EP2978533B1 - Ejection mechanism for a positive displacement pipette - Google Patents
Ejection mechanism for a positive displacement pipette Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2978533B1 EP2978533B1 EP14711539.8A EP14711539A EP2978533B1 EP 2978533 B1 EP2978533 B1 EP 2978533B1 EP 14711539 A EP14711539 A EP 14711539A EP 2978533 B1 EP2978533 B1 EP 2978533B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- gripping device
- ejection
- pipetting system
- piston
- ejection means
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 title claims description 43
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 3
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- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 5
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 4
- 241000920340 Pion Species 0.000 description 2
- 210000004247 hand Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001953 sensory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011259 mixed solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013519 translation Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
- B01L3/021—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
- B01L3/0217—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids of the plunger pump type
- B01L3/022—Capillary pipettes, i.e. having very small bore
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
- B01L3/0275—Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
- B01L3/0279—Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips co-operating with positive ejection means
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/04—Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
- B01L2300/0609—Holders integrated in container to position an object
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0832—Geometry, shape and general structure cylindrical, tube shaped
- B01L2300/0838—Capillaries
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
- B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
- B01L2400/0475—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
- B01L2400/0478—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure pistons
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of positive displacement pipetting.
- Such systems are intended to cooperate with consumables of the capillary-piston type, whose piston is intended to be directly in contact with the sample to be taken, before being ejected or reused.
- Positive displacement systems therefore have a different design from that of more conventional air displacement systems in which the piston is an integral part of the system.
- the invention relates more specifically to the ejection function of the capillary-piston assembly. It applies to all the different types of sampling system, namely in particular pipettes, manual or motorized, as well as PLCs.
- Positive displacement pipettes are usually used for sampling viscous, volatile liquids and / or contaminants. Their combination with "capillary-piston" type consumables makes it possible to avoid contamination of the pipette. It is the same for automata operating on the same principle.
- the pipette is designed to be able to exercise two successive downward strokes with the control rod, via a control button arranged at its high end.
- the first stroke of the control rod corresponds to the dispensing stroke of the sampled sample. It is performed by opposing the restoring force of a first spring, preferably compression.
- the second stroke of the control rod corresponds to the presentation and opening of the piston gripper. It is performed by opposing the restoring force of a second spring, preferably compression, arranged in the same direction as the first spring and having a significantly higher stiffness.
- this second race has the effect of extracting the jaws / jaws of the clamp from a sheath that encloses them. Once the jaws released from their sheath, they can easily let the upper end of the piston during the installation of the consumable on the pipette, which also simultaneously sees the fitting of the capillary on the tip of the pipette.
- the first phase of raising of the control rod under the effect of the restoring force of the second spring, has the effect of retracting the jaws into the sheath of the clamp, with the upper end of the piston held by the jaws. tight position.
- the second phase of raising of the control rod under the effect of the restoring force of the first spring of lower stiffness, leads to the displacement of this rod as well as the clamp enclosing the piston to a high position, relative to to the pipette body.
- the consumable When the piston has reached its low point at the end of the first stroke, the consumable is plunged into the liquid to be withdrawn. To ensure the sampling, the operator then gradually releases the pressure exerted by his thumb on the control button, which allows the control rod and the piston to go up under the effect of the restoring force of the first spring. During this ascent, the liquid in contact with the lower end of the piston is introduced into the capillary.
- the operator For dispensing, the operator carries out the first stroke of the control rod by pressing his thumb on the control button, placing the capillary in the receptacle for receiving the liquid.
- the operator may be accidentally ejected with the capillary, thus generating again a risk of accidental projection of liquid.
- the operator can perform the second stroke of the control rod to cause the desired ejection of the capillary-piston consumable. Nevertheless, this ejection operation is effected with the aid of the operator's only thumb by counteracting the return force of the second spring, which is necessarily substantial in order to contrast with the restoring force of the first spring, and thus to be able to perform its function of delivering a sensory signal to the operator at the end of the first race.
- the high stiffness of the second spring thus makes the pipette perfectible from an ergonomic point of view, especially since this disadvantage also occurs during the above-described operation of opening the clamp, before the introduction of the piston.
- the invention therefore aims to at least partially overcome the disadvantages mentioned above, relating to the achievements of the prior art.
- the subject of the invention is a lower part of a positive displacement pipetting system, comprising a body slidably housing a device for gripping the upper end of a piston belonging to a capillary-piston assembly whose capillary is intended to be fitted on a tip of the body.
- the lower part also comprises means for ejecting the capillary-piston assembly arranged externally with respect to said body and slidably mounted relative thereto along a longitudinal axis of the pipetting system, so as to be able to cooperate with said capillary for ejection.
- the lower part is designed so that a relative rotation between the ejection means and the gripping device, along the longitudinal axis of the pipetting system, causes the passage of the gripping device of an open configuration allowing releasing the upper end of the piston, a closed configuration for retaining this end, and / or the transition from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
- the invention is remarkable in that it is based on a design for dissociating the elements providing the control function of the pipette from those ensuring the ejection of the capillary-piston consumable. More specifically, the invention provides that the ejection of the consumable is effected by dedicated ejection means surrounding the body of the lower part, in the manner of similar ejection means frequently encountered on the displacement pipettes . Therefore, unlike the embodiments of the prior art where the ejection means integrate the control rod, the risk of accidental ejection of the consumable by the same control rod are advantageously reduced to nothing.
- the force to be delivered to ensure the ejection of the consumable can be much lower than that previously required to counter the restoring force of the spring with high stiffness, since it is no longer necessary to provide a high differential stiffness springs for producing a sensory signal for the operator.
- the low support force required to unstick the capillary from the pipette tip has no impact on the risk of accidental loss of capillary-piston consumable, as explained above. This force is also low because of the possibility of bringing the gripper into open configuration during the ejection of the piston-capillary assembly. Therefore, during the ejection which is carried out in the manner of a conventional ejection pipette air displacement, there is no need to counter the frictional force between the upper end of the piston and the clamp. This results in better ergonomics for the operator.
- the relative rotation between the ejection means and the gripping device can be effected in different ways.
- a solution of manually rotating the ejection means may be considered, but automation of this movement is preferred.
- This automation is preferably effected by mechanical means of motion converters, as will be exemplified hereinafter.
- mechanical links of the ramp / pin type are preferably located on the lower part of the pipetting system according to the invention.
- the gripping device comprises a movable jaw between a first position bringing the device in closed configuration and a second position bringing the device in open configuration, the jaw comprising one of the two elements among a first pin passing through said body and a first ramp cooperating with the first pin, the other of the two elements being provided on said means ejection.
- the passage of the jaw from the first position to the second position, and vice versa is effected by relative movement of the first pin along said first ramp.
- said gripping device is equipped with elastic return means reminding the movable jaw in its first position or in its second position.
- the gripping device comprises one of two elements among a second pin passing through said body and a second ramp cooperating with the second pin, the other of the two elements being provided on said ejection means.
- the lower part of the pipetting system is designed so that during a downward movement of the gripping device, the latter moves from its open configuration to its closed configuration by relative rotation between the ejection means and the gripping device caused by the relative displacement of the second pin along said second ramp. It is preferentially this relative rotation which causes said bit to move from its first position to its second position.
- the second ramp is designed so that after the passage in the closed configuration of the gripping device, this closed configuration is retained during a recovery of the gripping device.
- a pipetting sequence can then be carried out using conventional means for controlling the pipette.
- said body comprises one of two elements among a third pin and a third ramp cooperating with the third pin, the other of the two elements being provided on said ejection means.
- the lower part of the pipetting system is designed so that during a downward movement of the ejection means, said gripping device is brought from the closed configuration to the open configuration by rotating the means for dispensing. ejection relative to said body, caused by relative movement of the third pin along said third ramp. Also, this makes it possible to obtain a helical displacement of the ejection means by applying to them a simple translation movement downwards. The capillary thrust and the release of the piston are therefore performed simultaneously for a perfectly optimized ergonomics.
- the third ramp is designed so that after the passage in open configuration of the gripping device, this open configuration is maintained during a recovery of the ejection means. Therefore, the gripping device advantageously remains in open configuration, ready to cooperate with a new capillary-piston assembly.
- the first, second and third ramps are provided on the inner surface of the ejection means. Alternatively, they could be placed, at least one of them, on the body and / or the gripping device.
- said ejection means comprise a ring surrounding the body and rotatably carrying an ejection sleeve also surrounding the body. It is thus this sheath that is intended to be pivotable relative to the gripping device, to bring it in open or closed configuration.
- the aforementioned relative rotation is preferably performed by rotating the ejection means about the longitudinal axis of the pipetting system, keeping, along the same axis, the gripping device fixed in rotation.
- the invention also relates to a positive displacement pipetting system comprising a lower part as described above.
- it is a pipette, manual or motorized, comprising a high part forming a handle equipped with an ejection button connected to said ejection means.
- said ejection button is preferably separate from a button for controlling the movement of the piston.
- the pipetting system may be an automaton.
- step (a) said relative rotation between said ejection means and the gripping device is performed automatically during the descent of the gripping device, and for step (c), said relative rotation between said ejection means and the gripping device is performed automatically during the descent of the ejection means.
- desired automation can take any form deemed appropriate by those skilled in the art, it is preferably implemented by mechanical means of motion converters such as mechanical links of the ramp / pawn type or the like.
- FIG. 1 With reference first to the figure 1 , there is shown a positive displacement sampling pipette 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the pipette 1 has an outer body whose upper part forms a handle 2 for the operator, and whose lower part 4 is tapered, ending down by a tip 6 on which a capillary is intended to be fitted.
- the lower part 4 is mounted preferably screwed on the handle body 2, by a threaded ring 5, so as to facilitate assembly / disassembly.
- the pipette incorporates a control rod 8, slidably housed inside the outer pipette body.
- the rod 8 is arranged along the longitudinal axis 10 of the pipette. Its upper end protrudes upwardly from the handle body 2, and carries a control button 12 to be actuated by the thumb of an operator holding the body 2 with one of his hands.
- the rod 8 is slidably housed at through a volume adjustment screw to be taken (not shown).
- the rod 8 may include a housing 11 of stroke reduction, to facilitate the movement of the rod to the operator.
- control rod 8 is in axial abutment against a gripper-shaped gripper 20 slidably mounted in a bore 18 of the hollow body 19 of the lower part incorporating the tip 6 at its lower end.
- the clamp 20 comprises a body 24 of contact with the lower end 16 of the control rod, extended downwards by one or more fixed jaws, also called jaws.
- a fixed jaw 25 made in one piece with the clamp body 24, this fixed jaw extending for example on an angular sector of the order of 270 ° or more.
- the clamp 20 comprises a movable jaw 26 pivotally mounted on the body 24, along an axis 27 orthogonal to the axis 10. As will be detailed below, by pivoting along the axis 27, the movable jaw 26 can adopt a first position bringing the clamp into a closed configuration, and a second position shown on the figure 2 bringing the clamp into open configuration.
- Elastic return means 32 make it possible to return the movable jaw 26 to its first position ensuring clamping of the clamp 20. To this end, the elastic return means urge the jaws / jaws 25, 26 radially inwards, preferably by surrounding these same jaws. It can then be a spring 32 of annular overall shape, whose diameter can be increased when it is stressed radially outwardly. In the example shown on the figure 2 the spring 32 takes the form of a spiral spring enclosing the outer surface of the jaws 25,26.
- each jaw 25, 26 has a chamfered end so as to facilitate the insertion of the piston, as will be explained below.
- the clamp body 24 has a first shoulder 38 facing downwards, facing and at a distance from a shoulder 40 formed on the lower part 4, near the endpiece 6.
- a return spring 42 is housed in support between these two shoulders 38, 40, to form a return spring in the upper position of the clamp 20 and the control rod located in abutment, in its extension.
- the restoring force developed by this compression spring 42 effectively drives the control rod 8 to adopt its high position relative to the outer body, a conventional high abutment (not shown) being provided for this purpose on the same outer body.
- the clamp 20 comprises a second shoulder 44, also facing downwards and away from the shoulder 40.
- the second shoulder 44 is located further down and radially inwardly relative to the first shoulder 38. It is thus surrounded by the spring 42. As will be described below, it is intended to constitute a lower stop for the clamp 20 and the control rod 8 resting on the same clamp. In the high position shown on the figure 2 , the clamp 20 is located outside the tip 6, away from it, upwards.
- One of the peculiarities of the present invention lies in the presence of ejection means 46 of a capillary-piston assembly, mounted externally around the hollow body 19, and sliding relative to the latter in the direction of the axis 10.
- These means 46 comprise an intermediate ring 47 surrounding the hollow body 19 of the lower part, this ring bearing rotatively downwardly, an ejection sleeve 49 also surrounding the body 19.
- the sleeve has a low end 51 arranged to near the tip 6 and intended to press the capillary fitted to proceed to its ejection.
- the intermediate ring 47 is carried by an upper arm 52, which extends upwardly possibly through an orifice 54 of the handle 2, to an upper end fixed to an ejection button 48.
- This button 48 is arranged in the upper part of the pipette, near the main control button 12, but separate from the latter. It is also intended to be simply operated by the thumb of an operator holding the body 2 with one of his hands.
- the movable jaw 26 extends upwards, presenting a first pin 54 oriented radially outwards and passing through a slot 56 formed in the hollow body 19.
- the pin 54 bears on a first ramp 58 provided on the inner surface of the sleeve 49.
- the ramp 58 is a circumferential ramp, the receiving surface of the pin 54 has, with reference to the axis 10, an evolutionary radial gap. Indeed, as this is best seen on the figure 3 , the ramp 58 has in particular a zone 58a close to the axis 10, a zone 58b remote from this same axis, and a transition zone 58c between the zones 58a, 58b. These areas 58a, 58c, 58b follow one another in the circumferential direction.
- the mechanical connection formed by the pin 54 and the ramp 58 is such that when the pin moves relative to the ramp in the direction of the remote zone 58b, this causes pivoting of the movable jaw 26 along the axis 27, under the action of the restoring force of the spring 32.
- the movable jaw 26 thus moves from its second position to its first position by relative movement of the pin 54 along the ramp 58, and vice versa. In the first position to be described below, the jaws 25, 26 close place the clamp 20 in a closed configuration ensuring the maintenance by friction of the piston in the clamp.
- another mechanical connection comprising a second pin 60 projecting radially outwardly from the clamp body 24, and passing through a slot 64 formed in the hollow body 19.
- a second ramp 62 is associated with the pin 60.
- the pin 60 is supported on this second ramp 62 also provided on the inner surface of the sleeve 49.
- the ramp 62 has a complex shape which will be detailed with reference to the figure 4 .
- it has a generally U-shaped shape, with a first flank 62a oriented parallel to the axis 10, and practiced in the thickness of the hollow body 19.
- the first flank 62a is continued by a zone 62b, which is both inclined axially and circumferentially. It is an area comparable to a portion of helical ramp.
- the ramp 62 comprises a retaining zone 62c extending axially downwards and having a width substantially corresponding to that of the pin 60.
- the second axial flank is provided. 62d, parallel to the first.
- FIG. 1 Another mechanical connection comprising a third pin 68 projecting radially outwardly from the hollow body 19.
- a third ramp 70 is associated with the pin 68.
- the pin 68 bears on this third ramp 70 also provided on the inner surface of the sleeve 49.
- the ramp 70 has a complex shape which will be detailed with reference to the figure 4 .
- it has a generally U-shaped, with a first side 70a oriented parallel to the axis 10, and made in the thickness of the hollow body 19.
- the first side 70a is connected to a bottom 70b oriented transversely in a plane orthogonal to the axis 10.
- the first flank 70a is a second flank having a lower actuating portion 70c, which is both inclined axially and circumferentially. Its circumferential inclination is made in a direction opposite to that of the inclination of the actuating zone 62b of the second ramp. This is also an area comparable to a portion of helical ramp.
- the second flank then extends with a dead zone 70d symmetrical with the actuating zone 70c, relative to a transverse plane of the pipette. The dead zone makes it easier to insert the pin 68 during assembly of the pipette.
- the operator gripping the pipette by the handle 2 engages the tip 6 in a capillary 80 of a consumable capillary-piston assembly 84, preferably arranged in a housing, also called "rack".
- a vertical downward pressure on the pipette it obtains the fitting of the capillary 80 on the tip 6, in the manner of fitting a capillary or a conventional cone on the tip of a nozzle.
- the clamp 20 remains fixed in rotation along the axis 10 but the pin 54 moves along the ramp 58 to access the remote zone 58b, while pivoting along its axis 27 under the effect of the spring 32.
- the third pin 68 moves along the bottom 70b of the ramp, until it comes into contact with the bottom of the zone actuator 70c.
- the piston is in the lower abutment position in the capillary.
- the control rod 8 is preferably kept in the down position until the sample is taken, during which the control rod rises with the piston to create the suction of the liquid.
- the consumable assembly 84 is ejected by means of the ejection means 46 actuated by the ejection button 48.
- This ejection step is schematized on the Figures 8a to 8d .
- the axial support on the ejection button 48 drives the ring 47 and the sleeve 49 to slide down along the axis 10. But during this descent of the ejection means, the support caused by the relative displacement of the pin 68 along the actuating zone 70c of the third ramp 70 pushes the sleeve 49 to rotate in the direction of the arrow 79 of the figure 8b , that is to say in a direction opposite to that observed on the figure 6b when placing the capillary-piston assembly on the pipette. Also, during this phase of descent ejection means, it is automatically created a rotation of the sleeve 49 along the axis 10, which has the effect of bringing the clamp in open configuration.
- assembly 84 can thus be ejected easily, in a clever way specific to the present invention.
- the open configuration of the clamp 20 is of course kept in order to keep the pipette ready for future use.
- the third pin 68 moves along the first edge 70a that it has already contacted at the end of the ejection operation, because of the small width between the upper end of the actuating zone 70c and the first flank 70a.
- the pin 68 is found again at the junction between the flank 70a and the bottom 70b.
- the relative position of the second pin 60 and the second ramp 62 remains unchanged. There is therefore no relative rotational movement between the sleeve 49 and the clamp 20 or the body 19.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Devices For Use In Laboratory Experiments (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
- Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
- Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
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Description
La présente invention se rapporte au domaine du pipetage à déplacement positif.The present invention relates to the field of positive displacement pipetting.
De tels systèmes sont destinés à coopérer avec des consommables du type capillaire-piston, dont le piston est prévu pour être directement en contact avec l'échantillon à prélever, avant d'être éjecté ou réutilisé. Les systèmes à déplacement positif présentent donc une conception différente de celle des systèmes plus classiques à déplacement d'air, dans lesquels le piston fait partie intégrante du système.Such systems are intended to cooperate with consumables of the capillary-piston type, whose piston is intended to be directly in contact with the sample to be taken, before being ejected or reused. Positive displacement systems therefore have a different design from that of more conventional air displacement systems in which the piston is an integral part of the system.
L'invention concerne plus spécifiquement la fonction d'éjection de l'ensemble capillaire-piston. Elle s'applique à tous les différents types de système de prélèvement, à savoir en particulier les pipettes, manuelles ou motorisées, ainsi que les automates.The invention relates more specifically to the ejection function of the capillary-piston assembly. It applies to all the different types of sampling system, namely in particular pipettes, manual or motorized, as well as PLCs.
Les pipettes à déplacement positif sont habituellement employées pour le prélèvement de liquides visqueux, volatils et/ou contaminants. Leur association avec des consommables du type « capillaire-piston » permet d'éviter la contamination de la pipette. Il en est de même pour les automates fonctionnant selon le même principe.Positive displacement pipettes are usually used for sampling viscous, volatile liquids and / or contaminants. Their combination with "capillary-piston" type consumables makes it possible to avoid contamination of the pipette. It is the same for automata operating on the same principle.
Une telle pipette à déplacement positif est connue de la demande de brevet français
Sur les pipettes à déplacement positif connues de l'art antérieur, il est prévu une tige de commande dont l'extrémité basse commande le déplacement d'un dispositif de préhension de l'extrémité haute d'un piston, appartenant à un ensemble capillaire-piston destiné à coopérer avec la pipette. Ce dispositif de préhension est également dénommé « pince ».On positive displacement pipettes known from the prior art, there is provided a control rod whose low end controls the displacement of a device for gripping the upper end of a piston belonging to a capillary assembly. piston for cooperating with the pipette. This gripping device is also called "gripper".
La pipette est conçue de manière à pouvoir exercer deux courses successives vers le bas avec la tige de commande, via un bouton de commande agencé à son extrémité haute. La première course de la tige de commande correspond à la course de dispense de l'échantillon prélevé. Elle s'effectue en s'opposant à la force de rappel d'un premier ressort, de préférence de compression. La deuxième course de la tige de commande correspond à la présentation et à l'ouverture de la pince de préhension du piston. Elle s'effectue en s'opposant à la force de rappel d'un second ressort, de préférence de compression, agencé selon la même direction que le premier ressort et présentant une raideur nettement plus élevée.The pipette is designed to be able to exercise two successive downward strokes with the control rod, via a control button arranged at its high end. The first stroke of the control rod corresponds to the dispensing stroke of the sampled sample. It is performed by opposing the restoring force of a first spring, preferably compression. The second stroke of the control rod corresponds to the presentation and opening of the piston gripper. It is performed by opposing the restoring force of a second spring, preferably compression, arranged in the same direction as the first spring and having a significantly higher stiffness.
Plus précisément, cette seconde course a pour conséquence d'extraire les mors/mâchoires de la pince d'un fourreau qui les enserre. Une fois les mâchoires libérées de leur fourreau, elles peuvent facilement laisser pénétrer l'extrémité haute du piston lors de l'installation du consommable sur la pipette, qui voit par ailleurs simultanément l'emmanchement du capillaire sur l'embout de la pipette.More precisely, this second race has the effect of extracting the jaws / jaws of the clamp from a sheath that encloses them. Once the jaws released from their sheath, they can easily let the upper end of the piston during the installation of the consumable on the pipette, which also simultaneously sees the fitting of the capillary on the tip of the pipette.
La première phase de remontée de la tige de commande, sous l'effet de la force de rappel du second ressort, a pour conséquence de rétracter les mâchoires dans le fourreau de la pince, avec l'extrémité haute du piston maintenue par les mâchoires en position serrée. La seconde phase de remontée de la tige de commande, sous l'effet de la force de rappel du premier ressort de raideur plus faible, conduit au déplacement de cette tige ainsi que de la pince enserrant le piston jusque dans une position haute, par rapport au corps de pipette.The first phase of raising of the control rod, under the effect of the restoring force of the second spring, has the effect of retracting the jaws into the sheath of the clamp, with the upper end of the piston held by the jaws. tight position. The second phase of raising of the control rod, under the effect of the restoring force of the first spring of lower stiffness, leads to the displacement of this rod as well as the clamp enclosing the piston to a high position, relative to to the pipette body.
Pour effectuer un prélèvement d'échantillon, l'opérateur doit à nouveau effectuer la première course de la tige de commande avec le piston embarqué, jusqu'à la compression totale du premier ressort amenant le piston à son point bas de prélèvement. Une poursuite de la course à ce stade, c'est-à-dire une amorce accidentelle de la seconde course à l'encontre du second ressort, aurait pour conséquence un déplacement excessif du piston vers le bas, et conduirait à une erreur dans la quantité d'échantillon prélevé. Une sur-course excessive du piston pourrait même conduire à l'éjection accidentelle du piston et du capillaire, en raison de la libération des mâchoires de la pince par le fourreau qui les entoure, et de l'appui de ces mâchoires sur le capillaire. Une telle éjection est non seulement problématique en termes de productivité, mais génère par ailleurs des risques non-négligeables de projection de liquide lorsque l'ensemble capillaire-piston tombe dans un récipient de liquide.To perform a sample collection, the operator must again perform the first stroke of the control rod with the onboard piston, until the total compression of the first spring bringing the piston to its low sampling point. A continuation of the race at this stage, that is to say an accidental start of the second race against the second spring, would result in an excessive displacement of the piston downwards, and lead to an error in the amount of sample taken. Excessive over-stroke of the piston could even lead to the accidental ejection of the piston and the capillary, due to the release of the jaws of the clamp by the sleeve which surrounds them, and the support of these jaws on the capillary. Such an ejection is no only problematic in terms of productivity, but also generates non-negligible risks of liquid projection when the capillary-piston assembly falls into a liquid container.
Lorsque le piston a atteint son point bas à la fin de la première course, le consommable est plongé dans le liquide à prélever. Pour assurer le prélèvement, l'opérateur relâche alors progressivement la pression exercée par son pouce sur le bouton de commande, ce qui permet à la tige de commande et au piston de remonter sous l'effet de la force de rappel du premier ressort. Durant cette remontée, le liquide au contact de l'extrémité basse du piston s'introduit dans le capillaire.When the piston has reached its low point at the end of the first stroke, the consumable is plunged into the liquid to be withdrawn. To ensure the sampling, the operator then gradually releases the pressure exerted by his thumb on the control button, which allows the control rod and the piston to go up under the effect of the restoring force of the first spring. During this ascent, the liquid in contact with the lower end of the piston is introduced into the capillary.
Pour la dispense, l'opérateur effectue à nouveau la première course de la tige de commande par pression de son pouce sur le bouton de commande, en plaçant le capillaire dans le récipient destiné à recevoir le liquide. Ici encore, en cas de sur-course du piston, celui-ci risque d'être accidentellement éjecté avec le capillaire, générant ainsi à nouveau un risque de projection accidentelle de liquide.For dispensing, the operator carries out the first stroke of the control rod by pressing his thumb on the control button, placing the capillary in the receptacle for receiving the liquid. Here again, in case of over-stroke of the piston, it may be accidentally ejected with the capillary, thus generating again a risk of accidental projection of liquid.
Enfin, une fois que l'opération de dispense du liquide est achevée, l'opérateur peut effectuer la seconde course de la tige de commande afin de provoquer l'éjection désirée du consommable capillaire-piston. Néanmoins, cette opération d'éjection s'effectue à l'aide du seul pouce de l'opérateur en contrant la force de rappel du second ressort, qui est nécessairement substantielle afin de contraster avec la force de rappel du premier ressort, et pouvoir ainsi assurer sa fonction de délivrance d'un signal sensitif à l'opérateur en fin de première course. La forte raideur du second ressort rend ainsi la pipette perfectible d'un point de vue ergonomique, surtout que cet inconvénient se produit également lors de l'opération décrite ci-dessus d'ouverture de la pince, avant l'introduction du piston.Finally, once the liquid dispensing operation is complete, the operator can perform the second stroke of the control rod to cause the desired ejection of the capillary-piston consumable. Nevertheless, this ejection operation is effected with the aid of the operator's only thumb by counteracting the return force of the second spring, which is necessarily substantial in order to contrast with the restoring force of the first spring, and thus to be able to perform its function of delivering a sensory signal to the operator at the end of the first race. The high stiffness of the second spring thus makes the pipette perfectible from an ergonomic point of view, especially since this disadvantage also occurs during the above-described operation of opening the clamp, before the introduction of the piston.
Au moins une partie des inconvénients cités ci-dessus se retrouvent de manière identique ou analogue sur les systèmes de pipetage actuels du type automates à déplacement positif.At least some of the disadvantages mentioned above are identical or similar on current pipetting systems of the type positive displacement machines.
De plus, un autre inconvénient du système d'éjection prévu sur les pipettes à déplacement positif connues à ce jour est qu'il repose sur une conception très éloignée de celle du système d'éjection pour pipettes classiques à déplacement d'air. Les opérateurs étant généralement plus habitués à utiliser de telles pipettes à déplacement d'air, il existe donc un besoin d'harmoniser la conception du système d'éjection des pipettes à déplacement positif.In addition, another disadvantage of the ejection system provided on positive displacement pipettes known to date is that it is based on a design far removed from that of the ejection system for conventional pipettes with displacement of air. The As operators are generally more used to using such displacement pipettes, there is a need to harmonize the design of the positive displacement pipette ejection system.
L'invention a donc pour but de remédier au moins partiellement aux inconvénients mentionnés ci-dessus, relatifs aux réalisations de l'art antérieur.The invention therefore aims to at least partially overcome the disadvantages mentioned above, relating to the achievements of the prior art.
Pour ce faire, l'invention a pour objet une partie basse de système de pipetage à déplacement positif, comprenant un corps logeant de façon coulissante un dispositif de préhension de l'extrémité haute d'un piston appartenant à un ensemble capillaire-piston dont le capillaire est destiné à être emmanché sur un embout du corps. Selon l'invention, la partie basse comporte également des moyens d'éjection de l'ensemble capillaire-piston agencés extérieurement par rapport audit corps et montés coulissants relativement à celui-ci selon un axe longitudinal du système de pipetage, de manière à pouvoir coopérer avec ledit capillaire pour son éjection. De plus, la partie basse est conçue de sorte qu'une rotation relative entre les moyens d'éjection et le dispositif de préhension, selon l'axe longitudinal du système de pipetage, provoque le passage du dispositif de préhension d'une configuration ouverte permettant de libérer l'extrémité haute du piston, à une configuration fermée permettant de retenir cette extrémité, et/ou le passage de la configuration fermée à la configuration ouverte.To this end, the subject of the invention is a lower part of a positive displacement pipetting system, comprising a body slidably housing a device for gripping the upper end of a piston belonging to a capillary-piston assembly whose capillary is intended to be fitted on a tip of the body. According to the invention, the lower part also comprises means for ejecting the capillary-piston assembly arranged externally with respect to said body and slidably mounted relative thereto along a longitudinal axis of the pipetting system, so as to be able to cooperate with said capillary for ejection. In addition, the lower part is designed so that a relative rotation between the ejection means and the gripping device, along the longitudinal axis of the pipetting system, causes the passage of the gripping device of an open configuration allowing releasing the upper end of the piston, a closed configuration for retaining this end, and / or the transition from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
L'invention est remarquable en ce qu'elle est basée sur une conception permettant de dissocier les éléments assurant la fonction de commande de la pipette de ceux assurant l'éjection du consommable capillaire-piston. Plus précisément, l'invention prévoit que l'éjection du consommable s'effectue par des moyens d'éjection dédiés entourant le corps de la partie basse, à la manière de moyens d'éjection similaires fréquemment rencontrés sur les pipettes à déplacement d'air. Par conséquent, contrairement aux réalisations de l'art antérieur où les moyens d'éjection intègrent la tige de commande, les risques d'éjection accidentelle du consommable par cette même tige de commande sont avantageusement réduits à néant.The invention is remarkable in that it is based on a design for dissociating the elements providing the control function of the pipette from those ensuring the ejection of the capillary-piston consumable. More specifically, the invention provides that the ejection of the consumable is effected by dedicated ejection means surrounding the body of the lower part, in the manner of similar ejection means frequently encountered on the displacement pipettes . Therefore, unlike the embodiments of the prior art where the ejection means integrate the control rod, the risk of accidental ejection of the consumable by the same control rod are advantageously reduced to nothing.
Ainsi, durant la manipulation de la pipette, l'opérateur peut actionner la tige de commande sans se soucier des risques d'une telle perte, ce qui permet globalement d'améliorer l'ergonomie, la reproductibilité des prélèvements, et la productivité. Cela est également le cas lorsque l'invention s'applique à un automate pour le prélèvement à déplacement positif.Thus, during the manipulation of the pipette, the operator can operate the control rod without worrying about the risks of such a loss, which overall makes it possible to improve the ergonomics, the reproducibility of the samples, and the productivity. This is also the case when the invention applies to a PLC for positive displacement sampling.
En outre, la force à délivrer pour assurer l'éjection du consommable peut être beaucoup plus faible que celle requise antérieurement pour contrer la force de rappel du ressort à raideur élevée, puisqu'il n'est plus nécessaire de prévoir un différentiel élevé de raideurs de ressorts aux fins de production d'un signal sensoriel pour l'opérateur. De plus, la faible force d'appui requise pour désemmancher le capillaire de l'embout de pipette n'a aucune incidence sur les risques de pertes accidentelles du consommable capillaire-piston, comme cela a été expliqué ci-dessus. Cette force est également faible en raison de la possibilité d'amener le dispositif de préhension en configuration ouverte pendant l'éjection de l'ensemble piston-capillaire. De ce fait, lors de l'éjection qui s'effectue à la manière d'une éjection classique sur pipette à déplacement d'air, il n'est nullement besoin de contrer la force de friction entre l'extrémité haute du piston et la pince. Il en résulte une meilleure ergonomie pour l'opérateur.In addition, the force to be delivered to ensure the ejection of the consumable can be much lower than that previously required to counter the restoring force of the spring with high stiffness, since it is no longer necessary to provide a high differential stiffness springs for producing a sensory signal for the operator. In addition, the low support force required to unstick the capillary from the pipette tip has no impact on the risk of accidental loss of capillary-piston consumable, as explained above. This force is also low because of the possibility of bringing the gripper into open configuration during the ejection of the piston-capillary assembly. Therefore, during the ejection which is carried out in the manner of a conventional ejection pipette air displacement, there is no need to counter the frictional force between the upper end of the piston and the clamp. This results in better ergonomics for the operator.
La rotation relative entre les moyens d'éjection et le dispositif de préhension peut s'effectuer de différentes manières. Une solution consistant à faire tourner manuellement les moyens d'éjection peut être envisagée, mais une automatisation de ce mouvement est préférée. Cette automatisation s'opère de préférence par des moyens mécaniques convertisseurs de mouvement, comme cela sera exemplifié ci-après. Pour ce faire, des liaisons mécaniques du type rampe/pion sont de préférence implantées sur la partie basse du système de pipetage selon l'invention.The relative rotation between the ejection means and the gripping device can be effected in different ways. A solution of manually rotating the ejection means may be considered, but automation of this movement is preferred. This automation is preferably effected by mechanical means of motion converters, as will be exemplified hereinafter. To do this, mechanical links of the ramp / pin type are preferably located on the lower part of the pipetting system according to the invention.
De préférence, le dispositif de préhension comporte un mors mobile entre une première position amenant le dispositif en configuration fermée et une seconde position amenant le dispositif en configuration ouverte, le mors comportant l'un des deux éléments parmi un premier pion traversant ledit corps et une première rampe coopérant avec le premier pion, l'autre des deux éléments étant prévu sur lesdits moyens d'éjection. De plus, le passage du mors de la première position à la seconde position, et inversement, s'effectue par déplacement relatif du premier pion le long de ladite première rampe.Preferably, the gripping device comprises a movable jaw between a first position bringing the device in closed configuration and a second position bringing the device in open configuration, the jaw comprising one of the two elements among a first pin passing through said body and a first ramp cooperating with the first pin, the other of the two elements being provided on said means ejection. In addition, the passage of the jaw from the first position to the second position, and vice versa, is effected by relative movement of the first pin along said first ramp.
De préférence, ledit dispositif de préhension est équipé de moyens élastiques de rappel rappelant le mors mobile dans sa première position ou dans sa seconde position.Preferably, said gripping device is equipped with elastic return means reminding the movable jaw in its first position or in its second position.
De préférence, le dispositif de préhension comporte l'un des deux éléments parmi un second pion traversant ledit corps et une seconde rampe coopérant avec le second pion, l'autre des deux éléments étant prévu sur lesdits moyens d'éjection. De plus, la partie basse du système de pipetage est conçue de sorte que lors d'un déplacement vers le bas du dispositif de préhension, ce dernier passe de sa configuration ouverte à sa configuration fermée par rotation relative entre les moyens d'éjection et le dispositif de préhension provoquée par le déplacement relatif du second pion le long de ladite seconde rampe. C'est préférentiellement cette rotation relative qui conduit ledit mors à passer de sa première position à sa seconde position.Preferably, the gripping device comprises one of two elements among a second pin passing through said body and a second ramp cooperating with the second pin, the other of the two elements being provided on said ejection means. In addition, the lower part of the pipetting system is designed so that during a downward movement of the gripping device, the latter moves from its open configuration to its closed configuration by relative rotation between the ejection means and the gripping device caused by the relative displacement of the second pin along said second ramp. It is preferentially this relative rotation which causes said bit to move from its first position to its second position.
De préférence, la seconde rampe est conçue de sorte qu'après le passage en configuration fermée du dispositif de préhension, cette configuration fermée est conservée lors d'une remontée du dispositif de préhension. Une séquence de pipetage peut alors ensuite être mise en oeuvre à l'aide des moyens classiques de commande de la pipette.Preferably, the second ramp is designed so that after the passage in the closed configuration of the gripping device, this closed configuration is retained during a recovery of the gripping device. A pipetting sequence can then be carried out using conventional means for controlling the pipette.
De préférence, ledit corps comporte l'un des deux éléments parmi un troisième pion et une troisième rampe coopérant avec le troisième pion, l'autre des deux éléments étant prévu sur lesdits moyens d'éjection. De plus, la partie basse du système de pipetage est conçue de sorte que lors d'un déplacement vers le bas des moyens d'éjection, ledit dispositif de préhension est amené de la configuration fermée à la configuration ouverte par mise en rotation des moyens d'éjection relativement audit corps, provoquée par déplacement relatif du troisième pion le long de ladite troisième rampe. Aussi, cela permet d'obtenir un déplacement hélicoïdal des moyens d'éjection en leur appliquant un simple mouvement de translation vers le bas. La poussée du capillaire et la libération du piston sont donc réalisées simultanément, pour une ergonomie parfaitement optimisée.Preferably, said body comprises one of two elements among a third pin and a third ramp cooperating with the third pin, the other of the two elements being provided on said ejection means. In addition, the lower part of the pipetting system is designed so that during a downward movement of the ejection means, said gripping device is brought from the closed configuration to the open configuration by rotating the means for dispensing. ejection relative to said body, caused by relative movement of the third pin along said third ramp. Also, this makes it possible to obtain a helical displacement of the ejection means by applying to them a simple translation movement downwards. The capillary thrust and the release of the piston are therefore performed simultaneously for a perfectly optimized ergonomics.
De préférence, la troisième rampe est conçue de sorte qu'après le passage en configuration ouverte du dispositif de préhension, cette configuration ouverte est conservée lors d'une remontée des moyens d'éjection. Par conséquent, le dispositif de préhension reste avantageusement en configuration ouverte, prêt à coopérer avec un nouvel ensemble capillaire-piston.Preferably, the third ramp is designed so that after the passage in open configuration of the gripping device, this open configuration is maintained during a recovery of the ejection means. Therefore, the gripping device advantageously remains in open configuration, ready to cooperate with a new capillary-piston assembly.
De préférence, les première, seconde et troisième rampes sont prévues sur la surface intérieure des moyens d'éjection. Alternativement, elles pourraient être placées, au moins l'une d'elles, sur le corps et/ou le dispositif de préhension.Preferably, the first, second and third ramps are provided on the inner surface of the ejection means. Alternatively, they could be placed, at least one of them, on the body and / or the gripping device.
De préférence, lesdits moyens d'éjection comprennent une bague entourant le corps et portant de manière rotative un fourreau d'éjection entourant également le corps. C'est ainsi ce fourreau qui est destiné à pouvoir pivoter relativement au dispositif de préhension, pour amener ce dernier en configuration ouverte ou fermée. A cet égard, il est indiqué que la rotation relative susmentionnée est réalisée préférentiellement par rotation des moyens d'éjection autour de l'axe longitudinal du système de pipetage, en gardant, selon ce même axe, le dispositif de préhension fixe en rotation. Une solution technique inverse est cependant envisageable, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention. De même, une solution mixte où les moyens d'éjection et le dispositif de préhension tourneraient selon des sens opposés est également possible.Preferably, said ejection means comprise a ring surrounding the body and rotatably carrying an ejection sleeve also surrounding the body. It is thus this sheath that is intended to be pivotable relative to the gripping device, to bring it in open or closed configuration. In this regard, it is indicated that the aforementioned relative rotation is preferably performed by rotating the ejection means about the longitudinal axis of the pipetting system, keeping, along the same axis, the gripping device fixed in rotation. An inverse technical solution is however possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly, a mixed solution where the ejection means and the gripping device would rotate in opposite directions is also possible.
L'invention a également pour objet un système de pipetage à déplacement positif comprenant une partie basse telle que décrite ci-dessus.The invention also relates to a positive displacement pipetting system comprising a lower part as described above.
De préférence, il s'agit d'une pipette, manuelle ou motorisée, comportant une partie haute formant poignée équipée d'un bouton d'éjection raccordé auxdits moyens d'éjection. Dans ce cas de figure, ledit bouton d'éjection est préférentiellement distinct d'un bouton de commande du déplacement du piston.Preferably, it is a pipette, manual or motorized, comprising a high part forming a handle equipped with an ejection button connected to said ejection means. In this case, said ejection button is preferably separate from a button for controlling the movement of the piston.
Alternativement, le système de pipetage peut être un automate.Alternatively, the pipetting system may be an automaton.
L'invention a également pour objet un procédé de pipetage à l'aide d'un système de pipetage à déplacement positif tel que décrit ci-dessus, comprenant les étapes successives suivantes :
- (a) emmanchement du capillaire de l'ensemble capillaire-piston sur un embout du système de pipetage, et introduction de l'extrémité haute du piston de l'ensemble dans le dispositif de préhension lors de son déplacement jusqu'à une position basse, introduction au cours de laquelle il est opéré une rotation relative entre lesdits moyens d'éjection et le dispositif de préhension pour amener ce dernier de la configuration ouverte à la configuration fermée, afin de retenir l'extrémité haute du piston ;
- (b) prélèvement et dispense d'un échantillon par actionnement d'une tige de commande reliée au dispositif de préhension ;
- (c) éjection de l'ensemble capillaire-piston par déplacement vers le bas desdits moyens d'éjection poussant le capillaire, éjection au cours de laquelle il est opéré une rotation relative entre lesdits moyens d'éjection et le dispositif de préhension pour amener ce dernier de la configuration fermée à la configuration ouverte libérant l'extrémité haute du piston.
- (a) fitting the capillary of the capillary-piston assembly to a tip of the pipetting system, and introduction of the upper end of the piston of the assembly into the gripping device when it is moved to a low position, introduction during which there is a relative rotation between said ejection means and the gripping device to bring it from the open configuration to the closed configuration, to retain the upper end of the piston;
- (b) sampling and dispensing a sample by actuating a control rod connected to the gripping device;
- (c) ejection of the capillary-piston assembly by downward displacement of said ejection means pushing the capillary, ejection during which it is operated a relative rotation between said ejection means and the gripping device to bring this last from the closed configuration to the open configuration releasing the top end of the piston.
De préférence, pour l'étape (a), ladite rotation relative entre lesdits moyens d'éjection et le dispositif de préhension s'effectue automatiquement lors de la descente du dispositif de préhension, et pour l'étape (c), ladite rotation relative entre lesdits moyens d'éjection et le dispositif de préhension s'effectue automatiquement lors de la descente des moyens d'éjection. Comme mentionné ci-dessus, si l'automatisation souhaitée peut prendre toute forme jugée appropriée par l'homme du métier, elle est préférentiellement mise en oeuvre par des moyens mécaniques convertisseurs de mouvement comme des liaisons mécaniques du type rampe/pion ou similaires.Preferably, for step (a), said relative rotation between said ejection means and the gripping device is performed automatically during the descent of the gripping device, and for step (c), said relative rotation between said ejection means and the gripping device is performed automatically during the descent of the ejection means. As mentioned above, if the desired automation can take any form deemed appropriate by those skilled in the art, it is preferably implemented by mechanical means of motion converters such as mechanical links of the ramp / pawn type or the like.
D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront dans la description détaillée non limitative ci-dessous.Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in the detailed non-limiting description below.
Cette description sera faite au regard des dessins annexés parmi lesquels ;
- la
figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'une pipette de prélèvement à déplacement positif, selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention ; - la
figure 2 représente une vue en coupe de la partie basse de la pipette montrée sur la figure précédente, avec la pipette se trouvant en configuration dépourvue d'ensemble capillaire-piston, et avec le bouton de commande en position haute ; - la
figure 3 représente une vue coupée transversalement montrant des liaisons rampe/pion spécifiques à la présente invention ; - la
figure 4 est une vue schématique de côté des moyens d'éjection, montrant des liaisons rampe/pion spécifiques à la présente invention ; et - les
figures 5a à 8d , issues desfigures 2 à 4 , montrent la pipette dans différentes configurations au cours d'un cycle de pipetage.
- the
figure 1 is a perspective view of a positive displacement sampling pipette, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; - the
figure 2 represents a sectional view of the lower part of the pipette shown in the previous figure, with the pipette being in a configuration devoid of a capillary-piston assembly, and with the control knob in the up position; - the
figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing ramp / pawn links specific to the present invention; - the
figure 4 is a schematic side view of the ejection means, showing ramp / pin links specific to the present invention; and - the
Figures 5a to 8d , resulting fromFigures 2 to 4 , show the pipette in different configurations during a pipetting cycle.
En référence tout d'abord à la
Dans toute la description qui va suivre, les termes « haut » et « bas » sont à considérer avec la pipette maintenue à la verticale, en position de pipetage ou proche de cette même position.Throughout the following description, the terms "high" and "low" are to be considered with the pipette held vertically, in the pipetting position or close to this same position.
La pipette 1 présente un corps extérieur dont la partie haute forme une poignée 2 pour l'opérateur, et dont la partie basse 4 est plus effilée, se terminant vers le bas par un embout 6 sur lequel un capillaire est destiné à être emmanché. La partie basse 4 est montée préférentiellement vissée sur le corps formant poignée 2, par une bague filetée 5, de manière à faciliter le montage/démontage.The
La pipette intègre une tige de commande 8, logée à coulissement à l'intérieur du corps extérieur de pipette. La tige 8 est agencée selon l'axe longitudinal 10 de la pipette. Son extrémité haute fait saillie vers le haut à partir du corps formant poignée 2, et porte un bouton de commande 12 destiné à être actionné par le pouce d'un opérateur tenant le corps 2 avec l'une de ses mains. La tige 8 est logée coulissante à travers une vis de réglage de volume à prélever (non représentée). Comme cela est montré en partie sur la
D'une manière connue, la rotation de la tige de commande 8 par son bouton 12 permet de déplacer la vis de réglage relativement au corps extérieur de pipette selon l'axe 10, et entraîne donc une modification du volume de l'échantillon destiné à être prélevé.In known manner, the rotation of the
L'extrémité basse de la tige de commande 8 est en appui axial contre un dispositif de préhension en forme de pince 20, montée coulissante dans un alésage 18 du corps creux 19 de la partie basse intégrant l'embout 6 à son extrémité basse.The lower end of the
Comme cela est visible sur la
Des moyens élastiques de rappel 32 permettent de rappeler le mors mobile 26 dans sa première position assurant un serrage de la pince 20. Pour ce faire, les moyens élastiques de rappel sollicitent les mors/mâchoires 25, 26 radialement vers l'intérieur, de préférence en entourant ces mêmes mâchoires. Il peut alors s'agir d'un ressort 32 de forme globale annulaire, dont le diamètre peut être augmenté lorsqu'il est mis en contrainte radialement vers l'extérieur. Dans l'exemple montré sur la
De plus, chaque mors 25, 26 présente une extrémité chanfreinée de manière à faciliter l'insertion du piston, comme cela sera explicité ci-après.In addition, each
De plus, le corps de pince 24 présente un premier épaulement 38 orienté vers le bas, en regard et à distance d'un épaulement 40 pratiqué sur la partie basse 4, à proximité de l'embout 6. Un ressort de rappel 42 est logé en appui entre ces deux épaulements 38, 40, afin de constituer un ressort de rappel en position haute de cette pince 20 et de la tige de commande située en appui, dans son prolongement. La force de rappel développée par ce ressort de compression 42 conduit effectivement la tige de commande 8 à adopter sa position haute par rapport au corps extérieur, une butée haute conventionnelle (non représentée) étant prévue à cet effet sur ce même corps extérieur.In addition, the
La pince 20 comporte un second épaulement 44, également orienté vers le bas en regard et à distance de l'épaulement 40. Le second épaulement 44 se situe plus vers bas et radialement vers l'intérieur par rapport au premier épaulement 38. Il est ainsi entouré par le ressort 42. Comme cela sera décrit ci-après, il est prévu pour constituer une butée basse pour la pince 20 et la tige de commande 8 en appui sur cette même pince. Dans la position haute montrée sur la
L'une des particularités de la présente invention réside dans la présence de moyens d'éjection 46 d'un ensemble capillaire-piston, montés extérieurement autour du corps creux 19, et coulissants relativement à ce dernier selon la direction de l'axe 10.One of the peculiarities of the present invention lies in the presence of ejection means 46 of a capillary-piston assembly, mounted externally around the
Ces moyens 46 comportent une bague intermédiaire 47 entourant le corps creux 19 de la partie basse, cette bague portant de manière rotative, vers le bas, un fourreau d'éjection 49 entourant également ce corps 19. Le fourreau présente une extrémité basse 51 agencée à proximité de l'embout 6 et destinée à appuyer sur le capillaire emmanché afin de procéder à son éjection.These means 46 comprise an
La bague intermédiaire 47 est portée par un bras supérieur 52, qui s'étend vers le haut en traversant éventuellement un orifice 54 de la poignée 2, jusqu'à une extrémité haute fixée à un bouton d'éjection 48. Ce bouton 48 est agencé en partie haute de la pipette, à proximité du bouton principal de commande 12, mais distinct de ce dernier. Il est également destiné à être simplement actionné par le pouce d'un opérateur tenant le corps 2 avec l'une de ses mains.The
En référence conjointement aux
Lorsque le pion 54 se trouve dans la seconde position montrée sur les
La liaison mécanique formée par le pion 54 et la rampe 58 est telle que lorsque le pion se déplace relativement à la rampe en direction de zone éloignée 58b, cela entraîne un pivotement du mors mobile 26 selon l'axe 27, sous l'action de la force de rappel du ressort 32. Le mors mobile 26 se déplace ainsi de sa seconde position à sa première position par déplacement relatif du pion 54 le long de la rampe 58, et inversement. Dans la première position qui sera décrite ci-après, les mors rapprochés 25, 26 placent la pince 20 en configuration fermée assurant le maintien par friction du piston dans la pince.The mechanical connection formed by the
En outre, il est prévu une autre liaison mécanique comprenant un second pion 60 faisant saillie radialement vers l'extérieur à partir du corps de pince 24, et traversant une fente 64 pratiquée dans le corps creux 19. Une seconde rampe 62 est associée au pion 60. Le pion 60 est en appui sur cette seconde rampe 62 également prévue sur la surface intérieure du fourreau 49.In addition, there is provided another mechanical connection comprising a
La rampe 62 présente une forme complexe qui va être détaillée en référence à la
Lorsque le bouton de commande se trouve en position haute, tout comme la pince 20 en configuration ouverte comme montré sur les
Par ailleurs, il est prévu une autre liaison mécanique comprenant un troisième pion 68 faisant saillie radialement vers l'extérieur à partir du corps creux 19. Une troisième rampe 70 est associée au pion 68. Le pion 68 est en appui sur cette troisième rampe 70 également prévue sur la surface intérieure du fourreau 49.Furthermore, there is provided another mechanical connection comprising a
La rampe 70 présente une forme complexe qui va être détaillée en référence à la
En référence à présent aux
Tout d'abord en référence aux
Ensuite, l'opérateur appuie sur le bouton de commande 12 afin d'amener la tige de commande 8 et la pince 20 vers la position basse. Ce déplacement a pour conséquence un mouvement du second pion 60 le long du premier flanc 62a de la seconde rampe 62, jusqu'au bas de ce premier flanc. Durant cette première phase de descente de la pince, la position angulaire du fourreau 49 par rapport au corps 19 et à la pince 20 reste conservée. Le mors mobile 26 ne subit donc aucun déplacement selon son axe de pivotement 27, sa seconde position étant conservée par l'appui du pion 54 sur la zone rapprochée 58a de la première rampe 58. La position relative du troisième pion 68 sur la rampe 70 reste inchangée, à savoir que le pion 68 se trouve en appui contre le fond 70b et le premier flanc 70a. Durant cette première phase de descente de la pince autorisée par la compression du ressort 42, l'extrémité haute 86 du piston 82 a débuté son introduction entre les mors écartés 25, 26.Then, the operator presses the
Lorsque le déplacement de la tige 8 et de la pince 20 est poursuivi vers le bas, toujours à l'encontre du ressort 42, le second pion 60 arrive en appui sur la zone d'actionnement 62b de la seconde rampe 62, comme cela est montré sur les
En position de fin de course montrée sur les
A la fin de cette étape, le piston se situe en position basse de butée dans le capillaire. Ainsi, pour simplifier le processus de prélèvement, la tige de commande 8 est de préférence maintenue en position basse jusqu'au prélèvement de l'échantillon, durant lequel la tige de commande remonte avec le piston pour créer l'aspiration du liquide.At the end of this step, the piston is in the lower abutment position in the capillary. Thus, to simplify the sampling process, the
Durant cette remontée du piston et de la pince schématisée sur les
C'est ensuite la dispense du liquide prélevé qui est effectuée, par déplacement de la tige de commande via son bouton 12, d'une manière identique à celle réalisée pour la préhension du piston, mais avec le mors mobile 26 maintenue dans sa première position de serrage du piston. En effet, la course est la même, amenant la tige de commande 8 en position basse jusqu'au contact entre les épaulements 44, 40.It is then the dispensing of the sampled liquid which is carried out, by displacement of the control rod via its
Enfin, il est procédé à l'éjection de l'ensemble consommable 84, à l'aide des moyens d'éjection 46 actionnés par le bouton d'éjection 48. Cette étape d'éjection est schématisée sur les
L'appui axial sur le bouton d'éjection 48 conduit la bague 47 et le fourreau 49 à coulisser vers le bas, selon l'axe 10. Mais durant cette descente des moyens d'éjection, l'appui provoqué par le déplacement relatif du pion 68 le long de la zone d'actionnement 70c de la troisième rampe 70 pousse le fourreau 49 à tourner selon la direction de la flèche 79 de la
En d'autres termes, lors du mouvement hélicoïdal du fourreau 49, il se crée simultanément une poussée du capillaire via l'extrémité basse 51 du fourreau, et une ouverture de la pince 20 libérant l'extrémité haute 86 du piston 82. L'ensemble 84 peut ainsi être éjecté facilement, d'une manière astucieuse spécifique à la présente invention.In other words, during the helical movement of the
Enfin, il est indiqué que lors de la remontée des moyens d'éjection, la configuration ouverte de la pince 20 est bien entendu conservée afin de maintenir la pipette prête à une future utilisation. Durant cette remontée, le troisième pion 68 se déplace le long du premier flanc 70a qu'il a déjà contacté en fin d'opération d'éjection, en raison de la faible largeur entre l'extrémité haute de la zone d'actionnement 70c et le premier flanc 70a. Une fois les moyens d'éjection revenus en position haute, le pion 68 se retrouve à nouveau au niveau de la jonction entre le flanc 70a et le fond 70b. Par ailleurs, durant la remontée des moyens d'éjection 46, la position relative du second pion 60 et de la seconde rampe 62 reste inchangée. Il ne se produit par conséquent aucun mouvement de rotation relatif entre le fourreau 49 et la pince 20 ou le corps 19.Finally, it is indicated that during the raising of the ejection means, the open configuration of the
Bien entendu, diverses modifications peuvent être apportées par l'homme du métier à l'invention qui vient d'être décrite, uniquement à titre d'exemples non limitatifs.Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described, solely by way of non-limiting examples.
Claims (15)
- Bottom part (4) of a positive-displacement pipetting system (1), including a body (19) slideably housing a device (20) for gripping the top end (86) of a piston (82) belonging to a capillary-piston assembly (84) the capillary of which is intended to be fitted onto an end-fitting (6) of the body,
characterized in that it also comprises means (46) for ejecting the capillary-piston assembly arranged externally with respect to said body (19) and slideably mounted relative to it according to a longitudinal axis (10) of the pipetting system, so as to be capable of cooperating with said capillary for ejection thereof,
and in that the bottom part is also designed so that a relative rotation between the ejection means (46) and the gripping device (20), according to the longitudinal axis (10) of the pipetting system, causes the gripping device to pass from an open configuration enabling the top end (86) of the piston (82) to a closed configuration enabling said end to be retained, and/or to pass from the closed configuration to the open configuration. - Bottom part of pipetting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping device (20) has a jaw (26) mobile between a first position bringing the device (20) into the closed configuration and a second position bringing the device into the open configuration, the mobile jaw (26) comprising one of the two elements among a first pin (54) passing through said body (19) and a first ramp (58) cooperating with said first pin, the other of the two elements being provided on said ejection means (46), and in that the passage of the mobile jaw (26) from the first position to the second position, and the reverse, is caused by a relative displacement of the first pin (54) along said first ramp (58).
- Bottom part of pipetting system according to claim 2, characterized in that the gripping device (20) is equipped with resilient return means (32) returning the mobile jaw (26) to its first position or to its second position.
- Bottom part of pipetting system according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the gripping device (20) comprises one of the two elements among a second pin (60) passing through said body (19) and a second ramp (62) cooperating with the second pin, the other of the two elements being provided on said ejection means (46), and in that the bottom part of the pipetting system is designed so that, during a downward displacement of the gripping device (20), the latter passes from its open configuration to its closed configuration by a relative rotation between the ejection means (46) and the gripping device (20) caused by the relative displacement of the second pin (60) along said second ramp (62).
- Bottom part of pipetting system according to claim 4, characterized in that the second ramp (62) is designed so that, after the gripping device (20) passes into the closed configuration, this closed configuration is maintained as the gripping device rises.
- Bottom part of pipetting system according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said body (19) comprises one of the two elements among a third pin (68) and a third ramp (70) cooperating with the third pin, the other of the two elements being provided on said ejection means (46), and in that the bottom part of the pipetting system is designed so that, during a downward displacement of the ejection means (46), said gripping device (20) is brought from the closed configuration to the open configuration by a rotation of the ejection means (46) relative to said body (19), caused by a relative displacement of the third pin (68) along said third ramp (70).
- Bottom part of pipetting system according to claim 6, characterized in that the third ramp (70) is designed so that, after the gripping device (20) passes into the open configuration, this open configuration is maintained as the ejection means (46) rise.
- Bottom part of pipetting system according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the first, second and third ramps (58, 62, 70) are provided on the interior surface of the ejection means (46).
- Bottom part of pipetting system according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said ejection means (46) include a ring (47) surrounding the body (19) and rotatably bearing an ejection sheath (49) also surrounding the body (19).
- Positive-displacement pipetting system (1) including a bottom part (4) according to any one of the previous claims.
- Pipetting system according to claim 10, characterized in that it is a pipette (1), manual or powered, comprising a handle-forming top part (2) equipped with an ejection button (48) connected to said ejection means (46).
- Pipetting system according to claim 11, characterized in that said ejection button (48) is distinct from a button (12) for controlling the displacement of the piston (82).
- Pipetting system according to claim 10, characterized in that it is an automated system.
- Pipetting method using a positive-displacement pipetting system (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, including the following successive steps:(a) fitting of the capillary (80) of the capillary-piston assembly (84) on the end-fitting of the pipetting system, and insertion of the top end (86) of the piston of the assembly into the gripping device (20) during the displacement thereof to a bottom position, during which insertion a relative rotation is performed between said ejection means (46) and the gripping device (20) in order to bring the latter from the open configuration to the closed configuration, so as to retain the top end of the piston;(b) collection and dispensing of a sample by actuation of a control rod (8) connected to the gripping device;(c) ejection of the capillary-piston assembly (84) by downward displacement of said ejection means (46) thrusting the capillary, during which ejection a relative rotation is performed between said ejection means (46) and the gripping device (20) in order to bring the latter from the closed configuration to the open configuration releasing the top end of the piston.
- Method according to claim 14, characterized in that, for step (a), said relative rotation between said ejection means (46) and the gripping device (20) is performed automatically as the gripping device (20) descends, and in that, for step (c), said relative rotation between said ejection means (46) and the gripping device (20) is performed automatically as the ejection means (46) descend.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL14711539T PL2978533T3 (en) | 2013-03-25 | 2014-03-21 | Ejection mechanism for a positive displacement pipette |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR1352660A FR3003643B1 (en) | 2013-03-25 | 2013-03-25 | POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PIPETTING SYSTEM HAVING ENHANCED EJECTION FUNCTION |
PCT/EP2014/055769 WO2014154594A1 (en) | 2013-03-25 | 2014-03-21 | Ejection function for a positive-displacement pipetting system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2978533A1 EP2978533A1 (en) | 2016-02-03 |
EP2978533B1 true EP2978533B1 (en) | 2017-04-19 |
Family
ID=49713118
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP14711539.8A Active EP2978533B1 (en) | 2013-03-25 | 2014-03-21 | Ejection mechanism for a positive displacement pipette |
Country Status (11)
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---|---|
US (1) | US9931625B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2978533B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6305512B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR102277808B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN105073263B (en) |
BR (1) | BR112015023828A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2907534C (en) |
ES (1) | ES2633995T3 (en) |
FR (1) | FR3003643B1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2978533T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014154594A1 (en) |
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FR2980123B1 (en) | 2011-09-19 | 2013-10-11 | Gilson Sas | POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PIPETTE HAVING AN IMPROVED EJECTION FUNCTION |
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FR3003643B1 (en) | 2013-03-25 | 2015-04-17 | Gilson Sas | POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PIPETTING SYSTEM HAVING ENHANCED EJECTION FUNCTION |
FR3012883B1 (en) | 2013-11-07 | 2015-12-25 | Gilson Sas | POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PIPETTING SYSTEM HAVING DESIGN FOR FACILITATING PREVENTION OF THE PISTON OF THE CAPILLARY PISTON ASSEMBLY |
CN107530702B (en) * | 2015-04-16 | 2019-06-11 | 因特格拉生物科学股份公司 | Capacity regulating for Manual liquid transfering device |
FR3040896B1 (en) | 2015-09-15 | 2017-10-13 | Gilson Sas | PRESSURE PIPETTE COMPRISING A DOUBLE-FUNCTION CONTROL MEMBER FOR CONE EJECTION AND UNLOCKING OF THE VOLUME ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM |
FR3049877B1 (en) * | 2016-04-12 | 2018-04-13 | Gilson Sas | PIPETTE FOR THE COLLECTION OF AN EXTENDED BEACH OF LIQUID VOLUMES |
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DE102016121816A1 (en) * | 2016-11-14 | 2018-05-17 | Ika-Werke Gmbh & Co. Kg | Fluid delivery unit and hand metering device with at least one fluid delivery unit |
DE102016121813A1 (en) | 2016-11-14 | 2018-05-17 | Ika-Werke Gmbh & Co. Kg | Pipette and method for adjusting a volume of a pipette to be pipetted |
FR3073755B1 (en) * | 2017-11-20 | 2019-12-20 | Gilson Sas | FUNCTIONALIZED ACCESSORY FOR MECHANICAL PIPETTE OF SAMPLING |
EP3774051A1 (en) * | 2018-03-27 | 2021-02-17 | Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. | Syringe device |
USD875964S1 (en) * | 2018-04-26 | 2020-02-18 | IKA—Werke Gmbh & Co. KG | Pipette |
EP3680017B1 (en) * | 2019-01-08 | 2021-07-21 | Eppendorf AG | Pipette for use with a pipette tip |
US11471878B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-10-18 | Mettler-Toledo Rainin, LLC | Powered positive displacement pipette |
US11446672B2 (en) * | 2019-10-25 | 2022-09-20 | Mettler-Toledo Rainin, LLC | Powered positive displacement pipette syringe piston grasping mechanism |
EP4406655A2 (en) * | 2020-06-22 | 2024-07-31 | Eppendorf SE | Pipette for use with a pipette tip or syringe having a piston and a cylinder |
FR3126891B1 (en) * | 2021-09-14 | 2023-09-01 | Gilson Sas | POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT SAMPLING DEVICE, DESIGNED TO FACILITATE CAPILLARY EJECTION |
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2013
- 2013-03-25 FR FR1352660A patent/FR3003643B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2014
- 2014-03-21 WO PCT/EP2014/055769 patent/WO2014154594A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-03-21 CN CN201480018619.3A patent/CN105073263B/en active Active
- 2014-03-21 CA CA2907534A patent/CA2907534C/en active Active
- 2014-03-21 JP JP2016504596A patent/JP6305512B2/en active Active
- 2014-03-21 US US14/779,518 patent/US9931625B2/en active Active
- 2014-03-21 EP EP14711539.8A patent/EP2978533B1/en active Active
- 2014-03-21 ES ES14711539.8T patent/ES2633995T3/en active Active
- 2014-03-21 KR KR1020157030672A patent/KR102277808B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2014-03-21 PL PL14711539T patent/PL2978533T3/en unknown
- 2014-03-21 BR BR112015023828A patent/BR112015023828A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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PL2978533T3 (en) | 2017-10-31 |
CA2907534C (en) | 2020-12-15 |
CN105073263A (en) | 2015-11-18 |
JP6305512B2 (en) | 2018-04-04 |
JP2016520416A (en) | 2016-07-14 |
US9931625B2 (en) | 2018-04-03 |
EP2978533A1 (en) | 2016-02-03 |
WO2014154594A1 (en) | 2014-10-02 |
CA2907534A1 (en) | 2014-10-02 |
KR20150136516A (en) | 2015-12-07 |
ES2633995T3 (en) | 2017-09-26 |
BR112015023828A2 (en) | 2017-07-18 |
CN105073263B (en) | 2017-02-08 |
KR102277808B1 (en) | 2021-07-15 |
FR3003643B1 (en) | 2015-04-17 |
US20160051978A1 (en) | 2016-02-25 |
FR3003643A1 (en) | 2014-09-26 |
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