Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically monitored mechanical pipette which includes a microswitch in its volume delivery adjustment mechanism which operates to signal the electrical volume monitoring system of the pipette when a fluid volume delivery setting adjustment is being made. In this manner, the pipette operates in a low power mode during normal operation to display the present fluid volume delivery setting, but moves to a high power consumption mode when changes are being made to the fluid volume delivery setting. The microswitch allows the high power consumption elements in the electronic volume monitoring system, such as a Hall-effect transducer assembly, to be inactive and receive no power input until it is needed during adjustment of the fluid volume delivery setting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detachable barrel assembly for use with an electronically monitored mechanical pipette. The detachable barrel is made to retain all internal elements thereof in proper operating position even when the barrel assembly is detached from the pipette. The barrel assembly may be of a single channel or multi channel configuration. The barrel assembly may be removed from the pipette in order to allow it to be cleaned, such as by autoclaving, and reattached to the pipette. In this manner, the electrical components of the pipette itself do not need to be subjected to autoclaving whenever the barrel assembly needs to be cleaned. Further, the self-contained design of the barrel assembly simplifies detachment and reattachment thereof to the pipette.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a calibration system for an electronically monitored mechanical pipette. The calibration system is used to calibrate an electronic volume monitoring system which includes a transducer assembly and an electronics assembly which monitors a volume delivery adjustment mechanism of the pipette. The calibration system includes either a calibration mapping technique for determining the proper fluid volume delivery setting, or alternatively, an algorithmic technique. The calibration method further includes the ability to calibrate the pipette at a specific fluid volume delivery setting without modifying any parameters of the calibration software.

Abstract: An aerosol cap which is tamper-evident. A portion of the bottom skirt must be torn away in order to remove the cap. The tear away section of cap is an independent member which when completely removed provides an unmistakable indication of tampering.