Interchangeable Pump Units for Variable-Volume Pipetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipetting devices struggle to aspirate and dispense objects of varying sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A pipetting device with a tubular tube portion, a drive unit, and a mounting unit that allows for the attachment of different pump units, each with unique deformable portions and pump chambers, enabling adjustable aspiration and dispensing characteristics based on the attached pump unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single conventional pipetting device is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot adapt to aspirate and dispense objects of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The pipetting device is divided into separate functional modules: a drive unit and multiple interchangeable pump units. Each pump unit contains a pump chamber and deformable portion, allowing the system to handle different object sizes by swapping pump units rather than redesigning the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of pump units. This allows a single drive unit to perform multiple aspiration and dispensing functions by attaching different pump units configured for different object sizes and fluid volumes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different pump units are attached to handle various object sizes, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump units are designed to be dynamically interchangeable on the drive unit. The mounting structure allows quick attachment and detachment of different pump units, enabling the system to adapt its configuration based on the specific aspiration or dispensing task at hand.
Solution Approach 2:
Different pump units have varying parameters such as pump chamber volume, deformable portion geometry, and channel dimensions. By changing the pump unit, the system adjusts these parameters to match the requirements for handling different object sizes and fluid volumes.
3Reliability
If the movable portion deforms the deformable portion without contact with working fluid, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to the mounting unit structure
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable portion acts as an intermediary between the movable portion (drive mechanism) and the working fluid. It transmits the mechanical deformation force from the movable portion to the pump chamber while maintaining a barrier that prevents direct contact between the drive mechanism and the fluid, thus preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting unit structure is designed to extract and isolate the drive mechanism from the fluid handling path. By separating the movable portion from direct fluid contact through the deformable portion interface, the system maintains reliability while managing the complexity through modular design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the pipetting device to adapt to aspirate and dispense objects of different sizes with high precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable portion disposed to face the pump chamber and configured to deform in response to movement of the movable portion
Implementation Method 2
a piezoelectric element actuator... When the piezoelectric element actuator pushes the rod-shaped member toward the opening portion of the glass pipette, the tubular elastic member deforms such that the volume of the internal space of the tubular elastic member decreases
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a pipetting device including: a tubular tube portion configured to aspirate and dispense an object via working fluid; a drive unit configured to drive a movable portion configured to be movable; and a mounting unit configured to detachably receive a pump unit, the pump unit being configured to store the working fluid and to aspirate the working fluid from the tube portion and dispense the working fluid into the tube portion in response to movement of the movable portion. The amount of the working fluid aspirated or dispensed in response to a predetermined amount of movement of the movable portion varies depending on whether a first pump unit or a second pump unit is attached as the pump unit to the mounting unit.