U.S. patent application number 10/850076 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-02 for laboratory pump unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to KNF Neuberger GmbH. Invention is credited to Becker, Erich, Hauser, Erwin.
Application Number | 20040241022 10/850076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33039228 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040241022 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Becker, Erich ; et
al. |
December 2, 2004 |
Laboratory pump unit
Abstract
A laboratory pump unit (1) for pipetting, filtering, and
exhausting a gaseous or liquid fluid is provided. The laboratory
pump unit (1) includes a pump (3), which can be connected on the
suction side and/or the pressure side to a pipette (4) or other
fluid receiver, for suctioning or ejecting the fluid. The
laboratory pump unit includes, among other elements, a secondary
tube (9, 10) that is connected to the suction tube and/or pressure
tube (6, 7) that is connected to the pipette (4) or fluid receiver
on the one hand and the pump (3) on the other hand, and is open to
the atmosphere, and includes a throttle (11, 12) for limiting the
amount of air drawn in or ejected. The laboratory pump unit (1) is
operated in "open" pump operation on the suction side and pressure
side with a precisely adjusted tube pressure in the suction tube or
pressure tube (6, 7), which cannot be exceeded or fallen below by
the pump (3).
Inventors: |
Becker, Erich; (Bad
Krozingen, DE) ; Hauser, Erwin; (Emmendingen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
KNF Neuberger GmbH
Freiburg
DE
|
Family ID: |
33039228 |
Appl. No.: |
10/850076 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/441 ;
417/572 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 23/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/441 ;
417/572 |
International
Class: |
F04B 049/00; F04B
041/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 19, 2003 |
DE |
103 22 797.0 |
Claims
1. Laboratory pump unit (1) comprising a pump (3) which is
connectable on a suction side and/or a pressure side with a pipette
(4) or fluid receiver by a suction tube and a pressure tube,
respectively, for drawing in or ejecting a fluid, a secondary tube
(9, 10) is connected to at least one of the suction tube and the
pressure tube (6, 7), and is connected to atmosphere, and a
throttle (11, 12) is provided on the secondary tube for limiting a
drawn in or ejected amount of air.
2. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein a control valve (13)
is arranged in the suction tube (6) before, in the flow direction,
a tube node connected to the secondary tube (9).
3. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein a control valve (14)
is arranged in the pressure tube (7) after, in the flow direction,
a tube node connected to the secondary tube (10).
4. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an
air filter and a noise damper is provided in a region of a tube end
of the secondary tube (9, 10) open to the atmosphere.
5. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the pump (3) can be
selectively connected on the suction side to the pipette (4) or
fluid receiver or to an suction tube (8), which is connected to at
least one of a collecting container (16) and a filtering
device.
6. The pump unit according to claim 5, wherein a two-way or a
three-way valve (5) is interposed in the suction tube (6) and
selectively connects the pump (3) either to the pipette (4) or the
like fluid receiver or to the suction tube (8).
7. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein a suction aperture
for the suction tube (6) and an outlet aperture of the pressure
tube (7) are arranged in an adapter (2) which is connectable to the
pipette (4) or the fluid receiver, the adapter having a pistol grip
form; and wherein the adapter (2) has at least one valve for
selective connection of the pipette (4) or the fluid receiver to
the suction tube or the pressure tube (6, 7).
8. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the pump (3)
comprises a diaphragm pump.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to a laboratory pump unit, with a pump
to which a pipette or the like fluid receiver can be releasably
connected on the suction side and/or the pressure side for drawing
in or ejecting a fluid.
[0002] Laboratory pump units of the kind mentioned at the beginning
are already known, for use in a laboratory in order to be able to
suction into a pipette, for example, bacteria, viruses and the like
sources of illness and other, liquids contaminated with
life-endangering contents for further investigation without
endangering the life and health of the investigating laboratory
personnel.
[0003] Thus a laboratory pump unit is already known, for example,
in which the pump, the associated current supply independent of the
mains supply, and the operating elements needed for controlling the
pump and the suction process are installed in a housing of pistol
grip type. This known pump unit is however heavy, so that the
investigating laboratory personnel cannot constantly operate it for
a long period.
[0004] A laboratory pump unit has therefore already been provided
which is functionally divided into a hand portion and a pump
portion, in order to be able to configure the hand portion as light
and correspondingly favorable for operation as possible.
[0005] In a few of the previously known laboratory pump units, the
pump power is adapted, by a cross section change in the suction
tube, to the comparatively small maximum intake volume of the
pipette or like fluid receiver. Such a narrowing of the cross
section however then permits only a little play in order to be able
to undertake fine regulation by means of a regulating valve
interposed in the suction tube.
[0006] Laboratory pump units whose components are located in a
housing of the pistol grip type furthermore have the disadvantage
that the liquid drawn into the pipette is removed from the pipette
after performing investigations and has to be removed from the
pipette and individually disposed of as samples from the laboratory
pump unit.
SUMMARY
[0007] The object therefore is to provide a laboratory pump unit of
the kind mentioned at the beginning, which permits substantially
simpler manipulation, convenient for the user.
[0008] A solution of this object according to the invention
provides in particular that a secondary tube is connected to the
suction and/or pressure tubes connected to the pipette or the like
fluid intake, on the one hand, and to the pump on the other hand;
that is open to the atmosphere; and has a throttle for limiting the
amount of air drawn in or expelled. By the at least one secondary
tube provided according to the invention, the suction and/or
expulsion speed in the suction and/or pressure tube is limited to a
maximum value. Namely, for accurate pipetting, the suction speed
should not exceed a maximum value; therefore the reduced pressure
required for suctioning is limited to a maximum value in the
laboratory pump unit according to the invention. This reduced
pressure can be reduced and kept constant by the throttle which is
provided in the secondary tube leading to the suction tube. In
order also not to allow in particular a liquid sample to spurt into
the surroundings in an emptying process, the ejection speed should
also not exceed a maximum value. The excess pressure required for
ejection is therefore also limited to a maximum value. This excess
pressure is produced and kept constant by the throttle which is
provided in the secondary tube leaving the pressure tube. The pump
of the laboratory pump unit according to the invention is thus
operated in an "open" operation on the suction side and the
pressure side, with a precisely set tube pressure in the suction
and/or pressure tube, which pressure cannot be exceeded or
respectively fallen below.
[0009] In order to adapt the suction speed to the various sizes of
pipettes, it is advantageous if a control valve is arranged in the
suction tube, in the flow direction before the tube node connected
to the secondary tube, permitting as a throttle valve a cross
section change in the suction tube.
[0010] In order also when emptying the pipettes or like fluid
receivers to be able to adapt the ejection speed to the different
sizes of pipettes, it is appropriate if a control valve is arranged
in the pressure tube, in the flow direction after the tube node
connected to the secondary tube, permitting a cross sectional
change in the pressure tube. The pipetting speed can thus be
precisely adjusted between zero and a maximum or minimum value set
by the throttle.
[0011] It is particularly advantageous if an air filter and/or
noise damper is provided in the tube end region, open to the
atmosphere, of the secondary tube(s). A noise damper is
particularly recommended in the laboratory region, in order not to
unnecessarily trouble investigating laboratory personnel due to a
high noise level.
[0012] According to a further significant aspect of the invention,
having its own importance and suitable for protection, it is
particularly provided that the pump can be connected on the suction
side selectively to the pipette or like fluid receiver, or to a
suction tube which is connected to a collecting container and/or to
a filtering device. By means of this laboratory pump unit, not only
can pipetting take place, i.e., suction of the sample into the
pipette and emptying of the sample from the pipette, but also this
sample can be intermediately stored after the investigation in the
collecting container and subsequently conveniently disposed of.
[0013] Very often, particularly in a biochemical laboratory,
culture media are purified, i.e. filtered. With corresponding
pneumatic circuitry, the laboratory pump unit according to the
invention can also be used as a vacuum unit for filtering
processes, when the suction tube is connected to a filtering device
necessary for this. Thereafter the culture solution is pipetted,
for example, and brought onto a sample solution, in order, by means
of this sample, to test the effectiveness of various antibiotics or
other active materials.
[0014] The easy manipulation of the laboratory pump unit according
to the invention is favored if a two-way or multi-way valve is
interposed in the suction tube, and selectively connects the pump
on the suction side either to the pipette or the like fluid
receiver, or to the suction tube.
[0015] In order to further simplify the easy manipulation of the
laboratory pump unit according to the invention, it is suitable for
the suction aperture of the suction tube and the outlet opening of
the pressure tube to be arranged in an adapter which can be
connected to the pipette or like fluid receiver and which
preferably is of a pistol grip form, and for the adapter to have at
least one valve for selective connection of the pipette or like
fluid receiver to the suction tube or the pressure tube.
[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the
pump is formed as a diaphragm pump, particularly as a shaped
diaphragm pump. Such a diaphragm pump is distinguished by its low
running noise and is therefore particularly suitable for the
laboratory field.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Further features of the invention will become apparent from
the following description of an exemplary embodiment example
according to the invention in connection with the claims, and also
the accompanying drawing. The individual features can be realized
according to the invention singly or plurally in an embodiment
according to the invention.
[0018] The drawing FIGURE is a schematic representation of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] In the single FIGURE there is shown a laboratory pump unit
1, which is functionally divided into a pistol grip shaped hand
portion 2 and pump portion. By this functional division, the hand
portion 2 can be made especially light and convenient to
manipulate.
[0020] The laboratory pump unit 1 shown is intended for suctioning
up a gaseous or liquid fluid contaminated with disease-producing or
other contents dangerous to life, and has for this purpose a pump
3, preferably configured as a shaped diaphragm pump, which can be
releasably connected on the suction side to a pipette 4 or the like
fluid receiver.
[0021] The laboratory pump unit 1 shown here has a suction tube 6
connected to the suction side of the pump 3 and a pressure tube 7
connected to the pressure side of the pump 3. Both the intake
aperture of the suction tube 6 and also the outlet aperture of the
pressure tube 7 are arranged in the hand portion 2 acting as an
adapter and releasably connectable to the pipette 4 or the like
fluid receiver. A check valve is respectively interposed in the
tube sections of the suction and pressure tubes 6, 7 before they
enter into the hand portion, which check valves can be operated
alternately.
[0022] If the check valve interposed in the suction tube 6 to the
hand portion 2 is closed, the pressure tube 7 is simultaneously
switched open, in order to eject the fluid contained in the pipette
4 or the like fluid receiver. If in contrast the check valve
arranged in the pressure tube 7 is closed, the suction tube 6 is
simultaneously opened, in order to suction the liquid or gaseous
sample into the pipette 4 or the like fluid receiver. Secondary
tubes 9, 10 are respectively connected to the suction and pressure
tubes 6, 7 connected to the pipette 4 or the like fluid receiver on
the one hand, and the pump 3 on the other hand, and have a
respective throttle 11, 12 for limiting the amount of air drawn in
or ejected. The suction speed in the suction tube 6 and
respectively the ejection speed in the pressure tube 7 are limited
to a maximum value by the secondary tubes 9, 10 and the throttles
11, 12 contained therein. Namely, for exact pipetting the suction
speed in the suction tube 6 should not exceed a maximum value, so
that the reduced pressure needed for suctioning is limited to a
maximum value (x through y mbar), for example to 100 mbar. This
reduced pressure in the suction tube is produced and kept constant
by the throttle 11.
[0023] So that the fluid sample present in the pipette cannot be
squirted into the surroundings during the ejection process, the
ejection speed in the pressure tube 7 should not exceed a maximum
value. Therefore the excess pressure required for ejection is also
limited to a maximum value (x-y mbar), for example to 50 mbar. This
excess pressure in the pressure tube 7 is produced and kept
constant by the throttle 12.
[0024] During the suctioning process, the liquid to be investigated
is drawn into the pipette 4 via the suction tube 6, with the air
being ejected via the pressure tube 7 and the secondary tube 10
through the throttle 12 and the noise damper 15 allocated to it.
During the emptying of the pipette (4), the air required for
emptying is drawn in through the throttle 11 and the noise damper
15 allocated to it through the secondary tube 9 and the suction
tube 6, and is blown through the pressure tube 7 into the pipette 4
releasably connected to the hand portion 2.
[0025] A control valve 13 is arranged in the suction tube 6, in the
flow direction before the tube node connected to the secondary tube
9. The cross section in the suction tube 6 can be varied by means
of the control valve 13 so that the suction speed in the suction
tube 6 can be adapted, or is to be adapted, to the different sizes
of pipettes or the like fluid receivers.
[0026] A control valve 14 is also arranged in the pressure tube 7
after, in the flow direction, the tube node connected to the
secondary tube 10, and is intended for changing the cross section
in the pressure tube 7 and for adapting the ejection speed to the
various sizes of pipette.
[0027] The noise dampers 15 are arranged in the region of the tube
end regions of the secondary tubes 9, 10 open to the atmosphere,
and can also be formed as air filters.
[0028] The pump 3, on the suction side, can be selectively
connected to the pipette 4 or the like fluid receiver or to an
suction tube 8 by means of a multi-way valve 5 interposed in the
suction tube 6, in order to connect a drop separator and/or
collecting container 16. With corresponding switching of the
multi-way valve 5, the laboratory pump unit 1 can also be used as a
vacuum unit for general filtration processes when the suction tube
8 is connected at its tube end away from the pump 3 to a filtering
device. The dash-dot lines indicate that this filtering device can
also be arranged, according to need, before the collecting
container 16 in the flow direction. It is appropriate if a control
valve, not further shown here, is interposed between the collecting
container 16 and the filtering device.
[0029] The intake aperture of the suction tube 6 and the outlet
aperture of the pressure tube 7 are arranged in the hand portion
configured as an adapter formed as a pistol grip. By changing over
the valve provided in the hand portion 2 and operable by means of
two press buttons, either the suction process or the emptying
process can be begun or concluded.
[0030] While the hand portion 2 in the form of a pistol grip is
made light and suitable for manipulation, the pump portion can for
example be integrated under the laboratory table and/or formed as a
traveling mobile station. By a visible indication of function and
by advantageously designed and positioned operating elements, the
easy operability of the laboratory pump unit 1 is favorable for
both right-handed and left-handed use. By the secondary tubes 9, 10
allocated to the suction and pressure tubes 6, 7, and the throttles
11, 12 located therein, in the laboratory pump unit 1 shown here,
the pipetting speed can be varied particularly easily and precisely
in a comparatively large adjustment region.
[0031] The pipetting speed is individually adjustable for each size
of pipette or the like fluid receiver used such that the optimum
filling and ejection speed is always quickly and conveniently
found. The high power of the laboratory pump unit 1 and the light
construction of its hand portion 2 without a pump or battery
integrated into the hand portion 2 favors working without becoming
tired.
[0032] Since the pump portion of the laboratory pump unit can be
integrated under the laboratory table and also for example
connected to an electric main supply, no loading phases for loading
a battery are required. Since the laboratory pump unit 1 permits
ejection of the investigated samples into the collecting container
16, a high safety standard can be attained. This high safety
standard is further favored if the collecting container 16 is
provided as safe from pouring out and/or autoclavable glass bottle.
It is advantageous if the laboratory pump unit 1 has a sterile
filter so that the suction of liquid into the laboratory pump unit
1, and particularly into its pump portion, is prevented.
[0033] An embodiment is preferred in which the laboratory pump unit
1 has a chemical-resistant and correspondingly long life diaphragm
pump 2, which is also distinguished by its quiet operation. It is
an especially advantageous for the laboratory pump unit 1 shown
here that this permits both pipetting and also the ejection of the
used liquid samples and the disposal of these samples after
investigation has been performed, and thus combines three devices
in one device unit.
[0034] The laboratory pump unit 1 is operated in "open" pump
operation with a precisely adjusted tube pressure in the suction
and/or pressure tube (6, 7) which cannot be exceeded or fallen
below by the pump (3).
* * * * *