What is a serological pipette?

Date:2022-03-09 17:36:46 Wednesday

Summary: Serological pipettes are commonly used in biological laboratories as well as in cosmetic and food production, often helping to transfer small amounts of liquids. It is usually a relatively narrow plastic tube with markings for volume measurement, us......

Serological pipettes are commonly used in biological laboratories as well as in cosmetic and food production, often helping to transfer small amounts of liquids. It is usually a relatively narrow plastic tube with markings for volume measurement, usually in milliliters. Liquid solutions can be transferred from one place to another container, usually using a small hand pump to drain all fluid at the tip out of the device. Pipettes with some liquid remaining (usually a fraction of the total volume) are called containment, while the variant to be delivered, the excess liquid is usually discarded at the tip. Most serological pipettes are labeled according to their type.

Many pipettes are disposable and can be purchased as an assembly or in packs of up to 50 or more units. Volume marks are typically derived during a temperature calibration process and can provide accuracy over a range of 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C). Inside a serological pipette, the liquid usually forms a pattern called a meniscus based on the internal shape.

Small hand-held pumps are often used to discharge serological pipettes. These can feature activation buttons, thumbwheels, or a variety of other designs. Some pumps' filters may need to be changed periodically. Depending on the application, some pipettes are designed to be more precise. Many are manufactured as individual parts, often from plastic composites. They can also be designed to be weldless, so there aren't any debris inside the pipette that could trap liquid.

Serological pipettes can have a stopper, sometimes cotton, that prevents researchers from stuffing it. In the packaging of many pipettes, the stopper can be color-coded along with other labels to indicate the specific size and type in the box. Serological pipettes and related scientific equipment are commonly used in laboratories working with biological and chemical compounds. They are generally nontoxic and are sometimes used in educational settings. Hospitals and even industrial facilities can use serological pipette products as part of their inventory.