Method for registering the filling potential of a waste container of microplate washing devices
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01F-023/14
G01N-035/10
G01F-017/00
B01L-099/00
출원번호
US-0357773
(2012-01-25)
등록번호
US-8800365
(2014-08-12)
우선권정보
CH-150/11 (2011-01-28)
발명자
/ 주소
Streit, Wolfgang
Koota, Juha
Fuchs, Wolfgang
출원인 / 주소
Tecan Trading AG
대리인 / 주소
Notaro, Michalos & Zaccaria P.C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
6
초록▼
Method for registering filling potential of a waste container of a microplate washing device has a needle for aspirating liquids, a waste container, a pump for generating a partial vacuum and a pressure sensor for determining air pressure in the container, a sensor controller, and a first valve for
Method for registering filling potential of a waste container of a microplate washing device has a needle for aspirating liquids, a waste container, a pump for generating a partial vacuum and a pressure sensor for determining air pressure in the container, a sensor controller, and a first valve for blocking the line between the needle and the waste container. The pump and needle are connected to the container and the method includes closing the first valve, generating a partial vacuum in a test range, closing a further valve between the container and the pump, opening the first valve, triggering a partial vacuum dissipation in the container, measuring a test time for the partial vacuum dissipation in the test range, comparing the test time to a known threshold time, and deciding that the waste container is fillable or not.
대표청구항▼
1. A method for registering the filling potential of a waste container (1) of a microplate washing device (2), the microplate washing device (2) at least comprising: a washing needle (5) for aspirating liquids (10);said waste container (1), being closable substantially airtight, for catching aspirat
1. A method for registering the filling potential of a waste container (1) of a microplate washing device (2), the microplate washing device (2) at least comprising: a washing needle (5) for aspirating liquids (10);said waste container (1), being closable substantially airtight, for catching aspirated liquids (10);a pump (3) for generating a partial vacuum in the waste container (1), wherein the pump (3) and the washing needle (5) are each connected via at least one line (6,6′) to the waste container (1); anda pressure sensor (4), which is operationally linked to the waste container (1) for determining an air pressure therein, and a sensor controller (14);wherein the microplate washing device (2) further comprises a valve (7) for blocking the line (6) between the washing needle (5) and the waste container (1);wherein the method comprises the following steps:a) defining a threshold time (22) for an arbitrarily defined safety residual volume in a waste container (1) measured beforehand in a separate calibration measurement, which threshold time (22) is the time for a partial vacuum dissipation within a predetermined partial vacuum test range for the safety residual volume of a waste container (1)(b) closing the valve (7) between the washing needle (5) and the waste container (1) and generating a partial vacuum in the waste container (1) at least to a lower limiting pressure (25) of the predetermined partial vacuum test range;c) blocking the pump-side line (6′) to the waste container (1);d) opening the valve (7) between the washing needle (5) and the waste container (1) and triggering a partial vacuum dissipation in the waste container (1);e) measuring the pressure in the waste container (1) and measuring a test time (21) for the partial vacuum dissipation between the lower limiting pressure (25) to an upper limiting pressure (26) of the partial vacuum test range, wherein the upper limiting pressure (26) is less than the ambient pressure;f) comparing the measured test time (21) to the threshold time (22) established before the measurement, andg) deciding that: (g1) the waste container (1) is not fillable, if the test time (21) falls below the threshold time (22), or(g2) the waste container (1) is fillable, if the test time (21) is equal to the threshold time (22) or(g3) the waste container (1) is fillable, if the test time (21) exceeds the threshold time (22);and wherein, prior to the measurement of step e):i) a first tolerance time (23) is established, the first tolerance time (23) being the time of a partial vacuum dissipation in the partial vacuum test range for a residual volume of a waste container (1) which is larger by a first volume than the residual volume for the safety residual volume defined in step a) for the threshold time (22); andii) a second tolerance time (24) is determined, the second tolerance time (24) being the time of a partial vacuum dissipation in the partial vacuum test range for a residual volume of a waste container (1) which is greater by a second volume than the sum of the safety residual volume defined in step a) for the threshold time (22) with the first residual volume for the first tolerance time (23). 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the safety residual volume of a waste container (1) for the threshold time (22) is selected from a volume range of 1.5 l to 4.5 l. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the safety residual volume of a waste container (1) for the threshold time (22) is 3 l. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the microplate washing device (2) further comprises a storage medium, in which the limiting pressures (25, 26), the threshold time (22), the first tolerance time (23) and the second tolerance time (24) are stored. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first volume is selected from a volume range of 1 l to 2 l. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second volume is selected from a volume range of 3 l to 10 l. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second tolerance time (24) is determined for a residual volume of a waste container (1), which is 7 l greater than the safety residual volume for the threshold time (22). 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein based on at least two measured times of a partial vacuum dissipation in the predetermined partial vacuum test range, a calibration function (31) is established, on the basis of which the current residual volume of the waste container (1), by which it is still fillable, or the current liquid quantity in this waste container (1) is determined, at least one of the measured times being the threshold time (22). 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lower limiting pressure (25) of the partial vacuum test range is selected from a pressure range of 800 mbar to 150 mbar below the ambient pressure, and the upper limiting pressure (26) is selected from a pressure range of 50 mbar to 300 mbar below the ambient pressure, but in no instance is the lower limiting pressure the same or higher than the upper limiting pressure. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the lower limiting pressure (25) is 500 mbar below the ambient pressure and the upper limiting pressure (26) is 100 mbar below the ambient pressure. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the case of: g1) a signal for changing or emptying the waste container (1) is triggered; org2) a filling quantity is made available, if the test time (21) is equal to the threshold time (22); org3) a filling quantity is made available, if the test time (21) exceeds the threshold time (22). 12. The method according to claim 2, wherein in the case of g3): and if the test time (21) also falls below the first tolerance time (23), a filling quantity of 1 l of liquid is made available; orand if the test time (21) exceeds or is equal to the first tolerance time (23) and falls below the second tolerance time (24), a filling quantity of 2 l of liquid is made available; orand if the test time (21) exceeds or is equal to the second tolerance time (24), a filling quantity of 4 l of liquid is made available. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement of the test time is performed automatically. 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the respective filling quantity is automatically made available. 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed automatically and autonomously in the device.
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