Thermo Scientific Finnpipette User manual

Finnpipette®COLOUR
FIXED VOLUME
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
5.0 0
10 0 0
Thermo Electron Oy
P.O.Box 100, Fin-01621 Vantaa, Finland
Tel. [phone], fax -358-9-3291 0414
www.thermo.com/finnpipette

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The FINNPIPETTE COLOUR FIXED VOLUME is
a general purpose micropipette for sampling
and dispensing accurate amounts of liquids.
It operates on an air displacement principle
(i.e. an air interface) and uses detachable,
disposable tips.
FINNPIPETTE COLOUR FIXED VOLUME
pipettes cover a volume range of 5-5000 µl.
All models are equipped with a built-in tip
ejector.
RAW MATERIALS
The FINNPIPETTE COLOUR FIXED VOLUME is
made of mechanically durable and chemically
resistant materials.
DESCRIPTION OF TIPS
Finntips are recommended for use with the
FINNPIPETTE COLOUR FIXED VOLUME.
They are made of natural coloured
polypropylene, generally regarded as the
only contamination free material suitable for
tips.
Finntips are also autoclavable (121°C).
DIGITAL DISPLAY (Fig.1)
The adjusted delivery volume is clearly
indicated by a digital display on the pipette
handle.
PIPETTE OPERATION
The operation is controlled by the push button.
For best possible accuracy:
Operate the push button slowly and with
steady speed at all times, especially when
working with liquids of high viscosity.
Never let the push button snap back.
Make sure the Finntip is firmly attached to the
tip cone of the pipette and that there are no
foreign particles inside the tip itself.
Wet a newly attached tip with the solution
being pipetted before any actual pipetting
takes place.
This is done by filling and emptying the tip 2-3
times.
Hold the pipette vertically during intake of the
solution.
The temperature of the tip and pipette should
be equalized to that of the solution.
For maximum hand comfort hold the pipette
lightly in your hand with the grippy resting
over your index finger.

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PIPETTING TECHNIQUES
FIGURES 2-5:
A = READY POSITION
B = FIRST STOP
C = SECOND STOP
FORWARD TECHNIQUE (Fig.2)
1. Depress the operating button to the first
stop.
2. Immerse the tip slightly about 1 cm below
the surface of the solution and release the
operating button slowly.
The tip has been filled.
Withdraw the tip from the solution. Wipe any
drops from the outside of the tip without
touching the orifice.
This can done by touching the side of the
vessel while withdrawing the tip.
3. Deliver the liquid by gently depressing the
operating button to the first stop.
Then after a delay of about one second,
continue to depress the operating button all
the way down to the second stop.
The tip has been emptied. Drop formation is
avoided by touching the side of the vessel
with the tip. Withdraw the tip.
4. Release the operating button to the ready
position.
If necessary, change the tip and continue
with the pipetting.
REVERSE TECHNIQUE (Fig.3)
The reverse technique is suitable for pipetting
solutions with high viscosity and/or solutions
that tend to foam easily.
This technique is also recommended for
pipetting very small volumes.
1. Depress the operating button all the way
down to the second stop.
2. Immerse the tip slightly about 1 cm below
the surface of the solution and release the
operating button slowly.
The tip has now been filled. Withdraw the tip
from the solution with the tip sliding along the
vessel wall.
3. Deliver the liquid by gently depressing the
operating button to the first stop.
The tip has now been emptied.
Drop formation is avoided by touching the
side of the vessel with the tip. Withdraw the
tip.
Some liquid will remain inside the tip and
should not be included in the delivery.
4. The remaining liquid is discarded with the
tip or pipetted back into its original container.

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REPETITIVE TECHNIQUE (Fig.4)
The repetitive technique offers a rapid and
simple procedure for repeated delivery of the
same liquid with the same volume.
1. Depress the operating button all the way
down to the second stop.
2. Immerse the tip slightly about 1 cm below
the surface of the solution and release the
operating button slowly.
The tip has now been filled.
Withdraw the tip from the solution with the tip
sliding along the vessel wall to avoid drops.
3. Deliver the liquid by gently depressing the
operating button to the first stop.
The desired volume has now been delivered.
Hold the operating button to the first stop.
Some liquid will remain inside the tip and
should not be included in the delivery. Drops
outside the tip should be included in the
delivery.
4. Immerse the tip slightly below the surface
of the solution and release the operating
button slowly.
The tip has been refilled.
5. Continue repeating procedures 3 and 4.
PIPETTING WHOLE BLOOD (Fig.5)
(e.g. deproteinization in blood glucose
determination)
Use forward technique procedures 1 and 2
to fill the tip with blood.Wipe the tip carefully
with a dry clean tissue.
1. Immerse the tip into the reagent and
depress the push button to the first stop,
making sure the tip is well below thesurface.
2. Release the push button slowly to the
ready position
The tip has been filled with reagent.
Do not lift the tip out of the solution.
3. Depress the push button to the first stop
and release slowly.
Keep repeating this procedure until the
interior wall of the tip is clear.
4. Finally, depress the push button all the way
to the second stop to completely empty the
tip.
TIP EJECTION (Fig.6)
Direct the pipette towards a suitable waste
receptacle and press the tip ejector pusher
with your thumb thus disposing the tip safely.

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MAINTENANCE
SHORT TERM CHECKING
The pipette should be checked at the
beginning of each day for any dust or dirt on
the outside surfaces of the pipette.
Particular attention should be paid to the tip
cone.
Solvents should not be used for cleaning the
pipette.
LONG TERM MAINTENANCE 1-1000µl
(Fig.7)
The piston and the cylinder should be checked
at least twice a year if the pipette is in daily use.
Opening the pipette (Fig.7)
1. Depress the tip ejector pusher.
2. Insert the tooth of the tool into the opening
at the base of the tip ejector pusher.
3. Pull away the tip ejector shaft and tip
ejector pusher.
4. Remove the tip cone by turning it in a
counterclockwise direction with the tool
provided in the package.
5. Pull out the piston.
6. Remove the O-ring from the tip cone.
7. Clean the piston, the piston spring and the
O-ring with a dry, napless cloth.
8. Check the cylinder for foreign particles.
Please note that the cylinder must not be
greased.
9. Grease the cleaned parts with lubricant.
10. Reassemble the parts.
LONG TERM MAINTENANCE1-5ml
(Fig.9)
If the pipette is used daily it should be checked
every three months. The servicing procedure
starts by disassembling of the pipette.
1. Insert the tooth of the service tool into the
opening at the base of the tip ejector pusher.
2. Pull away the tip ejector and tip ejector
pusher.
3. Remove the cover.
4. Remove the cylinder by pressing with
maintenance pliers.(Fig.10,11)
5. Pull out the piston.
6. Remove the O-ring from the piston.
7. Clean the piston, the piston spring and the
O-ring with a dry napless cloth.
8. Check the cylinder for foreign particles.
9. Grease the cleaned parts with lubricant
provided in the package.
10. Reassemble the parts.
11. Check the calibration according to
instructions.

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CALIBRATION
All Finnpipettes are factory calibrated and
adjusted to give the volumes as specified
with distilled or deionized water. Normally,
the pipettes do not need adjustment, but they
are constructed to permit recalibration (Fig.8)
and adjustment for liquids of different
temperature and viscosity.
DEVICE REQUIREMENTS AND TEST
CONDITIONS
An analytical balance must be used. The
scale graduation value of the balance should
be chosen according to the selected test
volume of the pipette:
Volume range readable graduation
under 10 µl 0.001 mg
10-100 µl 0.01 mg
above 100 µl 0.1 mg
Test liquid: Water, distilled or deionized,
“grade 3” water conforming ISO 3696. Tests
are done in a draft-free room at a constant
(±0.5°C) temperature of water, pipette and air
between 20°C to 25°C.
The relative humidity must be above 55%.
Especially with volumes under 50µl the air
humidity should be as high as possible to
reduce the effect of evaporation loss.
Special accessories, such as the evaporation
trap, are recommended.
CHECKING THE CALIBRATION
A new tip is first pre-wetted 3-5 times and a
series of ten pipettings are done.
A pipette is always adjusted for delivery (Ex)
of the selected volume. Measuring
volumes taken from balance is not allowed. If
the calculated result are in the
limits, the calibration of the pipette is correct.
Procedure:
1. Pre-wet the tip 3-5 times
2. Do 10 pipettings.
3. Calculate the accuracy (A) and precision
(cv) of the series.
4. Compare the results to the limits in the
Table 1.
If the results are in the limits of Table 1, then
the calibration of the pipette is correct.
Otherwise the pipette must be adjusted and
checked again.

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Volume Accuracy Precision
µl µl % s.d.* µl cv%
1 ±0.04 ±4.0 0.04 4.0
2 ±0.05 ±2.5 0.04 2.0
5 ±0.07 ±1.4 0.07 1.4
10 ±0.09 ±0.9 0.08 0.8
20 ±0.12 ±0.6 0.10 0.5
25 ±0.15 ±0.6 0.13 0.5
50 ±0.3 ±0.6 0.2 0.4
100 ±0.4 ±0.4 0.3 0.3
200 ±0.8 ±0.4 0.6 0.3
250 ±1.0 ±0.4 0.8 0.3
500 ±1.5 ±0.3 1.5 0.3
1000 ±3.0 ±0.3 0.3 0.3
2000 ±6.0 ±0.3 4.0 0.2
3000 ±9.0 ±0.3 6.0 0.2
5000 ±15.0 ±0.3 10.0 0.2
ADJUSTMENT
Adjustment is done with the service tool.
1. Place the service tool into the openings of
the calibration nut at the top of the handle.
2. Turn the service tool clockwise to increase,
or counterclockwise to decrease the volume.
3. After adjustment check the calibration
according to the instructions above.
FORMULAS FOR CALCULATING
RESULTS
Conversion of mass to volume
V = (w + e) x Z
V = volume (µl)
w = weight (mg)
e = evaporation loss (mg)
Z = conversion factor for mg/µl conversion
Evaporation loss can be significant with low
volumes. To determine mass loss, dispense
water to the weighing vessel, note the
reading and start a stopwatch.
See how much the reading decreases during
30 seconds (e.g. 6 mg = 0.2 mg/s). Compare
this to the pipetting time from tareing to
reading. Typically pipetting time might be 10
seconds and the mass loss is 2 mg (10s x
0.2mg/s) in this example. If an evaporation
trap or lid on the vessel is used the correction
of evaporation is usually unnecessary.
The factor Z is for converting the weight of
the water to volume at test temperature and
pressure. A typical value is 1.0032 µl/mg at
22°C and 95 kPa. See the conversion table on
page 10.

-8-
Accuracy (systematic error)
Accuracy is the difference between the
dispensed volume and the selected volume of
a pipette.
A = V - V0A = accuracy
V = mean volume
V0= nominal volume
Accuracy can be expressed as a relative
value:
A% = 100% x A / V0
Precision (random error)
Precision refers to the repeatability of the
pipettings. It is expressed as standard
deviation (s) or coefficient of variation (cv)
1
)(
2
-
-
=
n
VV
Si
S
i=1
n
s = standards deviation
v = mean volume
n = number of measurements
cv is the relative value of standard deviation.
cv= 100% x s / v
PACKAGE
The FINNPIPETTE COLOUR FIXED VOLUME is
shipped in a custom made, cardboard
package. The package contains the following
items:
1. The pipette
2. Service tool
3. Sample of Finntip
4. Tube grease
5. Instruction Manual
CAUTION!
The Finnpipette is designed to allow easy
in-lab service. If you, however, want to
send the pipette to us or to our local
representative for service, please enclose
a list of any infectious, radioactive or
otherwise hazardous materials that have
been pipetted. Also please note that the
postal authorities in your country may limit
the sending of contaminated material by
mail.

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TROUBLE SHOOTING
The accompanying table is a guide to
possible problems and their solutions.
Possible
reason
Tip incorrectly
attached
Foreign bodies
between tip
and tip cone
Foreign bodies
between the
piston, the O-
ring housed
in the cylinder
Insufficient
grease on
piston and
O-ring
O-ring bent
or damaged
Incorrect
operation
Tip incorrectly
attached
Calibration
altered:
caused e.g.
by misuse
Unsuitable
calibration.
High viscosity
liquids may
require
recalibration.
Solution
Attach firmly
Clean tip
cones attach
new tips
Clean and
grease O-ring
and piston
accordingly.
Use grease
Grease
accordingly
Change the
O-ring
Follow
instructions
carefully
Attach firmly
Recalibrate
according to
instructions
Recalibrate
with the
liquids
in question.
Defect
Leakage
Inaccuracies
Inaccuracy
with certain
liquids

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CONVERSION TABLE
Value of the conversion factor Z (µl/mg), as a
function of temperature and pressure, for
distilled water.
Temper- Air pressure
ature °C hPA (mbar)
800 853 907 960 1013 1067
15 1.0018 1.0018 1.0019 1.0019 1.0020 1.0020
15.5 1.0018 1.0018 1.0019 1.0020 1.0020 1.0021
16 1.0019 1.0020 1.0020 1.0021 1.0021 1.0022
16.5 1.0020 1.0020 1.0021 1.0022 1.0022 1.0023
17 1.0021 1.0021 1.0022 1.0022 1.0023 1.0023
17.5 1.0022 1.0022 1.0023 1.0023 1.0024 1.0024
18 1.0022 1.0023 1.0024 1.0024 1.0025 1.0025
18.5 1.0023 1.0024 1.0025 1.0025 1.0026 1.0026
19 1.0024 1.0025 1.0025 1.0026 1.0027 1.0027
19.5 1.0025 1.0026 1.0026 1.0027 1.0028 1.0028
20 1.0026 1.0027 1.0027 1.0028 1.0029 1.0029
20.5 1.0027 1.0028 1.0028 1.0029 1.0030 1.0030
21 1.0028 1.0029 1.0030 1.0030 1.0031 1.0031
21.5 1.0030 1.0030 1.0031 1.0031 1.0032 1.0032
22 1.0031 1.0031 1.0032 1.0032 1.0033 1.0033
22.5 1.0032 1.0032 1.0033 1.0033 1.0034 1.0035
23 1.0033 1.0033 1.0034 1.0035 1.0035 1.0036
23.5 1.0034 1.0035 1.0035 1.0036 1.0036 1.0037
24 1.0035 1.0036 1.0036 1.0037 1.0038 1.0038
24.5 1.0037 1.0037 1.0038 1.0038 1.0039 1.0039
25 1.0038 1.0038 1.0039 1.0039 1.0040 1.0041
25.5 1.0039 1.0040 1.0040 1.0041 1.0041 1.0042
26 1.0040 1.0041 1.0042 1.0042 1.0043 1.0043
26.5 1.0042 1.0042 1.0043 1.0043 1.0044 1.0045
27 1.0043 1.0044 1.0044 1.0045 1.0045 1.0046
27.5 1.0044 1.0045 1.0046 1.0046 1.0047 1.0047
28 1.0046 1.0046 1.0047 1.0048 1.0048 1.0049
28.5 1.0047 1.0048 1.0048 1.0049 1.0050 1.0050
29 1.0049 1.0049 1.0050 1.0050 1.0051 1.0052
29.5 1.0050 1.0051 1.0051 1.0052 1.0052 1.0053
30 1.0052 1.0052 1.0053 1.0053 1.0054 1.0055