A career in life science research is often chosen out of boundless curiosity and a desire to solve problems, rather than because of a passion for pipettes. However, the day-to-day work of a research facility often requires the transfer of precise volumes of liquid hour after hour, as this is a fundamental aspect of many routine laboratory processes. Achieving accurate results from this repetitive task depends on operator skill and proper equipment maintenance.
Due to the ever-increasing workload and time pressure in modern research laboratories, careful maintenance and handling of pipettes can be overlooked. This can lead to excessive wear and tear, reducing the quality of results over time and leading to expensive repairs. However, it is not without hope. This article provides comprehensive guidance on how best to look after pipettes - from proper storage to regular calibration, and everything in between.
How to store pipettes？
Proper pipetting techniques and careful handling can help ensure accurate results and prevent damage from excessive wear and tear. However, many researchers do not realise that proper storage is equally important. Implementing some of the suggestions below may take a few seconds out of your working time, but may significantly extend the life of your pipettes.
1.Always use a pipette holder
Keeping your pipettes in a stand will not only keep your lab workspace neat and tidy, but will also help protect the equipment from potential spills or accidental drops to the floor. Some charging stands also double up as charging stations, so using them when your electronic pipettes are not in use will help to ensure they don't run out of power. In addition, leaving the pipettes on the table can lead to several further problems. Firstly, piston lubricant can build up on one side, leading to avoidable deterioration of the unit. The piston may also become misaligned, affecting calibration. Finally, any liquid left in the pipette may enter the body, leading to unnecessary corrosion and damage.
2.Removing the tip
A pipette should never be left with an end, even if it is only set aside for a few minutes. This is because any liquid residue left in the tip can evaporate into the pipette body and cause internal damage.
3.Set to maximum volume
Once this has been done, you should always set the manual pipette to its maximum volume. This allows the spring to return to its minimum stress position, further increasing the life of the pipette.
How to clean pipettes？
After a few weeks or months of working on a series of successful experiments, most people immediately start thinking about their next project rather than the task of completely disassembling and thoroughly cleaning the pipette. However, this should not be put off for too long. Pipettes are one of the most important tools in any research laboratory and therefore deserve extra attention to ensure that they continue to work smoothly for as long as possible.
Exterior
Cleaning the outer surface of pipettes is quick and easy and can effortlessly become part of your daily routine. A lint-free cloth moistened with 70% ethanol is usually sufficient to wipe the device, but it is advisable to check the chemical compatibility of the pipettes beforehand.
Internal
Most manufacturers recommend that multichannel pipettes should only be dismantled and cleaned by specially trained personnel. However, anyone can and should clean their single-channel pipettes regularly by following these simple steps:
1.Removing the pipette: Most models require the upper and lower sections to be disconnected before removing the o-ring and piston. However, the operator should check the specific instructions on how to disassemble the pipette completely and correctly.
2. Wipe with distilled water: Wipe all parts with a cotton swab soaked in distilled water to ensure that any blockages in the air passages are removed.
3. Maintenance checks:Check each component for visible damage and it is important to replace damaged parts after cleaning. It is recommended that o-rings and seals are replaced every time.
4. Dry all components:Then place all components on a clean surface and allow to air dry completely.
5. Lubricate the piston:Check the operating instructions for each pipette to check which type of lubricant should be used and where. If there is no recommendation, use a grease designed for pipettes as other common lubricants are available in a variety of different compositions and some may not be suitable.
6. Reassemble the pipettes:All pipette components must be free of lint or dust particles prior to reassembly.
7. Test pipette function: A leak test and pipetting volume verification should be carried out to ensure that the pipette works as intended after cleaning.
Why regular calibration is essential?
Even pipettes which are carefully handled, appropriately stored and regularly cleaned need to be regularly calibrated – every six to 12 months, depending on laboratory workflow requirements – by the manufacturer or a specialised company. Keeping up-to-date records of past calibrations helps to ensure the next date won’t be missed. Some electronic pipettes and pipette software packages even allow calibration reminders to be set, or the service history to be recorded, to help keep track.
Regular calibration will ensure that pipettes provide ongoing precision and accuracy, as well as allow early detection of potential problems. Issues can therefore be fixed before more costly repairs – or replacement – becomes inevitable. These simple guidelines can guarantee prime pipette performance and the provision of reliable results for years to come.
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