Nichiryo Nichimate Stepper NPLO2 Manual Single-Channel Pipette

Overview

The Nichiryo Nichimate Stepper NPLO2 is a high-precision, manually operated single-channel pipette engineered for reproducible, stepwise liquid dispensing in regulated laboratory environments. Unlike conventional air-displacement pipettes, the NPLO2 employs a positive-displacement principle using calibrated, disposable syringe barrels — eliminating air cushion variability and ensuring consistent delivery across viscous, volatile, or low-surface-tension liquids. Its modular architecture supports eight distinct syringe barrel volumes (0.05 mL to 50 mL), each paired with five discrete volume-setting positions, enabling 40 unique dispense configurations without recalibration. Designed for ISO/IEC 17025-compliant QC labs, pharmaceutical R&D, and clinical diagnostics, the NPLO2 delivers traceable performance aligned with ISO 8655-2 (volumetric accuracy) and ASTM E2758 (manual liquid handling device verification).

Key Features

• Modular syringe-based dispensing: Eight interchangeable barrels (NS-V to NS-Z) cover a continuous operational range from 0.5 µL to 50 mL, with volume selection via mechanical stop adjustment at five discrete positions per barrel.
• High metrological integrity: Accuracy specified per ISO 8655-2 — e.g., ±0.3% at 5 mL (NS-Z), ±0.5% at 500 µL (NS-L), ±5% at 1 µL (NS-V); coefficient of variation (CV) as low as <0.2% (5 mL) and <0.6% (100–500 µL).
• Ergonomic, low-force actuation: Lightweight aluminum alloy frame and optimized lever geometry reduce operator fatigue during repetitive dispensing sequences (up to 48 consecutive steps per cycle).
• Regulatory-ready material construction: Syringe barrels molded from medical-grade polypropylene; plungers from polyethylene (except NS-V, which uses stainless steel for enhanced durability and chemical resistance); fully compatible with autoclaving for NS-B series sterilizable barrels (NS-SB, NS-MB, etc.).
• Cross-platform tip compatibility: Accepts standard Eppendorf 4780 syringe tips and Nichiryo’s proprietary BMT-UT tips (NS-V) and NS-ASP adapters (NS-Y/Z), supporting method transfer and legacy protocol continuity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The NPLO2 maintains consistent performance across diverse sample matrices — including DMSO, glycerol (up to 80% v/v), ethanol/water mixtures, serum, cell suspensions, and PCR master mixes — owing to its positive-displacement mechanism and minimal dead volume (<1 µL for NS-V). All syringe barrels are certified free of DNase, RNase, ATP, and human DNA (certification available upon request). The device conforms to ISO 9001 manufacturing standards and supports GLP/GMP workflows through documented calibration records, traceable to NIST-traceable reference standards. Sterilizable variants (NS-B series) meet ISO 11135 (ethylene oxide) and ISO 17665 (steam sterilization) requirements.

Software & Data Management

As a manual instrument, the NPLO2 operates without embedded firmware or digital interfaces. However, it integrates seamlessly into electronic lab notebook (ELN) and LIMS ecosystems via standardized calibration logs and SOP documentation templates provided by Nichiryo. Each syringe barrel carries a laser-engraved lot number and expiration date (for sterile variants), enabling full audit trail generation per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with compliant ELN platforms. Calibration certificates include uncertainty budgets calculated per GUM (JCGM 100:2008) and are issued with measurement traceability to national metrology institutes.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical quality control: Precise reconstitution of lyophilized standards, dilution of reference materials (e.g., USP analytical instrument qualification), and preparation of calibration curves for HPLC/UPLC.
• Diagnostics assay development: Reproducible dispensing of enzyme conjugates, substrate solutions, and patient serum samples in ELISA, lateral flow, and molecular diagnostic workflows.
• Cell culture & bioprocessing: Accurate addition of growth factors, antibiotics, and transfection reagents to sensitive primary cultures without aerosol generation.
• Materials science: Controlled deposition of polymer precursors, nanofluid suspensions, and conductive inks onto substrates where volumetric fidelity directly impacts film uniformity.
• Environmental testing: Standardized spiking of certified reference materials (CRMs) into water, soil, or air filter extracts per EPA Method 500/600 series protocols.

FAQ

What syringe barrels require the NS-ASP adapter?
The NS-Y (25 mL) and NS-Z (50 mL) barrels require the NS-ASP adapter (part nos. 00-NS-ADPY / 00-NS-ADPZ) for secure mounting and leak-free operation.
Can the NPLO2 be autoclaved?
The instrument body is not autoclavable. Only designated NS-B series syringe barrels (e.g., NS-SB, NS-MB, NS-XB) are validated for steam sterilization at 121°C for 20 minutes; refer to individual barrel datasheets for cycle validation reports.
Is calibration certification included with purchase?
Yes — each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate (ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab), listing measured values at all five volume settings per installed barrel, expanded uncertainty (k=2), and environmental conditions during verification.
How often should the NPLO2 be recalibrated?
Annual recalibration is recommended for routine use; more frequent verification (e.g., quarterly) is advised in high-throughput or GxP-regulated environments per internal SOPs aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.6.
Are replacement parts available globally?
All syringe barrels, adapters, and BMT-UT tips are stocked by authorized Nichiryo distributors in North America, EMEA, and APAC regions, with lead times under 5 business days for standard items.