at least one second communication device further recorded data comprising parameter values ​​applied when the at least one other dispensing operation was configured and executed; and 2. The system of embodiment 1, continuing the first method recording by appending the additional recording data to the first method data set and storing them in the data storage device. [Aspect 3] at least one handheld pipetting device having said second communication device for wireless data exchange with said data processing device to perform at least one pipetting operation defined by parameter values ​​of at least one parameter set of pipetting parameters; The at least one handheld pipetting device in particular a connection for connecting at least one pipette container; an electrically controlled operating element for aspirating at least one sample into said at least one pipette vessel, retaining the sample in said at least one pipette vessel, and expelling the sample from said at least one pipette vessel when performing a dispensing operation; an electrical controller designed to control the operating elements in response to at least one dispensing parameter; and / or a computing device, particularly a portable computing device, the computing device the user interface device; the data processing device; the first communication device; Optionally, said data storage device; 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, comprising: [Aspect 4] A system described in any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the data processing device is programmed to detect, by the user interface device, at least one other parameter set of at least one other dispensing operation that is not a component of the first method after the start of the first method recording and during a pause of the first method recording, and wherein at least one pipetting device, in particular its control device, is designed to control the at least one dispensing operation, in particular an operating element of the pipetting device, in accordance with the at least one other parameter set during a pause of the first method recording. [Aspect 5] the data processing device is programmed to pause the first method recording before starting recording of a second recording section of the first method recording, and then execute a second method recording assigned second method identification data different from the first method identification data; To that end, the data processing device in particular comprises: receiving, by the first communication device, after execution of at least one dispensing operation assigned to the second method, record data from the at least one second communication device, the record data including parameter values ​​applied when the at least one dispensing operation of the second method was configured and executed; performing a second method recording by storing the recorded data in the data storage device as a second method data set; A second method includes pausing execution of a recording in response to a user input provided by the user interface device; continuing the paused second method recording in response to user input provided on the user interface device, or terminating the paused second method recording in response to user input provided on the user interface device. The system according to any one of aspect 2, aspect 2, aspect 3, and aspect 4. [Aspect 6] 6. The system of embodiment 5, comprising a first sample dispensed in a first method and a second sample not used in the first method but dispensed in a second method. [Aspect 7] The data processing device displays on the display of the user interface device: a screen page including a key programmed to initiate method recording when the key is operated or touched; 7. The system of any one of aspects 1 to 6. [Aspect 8] The data processing device displays on the display of the user interface device: displaying a screen page in which the title of at least one running method record, i.e., started but not finished, is displayed, and in particular the titles of a plurality of running method records are listed; a corresponding method for displaying at least one information field indicating the status of the recording, which status may include "recording paused" or "recording running" or "recording finished"; 8. The system of any one of aspects 1 to 7, programmed to: [Aspect 9] The data processing device displays on the display of the user interface device: displaying a screen page in which the title of at least one running method record is displayed, and in particular the titles of multiple running method records are listed; displaying at least one key, wherein actuating or touching said key selects at least one previously paused method record associated with said key; displaying said key and operating or touching said key to continue recording of the selected paused method, particularly while at least one other method is paused; 9. The system of any one of aspects 1 to 8, programmed to: [Aspect 10] The data processing device displays on the display of the user interface device: displaying a screen page in which the title of at least one running method record is displayed, and in particular the titles of multiple running method records are listed; displaying at least one key, which when actuated or touched, selects at least one previously paused method record associated with said key, said key causing information about said method record to be displayed, each method record preferably including in particular the events of the method, in particular the chronological sequence of the method, time data of the method, in particular timestamps of one or more events, in particular the start, pause and / or end of the method, information about the method user, pipetting devices used and / or not used in the method; 10. The system of any one of aspects 1 to 9, programmed to: [Aspect 11] 11. The system of any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the data processing device is programmed to provide at least one method dataset of at least one completed method record as a file that can be transferred to an external data processing device, or the contents of the file can be output by printing, displaying on a screen, or transferring to an external data processing device of the system or to a server that is not a component of the system. [Aspect 12] The data processing device includes: obtaining, from the user interface device, parameter values ​​for user-definable dispensing parameters of at least one parameter set, the parameter values ​​defining at least one dispensing operation of a method, in particular a first method, a second method, and other methods, to be performed by the at least one pipetting device; transmitting, by the first communication device, the parameter values ​​of the at least one parameter set to at least one handheld pipetting device to enable the pipetting device to be configured with the parameter values ​​to perform at least one dispensing operation of the method; 12. The system of any one of aspects 1 to 11, programmed to: [Aspect 13] At least one pipetting device has a second data processing device, the second data processing device comprising: obtaining parameter values ​​of at least one parameter set by said second communication device and using these parameter values ​​to configure the pipetting device to perform at least one dispensing operation of the method; Initiating at least one dispensing operation set with parameter values ​​by detecting a start signal, in particular generated manually by operating an operating element, transmitting, at or after the end of at least one dispensing operation configured using the parameter values, the parameter values ​​applied to configure the dispensing operation as record data to the first communication device; 13. The system of any one of aspects 1 to 12, particularly aspect 3, programmed to: [Aspect 14] the data processing device does not store data, in particular the recording data, transmitted from the second communication device to the first communication device during the pause of the first method recording in the first method data set as a component of the first method recording, and / or storing data, in particular recorded data, transmitted from the second communication device to the first communication device during the pause of the first method recording, in a separate, in particular second, method data set assigned to this method recording as a component of the other, in particular second, method recording, 14. The system of any one of aspects 1 to 13, programmed to: [Aspect 15] 15. A method for applying the system of any one of aspects 1 to 14, comprising: a) in response to user input, initiating recording of a first recording section of a first method recording, wherein a first portion of a first sequence of parameter sets of a first experimental section is recorded and stored in the data storage device as a first method data set; b) pausing the first method recording in response to user input; c) selecting a stored first method record in response to the user input and in response to the first method identification data to continue the first method record of recording the first experiment, whereby recording of a second recording section of the first method record is initiated to record a second portion of the first sequence of parameter sets of the second experimental section; A method comprising:

Claims

1. 1. A system for recording pipetting operations in a user-defined experiment, using at least one handheld pipetting device operable to dispense at least one sample, wherein a parameter set of pipetting parameters defines programmable pipetting operations of the pipetting device, and the experiment is defined by a sequence of pipetting operations, comprising: The system comprises: a user interface device having a display; a data processing device; a data storage device; a first communication device for wireless data exchange between the data processing device and a second communication device of at least one pipetting device; Including, The data processing device includes: receiving, by the first communication device, after execution of at least one dispensing operation assigned to a first method, from at least one second communication device, record data comprising parameter values ​​applied when the at least one dispensing operation of the at least one pipetting device was configured and executed; executing a first method record assigned with first method identification data by storing said record data in a data storage device as a first method data set; Pausing execution of a first method recording in response to a user input provided by the user interface device; continuing the paused first method recording in response to user input provided on the user interface device, or terminating the paused first method recording in response to user input provided on the user interface device. It is programmed to The data processing device is programmed to continue a first method recording, whereby, in response to user input and first method identification data, a first method data set stored in a first recording section of the first method record is selected and recording of a second recording section of the first method record is initiated.

2. the data processing device is programmed to continue the first method recording, for which purpose further recording data is received by the first communication device from the at least one second communication device after the execution of at least one further dispensing operation, the further recording data including parameter values ​​applied when the at least one further dispensing operation was set up and executed; and 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: continuing the first method recording by appending the further recording data to a first method data set and storing them in the data storage device.

3. at least one handheld pipetting device having said second communication device for wireless data exchange with said data processing device to perform at least one pipetting operation defined by parameter values ​​of at least one parameter set of pipetting parameters; the at least one handheld pipetting device; a connection for connecting at least one pipette container; an electrically controlled operating element for aspirating at least one sample into said at least one pipette vessel, retaining the sample in said at least one pipette vessel, and expelling the sample from said at least one pipette vessel when performing a dispensing operation; an electrical controller designed to control the operating elements in response to at least one dispensing parameter; and / or a computing device; the computing device the user interface device; the data processing device; the first communication device; the data storage device; 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the data processing device is programmed to detect, via the user interface device, at least one other parameter set of at least one other pipetting operation that is not a component of the first method after the start of the first method recording and during a pause of the first method recording, and wherein the electrical control device of the at least one pipetting device is designed to control the at least one pipetting operation in accordance with the at least one other parameter set during a pause of the first method recording.

5. the data processing device is programmed to pause the first method recording before starting recording of a second recording section of the first method recording, and then execute a second method recording assigned second method identification data different from the first method identification data; To this end, the data processing device receiving, by the first communication device, after execution of at least one dispensing operation assigned to a second method, record data from the at least one second communication device, the record data including parameter values ​​applied when the at least one dispensing operation of the second method was configured and executed; performing a second method recording by storing the recorded data in the data storage device as a second method data set; A second method includes pausing execution of a recording in response to a user input provided by the user interface device; continuing the paused second method recording in response to user input provided on the user interface device, or terminating the paused second method recording in response to user input provided on the user interface device. The system of claim 1 .

6. 6. The system of claim 5, comprising a first sample dispensed in a first method and a second sample not used in the first method but dispensed in a second method.

7. The data processing device displays on the display of the user interface device: a screen page including a key programmed to initiate method recording when the key is operated or touched; A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The data processing device displays on the display of the user interface device: The title of at least one running method record is displayed, a corresponding method for displaying at least one information field indicating the status of the recording, which status may include "recording paused" or "recording running" or "recording finished"; 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmed to:

9. The data processing device displays on the display of the user interface device: The title of at least one running method record is displayed, displaying at least one key, wherein actuating or touching said key selects at least one previously paused method record associated with said key; displaying the key, and operating or touching the key to continue the selected paused method recording; 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmed to:

10. The data processing device displays on the display of the user interface device: The title of at least one running method record is displayed, displaying at least one key, which, when actuated or touched, selects at least one previously paused method record associated with said key, and which displays information about said method record; 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmed to:

11. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the data processing device is programmed to provide at least one method dataset of at least one completed method record as a file that can be transferred to an external data processing device, or the contents of the file can be output by printing, displaying on a screen, or transferring to an external data processing device of the system or to a server that is not a component of the system.

12. The data processing device includes: obtaining parameter values ​​for user-definable dispensing parameters of at least one parameter set from the user interface device, the parameter values ​​defining at least one dispensing operation of a method to be performed by the at least one pipetting device; transmitting, by the first communication device, parameter values ​​of the at least one parameter set to at least one handheld pipetting device, enabling the pipetting device to be configured with the parameter values ​​to perform at least one dispensing operation of the method; 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmed to:

13. At least one pipetting device has a second data processing device, the second data processing device comprising: obtaining parameter values ​​of at least one parameter set by said second communication device and using these parameter values ​​to configure the pipetting device to perform at least one dispensing operation of the method; Initiating at least one dispense operation configured with the parameter values; transmitting, at or after the end of at least one dispensing operation configured using the parameter values, the parameter values ​​applied to configure the dispensing operation as record data to the first communication device; 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmed to:

14. the data processing device does not store the recording data transmitted from the second communication device to the first communication device during the pause of the first method recording in the first method data set as a component of the first method recording; and / or storing the record data transmitted from the second communication device to the first communication device during the pause of the first method record as a component of another method record in another method data set assigned to this method record; 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmed to:

15. A method for applying a system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: a) in response to a user input, starting recording of a first recording section of a first method recording, in which a first partial amount of a first sequence of parameter sets of a first experimental section is recorded and stored in the data storage device as a first method data set; b) pausing the first method recording in response to a user input; c) selecting a stored first method record in response to the user input and in response to the first method identification data to continue the first method record of recording the first experiment, whereby recording of a second recording section of the first method record is initiated to record a second partial amount of the first sequence of parameter sets of the second experimental section; A method comprising:

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