The accuracy of even the most finely calibrated pipette can indeed be wiped entirely if the wrong Tecan tips are used. The wrong tips might make your pipette a source of contamination, which can squander expensive samples or chemicals and can also cause health issues in the form of repetitive stress injury (RSI), depending on the experiment you’re undertaking.
There are numerous types of tips in the market you can choose from. But how do you know which filter tip is the best option for your pipette and circumstances? Don’t worry, that’s exactly what we’re here for. This short guide will assist you in understanding your options so that you may select the proper pipette tip and avoid costly experimental errors.
Universal Or Pipette-Specific Tips?
There’s always the option of purchasing pipette tips from the pipette manufacturer itself. However, high-quality universal tips are frequently the ideal solution for your pipette and application.
Most micropipettes in the market can be used with these universal tips. Universal tips are made to fit snugly and securely around any kind of pipette barrel, which differs somewhat in diameter from one manufacturer to the next. However, not all universal filter tips are created equal, so you must carefully consider your options.
Companies that specialize in universal tip design have studied the problems that pipette tips might cause and created ways to solve them.
All of the features listed below can be found on both universal and pipette-specific tips.
Non-Barrier or Barrier (Filter) Tips
Barrier and non-barrier tips, often known as filter tips, are designed for distinct situations. Non-barrier tips are intended for use in the lab on a regular basis. If you’re going to pipette something that could contaminate your pipette, such as volatile, corrosive, or viscous chemicals, you’ll want to think about using barrier tips to safeguard your pipette and your samples. (Biotix)
Standard Pipette Tips
For many non-sensitive applications, non-filter or standard pipette tips can be used. These tips are commonly used in laboratories to load agarose gels, isolate plasmid DNA, and do other comparable tasks. Non-barrier tips are the backbone of any lab and, as a bonus, are usually the most affordable option.
The non-barrier tips come pre-racked and with quick reloads, allowing you to reuse your racks while avoiding the discomfort of racking bulk tips. While these tips and most reloads are not sterile, they can be sterilized in the autoclave together with their storage boxes/racks.
Low-Retention Tips
Low retention is a critical feature of any tip, regardless of which one you choose. Low-retention tips perform precisely what their name implies, holding a small amount of liquid. If you’ve ever looked at a typical pipette tip after dispensing, you might see a small amount of liquid remaining. This does not happen in low retention tips because they include a hydrophobic plastic component, keeping the liquid from attaching to the inside of the tips.
Useful But Not Necessary Pipette Tip Features
Both standard and barrier tips frequently include additional functionality. These characteristics can aid accuracy and possibly protect you from injury. Although none of these elements are required, they are of excellent use in the tip.
Graduated Tips
On the side of graduated tips are measuring indications. These tips serve as a secondary precaution, allowing you to check that the volume always reaches the same spot on the tip. They’re also a good reminder to be careful with your pipetting technique.
Ergonomic Tips
Pipetting and other repetitive tasks can injure joints and lead to repetitive stress injury (RSI). As a result, manufacturers have created ergonomic tips that need reduced insertion and ejection forces, lowering the risk of RSI. This feature, however, all boils down to a proper fit. By definition, an ergonomic tip is one that is specifically made to suit your pipette appropriately.
If you consider all these features in a tip, you will have a perfect pipette tip at your disposal in no time.
Now, if you are looking for Conductive Filter Tips for Tecan, Molecular Biology Products is your best option. We have a range of filter tips you can choose from in order to have a tip that is best suited for your workflow and your work style.
Work Cited
Biotix. “How to Choose the Right Pipette Tips for your Experiment.” Biotix, 27 September 2016, https://biotix.com/how-to-choose-the-right-pipette-tips-for-your-experiment. Accessed 31 May 2022.
