Gilson Pipetman Fixed User manual

USER'S GUIDE

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1  INTRODUCTION
PIPETMAN®Fixed volume
pipettes are available in 14
dierent models. Together,
they cover a range of vol-
umes from 2 to 5000 µL.
The pipetting mechanism
incorporates a highly pol-
ished stainless steel piston,
a seal, and an O-ring. The
mechanism requires no
routine lubrication.
Tip-ejector and disposable
tipsmeannoneedtohandle
tips, protecting the user
from contamination.
Thetip-holder,theconnect-
ing nut and the tip-ejector
are autoclavable for 20
minutes at 121°C and 0.1
MPa pressure.
CONTENTS page
1  INTRODUCTION 2
2  SPECIFICATIONS 3
3  OPERATION 4
4  USER ADJUSTMENT 5
5  PRERINSING 6
6  PIPETMAN DIAMOND®TIPS 7
7  RECOMMENDATIONS 9
8  TROUBLESHOOTING 10
9  SPARE PARTS 11
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 13
Push button Tip-ejector
button
Body or
handle
Connecting
nut
Diamond tip
Tip-ejector
Tip-holder
Figure 1

3
The PIPETMAN Fixed can be easily re-adjusted in
the laboratory, with compensation for variations in
uid viscosity and density. A special calibration key
is provided.
The nominal volume of each
model is shown on the small label
on the push-button.
PIPETMAN Fixed is in accordance
with ISO 8655 Standard.
2  SPECIFICATIONS
PIPETMAN Fixed is a high quality pipette that oers
excellent accuracy and precision. The gures given
in the “Gilson Maximum Permissible Errors” table
were obtained using “PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips”.
These gures are only guaranteed using genuine
PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips.
The data given in the table conform to the ISO 8655-2
Standard.
Maximum Permissible Errors
Model Volume Gilson ISO 8655
(Reference) (µL) Systematic Random Systematic Random
error (µL) error (µL) error (µL) error (µL)
F2 (F123770) 2 ± 0.08 ≤ 0.03 ± 0.08 ≤ 0.04
F5 (F123771) 5 ± 0.10 ≤ 0.04 ± 0.125 ≤ 0.075
F10 (F123772) 10 ± 0.10 ≤ 0.05 ± 0.12 ≤ 0.08
F20 (F123604) 20 ± 0.20 ≤ 0.06 ± 0.2 ≤ 0.1
F25 (F123775) 25 ± 0.25 ≤ 0.07 ± 0.5 ≤ 0.2
F50 (F123778) 50 ± 0.40 ≤ 0.15 ± 0.5 ≤ 0.2
F100 (F123784) 100 ± 0.80 ≤ 0.25 ± 0.8 ≤ 0.3
F200 (F123605) 200 ± 1.60 ≤ 0.30 ± 1.6 ≤ 0.6
F250 (F123787) 250 ± 3.00 ≤ 0.75 ± 4.0 ≤ 1.5
F300 (F123788) 300 ± 3.50 ≤ 0.75 ± 4.0 ≤ 1.5
F400 (F123789) 400 ± 3.60 ≤ 0.80 ± 4.0 ≤ 1.5
F500 (F123790) 500 ± 4.00 ≤ 1.00 ± 4.0 ≤ 1.5
F1000 (F123606) 1000 ± 8.0 ≤ 1.3 ± 8.0 ≤ 3.0
F5000 (F123607) 5000 ± 30 ≤ 8 ± 40 ≤ 15.0

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Each pipette is inspected and validated by qualied
technicians according to the Gilson Quality System.
Gilson declares that its manufactured pipettes com-
ply with the requirements of the ISO 8655 Standard,
by type testing. The adjustement is carried out
under strictly dened 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.
3  OPERATION
Place a tip on the tip-holder. Press the tip on rmly
using a slight twisting motion to ensure a positive,
airtight seal. (See Chapter 6 for the appropriate tip.)
Always t a tip to your PIPETMAN
before aspirating any liquid.
Aspirating
• Pressthepush-buttontotherst
positive stop (Fig. 2A).
• Holdthepipetteverticallyand
immerse the tip into the liquid
(depth immersion 2-4 mm).
• Releasethepush-buttonslowly
and smoothly to aspirate the
liquid(Fig.2B).
• Waitonesecondandthenwith-
draw the tip from the liquid.
Wipeanydropletsawayfromthe
outsideofthetipusingamedical
wipe.
Avoidtouchingtheoriceofthetip.
Figure 2

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Dispensing
• Placetheendofthetipagainsttheinsidewallof
the vessel at an angle of 10 to 40 degrees. Press
the push-button smoothly to the rst stop (Fig.
2C).Waitonesecond.Pressthepush-buttonto
the second stop to expel any residual liquid from
the tip (Fig. 2D).
• Keep the push-button pressed fully down and
(while removing the pipette) draw the tip along
the inside surface of the vessel.
• Releasethepush-buttonsmoothly.
• Ejectthetipbypressingthetip-ejectorbutton.
4  USER ADJUSTMENTS
PIPETMAN Fixed is factory calibrated using distilled
water and very high precision balances.The nominal
valueofthePIPETMANFixedmaybeslightlyadjusted
to compensate for liquids of dierent density or
viscosity.
Adjustment of the factory calibration must
only be performed using a special calibra-
tion key (Figures 3 and 5G).
Thisadjustmenttoaccomodatefordensityorviscos-
ity is limited to one full turn of the calibration key in
either direction, which equals:
± 1.0 µL (models F2 to F20)
± 4.0 µL (models F25 to F100)
± 10.0 µL (models F120 to F200)
± 40.0 µL (models F250 to F1000)
± 200.0 µL (model F5000).
The display is graduated in tenths of the key revolu-
tion (letters A, B,... J) and is read from left to right. Each
small graduation mark represents 0.2 of the distance
between each letter.

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To adjust the volume setting to
compensate for a specic density
or viscosity, slide the key over the
push-button until notches t into
the grooves in the calibration sleeve
(Figure3),thenturnthekey:
• clockwisetodecreasethevolume;
• counterclockwisetoincreasethe
volume; go above the desired
value, then decrease the volume
to reach the required setting.
Example: When using a PIPETMAN F100 to aspirate a par-
ticularly viscous solution, you may determine gravimetrically
that the volume delivered is 98.8 µL, and the display reads “E
0.2”. Therefore, you wish to increase the volume dispensed by
1.2 µL. As the interval between each letter on the calibration
displayrepresents0.4µLfortheF100(1/10of4µL),thecalibra-
tion tool must be turned 3 units until the display reads “B 0.2”.
It ispossibletoalterthevolumebymorethanonefull
turn in the counterclockwise direction. In this case,
remember to readjust the same number of turns
when it is necessary to return to the original setting.
Checkthenewvolumegravimetrically.Ifthevolumes
delivered are still not suciently close to the desired
value,makeanotherslightadjustmentintherelevant
direction. Be sure to change tips between volume
settingadjustmentsandtopre-rinseeachnewtip.
When the PIPETMAN Fixed is read-
justed to compensate for a particular
solution, the original setting (ex. 0.2)
can be noted on the self-adhesive
labels supplied (Figure 4).
Liquids of high density, vapor pres-
sure, or viscosity are best pipetted
by the Gilson MICROMAN
®
positive
displacement pipette.
Figure 3
Figure 4

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5  PRERINSING
Some liquids (e.g. protein-containing solutions and
organic solvents) can leave a lm of liquid on the
insidethewallofthetip;pre-rinsethetiptominimize
any errors that may be related to this phenomenon.
Pre-rinsing consists of aspirating the rst volume
of liquid and then dispensing it back into the same
vessel (or to waste). Subsequent volumes that you
pipette will have levels of accuracy and precision
within specications.
This pre-rinsing operation should be repeated when
a new tip is used.
6  PIPETMAN DIAMOND TIPS
PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips are made to the highest
specications, strict quality control is maintained
throughout the manufacturing process. These tips
are used to calibrate PIPETMAN Fixed, therefore
for optimum performance we recommend using
PIPETMANDIAMONDTipswithyourPIPETMANFixed.
PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips have the Gilson logo
engraved on their collar, ensuring that you have a
genuine Gilson product. To ensure accuracy and
precision,Gilson'sQualityAssuranceSystemfocuses
on the following critical parameters.
• PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips are made from pure
polypropylene (virgin, metal-free, to avoid the
possibility of contamination). They are available
sterilizedandwithlters.
• Optimized shape (revised collar for optimum
sealing, thin walls, and ne point), making them
easier to mount, more exible, with no vortexing,
and improved precision.
• PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips are free from even
microscopic defects, especially at the orice. All
surfaces are smooth and hydrophobic, thereby
avoiding the excessive retention of liquids that
causes poor accuracy and a lack of precision.

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• Moldandcavityreferences
are marked on the collar,
ensuringthetraceability.For
qualityassurancepurposes,
batchnumbersappearonall
packages (bags and boxes).
• Theyforman air-tightseal
withthetip-holder,prevent-
ingtheleaksthatcausepoor
accuracy and a lack of precision.
• PIPETMANDIAMOND Tips (except lter tips) may
be autoclaved at 121°C for 20 minutes at 0.1 MPa.
PIPETMAN DIAMOND Filter Tips
Filter tips are used when sample-to-sample, sample-
to-pipette, or sample-to-operator contamination
must be avoided.
Gilson'ssterilizedDiamondFilterTipsarecertiedfree
ofdetectableRNase,DNase,DNA,RNA,andprotease.
PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips to use for best results
Gilson
Logo
ID Number
Pipette PIPETMAN DIAMOND Filter Tips Type
F2 to F25 DF30ST Sterilized
F50 to F100 DF100ST Sterilized
F200 DF200ST/DF300ST Sterilized
F250 to F1000 DF1000ST Sterilized
Pipette PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips Type
F2 to F100 D200 Regular
F200 D200/D300 Regular
F250 to F1000 D1000 Regular
F5000 D5000 Regular
To ensure the best performance from your
Gilson pipette, you shoud ALWAYS use
PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips (in accordance
with ISO8655) to complete your pipetting
system, because PIPETMAN DIAMOND Tips
were used to establish the specifications.

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7  RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations below will ensure maximum
performance from your PIPETMAN Fixed.
• MakesuretooperatethePIPETMAN Fixed slowly
and smoothly.
• Whenaspirating,keepthetipataconstantdepth
below the surface of the liquid.
• ThePIPETMAN Fixedshouldbe heldinthe vertical
position.
• Changethetipbeforeaspiratingadierentliquid,
sample or reagent.
• Changethetipifadropletremainsontheendof
the tip from the previous pipetting operation.
• Eachnewtipshouldbepre-rinsedwiththeliquid
to be pipetted.
• Liquid shouldnever enter the PIPETMAN Fixed
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
liquidinthetip.Useadedicatedstandorhang-
er: Gilson CARROUSEL™, TRIO™, or SINGLE™.
• Nevergreasepistonsorseals.
The pipette can be used between + 4 °C and +
40°Cbutthespecificationsmayvaryaccording
thetemperature(seeChapter2 for controlled
conditions of use).
• Whenpipettingliquidswithtemperaturesdierent
fromtheambienttemperature,itisrecommended
to pre-rinse the tip several times before use.
• Donotpipetteliquidswithtemperaturesabove
70 °C or below 4 °C.
• After pipetting acids or corrosive liquids which
emit vapors, it is recommended to disassemble
the tip-holder and to rinse the piston, the O-ring
and seal with distilled water.

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8  TROUBLESHOOTING
If there is a leak or the pipette is not accurate,
check for the following:
• Theconnectingnutisloose.
Tighten the connecting nut.
• Thetip-holderiscrackedorscored.
Remove the tip ejector and inspect the tip-holder.
For F2 to F20 models, if the tip-holder is damaged,
the piston may also be damaged. Replace the dam-
aged parts (see Chapter 9). When re-assembling the
pipette,theconnectingnutshouldbehandtightened.
• Chemicaldamagetothepistonandseals.
Replace the piston and seals (see Chapter 9). Wash
the inside of the tip-holder using distilled water.
• Improperreassembly.
Disassemble the pipette and reassemble the pipette
correctly.
If there is liquid in the tip-holder, clean the pipette
as follows:
• Removethetipejector.Unscrewtheconnecting
nutandrinsethetip-holder,piston,sealandO-ring
withdistilledwater.Drythesepartsandreassemble
the pipette.
If necessary, the tip-holder, connecting nut and the
tipejectorcanbeautoclavedfor20minutesat121°C
and at 0.1 MPa pressure. The seal and the O-ring
should not be autoclaved.
If there is an air bubble when the sample is
aspirated:
• Dispensethesampleintoitsoriginalvessel.
• Ensurethatthetip isproperlyimmersed inthe
sample liquid.
• Aspiratethesamplemoreslowly.
If the bubble appears a second time, replace the tip.
The outside of the PIPETMAN Fixed can be cleaned
using a cloth dampened with isopropanol.