Pipette With Nested Mounting Surfaces for Multi-Size Tip Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipetting devices require separate equipment for different sizes of disposable tips, leading to increased complexity and cost in automated systems, as they lack efficient means for discarding tips after use.
Innovation Solution
A pipetting device with at least two movable mounting surfaces of different diameters allows for the use of differently sized disposable tips, enabling easy ejection by moving the wider diameter surface against the tip, and optionally utilizing a separate ejector for larger tips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate pipettes are used for different sized disposable tips, then the appropriate tip size can be selected for different volumes, but the device complexity and cost increase in automated systems
Solution Approach 1:
The pipette device is designed with multiple mounting surfaces of different diameters, allowing a single device to accommodate various tip sizes. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pipettes for different volumes, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting surfaces are arranged in a nested configuration where smaller diameter surfaces are positioned within or alongside larger diameter surfaces. This nested structure allows compact integration of multiple mounting options within a single pipette body, reducing overall device complexity while enabling tip size adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate pipettes are used for different sized disposable tips, then the appropriate tip size can be selected for different volumes, but the cost increases in automated systems
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a single pipette with multiple mounting surfaces that can accommodate different tip sizes, the invention reduces the total number of devices required. This universal design allows one pipette to perform the function of multiple specialized pipettes, thereby reducing cost in automated systems.
3Device complexity
If a single mounting surface is used, then the device structure is simple, but different tip sizes cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple mounting surfaces are nested within the pipette structure, with each surface designed for specific tip sizes. This nested arrangement adds minimal structural complexity while maximizing tip size compatibility, as the surfaces are integrated into the existing pipette body without requiring separate mounting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting surfaces are positioned at different locations and orientations within the pipette structure, utilizing spatial arrangement to provide multiple mounting options. This dimensional approach allows different tip sizes to be accommodated without significantly increasing structural complexity, as the surfaces are distributed in three-dimensional space within the pipette body.
4Reliability
If disposable tips are used, then contamination between samples is avoided, but the means for ejecting tips become more complex with multiple tip sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection mechanism is designed to work universally with all tip sizes by utilizing the relative movement between mounting surfaces. The same ejection principle applies regardless of which mounting surface is used, thereby maintaining contamination prevention while avoiding increased ejection mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection mechanism utilizes the existing mounting surfaces themselves to perform the ejection function. By moving one mounting surface relative to another, the system uses its own structural components to eject the tips, eliminating the need for separate ejection mechanisms for different tip sizes and thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable tip disposal to prevent contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a pipette comprising mounting surfaces of different diameters for the use of disposable tips of different size, which permits easy discarding of the tips after use. Such pipettes can be used in manual and automatic pipetting systems.