Sartorius Midi Plus Large-Volume Electronic Pipette Controller

Overview

The Sartorius Midi Plus is a precision-engineered, rechargeable electronic pipette controller designed for high-volume liquid handling tasks in regulated and research-intensive laboratory environments. Unlike traditional manual pipetting systems or low-capacity electronic controllers, the Midi Plus operates on a motor-driven aspiration/dispense principle—utilizing a brushless DC motor coupled with a pressure-sensing feedback loop—to deliver consistent volumetric control across its full 1–100 mL range. Its core function is to replace repetitive, ergonomically taxing manual operation of serological pipettes, thereby reducing operator fatigue and minimizing inter-user variability in large-volume transfers. The device complies with ISO 8655-8 (2022) for electronic pipette controllers and is validated for use with Class A and Class B glass and polypropylene serological pipettes, as well as compatible plastic tips (e.g., Biohit 5 mL and 10 mL tip formats). It is not a pipette itself but a controller—requiring external pipettes—and is intended for applications where accuracy, repeatability, and user safety are prioritized over speed alone.

Key Features

• Ergonomic, lightweight housing (≤320 g) with balanced center-of-gravity design reduces wrist flexion and shoulder elevation during extended use
• Intuitive pressure-sensitive trigger: variable aspiration/dispense speed controlled by fingertip force—no multi-button programming required
• Integrated hydrophobic PTFE filter (sterilizable at 121 °C, 20 min, autoclave-compatible) prevents liquid ingress into the motor and sensor assembly
• Foldable support stand (standard outside U.S. markets) enables hands-free upright storage of both controller and attached pipette—maintaining sterility and workspace organization
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery (typical runtime: ≥12 hours per charge; low-battery LED + audible alert at ≤15% remaining)
• IP54-rated enclosure for resistance to dust and splashes—suitable for biosafety cabinets, cold rooms, and general wet-lab environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Midi Plus is compatible with all standard 1–100 mL serological pipettes manufactured from borosilicate glass or medical-grade polypropylene—including those conforming to ASTM E927-21 and ISO 648:2020 dimensional tolerances. It supports both open-end and plugged-tip configurations. Filter compatibility includes 0.2 µm and 0.45 µm hydrophobic PTFE membranes certified to ISO 13485:2016 for medical device manufacturing. Device firmware and mechanical calibration adhere to GLP and GMP documentation requirements; audit trails for calibration events and usage logs can be exported via USB-C (no proprietary software required). While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant out-of-the-box, it supports integration into validated workflows when used with Sartorius-certified calibration services and documented SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The Midi Plus operates as a standalone instrument without embedded firmware-based data logging. All operational parameters—including trigger sensitivity profile, auto-shutoff delay (configurable: 1–10 min), and volume unit preference (mL or µL)—are managed via physical button interface. No drivers, cloud connectivity, or companion apps are required. For quality assurance purposes, Sartorius provides downloadable calibration certificates (traceable to NIST standards), maintenance checklists, and ISO/IEC 17025-compliant service reports upon request. Users may manually record usage frequency, battery cycles, and filter replacement dates using internal lab documentation templates aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.7.

Applications

• Cell culture media preparation and subculturing (e.g., 50 mL transfers into T-flasks or bioreactor seed vessels)
• Buffer and reagent bulk dispensing in QC/QA labs performing USP analytical instrument qualification
• Sample dilution series in environmental testing labs (e.g., EPA Method 1600 series water analysis)
• High-throughput assay setup requiring repeatable 10–100 mL volumes under laminar flow hoods
• Teaching laboratories emphasizing ergonomic technique and ISO 8655 traceability principles

FAQ

Is the Midi Plus supplied with a pipette?
No—it is a controller only. Users must supply compatible 1–100 mL serological pipettes separately.
Can the device be calibrated in-house?
Yes, using gravimetric verification per ISO 8655-8 Annex C; however, Sartorius recommends annual third-party calibration with certificate of conformance.
What is the recommended filter replacement interval?
Every 6 months under continuous use, or immediately after contact with volatile organic solvents or viscous liquids (e.g., glycerol, serum).