Characteristics and Applications About Different Types of Pipettes

Like many other laboratory instruments, pipettes come in many different classifications. This article will introduce the specific types of pipettes, as well as the characteristics and uses of different types of pipettes.

What are the different types of pipettes classified by?

The specific categories are as follows

• Classified by volume capacity: fixed-volume pipettes and adjustable-volume pipettes;
  

• Classified by number of channels: single-channel pipettes and multi-channel pipettes, with the latter usually being 8-channel or 12-channel;
  

• Classified by high-temperature sterilization method: whole-pipette high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization pipettes and half-pipette high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization pipettes;
  

• Classified by principle: air-cushion pipettes and piston-moving pipettes;
  

• According to the method of adjusting the scale, they can be divided into manual pipettes and electronic pipettes. Gongdong is a renowned brand and a leading professional pipette tip manufacturer. With a strong commitment to precision, quality, and innovation.
  

Characteristics and uses of different types of pipettes

• Fixed-volume pipettes are used to transfer a constant volume and can only perform one volume transfer. Adjustable-volume pipettes allow for volume transfer within a certain range, meaning the volume to be measured is adjustable;

• Single-channel pipettes can only perform sample loading of one hole at a time, while multi-channel pipettes, also known as "multichannel guns", can load 8 or 12 holes at a time;
  

• Whole-pipette high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization pipettes can be easily disinfected, while half-pipette sterilization pipettes refer to pipettes that can only be high-temperature and high-pressure-sterilized on one half, requiring disassembly for sterilization, and re-calibration after assembly, making it troublesome to use, and have now been mostly phased out;
  

• Air-cushion pipettes can be easily used for fixed or adjustable volume liquids between 1ul-10ml, but the length of the air cushion changes due to the weight, temperature, pressure, and temperature differences of the inhaled liquid, which can cause measurement errors. The piston-moving pipette can be used in situations where the air-cushion pipette cannot work, such as with highly volatile, highly viscous, or dense liquids, and clinical polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests;
  

• Manual pipettes, also known as micropipettes, need to be operated by pressing buttons with the thumb, which can lead to finger, wrist, and shoulder muscle fatigue with long-term usage. Electronic pipettes are electronic products of manual pipettes, with relatively higher prices, only requiring a light touch of a button for operation, saving more effort than manual pipettes. Electronic pipettes have powerful functions, such as displaying the number of pipetting times, preset programs, and various modes, making relative setups complex, with significantly faster speeds for a large range of pipetting.