Wide-Bore Pipette Tip

What is the Wide-Bore Pipette Tip?

A wide-bore pipette tip has a larger opening that reduces shear and clogging. It is used for cell suspensions, genomic DNA and viscous or fragile liquids. It is used at the upper volume range.

Overview

The tip has a wider opening, often with a lower taper, so viscous liquids flow more easily and shear forces are reduced. This protects fragile cells, long genomic DNA and large molecules from mechanical damage during aspiration and dispensing, and it prevents clogging when solids or aggregates are present. Wide-bore tips are used in cell culture, in DNA extraction and in handling glycerol, oils and suspensions, and are available as sterile and filter versions. The larger opening can reduce accuracy for very small volumes, so they are best used at the upper end of the pipette range and volume performance should be verified. Because shear is lower, cell viability and DNA integrity can be measurably better than with standard tips.

How does it work?

A pipette tip works as the sample container and the seal in an air displacement system. The tip pushes onto the pipette shaft or cone, forming an airtight fit, so when the piston draws up an air column the liquid is pulled into the tip by the resulting pressure difference. The volume delivered depends on the seal, the tip geometry, the liquid properties and the technique, so tips are matched to the pipette model and tested with it under ISO 8655. Filter tips contain a hydrophobic barrier that stops aerosol and liquid from reaching the pipette shaft, protecting the instrument and reducing cross contamination between samples. Low-retention tips have a treated surface so less liquid stays on the wall. Wide-bore tips have a larger opening for viscous or fragile liquids, and robotic tips are held and positioned by automated platforms, with dimensional tolerances that allow reliable pick-up.

What are the key features?

• Wider opening with lower taper
• Reduces shear on cells and DNA
• Prevents clogging with aggregates
• Sterile and filter options
• Best at upper volume range
• Protects fragile samples

What are the technical specifications?

A typical wide-bore pipette tip configuration offers material of Polypropylene, opening of Wide bore, taper of Reduced, shear of Low, volume range of 100–1000 µL typically and sterility of Optional. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Wide-Bore Pipette Tip is used in cell suspension transfer, genomic DNA handling, glycerol and oil pipetting and aggregate-containing samples. Across the wider Pipette Tips class, laboratories also deploy it for PCR and molecular biology, cell culture and microbiology and clinical sample handling.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include ISO 8655 (piston-operated volumetric apparatus), ISO 13485 (medical device quality management), ISO 10993 (biological evaluation of medical devices), USP <88> (biological reactivity tests) and EN ISO 11607 (packaging for terminally sterilized devices). Certification candidates for this model are CE and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Verify tip fit and volume accuracy at the working volumes with your pipette, since tip manufacturing tolerances vary. Keep racks sealed until use if tips are sterile or certified nuclease-free, and do not touch the tip body, because skin oils and dust affect wetting and volumes. Change tips between samples to prevent carry-over, and use filter tips as an additional barrier rather than as a substitute for changing tips. Do not autoclave non-sterile tips unless the supplier states they are autoclavable, because heat can deform the cone and destroy the seal. Store tips away from heat, sunlight and solvent vapour, and check that tip height in the rack is uniform. Control static, which makes tips stick to each other and to powders, with an ioniser where needed.

How do I select the right Wide-Bore Pipette Tip?

Choose wide-bore tips to protect cells and long DNA or to avoid clogging, and use them at the upper volume range. RFQ: sample type, volume, sterility, filter need and cell viability requirements. Provide sample type and volume range.

How does it compare with other Pipette Tips variants?

Match the tip to the pipette model and volume first, since a poor fit causes leaks and volume errors. Choose filter tips when contamination control matters, for PCR, molecular and infectious work, and where the pipette shaft must stay clean. Choose low-retention tips for viscous, foaming, surfactant-containing or precious samples, especially at small volumes. Choose wide-bore tips for cell suspensions, genomic DNA and other viscous or shear-sensitive liquids that would clog or be damaged in a narrow tip. For automated platforms, use the tip specified by the instrument supplier, since rack dimensions, tip height and fit are critical. Confirm that tips are certified free of DNase, RNase, DNA and pyrogens where molecular or cell work requires it, and check sterility if needed. Finally, buy in a quality grade consistent with the method, and verify volume performance with your pipette.