Gilson PIPETMAN P Series Operating instructions

How to use Micropipette: Pipetman P®
Prepared for
Gilson Inc.
Prepared by
Doan Trang Nguyen
TECM-2700-001
Terry Smith
05/02/2014

Table of Contents iii
Table of Contents
Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................iii
Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 3
Part Checklist and Descriptions...................................................................................................... 7
Part Checklist .............................................................................................................................. 7
Descriptions................................................................................................................................. 7
Volume Setting ............................................................................................................................. 11
Pipetting and General Guidelines ................................................................................................. 15
Pipetting .................................................................................................................................... 15
Fitting the tips....................................................................................................................... 15
Pre-rinse the tips ................................................................................................................... 15
Aspirate................................................................................................................................. 15
Dispense................................................................................................................................ 16
General Guidelines.................................................................................................................... 16
Specifications................................................................................................................................ 19
Gilson’s maximum Permissible Error Table............................................................................. 19
GLP Features and Accessories...................................................................................................... 23
GLP Features............................................................................................................................. 23
Accessories................................................................................................................................ 23
Leak Test and Troubleshooting .................................................................................................... 27
Leak Test................................................................................................................................... 27
For the P2 to P200 models.................................................................................................... 27
For the P1000 to P10ml models............................................................................................ 27
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................ 27
Maintenance.................................................................................................................................. 31
Changing the Tip-ejector........................................................................................................... 31
Changing the Tip-holder ........................................................................................................... 31
Handling the Pistol Assembly................................................................................................... 31
Changing the O-ring.................................................................................................................. 32
Cleaning and Decontamination..................................................................................................... 35
Cleaning .................................................................................................................................... 35
External................................................................................................................................. 35
Internal.................................................................................................................................. 35
Autoclaving........................................................................................................................... 35

iv How to use Micropipette: Pipetman P®
iv
Chemical Decontamination....................................................................................................... 35
Upper Part (Handle).............................................................................................................. 36
Lower Part (Volumetric module).......................................................................................... 36
Spare Parts .................................................................................................................................... 39
Tables of spare parts for different models................................................................................. 39
Index ............................................................................................................................................. 40

Introduction 3
Introduction
Gilson Inc. designs and manufactures the PIPETMAN P following the Pipetting Standard to
provide you with a range of robust, accurate and precise pipettes. This fully adjustable, air-
displacement pipette comes with a digital indicator (volumeter) that shows the selected volume.
Eight models cover a range from 0.2 μL to 10 mL, for many applications:
P2 and P10: measure and transfer micro-volumes, DNA sequencing and enzyme-assays.
P20, P100, P200, P1000: measure and transfer general aqueous solutions, acids and bases.
P5000, P10ml: measure and transfer large volumes.
This manual includes ten sections which provide you with the information about the
micropipettes’ different methods of application, maintenance, and troubleshooting if you detect
problems during the course of using them. These sections are:
Parts Check List and Description
Volume Setting
Pipetting and General Guidelines
Specifications
GLP Features and Accessories
Leak Test and Troubleshooting
Maintenance
Cleaning and Decontamination
Spare Parts

Fly chapter 1

Checklist and Descriptions 7
Part Checklist and Descriptions
Part Checklist
Just take a moment to verify that the package contains these following items:
PIPETMAN P
User's Guide
Safety bag
Certificate of conformity (including bar-code sticker).
Descriptions
Tip-ejector
button
DIAMOND tip
Tip-ejector
Tip holder
Body or handle
Connecting nut
Thumbwheel
Color-coded
push-button

Fly chapter 2

Volume Setting 11
Figure 1
Volume Setting
You use the volumeter to set the liquid volume you need to aspirate.
Depending on the model, we color the dial numbers in the digital display
with black or white to indicate the position of the decimal point (see Figure
1).
You set the volume by turning the thumbwheel or the push-button. The
push-button makes it easier and quicker to set volumes, especially when
you wear gloves. The thumbwheel requires longer time to reach the
required settings.
To obtain maximum accuracy when setting the volume, proceed as
follows:
When decreasing the volume setting, slowly reach the required setting,
avoid overshooting the mark.
When increasing the volume setting, pass the required value by 1/3 of
a turn and then slowly decrease to reach the volume, avoid
overshooting the mark.
Model
Color of volumeter numbers
Black
Red
Increment
P2
L
0.01L
0.002L
P10 - P20
L
0.1L
0.02L
P100 - P200
L
-
0.2L
P1000 - P5000
0.01 mL
mL
0.002L
P10mL
mL
0.1mL
0.02mL
Figure 2
Table 1

Fly page chapter 3

Pipetting and General Guidelines 15
Pipetting and General Guidelines
Pipetting
For optimum performance, we strongly recommend the use of Gilson's DIAMOND Tips
with your PIPETMAN P. We used pure polypropylene to make DIAMOND Tips and engraved
the Gilson logo on their collar, ensuring that you have a genuine Gilson product. Only use each
plastic tip for a single application. PIPETMAN P can also be used with the main tip brands.
Fitting the tips
To fit a new Gilson DIAMOND Tip, push the tip-
holder into the tip using a slight twisting motion to
ensure a firm and airtight seal.
The P2 and P10 models require a dual-
position adapter (plastic) to fit DL10 tips (long
tips) or D10 tips (short tips). The metallic rod
of the tip-ejector has a modified shape so that
it can clip the adapter in either position.
Gilson designed the P2 and P10 with the adapter in
place, positioned in the longer slot, ready to use
DL10 tips. When using D10 tips (which are
shorter), you must reposition the adapter in the
shorter slot as follows:
1. Pull the adapter down from the metallic rod.
2. Turn the adapter through 180°C.
3. Refit the adapter so that the end of the metallic rod engages the shorter slot of the adapter.
4. Finally, check the “dimple” on the metallic rod to make sure it attaches to the corresponding
hole on the adapter.
Pre-rinse the tips
Some liquids (e.g. protein-containing
solutions and organic solvents) can leave a
portion of liquid on the inside wall of the tip;
pre-rinse the tip to minimize any errors
relating to this fact.
Pre-rinsing consists of aspirating the first
volume of liquid and then dispensing it back
into the same container (or to waste).
Subsequent volumes that you pipette will
have levels of accuracy and precision within
specifications.
Aspirate
1. Press the push-button to the first stop
(this corresponds to the set volume of
liquid).
2. Hold the pipette vertically and immerse
the tip in the liquid (see Table 2).
3. Release the push-button slowly and smoothly (to top position) to aspirate the set volume of
liquid.
Figure 3
Figure 4

16 How to use Micropipette: Pipetman P®
16
4. Wait one second (time depends on model, see table); then withdraw the pipette-tip from the
liquid.
5. You may wipe any droplets away from the outside of the tip using a medical wipe, however
if you do so take care to avoid touching the tip’s orifice.
Dispense
1. Place the end of the tip against the inside wall of the
recipient vessel (at an angle of 10° to 40°).
2. Press the push-button slowly and smoothly to the first
stop.
3. Wait for at least a second, and then press the push-
button to the second stop to expel any residual liquid
from the tip.
4. Keep the push-button pressed fully down and (while
removing the pipette) draw the tip along the inside
surface of the vessel.
5. Release the push-button, smoothly.
6. Eject the tip by pressing firmly on the tip-ejector button.
General Guidelines
1. Make sure that you operate the push- button slowly and smoothly.
2. When aspirating, keep the tip at a constant depth below the surface of the liquid (refer to the
table).
3. Change the tip before aspirating a different liquid, sample, or reagent.
4. Change the tip if a droplet remains at the end of the tip from the previous pipetting operation.
5. Each new tip should be pre-rinsed with the liquid to be pipetted.
6. Liquid should never enter the tip-holder; to prevent this:
Press and release the push-button slowly and smoothly,
Never turn the pipette upside down,
Never lay the pipette on its side when there is liquid in the tip.
If you use the same tip with a higher volume, pre-rinse the tip. You may remove the tip-ejector
(see Chapter 7 - Maintenance) to aspirate from very narrow tubes.
For volatile solvents you should saturate the air-cushion of your pipette by aspirating and
dispensing the solvent repeatedly before aspirating the sample.
When pipetting liquids with temperatures different to the ambient temperature, pre-rinse the tip
several times before use. After pipetting acids or other corrosive liquids that emit vapors, remove
the tip-holder, rinse the piston, O-ring and seal with distilled water.
For the model P1000, by using a specific tip holder equipped with a filter, you can increase
the life-time of the piston (see Chapter 5 - Accessories). The pipette can be used between + 4
°C and + 40 °C but the specifications may vary according to the temperature (refer to the
ISO 8655-2 standard for conditions of use).
Model
Immersion
Depth (mm)
Wait Time
(seconds)
P2
1
1
P10
1
1
P20
2-3
1
P100
2-4
1
P200
2-4
1
P1000
2-4
2-3
P5000
3-6
4-5
P10mL
5-7
4-5
Table 2