Sartorius PICUS User manual

User Manual
Picus® & Picus® NxT Electronic Pipette

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction 3
1.1. Intended use 3
1.2. Product Overview 4
1.2.1. Single and Multichannel Pipettes 4
1.2.2. Display 5
1.2.3. Softkey functions 5
1.2.4. Optifit Tips and Safetyspace Filter Tips 5
1.3. Content of delivery package 6
2. Getting Started 7
2.1. Charging 7
2.2. Power Up 7
3. Operation 8
3.1. Principles of Operation 8
3.2. Pipetting Modes 9
3.2.1. Pipetting (Forward Pipetting) 10
3.2.2. Reverse Pipetting 11
3.2.3. Multi-Dispensing 11
3.2.4. Manual Pipetting 12
3.2.5. Diluting 13
3.2.6. Sequential Dispensing 14
3.2.7. Multi-Aspirating 14
3.2.8. Titration 15
3.2.9 Additional Modes 16
3.3. Saving Pipetting Programs to Memory 19
3.4. Setup 19
3.4.1. Adjustment 19
3.4.2. Sound 21
3.4.3. Backlight 21
3.4.4. User ID 22
3.4.5. GLP Info 23
3.4.6. Reset 23
3.4.7. Information 23
3.4.8. Languages 24
3.4.9. Password 24
3.5. RFID 25
4. Care And Maintenance 25
4.1. Cleaning and Maintenance 25
4.1.1. Single-Channel Pipettes 26
4.1.2. Multichannel Pipettes 27
4.2. Sterilizing 27
4.2.1. Autoclaving 27
4.2.2. UV Sterilization 28
4.2.3. Using Disinfectant Liquid 28
4.3. Performance Testing 28
4.4. Replacing the Battery 29
4.5. Replacement Parts 29
4.6. Storage 29
5. Warranty 30
6. Hazardous Substances (RoHS II) 30
7. Disposal (WEEE) 30
8. Troubleshooting 31
8.1. Hardware Reset 31
8.2. Troubleshooting Guide 31
9. Technical Data 32
9.1. Performance Specifications 33
9.2. Speed Table 34
10. Ordering Information 35
11. Declaration of Conformity 36

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1. Introduction
The Sartorius Picus®/Picus® NxT electronic pipette, of the Biohit family , brings
ergonomics into a completely new level with its exceptionally lightweight and
compact design, and its ease of operation. This pipette, operating with the air
displacement principle, has been designed by an experienced R&D team, in
co-operation with laboratory personnel and ergonomists, to create instruments
for safe and comfortable pipetting with versatile functionality.
The Picus®/Picus® NxT is available in single and multichannel models (8 and
12-channel). Tip attachment and ejection is made safe and comfortable with
the Optiload tip-loading feature together with the electronic tip ejection
function. To improve safety by reducing the risk of contamination, replaceable
Safe-Cone Filters can be used in all Picus®/Picus® NxT models greater than 10
µl.
The fully electronic operation, the unique DC-motor, electronic brake and
piston control system, guarantee excellent accuracy and precision. The light
and easy-to-use adjustment wheel, on top of the pipette, enables fast selection
of the desired volume.
Picus® NxT follows in the footsteps of the design-awarded Picus®, which won
the German Design Award Special Mention 2014, the reddot design award
2012 and the Fennia Price Honorary Mention 2012. These awards strongly
reflect the user-friendly and high-quality design of the pipette.
Congratulations on becoming a new Picus®/Picus® NxT owner!

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1.2 Product Overview
Before using the Sartorius Picus®/Picus® NxT electronic pipette for the first
time, please review this operating manual carefully. This manual can be
downloaded from Sartorius website www.sartorius.com. A paper print-out
may be ordered by e-mail from [email protected].
1.2.1 Single and Multichannel pipettes
1. Electronic tip ejector
2. Charging contacts
3. ON/OFF button
4. USB-charging port
5. Operating button & volume range colour-code
6. Adjustment wheel
7. Hotkey for memory places
8. Softkeys for programming
9. Dot-matrix display
10. Maximum volume
11. Dispensing head (tip ejector collar and tip-cone), autoclavable
(excl. 8/12-ch 1200 µl)
12. Optiload, spring-loaded tip-cones in multichannel pipettes
13. Safe-Cone Filters (excl. <10 µl pipettes)
14. Pipette tip
1.1 Intended Use
The Picus®/Picus® NxT pipette is intended to be used in liquid handling
applications for dispensing liquids in the volume range of 0,2 µl to 10 ml. It is
recommended to use Optifit Tips or SafetySpace Filter Tips to ensure the best
compatibility and performance with Sartorius pipettes.
This liquid handling device is designed and manufactured to be used
as general purpose laboratory equipment. This manual contains useful
information e.g. for good pipetting practice.

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SafetySpace
air gap
]
1.2.2 Display
The multi-colour backlit dot-matrix display is clear and the structure is
informative.
1. Softkey functions
2. Current mode
3. Pipetting volume and aliquots in multidispensing modes
4. Speed
5. Battery charging indicator
6. Arrows indicating aspiration and dispensing
1.2.3 Softkey Functions
−Left Softkey (MENU, BACK, QUIT)
−Middle Softkey (EDIT, NEXT, SAVE, uppercase characters/lowercase
characters/digits/symbols)
−Right Softkey (ADV, OK, CLEAR)
1.2.4 Optifit Tips and SafetySpace Filter Tips
It is recommended that Sartorius Optifit Tips or SafetySpace Filter Tips are
used with Sartorius pipettes. This ensures the best possible compatibility and
thus best possible accuracy and precision, as these tips are designed for the
pipette in question.
Additional pipetting instructions to achieve good results are as follows
– The liquid and the pipette/tip combination should be approximately at the
same temperature
– Choose the right tip volume for your pipette: the colour of the tip tray
should match the colour code on the pipette
– Use Optifit Tips in rack, refill or bulk packaging and choose the purity level
your application requires: free of DNase, RNase and endotoxin, and/or pre-
sterilized
– In case you need to be aware of aerosol contamination, you may choose
between Safe-Cone Filters, which are attached to the tip-cone and should
be changed daily, or SafetySpace Filter Tips, which are discarded after each
pipetting
– Choose SafetySpace Filter Tips also when you want to avoid loss of sample
due to the sample reaching the filter. The extra space between the sample
and the filter ensures that any sample, neither foaming nor viscous
liquids, reach the filter when in the reverse pipetting or repetitive/multiple
dispensing mode of the electronic pipette
– Pre-rinse the tip 3-5 times before pipetting (especially important in forward
pipetting mode)
– After dispensing, wipe the tip against the receiving vessel’s wall to catch the
last droplet
– Change the tip after every pipetting

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1.3 Content of Delivery Package
Picus®/Picus® NxT is delivered ready for use in a package containing:
– Picus®/Picus® NxT electronic pipette
– USB-charger
– Sartorius tip rack (10x96 tips) with up to 1000 µl single-channel models/
1200 µl multichannel models
– One tip with 5 ml and 10 ml single-channel models
– Safe-Cone Filters and tweezers with models >10 µl
– Autoclavable grease with single-channel models
– QC-certificate (Picus®), certificate of accredited 3-point calibration
(Picus® NxT)
– Quick Start Guide
– Tip information card
If any item in this delivery package is missing or damaged, please contact your
local Sartorius representative.

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2. Getting Started
Please read this manual before using Picus®/Picus® NxT electronic pipette.
1. Picus®/Picus® NxT is delivered ready for use.
2. Insert a replaceable Safe-Cone Filter into the tip-cone before use, to
prevent contamination of the pipette.
3. Charge the pipette before first use for one (1) hour.
4. Press the ON/OFF button on the top of the pipette to turn the power on.
5. Press tip ejector button when advised by the display.
6. The pipette is now ready to be programmed and operated.
2.1 Charging
It is recommended that you charge the pipette before first use for one
(1) hour. Place the pipette onto the charging stand or connect to the USB
charger. Make sure that the charging stand is connected to the power outlet
and that the charging contacts of the pipette are properly in contact with the
charging grooves of the charging stand.
– Charging with USB-charger:
Connect the USB-cable to the pipette and plug the charger into the mains
power.
– Charging in Charging Stand or Carousel:
Make sure that the charging stand is connected via the AC-charger to
the mains power outlet, and that the charging contacts of the pipette are
inserted in the charging grooves of the charging stand, making proper
contact.
Charging options for Sartorius electronic pipettes:
−USB-charger, universal, included in the package.
−Sartorius Charging Stand for one pipette, order code: 730981
−Sartorius Charging Carousel for 4 pipettes, order code: 730991
The battery sign in the bottom right corner of the display indicates the
battery’s level of charge. When the battery’s level of charge is low, the
indicator blinks LOW and the pipette needs to be recharged.
NOTE! Before connecting the AC-charger to the charging stand and the mains
electrical outlet, make sure that power supply output voltage level and power
capacity is correct. Use of incorrect power supplies may damage the device.
Only use the power supplies recommended by the manufacturer.
2.2 Power Up
1. Press ON/OFF button: Pipette will turn on.
2. Press tip ejector button as advised on the display. The pipette is now ready
to be programmed and operated.
3. While used and/or charged pipette is in active mode, all the processor
functions are activated and the display backlight is on.
4. 1 minute after last activity: The pipette will turn to a power saving mode
and the backlight is dimmed. The pipette returns to active mode, when any
of its buttons are pressed or the adjustment wheel is turned.
5. 10 minutes after last activity: The backlight is turned off, but the display is
still visible. The pipette returns to active mode, when any of its buttons are
pressed or the adjustment wheel is turned.
6. 60 minutes after last activity: The pipette turns OFF. To power up the
pipette again, press operating button or ON/OFF button. The pipette will
turn on also when charged.
If the pipette is turned off by pressing ON/OFF button, it can be turned on
only by pressing the same button.

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3. Operation
3.1 Principles of Operation
Pipetting functions are controlled using the operating button, adjustment
wheel and Softkeys. The Hotkey is for storing or activating a program.
Operating button
−Used to confirm the settings (alternative to the Softkey for OK) and initiate
the piston movement for aspiration, dispensing and repeated blow-out.
Adjustment wheel - for fast volume setting
−Used for scrolling the menu and for volume settings.
−Moves the piston in manual and titrating modes for aspiration and
dispensing.
−Unlocks the edit menu: turn the adjustment wheel to the end to unlock the
pipette for editing in active mode.
Electronic tip ejector
−Ejects the tip(s) with a light touch
Left Softkey
−MENU: Displays the main mode selection.
−BACK: Exits the MENU, EDIT or ADV functions, or the current display,
without saving the latest change/setting.
−QUIT: Quits the pipetting task
Middle Softkey
−EDIT: Activates the editing mode in order to change parameters.
−NEXT: Active in editing mode. Confirms the parameter setting and moves to
the next parameter to be edited.
−SAVE: Active in memory settings. Saves the selected program to the memory
location.
−Alphabets/symbols: Active in memory settings and in setup settings for
entering letters, numbers or symbols
Right Softkey
−ADV: Displays the additional modes for the activated main mode.
−OK: Confirms the setting/selection and exits the MENU, EDIT or ADV
functions, or the current display.
−CLEAR: Deletes the characters from User ID or the names given to the
memory locations.
Hotkey
All models include 10 memory places for the favourite and most used
pipetting settings.

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3.2 Pipetting Modes
The Picus® /Picus® NxT electronic pipette has eight (8) main pipetting modes.
The Picus® NxT has seven (7) additional modes while the Picus® has six (6)
additional modes.
Pipetting Modes
- available in all Picus® &
Picus® NxT models
Additional Modes (ADV)
- to be used in conjunction with the pipetting mode
Tracker Mixing Counter Excess Volume
Adjustment
Auto
Dispensing
Repeated
Blow-out*
Fast
Dispensing
Pipetting
 



Reverse Pipetting
  

Multi Dispensing
 


Manual Pipetting


Diluting



Sequential Dispensing


Multi Aspiration


Titration
 
*Repeted Blow-out only in Picus®NxT

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Press the Softkey for MENU
Press the Softkey for EDIT
3.2.1 Pipetting (Forward Pipetting)
Pipetting mode aspirates and then dispenses the selected volume of liquid.
Recommended for aqueous liquids, liquids containing small amounts of
detergent or proteins, and solvents.
To select Pipetting mode:
1. Select MENU by pressing the left Softkey
2. Confirm Pipetting mode by pressing the operating button or the right
Softkey for OK. Once Pipetting is selected, the latest settings used will be
displayed.
To edit the parameters (volume, speed):
1. Press the middle Softkey for EDIT or turn the adjustment wheel all the way
to the right. The first parameter to be edited is now highlighted.
2. Turn the adjustment wheel to set the desired value.
3. Confirm the setting by pressing
a. the operating button or the right Softkey for OK, and simultaneously
exit the editing mode
OR
b. the middle Softkey for NEXT, and you move on to edit the next
highlighted parameter.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for all the parameters you wish to edit.
5. To exit the editing mode during programming press the left Softkey for
BACK, and the latest changes are not saved.
To execute the selected program:
1. Press the operating button to aspirate the liquid in.
2. Press the operating button again to dispense the liquid.
3. Eject the tip by pressing the electronic tip ejector button.
Additional modes
Counter, Mixing and Tracker can be used in conjunction with the Pipetting
mode. Additionally, in Picus® NxT, Repeated Blow-out is available for use with
the Pipetting mode. Repeated Blow-out helps to remove the residual liquid
from the tip, if the liquid is such that normal dispensing does not completely
empty the tip.
−Counter counts the number of dispensings. Counting can be selected to
start in any desired number.
−Mixing mixes the liquids manually or automatically. The mixing volume can
be adjusted according to the pipette’s maximum volume.
−Tracker advises user in microplate dispensing by displaying the location for
the next dispensing.
For more information on using additional modes see chapter 3.2.9.
NOTE! Only one additional mode can be selected at a time. Repeated Blow-
out can be combined with other additional modes.
3.2.2 Reverse Pipetting
Reverse Pipetting aspirates the selected volume as well as an excess volume.
Recommended for biological, foaming and viscous liquids. In Reverse Pipetting
mode the excess is left inside the tip and is then discarded.
To Select Reverse Pipetting mode
1. Select MENU by pressing the left Softkey.
2. Use the adjustment wheel to select Reverse. Confirm the setting by
pressing the operating button or the Softkey for OK. Once Reverse
Pipetting mode is selected, the latest settings used will be displayed.
To edit the parameters (volume, speed):
1. Press the middle Softkey for EDIT or turn the adjustment wheel all the way
to the right. The first parameter to be edited is now highlighted.
Change settings and press OK or NEXT
Choose the mode