Rainin Pipet Lite Series User manual

continuously-
adjustable
digital
microliter
pipette
9 pipettes for
volume ranges
from
0.1 µL to 10 mL
Pipet-Lite 200 µL shown
pipet•lite™
Magnetic Assist Pipette
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Pipet-Lite and Hang-Ups are trademarks of Rainin Instrument Com-
pany, Inc. Microman is a trademark of Gilson SA. Pipet-Lite
pipettes are manufactured under U.S. Patent Nos. 5,614,153,
5,700,959, and 5,849,248. Other U.S. and foreign patents pending.
Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................1
Setting Volume..........................................................2
Mounting a Tip ..........................................................3
Filter...........................................................................3
Tip Selection and Mounting ......................................3
Tip Immersion Depth.................................................4
Operation...................................................................4
Pipetting Guidelines ..................................................5
Pre-Rinsing Recommended......................................5
Reverse-Mode Pipetting ...........................................5
Pipetting Liquids of Varying Density .........................6
Temperature Considerations.....................................6
Autoclaving................................................................6
Tip Ejector Arm Removal...........................................7
Pipet-Lite Storage .....................................................7
Troubleshooting and Repairs....................................8
Service, Calibration, and Repair................................9
Specifications..........................................................10
Replacement Parts..................................................11
Contacting Rainin ......................................Back Page
Figures
Figure 1 Pipet-Lite Pipette ...................................1
Figure 2 Filter Orientation.....................................3
Figure 3 Removing the Tip Ejector Arm...............7
Line Drawings
Pipet-Lite 2 µL ................................................12
Pipet-Lite 10 µL ................................................12
Pipet-Lite 20 µL ................................................12
Pipet-Lite 100 µL ................................................12
Pipet-Lite 200 µL ................................................12
Pipet-Lite 1000 µL ................................................13
Pipet-Lite 2000 µL ................................................13
Pipet-Lite 5000 µL ................................................13
Pipet-Lite 10 mL ................................................13
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1
Figure 1 Pipet-Lite 200 µL
Plunger button /
volume adjustment
Tip ejector
button
Stainless steel
tip ejector arm
Volume
lock
Digital
volume
indicator
Body:
high-impact,
low thermal
conductivity
polymer
Shaft
Disposable tip
Introduction
Pipet-Lite is an air-displacement pipette which incor-
porates a major ergonomic improvement to reduce
the risk of repetitive strain injury and pain.
A magnet is used to help sense and hold the piston in
the zero position, which reduces static force on the
operator’s hand.
Tip ejector arm
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Setting Volume
1. Turn the volume lock counter-clockwise to the
position shown at left below so the volume setting
mechanism is unlocked and free to turn.
2. With the mechanism unlocked, orient Pipet-Lite so
you are looking at the digital volume indicator, then
rotate the plunger button to change volume –
counter-clockwise to increase, and clockwise to
decrease volume.
The volume indicator is read from the top down.
2–20 µL: Black – µL. Red – tenths, hundredths of µL.
100–200 µL: All digits black – whole µL.
1000–2000 µL: Red – mL. Black – µL.
5000 µL: Red – mL. Black – tenths, hundredths of mL.
10 mL: Red – mL. Black – tenths of mL.
3. To eliminate errors due to mechanical backlash:
when setting the desired volume, first turn the knob
1⁄3turn above the desired volume. Then turn
the knob slowly clockwise until the desired volume
is displayed. Always dial down to the desired
volume.
4. Turn the volume lock clockwise (see diagram
above) to prevent accidental changes to the
volume setting.
Example volumes for the 200 µL model are shown
below (note the intermediate setting at the right).
20µL
12.5µL
1
2
5
100µL
75µL
0
7
5
200µL
125µL
1
2
5
0
7
5
1000µL
0.75mL
10µL
7.5µL
0
7
5
2µL
1.25µL
1
2
5
Red digits Black digits
1
2
5
2000µL
1.25mL
4
2
5
5000µL
4.25mL
0
7
5
10mL
7.50mL
2
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Volume ranges and increments are shown below:
Pipet-Lite Range (µL) Increment
Volume Adjustable Recommended µL
2 µL 0 to 2 0.1 to 2 0.002
10 µL 0 to 10 0.5 to 10 0.02
20 µL 0 to 20 2 to 20 0.02
100 µL 0 to 100 10 to 100 0.2
200 µL 0 to 200 20 to 200 0.2
1000 µL 0 to 1,000 100 to 1,000 2.0
2000 µL 0 to 2,000 200 to 2,000 2.0
5000 µL 0 to 5,000 500 to 5,000 5.0
10 mL 0 to 10 mL 1 mL to 10 mL 20.0
Filter
Pipet-Lite 5000 µL and 10mL pipettes use a filter in
the end of the shaft to help prevent liquid entering the
shaft and contaminating the piston, should the
plunger snap up during aspiration. Using such a filter
is particularly important when pipetting large vol-
umes. Replace the filter if it gets wet.
Figure 2 Filter Orientation
For 5000 µL pipettes insert the small diameter into the
shaft, for 10 mL pipettes insert the large diameter into
the shaft. Filter part numbers are 6190-164 (pack of
100) and 6190-165 (pack of 1000).
Tip Selection and Mounting
Always use Rainin tips with Pipet-Lite pipettes. Pipet-
Lite pipettes are calibrated with Rainin tips, and per-
formance to published specifications can only be
guaranteed when Rainin tips are used.
To mount a tip, press the Pipet-Lite shaft into the end
of the tip with light force. The tip will seal properly on
the shaft with minimal force — do not use more force
than is required.
3
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4
Tip Immersion Depth
The recommended depth for tip insertion into the
sample for each Pipet-Lite volume is shown below.
Pipet-Lite Volume Range Immersion Depth
2 µL 0.1 - 2 µL 1-2 mm
10 µL 0.5 - 10 µL 1-2 mm
20 µL 2 - 20 µL 2 - 3 mm
100 µL 10 - 100 µL 2 - 3 mm
200 µL 20 - 200 µL 2 - 4 mm
1000 µL 100 - 1000 µL 2 - 4 mm
2000 µL 200 - 2000 µL 2 - 6 mm
5000 µL 500 - 5000 µL 6 - 10 mm
10 mL 1 mL - 10 mL 6 - 10 mm
Tip immersion depth is critical. If these depths are
exceeded, the volume measured may be inaccurate,
possibly out of specification. Tip angle is also impor-
tant. Hold the pipette within 20 degrees of vertical.
Operation
Before pipetting valuable samples, it is a good idea to
practice aspirating and dispensing water before
pipetting with actual samples.
1. Set the desired volume as described on page 2.
2. Attach a new Rainin tip. Press the shaft into the tip
with only sufficient force to make a good seal.
3. Press the plunger button to the FIRST STOP, and
hold it in this position. The magnetic latch will help
you sense and hold this position.
4. Holding Pipet-Lite vertically, place the tip into the
sample to the proper depth and relax your thumb
pressure on the plunger. The light piston spring will
move the piston upward, aspirating sample. Do not
let go of the plunger button, or the piston may snap
up quickly, resulting in inaccurate measurement.
5. Pause briefly to ensure that the full volume of sam-
ple is drawn into the tip.
6. Withdraw the tip from the sample. If any liquid
remains on the outside of the tip, wipe it carefully
with a lint-free tissue, taking care not to touch the
tip orifice.
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Dispensing:
1. Touch the tip end against the side wall of the
receiving vessel and press the plunger slowly, past
the FIRST STOP, to blowout (bottom of stroke.) Wait
1 second for 2–200 µL volumes, 1-2 seconds for
1000 µL and larger. (Longer for viscous solutions.)
2. Still holding the plunger, withdraw the tip, sliding it
along the wall of the vessel. Release the plunger.
3. Press the tip ejector button lightly to discard the
tip. Use a new tip for each sample to prevent carry-
over. Repeat for the next pipetting cycle.
Pipetting Guidelines
Pipet-Lite pipettes incorporate several new features
which enhance pipetting consistency. You should
also maintain:
1. Consistent pickup and dispense rhythm.
2. Consistent speed and smoothness when pipetting.
3. Consistent pressure on the plunger button at the
FIRST STOP.
4. Consistent immersion depth. See table on page 4.
5. Pipette vertically, or within 20° of vertical.
6. Don’t invert or lay the pipette flat with liquid in
the tip.
Pre-Rinsing Recommended
Some solutions may leave a film on the inside tip wall.
This film remains relatively constant in successive
pipettings with the same tip, so excellent precision
can be obtained by refilling the tip and using the
refilled volume as the sample. Successive samples
from this same tip will exhibit good reproducibility.
Reverse Mode Pipetting
Another way of reducing error due to film retention,
especially useful for more viscous liquids, is reverse
mode pipetting. The operating sequence is reversed:
1. Mount a disposable tip on the pipette shaft.
2. Press the pushbutton fully to the SECOND STOP.
3. Immerse the tip in liquid and allow the button to
return slowly to the fully UP position. Wait a
moment for the liquid column to reach equilibrium
in the tip.
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6
4. Wipe any excess liquid from the outside of the tip
without touching the orifice.
5. To dispense, rest the end of the tip against the
vessel wall and press the plunger to the first stop.
Hold this position a few seconds, or long enough
for the liquid column to reach equilibrium again.
6. Remove the tip from the receiving vessel without
blowing out the remaining liquid.
7. Return excess sample in the tip to the original
sample container, if desired. Discard the used tip.
Pipetting Liquids of Varying Density
Pipet-Lite lets you compensate for solutions of densi-
ty much different from water, by setting the volume
slightly higher or lower than that required. The com-
pensation amount must be determined empirically.
For example, if pipetting 10 µL of CsCl solution, you
determine that the volume delivered is actually 8.5 µL
(≥5 samples). Change the volume setting to 11.8 µL
and repeat the measurements. If the volumes deliv-
ered are still not close enough to 10 µL, make anoth-
er slight volume adjustment until the measurements
are as desired.
Temperature Considerations
Warm or cold liquids can be measured with good pre-
cision by using a consistent pipetting rhythm. This will
help minimize any differences in heating or cooling
effects within the pipette.
Use a new tip each time for best accuracy and preci-
sion when measuring samples with temperatures
greatly different from ambient, and do not pre-rinse.
As with any air-displacement pipette, you will get best
results if there is no delay between picking up the
sample and dispensing it.
Autoclaving
Autoclavable parts of Pipet-Lite are the shaft and the tip
ejector: 121°C, 1 bar, 15-20 minutes.
Do not autoclave the complete pipette or any
parts other than the shaft and the tip ejector.
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Tip Ejector Arm Removal
The tip ejector can be removed if necessary.
Two types of tip ejector are used and both types can
be removed with minimum effort - do not use force.
See Figure 2 below.
For models up to 2000 µL, press in the quick-release
tabs on the ejector arm and pull the ejector down.
For 5000 µL and 10 mL pipettes, grasp the top of the
ejector arm and pull outward then downward.
To replace the ejector arm on all models, insert the
shaft through the large opening, align the top with the
tip ejector pushrod, and push until the ejector arm
snaps in place.
Pipet-Lite Storage
After use, store the pipette in a clean safe place.
Pipet-Lite is a precision instrument and should be
treated with the level of care appropriate for laborato-
ry instrumentation. Three types of hanger are avail-
able to hold your Pipet-Lite conveniently when not in
use.
CR-7: Free-standing carousel holds seven pipettes.
HU-M3:Set of three individual magnetic Hang-Ups™
for mounting on ferrous surfaces.
HU-S3: Three Hang-Ups attached to a clamp which
fits onto a shelf.
7
Figure 3 Removing the Tip Ejector Arm
Tip Ejector
Pushrod
Pull Ejector
Arm out
Push
Ejector
Arm
Quick-
Release in
Pull Ejector
Arm down
Pull Ejector
Arm down
Up to 2000 µL 5000 µL and 10 mL
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Troubleshooting and Repairs
WARNING:
When removing the shaft from the pipette body,
make sure the spring, seal and o-ring do not fall off
the piston, especially on the smaller models.
Sample Splash (liquid inside the mechanism)
1. Remove the tip ejector arm. Also refer to the
appropriate drawing on page 12 or 13.
2. On pipettes up to 1000 µL, unscrew the shaft cou-
pling (B) and remove the shaft (C). For 2000 µL,
unscrew the shaft. For 5000 µL and 10 mL,
unscrew the lower part of the shaft. Note the way
the spring, seal and O-ring fit on the piston.
3. Inspect the seal assembly and piston for contam-
ination. The piston should be shiny and free of
corrosion. Clean with distilled water or isopropyl
alcohol. Dry with a lint-free tissue and reassemble
after inspecting the interior of the shaft for any
contamination. For the 5000 µL and 10 mL mod-
els, apply a small amount of grease to the seal.
4. If piston corrosion or staining is evident, do not
use the instrument. Call 800-662-7027 for Service.
Leaks, Inaccuracy, Abnormal Stroke
1. Loose shaft. Tighten coupling by hand.
2. Split or cracked shaft. Remove the tip ejector
and inspect the shaft. Replace the shaft if neces-
sary. If the shaft was dropped, remove it to see if
the piston is bent. If so, return the instrument for
service.
3. Worn seal and/or o-ring. All models incorporate
a polyethylene seal and o-ring. Examine the seal
and o-ring, replacing them as necessary. Pull off
the old seal and o-ring, position the new seal and
o-ring on the piston assembly as shown in the
drawings on pages 12-13, and reassemble the
pipette.
Note: It is NOT necessary to recalibrate Pipet-
Lite after changing seals.
4. Do not lubricate any components*. Pipet-Lite
uses a dry sealing system (*except for the 5000 µL
and 10 mL sizes. These pipettes require a small
amount of grease to be applied to the o-ring to
make the seal.)
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