Laboratory Pipettes, Dispensers, Liquid Handling

Applications and techniques

The pipette is one of the most important laboratory instruments and consumables used for dispensing the smallest quantities of liquids in modern laboratories. In the meantime, pipetting in the microlitre range has become an indispensable part of everyday laboratory work and routine laboratory work. Our first-class instruments from the manufacturers Socorex and Accumax / Fine Care Biosystems are used in laboratories of all kinds, from chemistry and biology to medicine and pharmacy.

Accordingly, a range of different models and pipetting techniques are offered for use in experimental and industrial laboratories, training and research facilities, universities, colleges, hospitals, doctors' surgeries or pharmacies. Depending on the area of application, pipetting system and dispensing technology, certain requirements must be observed when pipetting in the laboratory. In our range you will find only certified and calibrated pipettes of the highest precision and ease of use, which meet the requirements of the latest methods and working techniques. We will be happy to advise you on the selection of a suitable pipette for your application in the laboratory.

Discover the different types of pipettes

The useful instruments are available in different designs, sizes and types, depending on the field of application, liquids, dispensing and pipetting methods or pipetting aids required for pipetting. Probably the best known and simplest pipette is the graduated pipette, which consists of a glass tube with a volume scale printed on it. This classic pipette is narrowed at the tip and either open or closed at the other end by a pipetting aid, a rubber or peleus ball with valves.

Graduated pipettes are suitable for different quantities of liquid and are more flexible, but also less accurate in dispensing than bulb pipettes, which have only one or two markings for a defined volume. Other types of pipettes are disposable pipettes / single-use pip ettes made of plastic for simple dispensing work with low demands on dispensing accuracy. These disposable instruments are often used in medicine, for example for dispensing medication: Eye drops, ear drops or nose drops.

Pasteur pipette

A common Pasteur pip ette consists of a glass tube with a volume of 2 ml and a diameter of approx. 5-7 mm, which tapers at the lower end and is provided with a rubber suction bellows at the upper end. This type of pipette has no markings to indicate the volume.

Pasteur pipettes are used for dispensing small quantities of liquids and are also available as disposable pipettes made of PE-LD for single use. These Pasteur pipettes can also be frozen in a freezer when full.

Micropipette

The more modern mechanical pipetting technology includes piston-stroke pipettes, also known as micropipettes. A micropipette consists of a piston-stroke system and a replaceable pipette tip made of plastic, making them suitable for laboratory work with frequently changing substances or concentrations. With these microlitre pip ettes, pipetting of very small volumes is possible: from 0.1 µl to 5000 µl. With piston-stroke pipettes, an air cushion is moved between the piston of the pipette and the liquid, which draws in the sample and releases it again.

Manual micropipettes thus work according to the principle of displacement: By pushing down the moving piston, the air in the pipette tip is displaced. In the subsequent upward movement, the air column and thus also the sample liquid is drawn upwards into the attached pipette tip. With such micropipettes, only the pipette tip comes into contact with the liquid.

Direct-displacement piston-stroke pipettes

work practically without an air cushion. These direct displacement systems have pipette tips with an integrated piston, which comes into direct contact with the sample liquid and thus enables the pipetting of highly viscous solutions. The pipette tip with the piston is replaced after each pipetting procedure. Electronically controlled piston-stroke pip ettes are micropipettes that are particularly suitable for repetitive laboratory work, as they relieve the thumb and can be used in part like a hand dispenser, also known as a multipette.

Multi-channel pipette

Micropipettes with multiple channels are called multichannel pipettes or multichannel pip ettes. As with single-channel pip ettes, the sample liquid also only comes into contact with the pipette tips. These piston-stroke pipettes have 8 or 12 simultaneously operated channels.

The adjacent channels are arranged in the grid of microtitre plates (standard: 8 rows x 12 columns) so that they can be processed quickly. With this pipetting technique, it is possible to pipette large sample quantities considerably faster.

This is how calibration works

Since pipettes are used intensively in everyday laboratory work, pipette calibration and pipette maintenance are elementary for precise pipetting in the laboratory, in research, medicine or industry. Regular pipette tests, cleaning, calibration or repair are necessary to control the accuracy of single-channel and multi-channel pipettes and to ensure data integrity. Our micropipettes on offer are all supplied with an ISO 8655 calibration report and can often be easily recalibrated.

For testing the instruments with a laboratory balance, an appropriate evaporation trap is attached to the balance as a test and calibration aid. Fast and reliable solutions for pipette calibration are offered by special pipette calibration software. A large number of the pipettes offered can be fully autoclaved in an autoclave.

Pipette accessories and more at ProfiLab24

Our robust pipettes are characterised by their high durability and ease of use - as well as the possibility to replace or add individual parts. Depending on the model, you can order different components and pipette accessories such as pipette cleaners, pipette tips, pipette stands, pipette carousels, pipette holders, microtitre plates, cleaning agents, charging stations for electronic single and multi-channel pipettes as well as many other elements for the instruments on offer.

Our team will be happy to help you find the optimal laboratory equipment. Just contact us! You can reach us by phone at +49 30 403 667 940 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Our consultants look forward to meeting you!