Claims
- 1. A pipette system comprising, in combination:
a displacement actuator comprising a plurality of plungers; a flexible membrane; and a pipette tip array comprising a plurality of pipette tips formed as a unitary tip block having a base, wherein the flexible membrane is positioned between the displacement actuator and the pipette tip array and wherein the flexible membrane forms a static seal with the base of the unitary tip block.
- 2. The pipette system of claim 1 wherein the displacement actuator is an automatic actuator.
- 3. The pipette system of claim 1 wherein the flexible membrane is an essentially flat.
- 4. The pipette system of claim 1 wherein the displacement actuator and the pipette tip array are united by one or more clamps.
- 5. The pipette system of claim 1 wherein the unitary tip block is manufactured from plastic, metal or plastic and metal.
- 6. The pipette system of claim 1 wherein the unitary tip block includes 1536, 864, 384, 96, 48, 24, 12 or 6 pipette tips each corresponding to a well in a microplate.
- 7. The pipette system of claim 1 wherein the unitary tip block includes 48, 32, 24, 16, 12, or 8 pipette tips corresponding to a row or column of wells in a standard microplate.
- 8. The pipette system of claim 1 wherein the flexible membrane associated with the base of the unitary tip block.
- 9. The pipette system of claim 8 wherein the flexible membrane is glued to the base of the unitary tip block.
- 10. The pipette system of claim 8 wherein a lubricant is located between the flexible membrane and the base of the unitary tip block.
- 11. The pipette system of claim 4 wherein sealing rings are used to secure the base of the pipette tips to the flexible membrane.
- 12. A pipette tip array comprising:
a flexible membrane; and a pipette tip array comprising a plurality of pipette tips formed as a unitary tip block having a base,
wherein the unitary tip block is attached at its base to the flexible membrane.
- 13. The pipette tip array of claim 12 wherein the unitary tip block is plastic, metal or both.
- 14. The pipette tip array of claim 12 wherein the unitary tip block includes 1536, 864, 384, 96, 48, 24, 12 or 6 pipette tips.
- 15. The pipette tip array of claim 12 wherein the flexible membrane is glued to the base of the unitary tip block.
- 16. The pipette tip array of claim 12 wherein a lubricant is coated between the flexible membrane and the base of the unitary tip block.
- 17. The pipette tip array of claim 12 wherein the pipette tip array is used with an automated pipettor.
- 18. A pipette tip array comprising:
a flexible membrane; and a plurality of pipette tips,
wherein the plurality of pipette tips are formed as a unitary tip block having a common base, wherein the flexible membrane is positioned on the base, and wherein a lubricant is coated between the flexible membrane and the base.
- 19. The pipette tip array of claim 18 wherein the pipette tip array is used with an automated pipettor.
- 20. A pipette system comprising, in combination:
a displacement actuator comprising one or more plungers; a pipette barrel through which the displacement actuator travels, a reversible seal element comprising a flexible membrane positioned on the plunger or in the barrel, and a pipette tip array comprising one or more pipette tips.
- 21. A pipette system comprising, in combination:
a displacement actuator comprising one or more hollow pins; a pipette barrel through which the displacement actuator travels; a reversible seal element positioned on the hollow pin or in the pipette barrel; a pipette tip array comprising one or more tips; a fluid flow channel connected to either the pipette barrel or hollow pins; and a valve to open or close the fluid channel.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/356,684, filed Feb. 12, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/409,786, filed Sep. 11, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/417,681, filed Oct. 10, 2002, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0002] This application hereby incorporates by reference in their entirety for all purposes the following patents and patent applications: U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,215, issued Oct. 11, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 6,097,025, issued Aug. 1, 2000; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/478,819, filed Jan. 5, 2000; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/777,343, filed Feb. 5, 2001; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/061,416, filed Feb. 1, 2002; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/703,472, filed Sep. 19, 2000.
Provisional Applications (3)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60356684 |
Feb 2002 |
US |
|
60409786 |
Sep 2002 |
US |
|
60417681 |
Oct 2002 |
US |