APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WASHING A PIPETTE PROBE

摘要

A method and an apparatus for washing a probe (15) in a receiving cup (20). The probe (15) is positioned in the receiving cup (20) having a drain (26) therein. Initially, fluid is dispensed through the probe (15) and simultaneously drained from the receiving cup (20) through the drain (26) at least as fast as it is dispensed into the cup (20). Once a sufficient volume of fluid has been passed through the probe (15) to remove the majority of the contaminants from the interior of the probe (15), the flow rate is increased or the rate of evacuation of fluid from the receiving cup (20) is decreased, or both, to build up a level of fluid in the receiving cup (20). This fluid is allowed to contact and wash the interior of the probe (15) and fluid is desirably continuously flushed through the probe until it has been sufficiently cleaned.