What Is a Micropipette? Micropipette Types, Parts, and Use. Microlit Micropipettes

Resource Description

What Is a Micropipette? Micropipette Types, Parts, and Use. Microlit Micropipettes

Contents

Introduction

There are many tasks performed in a laboratory and liquid handling is one of them. To do it precisely and accurately, you will need a micropipette, one of the most commonly used lab instruments. In this article, let’s figure out what a micropipette is, consider parts of a micropipette, and you will also learn about micropipette types, use, and Microlit micropipettes.

What Is a Micropipette?

A micropipette is a piece of lab equipment that is used for the measurement & transfer of liquid samples. The micropipette pipette difference lies in the fact that a micropipette is a pipette used for working with small volumes of liquid (ranging from microliters µL to milliliters mL).

To sterilize micropipettes, autoclaving can be used. What is autoclaving? What is the definition of autoclaving? It is the process of laboratory equipment sterilizing where steam is used at high pressure. Learn more about autoclaving here.

It is recommended to check the calibration of your micropipette every month or every few months. Note that for calibrating a micropipette in accordance with ISO 8655 standards, there should be special ambient conditions. There are various factors that can affect the pipetting results. They include humidity, air pressure, temperature, etc.

Parts of a Micropipette

What does a micropipette consist of? There are a few parts that ensure the proper functionality of a micropipette.

Main Micropipette Components

Main Micropipette Components

Plunger (for volume adjustment and liquid aspiration/dispensing)

Tip Ejector (pressed to remove the micropipette tips)

Volume Display (to show the liquid volume)

Tip Cone (to insert the tips)

Gripy (for supporting & holding the micropipette comfortably).

Types of Micropipettes

Micropipettes are classified depending on the following aspects:

  • Operating principle
    • Air displacement micropipettes have a piston that aspirates/dispenses liquid samples when the air pocket moves up/down. A disposable tip is used to draw the sample into & dispense from the micropipette.
    • Positive displacement micropipettes have a piston that contacts the liquid sample directly.
  • Operating mechanism
    • Mechanical micropipettes are manually operated, they have a piston-shaft spring mechanism.
    • Electronic micropipettes are automated (mostly). Liquid aspirating/dispensing is done by using the buttons.
  • Channel Number
    • Single-channel micropipettes have one channel for liquid aspirating/dispensing.
    • Multi-channel micropipettes are equipped with multiple channels for it. Multichannel micropipettes are great if you are working with large sample volumes.
  • Volume
    • Fixed volume micropipettes - the volume of the liquid sample to be aspirated/dispensed is fixed.
    • Variable volume micropipettes - the volume of the liquid sample to be aspirated/dispensed can be adjusted. Such micropipettes have a specific min & max volume range.

How to Use a Micropipette?

Let’s consider the process of using an air displacement micropipette.

Depress the plunger using your thumb. As it is released, the liquid sample is drawn into a disposable tip. Press the plunger and the liquid will be dispensed.

Here is this process in more detail.


Position 1

The rest position Press fit the tip to the micropipette, do not touch the tip directly.

Position 2

The plunger is depressed till the 1st stop
Release the plunger
To aspirate the liquid sample in the tip, press the plunger to the 1st stop. Immerse the tip vertically in the liquid.
While the tip is immersed, release the plunger (slowly). The liquid sample will be aspirated into the tip. The liquid is filled in the tip as per the preset volume of your micropipette.

Position 3

Depress the plunger For the liquid sample dispensing, the micropipette tip should be placed on the inner wall of the receiving vessel (at a steep angle). Press the plunger to the 1st stop (slowly) to dispense the liquid sample. If you need to empty the micropipette tip completely, the plunger should be pressed to the 2nd stop. As you remove the tip from the vessel, wipe it on the inner wall.

Microlit Micropipettes

Microlit liquid handling equipment is used by many professionals around the world. High precision, excellent build quality, durability, and ease of use are only a few benefits of Microlit products.

There are various models available when choosing Microlit micropipettes. Let’s consider a few popular options.

Microlit NERO Micropipettes

NERO Micropipettes are ergonomic and ensure high precision with the µAir technology. These are single-channel micropipettes with fixed and variable volume options.

BENEFITS

  • uAir Technology (minimum dead air space between the piston & the liquid in the tip resulting in air compression reduction & precision enhancement)
  • UniCal Technology (a calibration mechanism that enables fast in-lab calibration in a single operation, without disengaging the digits from the plunger mechanism)
  • Soft Plunger Movement (for the lightest pipetting experience)
  • Easy Tip Ejection
  • Universal Tipcone

Microlit AQUA Electronic Micropipettes

AQUA Electronic Micropipettes are excellent electronic volumetric pipettes. They are designed for precise & secure liquid measurement as well as transfer across a wide range of volumes (0.1 µL to 10000 µL). Featuring a detachable rechargeable battery, these portable micropipettes offer different pipetting modes. The Microlit AQUA ensures reliable experimental results while reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries for users.

BENEFITS

  • External Detachable Rechargeable Battery
  • SS Tip Cone (reduced the chances of leakage)
  • Multiple Speed Selection Mode (Low - L, Medium - M, and High - H settings)
  • Internal Storage Memory (save up to six programs & reuse them)
  • Large Display
  • Adjustment Wheel (for fast volume setting & menu navigation)

Conclusion

Now you understand what a micropipette is and know micropipette parts, types, and the process of using it.

Equipment in a medical laboratory includes many products and you can find them on our website! Microlit micropipettes are available in different models, just choose what you need. On Prime Lab Med, there is a wide range of Microlit micropipettes, as well as bottle top dispensers, and more.