Understanding the Different Types of Pipettors and Their Applications

Overview

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• Source: Microbioz India


• Date: 10 Jan,2024

A pipettor is a pipettor’s helper, which assists in liquid samples transfer. It has numerous benefits such as minimizing the likelihood of contamination, making it easy for use over long working hours by reducing hand fatigue and stress. A researcher will have more accurate and precise liquid manipulation when using a pipette and this will guarantee dependable results in different laboratory applications. In fact these come in various sizes as well as types, usually having an elongated tube with a sharp end that uses some devices – either a plunger or a valve – to pull in or get out fluids.

Some of the common types and their uses include:

Micropipettes:

1. Application: Micropipettes are commonly used to handle small volumes of liquid in microliter (μL) range.

Types:

1. Single-channel micropipettes: They are used when one wants to deliver a single volume at any particular time.
2. Multi-channel micropipettes: These handle multiple samples simultaneously thus enhancing efficiency in high-throughput applications.

Pipettor Controllers:

1. Application: Pipettor controllers are employed to draw liquids into vessels and dispense them in controlled amounts.

Types:

1. Bulb pipettors: They use rubber bulb for aspiration and dispensing.
2. Electronic pipettors: These have electronic controls that can be used to precisely manipulate the behavior of fluids.

Pasteur Pipettes:

Application: Pasteur pipettes have common usage in the transport of small volumes of substances within laboratories either biological or chemical laboratories.

Types:

1. Disposable Pasteur pipettes: They should be thrown away after being used once.
2. Reusable Pasteur pipettes: They can be sterilized before being reused again.

Serological Pipettes:

Application: Serological pipettes are typically employed when measuring or transferring relatively large volumes, usually in milliliter (mL) range, of fluids.

Types:

1. Sterile serological pipettes: These find application in cell culture work and other sterile methods where sterility precautions must be put into consideration during liquid handling processes.
2. Non-sterile serological pipettes: These find application in general purpose laboratory work not requiring strict sterility procedures.

Volumetric Pipettes:

Application: For purposes of measuring one specific amount of contents, volumetric pipettes have been made.

Types:

1. Class A volumetric pipettes: These are highly accurate and used for analytical purposes.
2. Class B volumetric pipettes: These are slightly less accurate but appropriate for general laboratory work.

Adjustable Volume Pipettes:

1. Application: Adjustable volume pipette enable one to set and modify the values of the pipetting volumes as desired.

Types:

1. Manual adjustable volume pipettes: Adjustment is done by physical touch by the user.
2. Electronic adjustable volume pipettes: These can be manipulated with electronic controls to change the exact value.

In order to have accurate and reliable data in laboratory experiments, it essential to regularly calibrate and maintain them properly. Moreover, correct methods of pipetting should be followed while using suitable type of pipettor in each application for getting precise and reproducible outcomes.