Abstract:
A pipette comprising a cylinder with a piston movable inside the cylinder for aspiring and dispensing liquid, and a handle portion for gripping the pipette, wherein the pipette further comprises an imaging device element for obtaining images that assist the use of the pipette.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a submission under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/FI2015/050388, filed Jun. 5, 2015, which claims priority to Finnish Application No. 20145531, filed Jun. 10, 2014, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a hand-held pipette intended for use in the dosage of liquids. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Pipettes used for liquid dosage in laboratories typically comprise a piston movable in a cylinder for aspiration of liquid into a tip connected with the cylinder. Such pipettes comprise an elongated handle held by palm grip. The volume is usually adjustable. Usually, there is also a mechanism for removing a used tip from the pipette. There also multichannel pipettes comprising, e.g., eight channels in a row. In manual pipettes, all of the operations are carried out by hand force. The piston in almost all manual pipettes is moved by pushing with thumb a spring loaded rod placed at the upper end of the pipette. Volume is usually set by rotating the knob. The detachable tip is removed by pushing a spring loaded push button at the side of the handle. 
         [0004]    There are also electronic pipettes in which the piston is actuated by means of an electric motor and a control system associated with it. The tip removal mechanism is still often manual, but there are also electronic pipettes in which also the tip removal mechanism is electrically driven. There are also electronic pipettes in which pistons are actuated by manual force and which comprise an electronic display only. Electronic pipettes have a user interface for selection of the desired pipetting function (e.g., direct or reverse pipetting), setting of the volume and for giving commands for performing operations. The user interface has the necessary switches for input of the necessary settings and performance of the functions. The user interface is connected to a display, by means of which the volume and other necessary data can be displayed. The display can also show menus allowing data input in the control system. 
         [0005]    Manual pipettes are described, e.g., in EP 112 887 and electronic pipettes, e.g., in EP 1 725 333. An example of an electronic pipette is Finnpipette® Novus Electronic Pipette (Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy, Finland). This pipette contains also a counter which counts the total number of pipetting operations after the latest calibration. The use may go and check that number and consider whether recalibration is appropriate. After the recalibration, the counter is automatically reset. 
         [0006]    High reliability and safety level are important factors in pipetting. A typical user in a laboratory may have to make hundreds of repetitive pipetting series during a working day. The possibility of pipetting errors, e.g., wrong well in a microplate or wrong volume, exists. Pipetting needs also often very accurate movements when liquid is taken from and dispensed into small vessels. This visual task causes extra workload. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to the present invention, a pipette is equipped with at least one imaging device element, which is able to monitor the workflow relating to the use of the pipette. The imaging device element may be as a fixed part of the pipette, especially in electronic pipettes, or the imaging device element may be separate module attachable on the pipette, whereby the imaging device element can also be used with manual pipettes without an electronic control system and related interface for operating the pipette. 
         [0008]    A pipette is in this context preferably a hand-held entity. The pipette may be used at laboratories for handling liquid samples. Further, the pipette preferably comprises a detachable tip or tip container into which liquid is aspired and from which the liquid is dispensed, connected detachably to the body of the pipette. 
         [0009]    An imaging device element is in this context a suitable small-sized device for obtaining an image, preferably in digital form, either as a snapshot or as a continuous image feed, and for forwarding the obtained image to a suitable viewing or analyzing device. The imaging device element can be a single structural element or it can be broken down to a separate parts located at different places in the pipette of the present invention. Examples of the imaging device element are digital cameras, such as disclosed in publications U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0009631 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,873,269 B2. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the present invention it is also possible to save the monitored workflow for later inspection if the correct use of the pipette has to be ensured. 
         [0011]    Advantageously, the imaging device of the imaging device element is focused at the area in front of the tip or tips of the pipette, whereby the image provided may be used to guide the pipetting process more precisely, especially when the image shown is magnified view, for example. The imaging device may also or alternatively be focused at the tip or tips of the pipette, whereby the image can be used to help in inserting pipette&#39;s tip or tips correctly in small vessels or depressions for aspiring or dispensing small amounts of liquid. 
         [0012]    The imaging device element can be used to provide continuous image feed to a suitable display or it can be used to take snapshot images. The continuous image feed is helpful for guiding the actual pipetting operations, for example. The snapshot images can be used for inspection purposes, for example. 
         [0013]    The pipette according to the present invention is advantageously provided with integrated or separate display for displaying and viewing the image from the imaging device element. In electronic pipettes the pipette&#39;s own display, which may be part of the interface of the electronic pipette, may be used for viewing the image from the imaging device element. In manual pipettes without integrated displays, especially in the cases where the imaging device element is a separate module attached to the pipette, the image from the imaging device element may be viewed in separate display, to which the image from the imaging device element is send by cable or wirelessly, for example. 
         [0014]    Advantageously, the pipette according to the present invention is an electronic pipette comprising a motor for moving the piston inside the cylinder, a control system for carrying out pipette operations, and a user interface for operating the pipette. In this kind of electronic pipette, the imaging device element can easily be integrated, and incorporated as a functional component operating and operated through the user interface of the pipette. 
         [0015]    The pipette according to the present invention, especially an electronic pipette, is advantageously equipped with image recognition, which can be used to provide different types of automatic warnings and confirmations. For example, the image recognition can be used to recognize whether any liquid is left in the pipette&#39;s tip, or if there is a filter missing in the tip, etc. The image recognition can also be used to identify the tip used in the pipette, and this information may be used to set corresponding parameters for the pipette. Further, with the image recognition the pipette&#39;s imaging device element can be used to read bar codes or QR codes (Quick Response codes), whereby settings and/or standard work rotations can be easily input in the control system of the pipette. 
         [0016]    In a pipette of the present invention, the imaging device element may be connected, or be part of, the handle part or portion of the pipette. Alternatively, the imaging device element may be connected to the pipette via bendable fiber optics wire, which allows easy adjustment of focus area of the digital device element. 
         [0017]    The digital imaging device element may comprise a digital camera as the imaging device of the imaging device element. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Exemplifying embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are explained in greater detail below in the sense of an example and with reference to the accompanying figures, where: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1A  shows an electronic pipette according to the present invention, 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  shows the pipette of  FIG. 1A  as a cross-section, 
           [0021]      FIG. 1C  shows area of the cross-section of  FIG. 1B , 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows an alternative embodiment of an electronic pipette according to the present invention as a cross-section, and 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a functional diagram of an electronic pipette according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The electronic pipette  1  of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  is formed as a handheld entity and the body of which comprises handle portion  2 , at upper end of the handle portion tilted display portion  3 , and at lower end of the handle portion tip portion  4  of the pipette. 
         [0025]    When the pipette  1  is used, it is gripped from the handle portion  2  so that middle finger of the user sets against finger support  5  at the upper part of the handle portion, which leaves index finger of the user free to operate the operating switch  6  of the pipette. To the tip portion  4  is attached detachable pipette tip  7 , to which liquid is aspired and from which liquid is dispensed during the use of the pipette  1 . 
         [0026]    The outer surface of the display portion  3  of the pipette  1  is equipped with a display  8  and operation keys  9 , which form the user interface of operating sys-tem of the pipette together with the operating switch  6 . 
         [0027]    Inside the body of the pipette  1 , extending in the area of the handle portion  2  and the tip portion  4  of the pipette, is located a cylinder  10  and inside the cylinder piston  11  movable with respect to the cylinder, which both extend along or parallel with the central axis of the handle portion and/or tip portion of the pipette. From the lower end of the cylinder  11 , extends a channel  12  at the bottom end surface of the tip portion  4  for obtaining aspiration and dispensing of liquid to and from the detachable pipette tip  7  by moving the piston  11  inside the cylinder  10 . Between surfaces of the cylinder  10  and the piston  11  is located a spring member  13  extending in the length direction of the cylinder and piston for supporting a sealing o-ring  20  between the cylinder and the piston. 
         [0028]    The means for moving the piston  11  comprises a linear actuator formed by a threaded rod  14 , which extends along or parallel with the central axis of the handle portion  2 , and an electric motor  15 , which moves the threaded rod in its lengthwise direction through a threaded connection between the unrotating threaded rod and a rotating member of the motor. By moving the threaded rod  14 , the piston  11  moves accordingly inside the cylinder  10 . 
         [0029]    At the lower end of the handle portion  2  is formed a protrusion  17 , inside which is set an imaging device element  16 , which is able to provide a picture or live feed to the pipette&#39;s  1  display  8  and/or save the picture or live feed to the memory of the pipette&#39;s electronic control system. The imaging device element  16  can be a single unit, such as a digital camera unit, or it can have an optical lens and an optic fiber to transfer the optical image to a separate optical imaging sensor  18  (e.g., CCD, Charge-Coupled Device), which is preferably located on the electric circuit board of the control system. The picture may also be transferred with a cable or wirelessly to an external display. 
         [0030]    The imaging device element  16  is positioned and aimed so, that it shows the pipette tip  7  and area in front of it ( FIG. 1C ). Thus, the image or image feed from the imaging device element  16  can be used to help the correct positioning of the pipette tip  7 . Further, the thus obtained image feed can be used to detect any leftover liquid in the pipette tip  7  or if there are any other problems with the pipette tip, for example. These detection actions can also be implemented automatically by analyzing the image feed from the imaging device element  16  with the electronic operating system. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows an alternative embodiment of an electronic pipette  21  according to the present invention, where the pipette is otherwise similar than one presented in  FIGS. 1A-1C , and the same reference numerals are used for the same parts, with the exception of the connection of the imaging device element  16 . 
         [0032]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the imaging device element  16  is connected to the lower part of the handle portion  2  with a bendable fiber optics wire  22 . The bendable fiber optics wire  22  allows free positioning and aiming of the imaging device element  16  so that it can be adjusted to be suitable for different applications and for different pipette tips  7 , for example. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows an example of a functional diagram of an electronic pipette, like the pipettes shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C and 2 . The operations of the pipette are controlled with a central processing unit (CPU), which is equipped with memory for storing pre-programmed operations and functions. The user gives commands to the CPU through operation keys and selections and information displayed in a display. The CPU is supplied with operating power by a battery and a voltage regulator, which can be recharged with a changer through charging connections when the pipette is placed in its stand. The CPU of the pipette can also be connected to external databases through data interface. The CPU receives information from and controls the pipette&#39;s piston home position detector. In accordance with instructions received from the user through the operation keys, the CPU controls the motor of the pipette through a motor driver. The CPU controls a digital camera based on user&#39;s input commands, carries out required digital detection and recognition actions, and saves the digital image feed from the camera either to its memory or to external database through data interface. The memory of the pipette may also include a detachable memory module (not shown), such as memory cards, for storing the digital image feed or snapshot images. The CPU also gives alerts through a buzzer in preset situations, or when the CPU notices a problem in a pipetting operation, for example. The dashed line in  FIG. 3  presents boundary surface between the pipette itself and the stand of the pipette in which the pipette is placed when not in use. 
         [0034]    The specific exemplifying embodiments of the present invention shown in figures and discussed above should not be construed as limiting. A person skilled in the art can amend and modify the embodiments in many evident ways within the scope of the attached claims. Thus, the present invention is not limited merely to the embodiments described above.