With Suction Applying And Liquid Discharge Means Patents (Class 73/864.11)
  • Patent number: 11885775
    Abstract: In a sample injection device (100), a controller (23) is configured or programmed to control a syringe drive (21) such that in a penetration operation in which a syringe (10) is moved to a side of a sample introduction portion (910) and a needle (11) penetrates a lid member (911), a moving speed at a time when a tip (11b) of the needle contacts the lid member is a second moving speed that is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daiki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 11754581
    Abstract: A positioning system (1) that has a system main part (4), on which multiple working units (6) are arranged next to one another in the axial direction of a y-axis, said working units being linearly movable, thereby carrying out a working movement (8) in the axial direction of a z-axis. Each working unit (6) is paired with a dedicated drive unit (7) in order to be actuated, said drive unit having a stator (23) attached to the system main part (4) and an output element (24) drivingly connected to the working unit (6) via a coupling section (26). The stators (23) are distributed into multiple stator rows (58) which are aligned in the axial direction of the y-axis and are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction of the x-axis, wherein the stators (23) of each pair of adjacent stator rows (58) are offset to one another with a mutual overlap in the axial direction of the y-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Festo SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Feyrer
  • Patent number: 11633731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holding apparatus for holding a pipetting container, in particular a serological pipette, at a pipetting apparatus, comprising a tubular connecting section that is configured to hold a tube-shaped end of a pipetting container in a pipetting position by means of a clamping connection, a clamping connection device that is arranged at the connecting section and that comprises a spring device for the establishment of the clamping connection and an air chamber device for releasing the clamping connection by means of a vacuum. Furthermore, the invention relates to a pipetting apparatus with that holding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: EPPENDORF SE
    Inventor: Tobias David
  • Patent number: 11525839
    Abstract: A method for detecting a liquid surface of a liquid sample with a pipetting tip, the method includes receiving an indication of a capacitance of the pipetting tip, and determining, based on a rate of change of the indication of the capacitance rising above a first preselected threshold, that the pipetting tip has come into contact with the liquid surface. The method also includes determining, based on the rate of change of the indication of the capacitance falling below a second preselected threshold, that the pipetting tip has lost contact with the liquid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ELBIT SYSTEMS OF AMERICA / KMC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 11471878
    Abstract: Described are exemplary embodiments of a handheld, powered positive displacement pipette having unique mechanisms for the retention, identification and ejection of associated pipette syringes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Rainin, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Hill, Michael McNaul, Stephen Grimwade, Thomas James McPherson
  • Patent number: 11369954
    Abstract: Described are exemplary embodiments of a handheld, powered positive displacement pipette assembly, including a plurality of syringes of different volumes and a powered positive displacement pipette having unique mechanisms for the retention, identification and ejection of said syringes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Rainin, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Hill, Michael McNaul, Thomas James McPherson, Stephen Grimwade, German Arciniegas
  • Patent number: 11148131
    Abstract: A dropper includes a bulb, a pipette coupled to the bulb, and a cap coupled to the bulb. The dropper is composed entirely of recyclable material having a same recycle code. The dropper has a length of greater than 2 inches. The dropper is recyclable as a single unit. In one embodiment, the pipette includes an undercut on an inside of the pipette nearest the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: APC Packaging, LLC.
    Inventor: Robert John Bulla
  • Patent number: 11061044
    Abstract: Plug-closing processing units are provided with: a first plug chuck parts that grasp plugs; and a second plug chuck part located above the first plug chuck parts, wherein the first plug chuck parts each include at least two first supports that grasp the plugs from more than one direction, and the second plug chuck part is provided with a plug-closing mechanism that includes a second support disposed in the radial direction of plugs and having an inclined lower end surface. Thus, provided are a plug processing device capable of stable plug-opening processing and plug-closing processing on a conveyor line for a specimen container, and a specimen test automation system including the plug processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiki Yamagata, Shugo Okabe, Katsuhiro Kambara
  • Patent number: 10648996
    Abstract: A specimen measurement apparatus may include: an aspirator via which a specimen is aspirated. A flow path may be connected to the aspirator. A first pump may be connected to the flow path. A second pump may be connected to the flow path. A controller may select and cause either the first pump or the second pump to aspirate the specimen via the aspirator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Mizuhashi, Hiroaki Tobimatsu, Tomoya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10639442
    Abstract: A method of ventilating a patient controls an actuator, in accordance with a prescribed value for a respiratory parameter, to compress an inflatable bag to cause air to flow out of an output valve of the bag. The respiratory parameter may include tidal volume, pressure, volume limit, peak pressure, I:E ratio, inspiratory time, and/or breathing rate of the air flowing through the output valve. The method also senses the pressure flowing through the output valve, and sends a pressure signal to the controller. Additionally, the method senses the flow rate through the output valve, and sends a flow rate signal to the controller. The method also adjusts the compression of the actuator as a function of the flow rate signal and/or the pressure signal to adjust the output tidal volume, pressure, volume limit, peak pressure, I:E ratio, inspiratory time, and/or breathing rate to be in accordance with the prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Umbulizer LLC
    Inventors: Shaheer Ahmed Piracha, Sanchay Gupta, Rohan Jadeja, Wasay Anwer
  • Patent number: 10632460
    Abstract: A pipetting device has a pipetting channel extending along a channel path, in which a piston is accommodated to be movable along the channel path to change the pressure of a working gas that wets the piston on a dosing side facing the dosing liquid. The pipetting device includes a movement drive for driving the piston along the channel path and a control unit configured to operate the movement drive for pipetting a predetermined single dosing volume of less than 5 ?l with the piston moving in the pipetting direction and its dosing side end face sweeping over a pipetting volume which is not less than 1.4 times greater than the single dosing volume, and subsequently moving in a counter pipetting direction and its dosing side end face sweeping over a counter pipetting volume, wherein not more than 50 ms elapse between beginning control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Bonaduz AG
    Inventors: Hanspeter Romer, Fridolin Gysel, Urs Lendenmann
  • Patent number: 10625254
    Abstract: A method for calibrating and controlling a pipetting device for metered liquid with a multichannel, automated micrometering unit. All of the channels of the pipetting device are calibrated using a camera which detects the expelled droplets of the liquid, so that the volume thereof can be determined by means of a control device. The method makes it possible to carry out a calibration of the individually dispensed liquid volumes in droplet form to a prescribed volume deviation with a different number of possibly necessary repetitions for each individual channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BRAND GMBH + CO KG
    Inventors: Christian Berberich, Steffen Gehrig, Wolfgang Ettig, Benjamin Peszleg, Burkhard Schaub
  • Patent number: 10451532
    Abstract: A portable viscometer includes a pump mechanism which cooperates with a positive displacement sample container referred to as a positive displacement pipette, for dispensing, at a known flow rate, a sample of liquid for which viscosity is desired to be determined. The dispensed liquid flows through a flow through miniature viscosity sensor having at least two pressure sensors which measure the pressure drop of the liquid as it flows through a rectangular flow channel, the pressure drop at the known flow rate being proportional to the viscosity. A controller controls operation of the viscometer and processes sensor data, and the resulting measurements of viscosity can be displayed on a display. The positive displacement pipette is removably positioned in the viscometer so that it can be removed from the viscometer when a viscosity test is completed and replaced with another positive displacement pipette containing another liquid to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: RheoSense, Inc.
    Inventor: Seong-Gi Baek
  • Patent number: 9796521
    Abstract: There is provided a bellows type dispensing tip, a bellows type dispensing apparatus, and a method of bellows type dispensing processing that performs highly precise dispensing processing despite having a simple structure. The apparatus comprises; two or more bellows type dispensing tips having; an accommodating section that is capable of accommodating a liquid or gas in the interior thereof surrounded by a wall face, and that has a deformable deforming wall face in a portion of the wall face, and an opening section communicated with the accommodating section, through which the liquid to be suctioned/discharged can flow in and flow out due to expansion and contraction of the interior caused by deformation of the deforming wall face; and a dispensing head that supports the bellows type dispensing tips, and that performs suction/discharge of the liquid into or from the bellows type dispensing tip, by deforming the deforming wall face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Bio Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Patent number: 9180446
    Abstract: A manual dosing device for dosing liquids on which a syringe or pipette tip can be releasably held. The manual dosing device includes an elongated frame as a support structure, a mechanism for releasably holding a syringe or pipette tip at the bottom end of the frame, a drive member that attached above the mechanism for releasably holding to the frame, a displacement member for displacing a fluid in the syringe or pipette tip that can be driven by the drive means and are connected to the mechanism for releasably holding, and a housing encasing the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: EPPENDORF AG
    Inventor: Burkhardt Reichmuth
  • Publication number: 20150096356
    Abstract: A method of pipetting samples is described using a pipetting device comprising more than one pipetting unit, wherein said pipetting units are independently movable in Y and Z direction and comprise at least one module arranged in a staggered manner compared to the adjacent pipetting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: ROCHE MOLECULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Alessandro D'Amore, Urs Knecht, Rolf Schneebeli
  • Publication number: 20150000428
    Abstract: A sample processing apparatus comprises an aspirating member which comprises a pump at one side and which is configured to aspirate a sample from the other side, a sensor which is configured to sense the presence or absence of a liquid at a predetermined position of the aspirating member, and a controller which is programmed to execute operations. The operations comprise controlling the aspirating member to aspirate a sample, obtaining a first sensing result by the sensor when the aspirating member aspirates a sample, controlling the aspirating member to aspirate air after aspirating a sample, obtaining a second sensing result by the sensor when the aspirating member aspirates air, and detecting an error in the aspirating operation, based on the first sensing result and the second sensing result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Masakazu FUKUDA, Masamichi TANAKA
  • Patent number: 8900526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manually metering liquids, for example a pipette or a metering button. The device comprises a joint forming a seal between a hollow cylinder and a piston housed inside the cylinder, the piston being moved vertically so as to suck in or expel the liquid. During the metering operation, the joint remains fixed with respect to the movement of the piston and comprises parts formed by portions having dedicated geometric and mechanical characteristics which make it possible to locally optimize the functions of sliding, sealing and fastening in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Socorex Isba S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Uldry
  • Patent number: 8900527
    Abstract: A pipetting device is described comprising more than one pipetting unit, wherein said pipetting units are independently movable in Y and Z direction and comprise at least one module arranged in a staggered manner compared to the adjacent pipetting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro D'Amore, Urs Knecht, Rolf Schneebeli
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8865456
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid collection device that can estimate the nucleic acid collection amount when collecting nucleic acids from a biological sample containing nucleic acids. The nucleic acid collection device comprises a sucking and discharging unit for sucking in and forcing out a sample containing nucleic acids, a collector for collecting the nucleic acids by sucking in and forcing out the sample using the sucking and discharging unit, a pressure measurer for measuring a discharging pressure when forcing out the sample and a sucking pressure when sucking in the sample, and measuring a differential pressure that is the difference between the discharging pressure and the sucking pressure, and an estimator for estimating the collection amount of nucleic acids collected based on the differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kozuka, Yukihiro Sukawa
  • Publication number: 20140260699
    Abstract: A method for removing supernatant from a sample tube. The method includes providing a sample tube having a pellet at a bottom of the sample tube and a supernatant liquid above the pellet, visually inspecting the sample tube to determine one or more geometric properties of the pellet, and determining an expected height of a top surface of the pellet based on the one or more geometric properties determined in the visual inspection step. The method also includes inserting an aspirator into the supernatant liquid, moving the aspirator downwards towards the expected height of the top surface of the pellet, and aspirating the supernatant liquid through the aspirator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bradley Scott Thomas, Edward Medri, Carl Theodore Edens, Brian Austen Self
  • Publication number: 20140260698
    Abstract: A transparent liquid suction measuring device comprises a conduit portion, a main body, and a suction generating portion. Liquid can be sucked into the main body via the conduit portion. The main body comprises a chamber to accommodate the liquid. The chamber has many inward projecting elements, a corresponding area, and many outward projecting elements. The inward projecting elements occupy an inward projecting volume that is compensated by an outward projecting volume formed by the outward projecting elements. So, an accommodating volume of the chamber is constantly maintained. When the inward projecting elements are visually observing from a corresponding area through the chamber, magnifying effect is generated. These outward projecting elements can be observed to acquire the liquid volume. Therefore, the advantages includes magnifying scales through liquid lens effects, having a compensation design to maintain measuring accuracy, and having a rough structure to make scales much visually obvious.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TAICHUNG VETERANS GENERAL HOSPITAL
    Inventor: Ming-Feng WU
  • Patent number: 8826750
    Abstract: A method for metered dispensing of a medium from a container, a dosing pipette (P1P2) for removing an exactly predetermined amount of the medium to be inserted into the container, wherein the predetermined amount is adjusted on the dosing pipette (P1P2) prior to removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: SLG Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eric Schliemann
  • Patent number: 8758705
    Abstract: The dispenser includes a dispensing head extending downward from a cylinder body section with a cylindrical inner space and having a dispensing cylinder with the diameter smaller than that of the inner space of the cylinder body section; a piston capable of being inserted from the inner space of the cylinder body section into the dispensing cylinder section and moving up and down between a dispensing start position located in an upper portion of the dispensing cylinder section and a dispensing end position in a lower portion of the dispensing cylinder section; and a sucking mechanism sucking a liquid from a dripping port at a tip of the dispensing cylinder section up to a position above the dispensing start position inside the inner space of the cylinder body section. The piston is always at the dispensing start position under a liquid surface whenever the dispensing operation is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Medicatec Kabushiki-Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Tsukioka
  • 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: 8685342
    Abstract: A device for receiving and dispensing liquids has a plurality of piston-cylinder units (1, 1?, 1?) which are respectively arranged on a piston plate (2) and a cylinder plate (3). The liquid is received and dispensed by displacing the pistons (1?) in the cylinders (1?) by changing the distance between the plates (2, 3), perpendicularly to the plate planes, by means of a drive mechanism (6) and a plate guiding system. The volume can be determined by an upper abutment (4) and a lower abutment (5), at least one of said abutments being regulatable by a regulating means (8). The device is suitable for handling precise volumes of a larger number of piston-cylinder units (1, 1?, 1?) in a technically simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Bernd Steinbrenner, Roger Steinbrenner
  • Patent number: 8679421
    Abstract: A dispensing device and an analyzer capable of improving dispensing accuracy as well as improving jamming detection accuracy can be realized by having a short distance between a syringe and a suction tip. The dispensing device 10 includes an upper fixed unit 10A, a lower movable unit 10B which is connected to the upper fixed unit 10A, the movable unit being relatively movable with respect to the upper fixed unit 10A, and a Z-axis movement mechanism 55Z which moves the upper fixed unit to and fro. A syringe 4 and a plunger 13 are held by the upper fixed unit 10A. A tip nozzle 8 is attached to the lower movable unit 10B. An interior space of the syringe 4 and an interior space of the tip nozzle 8 are connected with each other by a connection tube 1 having flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Sano, Kazutoshi Onuki, Yoshiyuki Shoji, Isao Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8609040
    Abstract: A system for automatically creating a denaturation curve is disclosed. In accordance with certain embodiments, a movement system including a unit having a plurality of cannulas is used. The cannulas are in fluid communication with a fluid system, which allows the cannulas to draw in and dispense fluid. A measurement system is included which draws fluid from a well into a detector to determine a characteristic of the fluid. A controller is used to control these systems and also to create a denaturation graph from the measured characteristics. In another embodiment, a plurality of formulations may be created using the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: AVIA Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Brown, Burleigh Hutchins, Ernesto Freire
  • Publication number: 20130322200
    Abstract: A method and a device for taking a sample from a vessel are described. A section of a sample collector is set into a controlled oscillation, in order to monitor a change in the oscillatory behavior about contact of the sample collector with a liquid to be picked up or another component, and to achieve better thorough mixing of the sample by means of the oscillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Andreas LUDWIG
  • Publication number: 20130312546
    Abstract: The present invention is characterized in being provided with a chip main body, which is provided with a flow channel having the end portion thereof opened in the surface, and a sheet-like sealing member, which brings the inside of the flow channel into a hermetically closed state by covering at least the opening in the surface of the chip main body. The present invention is also characterized in that in the sealing member, a plurality of sheets are laminated, said sheets including a first sheet, which has ductility and elasticity such that the first sheet can be penetrated by means of a nozzle member, and a second sheet having ductility lower than that of the first sheet, the sheets adjacent to each other are bonded with an adhesive agent or a cohesive agent, and that the second sheet is positioned further toward the chip main body side than the first sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Shigeru Wada
  • Patent number: 8584535
    Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Innova Prep LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Page, Zachary A. Packingham, David Scott Alburty, Alec D. Adolphson
  • Patent number: 8573073
    Abstract: A method and a device for transferring a microscopic, isolated sample, particularly a membrane-supported micro-dissected specimen, from an object table to an analysis arrangement, with a suction apparatus comprising a nano-suction means with a suction tube and a terminal membrane and a vacuum/overpressure unit which can be coupled to the nano-suction means for sucking or blowing the sample onto or from the terminal membrane; and a carrier apparatus for carrying the nano-suction means, which can be moved by means of an associated positioning unit for positioning the nano-suction means exactly in a sample removal position for sucking the sample onto the terminal membrane and in a sample release position for blowing the sample from the terminal membrane. A micro-dissection system, comprising such a device and a method for the production of a nano-suction means that is used in such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fur Gesundheit und Umwelt GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Thalhammer, Norbert Hohn, Albert Zink, Wolfgang Heckl
  • Publication number: 20130283884
    Abstract: A pipette includes a movable piston and a diaphragm that at least partly defines a fluid chamber enclosing a volume of working fluid. The piston displaces a volumetric amount of the working fluid in the chamber when moved. In response, the diaphragm displaces a smaller volumetric amount of fluid outside the chamber. A deamplification ratio is defined by the ratio of the volume displaced by the diaphragm to the volume displaced by the piston. The deamplification ratio is adjustable by adjusting or changing the diaphragm and/or by adjusting the size of the fluid chamber. The deamplifying pipette enables measuring and dispensing of very small volumes of liquid and is easily adapted to commercially available pipette components. Pipette components such as a pipette tip or adaptor may include a diaphragm to enable deamplification of the nominal volume capacity of a given pipette device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Justin Douglas Beroz, Anastasios John Hart
  • Patent number: 8570029
    Abstract: A metering apparatus for liquids and a method for metering liquids which facilitate the operation of a further metering after detaching the pipette point or syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Karl-Friedrich Andres, Peter Molitor, Peter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8561485
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held pipetting device (11) with a housing (13) and a pipette receptacle (23) on the housing (13) for a replaceable pipette (24). The pipette (24) is received with its first end in the pipette receptacle (23) and has a tip (26) as a second end. Furthermore, the hand-held pipetting device (11) has a negative pressure source for aspirating a liquid, an overpressure source for dispensing an aspirated liquid, and an air line which connects the negative pressure source and overpressure source with the pipette receptacle. A valve system, which is at least partially electrically controllable, is arranged within the air line and is controlled by an aspirating button (17) provided on the housing and by an dispensing button (19). A light source (37) is provided on the housing (13) at a short distance to the longitudinal axis (31) of the pipette receptacle (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Integra Biosciences AG
    Inventors: Ivo Mettier, Ernst Freydl
  • Publication number: 20130233096
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pipetting device, comprising at least two pipetting channels (50, 50?), which extend along a channel axis (K) and which each can be adjusted along the channel axis (K), wherein the pipetting device (10) has a displacement drive, by means of which each pipetting channel (50, 50?) can be displaced independently of the other pipetting channel (50, 50?) along a displacement axis (V) orthogonal to the channel axis (K) regardless of an adjustment along the channel axis (K), wherein the displacement drive comprises a linear motor, the stator of which has at least two magnet arrangements (32, 42), which comprise a row of magnets (36) on a magnet carrier (34, 44), said magnets being consecutive along the displacement axis (V) and being arranged differently with regard to the polarity (P1, P2) thereof, and the armature of which (at 38, at 38?); has at least one conductor loop arrangement (38), which comprises at least one set of three conductor loops (72, 74, 76) that are consecutive along th
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON BONADUZ AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schlegel, Hanspeter Romer
  • Patent number: 8529848
    Abstract: A system for preparing biological sample contains a body including a proximal side and a distal side, a plurality of mandrels, a plurality of resilient elements, a plurality of fluid dispensers, and one or more samples. The mandrels are moveably positioned within the body, where each resilient element engages a respective one of the mandrels. Each of the fluid dispensers is configured to engage a distal end of a corresponding one of the mandrels. Each sample comprises a solution containing one or more nucleic acid sequences contained within at least one of the fluid dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald Danehy, Jorge Fonseca, Jayanthi Prasad
  • Patent number: 8486347
    Abstract: Provided are a carrier-enclosed transformable container, a carrier-enclosed transformable container processing apparatus, and a carrier-enclosed transformable container processing method about which a carrier to which various substances such as biogenic substances are bonded or bondable is held in a transformable container as the container to be in a substantially stationary state, thereby making it possible to make the handling of the carrier, measurement, and other treatments effective, speedy, and easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Bio Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Patent number: 8475740
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus is provided which makes it possible to correctly and easily detect a dispensing operation judgment failure with high accuracy without particularly using a complicated detection mechanism or means. The liquid dispensing apparatus includes a nozzle which sucks a solution in a cassette and dispenses the sucked solution into another cassette; and a cassette holder which holds the another cassette, and the nozzle is used as a first electrode and the cassette holder as a second electrode. Further, the liquid dispensing apparatus has measurement means for measuring a capacitance between the first and second electrodes during a solution dispensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Watanabe, Shigeki Matsubara, Takuya Yamaguchi, Masaaki Odakura
  • Patent number: 8475741
    Abstract: Provided is a droplet discharging device that can precisely dispense large flow rate of droplets and small flow rate of droplets selectively. The droplet discharging device according to the present invention includes a pneumatic discharger for discharging a droplet having a first flow rate, and an electronic pipette for discharging or sucking a droplet having a second flow rate equal to or smaller than the first flow rate. The pneumatic discharger includes, i) a storage chamber for storing a liquid, ii) an air tank connected to the storage chamber through a first air pipe and supplying compressed air to the storage chamber to push the liquid of the storage chamber outside, and iii) a first nozzle connected to the storage chamber through the liquid pipe and receiving the liquid pushed out of the storage chamber to discharge droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Postech Academy-Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Seongjin Cho, Geunbae Lim, Intae Kim
  • Publication number: 20130055829
    Abstract: A method for taking a sample includes drawing blood into a vacuum blood collection tube and transferring at least part of the blood from the vacuum blood collection tube to a sample storage space of a dropper. The vacuum blood collection tube includes a sample storage portion and a stopper sealing the sample storage portion, and the drawing is performed by stabbing a hollow needle into the stopper. The dropper includes and internal space at least part of which is the sample storage space for storing a sample and which includes a volume changeable space defined, by an elastically deformable portion having flexibility. The dropper further includes an insertion portion including a through-hole connected to the internal space, and the transfer of the sample is performed by inserting the insertion portion into a through- formed in the stopper by the stabbing of the hollow needle into the stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: ARKRAY, INC.
    Inventor: ARKRAY, Inc.
  • 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: 8336403
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipette tip having a support and a fluid enclosed therein, an apparatus for treating the pipette tip having a support and a fluid enclosed therein, and a method of treating the pipette tip having a support and a fluid enclosed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Bio Research Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Publication number: 20120318076
    Abstract: A system for processing sample tubes comprising biological samples is presented. The system comprises two or more work cells for processing samples. In correspondence to at least two of the work cells, the system comprises one of the following units: a pipetting unit for withdrawing a volume of sample from a sample tube to be processed by the work cell and/or dispensing a volume of liquid into the sample tube, and an analytical unit for determining at least one sample parameter of a sample contained in a sample tube. The system further comprises a decapping/recapping device for each of the at least two work cells for removing a closure from a sample tube and for reclosing the sample tube before it is transported to another work cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Dietmar Kappelhoff, Gottlieb Schacher
  • Patent number: 8307723
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for non-contact pneumatic sampling of surfaces, persons, articles of clothing, buildings, furnishings, vehicles, baggage, packages, mail, and the like, for aerosols or vapor residues indicative of a hazard or a benefit, where the residues are chemical, radiological, biological, toxic, or infectious in character. A central orifice for pulling a vacuum is surrounded by an array of convergingly-directed gas jets, forming a “virtual sampling chamber”. The gas jets are configured to deliver millisecond pneumatic pulses that erode particles and vapors from solid surfaces at a distance. A curtain wall flow encloses the sampling area during pulse retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Enertechnix, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor V Novosselov, Peter C Ariessohn, Evan D Dengler, Michelle Hickner
  • Patent number: 8307722
    Abstract: There are provided a method of detecting dispensed quantity in which without the need of detecting a surface of liquid accommodated in a container, a liquid quantity can be detected only by measuring pressure change; and a relevant liquid suction monitoring dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Bio Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideji Tajima, Michinori Koizuka, Hiroshi Suzuki, Susumu Kimura
  • Patent number: 8293527
    Abstract: Animal cell colonies are picked up automatically by an apparatus having a picking head with a plurality of hollow pins and an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Molecular Devices (New Milton) Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Richmond, Christopher Mann, Andrew Board, Yonggang Jiang