Thermo Fisher Multidrop™ Pico 8 Digital Dispenser
| Brand | Thermo Fisher |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer | Thermo Fisher Scientific |
| Product Category | Imported Instrument |
| Model | Multidrop™ Pico 8 Digital Dispenser |
| Plate Formats Supported | 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, 384-, and 1536-well plates |
| Plate Height Range | 6–47 mm |
| Dispensing Accuracy | ≤8% CV |
| Dispensing Range | 11 pL–20 µL (8-channel pico-dispense cartridge), 1 nL–200 µL (4-channel cartridge) |
| Throughput | 8 samples per dispensing cycle |
| Dimensions | 47 cm × 38 cm × 23 cm |
Overview
The Thermo Fisher Multidrop™ Pico 8 Digital Dispenser is an ultra-low-volume, positive-displacement liquid handler engineered for precision microdispensing in high-content screening, assay miniaturization, and resource-sensitive workflows. Unlike air-displacement pipettors or bulk reagent dispensers, the Pico 8 employs digitally controlled piezoelectric actuation combined with proprietary capillary-based pico-dispense cartridges to achieve deterministic, non-contact droplet ejection at sub-nanoliter resolution. Its core architecture eliminates carryover, cross-contamination, and evaporation-related variability—critical constraints in qPCR master mix preparation, dose-response profiling, and cell-based assay development. Designed specifically for laboratories transitioning from 96- to 384- and 1536-well formats, the system enables robust assay scaling while maintaining statistical confidence through reproducible volume delivery across all supported plate geometries.
Key Features
- Ultra-low-volume dispensing down to 11 pL per well using the 8-channel pico-dispense cartridge—validated per ISO 8655-7 for volumetric accuracy in low-volume regimes.
- Dual-cartridge compatibility: seamlessly switch between the 8-channel pico cartridge (11 pL–20 µL) and the 4-channel standard cartridge (1 nL–200 µL) without hardware recalibration.
- Automated plate-height adaptation: integrated optical sensing dynamically adjusts nozzle-to-plate distance across 6–47 mm plate heights—including deep-well, skirted, and low-profile plates—ensuring consistent drop formation and placement fidelity.
- Modular footprint (47 × 38 × 23 cm): designed for integration into automated workcells or standalone benchtop use; compatible with third-party robotic arms via RS-232 and Ethernet/IP protocols.
- Nozzle-free fluid path: disposable, pre-sterilized cartridges eliminate cleaning validation, reduce downtime, and support GLP-compliant traceability via lot-numbered consumables.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Multidrop™ Pico 8 accommodates aqueous buffers, glycerol-containing solutions (up to 40% v/v), DMSO-based compound libraries (≤10% DMSO), and serum-supplemented media—subject to viscosity limits (<20 cP) and surface tension ranges (25–72 mN/m). All dispensing protocols are configurable to meet assay-specific requirements for coefficient of variation (CV), with routine performance verification aligned to ASTM E2758-18 for low-volume liquid handling systems. The instrument supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails when operated with Thermo Fisher’s CombiControl™ Software v3.2+, including electronic signatures, user-level access control, and immutable run logs for GxP environments.
Software & Data Management
CombiControl™ Software provides a validated, Windows-based interface for method creation, plate mapping, and real-time dispensing monitoring. Users define multi-step protocols—including serial dilutions, staggered dispense patterns, and conditional logic based on plate barcodes—with full parameter logging (e.g., voltage pulse duration, dwell time, temperature-compensated calibration offsets). Raw dispensing data exports in CSV and XML formats; metadata is embedded per ANSI/SLAS standards for LIMS interoperability. Optional API integration enables bidirectional communication with ELN platforms (e.g., Benchling, LabArchives) and scheduling systems (e.g., Agilent OpenLAB, Thermo Fisher SampleManager).
Applications
- High-throughput qPCR setup: precise distribution of master mix and template DNA into 384-well plates, minimizing well-to-well variation and improving Cq reproducibility.
- Dose–response and IC50/EC50 profiling: accurate serial dispensing of compound dilutions across 1536-well assay plates for early-stage drug discovery.
- Cell-based functional assays: low-volume deposition of cytokines, growth factors, or inhibitors onto adherent or suspension cultures without shear-induced perturbation.
- ELISA and immunoassay development: uniform coating of capture antibodies at sub-microliter volumes to reduce reagent cost and enhance signal-to-noise ratios.
- SAR (Structure–Activity Relationship) studies: parallel dispensing of synthetic compound arrays into multiwell plates for rapid hit confirmation and analog testing.
- Diagnostic assay miniaturization: compliant with CLSI EP10-A3 guidelines for verification of low-volume measurement systems in clinical laboratory settings.
FAQ
What is the minimum dispensing volume achievable with the 8-channel cartridge?
The validated lower limit is 11 pL per dispense event, measured using gravimetric analysis per ISO 8655-7 Annex B.
Can the Pico 8 dispense viscous or protein-rich solutions?
Yes—solutions up to 20 cP viscosity and containing ≤10 mg/mL monoclonal antibody are compatible; pre-wetting and optimized pulse profiles are recommended.
Is calibration required between cartridge changes?
No. Each cartridge contains embedded calibration coefficients; the system auto-loads them upon insertion, eliminating manual recalibration steps.
How does the Pico 8 ensure compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
When used with CombiControl™ Software v3.2+ and configured audit trail settings, it meets electronic record and signature requirements—including role-based permissions, operation logging, and data integrity safeguards.
Does the system support unattended overnight runs?
Yes—integrated plate stacker (optional) and error-recovery logic enable continuous multi-plate processing with automatic pause/resume on lid detection or sensor fault.
