Pipettor and externally sealed pipette tips

Abstract

A pipettor uses no pistons in order to provide highly automated, precise and accurate pipetting operations. Additionally, a self-aligning pipette tip enables better engagement of such pipette tips by the pipettor. The pipette tips may be automatically engaged and locked into place by the pipettor and may be automatically disengaged to enable highly-automated pipetting processes for industrial and laboratory purposes. Open proximal ends of the pipette tips are engaged by a pipette block, which then forms a temporary seal with the individual pipette tips. Displacement of the pipette block with respect to the pipette tips increased or decreases the effective volume of the pipette tip allowing it to aspirate or expel fluids in a precise, accurate, and predictable way.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pipettor, comprising: 
 a chassis;    a pipette block coupled to said chassis, said pipette block defining a plurality of pipette bores adapted to slidably receive pipette tips; and    said pipette bores having an open end and a closed end; whereby    said pipette block may be moved relative to said chassis to aspirate and expel fluid by pipette tips.    
     
     
         2 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a locking plate assembly coupled to said chassis; and    said locking plate assembly adapted to receive pipette tips and to releasably lock pipette tips into place relative to said locking plate; whereby    said pipette block may be moved relative to said locking plate to aspirate and expel fluid by pipette tips.    
     
     
         3 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said locking plate assembly further comprises: 
 a first stationary plate defining first pipette apertures adapted to receive pipette tips; and    a locking plate defining pipette locking slots adapted to receive pipette tips, said pipette locking slots generally aligned with said first pipette apertures, said locking plate moving relative to said first stationary plate to lock and unlock pipette tips with respect to said locking plate assembly.    
     
     
         4 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 said locking plate defining pipette locking slots having a wider first end and a narrower second end such that a pipette tip with a locking flange is able to pass through said first end including said locking flange but is unable to pass through said second end as being stopped by said locking flange obstructed by said locking plate.    
     
     
         5 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 said first stationary plate defining locking-flange receiving notches adapted to receive a locking flange of a pipette tip, said receiving notch proximate said first pipette apertures.    
     
     
         6 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a second stationary plate defining second pipette apertures adapted to receive pipette tips, said second pipette apertures generally aligned with said first pipette apertures; whereby    pipette tips may pass through said first pipette apertures, said pipette locking slots, and said second pipette apertures enabling said locking plate assembly to engage and disengage pipette tips.    
     
     
         7 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a pipette block motor coupled to said pipette block, said pipette motor moving said pipette block relative to said chassis.    
     
     
         8 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 said pipette bores being machined into said pipette block.    
     
     
         9 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 said locking plate assembly being fixed to said chassis and said pipette block moving vertically with respect to said locking plate assembly.    
     
     
         10 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a pipettor support, said chassis coupled to said pipettor support, said chassis moveable with respect to said pipettor support.    
     
     
         11 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a vertical displacement motor coupled to said pipettor support and said chassis, said vertical displacement motor moving said chassis with respect to said pippetor support.    
     
     
         12 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a locking motor coupled to said chassis and said locking plate assembly, said locking motor controlling said locking plate assembly to releasably lock pipette tips into place.    
     
     
         13 . A pipettor as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a locking motor coupled to said chassis and said locking plate, said locking motor controlling said locking plate to releasably lock pipette tips into place.    
     
     
         14 . A pipettor, comprising: 
 a pipettor support;    a chassis, said chassis coupled to said pipettor support, said chassis moveable with respect to said pipettor support;    a vertical displacement motor coupled to said pipettor support and said chassis, said vertical displacement motor moving said chassis with respect to said pipettor support;    a pipette block coupled to said chassis, said pipette block defining a plurality of pipette bores being machined into said pipette block and adapted to slidably receive pipette tips, said pipette bores having an open end and a closed end;    a pipette block motor coupled to said pipette block, said pipette motor moving said pipette block relative to said chassis;    a locking plate assembly being fixed to said chassis, said pipette block moving vertically with respect to said locking plate assembly, said locking plate assembly adapted to receive pipette tips and to releasably lock pipette tips into place relative to said locking plate so that said pipette block may be moved relative to said locking plate to aspirate and expel fluid by pipette tips, said locking plate assembly including a first stationary plate, a second stationary plate, and a locking plate slidably operating between said first and second stationary plates;    said first stationary plate defining first pipette apertures adapted to receive pipette tips, said first stationary plate defining locking-flange receiving notches adapted to receive a locking flange of a pipette tip, said receiving notches proximate said first pipette apertures;    said locking plate defining pipette locking slots adapted to receive pipette tips, said pipette locking slots generally aligned with said first pipette apertures, said locking plate moving relative to said first and second stationary plates to lock and unlock pipette tips with respect to said locking plate assembly, said locking plate defining pipette locking slots having a wider first end and a narrower second end such that a pipette tip with a locking flange is able to pass through said first end including said locking flange but is unable to pass through said second end as being stopped by said locking flange obstructed by said locking plate;    a second stationary plate defining second pipette apertures adapted to receive pipette tips, said second pipette apertures generally aligned with said first pipette apertures such that pipette tips may pass through said first pipette apertures, said pipette locking slots, and said second pipette apertures enabling said locking plate assembly to engage and disengage pipette tips; and    a locking motor coupled to said chassis and said locking plate assembly, said locking motor controlling said locking plate assembly to releasably lock pipette tips into place; whereby    said pipette block is moved relative to said chassis and said locking plate assembly to aspirate and expel fluid by pipette tips.