Patent ID: 7300525
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: B08B,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of washing an outside and a tip portion of a pipette probe between the uptake of at least two fluids such that a first fluid inside the pipette probe does not contaminate a reservoir holding a second fluid, the method comprising: uptaking the first fluid into the pipette probe; inserting the pipette probe into an interior cavity of an apparatus containing a cavity for holding wash fluid that has a fluid duct in its lower region for filling and/or emptying the cavity, at least one inlet tube in an upper region that is connected to at least one nozzle that is directed towards the interior of the cavity, and at least one discharge duct that enters the interior of the cavity above the fluid duct and below the inlet tube; spraying the outside of the pipette probe with a wash fluid ejected through at least one nozzle; moving the pipette probe to a position where the wash fluid is wiped off the probe; drawing a separating fluid or a separating air bubble into the pipette probe, wherein the separating fluid is one selected from a group consisting of the wash fluid in the interior of the cavity and a separating fluid in a separate reservoir; inserting the pipette probe into the reservoir containing the second fluid; and uptaking the second fluid into the pipette probe after the separating fluid or air bubble is drawn into the pipette probe.