U.S. patent application number 12/685600 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-02 for manufacture processes for assessing pipette tip quality.
This patent application is currently assigned to BIOTIX, INC.. Invention is credited to Arta Motadel.
Application Number | 20100219093 12/685600 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42666549 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100219093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Motadel; Arta |
September 2, 2010 |
MANUFACTURE PROCESSES FOR ASSESSING PIPETTE TIP QUALITY
Abstract
Provided in part are processes for manufacturing pipette tip
trays that improve quality assessment of the pipette tips
therein.
Inventors: |
Motadel; Arta; (San Diego,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GRANT ANDERSON LLP;C/O PORTFOLIOIP
P.O. BOX 52050
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
BIOTIX, INC.
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
42666549 |
Appl. No.: |
12/685600 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61144319 |
Jan 13, 2009 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/443 ;
211/60.1; 235/375; 29/428; 29/592 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
B01L 9/543 20130101; B01L 2200/148 20130101; B01L 3/54 20130101;
B01L 2200/12 20130101; Y10T 29/49 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/443 ;
211/60.1; 29/428; 29/592; 235/375 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/20 20060101
B65D085/20; A47B 23/06 20060101 A47B023/06; B23P 11/00 20060101
B23P011/00; B23P 17/04 20060101 B23P017/04; G06F 17/00 20060101
G06F017/00 |
Claims
1. A process for manufacturing pipette tip trays having a rack, a
card affixed to the rack and pipette tips mounted in the card,
which comprises: (a) providing pipette tip, card and rack
components, and the lot number or lot numbers for the pipette tip
components; (b) assembling the components to form pipette tip
trays; (c) assigning a unique serial number to each pipette tip
tray; (d) recording the lot number of each pipette tip component in
each pipette tip tray for each serial number; and (e) affixing the
serial number to the pipette tip tray.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein each of the pipette tip trays
comprises a lid component.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein each of the pipette tips in the
pipette tip trays comprises a filter component.
4. The process of claim 1, wherein the pipette tip components in
one tray are from one lot.
5. The process of claim 1, which comprises affixing to the
container an accuracy value measured for pipette tips in the
lot.
6. A pipette tip tray comprising rack, card and pipette tip
components and a serial number affixed to the tray, wherein: the
card is affixed to the rack and the pipette tips are mounted in the
card, the serial number is unique for the pipette tip tray, and the
serial number is associated with the lot number of the pipette tip
component in the pipette tip tray.
7. The pipette tip tray of claim 6, wherein each of the pipette tip
trays comprises a lid component.
8. The pipette tip tray of claim 6, wherein each of the pipette
tips in the pipette tip trays comprises a filter component.
9. The pipette tip tray of claim 6, wherein the pipette tip
components in one tray are from one lot.
10. A container comprising a plurality of pipette tip trays each
comprising rack, card and pipette tip components, wherein: the card
is affixed to the rack and the pipette tips are mounted in the
card; the pipette tips in the plurality of pipette tip trays are
from one lot of pipette tips; and affixed to the container is a
coefficient of variation value measured for the lot of pipette
tips.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein each of the pipette tip
trays comprises a lid component.
12. The container of claim 10, wherein each of the pipette tips in
the pipette tip trays comprises a filter component.
13. The container of claim 10, which comprises affixing to the
container an accuracy value measured for pipette tips in the
lot.
14. A process for determining the lot number of a component of a
pipette tip tray, which comprises: (a) identifying a serial number
for a pipette tip tray, wherein: the pipette tip tray comprises a
rack, a card affixed to the rack, pipette tips mounted in the card
and a serial number affixed to the pipette tip tray, the serial
number is specific to the pipette tip tray, and the serial number
is associated with the lot number of pipette tip components in the
pipette tray; and (b) determining the lot number of the pipette tip
components of the pipette tip tray from the serial number.
15. A process for manufacturing a container comprising a plurality
of pipette tip trays, which comprises: (a) providing a plurality of
pipette tip trays comprising pipette tip, card and rack components,
wherein the card is affixed to the rack, the pipette tips are
mounted in the card and the pipette tip components are from one
lot; (b) placing the pipette tip trays in a container; and (c)
affixing to the container and/or pipette tip tray a coefficient of
variation (CV) value measured for pipette tips in the lot.
16. A process for manufacturing pipette tip trays having a rack, a
card affixed to the rack and pipette tips mounted in the card,
which comprises: (a) providing pipette tip, card and rack
components, wherein the pipette tip components are from one lot;
(b) assembling the components to form pipette tip trays; (c)
measuring a coefficient of variation (CV) value for pipette tips in
the lot; (d) placing the pipette tip trays in a container; and (e)
affixing the CV value to the container and/or pipette tip tray.
17. The process of claim 16, wherein each of the pipette tip trays
comprises a lid component.
18. The process of claim 16, wherein each of the pipette tips in
the pipette tip trays comprises a filter component.
19. The process of claim 16, which comprises affixing to the
container an accuracy value measured for pipette tips in the lot.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/144,319 filed on Jan. 13,
2009, entitled MANUFACTURE PROCESSES FOR ASSESSING PIPETTE TIP
QUALITY, naming Arta Motadel as an inventor, and designated by
Attorney Docket No. PEL-1008-PV. The entire content of the
foregoing provisional patent application hereby is incorporated by
reference, including all text, tables and drawings.
FIELD
[0002] The technology pertains in part to pipette tips and
associated components.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Pipette tips are utilized in a variety of industries that
have a requirement for handling fluids, and are used in facilities
including medical laboratories and research laboratories, for
example. Pipette tips often are cone-shaped with an aperture at one
end that can engage a dispensing device, and another relatively
smaller aperture at the other end that can receive and emit fluid.
Pipette tips generally are manufactured from a moldable plastic,
such as polypropylene, for example. Pipette tips can be utilized in
conjunction with a variety of dispensing devices, including manual
pipette devices and automated robotic dispensers.
[0004] Pipette tips often are provided by manufacturers in a
pipette tip tray, which includes a substantially hollow rack body
and a perforated card affixed to the top of the body. Pipette tips
generally are inserted in apertures of the card and are thereby
arranged in an array. A pipette tip tray sometimes is provided with
a lid that covers the pipette tips, and sometimes each of the
pipette tips includes a filter. A pipette tip manufacturer often
provides a collection of pipette tip trays to customers in a
container (e.g., a box container).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0005] Pipette tip quality can be affected and assessed by a number
of criteria. Specific criteria for pipette tip quality sometimes
include, for example, (i) tip structural integrity, (ii) ability to
readily form a sealing fit with a dispenser and (iii) ability to be
ejected readily from a dispenser. The ability of pipette tips to
deliver accurate and precise volumes of fluid sometimes is another
aspect of pipette tip quality. For example, pipette tips that
precisely deliver a fluid volume often is a requirement for robotic
dispenser applications. Pipette tip "precision" refers to the
ability of a plurality of pipette tips to deliver about the same
volume of fluid, with a relatively small standard deviation, for a
given dispenser (e.g., pipette tips stated to deliver 200
microliters of fluid consistently deliver about 197 microliters of
fluid on repeated attempts). Pipette tip "accuracy" refers to the
ability of a plurality of pipette tips to deliver a particular
volume of fluid (e.g., pipette tips stated to deliver 200
microliters of fluid deliver, in practice, about 200 microliters of
fluid). One measure of pipette tip precision is a calculated
percent "coefficient of variation," which also is referred to
herein as "CV" and discussed in greater detail hereafter.
[0006] Methods and products provided herein provide several
advantages. In certain embodiments, a user can readily ascertain
the precision and/or accuracy of pipette tips in trays provided
herein. In some embodiments, a manufacturer assesses the precision
and/or accuracy of pipette tips, and marks on a container the
precision and/or accuracy of the pipette tips contained
therein.
[0007] Upon discovering that certain pipette tips in a pipette tip
tray are defective, a user and/or manufacturer advantageously can
ascertain which pipette tip trays may include tips with the same
defect, in some embodiments. In certain embodiments, a manufacturer
can track the lot number of pipette tips assembled in each pipette
tip tray in a manufacturing run, assign a unique serial number to
each of the pipette tip trays and associate the serial number with
the pipette tip component lot number. Thus, upon discovering that
one tray includes defective pipette tips, other trays potentially
containing defective pipette tips from the same manufacture lot can
be identified based on the serial number associated with each
pipette tip tray.
[0008] Thus, provided herein is a process for manufacturing pipette
tip trays having a rack, a card affixed to the rack and pipette
tips mounted in the card, which comprises: (a) providing pipette
tip, card and rack components, and the lot number or lot numbers
for the pipette tip components; (b) assembling the components to
form pipette tip trays; (c) assigning a unique serial number to
each pipette tip tray; (d) recording the lot number of each pipette
tip component in each pipette tip tray for each serial number; and
(e) affixing the serial number to the pipette tip tray.
[0009] Also provided is a process for determining the lot number of
a pipette tip component of a pipette tip tray, which comprises: (a)
identifying a serial number for a pipette tip tray, where: the
pipette tip tray comprises a rack, a card affixed to the rack,
pipette tips mounted in the card and a serial number affixed to the
pipette tip tray, the serial number is specific to the pipette tip
tray (e.g., the serial number is different than serial numbers for
other pipette tip trays), and the serial number is associated with
the lot number of pipette tip components in the pipette tray; and
(b) determining the lot number of the pipette tip components of the
pipette tip tray from the serial number. In certain embodiments,
the process also comprises one or more of the following: locating
pipette tip trays having pipette tips manufactured in the same lot
number identified; collecting pipette tip trays, and/or one or more
components thereof, having pipette tips manufactured in the same
lot number identified; and destroying or recycling pipette tip
trays having pipette tips manufactured in the lot number
identified. The processes described may be applicable to the lot
number of a component other than pipette tips in certain
embodiments (e.g., lot numbers of rack, lid, card, filters and/or
inserts), and sometimes is applicable to lot numbers for two or
more components.
[0010] Provided also is a pipette tip tray comprising rack, card
and pipette tip components and a serial number affixed to the tray,
where: (a) the card is affixed to the rack and the pipette tips are
mounted in the card, (b) the serial number is unique for the
pipette tip tray (e.g., the serial number is different than serial
numbers for other pipette tip trays), and (c) the serial number is
associated with the lot number of the pipette tip component in the
pipette tip tray.
[0011] A pipette tip tray generally is an assembly of components
that present pipette tips for use by a user. A pipette tip tray can
contain any suitable combination of components that facilitate
presentation of pipette tips, including, but not limited to, a rack
component, a card component and a lid component. A rack component
often comprises four sides, and optionally contains a grid
structure within the body that confers rigidity to the rack
component. A card component includes, in some embodiments, multiple
apertures through which pipette tips are inserted in a process of
assembling the pipette tip tray. A card component sometimes is
affixed to a rack component via a snap fit, and a card component
sometimes is affixed to a rack component by a sonic or heat weld.
Pipette tips are inserted partially in the card, in certain
embodiments, such that a portion of each pipette tip resides below
the lower card surface within the rack body. A card component can
contain any suitable number of apertures, including, without
limitation, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 384 or
1536 apertures, and pipette tips may be inserted in all, or a
subset, of the apertures in a card component of a pipette tip
tray.
[0012] A pipette tip can be of any geometry useful for dispensing
fluids in combination with a dispensing device. Pipette tips
sometimes are available in sizes that hold from 0 to 10
microliters, 0 to 20 microliters, 1 to 100 microliters, 1 to 200
microliters and from 1 to 1000 microliters, for example. The
external appearance of pipette tips may differ, and certain pipette
tips can have a continuous tapered wall forming a central channel
or tube that is roughly circular in horizontal cross section, in
some embodiments. A pipette tip can have any cross-sectional
geometry that results in a tip that (i) provides suitable flow
characteristics, and (ii) can be fitted to a dispenser (e.g.,
pipette), for example. Pipette tips sometimes taper from the widest
point at the top-most portion of the pipette tip (pipette proximal
end or end that engages a dispenser), to a narrow opening at the
bottom most portion of the pipette tip (pipette distal end or end
used to acquire or dispel fluid). In certain embodiments, a pipette
tip wall includes two or more taper angles. The inner surface of
the pipette tip sometimes forms a tapered continuous wall, in some
embodiments, and in certain embodiments, the external wall may
assume an appearance ranging from a continuous taper to a stepped
taper or a combination of smooth taper with external protrusions.
An advantage of an externally stepped taper is compatibility with
pipette tip racks from different manufacturers. The bore of the
top-most portion of the central channel or tube generally is wide
enough to accept a particular dispenser apparatus (e.g., nozzle,
barrel).
[0013] In some embodiments, a pipette tip has (i) an overall length
of about 1.10 inches to about 3.50 inches (e.g., about 1.25, 1.50,
1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.00, 3.25 inches); (ii) a
fluid-emitting distal section terminus having an inner diameter of
about 0.01 inches to about 0.03 inches (e.g., about 0.015, 0.020,
0.025 inches) and an outer diameter of about 0.02 to about 0.7
inches (e.g., about 0.025, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06 inches); and
(iii) a dispenser-engaging proximal section terminus having an
inner diameter of about 0.10 inches to about 0.40 inches (e.g.,
about 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35 inches) and an outer diameter of
about 0.15 to about 0.45 inches (e.g., about 0.20, 0.25, 0.30,
0.35, 0.45 inches). In the latter embodiments, the inner diameter
is less than the outer diameter.
[0014] The wall of the distal section of a pipette tip sometimes is
continuously tapered from the wider portion, which is in effective
connection with the proximal section, to a narrower terminus. The
wall of the distal section, in some embodiments, forms a stepped
tapered surface. The angle of each taper in a distal section is
between about zero degrees to about thirty degrees from the central
longitudinal vertical axis of the pipette tip (e.g., about 0, 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 degrees), in certain
embodiments. In some embodiments, the wall of the distal section
forms stepped vertical sections. The wall thickness of a distal
section may be constant along the length of the section, or may
vary with the length of the section (e.g., the wall of the distal
section closer to the proximal section of the pipette tip may be
thicker or thinner than the wall closer to the distal section
terminus; the thickness may continuously thicken or thin over the
length of the wall). The distal section of a pipette tip generally
terminates in an aperture through which fluid passes into or out of
the distal portion of the pipette tip. A distal section of a
pipette tip may contain a filter, insert or other material.
[0015] The wall of the proximal section of a pipette tip sometimes
is continuously tapered from the top portion, to a narrower
terminus towards the distal end. The top portion generally is open
and often is shaped to receive a pipette tip engagement portion of
a dispensing device. The wall of a proximal section, in some
embodiments, forms a stepped tapered surface. The angle of each
taper in the proximal section is between about zero degrees to
about thirty degrees from the central longitudinal vertical axis of
the pipette tip (e.g., about 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29 or 30 degrees), in certain embodiments. The wall thickness of a
proximal section may be constant over the length of the section, or
may vary with the length of the proximal section (e.g., the wall of
the proximal section closer to the distal section of the pipette
tip may be thicker or thinner than the wall closer to the top of
the proximal section; the thickness may continuously thicken or
thin over the length of the wall). A proximal section of a pipette
tip may contain a filter, insert or other material.
[0016] In certain embodiments, pipette tips in a pipette tray
comprise one or more of a filter component and/or an insert
component. A filter may be located in any suitable portion of a
pipette tip, and sometimes is located in a proximal portion of a
pipette tip near a pipette tip aperture that can engage a
dispensing device. A filter can be of any shape (e.g., plug, disk;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,156,811 and 7,335,337) and can be manufactured
from any material that impedes or blocks migration of aerosols
through the pipette tip to the proximal section terminus or visa
versa, including without limitation, polyester, cork, plastic,
silica, gels, and the like, and combinations thereof. In some
embodiments a filter may be porous, non-porous, hydrophobic,
hydrophilic or a combination thereof. A filter in some embodiments
may include vertically oriented pores, and the pore size may be
regular or irregular. Pores of a filter may include a material
(e.g., granular material) that can expand and plug pores when
contacted with aerosol (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,811). In certain
embodiments, a filter may include nominal, average or mean pore
sizes of about 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5,
or 0.05 micrometers, for example. A section of a pipette tip also
may include an insert or material that can interact with a molecule
of interest, such as a biomolecule. The insert or material may be
located in any suitable location for interaction with a molecule of
interest, and sometimes is located in the distal section of a
pipette tip (e.g., a material or a terminus of an insert may be
located at or near the terminal aperture of the distal section). An
insert may comprises one or more components that include, without
limitation, multicapillaries (e.g., US 2007/0017870), fibers (e.g.,
randomly oriented or stacked, parallel orientation), and beads
(e.g., silica gel, glass (e.g. controlled-pore glass (CPG)), nylon,
Sephadex.RTM., Sepharose.RTM., cellulose, a metal surface (e.g.
steel, gold, silver, aluminum, silicon and copper), a magnetic
material, a plastic material (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyamide, polyester, polyvinylidenedifluoride (PVDF)), Wang resin,
Merrifield resin or Dynabeads.RTM.). Beads may be sintered (e.g.,
sintered glass beads) or may be free (e.g., between one or two
barriers (e.g., filter, frit)). Each insert may be coated or
derivitized (e.g., covalently or non-covalently modified) with a
molecule that can interact with (e.g., bind to) a molecule of
interest (e.g., C18, nickel, affinity substrate, antibody, ligand,
cofactor, binding partner, metal and the like).
[0017] Each pipette tip tray component can be manufactured from a
commercially suitable material. Pipette tip tray components often
are manufactured from one or more moldable materials, independently
selected from those that include, without limitation, polypropylene
(PP), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene, low-density
polyethylene, polyethylene teraphthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), polyethylenefluoroethylene (PEFE), polystyrene (PS),
high-density polystryrene, acrylnitrile butadiene styrene
copolymers, crosslinked polysiloxanes, polyurethanes,
(meth)acrylate-based polymers, cellulose and cellulose derivatives,
polycarbonates, ABS, tetrafluoroethylene polymers, corresponding
copolymers and the like. A pipette tip tray component also may
include one or more antimicrobial materials (e.g., antimicrobial
metal, silver, gold). An antimicrobial material may be coated on a
surface (e.g., inner and/or outer surface) or impregnated in a
moldable material, in some embodiments. One or more portions or
sections, or all portions and sections, of a pipette tip or other
pipette tip tray component may include one or more antimicrobial
materials.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates certain non-limiting embodiments of
pipette tip trays. FIG. 1 shows a top isometric view of a pipette
tip rack embodiment. The pipette tip tray embodiment shown in FIG.
1 includes a rack body 15, an indentation formed by lip 20 and rise
25 in which a bottom portion of lid 50 may rest, a perforate card
30 affixed to the rack body, and apertures 35 and 37 in the card.
FIG. 1 shows only some of the apertures (e.g., apertures 37) in the
perforate card and the card includes an array of apertures shaped
to receive pipette tips across the entire surface of the card in
the illustrated embodiment. Pipette tips 70 can be inserted into
apertures 35 and 37 of card 30. Pipette tips include a proximal
region 80, proximal aperture 85, distal region 75 and filter 90
within a portion of the hollow space of the pipette tip embodiment
illustrated.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the pipette tip components in one
pipette tip tray are from one lot. The term "lot" as used herein
refers to units of a particular component manufactured in a
manufacture process. In certain embodiments, a "lot" of a
particular component is produced in a certain manufacture run of
the component. A manufacturing run of a particular component
generally utilizes a particular batch of materials to produce the
component (e.g., a particular batch of polypropylene is utilized to
mold a certain number of pipette tips). The pipette tips of a "lot"
then are utilized in an assembly process that places multiple
pipette tips in a pipette tip tray, in certain embodiments. A
manufacturer often ascribes a "lot number" to track a particular
lot of components. A lot number can be of any suitable length and
contain any convenient types of characters (e.g., numbers, letters,
symbols, bar code and combinations thereof). One or more lot
numbers for a particular component can be provided and associated
with a serial number (e.g., a lot number for each of card, rack,
lid, filter and pipette tip components) in processes described
herein.
[0020] A serial number can be of any suitable length and contain
any convenient types of characters (e.g., numbers, letters,
symbols, bar code and combinations thereof). A serial number
generally is unique or specific for a particular pipette tip tray,
and is identifiably distinct and different than serial numbers
affixed to other pipette tip trays. A serial number also generally
is associated with a lot number for one or more components of the
pipette tip tray (e.g., pipette tips, card, rack, lid, filters,
inserts), and in some embodiments, a serial number is associated
with a lot number for each of multiple components (e.g., associated
with a lot number for pipette tips, a lot number for the card, a
lot number for the rack, a lot number for the lid, a lot number for
filters, a lot number for inserts, or subset thereof).
[0021] A serial number can be associated with a lot number for one
or more pipette tip tray components in any convenient recordable
medium. A serial number may be associated with one or more lot
numbers in a suitable medium and manner (e.g., a serial number can
be paired with a lot number of one or more components in a table).
The medium can be tangible (e.g., paper) or intangible (e.g.,
electronic medium), and examples of media include, but are not
limited to, computer media, databases, records, graphs and tables,
and any other suitable medium of expression. The serial number and
lot number information sometimes is stored and/or renditioned in
computer readable form and sometimes is stored and organized in a
database. In certain embodiments, the information may be
transferred from one location to another using a physical medium
(e.g., paper) or a computer readable medium (e.g., optical and/or
magnetic storage or transmission medium, floppy disk, hard disk,
random access memory, computer processing unit, facsimile signal,
satellite signal, transmission over an internet or transmission
over the World-Wide Web). Lot numbers and serial numbers can be
recorded into or onto a particular medium in any convenient manner
(e.g., recorded by data entry into a database, bar code scanning
and transport or entry into a database). A serial number, and lot
number information for each serial number, generally are associated
in a manner that allows access of one type of information when one
or the other is known (e.g., if a serial number is known,
associated lot number information may be accessed; if a particular
lot number is known for pipette tips or other component, associated
serial numbers may be accessed).
[0022] A plurality of pipette tip trays may be stacked, packaged,
transported and/or shipped in a container. A container of any
suitable type (e.g., box, envelope, cylinder, barrel) and material
(e.g., paper, cardboard, plastic, wood) can be utilized, such as a
container utilized for shipping. A container may contain any
convenient number of pipette tip trays, including, without
limitation, about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60,
65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 or more pipette tip trays.
[0023] Also provided herein is a process for manufacturing pipette
tip trays having a rack, a card affixed to the rack and pipette
tips mounted in the card, which comprises: (a) providing pipette
tip, card and rack components, where the pipette tip components are
from one lot; (b) assembling the components to form pipette tip
trays; (c) measuring a coefficient of variation (CV) value for
pipette tips in the lot; (d) placing the pipette tip trays in a
container; and (e) affixing the CV value to the container.
[0024] Provided also is a process for manufacturing a container
comprising a plurality of pipette tip trays, which comprises: (a)
providing a plurality of pipette tip trays comprising pipette tip,
card and rack components, where the card is affixed to the rack,
the pipette tips are mounted in the card and the pipette tip
components are from one lot; (b) placing the pipette tip trays in a
container; and (c) affixing to the container a coefficient of
variation (CV) value measured for pipette tips in the lot.
[0025] Also provided is a container comprising a plurality of
pipette tip trays each comprising rack, card and pipette tip
components, where: (a) the card is affixed to the rack and the
pipette tips are mounted in the card; (b) the pipette tips in the
plurality of pipette tip trays are from one lot of pipette tips;
and (c) affixed to the container is a coefficient of variation
value measured for the lot of pipette tips.
[0026] A CV value sometimes is affixed to a pipette tip tray, a
pipette tip tray container or both, in certain embodiments.
Coefficient of variation (CV) can be calculated for a pipette tip
lot in a variety of manners. In general, percent CV equals (a) the
quotient of (i) standard deviation in volume dispensed from the
pipette tips, divided by (ii) the average volume dispensed from the
pipette tips, (b) multiplied by 100. In certain embodiments, a CV
value can be expressed as a quotient and not a percent (e.g., as
the quotient in (a) without multiplying by 100 in (b)). A CV value
often is calculated for a particular lot of pipette tips. One of
many protocols can be selected for collecting pipette tips in the
lot to calculate a CV value. Pipette tips may be selected randomly
from a lot after a manufacturing run is completed in some
embodiments, and in certain embodiments, pipette tips are collected
at different time points during the manufacturing run of the lot
(e.g., pipette tips are collected at time points during the
manufacture run at regular intervals).
[0027] In certain embodiments pertaining to CV measurements, water
is dispensed from pipette tips of a particular lot using one
dispensing device, and volume of each dispensed amount is weighed.
The average and standard deviation of all weighed aliquots of water
then can be calculated in such embodiments.
[0028] In some embodiments pertaining to CV measurements, liquid
containing a dye is dispensed from each pipette tip into a well of
a tray having an array of wells. The average volume can be
determined from the weight of the plate containing the dispensed
liquid less the weight of the plate before liquid was dispensed.
The standard deviation in volume dispensed into each well can be
determined by optically determining the volume in each well by the
amount of dye in each well (e.g., using a light, fluorescence,
luminescence or absorbance detector in a plate reader).
[0029] In embodiments that include affixing a CV value to a
container and/or a pipette tip tray, an accuracy value measured for
pipette tips in the same lot for which the CV value is determined
also is affixed to the container and/or pipette tip tray. In
certain embodiments, the accuracy value is an average, mean or
nominal volume dispensed by the pipette tips in the lot using a
dispenser.
[0030] A serial number, CV value and/or accuracy value
(collectively, "product information") may be affixed in any
convenient manner. For example, product information may be printed
on a label and the label may be adhered to a pipette tip tray or
container. In some embodiments, product information is directly
printed, stamped or embossed onto a pipette tip tray or container.
Any suitable type of printing medium can be utilized (e.g., ink)
that can be detected by any convenient detection process (e.g.,
visual, optical, magnetic detection). In certain embodiments,
product information can be etched onto a pipette tip tray or
container. Any suitable method of etching can be utilized (e.g.,
laser etching, mechanical etching, chemical etching), provided the
etching technique does not negatively affect the CV or accuracy of
the pipette tips. Product information may be affixed in a
convenient location. For example, a serial number can be affixed to
a rack or lid of a pipette tip tray in some embodiments, and in
certain embodiments, a CV value can be affixed to a pipette tip
tray, container, rack or lid.
[0031] Certain non-limiting embodiments are presented hereafter.
[0032] 1. A process for manufacturing pipette tip trays having a
rack, a card affixed to the rack and pipette tips mounted in the
card, which comprises: [0033] (a) providing pipette tip, card and
rack components, and the lot number or lot numbers for the pipette
tip components; [0034] (b) assembling the components to form
pipette tip trays; [0035] (c) assigning a unique serial number to
each pipette tip tray; [0036] (d) recording the lot number of each
pipette tip component in each pipette tip tray for each serial
number; and [0037] (e) affixing the serial number to the pipette
tip tray. [0038] 2. A process for determining the lot number of a
component of a pipette tip tray, which comprises: [0039] (a)
identifying a serial number for a pipette tip tray, wherein: [0040]
the pipette tip tray comprises a rack, a card affixed to the rack,
pipette tips mounted in the card and a serial number affixed to the
pipette tip tray, [0041] the serial number is specific to the
pipette tip tray, and [0042] the serial number is associated with
the lot number of pipette tip components in the pipette tray; and
[0043] (b) determining the lot number of the pipette tip components
of the pipette tip tray from the serial number. [0044] 3. A process
for manufacturing pipette tip trays having a rack, a card affixed
to the rack and pipette tips mounted in the card, which comprises:
[0045] (a) providing pipette tip, card and rack components, wherein
the pipette tip components are from one lot; [0046] (b) assembling
the components to form pipette tip trays; [0047] (c) measuring a
coefficient of variation (CV) value for pipette tips in the lot;
[0048] (d) placing the pipette tip trays in a container; and [0049]
(e) affixing the CV value to the container and/or pipette tip
trays. [0050] 3.1. A process for manufacturing pipette tip trays
having a rack, a card affixed to the rack and pipette tips mounted
in the card, which comprises: [0051] (a) providing pipette tip,
card and rack components, wherein the pipette tip components are
from one lot; [0052] (b) assembling the components to form pipette
tip trays; [0053] (c) measuring a coefficient of variation (CV)
value for pipette tips in the lot; and [0054] (d) affixing the CV
value to the pipette tip trays. [0055] 3.2. The process of
embodiment 3.1, which comprises placing the pipette tip trays in a
container. [0056] 3.3. The process of embodiment 3.2, which
comprises affixing the CV value to the container. [0057] 4. A
process for manufacturing a container comprising a plurality of
pipette tip trays, which comprises: [0058] (a) providing a
plurality of pipette tip trays comprising pipette tip, card and
rack components, wherein the card is affixed to the rack, the
pipette tips are mounted in the card and the pipette tip components
are from one lot; [0059] (b) placing the pipette tip trays in a
container; and [0060] (c) affixing to the container and/or pipette
tip tray a coefficient of variation (CV) value measured for pipette
tips in the lot. [0061] 5. The process of any one of embodiments 1
to 4, wherein each of the pipette tip trays comprises a lid
component. [0062] 6. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 5,
wherein each of the pipette tips in the pipette tip trays comprises
a filter component. [0063] 7. The process of any one of embodiments
1, 2, 5 and 6, wherein the pipette tip components in one tray are
from one lot. [0064] 8. The process of any one of embodiments 3, 4,
5 and 6, which comprises affixing to the container an accuracy
value measured for pipette tips in the lot. [0065] 9. A pipette tip
tray comprising rack, card and pipette tip components and a serial
number affixed to the tray, wherein: [0066] the card is affixed to
the rack and the pipette tips are mounted in the card, [0067] the
serial number is unique for the pipette tip tray, and [0068] the
serial number is associated with the lot number of the pipette tip
component in the pipette tip tray. [0069] 10. The pipette tip tray
of embodiment 9, wherein each of the pipette tip trays comprises a
lid component. [0070] 11. The pipette tip tray of embodiment 9 or
10, wherein each of the pipette tips in the pipette tip trays
comprises a filter component. [0071] 12. The pipette tip tray of
any one of embodiments 9 to 11, wherein the pipette tip components
in one tray are from one lot. [0072] 13. A container comprising a
plurality of pipette tip trays each comprising rack, card and
pipette tip components, wherein: [0073] the card is affixed to the
rack and the pipette tips are mounted in the card; [0074] the
pipette tips in the plurality of pipette tip trays are from one lot
of pipette tips; and [0075] affixed to the container is a
coefficient of variation value measured for the lot of pipette
tips. [0076] 14. The container of embodiment 13, wherein each of
the pipette tip trays comprises a lid component. [0077] 15. The
container of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein each of the pipette tips
in the pipette tip trays comprises a filter component. [0078] 16.
The container of any one of embodiments 13-16, which comprises
affixing to the container an accuracy value measured for pipette
tips in the lot.
[0079] The entirety of each patent, patent application, publication
and document referenced herein hereby is incorporated by reference.
Citation of the above patents, patent applications, publications
and documents is not an admission that any of the foregoing is
pertinent prior art, nor does it constitute any admission as to the
contents or date of these publications or documents.
[0080] Modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing
from the basic aspects of the technology. Although the technology
has been described in substantial detail with reference to one or
more specific embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments specifically
disclosed in this application, yet these modifications and
improvements are within the scope and spirit of the technology
described herein.
[0081] The technology illustratively described herein suitably may
be practiced in the absence of any element(s) not specifically
disclosed herein. Thus, for example, in each instance herein any of
the terms "comprising," "consisting essentially of," and
"consisting of" may be replaced with either of the other two terms.
The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as
terms of description and not of limitation, and use of such terms
and expressions do not exclude any equivalents of the features
shown and described or portions thereof, and various modifications
are possible within the scope of the claimed technology. The term
"a" or "an" can refer to one of or a plurality of the elements it
modifies (e.g., "a reagent" can mean one or more reagents) unless
it is contextually clear either one of the elements or more than
one of the elements is described. The term "about" as used herein
refers to a value within 10% of the underlying parameter (i.e.,
plus or minus 10%), and use of the term "about" at the beginning of
a string of values modifies each of the values (i.e., "about 1, 2
and 3" is about 1, about 2 and about 3). For example, a weight of
"about 100 grams" can include weights between 90 grams and 110
grams. Further, when a listing of values is described herein (e.g.,
50%, 60%, 70% or 80%), the listing includes all intermediate values
thereof (e.g., 62%, 77%). Thus, it should be understood that
although the present technology has been specifically disclosed by
representative embodiments and optional features, modification and
variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by
those skilled in the art, and such modifications and variations are
considered within the scope of the technology described herein.
[0082] Embodiments of the technology are set forth in the claims
that follow.
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