RU2784973C2 - Device for working with liquid and method for energy supply to device for working with liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electronic equipment.

SUBSTANCE: invention is used for working with liquid. A manual pipette contains an energy collection device; an energy accumulator made with the possibility of storage of collected energy in the pipette; an electronic component connected to the energy accumulator and made with the possibility of use of the energy accumulator as a power supply source. In this case, the energy collection device is a system with a magnet passing through a coil connected to a pipette button and made with the possibility of energy collection, when pressing and releasing the button, or the energy collection device contains a heat-electrical generator, or the energy collection device contains piezoelectric material, while piezoelectric material is included in material of a pipette part.

EFFECT: provision of a possibility of addition of electronic functions to a mechanical pipette (with a mechanically actuated piston) without the need for transformation of the entire pipette into an electronic pipette, as well as provision of a possibility of reduction or elimination of dependence of electronic components on a pipette battery.

14 cl, 4 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The present invention relates generally to fluid handling devices, and in particular to self-charging power systems for fluid handling devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As a rule, manual pipettes are divided into mechanical and electric pipettes. The third category consists of the so-called electromechanical or hybrid pipettes. In electromechanical pipettes, part of the functionality is implemented using mechanical equipment, and the other part is implemented using electronic components.

[0003] In electromechanical pipettes, the mechanical pointer or volume counter is typically replaced by an electronic LCD display. The segmented LCD requires low power, so you can use a button cell or rechargeable battery as the power source. However, these power supplies require either frequent replacement or regular charging, which requires the pipette to be disassembled, or requires a charging socket or charging station. In addition, such power supplies are self-discharging, i. A new power supply must always be charged before first use.

[0004] A disadvantage of known electromechanical or electronic pipettes is that in the event of a battery discharge, the electronic components completely cease to function. For example, the electronic display turns off, which may result in loss of information.

[0005] Reducing the power consumption of electric and electromechanical pipettes has been attempted in various ways, such as by limiting the number of electronic components and using low power components.

[0006] Electronic paper displays, also referred to as electronic paper (e-paper) type displays or electronic ink (E ink) displays, have received increasing interest in recent years and are used in many consumer products. E-paper type displays mimic the appearance of conventional ink on paper. E-paper type displays reflect light, while conventional flat panel displays have a screen backlight and therefore emit light. The advantages of e-paper type displays include their ability to display static text and images without power supply, as well as their flexibility: the substrate and main board electronics are made of plastic materials. The e-paper type display has good contrast and a large viewing angle (170 degrees). The e-ink display can be black and white or color.

[0007] Various technical solutions are used to implement electronic paper technology: electrophoretic displays, displays with electrochemical wetting, electroliquid displays, and flame electronic displays.

Electronic ink technology developed by E Ink Corporation is based on small transparent microcapsules. Each microcapsule corresponds to a pixel and contains a positively charged white pigment particle and a negatively charged black pigment particle. When a positive or negative electric field is applied, the charged pigment particles rearrange within each capsule, changing the surface color to white or black. Even three-color versions have been developed.

[0008] It is known to use electronic paper type displays instead of LCD displays, for example, in automatic analyzers.

[0009] WO 2014138530 A2 describes an automated clinical chemistry analyzer comprising electronically rewritable surfaces (e.g., electronic ink displays) capable of dynamically displaying optical indicia, and independently movable frames capable of moving along said surfaces and observation of symbols to determine navigational information from optical symbols.

[0010] There is a need to develop a mechanical pipette with electronic functionality.

[0011] There is a need to develop an electronic pipette with extended battery life.

[0012] There is a need to develop an electromechanical pipette that provides the same user friendliness as fully mechanical pipettes.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention are intended to overcome at least some of the above disadvantages and limitations of known electromechanical pipettes.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fluid handling device is provided, comprising: means for collecting energy; an energy storage device configured to store the collected energy in the fluid handling device; and an electronic component connected to the energy storage and configured to use the energy storage as a power source.

[0016] Various embodiments of the first aspect may include at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

- The electronic component is connected to the energy storage device and is configured to power the collected and stored energy.

- The energy collection means is connected to the energy storage.

- The energy storage unit is connected to the electronic component.

- The energy harvesting means is a system with a magnet passing through a coil connected to the button of the fluid handling device and configured to collect energy when the button is pressed or released.

- The power collection means contains a thermoelectric generator.

- The liquid handling device is a manual pipette.

- The energy collection means contains a piezoelectric material.

Said piezoelectric material is included in the material of a part of the fluid handling device, such as a button, body or handle of the fluid handling device.

- The liquid handling device is a manual pipette and the energy harvester contains a solar cell built into the pipette.

- The fluid handling device is a manual electronic pipette, and the solar cell is a solar cell capable of sensing ultraviolet radiation.

- The electronic component is a display, preferably an electronic paper type display.

- The liquid handling device is a manual pipette and the electronic component is an electronic paper type display built into the pipette body and having a shape that has substantially the same curvature as the pipette body.

The electronic component is a sensor capable of detecting the state of the fluid handling device.

- The sensor is an optical sensor configured to monitor the tip of the fluid handling device or the contents of the tip.

- The electronic component is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to the fluid handling device.

- The electronic component is a usage counter that records the usage of the liquid handling device.

- The energy storage is a lithium ion battery or supercapacitor.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying energy to a fluid handling device, comprising: collecting energy; storing the collected energy in an energy store in the fluid handling device; and supplying energy to an electronic component of the fluid handling device stored and collected energy.

[0018] Various embodiments of the second aspect may include at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

- Energy is collected by pressing or releasing the button of the liquid handling device by means of a system with a magnet passing through a coil connected to the button.

- Energy is collected when a button is turned, for example, a counter, a device for working with liquid.

- The liquid handling device is a manual pipette and a thermoelectric generator built into the pipette collects heat from the user's hand when the user holds the pipette.

- The thermoelectric generator built into the liquid handling device collects the ambient heat.

- The liquid handling device is a manual pipette and collects the energy of mechanical movements or vibrations of the pipette or part of the pipette piezoelectric material included in the material of the pipette or in the material of the part of the liquid handling device, for example, in the button, body or handle of the device for working with liquid liquid.

- Solar energy is collected by a solar cell built into the device for working with liquid.

- The solar cell is a UV sensitive solar cell and said collection takes place in a laminar fume hood illuminated by a UV source.

- Collect the energy received from the user of the fluid handling device.

- Thermal energy received from the user of the fluid handling device is collected by means of a thermoelectric generator.

[0019] At least some embodiments of the present invention provide significant advantages in electronic pipettes. The charging interval can be extended from several days to several months, or charging may not be necessary.

[0020] At least some embodiments of the present invention provide significant advantages in mechanical pipettes. Electronic functions can be included in a mechanical pipette. However, the pipette can be lightweight because it does not need to include a heavy battery. In addition, there is no need to change how the pipette is used and controlled. Many users prefer the feel and touch of a mechanical pipette over an electronic pipette.

[0021] At least some embodiments of the present invention allow the pipette to be used for extended periods of time in locations where charging a conventional battery is not possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which energy is collected due to the push and release movement of the pipette button.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which energy is collected due to the rotational movement of the pipette button.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which solar energy is collected.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which ambient heat is collected.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] DEFINITIONS

[0027] As used herein, the term "fluid handling device" includes manual mechanical, electromechanical, and electrical pipettes, as well as automated fluid handling stations.

[0028] In the context of this document, the term "electromechanical pipette" includes a mechanical pipette with electronic functionality. Preferably, the pipette is an air displacement micropipette using disposable tips.

[0029] During the development of the present invention, it has been unexpectedly found that energy harvesting can be successfully applied in a liquid handling device such as a pipette to supply power to low-power electronic components. The principle of one form of energy harvesting, also known as power harvesting or energy harvesting, is to collect and store environmental energy to power electronic devices with relatively low power requirements.

[0030] Energy harvesting systems may be based on, for example, photovoltaics, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, or electrodynamics. These systems can use various forms of environmental energy or energy from the environment, such as movement, light, and vibration.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present invention, it has been found that unexpected and effective energy harvesting opportunities exist in the interaction of the user and the hand pipette.

[0032] In a fluid handling device, energy can be collected by various means. Preferably, the energy harvesting means is integrated into a liquid handling device such as a pipette. Next, various embodiments will be described.

[0033] In one embodiment, the magnetic induction system is used as a system with a magnet passing through the coil to collect kinetic energy. The energy is generated by the relative movement between the wire coil and the magnet. The magnetic flux through the coil changes and a voltage difference occurs at the ends of the wire coil. This voltage difference can be used to charge a supercapacitor. The magnet in the pipette may be configured to move downward through the coil when a mechanical control button or a mechanical pipette tip ejection button is pressed. When the button is released, the magnet moves through the coil in the opposite direction.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which energy is collected by pressing and releasing the control button 11 of a mechanical pipette 10. Disposable tips 12 are used in the pipette 10.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which energy is collected due to the rotational movement of the button 21 of the pipette 20.

The button 21 is turned to increase or decrease the counter value.

[0036] In one embodiment, solar energy is collected using a solar cell. The advantage is that continuous collection is possible as long as the device is exposed to light. In this case, the energy supply is not limited to situations where the pipette is used, moved or held in the hand.

[0037] Collecting solar energy is particularly preferred in an electronic pipette. For example, when using a solar cell sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, an electronic pipette can be charged from a laminar flow hood ultraviolet light source. The pipette can be stored and used in a laminar fume hood for an extended period of time without being charged in a traditional charging cradle.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which solar energy is collected in a manual pipette 30 by a solar cell 33 located on the surface of the pipette body.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the pipette comprises a thermoelectric generator (TEG or Seebeck generator) configured to collect body heat, such as the user's hand, when the user holds the pipette. A thermoelectric generator is a solid state device that converts heat (temperature difference) directly into electrical energy using a phenomenon called the Seebeck effect. The advantage is that continuous collection is possible when the user is holding the pipette and the user does not need to press any buttons to activate or energize the pipette or its display at the beginning of the pipetting task. The thermoelectric generator can be implemented as a Peltier module.

[0040] In one embodiment, the pipette includes a thermoelectric generator configured to collect ambient heat, such as heat generated by a temperature difference between the pipette and the surrounding air or any surrounding or adjacent surface.

[0041] To collect ambient heat, the surface of the fluid handling device is preferably made from a dark and rough (eg, textured) material to provide a difference in reflectivity. For example, the surface of a pipette may be smoother and shinier than the top surface of a laboratory bench.

[0042] A temperature difference of 0.5°C is sufficient in the embodiment using a thermoelectric generator.

[0043] According to the observations of the inventors, body heat can provide sufficient energy collection for several seconds to power the electronic components of the pipette. The temperature difference can be maintained for several minutes.

[0044] In one embodiment, the fluid handling device comprises both a thermoelectric generator and a solar cell for energy harvesting. This embodiment provides sufficient and continuous power collection and power generation.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which ambient heat is collected in a manual pipette 40 using a thermoelectric generator.

[0046] In one embodiment, piezoelectric materials are used. When a piezoelectric material is subjected to mechanical movement, deformation, or vibration, a voltage difference develops at the ends of the material. In a pipette, a layer of piezoelectric material may be located at any suitable location, such as in any of the buttons, or in the body, or in the handle, or in the finger hook, or in the cone of the pipette tip. Energy can be generated when a user presses a button and thus deforms the piezoelectric material. Alternatively, energy may be generated when the user turns the counter or moves the entire pipette. The piezoelectric material may be configured to collect energy resulting from any movement, rotation, rotation, gripping, pressing, or deformation of part or all of the pipette by the user.

[0047] Even very small movements on a millimeter scale, such as a single push of a button or a slight turn of a counter, are sufficient to power the electronic components of a manual pipette.

[0048] Another possible alternative is to use a system based on plate-plate capacitors with movable plates. The plates are charged to a certain voltage. When the plates are mechanically moved due to mechanical vibrations, the distance between the plates increases, resulting in the accumulation of energy in the capacitor. When the plates return to their original position, energy is collected.

[0049] The collected energy is preferably stored in an energy buffer or energy store that is built into the fluid handling device. The energy storage device may be, for example, a lithium ion battery or a supercapacitor. The use of a supercapacitor is more preferable because it has a higher efficiency than a lithium ion battery. It can accept and release charge much faster than batteries and allow for many more charge and discharge cycles.

[0050] The collected and stored energy can be used to power various low power electronic components in a liquid handling device such as a hand pipette. Preferably, such an electronic component is incorporated into a fluid handling device.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, said energy is supplied to an electronic paper type display, such as a low power electronic ink display. The electronic ink display is configured to display static information to the user even when no power is supplied. When collected energy is available, the display can be updated to show new information. The use of an e-ink display instead of an LCD is advantageous because it is easy to manufacture a curved e-ink display that is shaped to match the pipette handle.

[0052] For example, the radius of curvature of an electronic ink display may be approximately the same as that of a pen or pipette body. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the electronic ink display differs from the radius of curvature of the pen or pipette body by no more than 10%. More preferably, the electronic ink display is integrated into the pipette body and has a shape that has substantially the same curvature as the pipette body.

[0053] The electronic ink display can be integrated into the body of the pipette harmoniously. In addition, e-ink displays can be made as thin paper components, so the space requirement is minimal compared to an LCD or mechanical volume counter.

[0054] A mechanical counter typically occupies a significant portion of a mechanical pipette in terms of number of components and operating hours. These components can be replaced with a single circuit board providing the e-ink display, graphics card, location data, and power harvesting. Automatic assembly of the pipette is made possible by reducing the number of small components. There are also no counter pad printing steps and associated costs.

[0055] In one embodiment, energy is used to power wireless communication components, such as an active or passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to a fluid handling device. Other possible low energy wireless technologies that can be powered using the present method are Bluetooth low energy, ANT, ZigBee, and RF4CE.

[0056] In one embodiment, energy is used to energize a sensor in a manual pipette.

[0057] Another example is an optical sensor or photometric sensor configured to detect a liquid level or volume of liquid within a pipette tip. An optical sensor can be used to monitor various changes in the state of the tip or its contents, such as contact of the tip with external surfaces or liquid, or orientation (straightness) of the tip.

[0058] A plurality of power sources can be used simultaneously in an electronic pipette. For example, it is possible to supply power both from the charging pins and from an energy store containing the collected energy.

[0059] Some embodiments of the present invention are even applicable to automated liquid handling stations. The collected energy, such as solar energy, can be used as an additional power source in liquid handling stations.

[0060] EXAMPLES

[0061] Example 1

[0062] In this example, an electromechanical pipette containing an electronic ink touch display that is powered by collected kinetic energy will be described.

[0063] Kinetic energy can be collected, for example, by performing the following actions: removing the tip (linear movement and pressure); movement of the counter (rotation); tip ejection (linear movement by tip ejection button or tip ejection sleeve); issue (linear movement); blowing out the remaining liquid sample after dispensing (linear movement, pressure).

[0064] Initially, the battery of the pipette is depleted and the display shows, for example, the text "Press the eject button to turn on" or "Press the eject button to unlock". The user is not explicitly asked to charge the battery and does not even need to be aware of the need to charge the pipette. No cords or chargers are required to use the pipette. The charging movements initiate the start-up procedure allowing dispensing to begin.

[0065] Charging of the pipette is carried out by performing several, for example, from 1 to 5, charging movements, which can be any of the movements listed above. When sufficient energy has been stored in the battery or capacitor, which acts as an energy buffer, the pipette will analyze the dispensed volume, the display will activate and display the volume and possibly graphic symbols.

[0066] The energy collected during routine pipetting tasks is sufficient to charge a battery and provide functionality to low power electronic components. When the battery charge approaches the trip current threshold, the display will automatically go static and display the text "Press the eject button to turn on". Text will appear on the display even when the battery runs out because the e-ink display does not need power to display static, non-refreshable information.

[0067] The power requirements of the e-ink display are very low because the battery power is only used to update the data on the display and to analyze the position of the piston. The location of the plunger is carried out electronically, for example, using a position sensor or using a resistor, the resistance of which changes depending on the position of the plunger. The resistor option allows simple calibration or counter reset.

[0068] From the user's point of view, dispensing, volume adjustment, and ejection of the tip are performed in the same manner as in a mechanical pipette.

[0069] To calibrate a pipette, the user selects the volume for which calibration is to be performed, for example, 1000 μl. Then the user clicks on the inscription "cal" (calibration) on the display. The push button is turned until the display shows the average value of the actual volume dispensed with this volume setting, eg 980 µl. Then the user presses again on the inscription "cal" (calibration), after which the display shows the value "1000 μl" (1000 μl).

[0070] Example 2

[0071] In one embodiment, the collected energy can be used in a mechanical pipette to increase the value of an electronic usage counter that counts the number of control button presses and thus records usage (e.g., number of dispense events) of the pipette. After exceeding a certain threshold, the pipette indicates to the user that it needs to be calibrated or serviced. Alternatively, the user can independently monitor the value of the counter and decide on the appropriate time for calibration and/or maintenance. The preferred means of collecting energy is a magnet that moves back and forth within the coil when the control button or tip eject button is pressed and released.

[0072] It should be understood that the disclosed embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the particular constructions, method steps, or materials disclosed herein, but also extend to their equivalents as those of skill in the art would suggest. In addition, it should be understood that the terminology used herein is used solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.

[0073] Reference in this specification to one embodiment or any embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the expressions "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiment" in various places in this specification do not mean that they all necessarily refer to the same embodiment. When referring to a numeric value using a term such as "approximately" or "substantially", the exact numeric value is also disclosed.

[0074] In the context of this document, a variety of elements, structural elements, composite elements and/or materials for convenience can be represented in the general list. However, these lists should be construed as lists in which each element of the list can be independently identified as a separate and unique element. Thus, no individual element of such a list should be considered as the actual equivalent of any other element of the same list solely on the basis that they are represented in the general group, unless otherwise indicated. In addition, various embodiments and an example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for various components thereof. It should be understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives should not be considered as actual equivalents of each other, but should be considered as separate and independent forms for presenting the present invention.

[0075] In addition, the described features, designs

or the characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. This description provides numerous specific details, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without one or more specific details, or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the present invention.

[0076] Although the above examples illustrate the principles of the present invention in one or more specific applications, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes in form, use, and implementation details can be proposed without the use of ingenuity and without departing from the principles and concepts of the present inventions. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited except as set forth in the following claims.

[0077] The verbs "comprise" and "include" are used in this document as open restrictions that do not exclude or require non-listed features. The features listed in the dependent claims can be freely combined, unless expressly stated otherwise. In addition, it should be understood that the use of singular grammatical forms throughout this document does not preclude plurality.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0078] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in electronic or electromechanical manual pipettes.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

LCD Liquid crystal display

TEG Thermoelectric Generator

RFID RFID

LIST OF REFERENCES

LIST OF CITATIONS

Patent Literature

WO 2014138530 A2.

Claims (28)

1. A device for handling liquid, comprising: - a means of collecting energy; - an energy storage device configured to store the collected energy in the fluid handling device; - an electronic component connected to the energy storage and configured to use the energy storage as a power source; moreover, the device for working with liquid is a manual pipette and is characterized in that: the energy harvesting means is a system with a magnet passing through a coil connected to the pipette button and configured to collect energy when the button is pressed or released, or the energy harvesting means comprises a thermoelectric generator, or the energy collecting means comprises a piezoelectric material, wherein the piezoelectric material is included in the material of the pipette part. 2. The fluid handling device of claim 1, wherein said piezoelectric material is included in the material of a button, handle, or pipette body. 3. A device for handling liquid according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2, wherein the electronic component is an electronic paper type display embedded in the pipette body and having a shape that has substantially the same curvature as the pipette body. 4. Device for handling liquid according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2, in which the electronic component is a sensor configured to determine the state of the pipette. 5. The fluid handling device of claim 4, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor configured to monitor the pipette tip or tip contents. 6. Device for handling liquid according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2, in which the electronic component is an RFID tag attached to a pipette. 7. The fluid handling device of claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a usage counter that records usage of the fluid handling device. 8. A fluid handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy storage device is a lithium ion battery or a supercapacitor. 9. A method of supplying energy to a device for working with a liquid, according to which: - collect energy; storing the collected energy in an energy store in the fluid handling device, and supplying the electronic component of the fluid handling device with the collected stored energy; moreover, the device for working with liquid is a manual pipette, and the method differs in that at the stage of energy collection: energy collection occurs when the pipette button is pressed or released by a system with a magnet passing through a coil connected to the button, or energy is collected by means of a thermoelectric generator built into the pipette, or energy collection takes place by means of a piezoelectric material included in the material of the pipette part. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein in said step of collecting energy, in which energy is collected by means of a layer of piezoelectric material included in the material of the pipette part, said layer of piezoelectric material is located in the button of the pipette, and energy is collected when the button is turned. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein in said energy collection step, in which energy is collected by means of a thermoelectric generator built into the pipette, the user holds the pipette, and heat from the user's hand is collected by said thermoelectric generator built into the pipette. 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein in said energy collection step, in which energy is collected by means of a thermoelectric generator built into the pipette, said energy is ambient heat. 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein in said step of collecting energy, in which energy is collected by means of a piezoelectric material included in the material of the pipette part, said energy is energy from mechanical movements or vibrations of the pipette or pipette part. 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein in said step of collecting energy, in which energy is collected by means of a thermoelectric generator built into the pipette, said energy is thermal energy received from the user of the pipette.

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