Introducing the MPB Series, A&D Now Offers a Full Lineup of Electronic Pipettes

TOKYO, Japan - April 6, 2019 - PRLog -- A&D Company, Limited, a global manufacturer of measuring equipment for laboratory and industrial use, recently added the MPB series of two multiple channel models to the existing single channel MPA series, making their lineup of electronic pipettes now complete. While inheriting most of the MPA series' distinct features, the MPB series also provides great advantages in its own right.

Quick Dispensing into Microplate Wells

With eight cylinders, a single dispensing operation of the MPB series can cover one row of a common microplate with 96 wells (8 × 12). When used in multiple dispensing mode described below, this makes it surprisingly quick and efficient to dispense into all 96 wells. Further, each cylinder is readily removable with a unique clip device so that users can freely reduce the number of channels as required (patent pending).

In multiple dispensing mode, the pipette divides one aspirated volume (e.g. 1200 μL) into multiple dispensings of a smaller volume (e.g. 100 μL × 12 times). With conventional electronic pipettes, the first of multiple dispensings is known to become inaccurate due to backlash of moving parts, whose effect presents itself when the operation switches from aspirating to dispensing. The MPB series automatically prevents this inaccuracy by discharging a small amount of sample immediately after aspiration so that the piston is always set in the descending position. It is therefore no longer necessary to discard and waste the first dispensing of the sample.

Realizing Precision and Comfort at the Same Time

The automatic, power-operated aspirating and dispensing eliminates individual variability between users. With the high precision stepping motor moving the piston up and down, uniform accurate pipetting is ensured for both novices and experts alike, making all assays consistently reliable. Additionally, unlike manual pipettes, there is no risk of contamination inside the cylinders from accidentally releasing the plunger, resulting in excessive suctioning.

Meanwhile, the ergonomic key location of the MPB series enables users to control the plunger by lightly pulling the forefinger (like a trigger), while maintaining all fingers in a natural, effortless grip. This will prevent a decrease in efficiency and accuracy due to fatigue, not to mention the repetitive stress injury (RSI) in the base of the thumb—a problem very common with manual pipettes. (A&D's internal experiment verified that near zero fatigue is generated after more than 3,000 repeated pipettings over a 5 hour period.)

Easy Calibration and Adjustment by Users Themselves

The dispensing volume of the MPB series can be calibrated using A&D's pipette accuracy tester and easily adjusted by directly entering the correct value into the pipette (patented). This will allow users to always maintain the accuracy of pipettes (and consequently the reliability of assays) in-house and at low cost. Moreover, possible errors in dispensing volume arising from tip characteristics (e.g. wettability) can also be corrected. It is therefore possible for users to choose tips other than A&D's and still ensure accurate pipetting.

The MPB series also enables calibration based on the weight of the sample itself measured using an analytical/precision balance (patented). With the pipette displaying the dispensing amount in a unit of weight (mg) instead of volume (μL), it becomes much easier to handle liquids that need to be managed by weight, such as a diluted solution of a solid or powder, eliminating the necessity of troublesome density calculations.

Other Notable Features

On top of the multiple dispensing mode, the MPB series is equipped with various functions that greatly reduce time, stress and error associated with some pipetting tasks. For example, in mixing mode the pipette executes a set number of aspirating-dispensing motions to mix and homogenize different kinds of liquids in the same receiving vessel with just one key press. Or, for a viscous, sticky liquid that tends to linger in the tip, the reverse operation is recommended by first aspirating a volume larger than the set dispensing volume, then delivering the correct amount and discarding the excess.

Another advantage of the MPB series is its ease of maintenance. One of the most common repairs of electronic pipettes is for a broken LCD or electronic component due to dropping. With padding set on the four corners of the head (patented), the MPB series is designed to be protected from drop impacts to the highest degree.

The MPB series is resistant to acid/organic solvents. The tip holder is made of chemically-resistant PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride, fluorinated resin), and the gap between the cylinder and piston is sealed with an O-ring (silicon rubber). Further, the piston and O-ring are coated in a fluorinated grease, which is also high in chemical resistance. Even if damaged or contaminated, the lower part of the MPB series—including the tip holders and pistons—can be quickly removed and swapped to a new one. The detachable cylinders also allow replacing them individually.

Additional details and information on other useful features can be found on the A&D website at http://www.aandd.jp/.

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A&D Company, Limited, headquartered in Tokyo, take advantage of their world-class analog and digital signal processing technologies to produce a diverse array of laboratory and industrial measuring equipment. In particular, they are known as Japan's top manufacturer of electronic weighing instruments ranging from ultrasensitive micro analytical balances to scales of several tons of capacity. Their innovations are always aimed at providing users with high practical utility and high value for the price. To find further information on A&D, visit http://www.aandd.jp/.