Removable Patents (Class 422/525)
  • Patent number: 11745187
    Abstract: A pipetter is disclosed that has a suction lumen with an opening and an ejection bar that slides relative to the suction lumen. The pipette tip has a distal end opening and a proximal end with a rim. The pipette tip has a pipette wall with a low-force stretch region with a plurality of thinning channels. The system comprises at least three configurations: an insertion configuration, wherein (1) the suction lumen is inserted into the proximal opening, and (2) the ejection bar does not abut the rim; a sealed/installed configuration, wherein (1) the suction lumen forms a liquid-tight seal between the suction lumen and the pipette wall, and (2) the ejection bar abuts the rim, preventing further insertion of the suction lumen (95); and an ejection configuration, wherein (1) the ejection bar is slid towards the rim, and (2) the ejection bar dislodges the pipette tip from the suction lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: XCALIBER SCIENCES, INC.
    Inventor: Arta Motadel
  • Patent number: 11173485
    Abstract: A pipetting system having at least one pipette tip receptacle with a pipette tip arranged therein that extends along a vertical axis and at least one gripper having a mechanical coupling, the gripper is coupled to the at least one pipette tip receptacle with the coupling and at least one grip element. The at least one grip element has at least one substantially vertical portion and at least one substantially horizontal portion and the coupling has a body having a through channel that extends along the vertical axis over the entire length of the coupling and the pipette tip extends along the through channel of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Basil Nuesch, Nicolas Cors
  • Patent number: 11154854
    Abstract: A method for dosing liquid by using a pipette and a syringe, including releasably connecting the syringe to the pipette. Then displaying the dosing volume corresponding to a set dosing increment by using a display apparatus. Next, sucking liquid into the syringe by actuating a drawing lever. Next, detecting a respective position of a drive element along its path of movement when the drive element is shifted along the path. Finally, determining and displaying by the display apparatus a possible maximum number of dosing steps with the set dosing increment without refilling the syringe after executing a reverse stroke starting from a position of the drive element reached at the end of filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Burkhardt Reichmuth
  • Patent number: 11092597
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates devices and methods for analyzing intact antibodies, antibody subunits, antibody drug conjugate subunits, antibody drug conjugates, and intact proteins in a biological mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLIGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory T. Roman, James P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 10946374
    Abstract: Provided herein are pipette tips having a proximal region with grooves and panels configured to facilitate wall expansion or wall compression when a pipette tip is mounted onto and sealingly engages with an appropriately designed liquid dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: BIOTIX, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Paul Blaszcak, Arta Motadel
  • Patent number: 10940592
    Abstract: A transport tool for transporting a laboratory article using a pipette of a pipetting system, and having a plug-in sleeve at a top end, an article holder at a bottom end, and a connecting part which connects the plug-in sleeve to the article holder. The plug-in sleeve has a side sleeve wall and a bottom which surround an interior space of the plug-in sleeve having a cylindrical or conically tapering shape. The plug-in sleeve further has an upward-facing opening for receiving an end of a pipette of an automated pipetting system. The article holder has a holding element oriented downward away from the connecting part. The holding element having at least two elongated projections which has one or more snap hooks protruding outwards to hook under a storage opening of a pipette tip carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Stefan Buchloh, Thomas Iten, Nico Birkner
  • Patent number: 10724884
    Abstract: A pipette for metering powder has a pipette sleeve and a metering piston having an end face for ejecting powder from the sleeve. The sleeve includes a free end and, on the sleeve inside, includes a circumferential wall extending in a closed manner around a longitudinal axis. The wall extends in the direction of the axis up to the free end and ends there in an edge which extends around the axis. The piston is guided to be movable parallel to the axis inside the wall. The end face, with the piston in a retracted metering position, defines a chamber with the wall. The wall is, in the region of the chamber, divided into a guide portion and a release portion adjoining the guide portion and extends up to the edge. The release portion surrounds a cross section of the chamber which is radially widened compared to the guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Peters, Philipp Gaus, Marcus Hild, Julia Sturm
  • Patent number: 10416182
    Abstract: A sample processing apparatus includes a laser triangulation system that locates the position of a lower end of a pipette tip. When the laser triangulation system identifies a discrepancy between the actual position of the lower end and the proper position of the lower end, the sample processing apparatus may undergo a compensating action to compensate for the discrepancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Protedyne Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Criswell
  • Patent number: 9804064
    Abstract: A positive displacement sampling pipette which includes a control rod, the bottom end of which controls the displacement of a device for gripping the top end of a piston of a capillary-piston assembly intended to cooperate with said pipette. The pipette includes an ejection rod of the capillary-piston assembly, movably mounted with respect to the control rod such that its bottom end exerts an ejection strain on the top end of the piston accommodated in the gripping device during a relative displacement between the ejection rod and the control rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GILSON SAS
    Inventors: Claude Voyeux, Thierry Thebaud
  • Patent number: 9795958
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pipetting apparatus for pipetting laboratory samples into a pipetting container which can be connected to the pipetting apparatus, which pipetting container is in particular designed according to the invention, comprising a container side and a first connection section, by means of which the pipetting container can be connected to the pipetting apparatus, and comprising an information carrying device with at least one information section, which carries information, on this container side; the pipetting apparatus comprising an electric information reading device, by means of which information contained on the information reading device can be read when the pipetting container is connected to the pipetting apparatus, and which comprises at least one electric sensor device, which comprises at least one sensor section, opposite to which a measuring space is formed, wherein the sensor device is configured to read the information content of at least one information section when the latter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: EPPENDORF AG
    Inventors: Burkhardt Reichmuth, Michael Schicke, Wilko Hein, Volker Plickert
  • Patent number: 9511364
    Abstract: Microplate guide for a pipette, said guide comprising means for selecting the type of the microplate, the mode of dispensing and the dispensing direction, as well as means for indicating the next target for dispensing on the display of the pipette prior to each pipetting operation, and a method for guiding a pipetting operation, said method comprising the steps of selecting the type of microplate, selecting the mode of dispensing, and selecting the dispensing direction, followed by displaying on the display of the pipette the next target for dispensing prior to each pipetting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SARTORIUS BIOHIT LIQUID HANDLING OY
    Inventor: Kati Andersin
  • Patent number: 9120071
    Abstract: A spotter that includes a plurality of spotting heads, each of the plurality of spotting heads having a discharging portion at a tip portion, the plurality of spotting heads form an m×n array (m, n>1) with m spotting heads arranged lengthwise and n spotting heads arranged crosswise; and a pitch varying mechanism configured to vary an array pitch of the plurality of spotting heads arrayed in a lengthwise direction and an array pitch of the plurality of spotting heads arrayed in a crosswise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoki, Masaki Torimura, Hiroaki Tao, Takashi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9017991
    Abstract: Methods, tip assemblies and kits are provided for introducing material into cells. The tip assemblies include an attachment portion, a channel portion, and a constriction that function to reduce fluid pressure as a fluid passes through the constriction portion from the channel portion, whereby the tip assemblies form pores in the membranes of cells and introduce material into the cells. The material includes for example one selected from the group of: an inorganic compound, a drug, a genetic material, a protein, a carbohydrate, a synthetic polymer, and a pharmaceutical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tufts University
    Inventor: Thomas J. Diefenbach
  • Patent number: 8945479
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microchannel chip having an opening on the side of a plate with a lowered production cost. In the microchannel chip, a first plate (11), to which a third concavity (17) opening at one side surface (13) and a joining surface (14) is formed on the joining surface (14), is joined to a second plate (21), to which a sixth concavity (26) opening at one side surface (23) is formed on the joining surface and a groove (27?) interconnecting with the sixth concavity (26) is formed. The third concavity (17) and the sixth concavity (26) are aligned facing each other, and by the third concavity (17) and the sixth concavity (26), a glass tube introducing opening (33) is formed having a wider width than that of a duct (27). An adhesive agent is injected into the glass tube introducing opening (33) and a glass tube is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Ono
  • Patent number: 8921095
    Abstract: A biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, a biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus, and a treatment method thereof. An object is to obviate attachment control and suction control for storing and retaining the carrier in the tip form vessel, to simplify complex reaction processes, and to make processing of the biological material fixed carrier to be easily executed as a result of a small-scale device configuration. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip comprises: a tip form vessel having an installation opening part that is installable to a nozzle, and a narrow tube that possesses an opening, through which fluid inflow and outflow is possible, that is narrower than the nozzle; a carrier in which a predetermined biological material is fixed or fixable, and has a size or a shape that is able to pass through the opening; and an enclosing section provided on the tip form vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Bio Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Patent number: 8877513
    Abstract: The pipetting method is directed to mounting and ejecting a disposable pipette tip. The pipetting system has one or more tip mounting shafts with an upper locking section and a lower sealing section. The upper locking section has outwardly extending lobes spaced around the mounting shaft and located above a stop member. The lower sealing section on the tip mounting shaft is located below the stop. As the mounting shaft is inserted into the collar of the disposable pipette, the collar distorts out of round and engages the lobes on the upper locking section of the tip mounting shaft. Contemporaneously, the lower sealing section of the mounting shaft seals against the barrel of the disposable pipette tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Integra Biosciences AG
    Inventors: Gregory Mathus, Terrance Kelly, Richard Cote
  • Publication number: 20140314637
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are fluid handling devices that include integrated card and pipette tip devices, for use with multichannel liquid dispensing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Arta Motadel, Phillip Hairfield, Peter Paul Blaszcak
  • Patent number: 8858898
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pipette tip member with improved seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Weiming Yu
  • Patent number: 8815607
    Abstract: A test strip to assist in determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a base, at least one tab and a break line. The base includes a capillary channel and a test element. The capillary channel is in fluid communication with the test element. The test element is adapted to receive the fluid sample. The at least one tab is removably attached to the base. The capillary channel extends from the base into a portion of the tab. The break line intersects the capillary channel in which an inlet to the capillary channel is exposed along the break line when the tab is separated from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC
    Inventor: Roger Fleming
  • Patent number: 8758702
    Abstract: A clinical diagnostic sample analyzer for analyzing a sample of a patient is disclosed. The analyzer includes a telescoping closed-tube sampling assembly with a sample probe concentrically housed within a piercing probe and a venting mechanism. The closed-tube sampling assembly is used for aspirating a sample from a sample tube for analysis by a clinical diagnostic sample analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory Company
    Inventors: Matthew Blouin, Gregory Murphy, Diana Mackenzie, Alan Weeks, Daniel Kobrenski
  • Patent number: 8753586
    Abstract: An apparatus for chemical separations includes a microfluidic substrate having an outlet aperture for outputting an eluent of a sample, a spray unit having an inlet to receive the eluent and an outlet to emit a spray of the eluent, and a force-applying unit. The spray unit has a deformable portion defining the inlet and having an elastic modulus that is lower than an elastic modulus of the microfluidic substrate. The force-applying unit, such as a spring, is disposed to urge the deformable portion in contact with the substrate to form a substantially fluid-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Prentice, Russell L. Keene, Stanilaw Koziol, Joseph D. Michienzi, Paul E. Linderson
  • Patent number: 8747745
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing that performs a plurality of treatment operations includes a plurality of treatment units arranged in a vertical direction of the apparatus. The apparatus for analyzing also includes a conveying mechanism configured to convey a sample between the treatment units. The sample is delivered above or in the treatment units. A pipette chip is also delivered above or in the treatment units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Kitaoka
  • Patent number: 8715593
    Abstract: The present invention is a pipette tip device for extraction of liquid, semi-solid or solid solutions to be chemically analyzed and the methods for their use. The pipette tip extraction device contains a screen or filter at its lower narrow end to contain solid particulate matter and a barrier at its upper wide end. The optional upper frit is to be made of material that permits liquid solutions to flow through it. In addition to the barrier and screen, the pipette tip extraction device may contain solid-phase sorbent. Through the use of a removable cap, the pipette extraction tip may also serve as a sample collection container or tip in which samples can be delivered to the top of the tip (e.g., for direct collection of samples, including solid samples). A new method for DPX extraction using liquid-liquid-solid-phase extraction is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: William Brewer
  • Patent number: 8697012
    Abstract: A high-speed automatic dispensing apparatus capable of preparing samples under different conditions, minimizing waste liquid materials, and realizing high productivity. A dispensing station is also provided. The high-speed automatic dispensing apparatus with a replaceable dispensing head comprises a dispensing head including a plurality of pipettes, a pipette head to which one end of a plunger extending to pass through each pipette is fixed, and a head body part abutting against the pipette head and allowing the pipettes to pass therethrough, a pipette head moving mechanism vertically moving the pipette head, and a drive mechanism horizontally and vertically moving the dispensing head. The dispensing station includes the high-speed automatic dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Musashi Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 8691161
    Abstract: A test strip to assist in determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a base, at least one tab and a break line. The base includes a capillary channel and a test element. The capillary channel is in fluid communication with the test element. The test element is adapted to receive the fluid sample. The at least one tab is removably attached to the base. The capillary channel extends from the base into a portion of the tab. The break line intersects the capillary channel in which an inlet to the capillary channel is exposed along the break line when the tab is separated from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventor: Roger Fleming
  • Patent number: 8652418
    Abstract: A pipette for a pipette system comprising a pipette and a syringe. The pipette housing has a longitudinal axis. A syringe to be handled with the pipette is insertable with its fastening portion and plunger head into the pipette housing and is removable or discardable from said pipette housing in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pipette housing, i.e., axially. The syringe has as cylinder and a plunger with a plunger head which projects out of the end of the cylinder even when the plunger has been completely inserted into the cylinder. A pipette housing comprises an axially accessible plunger gripping device for the plunger head of the syringe. An actuating device for the plunger gripping device is mounted on the plunger displacing device and is axially displaceable with said adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brand GmbH + Co KG
    Inventors: Renate Rempt, Dieter Böhm, Steffen Gehrig, Ottmar Kneucker
  • Publication number: 20130334062
    Abstract: A handheld device for analysis of electro-physiological properties of a cellular membrane ion channel in an ion channel containing lipid cellular membrane comprises a handheld body with a pump and an electronic controller, and a disposable pipette tip comprising a pathway for fluid, said pathway connecting an open end of the pipette tip to an analysis substrate comprised in the pipette tip. The substrate is adapted to transmit an electrical current through the ion channel in said ion channel-containing lipid cellular membrane, when said lipid cellular membrane is held at a predetermined site of the substrate, e.g. for patch clamp analysis. The handheld body and the disposable pipette tip are configured to releasably attach the pipette tip to the body, to provide a hydraulic connection between the pump of the handheld body and said pathway, and to provide an electric connection between the electronic controller and at least one of said electrodes of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SOPHION BIOSCIENCE A/S
    Inventors: Jonatan Kutchinsky, Nicholas Byrne, Christopher Mathes, Jens Henneke
  • Publication number: 20130309144
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pipette tip member with improved seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENE ERA BIOTECH CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Weiming Yu
  • Patent number: 8580574
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8557200
    Abstract: An ergonomically designed pipette tip that can be securely mounted to a barrel of a pipetter yet is designed to substantially reduce the axial force necessary to install and eject the pipette tip from the pipetter thus reducing the injuries resulting in repetitive stress injury to the thumb and hand. The new ergonomic pipette tip incorporates a separate sealing member constructed from an elastomer that is coupled to the more rigid and chemically inert elongated tubular member that becomes the receptacle for transferring the fluid sample aspirated by the pipetter. The new elastomeric sealing member allows for greater sealing capability or squeeze between the pipetter barrel and the new pipette tip while lowering the coefficient of friction between the mating parts, thus decreasing the axial ejection forces require to overcome the breakaway friction between the new ergonomic pipette tip and the pipetter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: James C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130266952
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory device for handling liquids comprising a unit for handling liquids and an operating and/or display unit, wherein a device module comprises the unit for handling liquids, an operating and/or display module physically separate from the device module completely or partially comprises the operating and/or display unit, and means are provided for wirelessly communicating between the device module and the operating and/or display module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Goemann-Thoß, Carsten Behling, Sophie Manuello, Günther A. Mohr, Boris Von Beichmann, Werner Lurz
  • Patent number: 8524170
    Abstract: A sealing pipette tip includes features to seal the tip directly against the piston in an air displacement pipette, avoiding the need for a piston seal within the pipette. This configuration reduces potential points of failure, allows the pipette-tip interface to be optimized, and improves liquid handling characteristics of the pipette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rainin Instrument, LLC
    Inventor: James S. Petrek
  • Patent number: 8512650
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for mounting pipette tips with a coupling element (4) that extends in an axial direction of the longitudinal axis (6). The coupling element (4) features a free end (8) from which a pipette tip (10) is deferrable to the coupling element (4) in an axial direction. Furthermore, the coupling element (4) features a gasket (21), at least one guiding element (25, 26), and a holding element (27). The gasket (21) consists of a flexible material which comprises an exposed sealing section (23) in an axial direction towards the free end (8) of the coupling element (4) against which a sealing section (43) of the pipette tip (10) can press axially. The guiding element (25, 26) is located on the outer side of the coupling element (4) and has the purpose of aligning the pipette tip. The holding element (27) is also located on the outer side of the coupling element (4) for interacting with holding agents (47) of the pipette tip (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Qiagen GmbH
    Inventors: Bert Jungheim, Ulf Friederichs
  • Patent number: 8501118
    Abstract: A disposable pipette tip having that is configured to mount on a tip mounting shaft having a locking section and a separate sealing section. The locking section has outwardly extending locking lobes circumferentially spaced around the mounting shaft and located above a stop member that separates the lower sealing section from the upper locking section. The collar flexes out of round when it is mounted over the locking lobes on the mounting shaft. The circumferential shelf on the tip isolates the tip barrel from distortion to enable robust sealing in the barrel below the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Integra Biosciences Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory Mathus, Terrence Kelly, Richard Cote
  • Publication number: 20130164194
    Abstract: Disclosed here are pipette tips useful for acquiring or dispelling liquids, and include one or more design that may increase fluid delivery precision and/or accuracy, and may reduce certain repetitive motions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Biotix, Inc.
    Inventor: Biotix, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8460617
    Abstract: A pipette tip and a method for pipetting a congealed blood sample utilizing the pipette tip are disclosed. The pipette tip includes an attachment section configured to be attached to a dispensing device, a liquid containing section configured to receive at least part of an aspired liquid sample, and a liquid aspiration section that is connected to the liquid containing section. The liquid aspiration section has a distal end aspiration opening and at least one further aspiration opening in a side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gottlieb Schacher, Rolf Schneebeli, Hans-Peter Wahl
  • Publication number: 20130095508
    Abstract: A pipette component for use in performing an experimental procedure with a fluid sample and a pipette, the pipette component including: a pipette interface configured to engage sealingly and separably with a body of the pipette; a tip interface configured to engage sealingly and separably with a replaceable tip; and an experiment region configured to receive at least part of the fluid sample by operation of the pipette, and configured to perform at least part of the experimental procedure in the experiment region using the at least part of the fluid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: MINIFAB (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Campitelli, Erol Craig Harvey, John Edward McCormack, Matthew Daniel Solomon, Edward Francis Wilkinson, Michael William Wilkinson, Grit Diessner
  • Patent number: 8409873
    Abstract: A method of pipetting comprises (a) providing a pipette tip holder having a plurality of segregated compartments and a tip support member for supporting a plurality of pipette tips in the pipette tip holder, the tip support member configured to support a single pipette in tip each segregated compartment; (b providing a plurality of pipette tips in the tip support member; (c) removing a first pipette tip from a first segregated compartment; (d) using the first pipette tip to complete a pipetting operation and placing the first pipette tip into a segregated compartment that has not contained a used pipette tip; (e) subsequently removing the first pipette tip from the segregated compartment and using the first pipette tip to complete another pipetting operation; and, (f) replacing the first pipette tip into the pipette tip holder, whereby the first pipette tip, when placed in the segregated compartment, is segregated in the pipette tip holder to reduce the possibility of a fluid from the first pipette tip contac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Stemcell Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Woodside, Terry Thomas, Graeme Cross, Andrew Angus
  • Patent number: 8372356
    Abstract: A manually directed, multi-channel electronic pipetting system is designed to transfer liquids from a standard multi-well plate, deep-well plate or reservoir into another multi-well plate. The preferred pipetting head includes an array of 96-tip fittings. A deck with at least one but preferably two or more wellplate nesting receptacles holds one or more multi-well plates or reagent reservoirs for access by an array of disposable pipette tips mounted to the pipetting head. The electronic motion control system includes a control handle that is mounted to a load cell, the carriage for the pipetting head and is held in the palm of the user. In use, the user grasps the control handle and operates the system in a manner similar to one using a handheld electronic pipettor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Integra Biosciences Corp.
    Inventors: Julian Warhurst, Gary Nelson, Richard Cote
  • Patent number: 8367022
    Abstract: A manually directed, electronic multi-channel pipettor uses servo controlled motors to drive a carriage and pipetting head in response to a user's manipulation of a control handle. The pipetting head include an array of tip fittings, e.g. 96. The system includes a check processor to avoid unintended motion in case of system faults or crashes. The system requires substantial force to attach the array of tips, and therefore includes controls that require both of the user's hands be occupied during the tip attachment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Integra Biosciences Corp.
    Inventors: Julian Warhurst, Richard Cote
  • Patent number: 8354079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing assembly for a metering device, in particular a multi-channel metering device. The sealing assembly serves to seal pipette tips with respect to the metering device. A multi-channel metering device comprises a multiplicity of openings arranged in one plane. A sealing plate with holes in the grid of the openings abuts this plane. Each pipette tip is provided with an annular collar which has an abutting face and is pressed against the sealing plate by force closure so as to enclose one hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: CyBio AG
    Inventor: Uwe Naumann
  • Patent number: 8343438
    Abstract: An ergonomically designed pipette tip that can be securely mounted to a barrel of a pipetter yet is designed to substantially reduce the axial force necessary to install and eject the pipette tip from the pipetter. An improved pipette tip that includes the addition of an elastomeric material and cooperative means for insuring uniform interference and depth of penetration of the pipetter barrel as successive barrels are inserted and ejected. Also disclosed is an improved multiple-tip configuration with similar features that can be mounted to multiple barrels of a multi-pipetter as one tip instead of 8 or 12 individual tips. The addition of the elastomeric material allows for better sealing and eliminates alignment issues, high installation and ejection requirements while reducing the hand and thumb forces that due to repeated use will sometimes result in repetitive stress injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: James C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120309104
    Abstract: This invention concerns a sample processing device capable of efficiently recovering biological molecules, such as nucleic acids or proteins. The sample processing device is capable of placing a reaction container having a plurality of reaction sites, and it comprises a nozzle mechanism with a nozzle capable of attaching and removing a dispenser tip for dispensing a solution into the reaction sites of the reaction container and a magnetic tip for generating a magnetic field that allows magnetic beads to migrate to a space among the plurality of reaction sites in the reaction container, and a drive control unit controlling the nozzle mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Chihiro Uematsu, Muneo Maeshima
  • Patent number: 8307721
    Abstract: Described herein are pipette tips that include rigid axial projections circumferentially disposed around the exterior surface of a relatively more compliant annular member. The rigid, axial projections may enable improved, and often optimal, sealing engagement with a dispensing device by (i) allowing deformation of the annular member between the projections, and (ii) restraining overall deformation of the annular member. Pipette tip embodiments described herein readily form a desired seal with a dispensing device, and permit ejection after use without modification to the dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Biotix, Inc.
    Inventor: Arta Motadel
  • Patent number: 8263390
    Abstract: A biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, a biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus, and a treatment method thereof. An object is to obviate attachment control and suction control for storing and retaining the carrier in the tip form vessel, to simplify complex reaction processes, and to make processing of the biological material fixed carrier to be easily executed as a result of a small-scale device configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Bio Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Publication number: 20120213677
    Abstract: A sealing pipette tip includes features to seal the tip directly against the piston in an air displacement pipette, avoiding the need for a piston seal within the pipette. This configuration reduces potential points of failure, allows the pipette-tip interface to be optimized, and improves liquid handling characteristics of the pipette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Rainin Instrument, LLC
    Inventor: James S. Petrek
  • Patent number: 8202495
    Abstract: An ergonomically designed pipette tip that can be securely mounted to a barrel of a pipetter yet is designed to substantially reduce the axial force necessary to install and eject the pipette tip from the pipetter thus reducing the injuries resulting in repetitive stress injury to the thumb and hand. The new ergonomic pipette tip incorporates a separate sealing member constructed from an elastomer that is coupled to the more rigid and chemically inert elongated tubular member that becomes the receptacle for transferring the fluid sample aspirated by the pipetter. The new elastomeric sealing member allows for greater sealing capability or squeeze between the pipetter barrel and the new pipette tip while lowering the coefficient of friction between the mating parts, thus decreasing the axial ejection forces require to overcome the breakaway friction between the new ergonomic pipette tip and the pipetter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: James C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120121483
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid dispensing and concerns a multichannel pipette, which comprises on its lower tip a shelf in the transverse direction of the tip and to which lower tip a pipette tip can be attached, which pipette tip comprises at least one longitudinal claw, whereby when the pipette tip is in its place, the point of the claw is above the shelf. Each cylinder is connected with a claw opening comprising an opener so that by pressing the opener downwards the claws can be turned outwards off the shelf. The opening mechanism further comprises an organ resilient in the longitudinal direction. In accordance with the invention, the tip removal is made to function reliably, even if there were significant differences in the dimensioning of the opening constructions of the lower tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC OY
    Inventors: Tapani PULLINEN, Mauno HEINONEN, Ari JÄÄSKELÄINEN
  • Patent number: 8163256
    Abstract: An air displacement pipette has a tubular pipette tip with an upper section surrounding a locking chamber, and a body section leading from the upper section and tapering downwardly to a reduced diameter end. A tubular mounting shaft on the pipette has a distal end configured and dimensioned for axial insertion into the locking chamber of the pipette tip. Coacting surfaces on the distal end of the mounting shaft and the upper section of the pipette tip establish an axially interengaged relationship between the pipette tip and the mounting shaft in response to insertion of the distal end of the mounting shaft into the locking chamber. A sleeve is axially shiftable on the mounting shaft between a retracted position accommodating the establishment of the axially interengaged relationship, and an advanced position disrupting the axially interengaged relationship to thereby accommodate axial ejection of the pipette tip from the mounting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Matrix Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Cote, Christopher P. LaCroix
  • Patent number: 8034239
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pipette tip or tube designed to perform biological or chemical sample preparation, purification or separation. The narrow end of the pipette tip is twisted in such a way that it forms a narrow spiral passage, which allows the retention of the chromatographic material in the pipette tip. The narrow spiral formed by twisting the capillary or the tube creates an opening that is large enough to permit the passage of fluids or smaller particles, but small enough to block the passage of solid materials or larger particles, The device described herein can be used for sample separation or purification using a vacuum, pressure, centrifugation, gravitation or other separation methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventors: Ashok K. Shukla, Mukta Shukla