This document is the user manual for the HiPette Mechanical Pipette, a general-purpose pipette designed for the accurate and precise sampling and dispensing of liquid volumes. The pipettes operate on the air displacement principle and utilize disposable tips. They cover a broad volume range, from 0.1µL to 10mL, making them suitable for a wide array of laboratory applications. All HiPette models undergo rigorous quality testing in accordance with ISO8655/DIN12650 standards, which includes gravimetric testing with distilled water at 22°C using the manufacturer's original tips, ensuring reliability and accuracy.
Function Description
The HiPette Mechanical Pipette is engineered for the precise transfer of liquids. Its core function relies on the air displacement principle, where a piston moves within a cylinder to create a vacuum, drawing liquid into a disposable tip. The volume of liquid aspirated and dispensed is controlled by the user, with adjustable volume models allowing for flexible experimental setups. The pipette features an operation button for aspiration and dispensing, a range lock to prevent accidental volume changes, a tip ejector for safe and convenient tip removal, and a display window to clearly show the set volume. The design emphasizes ease of use while maintaining high levels of accuracy and reproducibility in liquid handling tasks.
Usage Features
The HiPette offers several features designed to enhance user experience and ensure accurate pipetting.
- Adjustable Volume: For variable volume pipettes, the delivery volume is set by turning the thumb button clockwise or anticlockwise. It is crucial to ensure that the desired delivery volume clicks into place, the digits are completely visible in the display window, and the selected volume is within the pipette's specified range. Applying excessive force to turn the push button outside its range can damage the internal mechanism.
- Range Lock: A "One Key Range Lock" mechanism is incorporated to prevent accidental changes to the set volume. Users can press down the range lock to secure the volume and lift it up to unlock, thereby avoiding pipetting errors caused by inadvertently touching the adjusting knob.
- Tip Sealing and Ejection: Proper tip fitting is essential for an airtight seal, which is critical for accuracy. Users should ensure the pipette tip cone is clean before fitting a tip and press the tip firmly onto the cone until a visible sealing ring forms between the tip and the black tip cone. The integrated tip ejector facilitates safe disposal of contaminated tips, requiring a firm downward press to ensure proper ejection into a suitable waste container.
- Pipetting Techniques: The manual details two primary pipetting techniques:
- Forward Pipetting: This is the standard method for most liquids. It involves depressing the thumb button to the first stop, placing the tip just under the liquid surface (2-3mm), smoothly releasing the thumb button to aspirate, and then dispensing by gently depressing to the first stop, followed by a short delay and then depressing to the second stop to ensure complete emptying.
- Reverse Pipetting: Recommended for liquids with high viscosity, those prone to foaming, or for dispensing very small volumes. This technique involves depressing the thumb button all the way to the second stop, aspirating the liquid, and then delivering the preset volume by smoothly depressing to the first stop. The remaining liquid in the tip should not be included in the delivery and should be discarded.
- Pipetting Recommendations: To optimize pipetting accuracy, users are advised to hold the pipette vertically during aspiration, immerse the tip only a few millimeters into the liquid, and prerinse the tip five times before aspirating liquids, especially those with different viscosity or density than water. Consistent thumb control over button movements and prerinsing for liquids at different temperatures are also crucial for reliable results.
- Storage: When not in use, it is recommended to store the pipette in a vertical position to maintain its integrity and readiness for use.
Maintenance Features
The HiPette is designed for both user-level maintenance and professional servicing, ensuring its longevity and consistent performance.
- Fully Autoclavable: A significant feature of the HiPette is its full autoclavability. It can be sterilized at 121°C and 1 atm for 20 minutes. For autoclaving, the pipette should be wrapped in gauze. After autoclaving, it must be allowed to dry for 12 hours before use. Regular greasing of both the sealing ring and piston is recommended after every 10 autoclaving cycles to maintain smooth operation.
- Cleaning: Daily cleaning is recommended, with particular attention to the tip cone(s). The pipette can be cleaned using ethanol and a soft cloth or lint-free tissue. Regular cleaning of the tip cone is specifically advised.
- In-House Maintenance: The pipettes are designed for easy in-house service. The manual provides instructions for disassembling and cleaning key components:
- Pull down the ring tube.
- Unscrew the nozzle connector counterclockwise.
- Remove the piston and spring.
- Wipe the piston and nozzle connector with alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
- Before reassembling, lightly grease the Y-shaped sealing ring with the provided silicone grease. Caution is advised against excessive grease, which can jam the piston.
- After reassembly, operate the pipette several times without liquid to evenly spread the grease.
- Following maintenance, the pipette calibration should be checked.
- Performance Test and Recalibration: Regular performance checks and recalibration are vital for maintaining accuracy.
- Performance Test (Checking Calibration): This involves gravimetric testing at a constant temperature (20-25°C, ±0.5°C) and avoiding drafts. The procedure includes setting a desired testing volume, fitting a tip, prerinsing with distilled water, aspirating liquid, and pipetting into a tared container to measure weight. The volume is calculated by dividing the weight by the water's density. An F-value is calculated using a specific equation (F= | inaccuracy (µL) | +2×imprecision (µL)) and compared against the Fmax user specifications. If the F-value is outside the specifications, recalibration is necessary.
- Recalibration Procedure: If recalibration is needed, the user can perform it by pulling out the ejector button, using a calibration tool to remove the ejector button cover, and then re-installing the ejector button. The calibration tool is then inserted into the button hole of the ejector and pressed down. The adjusting knob can then be turned (clockwise to decrease volume, counterclockwise to increase volume) to calibrate the pipette. After adjustment, the pipetting volume should be retested to ensure it falls within the allowable system error range.
- Professional Service: While in-house maintenance is supported, complete repair and calibration services, including a service report and performance certificate, are available through local representatives. Users are requested to ensure pipettes are free from contamination and to advise the service representative of any hazardous materials used with the pipette before returning it for service. Regular performance checks (e.g., every 3 months and after any in-house service) are recommended.
- Warranty Information: The pipettes come with a one-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty does not cover defects resulting from normal wear or misuse contrary to the instructions provided in the manual.
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