US Patent 7976793 Electronic pipette

A system controls aspiration and dispensation of a liquid in a pipette. The system includes a computing device and the pipette. The computing device includes a pipetting module and a first communication interface. The pipetting module defines an operation to perform at the pipette. The first communication interface sends electronic signals to the pipette, the electronic signals defining the operation to perform at the pipette. The pipette includes a sampling tube, a piston assembly, a piston drive mechanism, a second communication interface, and a microprocessor. The piston assembly mounts to the sampling tube and includes a piston rod that fits within the sampling tube. The piston drive mechanism includes a control rod having a surface that contacts the piston assembly. The piston drive mechanism moves the piston rod of the piston assembly within the sampling tube thereby causing regulation of a liquid in the sampling tube. The second communication interface receives the electronic signals from the computing device. The microprocessor controls the piston drive mechanism and performs the operation defined by the electronic signals.