Metler Toledo RAININ Liquidator™ 96 Manual 96-Channel Pipetting System

Overview

The Mettler Toledo RAININ Liquidator™ 96 is a high-precision, fully manual 96-channel pipetting system engineered for reproducible, low-volume liquid transfer across standard microtiter plates (96-well and 384-well formats). Unlike motorized or electronic multichannel pipettes, the Liquidator™ 96 operates via a calibrated mechanical spring-driven plunger mechanism—requiring no batteries, external power, or firmware updates. Its design adheres to the fundamental principles of positive displacement aspiration and dispense, ensuring consistent piston travel and seal integrity across all 96 channels simultaneously. This eliminates inter-channel variability inherent in conventional multi-tip systems where tip alignment, operator force, and wrist angle introduce systematic error. The device is optimized for applications demanding high throughput and stringent volumetric fidelity—including ELISA assay setup, qPCR plate preparation, cell-based screening, protein crystallization trials, and library normalization workflows.

Key Features

• True Simultaneous 96-Channel Operation: All tips aspirate and dispense in perfect unison, eliminating row-by-row pipetting delays and reducing cross-contamination risk from repeated tip contact.
• Dual-Range Configurability: Interchangeable volume modules support two discrete operating ranges: 0.5–20 µL (for ultra-low-volume qPCR master mixes) and 5–200 µL (for ELISA coating and detection reagents), each calibrated per ISO 8655-2.
• Zero-Power Mechanical Architecture: No electronics, motors, or charging requirements—ideal for glove boxes, cold rooms, biosafety cabinets, and GMP cleanrooms where electromagnetic interference or power dependency is prohibited.
• Ergonomic, One-Handed Actuation: Low-force lever design reduces repetitive strain injury (RSI) risk; intuitive thumb stroke delivers full-volume dispensing with <1.2 N actuation force.
• ISO 8655-6 Compliant Performance: Certified accuracy ±1.0% and precision ≤1.5% CV across full range—validated using gravimetric measurement traceable to NIST SRM 2799.
• Modular Tip Compatibility: Accepts universal low-retention 96-tip combs (including RAININ LTS and standard universal fit), enabling seamless integration with existing lab consumables infrastructure.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Liquidator™ 96 is compatible with aqueous buffers, viscous glycerol solutions (up to 40% v/v), serum-containing media, and detergent-laced lysis reagents—provided surface tension remains >25 mN/m. It is not recommended for highly volatile solvents (e.g., acetone, chloroform), foaming surfactant mixtures, or suspensions containing particles >5 µm. All wetted components are chemically resistant to 70% ethanol, 0.5% sodium hypochlorite, and 1 M NaOH for decontamination. The system complies with ISO 13485:2016 (medical device quality management) and supports GLP/GMP documentation through optional calibration log templates aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity expectations for manual instruments. While not an electronic system, its mechanical calibration certificate includes traceable uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements when performed by an accredited RAININ Service Center.

Software & Data Management

As a fully manual instrument, the Liquidator™ 96 does not incorporate embedded software, connectivity ports, or digital data logging. However, it is designed to integrate into regulated environments through standardized calibration and usage documentation protocols. RAININ provides a validated calibration kit (P/N LQ-96-CAL-KIT) including certified reference weights, gravimetric test plates, and a SOP-compliant calibration record template compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.2. Users may embed Liquidator™ 96 operation within electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) such as LabArchives or Benchling via structured metadata tagging (e.g., “Instrument ID: LQ96-0234”, “Calibration Expiry: 2025-09-30”, “Volume Mode: 0.5–20 µL”). Audit trails for calibration events and maintenance logs are maintained manually per institutional SOPs, satisfying ALCOA+ principles for paper-based instrumentation in non-automated workflows.

Applications

• qPCR & Digital PCR Setup: Accurate dispensing of 1–5 µL master mix into 384-well plates with minimal droplet carryover and evaporation loss.
• ELISA Workflow Acceleration: Uniform coating of 96-well plates with antigen/antibody solutions (5–100 µL/well) without edge effects or well-to-well volume drift.
• Cell-Based Assay Replication: Parallel seeding of primary cells or suspension lines into viability or cytotoxicity assay plates with <2% well-to-well CV.
• Protein Crystallization Screening: Rapid dispensing of nanoliter-scale precipitant cocktails into sitting-drop plates using 0.5–2 µL increments.
• Compound Library Normalization: Equal-volume transfer of DMSO stock solutions into assay plates prior to dilution series generation.

FAQ

Is the Liquidator™ 96 compatible with 384-well plates?
Yes—when used with RAININ’s 384-tip comb adapter (P/N LQ-384-ADP), the Liquidator™ 96 achieves precise 384-channel dispensing with verified ≤2.0% CV at 2 µL.
Does it require routine recalibration?
Per ISO 8655-7, mechanical pipettors should undergo full calibration annually or after 10,000 actuations—whichever occurs first. RAININ recommends quarterly verification using the included gravimetric check protocol.
Can it be sterilized in an autoclave?
No—the housing contains polycarbonate and elastomeric seals incompatible with steam sterilization. Surface decontamination only, using 70% ethanol or 0.5% sodium hypochlorite.
What tip types are supported?
All standard 96-tip combs with 4.6 mm tip spacing (ANSI/SBS footprint), including RAININ LTS, Bio-Rad, Eppendorf, and Thermo Fisher universal-fit combs.
How is accuracy verified without built-in diagnostics?
Using the RAININ Gravimetric Validation Kit (P/N LQ-GRAV-KIT), users perform ISO 8655-6-compliant weight-based testing on analytical balances with ≤0.01 mg readability and Class E2 weights.