Patent ID: 6841130

Claim:
Multichannel pipetting apparatus ( 40 ) for simultaneously aspirating samples from or dispensing samples to a plurality of sample wells ( 44 ) or containers, said pipetting apparatus comprising a pipetting unit ( 10 ) comprising a number of pipetting channels ( 12 ), a number of pipetting tips ( 20 ), at least one orifice ( 32 ), wherein the pipetting channels ( 12 ) are adapted to be divided into groups, at least some of which comprise two or more pipetting channels, and each pipetting tip ( 20 ) of the pipetting unit ( 10 ) is connected to a corresponding group of pipetting channels ( 12 ) so that each pipetting tip communicates with all the pipetting channels in said corresponding group, wherein the pipetting unit ( 10 ) of the pipetting apparatus ( 40 ) further comprises at least one adapter ( 30 ), which divides the pipetting channels into groups, said adapter ( 30 ) placed between the pipetting channels ( 12 ) and the pipetting tips ( 20 ) and containing a number of connecting channels ( 31 ) or connecting channel groups connecting the groups of pipetting channels to the pipetting tips, wherein each connecting channel ( 31 ) or connecting channel group in the adapter ( 30 ) is connected to one of said groups of pipetting channels ( 12 ) and one of said pipetting tips ( 20 ), via an orifice ( 32 ).