EP1177831A2 - Repeating manually operable device for dispensing and/or withdrawing liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

A repeating removal and/or receiving device (1) comprises an adjusting device (4), a motor drive unit (5) and a control unit (6) for the drive; a manually operated operating element (8); and a programming element for the control unit. A liquid amount is adjusted in the control unit using the programming element and a process interval for a number of process steps can be adjusted in the control unit. The process interval is determined by the control unit by evaluating the time distance arising during previous single or multiple triggering of one process step. Preferred Features: The operating element operates according to a computer mouse with a single click for a single operation and a double click for a continuous operation.

Description

The present patent application relates to a manually operated repetitive one Dispensing and / or receiving device for liquids with the features the preamble of claim 1.

The teaching of the invention relates generally to the handling of liquids. Initially, this can involve dispensing liquids a corresponding delivery device in a metered manner from a previously recorded larger volume of liquid or from another stored Act liquid volume. But it can also be controlled Activate absorption of liquid subsets from liquid volumes. Finally, it can also be a combination of both methods, that is, both absorption and delivery of liquid portions. The latter can also be in a recurring cycle of intake / delivery or intake / movement / delivery expire.

The teaching of the present patent application is primarily based on Dispensing facilities described. This is for easier understanding of the Operation of the device described. Regardless, the teaching is The present patent application is broad for all types of liquid handling can be used when dispensing and / or taking up liquids.

Dispensing devices of the type in question are, for example, direct displacement or repeating pipettes with an air cushion for a pipette system or directly displacing or with air cushion displacing dosing devices of a dosing system.

Hand-operated repeating pipettes are hand-operated pipettes with one attached, large-volume syringe from which by actuating the actuating element each metered a small portion into a receptacle can be. Repeating pipettes are used for screening in particular in connection with a variety of receptacles, often with so-called Titer plates.

There are manually operated repeating pipettes, which have a piston actuating device is operated via a step mechanism and the plunger of the syringe in each dosing step advances to the desired specific dimension. Subject of the invention However, among other things an electric repeater pipette in which when actuating the actuating element on the pipette housing, the electromotive Drive is controlled and the piston actuator around desired dimension moves.

The usual volumes to be pipetted, that is to say dosing quantities, are, for example at 100 µl to 500 µl, a typical syringe then, for example, one Filling quantity that corresponds to 10 to 100 times the desired dosage.

An electric repeater pipette has due to the electric motor Drive is particularly easy to use. The one for control of the electric motor drive existing control electronics offers the Possibility to not only precisely specify the dosing quantity, but also one Dosing interval for a large number of doses to be carried out one after the other to be able to specify identical dosing quantities. This is done with such a Repeater pipette (direct displacement) known in practice by means of programming buttons the desired dosing interval in a setting range from 0.1 to 1.0 sec, setting steps of 0.1 sec are specified. In another system known from practice, one is as Air-cushion pipette repeater pipette provided at which a dosing interval between 0.1 sec and 10.0 sec can be entered.

Has an operator from previous activity the impression that, for example a dosing interval of 0.4 seconds is practicable, so this operator this dosing interval using the programming element. The begins Operator then the dosage, so the operator can the actuator Keep pressed after the start of the dosing cycle. The single ones Dosing is then carried out automatically at intervals of the set one Dosing intervals, in the example, every 0.4 seconds. The operator only has to make sure that they actually have the repeater pipette always moved over a new receptacle in this cycle. The necessary individual actuation of the actuating element to trigger the individual metering eliminated. The speed of work increases rapidly.

Surprisingly, it has been shown that the automatic function described above in practice in the known electric motor-operated repeater pipette is not used as often as one might think. The difficulty is there probably because the operator cannot predict with certainty which ones The length of the dosing interval should be in order to meet the personal characteristics correspond. Even one and the same operator can do one in a day have a different rhythm than the day before. Depending on tension and fatigue the rhythm is easier or less easy for the operator to find that corresponds to the dosing interval set in the control electronics. The dosing interval is often adjusted for convenience Not. In fact, when the operator notices that he is using the set dosing interval cannot work properly at the moment, but back on the individual metering is used by actuating the actuating element.

Similar questions as with repeating pipettes also occur with electric motor operated, however, manually operated metering devices generally if to realize an automatic multiple dosing from the dosing device would like to. For metering devices, DE 195 13 023 C2 is the state of the art pointed. They are particularly useful as bottle dispensers or bottle titrators known.

As already mentioned above, a similar question arises also for manually operated holding devices for liquids and for combined facilities, the absorption and dispensing of liquids combine.

A pipetting device with a memory function is known (DE 44 36 595 A1). This Pipetting device has a programming element that has a manual position, a memory setting position and can assume a storage operating position. is If the programming element is in the memory setting position, actuation leads of the actuating element so that one by the operator determining storage volume can be recorded (or released). This storage volume specified by the operator is in the Control electronics memory stored. Then the programming element switched to the storage operating position, a subsequent one leads Actuation of the actuating element by hand to ensure that the delivery (or absorption) of a liquid quantity of the previously stored value automatically he follows. The actuation of the actuating element is then only used the triggering of the submission step or admission step, no longer the determination its duration.

The triggering of the individual process step takes place in the previously explained State of the art in each case by manual actuation of the actuating element. An automatic, multiple, sequential triggering of Process steps in a certain, pre-settable process interval is here not provided.

Also known is an electric repeater pipette (WO 00/51739 A and WO 00/51738 A), which are particularly ergonomic Arrangement of actuators near a display. About the Functionality with regard to the absorption and dispensing of liquid subsets no detail is explained here.

Finally, a metering device to be operated repeatedly is known (prospectus Compudil, April 12, 1984), which is implemented in different ways by means of a programming device Programs can be programmed. With regard to the dispensing of liquid portions corresponds to the functions of that of the previously explained Pipetting device (DE 44 36 595 A1).

The teaching is based on the problem of a delivery and / or reception facility to indicate for liquids of the type in question which handling is further improved.

The problem outlined above is in a facility with the Features of the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing Part of claim 1 solved.

The core of the teaching is the control electronics as a self-learning system embody. The control electronics do not require any presetting of the Process interval by the operator. The operator must rather just start handling, just in the form of individually triggered Process steps, and until the operator yours to this Found a personal rhythm at the time. Change the Operator then from the first type of actuation of the actuator to the second type of actuation of the actuating element, so the Control electronics automatically continue the process steps at the process interval that arises from the time intervals of the previous individual process steps.

The previously explained self-learning function of the control electronics leads to the fact that Process interval adapts to the rhythm of the operator, not vice versa. This is the acceptance of the use of this function in the invention Establishment very high. It has been shown that the working speed is significantly increased with the device according to the invention.

In the following, the teaching of the invention is based on a delivery device for Liquids further explained with the actuation of the actuating element a certain metered amount can be metered by a motor into a receptacle. regardless this applies to the general applicability already mentioned several times the inventive device for handling liquids for all types of dispensing and absorption of liquids.

The term actuating the actuating element is to be understood generally. For example, in the case of an actuating element designed as a pushbutton, it should on the one hand include the normal case that pressing the button of the Operation corresponds. On the other hand, a release of the actuation button is also intended with the appropriate design of the control electronics, the function of Fulfill actuation of the actuating element. So you would have the actuator constantly pressed during single dosages and would use it for only release the individual doses briefly, then continuously if you keep pressing them let go.

Furthermore, a double key would also be conceivable as an actuating element with a Key for single dosing and a second key for automatic dosing. Operation by computer type with one click (for single operation) and double click (for continuous operation) you can imagine.

After all, they are not mechanical, but rather electronic actuators conceivable, in which the actuation is synonymous with influencing or not influencing. For example, you can also use capacitive Think of proximity switches or stray field sensors etc. as actuators. Optical actuating elements, for example, are also of particular interest a light barrier switch.

With regard to the following terminology, the following is defined:

Trigger interval is the interval between the start of an operation of the actuating element and the beginning of the next following actuation of the Actuator. This is also referred to in the text as the time interval between each Operations of the actuator designated.

Process interval is the time interval between the start of a process step and the beginning of the next process step.

The remaining interval is the time interval between the end of a process step and the beginning of the next process step.

Preferred refinements and developments of the teaching of the present Invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Ansicht als bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Einrichtung der in Rede stehenden Art ein Pipettensystem aus einer Repetierpipette und einer daran angebrachten Spritze oberhalb einer Anordnung von Aufnahmegefäßen, nämlich einer Titerplatte,

Fig. 2

das Pipettensystem aus Fig. 1, das Gehäuse von der anderen Seite gesehen,

Fig. 3

ein Blockschaltbild einer erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung und

Fig. 4

ein Ablaufschema für ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Repetierpipette.

In the following, the invention is also generally further explained with the explanation of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

a perspective view as a preferred embodiment of a device of the type in question, a pipette system consisting of a repeater pipette and a syringe attached to it above an arrangement of receptacles, namely a titer plate,

Fig. 2

1, the housing seen from the other side,

Fig. 3

a block diagram of a device according to the invention and

Fig. 4

a flow diagram for a preferred embodiment of a repeater pipette.

The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a delivery device in Form of a repeater pipette 1. It is intended for a hand-operated one Pipette system with such a repeater pipette 1 and an interchangeable one attached syringe 2, the filling quantity is so large that from this syringe 2nd in a multitude of individual steps, small dosing quantities into a multitude can be dosed from receptacles.

Fig. 3 shows in the manner of a block diagram the scheme of the invention Dispensing device 1. FIG. 3 is intended for understanding in the explanation of FIG. 1 and 2 can also be used.

The device 1 according to the invention can be repeating pipettes 1 act as direct displacers or as bubble wipers as well as dosing devices such as bottle dispensers or bottle titrators. following the delivery device 1 is based on the example of a repeater pipette 1 in the form of a direct displacer explained, without this being understood as restrictive. The applications explained in the general part of the description apply when picking up and / or dispensing liquids. An example of a stationary Dosing device is, for example, in the publication already mentioned at the beginning "Compudil" presented, the content of which by reference to the content of the present Patent application is made.

The dispenser 1 shown initially has a housing 3 - pipette housing - And therein an actuating device 4. With a repeater pipette as a delivery device 1, designed as a direct displacer, is the actuating device 4 around a piston adjusting device with which a piston, not shown the syringe 2 for the purpose of single metering certain dosing amounts can be advanced gradually. To operate the actuator 4 serves an electromotive drive 5, which in turn is controlled by control electronics 6 is controlled. In principle, other motor drives can also be used, however, an electric motor drive 5 is particularly practical.

In Fig. 1 you can see 3 handle shapes 7 for safe detection on the housing the repeater pipette 1, and an actuating element 8, which is the one Repeater pipette 1 holding hand of an operator is to be operated. This Actuator 8 has the shape of a in the illustrated embodiment Actuating button. But you can also other actuators 8, for example realize an operating rocker switch or the like. The actuator 8 is used to operate the control electronics 6. If it is operated, then the electromotive drive 5 is briefly controlled by the control electronics 6 and effects the desired adjustment of the adjusting device 4.

However, an embodiment of the actuating element is also particularly expedient 8 as not mechanical, but purely electronic, and preferably non-contact element. Here comes in particular Execution as capacitive proximity switch or stray field sensor or the Execution as an optoelectronic actuating element 8, for example as Interrupt light barrier or reflection sensor in question. Fig. 1 shows on the right in a dashed outline an actuator is based on the principle of operation of an interrupt light barrier. By Pressing on a cover plate 8 '' 'interrupts the light barrier is the actuation signal of the actuation element. Such a signal is for evaluation purposes more convenient to handle in the control electronics 6 because a clear switching threshold can be specified. In contrast, mechanical Bouncing switch. This bouncing must be done by an appropriate Algorithm of the software of the control electronics 6 are taken into account. The makes it necessary to allow for a minimum waiting time during which Actuator is completely "insensitive". This minimum wait together with the minimum release time sets a lower limit for the release interval and thus for the process interval. This lower limit would like of course you should move down as far as possible.

A programming element 9 for the control electronics is also located on the housing 3 6. This is in the illustrated embodiment on the the actuating element 8 opposite side of the housing 3. The programming element 9 for the control electronics 6 has in the illustrated embodiment on the one hand a display area in the form of the display 10, on the other hand several programming buttons 11. The only thing that matters is that these There is a programming device, how it is designed in detail, for a specialist of average skill results from his specialist knowledge. Several can be seen below the repeater pipette 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 Receptacles 12, which in the exemplary embodiment shown are in an 8 × 12 (96) Titer plate 13 are summarized. There are of course many different ones here too Variants.

The design of the control electronics 6 of the repeater pipette 1 is now made so that in the control electronics 6 by means of the programming element 9 a certain one Dosing amount, which is a fraction of the filling amount of the syringe 2, is adjustable, each time the actuating element 8 is actuated from the Syringe 2 is automatically dosed into a receptacle 12. It is characteristic for the function of a repeater pipette 1. Basically, this function can also be realized with different dosing quantities. The same applies to a dispensing device 1 in the form of a metering device.

It is also essential that in the control electronics 6 at least one process interval adjustable for a plurality of process steps to be carried out one after the other is. In the specific embodiment, the process interval by an interval for a large number of doses to be carried out in succession. Because of the general applicability of the teaching according to the invention A process step can also consist of several individual steps, for example from the sequence of an admission step, a transport step and one Dispensing step. In the present embodiment, it remains with the Explanation of a dispensing step.

A first type of actuation of the actuating element 8, in the exemplary embodiment shown a brief actuation of the actuating element 8, effects a single metering. A second type of actuation of the actuating element 8, in the exemplary embodiment shown a continuous actuation of the actuating element 8, causes an automatic multiple dosing in the process interval t _p .

The present technique is about how the process interval t _{p is} found. In the prior art, the process interval t _{p is set} by means of the programming element 9, for example to a value of 0.4 sec. For this purpose, setting steps of 0.1 sec to 1.0 sec are available at intervals of 0.1 sec. Alternatives to this have already been explained in the general part of the description.

The device 1 shown is now characterized in that the process interval t _{p is determined} by the control electronics 6 itself by evaluating the time interval occurring during the previous single or multiple individual triggering of a process step or the time intervals between the individual actuations of the actuating element 8. The control electronics 6 are therefore self-learning in this sense. From the triggering time intervals of previous actuations, the control electronics 6 determines the rhythm in which the operator doses specifically. This then specifies the process interval t _p . The operator himself does not have to set a process interval t _p on the programming element 9, rather the process interval t _p automatically follows the operating rhythm of the operator.

A first possibility for determining the process interval t _p now consists in the control electronics 6 adopting the triggering interval of the last individual metering as the process interval t _p before the sustained actuation of the actuating element 8 begins.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart which shows a further preferred embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. It is provided here that the control electronics 6 adopt a mean value of the last n (n> 1), here the last two triggering time intervals before the actuation element 8 continues to be actuated, as the process interval t _p . In extreme cases, n can simply include all of the individual doses that have previously expired.

The flowchart in FIG. 4 shows individual doses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the automatic dosing beginning with step 6 and then continuing via steps 7, 8, 9. The last two triggering time intervals are recorded, here t _p3 and t _p4 before the actuation _element 8 continues to be actuated in the _{metering step} 5. This is shown by the dashed line.

The desired averaging can be done purely arithmetically, _i.e. according to the formula t _p = (t _p3 + t _p4 ) ./. 2. When averaging, the time intervals of the last n individual doses can also be weighted. This can be done, for example, in such a way that the last three individual doses are recorded, but when averaging, the time interval between the last and the penultimate individual dosing is weighted twice. In this consideration, it is also assumed that the process interval t _P results directly from the trigger interval, so that a conversion or correction is not necessary.

The graphical representation in FIG. 4 could suggest that only the remaining interval is meant here in each case. Of course, this is not the case; the graphic representation is intended to describe the process interval t _P , that is to say the time interval between the start of a process step and the start of the following process step.

A possibility of evaluating the individual doses using the control electronics 6 also consists in that an average of one of the control electronics 6 Most individual doses before automatic dosing starts a statistical evaluation method is determined. Such a statistical Evaluation methods can also be groups of individual dosages spaced apart from one another with a longer learning phase. One way of A filter is implemented in the statistical analysis, for example Control electronics 6, the atypically large and / or atypically small time intervals eliminated.

The control electronics 6 of the dispensing device 1 according to the invention can also be designed such that a process interval t _p previously determined or taken over by the actuation of the actuating element 8 is stored in the control electronics 6 until a possible active deletion and / or until the dispensing device 1 is switched off and at repeated continued actuation of the actuating element 8 is effective again. The process interval t _p , once determined, is thus retained even when the metering activity is interrupted, so that the operator can continue to maintain the rhythm once found.

An active deletion of the stored process interval t _p should also take place by pressing a programming button 11 of the programming element 9 and / or by repeated multiple individual dosing. By multiple individual dosing, the control electronics 6 is signaled by the operator that the operator wishes a new determination of the process interval t _p . The operator may also have changed, the new operator would like to find his own rhythm and have it taken into account in the process interval t _p . This configuration of the control electronics 6 serves this purpose.

It has been shown that the time intervals between the individual actuations of the actuating element 8 with individual dosing, taking into account the time which the actuating element 8 itself requires, are slightly larger than the time intervals when the actuating element 8 is actuated continuously, that is to say during automatic dosing occur. This effect can be dealt with electronically in terms of control technology in that the actually used process interval t _{p is} measured somewhat shorter by the control electronics 6 than the process interval t _p determined by the control electronics 6 from the previous individual doses. A similar effect is achieved if the actual actuation time of the actuation element 8 is not taken into account or only partially taken into account when determining the process interval t _p . This means that the process interval t _{P is} smaller than the trigger interval, on the basis of which the process interval t _{P is} determined. In the case of mechanical actuating elements 8 in particular, this differentiation is important for the reasons already explained above.

The process interval t _p can be corrected in the sense explained above, for example by means of a preferably permanently set correction factor. The choice of the correction factor and the accuracy of the determination of the process interval t _{p as} a whole is of course generally determined by the setting accuracy for the process interval t _p . If only setting steps of 0.1 sec are possible anyway, you can work with a larger error here than if you have a smaller division for the setting steps of the process interval t _p in the control electronics.

A change in the operating rhythm of the operator after the sustained actuation of the actuating element 8 begins can also be taken into account in that the control electronics, even when the actuating element 8 is continuously actuated, detects the cycle of the movement of the dispensing device 1 and uses it to correct the process interval t _p . In this case, since the actuation of the actuating element 8 itself can no longer be used as a control variable for the control electronics 6, the movement of the dispensing device 1 by the operator from the receptacle 12 to the receptacle 12 must be detected in some other way. This can be done, for example, by means of an acceleration sensor, which detects the sideways movement of the dispensing device 1 by evaluating the lateral acceleration, and whose signal is evaluated accordingly by the control electronics 6.

For the first type of actuation of the actuating element 8 and the second type the actuation of the actuating element 8 there are various advantageous Versions. The combination of a short-term one is already in the prior art Actuation and a continuous actuation of the actuating element 8 been proposed. Alternatives result from claims 16 to 19, to which reference is made to avoid repetitions.

As has already been explained above, it has proven to be particularly expedient proved the actuating element 8 as non-mechanical, particularly pure perform electronic, preferably non-contact element. In particular, an optoelectronic actuating element 8, as in the 1 shown with light transmitter 8 'and light receiver 8 " one covered by a deformable or movable cover 8 "' Transmission path is evaluation technology, especially with regard to Evaluation software, particularly useful. On the above Comments may be pointed out.

The previously explained special features of a particularly preferred embodiment a device according to the invention are in a corresponding, adapted Way even with reception facilities or combined delivery and receptacles for liquids can be implemented as the above has been addressed several times.

Overall, the device 1 according to the invention creates with the self-learning Control electronics 6 an easy-to-use system with which extensive Working with a hand-operated device 1 comfortable and can be carried out individually and pleasantly and therefore extremely quickly.

Claims (10)

Repeatedly manually operated dispensing and / or receiving device (1) for liquids, With an actuating device (4), a motor drive (5) for the actuating device (4) and control electronics (6) for the drive (5), with a manually operable actuating element (8) for the control electronics (6) and with a programming element (9) for the control electronics (6), wherein in the control electronics (6) by means of the programming element (9) at least one amount of liquid can be set, which can be conveyed by motor when the actuating element (8) is actuated, wherein at least one process interval (t _p ) for a plurality of process steps to be carried out in succession can be set in the control electronics (6) and wherein a first type of actuation of the actuating element (8) triggers a single process step and a second type of actuation of the actuating element (8) automatically causes multiple, successive triggering of process steps each in the process interval (t _p ), characterized in that the process interval (t _p ) is determined by the control electronics (6) itself by evaluating the time interval occurring during the previous single or multiple individual triggering of a process step or the time intervals between the individual actuations of the actuating element (8). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) is a repeating pipette - directly displacing or with air cushion - for a pipette system with repeating pipette and a replaceable syringe (2), or that the device (1) is a metering device - directly displacing or displacing with air cushion - for a dosing system with dosing device and dosing liquid reservoir. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the control electronics (6) take over the time interval between the last individual triggering before the start of the automatic triggering as a process interval (t _p ), or that the control electronics (6) averages the last n (n> 1), preferably the last two time intervals of the individual trips before the start of the second type of actuation of the actuating element (8) is adopted as the process interval (t _p ), with, preferably, a weighting of the time intervals of the last n individual trips when averaging or that the control electronics (6) determine an average of a plurality of individual trips before the start of the automatic trip according to a statistical evaluation method, the control electronics (6) preferably having a filter for eliminating atypically large and / or small time intervals , Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a process interval (t _p ) in the control electronics (6) which has been determined or taken over by actuating the actuating element (8) until a possible active deletion and / or until the device is switched off ( 1) remains stored and is effective again when the actuating element (8) is actuated again. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an active deletion of a stored process interval (t _p ) takes place by actuating the programming element (9) and / or by repeated individual triggering. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actually used process interval (t _p ) is dimensioned somewhat shorter by the control electronics (6) than the process interval (tp) determined by the control electronics (6) from the previous individual trips, whereby , preferably, the correction is carried out with a preferably fixed correction factor or another constant. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control electronics, even in the second type of actuation, detects the cycle of movement of the device (1) between the triggering processes and uses it to correct the process interval (tp), whereby, preferably, the Control electronics (6) has a sensor, preferably an acceleration sensor, for determining the movement of the device (1) between the triggering processes. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first type of actuation of the actuating element (8) is a brief actuation and the second type is a sustained actuation and / or that the actuation of the actuating element (8) is a pressing of an actuation button and / or that the actuation of the actuation element (8) is a release of a previously pressed actuation key and / or that the actuation element (8) is a double element with a first element for single release and a second element for automatic release. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuating element (8) operates in the manner of a computer mouse with a click (for individual actuation) and a double click (for continuous actuation). Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuating element (8) is designed as a non-mechanical, purely electronic, preferably non-contact element, wherein, preferably, the actuating element (8) is optoelectronic, in particular as a light barrier arrangement or light reflection arrangement , is executed.

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