Pipette device

Claim 2

A pipette sampler system for removing a plurality of liquid samples from a multi-well tray, comprising: a housing having a main body portion and a plurality of elongated, outwardly extending collector conduits with a first portion of each conduit configured to be inserted into an associated pipette tip, and a second portion extending into the main body of said housing, said first and second portions having co-axial openings for fluid flow, said opening for fluid flow in said first portion being larger than said opening for fluid flow in said second portion; a patterned array of tubular pipette tips removably joined to and in flow communication with said array of collector conduits; and means for forming a vacuum in said housing whereby a predetermined quantity of liquid flows into said pipette tips and said collector conduits.

Claim 3

A pipette sampler system according to claim 1 wherein each said pipette tip includes a cylindrical portion configured to circumferentially engage an associate collector conduit.

Claim 4

A pipette sampler system according to claim 1 further including web-like members joining said pipette tips together in a spaced, generally parallel array.

Claim 5

A pipette sampler system according to claims 1 or 3 further including means for removing said pipette tips from said collector conduits.

Claim 6

A pipette sampler system according to claim 4 where said removing means comprises at least one outwardly extending tab.

Claim 7

A pipette sampler system according to claim 4 wherein said removing means comprises a plate having a series of openings, said pipette tips passing through said openings and engaging said plate such that said pipette tips are retained in said plate.

Claim 8

A pipette sampler system according to claim 1 further including spacer means for engaging said multi-well trays and thereby limiting the distance into each well a pipette tip may extend.

Claim 9

A pipette sampler system for removing a plurality of liquid samples from a multi-well tray, comprising: a housing having a top member, side and end members, and a generally flat plate joined to said side and end members, said plate along with said top, side and end members defining a first manifold chamber; a plurality of elongated, outwardly extending collector conduits with a first portion of each conduit configured to be inserted into an associated pipette tip, and a second portion extending into said first manifold chamber, said first and second portions having co-axial openings for fluid flow, said opening for fluid flow in said first portion being larger than said opening for fluid flow in said second portion; a patterned array of tubular pipette tips removably joined to and in flow communication with said collector conduits; and a port on said housing in flow communication with said first manifold chamber whereby a vacuum can be created in said first manifold chamber causing a predetermined quantity of liquid to flow into said pipette tips and said collector conduits.

Claim 10

A pipette sampler system for removing a plurality of liquid samples from a multi-well tray, comprising: a housing having a top member, side and end members, and a generally flat plate joined to said side and end members, said plate along with said top, side and end members defining a first manifold chamber; a plurality of elongated, outwardly extending collector conduits with a first portion of each conduit configured to be inserted into an associated pipette tip, and a second portion extending into said first manifold chamber, said first and second portions having co-axial openings for fluid flow, said opening for fluid flow in said first portion being larger than said opening for fluid flow in said second portion; a patterned array of tubular pipette tips removably joined to and in flow communication with said collector conduits; and a port on said housing in flow communication with said first manifold chamber whereby a vacuum can be created in said first manifold chamber causing a predetermined quantity of liquid to flow into said pipette tips and said collector conduits.

Claim 11

A pipette sampler system according to claim 8 wherein each said pipette tip has a first generally cylindrical section configured to circumferentially engage said first portion of an associated collector conduit, and a second tapered section for insertion into an associated well on said multi-well tray.

Claim 12

A pipette sampler system according to claims 8 or 9 further including web-like members joining said pipette tips together in a spaced, generally parallel array.

Claim 13

A pipette sampler system according to claim 10 further including means for removing said pipette tips from said collector conduits.

Claim 14

A pipette sampler system according to claim 11 wherein said removing means comprises a plate having a series of openings, said pipette tips passing through said openings and engaging said plate such that said pipette tips are retained in said plate.

Claim 15

A pipette sampler system according to claim 12 wherein each said pipette tip including protuberance means for engaging said plate.