Micro-dosing Unit Coupling for Pipette Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipette devices struggle to deliver precise, small liquid volumes, particularly in the nanoliter range, due to the need for stationary micro-dosing units and the risk of cross-contamination when handling multiple target vessels.
Innovation Solution
A pipette device design where the micro-dosing unit is separate from the pipette unit, allowing for flexible positioning and coupling only during liquid delivery, enabling precise control and minimizing cross-contamination by using a resiliently deformable expulsion end and a magnetic coupling mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the micro-dosing unit is stationary and the pipette tip is threaded into it from above, then the liquid delivery precision is improved, but the device complexity and risk of cross-contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of threading the pipette tip into a stationary micro-dosing unit from above, the invention inverts the relationship by having the micro-dosing unit coupled to the lower end of the pipette tip. This allows the pipette unit to move freely to various delivery positions while the micro-dosing unit remains at the tip's discharge opening, reducing device complexity and eliminating cross-contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-dosing unit is extracted from the stationary position and integrated directly onto the pipette tip's lower end. This extraction allows the dosing mechanism to move with the pipette unit, enabling precise liquid delivery without requiring a complex stationary structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Device complexity
If the pipette unit is stationary in the liquid delivery position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to deliver liquid to multiple target vessels decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the micro-dosing unit dynamic by coupling it to the movable pipette unit rather than fixing it in a stationary position. This allows the pipette unit to freely move to various liquid delivery positions over different target vessels, significantly improving adaptability while maintaining manageable device complexity through the flexible coupling mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the pipette tip contacts the target vessel to overcome adhesion force, then the liquid delivery capability is improved, but the risk of cross-contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical contact method with a magnetic coupling mechanism. The magnetic coupling means at the lower end of the pipette tip can attract and hold the target vessel without physical contact, or make controlled contact that minimizes contamination risk. This substitution maintains liquid delivery capability while significantly reducing cross-contamination risk.
4Device complexity
If the micro-dosing unit is integrated into the pipette unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the system into a pipette unit with a coupling means and a separate micro-dosing unit with counter coupling means. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and calibrated independently, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to a fully integrated design, while still achieving low device complexity through their coordinated operation.
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 precise delivery of extremely small volumes (up to 0.1 nl) with reduced risk of cross-contamination, as the micro-dosing unit is only activated when needed, and the pipette unit can move freely with the micro-dosing unit to various delivery positions without requiring movement of target vessels.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic coupling mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a resiliently deformable expulsion end
Data Source
AI summary
A pipette device having a pipette unit (1), a positioning unit (4), a micro-dosing unit (5) and a control device (6). The micro-dosing unit (5) is implemented separately from the pipette unit (1). However, it can be coupled to the pipette unit (1) in a precisely defined relative position. The pipette unit (1) thus has a coupling device (10) and the micro-dosing unit (5) has a corresponding counter-coupling device (11). One of the two devices can be switched. By switching the coupling device (10) and/or the counter-coupling device (11), the micro-dosing unit (5) can be coupled to the pipette unit (1) or decoupled from the pipette unit (1) as desired. If the micro-dosing unit (5) is coupled to the pipette unit (1), it can be moved to different operating positions together with the pipette unit (1).