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Pipetting 360°

Time to Replace Your Pipette?

Pipette Replacement Guide
Pipette Replacement Checklist

More than 1,500 scientists participated in a 2016 online survey by Nature on the state
of reproducibility in research. The study found that more than 70% of researchers failed
to reproduce another scientist's experimental results, while more than half admitted
to failing to reproduce their own findings.1 Repeating experiments can be a major
undertaking. The effort required to redo the work can double the amount of time and
material used. Add to that the time needed to troubleshoot and repeat the experiment
again and again when something goes wrong.1

Given how much of a researcher's workload involves pipetting, when looking to improve
experimental reproducibility, it's good practice to take a close look at your pipettes.
Their age, ergonomic features, service history and appropriateness to your current
applications can all affect the reliability of your data.

To reduce the risks associated with pipettes that are either outdated or slipping out of
specification, first determine how well your pipettes fit your current needs. Understanding
how often the pipette is used, the types of samples or solutions it is being used to
prepare and how often it requires service, you can better determine if a pipette is worth
maintaining or should be swapped out for a newer, more reliable model.

The Checklist
Pipette Replacment Guide

To get a better handle on when a pipette should be replaced,

consider the following questions:

Is the pipette an older or discontinued model? How much are

you spending to maintain it? Pro Tip
Outdated or aging pipettes often require more frequent repair and If you suspect a pipette is
calibration. When a pipette starts to become unreliable, it's time becoming more unreliable,
to start thinking about replacement. Conversely, a discontinued requesting an "as found"
pipette may still be reliable, but spare parts may not be available or calibration on its next service
their costs can exceed the price of a new pipette. will tell you how far it has
drifted from specification since
its last service.
Have your pipette needs changed?
Workflow generally determines which pipettes you need. And
as your needs change, unused pipettes tend to work their way
to the back of drawers and cabinets. Unsure what do with that
fixed volume, old or broken pipette? Ask around – some pipette
manufacturers offer significant savings on new pipettes when you
trade-in old equipment, regardless of brand.

Do you feel fatigue or pain in your hands?

Some of the most significant advances in pipette technology in
Ergonomic Tips
recent years relate to ergonomics. High plunger and ejection
Maintain good posture by
forces result in pain and fatigue, wreaking havoc not just on adjusting your working
a researcher's hands and wrists, but their ability to pipette height and bench posture so
accurately. Replacing old pipettes with newer, ergonomic ones you're comfortable and not
is proven to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and hunched over. This helps avoid
increase pipetting accuracy. Using new materials and advanced overreaching and awkward
positions.
engineering, premium pipette manufacturers continue to invest
heavily in reducing the sources (tip loading and ejection, plunger Take frequent, short breaks every
mechanisms) of harmful pipetting forces. 20-30 minutes. Taking breaks
will prevent strain and allow
Do you want a pipette that looks and feels good without you to refocus your posture and
compromising performance? technique.

Along with ergonomics, newer pipettes have improved usability

features to enhance accuracy and reliability for more reproducible
results. The choice of a particular pipette brand or model should
be based on its specifications and what feels comfortable – not
simply what a particular distributor might offer. A well-designed
pipette that fits a researcher's hand assures safety and comfort
while improving efficiency and enhancing measurement precision.

1) Baker, M. Is There a Reproducibility Crisis? Nature. Vol 533, 452-454 (2016)

1 Pipette Replacement Guide

METTLER TOLEDO
Is your pipette made by a respected manufacturer, or is it private label
or off-brand?
Pro Tip
When premium manufacturers discontinue a pipette, the design is often
either sold to a secondary manufacturer or picked up by distributors for Performance and reproducibility
private label. In most cases the pipette will deliver the same or similar are greatly affected by tip quality
performance, but the secondary manufacturer or distributor may lack the as well. Consider using pipette
tips recommended by your
original manufacturer's knowledge and resources for ensuring optimal
pipette manufacturer to ensure
performance and resolving performance issues. the integrity of your experiments.

A Systematic Approach to Higher Reproducibility

Ready to swap out an old pipette? Aside from accuracy and performance,
it's important to think of pipetting as your liquid handling "system."

Pay close attention to the design and features of a pipette, which can sig-
nificantly affect your performance and the level of strain they put on your
hands and wrists. In addition, the performance of any instrument is im-
proved in the hands of a skilled user. Through good pipetting techniques,
labs can reduce errors and improve the reliability and reproducibility of
their results.

When choosing your next pipette, here are some key features to consider
to ensure experimental accuracy and reproducibility:

Ergonomic-friendly Pipettes ISO Accredited Service A Holistic Approach

Avoid fatigue-related strain and
pipetting errors by adopting an
ergonomic pipetting system that
minimizes pipetting forces on
your researcher’s thumb and
wrists. Look for pipettes with:
• Low plunger forces
• Low tip ejection forces
• Hand comfort and fit
(without gripping tightly)
• Lightweight materials
• Good tip selection – mis-
matched pipettes and tips
usually require more force to
load/eject and may not seal
properly
• Add multichannel or electronic
pipettes for repetitious and
high-throughput work
Regular calibration not only ensures
your pipettes are performing to
the manufacturer's specifications
but also extends their life. Annual
calibration is the recommended
minimum for all pipettes, however
your application and usage may
require more frequent calibration.
Many manufacturers offer ISO
accredited onsite or mail-in service
to meet your exact needs.
A pipette is only as good as
the person using it. Good
pipetting techniques and a good
understanding of liquid handling are
critical for ensuring more consistent
and accurate data. Pipette
manufacturers that offer support
material and training programs
demonstrate their interest in helping
you and your team achieve optimal
results. Taking the time to learn new
techniques, understanding best
practices and honing your pipetting
skills will produce lasting gains.

Taking the time to evaluate your pipette inventory and assuring they meet
your application needs is a big decision. Done right, your pipettes will
support you in your quest to produce accurate and reliable data in the
most cost-effective and shortest amount of time possible.

Pipette Replacement Guide

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 Benefit From Our Liquid Handling Expertise
With decades of experience in liquid handing, METTLER TOLEDO Rainin can offer you a
wide range of online learning resources. Take advantage of our expertise to enhance your
pipetting know-how and optimize your pipetting performance. Check out the documentation
on our site for a range of relevant materials.

Pipetting Technique Posters

Rainin technique posters display useful pipetting
insights right in your lab, where quick reference by
your research team can lead to better ergonomics
and higher data fidelity.

www.mt.com/rainin-posters

Good Pipetting Practice

A one-stop portal for resources to improve data
quality through our comprehensive approach to
maximizing pipetting accuracy and reproducibil-
ity: white papers, guides, videos, webinars and
more.

www.mt.com/gpp

Pipetting Risk Check Analysis

Online tool to evaluate your workflow-related
risks associated with pipetting. Take a few min-
utes to assess your risks and get some useful
hints on how to minimize them through our
complementary report.

www.mt.com/gpp-riskcheck

Rainin, Pipetting 360°. GPP, Good Pipetting Practice are trademarks

of Mettler-Toledo Rainin, LLC.

METTLER TOLEDO Group

Laboratory Division
www.mt.com/rainin
Local contact: www.mt.com/contacts For more information

Subject to technical changes

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