Eppendorf Research plus User Manual
Operating manual
Operating manual
Eppendorf Research® plus
Research plus - Operating Manual - en
Operating manual
Copyright
©
2010 Eppendorf AG, Hamburg. No part of this publication may be reproduced without
the prior permission of the copyright owner.
Trademarks
Combitips
trademarks of Eppendorf AG, Hamburg, Germany.
Registered trademarks are not marked in all cases with ™ or
®
, eppendorf®, epT.I.P.S.®, Multipette®, Repeater® and Research® are registered
®
in this manual.
U.S. Pat. No.
5,531,131
4,961,350
For user adjustment with adjustment display, spring to reduce force for tip fitting and for further
features patents are pending.
Research plus - Operating Manual - en-02/0210
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
Table of contents
Table of contents
1 Product description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.2 Delivery package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.3 Main illustration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.3.1 Research plus single-channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.3.2 Research plus multi-channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.4 Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.1 Intended use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 Warnings for intended use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1 Setting the volume (only Research plus variable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2 Using pipette tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3 Aspirating liquid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.4 Dispensing liquid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1 Error search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.1 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.2 Sterilizing or disinfecting the pipette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.2.1 Autoclaving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.2.2 Disinfection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.3 Replacing O-rings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.3.1 Removing the O-ring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.3.2 Mounting a new O-ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.4 Research plus disassembly and assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.4.1 Single-channel up to 1 000 L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.4.2 5 mL and 10 mL single-channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.4.3 Multi-channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.5 Adjusting pipettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5.5.1 General notes on user and factory adjustment settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5.5.2 Changing the user adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.5.3 Changing the factory adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.5.4 Research plus variable - changing the factory adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.5.5 Error limits in accordance with ISO 8655-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5.6 Decontamination before shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
6 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
6.1 Research plus single-channel variable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
6.2 Research plus multi-channel variable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
6.3 Research plus fix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
6.4 Ambient conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
7 Ordering information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Table of contents
3
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
1 Product description
1 Product description
1.1 Features
The Research plus pipettes are piston-stroke pipettes that operate according to the air-cushion
principle.
When the control button is pressed, the piston in the pipette moves in the same direction. If the
1
control button and the piston are moved upwards, the liquid can be aspirated into the pipette tip.
With the downward movement of the piston, the liquid is dispensed (measuring stroke).
Blow-out occurs if the downward piston stroke exceeds the first stop.
Depending on the Research plus pipette it is possible to dispense volumes from 0.1 L to 10 mL.
The Research plus family consists of single-channel and multi-channel pipettes (8 and
12-channels) with variable volume settings, as well as single-channel fixed-volume pipettes. You
can find a list of all available models of the Research plus in the "Technical Data" section.
All Research plus pipettes are fully autoclavable.
You can adjust the Research plus pipettes. The side viewing window displays the change in the
adjustment.
When attaching a pipette tip, the spring-loading action of the tip cone is activated (exceptions
5 mL and 10 mL pipettes).
Product description
1.2 Delivery package
The Research plus delivery package contains:
Pcs. Description
1 Research plus operating manual
1 Certificate
1 Adjustment tool (Allen key with a blue handle)
1 Mini CD
1 Black locking ring for single-channel pipettes ≤ 1,000 L
5 Red adjustment seal
5 Protective filters for 5 mL and 10 mL pipettes
1 Pipette key for opening the lower part (5 mL and 10 mL)
1 O-ring tool for cutting the O-rings (only multi-channel 100 L and 300 L)
1 Safety plug tool
1 Pin for loosening the safety plug
4
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
7
10
1 Product description
1.3 Main illustration
1.3.1 Research plus single-channel
1 Control button
The control button and the trays of the matching epT.I.P.S. pipette
tips have the same color.
2 Volume adjustment ring
To set the volume for the variable pipettes.
3 Ejector
The ejector moves the ejector sleeve and ejects the pipette tip.
4 Volume display (only variable pipettes)
The set volume is read from top to bottom.
5 Adjustment opening
The adjustment opening is fitted with the gray adjustment seal
before delivery.
6 Adjustment display
Set to "0" before delivery.
7 Labeling field
Space for labels containing internal lab information. The serial
number appears at the bottom.
8 Ejector sleeve
Eject the pipette tips after use.
9 Spring-loaded tip cone
The spring loading action optimizes the force required for
attaching and ejecting tips (no spring-loaded action with 5 mL
and 10 mL pipettes). The 5 mL and 10 mL pipettes have an
easily replaceable protection filter in the tip cone.
10 Pipette tip
The Research plus pipettes can only be used in combination with
matching pipette tips. It is recommended to use epT.I.P.S.
1
Product description
5
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 Product description
1.3.2 Research plus multi-channel
1
Product description
For an explanation of the upper part of the pipette,
refer to the main illustration of the single-channel
pipette (see p. 5).
1 Lever
To loosen the multi-channel lower part.
2 Multi-channel lower part
The multi-channel lower part is freely rotatable. The
lower part does not detach when it is rotated. The
outer channels are labeled with the numbers 1 and 8
(or 12).
The multi-channel version has a piston for each
channel so that fewer than 8 or 12 tips can also be
fitted.
The lower part can be converted from an 8 to a
12-channel version with the same volume range.
The multi-channel lower part can be opened,
enabling you to replace or remove individual
channels.
3 Latches on the right and left
To release the cover plate with the interior ejector
rail.
4 Spring-loaded tip cones
The spring loading action optimizes the force
required for attaching and ejecting tips.
5 Pipette tips
It is recommended to use epT.I.P.S.
6 Cover plate
Detachable cover plate with an interior ejector rail.
The cover plate is opposite the side with the
6
lever (1). In the view shown here, the cover plate is
the rear side of the lower part.
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
1 Product description
1.4 Materials
CAUTION! Aggressive substances can damage the device, dispensing unit and
accessories.
CAUTION!
Check for material compatibility before using organic solvents and aggressive
chemicals.
Follow the cleaning instructions (see Cleaning on p. 14).
The user-accessible components of the Research plus are made of the following materials:
Component Material
External surfaces of the upper part Purified polypropylene (PP),
Exterior and interior of lower parts Purified polypropylenen (PP),
polycarbonate (PC),
polyetherimide (PEI),
foil
polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF),
polyetherimide (PEI),
polyphenylene sulfide (PPS),
polyetheretherketone (PEEK),
polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE),
ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM),
silicone,
steel (stainless steel and spring steel)
1
Product description
Pipette tip Material
epT.I.P.S. Polypropylene (PP)
epDualfilter T.I.P.S. filter Polyethylene (PE)
7
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
2 Safety
2Safety
2.1 Intended use
The Research plus is a lab device intended for dispensing liquids in the volume range from
0.1 L to 10 mL, in combination with matching pipette tips. In vivo applications (applications in or
on the human body) are not permitted.
The Research plus may only be operated by trained specialist staff. All users must have read the
operating manual carefully and familiarized themselves with the device's mode of operation.
2.2 Warnings for intended use
2
WARNING! Damage to health due to handling infectious liquids and pathogenic
germs.
WARNING!
Observe the national regulations for handling these substances, the biological
security level of your laboratory, the material safety data sheets and the
Safety
WARNING!
manufacturer's application notes.
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
Follow the instructions regarding hygiene, cleaning and decontamination.
For complete instructions regarding the handling of germs or biological material of
risk group II or higher, please refer to the "Laboratory Biosafety Manual" (source:
World Health Organization, current edition of the Laboratory Biosafety Manual).
WARNING! Damage to health due to toxic, radioactive or aggressive chemicals.
Observe the national regulations for handling these substances as well as the
material safety data sheets and manufacturer's application notes.
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
CAUTION! Danger to persons from careless use.
Never point the opening of a Research plus fitted with pipette tip at yourself or
CAUTION!
anyone else.
Only initiate dispensing if it is safe to do so.
For all dispensing tasks, make sure that you are not endangering yourself or
anyone else.
CAUTION! Poor safety due to incorrect accessories and spare parts.
The use of accessories and spare parts other than those recommended by Eppendorf
CAUTION!
may impair the safety, functioning and precision of the device. Eppendorf cannot be
held liable or accept any liability for damage resulting from the use of incorrect or
non-recommended accessories and spare parts or from the improper use of such
equipment.
Only use accessories and original spare parts recommended by Eppendorf.
NOTICE! Damage to device from missing pipette tips.
Only use the Research plus with fitted pipette tips.
NOTICE!
When using standard tips (without a filter): use the 1 - 10 mL and 0.5 - 5 mL
pipettes only with the protection filter inserted.
8
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
2 Safety
NOTICE! Carry-over, contamination and incorrect dispensing results due to the
incorrect use of pipette tips.
NOTICE!
The pipette tips are for single use only. Prolonged use can have a negative impact on
dispensing tasks.
Use the pipette tips only once.
Do not autoclave the epT.I.P.S. Dualfilter.
NOTICE! Incorrect dispensing volume for special liquids and from temperature
differences.
NOTICE!
Solutions which differ greatly from water in terms of their physical data, or temperature
differences between the pipette, pipette tip and liquid can result in incorrect dispensing
volumes.
Avoid temperature differences between pipette, pipette tip and liquid.
Make sure that the temperature is constant, between 20 and 25°C and at ±0.5°C.
Check the dispensing volume and readjust the pipette in case of deviations.
2
Safety
9
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
3 Operation
3 Operation
3.1 Setting the volume (only Research plus variable)
Turn the volume setting ring as depicted to adjust the
volume.
The height of the control button changes as the volume is
adjusted.
The numbers on the volume display are to be read from
the top to the bottom. The decimal places are below the
hyphen.
The volume is displayed up to 1 000 L in L. For the 5 mL
and 10 mL sizes, the volume is displayed in mL.
We recommend to adjust the volume setting from a higher
value to a lower value. If required, turn beyond the
3
3.2 Using pipette tips
The liquid to be dosed is aspirated into pipette tips. It is recommended to use epT.I.P.S. The
epT.I.P.S. pipette tips are available in different purities, as tips with and without a filter and as
special tips. When using liquids whose surface tension is lower than that of water (e.g., due to the
presence of a wetting agent in the liquid), the use of the special tips epT.I.P.S. LoRetention is
recommended.
Operation
required value and then back again.
The pipette is only functional if a pipette tip has been
attached. You can either attach the pipette tip by hand or
directly insert the end of the pipette into a tip held in the tip
storage box. If attaching a pipette tip by hand, it must be
handled in such a way to avoid contamination and heating of
the pipette tip.
The color of the control button of the Research plus matches
the color of the epT.I.P.S. tray.
If you are using pipette tips without a filter, insert the
protection filter into the 5 mL and 10 mL pipettes.
If you are using the 5 mL or 10 mL epDualfilter T.I.P.S.,
remove the protection filter in the pipette. This also
applies to 5 mL / 10 mL filter tips of other manufacturers.
The filters can interfere with each other. The
backpressure of the two filters makes it difficult to exactly
identify the first stop (see p. 11).
Fit the suitable pipette tip(s) on the tip cone, applying light
pressure.
The pipette tip is securely attached to the tip cone when
it responds with spring-loaded action (exceptions: no
spring-loading action for 5 mL and 10 mL single-channel
pipettes)
You can deactivate the spring loading action of the tip cone in
the case of single-channel pipettes (see p. 17).
10
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
3 Operation
3.3 Aspirating liquid
1. The liquid to be aspirated must be taken from a suitable vessel. For
multi-channel pipettes, we recommend the reagent reservoir "Tip-Tub".
2. Press down the control button to the first stop (measuring stroke).
3. Immerse the pipette tip(s) vertically approx. 4 mm into the liquid.
4. To aspirate liquid, allow the control button to slide back slowly. Maintain the
immersion depth, so that no air is aspirated accidentally.
5. In the case of large volumes: before removing the pipette tip from the liquid,
wait for approx. 3 seconds. To ensure maximum precision and accuracy, we
recommend to wet each new tip initially by aspirating and dispensing the
liquid one to three times. Only then should pipetting commence.
6. Remove the tip(s) slowly from the liquid.
7. Wipe the tip(s) slowly against the tube wall to ensure that no outer wetting
remains on the tip.
3
3.4 Dispensing liquid
1. Place the tip(s) on the tube wall at an angle.
2. Press the control button slowly until the first stop (measuring stroke) and
wait until the flow of liquid stops.
3. To empty the tip(s) completely, press down the control button until the
second stop (blow-out).
4. Hold down the control button and wipe the tip(s) against the tube inner wall.
5. Let the control button slide back slowly outside of the tube.
6. To eject the tips, press the ejector.
Pipette tips are for single use only.
Operation
11
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
4 Troubleshooting
4 Troubleshooting
4.1 Error search
Symptom Possible cause Solution
Liquid is dripping from
the tip and/or the
dispensed volume is
incorrect.
• The tip is loose or the
pipette tip is poorly fitted.
Press the tip on firmly, use
epT.I.P.S. If using 5 mL and
10 mL epDualfilter T.I.P.S., do
not use protection filters in the
pipette.
• Liquid with high vapor
pressure and/or different
density.
Wet the tip several times and
adjust the pipette for the liquid
used.
• Pipetted too quickly. Move the control button slowly.
• The tip is withdrawn from
the liquid too quickly.
4
• Liquid aspirated with
blow-out and dispensed
with blow-out.
• The piston is soiled or
damaged.
Slowly remove the tip with a
time delay (approx. 3 seconds)
from the liquid.
Repeat dispensing correctly.
Clean the piston, relubricate
slightly and/or replace.
• The tip cone is damaged. Replace the lower part or
channel.
Troubleshooting
The control button jams
and does not move
smoothly.
The adjustment seal has
been removed; the
adjustment display has
been changed.
No spring-loading action
of the tip cone when
taking up pipette tips.
• The O-rings of the tip
cones are damaged.
• The piston is soiled.
• The seal is soiled.
• The pipette is blocked.
• The pipette has been
adjusted for another
liquid.
• Spring-loading action is
blocked by a locking ring.
• The use of a 5 mL or
10 mL pipette.
Replace the O-rings (only
100 L, 300 L multi-channel).
Clean the lower part.
5 mL and 10 mL sizes: replace
the protection filter.
Adjust the pipette for the liquid
used (see Adjusting pipettes on
p. 22).
Remove the locking ring again.
No remedy. The tip cone does not
respond with spring-loaded action in
combination with these sizes.
12
Eppendorf Research® plus — Operating manual
4 Troubleshooting
To avoid dispensing errors, check the precision and accuracy of the Research plus at regular
intervals. The "PICASO" program (from Version 2.3) is available to determine the permitted
measured systematic and random errors. If the pipette is used at an extremely high location, it
must be adjusted to the ambient air pressure. A SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) for
checking pipettes can be found on the Research plus CD and on our website
www.eppendorf.com
.
4
Troubleshooting
13
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