Don’t compromise on Accuracy & Precision – Quality Pipette Tips are Crucial to Optimal Performance of a Pipetting System - Amanda Cooper

The work performed in clinical, research and quality control laboratories can be majorly impacted by a single droplet or sample so small it can hardly be seen. Thus, it is critical to evaluate all of the components comprising the pipetting system, in order to maximise accuracy and reproducibility of volume delivery when using micropipettes. However, even with the highest quality, regularly calibrated pipettes the choice of pipette tip used is also crucial to accuracy and performance.

The ISO 8655-2 standard states: ‘The maximum permissible errors always apply to the total system of piston pipette and tip.’

The accuracy and reproducibility tolerances for pipettes are determined by the manufacturers using quality tips that are designed specifically for their instruments.

In these days of budget pressures some labs try to stock a single tip type for all brands of pipette. Companies that do not manufacture pipettes sell so-called ‘universal’ tips professed as ‘one tip fits all’ for this purpose. Due to the variety of shapes and plastic compositions of tip holders in the pipette population, these economy brands unfortunately often end up being a universal compromise.

Choosing the Right Pipette Tips

Normally manufacturers recommend and produce pipette tips specifically made to the design requirements of their instruments. The delivery of performance is determined by the physical attributes of the tips. The tip fit and complete delivery of the measured sample are the two most important aspects to be considered.