70986_LM_Pipettes_eBook_JL V1 2 Sponsors PIPETTES RESOURCE GUIDE Practices and design features for safer pipetting ERGONOMIC tips MANUAL VS ELECTRONIC pipettes CHOOSING serological pipette controllers Table of Contents 5An Overview of Pipette Ergonomics9Picking the Best Serological Pipette Control11Manual or Electronic? Choosing the Best Method ofPipetting13Tips for Avoiding a Repetitive Strain Injury 2 Lab Manager 14Charting a Course for Implementing LaboratoryAutomation Introduction Pipette Ergonomics A guide to improving accuracy and reducing injury Pipetting is a fundamental task in many laboratories. Staff must be trained on proper technique, as accuracy and precision are critical for quality data. In many labs staff can spend hours per- forming this repetitive task, and are at risk for pain and musculoskeletal injury if proper posture and ergonomics are neglected. Pipetting for long periods has a significant association with car- pal tunnel syndrome among laboratory technicians. There are many ergonomic practices and pipette design features to reduce these risks and enhance comfort and performance. It is easy to overlook safety and comfort when pipetting. Thhen operators are highly focused on accuracy and precision, thoughts about posture and comfort often fall to the wayside. This can increase the risk of injury in as little as one hour of pipetting per day, and can create significant problems when pipetting for multiple hours a day. Fortunately, ergonomic practices have evolved to keep lab personnel safe. Thorkstations can be designed to facilitate optimal postures and movements, and a variety of floor mats, foot rests, and chairs can help to ensure optimal comfort for every individual. Even small changes, like taking a moment to ensure supplies are within reach or that one is properly seated can make a big difference. Introduction Pipette design has also changed with ergonomics in mind. There are many options for size, weight, grip, plunger, and more to make pipetting safer and more comfortable. There are also electronic pipettes with automation features that can help reduce fatigue, automate complex tasks, and feature data logging and tracking capabilities to support quality and compliance. Thith many ergonomics resources and pipette designs to choose from, it is easier than ever to ensure accurate, safe pipetting in the lab. Reference: 1. El-Helaly, Mohamed, Hanan H Balkhy, and Laura Vallenius. "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among Laboratory Technicians in Relation to Personal and Ergonomic Factors at Thork." Journal of Occupational Health 59, no. 6 (November 2017): 513-20. https://doi.org/10.1539/ joh.16-0279-oa. This eBook includes a guide to ergonomic practices to minimize strain and improve precision in liquid handling tasks. In addition to information on proper posture and workstation adjustments, readers will find a comparison of manual and electronic pipettes, guidance on selecting serological pipette controllers, and a breakdown of pipette design features that can improve comfort. Also included is a tip sheet for avoiding repetitive strain injuries when pipetting. An Overview of Pipette Ergonomics Improve pipetting accuracy and reduce workplace injury with ergonomic considerations by Lab Manager Pipetting is an activity many perform, yet few consider the ergonomics of. Operators often pipette hazardous and/or ex- pensive materials that require extreme accuracy and precision with a high cost of failure. It's unsurprising that operators concentrate primarily on the activity itself rather than their own posture or comfort. It is a highly repetitive task typically requiring considerable hand/thumb force, however, and con- stitutes a high risk for repetitive strain injuries to hands and shoulders. Pain and injury have been associated with as little as one hour of pipetting a day. It is particularly important to consider safe pipetting practices and habits in light of the risks inherent in working with hazardous samples and reagents. Fortunately, literature and design have focused on the ergonomics of pipette use for more than 20 years and there are multiple ergonomic styles and features on the market. Combining ergonomic features with best practices can greatly reduce the associated risks. Here we will look at proper ergonomic posture and practice followed by favor- able design features. The importance of posture, form, and varying tasks Maintaining good posture and form while pipetting is crit- ical to reducing the risk of pain and injury. Lateral epicon- dylitis (tennis elbow), carpal tunnel syndrome, and neck, shoulder, and wrist pain can all be mitigated by maintaining appropriate posture and form. Key themes are minimiz- ing strain on muscles, ligaments, and tendons through an appropriate work height and minimal reaching, lifting, and twisting. Pipetting is by nature a repetitive task. Breaking up long sessions with short breaks or task changes will help reduce adverse effects. Frequent breaks are more effective than work- ing for longer hours and taking a longer break. Thhen starting or pausing for a break, take a moment to check and correct posture. Intersperse cognitive tasks or alternate between tasks that use different muscles or postures whenever possible. The designs that make it easier Ergonomically designed pipettes not only potentially de- crease costs associated with workplace injuries, they also im- prove accuracy and performance by reducing fatigue-driven mistakes. Choosing the right pipette for the user and the task is important. Consider the type of task, length of time pipet- ting, volume, and workspace design and environment when selecting appropriate styles and features. Ergonomic pipettes can reduce risk of thumb tenosynovitis and hand, wrist, and shoulder pain and injury. Generally, pi- pettes should be lightweight, comfortable to grip, and allow for neutral position of hand and wrist. They should require minimal force to operate and minimize any contact stresses. In addition to choosing ergonomic design options, labs can minimize the repetition and force associated with pipetting by using multichannel pipettes, electronic pipettes, or even automated liquid handlers. Side-angled pipettes-rather than straight vertical models- reduce twisting while pipetting in low profile containers. These also substantially lower working height, making them a great option for fume hood tasks as well. Good electronic pipette models will offer multiple pipetting speeds and functions. Adjustable speeds increase accuracy in pipetting different viscosities and precision in sensitive separations or extractions. Functions can cover a wide range of typical pipetting activities, including stepper pipetting, mixing, diluting, or reverse pipetting. Be sure to consider the weight of electronic pipettes-they require less effort to operate but are often heavier and may increase strain or fatigue over long periods. To fully eliminate thumb strain, their circumference needs to be properly sized as well. Additional useful features when purchasing pipettes include easy, in-lab calibration and maintenance and autoclavable lower halves (tip cones). Pipettes need regular cleaning and sterilization and must be disassembled. They must be reca- librated after every cleaning/assembly. Being able to do so in-house offers labs convenience and cost savings. If your lab-or group of collaborative labs-has the volume to justify the added expense, consider an automated liquid handler. These platforms are fantastic productivity aids, freeing up trained staff to focus on more engaging, bigger picture items like research questions, reviews, revising protocols, and problem-solving. They can reduce human er- ror-offering more consistent results-while simultaneously improving employee satisfaction and retention. Product Spotlight Eppendorf Research® plus The Eppendorf Research® plus pipette family sets the standard for ergonomic, precise, and reliable liquid handling in laboratories worldwide. Key features include: › Available in single-channel, multi-channel, and fixed-volume options. › Includes the innovative Move It variant with adjustable tip spacing in 4, 6, 8, and 12 channels. › 16 and 24 channel options ideal for 384-well plates. Eppendorf's commitment to quality and innovation is evident in the Research plus pipettes, making them essential tools for scientists and researchers. Whether for routine use or demanding research environments, the Eppendorf Research plus pipette family delivers exceptional performance, enhancing productivity and ensuring reliable results. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE Picking the Best Serological Pipette Control A tour of the best ways to select a serological pipette controller by Mike May Thhen pipetting in the milliliter range, scientists often use a se- rological pipette and a controller. The controller can be manual or motorized, and a collection of features can be considered- some of them depend on personal preference. Here is a tour of the best ways to select a serological pipette controller. Pick the power In most cases, scientists likely pick powered over manual in a controller. If cost is a crucial issue or the amount of pipetting is minimal or even rare, though, a manual controller might be preferred. Some lab personnel pipette more in an hour than I did during my entire time in a lab. These individuals certainly benefit from a motorized controller. So, after settling on a powered pipette controller, a crucial feature to look for is the longevity of battery life. The ability to hold a charge is a key feature of a serological pipette controller to prevent either endless frustra- tion or the need for a second pipette controller. Find the right fit Repeated pipetting could be the lab poster child for repetitive strain injuries. Consequently, comfort is an important con- sideration when selecting an ergonomic serological pipette controller. Look at the weight and consult the design criteria to see if the ergonomics will suit the user. Thhen in use, the controller should be as easy to operate as possible. Adjustable speeds help with accuracy of aspiration and dispensing. Features worth finding EVOLUTION OF THE Guillaume-Francois Rouelle, Francois Descroizilles PIPETTE 1824 Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac, a French chemist and key figure in the development of volumetric analysis, coined the term "pipette" as well as the terms "burette" and "titrate" in a publication on the strength Joseph Louis of bleaching powder using Gay-Lussac a solution of indigo to signify when the reaction was complete. Guillaume Rouelle 1810 A student of Guillaume- Francois Rouelle, Francois Descroizilles, a French applied chemist is responsible for several important and useful inventions including the alcalimetre, an early precursor to the pipette. Martin Overlach patented a syringe that housed a chamber Louis that didn't leak; this syringe Pasteur contained pistons. The syringe did not play a direct role in the development of the pipette, but the piston action, instrumental to the operation of many types of syringes, did find early success in shaping the modern pipette 1889 1860 1864 Louis Pasteur establishes germ theory by discovering the pathology of puerperal fever and the pyogenic vibrio in the blood, as well pebrine- a serious disease of silkworms. Understanding the need to keep everything clean and germ-free, Pasteur used long, thin glass tubes to transfer fluids. This valuable tool became known as the "Pasteur pipette", a term still widely used today. . 1903 George Wilson was granted a patent for a bicycle oiler, "especially adapted for use in connection with the parts of bicycles." Wilson's oiler featured a self-closing valve that opened 1893 The first recorded laboratory infection due to mouth pipetting occurred with the case of a physician who accidentally sucked a culture of typhoid bacilli into his mouth. 1916 that moved down a cylinder. The first patent in the US Patent office was filed featuring this schematic. by way of pushing on a piston The pipette is a laboratory staple with a history extending over two centuries. Once a simple technology, scientific demands have driven the development of this device, resulting in the highly sophisticated tools we are familiar with today. Learn more about the evolution of the pipette by downloading this FREE infographic, courtesy of Lab Manager. 1933 Imperial Chemical Industries develop low-density polyethylene (LDPE) a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene. Eliminating breakage, plastic pipettes are usable in a wide range of activities. Clark Hamilton At Denmark's Carlsberg laboratory Kaj Ulrik Linderstrøm- Lang and Milton Levy, an American research fellow, were the first to describe the method for creating what became known as the Lang- Levy, or Carlsberg pipette. 1936 Kaj Ulrik Linderstrøm-Lang 1955 Clark Hamilton forms Hamilton Company to commercially produce small volume syringes 1947 While working at the Radiation Laboratory at U.C. Berkley under Dr. Ernest O. Lawrence, Clark Hamilton develops the first microliter syringe. 1950 G.S. Riggs, a milk inspector, cited the Wilson patent in his application for a mechanical pipette. Riggs' invention would have a barrel with a "suitably bored intake tip." 1961 which were immediately 1957 The barrel contained a piston, A patent for the first micropipette "provided with a spring returned was granted and described as successful in the growing Heinrich Schnitger developed manually depressed plunger which "a device for the fast and exact gas chromatography market. the first piston-stroke pipette while at the University is such as to expedite the steps of pipetting of small liquid volumes." first sucking the milk." of Marburg, making the Heinrich process of pipetting much Schnitger faster. Simple, elegant, and This version became known as the Marburg pipette and was licensed to the medical supply company Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany. The first multichannel pipette effective, the micropipette 1973 1974 Warren Gilson and Henry Lardy There are other controller features worth considering. Some brands have universal silicone adaptors for serological pipettes. Consider how loud the controller is and how that will fit into your lab environment. Finally, look for a replace- able disc filter to help improve how clean the device is and to limit sample contamination. Overall, one serological pipette controller might look pretty much like another. Consider reliability, quality and how well the supplier backs up their products. Price is an obvious feature to consider, but remember that price can be linked to features, quality of construction, and warranty. Thith these suggestions, shopping for a serological pipette controller could be a little easier, or at least more strategic- all with less pain for years to come. Manual or Electronic? Choosing the Best Method of Pipetting The explore the pros and cons of manual and electronic pipetting and explain how to decide which is most suitable for your lab by Aimee Chichocki Lab professionals have been relying on manual pipetting methods for centuries, and they certainly have their benefits, including relatively low-cost equipment and simple tech- niques. However, with sample sizes decreasing and increased accuracy required, the drawbacks of manual pipetting are becoming more of an issue. The logical alternative is to consider using electronic/auto- mated pipetting equipment that can provide higher through- put and accuracy. But these solutions also come with their downsides and may not be the best option for all applications. So, how do you determine which technique to use? Here, we explore the pros and cons of manual and automated pipetting and explain how to decide which is most suitable The pros and cons of manual pipetting The pros and cons of electronic/ automated pipetting Deciding if automation offers a better solution Electronic pipetting equipment overcomes many of the chal- lenges faced by manual methods. It offers greater accuracy and precision, an especially important consideration for molecular applications that require accurate and consistent sample prep. Automated methods also offer improved speed and may improve productivity. Automated processes aren't without their drawbacks, how- ever. These methods are often complex and require lengthy training periods. Electronic pipettes can be difficult to reconfigure between runs and applications are still vulnera- ble to human error to some extent-while electronic pipettes reduce manual errors, any user errors in programming can lead to errors in liquid handling. So, how do you know if the benefits of automation outweigh the drawbacks? In cases where accuracy is highly important, the decision is fairly straightforward. Automation is usual- ly preferable when highly sensitive analytical instruments are involved; for example, next-generation sequencing and qPCR. In other scenarios, a sensible approach is to weigh the costs of implementing an electronic/automated approach against the gains. It's important to consider not only the up-front purchase costs, but also the resources spent in training staff to use the equipment properly. Then compare these to the cost savings realized by increasing throughput and produc- tivity. Also consider the avoidance of other costs such as those associated with assay reruns and personal injury. "Electronic pipettes can be difficult to reconfigure between runs and applications are still vulnerable to human error to some extent-while electronic pipettes reduce manual errors, any user errors in programming can lead to errors in liquid handling." Tips for Avoiding a Repetitive Strain Injury How to make pipetting tasks safer Avoid static positions Avoid wrist and hand discomfort Product Spotlight D-ONE Single Channel Pipetting Module for the ASSIST PLUS Pipetting Robot The D-ONE single channel pipetting module offers hands-free transfers from individual tubes or wells on the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot. This makes it the perfect add-on for labs that want to go beyond the possibilities of multichannel pipetting to access unlimited applications. It is designed to offer easy automation of normalization, hit picking, and master mix preparation, freeing up your time while eliminating transcription errors. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORECharting a Course for Implementing Laboratory Automation Considering where and how to introduce automation in the lab, along with the future of automation by Holden Galusha Laboratory automation is beneficial to many labs, but navi- gating the decisions that come with introducing automation is a challenge. Lab managers must know not only what to automate, but how to build a business case for automation, where to begin automating, and how to ensure a smooth training process. Associate editor Holden Galusha speaks with Meghav Verma, product manager at the National Center for Ad- vancing Translational Sciences (NCATS/NIH), on what lab leadership should consider when automating lab processes, avoiding the trap of overautomation, and the future of lab automation. Q: If lab leadership decides to introduce automation, how should they decide which process(es) to automate first? A: Before deciding which process to automate, there are two things we first must understand: (1) performing an analysis on where the bottleneck lies in the entire process and (2) making sure the current workflow is properly organized and standardized. Thithout organization and standardization, you can never achieve repeatable results, with or without automation so it is extremely crucial to consider these factors. There are repetitive tasks that might be performed manually by a scientist. For example, in the lab where I'm a contractor at, we are trying to solve the evaporation bot- tleneck, where we are evaporating a solvent in a microwave vial and capturing the weight of the product before and after the evaporation. This process is quick and simple to execute when it comes to one to two vials, but it becomes an encum- brance when there is a large batch of vials to process, which creates a bottleneck in the workflow. This process can be a clear candidate for automation, visibly benefiting the turn- around time and improving efficiency, which can be tracked to validate the decision of automating this process. Q: Some benefits of automation cannot be easily quantified, such as decreased risk of repetitive strain injury associated with performing tasks manually. How should a lab manager incorporate such factors into their argument when advocating for automation? A: Thith tasks being performed manually, there is always a risk of strain and injury, although it might not be easily quantified. But with manual tasks, there are other problems arising as well. The biggest issue is with repeatability and consistency, coupled with the problem of low throughput. The need to approach the problem in a way where we are able to use hard facts and numbers to show improvement in the process by automating tasks. This method of approaching the issue allows stakeholders to clearly see the benefits of auto- mation in terms of cost and time reduction, which is more likely to gain acceptance and, in turn, also eliminate the risk of strain- and injury-related problems. "Every decision of implementing new technology has to be based on a thorough analysis of the requirement for that technology." Q: In the past, some companies have reported "overautomating" their processes, such as Tesla's infamous Model 3 assembly line. In cases such as these, the automation was too ambitious and actually hindered productivity. What are symptoms of overautomation that laboratory managers should look out for? How can leaders be sure that they won't be overautomating? A: There's a saying, "Thhat's not broken shouldn't be fixed". Thhile it should be encouraged to take advantage of the ev- er-growing and evolving technology in the field of automa- tion, we also have to make sure that just because a technol- ogy is new, fancy, and available, doesn't mean that it has a place in your existing workflows in the lab. Every decision of implementing new technology has to be based on a thorough analysis of the requirement for that technology. As long as the decision is based on merit, we can avoid overengineering any process. Meghav Verma is currently working for National Center for Advanc- ing Translational Sciences (NCATS/NIH) as a product manager through Axle Informatics, LLC, where his job is to create the vision and goals for developing a state-of-the-art chemistry automation lab and manage the ASPIRE program. He works with the engineering team to develop various fixed/mobile robotic systems to automate the labs to help the institute perform faster and more efficient research to- wards drug discovery and therapeutics development for rare diseases. Eppendorf® is a leading international life science company that develops, manufactures, and distributes instruments, consumables, and services for use in laboratories worldwide. Our product portfolio includes pipettes, pipette tips, liquid handlers, centrifuges, thermal cyclers, mixers, CO2 incubators, ULT freezers, lab consumables, and bioreactors for cell and gene research. Specializing in liquid handling, Eppendorf offers a comprehensive range of pipettes, dispensers, automated systems, and high-quality consumables tailored to diverse laboratory needs. Our products and services enhance accuracy and efficiency, ensuring optimal performance for critical applications. Additionally, Eppendorf is committed to sustainability, developing eco-friendly products and processes to minimize environmental impact. www.Eppendorf.com INTEGRA is a leading provider of high-quality laboratory tools and consumables for liquid handling and media preparation. We are committed to fulfilling the needs of laboratory professionals in research, diagnostics, and quality control within the life sciences industry. Our globally recognized products include EVOLVE manual pipettes, VIAFLO, VOYAGER, MINI 96, VIAFLO 96, and VIAFLO 384 electronic pipettes, ASSIST PLUS pipetting robots, WELLJET reagent dispensers, PIPETBOY serologic pipettors, VACUSAFE and VACUSIP aspiration systems, DOSE IT peristaltic pumps, and MEDIACLAVE and MEDIAJET media preparation equipment. INTEGRA is headquartered in Zizers, Switzerland and Hudson NH, USA, and maintains direct sales organizations in the USA, Canada, China, Japan, UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and a worldwide network of over 100 highly trained international distribution partners. www.integra-biosciences.com/en In partnership with
