| If your laboratory needs precision pipettes, there are | | | | doing the aspiration. The rubber bulb, with its |
| certain things in a company you should look for. Many | | | | different sized holes to accommodate different sizes |
| scientific supply companies can sell you pipettes, of | | | | of pipette is still in use today, but most laboratories |
| nearly every kind, whether brand name or generic, | | | | going to the digital age have electrical vacuum |
| but what is it exactly that your laboratory needs? | | | | aspirators that can be set to precision volumes. |
| Can you settle for the generic brands, or does | | | | Hand pipetters are the next item on the list. Do you |
| accuracy and reliability head your motivation to | | | | have the need for exacting standards in fluid handling |
| purchase? | | | | in your laboratory? Then you would want a reliable |
| One of the first things to look for in any pipette | | | | hand pipetter that can give you the exact amount of |
| supplier is variety. Varieties of brands and functions, | | | | fluid when needed. An excellent pipetter has certain |
| as well as price can certainly make your choices | | | | virtues to look for: A good seal with the pipette tip, |
| much easier. For example, if all you need is transfer | | | | ability to aspirate more viscous liquids, and ergonomic |
| pipettes for urinalysis, then you do not need sterile | | | | comfort. Many hand held pipetters are static in their |
| pipettes, and you would want pipettes that are | | | | volumes, but a good variable volume pipetter can be |
| disposable, and has visible plastic to see the specimen | | | | used for different applications. |
| as you draw it up. You would also need a supply that | | | | Variable volume adjustable hand pipetters are very |
| never stops, or is large enough in increments that | | | | useful in any laboratory where multiple volumes are |
| you would not need to worry about when the next | | | | needed. Just turning the knob to the desired volume |
| batch arrives. | | | | gets the job done quickly and accurately. This is |
| If you are needing pipetting for making up reagents, | | | | excellent for switching to different volumes for |
| then disposable plastic graduated pipettes that can | | | | adding different substances to the same test tube, |
| use a vacuum assisted drawing bulb or plunger would | | | | such as the reagent and blood used in a Reticulocyte |
| be ideal. This should be an option for you, as your | | | | count. |
| costs and lab function helps make the decision. | | | | Multichannel adapters and pipettes are used in many |
| Graduated plastic pipettes are excellent for making | | | | areas of genetics, microbiology, and chemical |
| up reagents as they are precise and no not change | | | | research such as pharmaceuticals. These multi-tipped |
| due to temperature variations. Glass is more resilient | | | | pipetters are useful for inoculating multiple wells in |
| but breakable if cheaper materials are used. Pyrex is | | | | well plates and for setting up large volumes of test |
| the best glass material for these pipettes, as it also | | | | tubes and cuvettes. They can be variable volume |
| does not flex or expand due to temperature issues. | | | | adjustable or static volume. They save time by |
| Can you remember the old-fashioned rubber hose | | | | pipetting many dispensings at once. Pipettes have |
| that you aspirated with by mouth? That is frowned | | | | many variations enabling the laboratory personnel to |
| upon in most laboratories these days, due to | | | | have a good choice for each job. |
| contamination and danger to the laboratory technician | | | | |