Interscience FlexiPump Scale Peristaltic Liquid Dispenser
| Brand | Interscience |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Model | FlexiPump Scale |
| Construction | Full 304L stainless steel |
| Pump Type | Dual-head peristaltic (Watson Marlow™ low-pulse) |
| Flow Rate | Up to 6 L/min (with Jumbo kit) |
| Dispensing Range (volumetric) | 50 µL – 99 L |
| Dispensing Range (gravimetric) | 1 mL – 6.5 L |
| Weighing Capacity | 0.1 – 6,500 g |
| Weighing Resolution (≤200 g) | 0.01 g |
| Weighing Accuracy | ±0.05 g (0–100 g), ±0.05% (100–6,500 g) |
| Tubing ID | 3.2 mm (standard), compatible with 6.4 mm |
| Dispensing Precision (3.2 mm tubing) | ±0.9% (9 mL), ±0.5% (18 mL), ±0.4% (225 mL) |
| Gravimetric Mode Accuracy | ±0–1% (Precise mode), ±0–2% (Fast/Normal mode, per dispense) |
| Programmable Methods | 32 |
| Interval Time (multi-dispense) | 0.1–99.9 s |
| Max Throughput | 40 × 9 mL tubes/min, 29 × 18 mL Petri dishes/min, 8 × 220 mL sample bags/min |
| Motor Speed | 10–550 rpm |
| Connectivity | 2× USB-A (printer/U-disk), 1× USB-B (PC), 3.5 mm jack, load cell interface |
| Power | 100–240 V~, 50–60 Hz, 70 W |
| IP Rating | IP31 |
| Compliance | ISO 7218, ISO 6887, FDA BAM |
| Warranty | 1 year (registration required) |
| Spare Parts Availability | 10 years |
| Standard Accessories | Dual Watson Marlow™ pump heads, weighing platform (Ø17 cm × 5.4 cm), 3.2 mm & 6.4 mm dispensing kits (nozzles, GL45 adapters, filters, tubing, tube anchors), power & USB cables, user manual, certificate of conformity, free homogenization bags |
Overview
The Interscience FlexiPump Scale is a high-precision, dual-head peristaltic liquid dispenser engineered for reproducible, traceable, and contamination-free volumetric and gravimetric dispensing in microbiological, food safety, pharmaceutical, and clinical laboratories. Unlike conventional fixed-volume piston or syringe pumps, the FlexiPump Scale leverages the inherent advantages of peristaltic pumping—positive displacement without fluid contact with internal mechanisms—combined with an integrated high-resolution weighing platform to deliver real-time mass-based feedback during dispensing. This hybrid architecture enables dynamic endpoint control: the system continuously monitors mass gain on the platform and terminates dispensing once the target weight is achieved, compensating for fluid viscosity, tubing elasticity, and flow transient effects. Its full 304L stainless-steel construction ensures chemical resistance, cleanability, and compliance with stringent hygiene requirements in regulated environments. Designed explicitly for applications governed by ISO 6887 (microbiological examination of food and animal feeding stuffs) and ISO 7218 (general rules for microbiological examinations), the FlexiPump Scale supports validated workflows where measurement uncertainty, operator independence, and audit-ready traceability are non-negotiable.
Key Features
- Integrated 0.01 g resolution weighing platform (0.1–6,500 g range) enabling true gravimetric dispensing with ±0.05 g absolute accuracy up to 100 g and ±0.05% relative accuracy thereafter
- Dual low-pulse Watson Marlow™ peristaltic pump heads delivering stable, pulse-minimized flow across viscosities—from aqueous buffers to viscous broths and syrupy media
- Four operational modes: continuous, single, multi-dispense (with adjustable inter-dispense interval from 0.1 to 99.9 s), and gravimetric—each configurable with automatic calibration prompts
- Full 304L stainless-steel chassis and platform, compliant with ISO 14644-1 Class 5 cleanroom-compatible surface finish and IP31 ingress protection
- Anti-drip valve system with programmable post-dispense dwell time, minimizing droplet formation and improving repeatability for high-surface-tension or viscous liquids
- Ergonomic modular design supporting handheld gun (Cat. No. 561 001) or adjustable dispensing arm (Cat. No. 561 002), accommodating left- and right-handed users and variable benchtop configurations
- Traceability framework capturing operator ID, target mass, actual dispensed mass, dispensing mode, calibration timestamp, date/time, pump speed, and tubing ID—exportable via USB-A to printer or U-disk
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The FlexiPump Scale accommodates a broad spectrum of primary and secondary containers—including Petri dishes (18 mL), test tubes (9 mL), filtration bags, sampling pouches, stomacher bags, and GL45 bottles—without requiring mechanical adaptation or recalibration. Its gravimetric mode eliminates reliance on theoretical volume-to-mass conversions, making it suitable for temperature-sensitive or density-variable media (e.g., molten agar, selective enrichment broths). The system complies with ISO 6887-1:2017 (preparation of dilution series) and ISO 7218:2017 (general requirements for microbiological examinations), ensuring alignment with official methods used in accredited food, water, and environmental testing labs. It further supports GLP and GMP-aligned workflows through its built-in audit trail: all critical parameters—including method selection, calibration events, and dispense logs—are time-stamped and stored in non-volatile memory. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant out-of-the-box, the CSV-formatted output (compatible with Excel™ and OpenOffice Calc™) integrates seamlessly into LIMS platforms that enforce electronic signature and record retention policies.
Software & Data Management
No proprietary software installation is required. The FlexiPump Scale operates via an intuitive front-panel interface with tactile buttons and a high-contrast LCD display. All configuration—including method creation, parameter assignment (target mass/volume, interval time, pump speed), and calibration scheduling—is performed directly on-device. Data export is hardware-native: USB-A ports support direct printing to label printers or saving structured CSV files to USB flash drives. These files contain columnar fields for operator name, method ID, target weight, actual weight, deviation (%), dispensing mode, timestamp (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS), pump head ID, and tubing specification—enabling automated parsing into laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or statistical process control (SPC) dashboards. Firmware updates are delivered via USB-A, with version history and checksum validation embedded in the update package to ensure integrity.
Applications
The FlexiPump Scale is deployed across core microbiology workflows where precision, throughput, and sterility converge. It is routinely used for: preparation of serial dilutions per ISO 6887-1; inoculation of membrane filtration units with standardized volumes of water samples; dispensing of molten agar into Petri dishes under laminar flow hoods; filling of pre-sterilized sampling bags for environmental swab eluates; and quantitative transfer of enrichment media into broth tubes for pathogen detection (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria per FDA BAM protocols). Its ability to handle volumes as low as 50 µL (via high-accuracy gravimetric sub-mode) and as high as 6.5 L (in bulk media preparation) makes it equally viable in research labs scaling up culture conditions and QC labs performing routine lot release testing. The absence of fluid-path valves or seals eliminates carryover risk, satisfying strict no-cross-contamination requirements in diagnostic and reference laboratories.
FAQ
What regulatory standards does the FlexiPump Scale meet?
It conforms to ISO 6887-1:2017, ISO 7218:2017, and FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Chapter 1 guidelines for sample preparation and dilution.
Can the FlexiPump Scale be integrated into a LIMS environment?
Yes—its native CSV data export (time-stamped, field-delimited) is compatible with common LIMS ingestion protocols; no middleware or driver installation is required.
Is calibration traceable to national standards?
Internal calibration uses certified test weights; external verification may be performed using NIST-traceable mass standards per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
How long are spare parts guaranteed to be available?
Interscience guarantees availability of all mechanical and electronic spare parts for a minimum of 10 years from product discontinuation.
Does the device support user access levels or password protection?
No—access control is managed externally via procedural SOPs; all configuration changes are logged with operator ID and timestamp for audit purposes.
