US 12,246,316 B2
Auto-pipetting apparatus and method
Ulysses Gilchrist, Reading, MA (US); and Robert Connors, Beverly, MA (US)
Assigned to HighRes Biosolutions, Inc., Beverly, MA (US)
Filed by HighRes Biosolutions, Inc., Beverly, MA (US)
Filed on Nov. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/522,571.
Application 17/522,571 is a division of application No. 15/883,843, filed on Jan. 30, 2018, granted, now 11,167,282.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/452,572, filed on Jan. 31, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0118437 A1, Apr. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. B01L 3/02 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/0275 (2013.01) [B01L 3/0227 (2013.01); B01L 3/0237 (2013.01); B01L 3/0279 (2013.01); G01N 35/1074 (2013.01); B01L 3/021 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0689 (2013.01); B01L 2200/141 (2013.01); B01L 2300/027 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0487 (2013.01); G01N 35/1016 (2013.01); G01N 2035/103 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An auto-pipetting apparatus comprising:
a frame;
a drive section mounted to the frame;
a dispensing head connected to the frame and having a plurality of pipetting tip mandrels, each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels having an elongated stud body with a dispensing end, each pipetting tip mandrel of the plurality of pipetting tip mandrels being configured for mating with a respective pipetting tip into which the elongated stud body of the pipetting tip mandrel is inserted dispensing end first;
a seal pair of adjustable seals mounted to each pipetting tip mandrel, the seal pair of adjustable seals is disposed with one seal of the seal pair separated from another seal of the seal pair at different lengths of the elongated stud body from the dispensing end; and
a seal pair adjustment member that is: separate and distinct from the elongated stud body, coupled with each pipetting tip mandrel, and operably connected to the drive section so that actuation of the drive section drives motion of the seal pair adjustment member relative to and independent of motion of a respective elongated stud body of each pipetting tip mandrel coupled to the seal pair adjustment member;
wherein the seal pair adjustment member commonly engages both seals, of the seal pair, substantially simultaneously adjusting each seal of the seal pair from a corresponding disengaged position, in which each seal forms a clearance fit between a respective pipetting tip mandrel and the respective pipetting tip, to an engaged position in which each seal of the seal pair contacts the respective pipetting tip mated to the respective pipetting tip mandrel effecting a releasable grip that substantially simultaneously grips the respective pipetting tip mated to the respective pipetting tip mandrel with both seals of the seal pair.