Reusable Pipette Holder Transfer Comb for Low-Waste Tip Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipette tip magazines are used only once and then disposed of, leading to high material and cost requirements.
Innovation Solution
A reusable transfer device with a comb structure and pipette holder design that allows for the reuse of pipette holders, featuring a comb structure with longitudinal and cross struts and retaining elements for secure locking and insertion, facilitating the use of plastic, metal, or metal alloys, and incorporating features like handles and orientation elements for automated handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional disposable pipette tip magazines are used, then pipette tips can be easily handled and replaced, but material waste and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is divided into two separable parts: a disposable tip holder containing only the pipette tips, and a reusable magazine body containing the comb structure and retaining elements. This allows the expensive reusable components to be retained while only the inexpensive tips are discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip holder is extracted as a separate disposable component from the traditional integrated magazine design. This extracted tip holder can be easily inserted into and removed from the reusable magazine body, enabling selective replacement of only the consumable tip portion.
2Loss of substance
If reusable transfer devices are implemented, then material costs are reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is segmented into functional modules: a comb structure with struts for mechanical support, retaining elements for secure positioning, and a tip holder for containing tips. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The comb structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the tip holder, guides the insertion and removal of the tip holder, and houses the retaining elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional disposable magazines are used, then manufacturing is simple, but long-term productivity decreases due to continuous disposal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the disposable tip holder from the reusable magazine body, allowing the complex reusable components to be manufactured once with high precision while the simple disposable tip holders can be rapidly produced and replaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip holder is pre-loaded with multiple pipette tips in a ready-to-use configuration. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming individual tip attachment during operation, maintaining high productivity during tip replacement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transfer device (40) for inserting a pipette holder (41) into a pipetting device (42), comprising a comb structure (43) with a longitudinal strut (44) and a plurality of transverse struts (45, 46) arranged perpendicular to it, which are arranged parallel and equidistant from one another and which include two outer transverse struts (45) and several inner transverse struts (46) arranged between the outer transverse struts (45), wherein the longitudinal strut (44) and the two outer transverse struts (45) are formed in the form of a three-sided frame (47), wherein at least one inner transverse strut (46) has a greater length than at least one other inner transverse strut (46). The invention further relates to a transfer system (55) and a pipetting system (80).