Rainin Pipettes are handheld instruments used in pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic laboratories to aspirate and dispense precise amounts of liquid. Despite careful calibration and preventative maintenance, unexpected pipette failure can cost your lab time, money, and reputation.

The LTS LiteTouch system reduces force and fatigue while increasing accuracy for manual pipetting. It also reduces the risk of cumulative trauma disorders such as RSI by requiring less thumb force and using light tip ejector and piston spring forces.

Pipettes are handheld instruments used in medical, biotech, and pharmaceutical laboratories to aspirate and dispense liquid in increments of microliters. They are available in single-channel and multichannel versions with manual or electronic operation. To ensure accurate results, all components of a pipette must be sterilized. The Rainin brand of pipettes offers a full line of tips for use with their models and other compatible brands of pipettes as well as a variety of racks to store and organize them.

Rainin tips are form-fitting disposable pipette tips designed to fit snugly on a pipette tip cone to seat with minimal force and allow for easy, controlled dispensing. They are available in a variety of capacities from 1 to 20 mL and can be sterile or non-sterile. Sterile tips are ideal for transferring sensitive samples to avoid sample contamination. They have a narrow orifice aperture and thin wall surrounding the orifice that minimizes the amount of residual sample on the tip after dispensing. Non-sterile tips have a wide orifice aperture and thicker walls.

For maximum comfort and precision, Rainin tips feature the LiteTouch System, which reduces pipette insertion forces by up to 70%. This design also prevents drop formation and eliminates the need for touch-off between dispenses. This results in less fatigue and reduced risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI).

The LiteTouch System is available on the Rainin Pipet-Lite, Pipet-Plus and EDP3-Plus multichannel pipettes. It is also featured on the new XLS+ ergonomic manual multichannel pipette. Its sure-fit handle, light springs and “stiction-less” sealing technology provide lightweight and comfortable operation with reduced insertion and ejection forces, making it easier to work for longer periods of time with less hand fatigue. XLS+ multichannel pipettes also have the lowest channel-to-channel variation of any manual pipette.

For added safety, Rainin sterile tips are free of RNA and other contaminants that may interfere with enzymatic reactions. They are manufactured to ISO 9001 standards and packaged in Class 100,000 clean rooms. Using the right tips and following proper sterilization protocols ensures that a pipette will perform reliably for its lifetime of use. Weekly and monthly autoclave maintenance is recommended to extend the life of your equipment and help you avoid costly repairs.

Pipette Racks

Pipette holders keep glass and disposable pipets organized and secure in storage or during transport. They can be horizontal holders, stands or carousels. Some of them have angled compartments to prevent pipets from falling out and to accommodate boxes, bags or pipet canisters. They may also have large display windows for easy volume identification. They can be made of clear acrylic or clear or colored polypropylene and are autoclavable.

Some of the more commonly used types of pipettes include micropipettes, graduated pipettes and multichannel pipettes. Micropipettes are designed to dispense very small volumes of liquid, typically from one to ten milliliters (mL) units. They are more comfortable to hold and use than graduated pipettes, which have a narrow neck and can be difficult to read due to the meniscus. Graduated pipettes can have a range of graduation marks, while multichannel pipettes offer multiple measurements. Both types of pipettes are designed to be as precise as possible when dispensing liquids, but they do have a larger margin for human error than other laboratory tools such as measuring cylinders.

The most common pipette features include a piston, shaft and volume adjustment knob. The piston moves up and down when the plunger is pressed, aspirating or dispensing the desired amount of liquid. When the plunger is released, the shaft moves downward to eject the liquid from the tip. The piston lubricant helps reduce friction between the parts, increasing longevity.

A variety of other types of pipettes are available for specific applications and laboratories. For example, electronic pipettes eliminate many potential mistakes associated with manual pipetting and are compatible with most standard labware. They can be used to aliquot samples and are designed to fit into 96 well microplates for applications such as ELISA, PCR or cell culture.

Stands and carousels are useful accessories to have for pipettes, as they help keep them organized on the bench and within reach. They also protect the pipettes from accidental damage, such as knocking them off or dropping them, and decrease contamination risks by eliminating contact between the nose cones and the counter. Some can even double as charging stations for electronics pipettes, making them convenient and time-saving.

Pipette Holders

Pipette holders provide a place to store pipettes when not in use to prevent contamination from the bench and other lab equipment. They are used in research laboratories, clinical labs, pharmaceutical facilities and educational institutions. They are available in a wide variety of colors to help differentiate between different pipettes and come in an assortment of sizes.

These storage devices feature an ergonomic design that reduces hand fatigue and helps prevent the onset of musculoskeletal disorders associated with repetitive pipetting tasks. Pipette holders are made from durable materials and are resistant to chemicals. Some are also equipped with a slanted top for easy access to the pipette. They are also designed to fit on a variety of surfaces. Some models can be wall-mounted for convenient and compact storage.

A pipette is a handheld device used to transfer small amounts of liquid. It operates by piston-driven air displacement and can be highly accurate when using the proper technique. However, pipettes can be subject to inaccuracies from environmental factors such as temperature and user technique. They are available in a variety of materials, including glass and plastic. Some have a separate bulb for liquid transport, while others, such as Pasteur pipettes, are made from a single piece of plastic and the tip serves as the liquid-holding chamber.

Some pipettes have a concentrated area of force that requires a lot of pressure to operate, which can lead to increased tension in the arm, wrist and hand. To avoid these problems, users should try to keep their hands relaxed and their arms elevated no higher than 12” from the worksurface. Additionally, they should minimize forearm flexion and elbow abduction.

The Poltex Short Serological Pipet Holder organizes and stores auto pipettes while freeing up space on the bench. It features a five-slot design and is constructed of a white acrylic that is smooth to the touch and easy to clean. Each holder is supplied with different colored upper and lower sections to identify individual pipettes. It can be wall-mounted to save space and is suitable for biosafety, PCR, and tissue culture hoods.

Pipette Accessories

Pipette accessories help you get the most out of your pipettes. These tools keep your equipment clean and safe and make pipetting more comfortable and ergonomic. Choose from a variety of options including pipette stands, rechargeable batteries and replacements, and more to maintain the efficiency and accuracy of your liquid handling instruments.

Often used for measuring liquid volume in the form of drops, pipettes are an essential tool for many lab applications. They come in both fixed-volume and variable-volume varieties to accommodate a wide range of sample sizes. These precision devices are ideal for laboratory work in fields such as microbiology, chemistry and biology.

Some types of pipettes may be aspirated and discharged using a manual process that involves the mouth, while others use an electric or air-powered piston to perform these functions. Most are available in both fixed and variable volumes, and are frequently calibrated for consistency. For maximum safety, most are designed to prevent accidental over-aspiration by preventing the piston from moving when not in use.

There are several different types of pipette accessories, such as a clear acrylic manual pipette rack with four angled compartments to store your 0.1 to 25 mL pipettes. This organizer is durable and keeps your instruments secure while minimizing clutter on the bench. Other options include a pipettor workstation that allows you to organize multiple pipettes on the top shelf while holding a variety of disposable tips in dual bins below for easy access and to minimize contamination.

If you are working with a variable-volume pipettor, it is important to change the tip regularly to avoid cross-contamination of samples. Several types of pipette tips are available for use with both fixed and variable-volume models, such as low-retention, sterile, high-precision and extended length. These are formulated from injection-molded polyethylene, which makes them sanitized and safe for contact with both aliphatic and aromatic solvents. They are also certified DNAse, RNAse and endotoxin free, and made in a class 100k human-touch-free process.

Whether you are working with a manual or an electronic pipette, it is crucial to keep your fingers as clean as possible to avoid repetitive strain injury (RSI). A pipette holder holds the tip in place while you aspirate and discharge, reducing pressure on your fingertips. You can even find a holder that features an elbow pad for increased comfort while you work.