Powered Positive Displacement Pipette Magnetic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positive displacement pipettes face challenges in accurately dispensing small liquid volumes without adhering liquid and require complex syringe handling, including secure retention and ejection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A handheld, powered positive displacement pipette with a motorized drive assembly, dispensing solenoid, syringe retention, and ejection mechanisms, enabling non-contact dispensing and automatic syringe identification, along with a user-friendly interface for ergonomic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct contact between piston and liquid is used in positive displacement pipettes, then accuracy is improved, but liquid adhesion to pipette tip occurs causing incomplete dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the piston from direct contact with the liquid by introducing a magnetic coupling mechanism. The piston remains in the syringe barrel while magnetic fields transmit force through the liquid to move it, eliminating the adhesion problem while maintaining positive displacement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the piston and liquid. The magnetic coupling mechanism allows force transmission without physical contact, solving the liquid adhesion issue while preserving the accuracy benefits of positive displacement.
2Measurement precision
If disposable syringes with piston are used in positive displacement pipettes, then dispensing accuracy is improved, but syringe retention and ejection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic syringe ejection. After use, the system automatically ejects the syringe without requiring manual intervention, simplifying the overall operation despite the presence of retention mechanisms during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic magnetic engagement and disengagement to control syringe retention and ejection. The magnetic coupling is activated during dispensing and automatically deactivated for ejection, creating a simple periodic control cycle.
3Ease of operation
If friction-based tip retention is used in air displacement pipettes, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of retention decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical friction-based retention with magnetic retention. The magnetic field provides reliable holding force during use, and can be easily deactivated for ejection, combining the reliability of magnetic forces with the ease of 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
The pipette achieves accurate and repeatable dispensing of sub-microliter to milliliter volumes without touch-off and simplifies syringe handling, reducing user error and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid assembly (250) configured to, depending on the selected dispensing volume, dispense the selected volume of fluid on its own or to assist the motorized drive assembly (40) with the dispensing function
Implementation Method 2
a motorized drive assembly (40) responsible for setting various positions of the syringe (600) attached to the pipette (5), for drawing the syringe piston (625) toward the proximal direction of the pipette (5) to aspirate fluid into the syringe (600), for moving the syringe piston (625) in a distal direction to dispense fluid from the syringe (600)
Data Source
AI summary
Described are exemplary methods for dispensing liquid from a handheld, powered positive displacement pipette.