Pipette Tip Holder With Integrated Gripper Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pipetting systems with permanently mounted pipette tips cannot accommodate both pipette tips and grippers simultaneously, leading to increased costs due to the need for disposable tips and additional holders.

Innovation Solution

A pipetting system design featuring a pipette tip receptacle with a mechanical coupling and gripping element that allows the gripper to be connected without removing the pipette tip, eliminating the need for disposable tips and additional holders by using a through-channel and adapter with seals and force disks for secure positioning and fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If disposable tips are used in pipette tip holders, then pipetting function is achieved, but cost increases and disposal requirements arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipetting functionVSAvoiddisposal costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive disposable tips with reusable steel pipette tips that can be permanently mounted on the pipette tip holder. The steel tips are significantly more durable and can be reused multiple times, eliminating the need for continuous purchase and disposal of disposable tips, thus reducing operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding disposable tips after single use, the system recovers and reuses steel pipette tips through a permanent mounting mechanism. The tips are retained on the holder and can be reused across multiple pipetting operations, transforming a linear consumption model into a cyclic reuse model.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Loss of substance

If fixed steel pipette tips are used, then disposal costs are reduced, but grippers cannot be accommodated on the pipette tip holder

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal costsVSAvoidgripper accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the pipette tip holder into two independent mounting locations: one for the steel pipette tip and another for the gripper. This segmentation allows both components to coexist on the same holder without interfering with each other, enabling the holder to perform dual functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pipette tip holder is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate both steel pipette tips and grippers. By adding a gripper mounting location with appropriate fixing mechanisms (screws or clips), the holder becomes a universal platform that can perform both liquid handling and sample manipulation tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional holders are provided for grippers, then gripper accommodation is enabled, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper accommodationVSAvoidnumber of holders

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the gripper mounting function with the existing pipette tip holder structure. Instead of providing separate additional holders, the gripper is mounted directly on the same holder that already accommodates the steel pipette tip, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pipette tip holder is transformed into a multi-functional platform that can hold both steel pipette tips and grippers simultaneously. This universality eliminates the need for separate dedicated holders for each component, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional holders are provided for pipette tips, then pipette tip accommodation is ensured, but space requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipette tip accommodationVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the accommodation of steel pipette tips and grippers into a single holder unit. The holder is designed with multiple mounting locations, allowing both components to share the same physical space, thereby eliminating the need for additional separate holders and reducing overall space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3550309B1Combined pipette tip holder and gripper

Publication Date: 2023.10.04 TECAN TRADING AG

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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary

A pipetting system comprising at least one pipette tip receptacle (4) with a pipette tip (40) arranged therein, which extends along a vertical axis (V), at least one gripper (1, 2) comprising a mechanical coupling (1), wherein the gripper is connected to the at least one pipette tip receptacle (4) via the coupling (1), and at least one gripping element (2), wherein the at least one gripping element (2) comprises at least one substantially vertical section (20) and at least one substantially horizontal section (21), wherein the coupling (1) comprises a body (10) with a through-channel (100) which extends along the vertical axis (V) over the entire length of the coupling (1) and wherein the pipette tip (40) extends at least partially along the through-channel (100) of the coupling (1).