Pipette tip washing device

Abstract

A washing device comprises a manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack in the washing device. A number of liquid outputs is equal to a number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs operably directs fluid at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables.

That which is claimed :    
     
         1 . A washing device comprising:
 a manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack in the washing device, a number of liquid outputs being equal to a number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs operably directs fluid at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the washing device comprises a first compartment and a second compartment positioned below the first compartment;
 wherein the first compartment contains the manifold dispenser; and   wherein the second compartment contains the laboratory consumables held by the rack.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rack comprises a tip rack and the plurality of laboratory consumables comprise a plurality of pipette tips. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the tip rack is configured to hold 24, 48, 96, 384, or 1536 pipette tips. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of manifold dispensers, each manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a respective rack in the washing device, a number of liquid outputs of each manifold dispenser being equal to a number of laboratory consumables held by a respective rack such that each one of the fluid outputs operably directs fluid at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fiber optic channels extending through the manifold dispenser at each of the plurality of liquid outputs. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a light source capable of outputting ultraviolet (UV) light through the plurality of fiber optic channels. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of liquid outputs each comprise a nozzle having an opening into which one of the plurality of fiber optic channels extends. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more transducers capable of outputting sound in an ultrasonic range into the washing chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more mechanical cylinders that operably agitate the rack. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a drawer capable of opening and closing, the drawer configured to hold the rack. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold dispenser is capable of being raised and lowered vertically relative to the rack 
     
     
         13 . A method for washing laboratory consumables, comprising:
 inserting a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack into a washing device; and   directing one or more liquid solutions to contact the plurality of laboratory consumables, the directing comprising introducing the one or more liquid solutions into a fluid input and out of a plurality of fluid outputs of a manifold dispenser, a number of fluid outputs being equal to a number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs directs the one or more liquid solutions at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising draining the one or more liquid solutions via a waste drain configured to receive the one or more directed liquid solutions following the contact by the one or more liquid solutions with the plurality of laboratory consumables. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising substantially submerging the plurality of laboratory consumables in the one or more liquid solutions prior to draining the one or more liquid solutions from the waste drain. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the directing further comprises at least one of washing or rinsing the plurality of laboratory consumables with at least two liquid solutions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising exposing at least an interior portion of the each of the plurality of laboratory consumables to light in an ultraviolet (UV) range from a UV light source via a plurality of fiber optic channels extending from the manifold dispenser into the plurality of fluid outputs. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising exposing an exterior portion of each of the plurality of laboratory consumables to the light in the UV range from the UV light source. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the directing further comprises directing the one or more liquid solutions to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a plurality of racks. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the rack comprises a tip rack and the plurality of laboratory consumables comprise a plurality of pipette tips. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising exposing the plurality of laboratory consumables to sound in an ultrasonic range, the exposing comprising energizing one or more transducers to direct the sound in the ultrasonic range into the washing chamber. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising agitating the plurality of laboratory consumables. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 opening a drawer compartment of the washing device;   loading the plurality of laboratory consumables held by the rack into the drawer compartment; and   closing the drawing compartment.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 lowering the manifold dispenser vertically relative to the plurality of laboratory consumables held by the rack; and   raising the manifold dispenser vertically relative to the plurality of laboratory consumables held by the rack.