Gilson DISTRIMAN User manual

Other languages available on
our website: www.gilson.com.

2
1 - INTRODUCTION
Distriman® is a continuously adjustable repeater
pipette, designed to dispense precise aliquots of
liquid safely. You can use your Distriman to quickly
transfer volumes from 1 µL to 1.25 mL, depending
on the capacity of the DistriTip® (positive displace-
ment syringe) fitted to it. The number of aliquots that
may be dispensed depends on the volume of liquid
aspirated, up to the maximum for a given size of
syringe, and the aliquot volume that you select.
This ergonomically designed product is easy to
use; it is suitable for transferring most kinds of liquid
(aqueous, volatile, viscous, or dense) into many
kinds of vial (tubes, microplates, etc.). Distriman
ensures reliable results in any domain and in all
kinds of laboratory, for a wide variety of applications.
The positive displacement mechanism permits
precise pipetting of viscous materials (e.g. blood,
plasma, oils); including those used in molecular
biology (glycerol, enzymes, and amplified DNA),
without contaminating the pipette.
Distriman is fitted with a Coloris™ tag; which can
identify the user or application. You may replace
the one fitted with a Coloris of a different color (as
supplied, see ‘Maintenance’).
CONTENTS PAGE
1 - INTRODUCTION 2
2 - OPERATION 3
3 - RECOMMENDATIONS 9
4 - SPECIFICATIONS 9
5 - MAINTENANCE 10
6 - DECONTAMINATION 13
7 - SPARE PARTS 13
NOTES 14
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 15

3
Distriman is equipped with a direct reading volu-
meter that allows precise and continuous volume
setting. The aliquots are dispensed by pressing
the push-button the required number of times (you
may also change the volume between aliquots).
A small red flag warns you when you are near to
dispensing the final aliquot.
Because your Distriman is permanently calibrated
when manufactured, there is no need for re-
adjustment. It is virtually maintenance free.
However, a few spare parts have been made
available in case they are damaged as the result
of extensive use.
2 - OPERATION
You should perform the following sequence of steps.
1 - Select a DistriTip of suitable capacity.
2 - Fit the DistriTip to the Distriman.
3 - Select the volume range on the Distriman.
4 - Set the aliquot volume.
5 - Lock in the selected volume.
6 - Fill the DistriTip.
7 - Dispense the aliquots.
8 - Eject the DistriTips.
Select the DistriTip
Besides the standard DistriTip, individually wrapped
sterilized versions are available. DistriTips are
available in the sizes specified below.
DistriTip Micro
125 µL
1 µL to 12.5 µL
DistriTip Mini
1250 µL
10 µL to 125 µL
DistriTip Maxi
12.5 mL
100 µL to 1250 µL

4
Capacity refers to the maximum usable volume of
a DistriTip; the range refers to the maximum and
minimum aliquot volumes that may be dispensed.
Because Distriman is continuously adjustable you
can also select any aliquot volume within the range
for the size of DistriTip fitted.
Select the capacity of the DistriTip according to
the volume and number of aliquots that you want
to dispense.
Number of aliquots* = Volume in Syringe
Volume of Aliquot
* Taking into account the systematic error, the
maximum number of aliquots varies from 118 to
121, according to the type of DistriTip used.
For example, the DistriTip Micro is ideal for filling a 96
well-microplate. The syringe capacity is 125 µL, so the
Distriman can dispense at least 96 aliquots of 1 µL.
Fitting the DistriTip
Take the following steps to ensure the DistriTip is
correctly fitted.
1- Push the filling-knob downwards to its lowest
possible position, using your thumb (A). Hold the
filling-knob firmly in place with your thumb.
2- Take the DistriTip in your other hand, place the
end of the piston into the body of the Distriman
at right-angles to the main axis (A).
3- Gently rotate the DistriTip downwards with the
other hand (B). Then snap the syringe into place
with your thumb, using moderate pressure (C).

5
Finally, check that the piston of the syringe is cor-
rectly fitted by pushing the filling-knob upwards.
Before using Distriman, check the selected volume
range matches the volume of the DistriTip.
Select the volume range
Each volume range corre-
sponds to the capacity of a
specific size of DistriTip. The
selected volume range is
shown clearly on an indicator,
located between the volumeter
and the selector switch. You
select the volume range using
the selector switch.
1- Check that the selected
volume range corresponds
to the capacity of DistriTip
fitted. The capacity of a
DistriTip is marked on its
barrel.
2- Set the volume range, by
sliding the selector switch
with your thumb, to match
the capacity of DistriTip
fitted. The volume range
indicator, volume units (µL
are in black and mL are in
red) and decimal point indi-
cator of the volumeter, are
all switched by this action.
Set the aliquot volume
Volumeter
You set the volume of liquid to be dispensed in
each aliquot using the black adjustment ring and
the parallax-limiting digital volumeter. The volume
is continuously adjustable in all of the ranges.
The volumeter consists of three number dials, a
parallax-limiting marker, plus a range and decimal
point indicator. The three number dials, used to

6
set the aliquot volume, are read from top (most
significant digit) to bottom (least significant digit).
The marker is used to set exact or intermediate
volumes using the scale on the bottom dial. The
volume units (mL or µL) and position of the decimal
point change automatically when you change the
volume range using the selector switch.
The volumeter makes it easy to set and read any
volume from 1 µL to 1.25 mL with accurate incre-
mental settings, as shown below.
DistriTip Maxi DistriTip Mini DistriTip Micro
Increment: 2 µL Increment: 0.2 µL Increment: 0.02 µL
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
0.682 mL 68.2 µL 6.82 µL
Setting the volume
1- Pull up the black adjustment ring (page 5, B).
2- With your Distriman in one hand, turn the
adjustment ring with the other hand until the
volumeter shows the required value, taking
care that the marker is correctly aligned with
the scale on the bottom dial.
Take the following precautions in order to obtain
maximum accuracy when changing the volumeter
setting.
• When decreasing the volume setting, turn the
adjustment ring slowly to reach the required
setting, taking care not to overshoot the mark.
• When increasing the volume setting, turn
the adjustment ring past the mark to 1/3 of a
turn above the required setting. Then turn the
adjustment ring slowly to decrease the volume
setting to the required value, taking care not to
overshoot the mark.


















7
Lock the selected volume
So that the volume cannot be changed accidentally,
you must push the black adjustment ring down
firmly to lock the selected volume. You hear a click
when you lock the volume.
When you want to change the volume, you should
unlock the adjustment ring by pulling it upwards.
If you forget to unlock it, the action of turning the
adjustment ring will not harm the mechanism.
Filling the syringe
You only need one hand to fill the
DistriTip. By simply pushing the
filling-knob with your thumb, you
may completely or partially fill the
DistriTip, which is clearly marked with
graduations according to its size.
1- Push the filling-knob downwards
to its lowest possible position,
using your thumb.
2- Immerse the end of the DistriTip
into the liquid to be aspirated.
When aspirating, ensure that the
tip remains below the surface of
the liquid (about 2 mm).
3- Move the filling-knob slowly upwards to its
highest position to completely fill the syringe,
or with reference to the graduations on the
DistriTip, to an intermediate position.
4- Withdraw the DistriTip from the liquid and care-
fully wipe any excess liquid from the outside,
using a medical wipe, taking care not to touch
the orifice of the syringe.
After fitting a new DistriTip, you are advised to
‘wet’ the interior with the liquid to be aspirated.
Then purge and refill the syringe.
Dispensing the aliquots
1- Put the end of the DistriTip into a suitable
recipient vessel (according to the nature and
volume of liquid to be dispensed).

8
2- Press the push-button until it can
go no farther, to dispense the first
aliquot. This action also locks the
adjustment ring, if it was left un-
locked after setting the volume.
3- Release the push-button.
4- Repeat steps 1 to 3 for all but the
last aliquot, which normally would
not contain a complete aliquot. The
red plastic flag (E, page 10), when
completely visible, warns that it is
time to purge and eject the syringe
(or refill it).
5- You may purge the syringe at
any time by placing the tip into a
suitable recipient vessel and then
pushing filling-knob downwards to
its lowest possible position.
Operator error is minimized by applying
axial pressure on the dampened push-
button, ensuring that each aliquot is com-
pletely dispensed, and that the repeatabil-
ity is maximized (see ‘Recommendations’).
Ejecting the Distritip
You must change the syringe before aspirating
from a different sample or from a different liquid.
DistriTips may discarded without having to touch
them, thus avoiding any risk to the operator. To
remove a DistriTip, perform the following steps.
1- If required, purge the DistriTip by placing the
tip into a suitable recipient vessel, and then
pushing filling-knob downwards to its lowest
possible position.
2- Hold the filling-knob at its lowest possible
position with one hand and rotate the DistriTip
through about 90° with the other (as if snapping-
off the syringe).
3- When fitting a new DistriTip, remember to
check that its capacity matches the volume
range setting of your Distriman.

9
3 - RECOMMENDATIONS
The pipette can be used between + 4 °C
and + 40 °C but the specifications may vary
according to the temperature (see Chapter
4 for controlled conditions of use).
When the red flag appears, be prepared to refill
the DistriTip before you reach the last aliquot.
For the complete distribution of an aliquot, you must
press the push-button until it reaches the adjust-
ment ring. If after distributing an aliquot, a drop of
liquids forms on the end of the DistriTip, do not
discard this drop, which is part of the next aliquot.
Accuracy could be affected by capillary action;
when dispensing, do not ‘wipe’ the DistriTip against
the side of the recipient vessel. After changing the
DistriTip or resetting the volume, you may want to
discard the first aliquot.
Never try to force the volumeter beyond the recom-
mended volume ranges.
4 - SPECIFICATIONS
The data given in the table conform to the ISO
8655-2 Standard.
Maximum Permissible Errors
DistriTips model Volume Gilson ISO 8655
(Reference) (µL) Systematic Random Systematic Random
error (µL) error (µL) error (µL) error (µL)
125 µL Min. 2 ± 0.100  0.080 ± 0.20  0.10
Micro (F164100) 5 ± 0.125  0.075 ± 0.20  0.10
Micro ST (F164130) Max 10 ± 0.200  0.100 ± 0.20  0.10
1250 µL Min. 20 ± 0.80  0.20 ± 1.50  0.60
Mini (F164110) 50 ± 1.00  0.40 ± 1.50  0.60
Mini ST (F164140) Max. 100 ± 1.00  0.60 ± 1.50  0.60
12.5 mL Min. 200 ± 6.00  1.00 ± 12.00  4.00
Maxi (F164120) 500 ± 7.50  1.50 ± 12.00  4.00
Maxi ST (F164150) Max. 1000 ± 10.00  2.50 ± 12.00  4.00
ST means Sterilized.

10
The accuracy and precision figures, given in
the table, are only guaranteed when you fit your
Distriman with genuine Gilson DistriTips, of which
the fine points results from high quality molding.
Each Distriman is engraved with its unique serial
number, allowing you to keep track of individual
pipettes, in accordance with GLP. The serial number
is also printed on the warranty card.
Each pipette is inspected and validated by quali-
fied technicians according to the Gilson Quality
System.
Gilson certifies that its manufactured pipettes
comply with the requirements of the ISO 8655
Standard, by type testing. The adjustment is carried
out under strictly defined and monitored conditions
(ISO 8655-6):
• Basis of adjustment, Ex.
• Reference temperature, 20 °C
• Relative humidity, 50 %
• Barometric pressure, 101 kPa
• Use of distilled water grade 3 (ISO 3696)
• Ten measurements for each test volume, which
are Nominal Volume, 50 % of Nominal Volume,
and the minimum or 10 % of Nominal Volume.
5 - MAINTENANCE
Neither Distriman nor DistriTips
may be autoclaved.
From time time it may be necessary to
replace one of the following parts:
- the Push-button Assembly,
- the DistriTip Retaining Spring (K),
- the Piston Retaining Assembly (D),
- the Red Flag (E).
Should a persistent problem arise,
send the Distriman to your Gilson
representative.

11
Before returning a pipette, please ensure
that it is completely free of any chemical,
biological, or radioactive contamination.
Replacing the push-button assembly
Perform the following steps to replace the push-
button assembly.
1- Hold the Distriman in one hand and pull the
push-button assembly gently in the axial direc-
tion, to remove it.
2- Fit the new push-button assembly by placing
the core of the push-button into the hollow shaft
and then pressing on the push-button with your
thumb until it clicks back into place.
Replacing the DistriTip retaining spring
To replace the retaining spring, perform the fol-
lowing steps.
1- Remove the DistriTip.
2- Pull the filling-knob fully upwards.
3- Make a note of the position and orientation of
the spring (K, page 10).
3- Pull on the retaining spring at an angle of 90° to
the body of the Distriman. This can be done by
inserting a small screwdriver under the spring,
or by pulling on it with a small pair of pliers.
4- The new spring can be fitted by simply pushing
it back into the slot from which it came. How-
ever, make sure that spring goes all the way
back into the Distriman's body. You may need
to apply moderate lateral force to the ends of
the spring to make sure that they are located
in their retaining slots.
Replacing the piston retaining assembly
The DistriTip retaining collar is fixed to a steel shaft
to form the piston retaining assembly. The piston re-
taining assembly, which connects to the filling-knob,
must be replaced as a unit. To replace the retaining
collar (D, page 10), perform the following steps.

12
1- Hold your Distriman in the horizontal position
with the red flag visible.
2- Hold the filling-knob at its lower position using
the thumb of one hand.
3- Press lightly on the white locking tab (F, page
10) with a screwdriver.
4- Move the filling-knob towards the upper position
to separate it from the assembly.
5- Pull the assembly out of the Distriman's neck,
taking care not to lose the small red flag.
6- Return the filling-knob to the upper position.
7- Push the new piston retaining assembly into
the body of the Distriman; at the same time,
push the filling-knob in the opposite direction
until they click together.
Replacing the red flag
You cannot remove the red flag (E, page 10) until
you have separated the filling-knob from the piston
retaining assembly. In fact, the act of separating
these two components will free the flag.
To replace the red flag, the piston retaining assembly
and filling-knob should be reconnected first. Then,
with reference to the figure, hold the
flag with end ‘A’ between the thumb
and index finger of one hand. With
end ‘B’ pointing downwards, insert it
into the access slot. Next, push end
‘A’ as far as it will go into the slot
using a small screwdriver.
Replacing the Coloris
Do not try to pry the Coloris away from the
Distriman's body.
1- Push the filler-knob to the top (closest to the
push-button).
2- Use your thumb to push the Coloris to the top.
Moderate pressure may be required.
3- Remove the old Coloris and insert the new one
into the filler-knob slot.
A
B

13
4- Push the Coloris (as far as it will go downwards)
into position.
6 - DECONTAMINATION
You are advised to take the following steps to de-
contaminate Distriman. You can use the following
disinfectants:
a) a solution of 10% sodium hypochloride,
b) CIDEX (Johnson & Johson).
1- Disassemble the piston retaining assembly.
2- Put all the parts into an ultrasonic bath for 15
minutes.
3- Rinse the parts thoroughly with clean tap water.
4- Immerse all of the parts in a disinfectant bath
for 15 minutes.
5- Rinse the parts thoroughly with clean tap water.
6- Dry the parts using hot air (40°C to 60°C max.).
7 - SPARE PARTS
Contact your Gilson representative to order
spare parts.
Description Reference
Push-button assembly A, page 5 F164040
Piston retaining assembly D, page 10 F164070
Red flag (pack of 5) E, page 10 F164042
Retaining spring K, page 10 F1864052

14
NOTES

15
98/79/EC*
on In Vitro Diagnostic
Medical Devices
GILSON S.A.S.
19, avenue des Entrepreneurs
BP. 145 - 95400 Villiers-le-Bel (France)
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.gilson.com
Atika El Sayed Hervé Ledorze
General Manager Quality Manager
Villiers-le-Bel, September, 14th, 2005

World Headquarters
Gilson, Inc.
3000 Parmenter Street, P. O. Box 620027, Middleton, WI 53562-0027, USA
Telephone: [phone] or (1) 608-836-1551 Fax: [phone]
Gilson SAS
19 avenue des Entrepreneurs, B. P. 145, 95400 Villiers-le-Bel, France
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
LT801285/I - ©2006 Gilson SAS All right reserved June 2006
English Printed in France