Pipetting Device Bottom Detection Using Force Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipetting devices face challenges in efficiently and reliably detecting the bottom of wells, particularly in multiwell plates, which can lead to time-consuming operations and potential risks of pipette tip closure, especially when minimizing dead volume.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a pipetting device with a force sensor to measure resistance force during movement of pipetting tips, stopping at a predefined resistance force to detect the well bottom and store the position for subsequent use, combined with a control unit to execute these steps and a force control check station for surveillance, allowing for accurate and efficient bottom detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic vessel detection is performed using force-controlled movements, then reliability of detection is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs bottom detection once and stores the detected bottom position in a database for subsequent reuse. This preliminary action eliminates the need to repeatedly perform time-consuming force-controlled movements for the same well position, while maintaining reliable detection results through stored data.
Solution Approach 2:
The detected bottom position is copied and stored in a database, allowing the system to reference this copied information for subsequent pipetting operations at the same well position rather than performing new detection each time, thus reducing time while preserving accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If multiple force-controlled movements are performed to ensure detection reliability, then detection accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the detection action once to establish accurate bottom position data, then reuses this information for multiple subsequent operations. This preliminary detection ensures measurement precision while avoiding repeated movements that would reduce productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by storing and reusing previously detected bottom position information, eliminating the need for continuous detection operations. This self-service approach maintains detection accuracy while maximizing pipetting throughput.
3Productivity
If dead volume in the well is minimized, then sample processing efficiency is improved, but risk of pipette tip closure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical trial-and-error probing with a force sensor-based detection system that can precisely identify the bottom position through force measurement. This allows accurate bottom detection and optimal dispensing depth selection without excessive mechanical movements that could cause tip closure, enabling minimized dead volume while maintaining reliability.
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
This approach significantly reduces the number of force-controlled movements, minimizes dead volume, and ensures accurate detection of the well bottom, saving time and preventing tip closure, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of pipetting procedures.
Implementation Method 1
using at least one force sensor configured for measuring a resistance force depending on a force on a pipetting tip exerted by the bottom
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A method for detection of a bottom (118) of at least one well (120) of a multiwell plate (122) for a pipetting device (112) is disclosed. The pipetting device (112) comprises at least one pipetting head (114) configured for being coupled to a plurality of pipetting tips (116). The method comprises using at least one force sensor (124) configured for measuring a resistance force (150) depending on a force on a pipetting tip (116) exerted by the bottom (118). The method comprises the following steps: a) measuring the resistance force (150) during movement of one of the pipetting tips (116) from a start position (154) downstream towards the bottom (118) of the well (120) and stopping the movement at a bottom position (156), wherein the bottom position (156) is a position where a predefined resistance force (158) is reached; b) storing the bottom position (156) together with a corresponding logical position of the well (120) in the multiwell plate (122) in at least one database (130). Further disclosed is a pipetting device (112), a laboratory instrument (110) for processing and/or analyzing a sample and a computer program and a computer-readable storage medium for performing the method.