The pipette of Choice for Problem Liquids!

ContentsPage

1-

INTRODUCTION

22-

Parts Check List	

33-

DESCRIPTION

34-

OPERATING Ranges and materials

55 - 	using microman	

56-

fitting the capillary and piston	

67-

setting the volume

88 -	pipetting	

9GLP features

1010 - 	troubleshooting	1111 - 	cleaning and decontamination	

1112 - specifications

14

WARRANTY	

16

EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY	

17

9-

Before use, please read carefully the Warranty
page 16 of this User's Guide!

2

1 - Introduction
Congratulations on acquiring your new Microman® pipette. Microman is suitable for many different types ofapplication, including pipetting volatile, viscous, dense,or high surface tension liquids. It is a quality productfrom Gilson, which is fully ISO8655 compliant, CE labeled(conforms to the EC directive on in vitro diagnostic
medical devices).
The six models permit precise and accurate pipettingof viscous, dense and vaporous liquids. They also
allow contamination free pipetting, avoiding vapor
contamination and cross-contamination. M25, M50 andM250, with thin and long CPs are especially suited for use
with long or narrow vessels. M10 and M100 autoclavablemodels are especially suited for 100 % contamination
free pipetting.
Enjoy the following features:- Microman pipettes are equipped with a positive
displacement mechanism that isolates the aspirated
liquid from the body of the pipette. The positive displacement mechanism prevents the sample-to-sample
contamination that can result from the aerosol effect.
- Microman uses disposable capillaries and pistons.
Changing these parts, which must be the only ones
to make contact with the aspirated liquids, can provide absolute protection against the contamination
caused by carry-over from one sample or reagent toanother. You simply have to change the capillary andpiston between each assay; they are automatically andsimultaneously ejected, thus avoiding any risk to theoperator.
- Microman is equipped with a direct reading volumeter that allows precise and continuous adjustmentof the required volume. Microman is permanently
calibrated at the manufacturing stage, the capillary
and piston are positioned automatically, therefore it
requires no further calibration.
3

- Microman requires no lubrication or maintenance,
because of the nature and quality of the materials
used in its construction.

2 - Parts Check List
Just take a moment to verify that the following items
are present: Microman, User's Guide, Safety bag, 	Adhesive id-tags (strip of 6),
 Capillary-pistons (10), Certificate of conformity(including bar-code sticker).

1
78
2

3 - Description

6

1 Color coded push-button (redfor autoclavable Microman),and magnifier with volume
range for aspirating, anddispensing.

2 Body or handle.
3 Capillary.
4 Piston.
5 Capillary-piston holder.
6 Shaft.
7 Thumbwheel for setting thevolume.

8 Volumeter.

4534

4 - Operating Ranges and material
Available Models (Table 1)
Model

Volume Range

Autoclavable

M10M25
M50
M100
M250
M1000

1 µL to 10 µL
3 µL to 25 µL
20 µL to 50 µL
10 µL to 100 µL
50 µL to 250 µL
100 µL to 1000 µL

Yes
No
NoYes
No
No

Materials (Table 2)Model Spring Clamp

Shaft Body
CP Holder (B)Capillary(C)

M10
M25
M50
M100
M250
M1000

Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester

Polypropylene Polyester
CP10
Polypropylene Polyester
CP25
Polypropylene Polyester
CP50
Polypropylene Polyethylene CP100
Polypropylene Polyethylene CP250
Polypropylene Polyacetal CP1000

SSSSSSSSSS
SS

Be Alloy
Be Alloy
Be Alloy
Be Alloy
Be Alloy
Be Alloy

PVDF
PVDF
PVDF
PVDF
PVDF
PVDF

Piston(P)

C-P

SS = Stainless Steel
Be = Beryllium
PVDF = Polyvinylidene Fluoride

5 - using microman
Three simple steps are necessary:1) Mount the capillary-piston.
2) Set the volume.
3)	Aspirate and Dispense.
Microman is automatically calibrated, by correctly fitting acapillary-piston. After setting the volume, the volume measured
will be accurate and precise.

56 - Fitting the Capillary and Piston
Never lubricate the capillary-holder, capillary,or any other part of the pipette. If the capillarytends to slip off the capillary-holder, clean thecapillary-holder with ethanol, using a medical wipe
or similar soft tissue.
Verify that the model of capillarypiston (CP) corresponds to theMicroman you are preparing for use:

CPMicroman
model

CP10	M10
CP25	M25

CP25, CP50 and CP250 Bulk

CP50	M50
CP100	M100

Capillaries and pistons are delivered in
two separate boxes. To fit a capillary- CP250	M250
CP1000	M1000piston, follow this procedure:
1) Take care not to damage the sealing tip 1 when you
handle the piston 3.
2) Press the push-button to the second stop to open
the clamp 5.

23465163) Select a piston and slide the stem 2 fully into theclamp.
4) Slide the mounted piston into the capillary 4.
5) Gently push the capillary until it snaps onto thecapillary-holder 6.
CP10, CP25, CP50, CP100, CP250
and CP1000 Tipack
The capillary-pistons (CP) are delivered already assembled. To fit a capillary-piston, follow this procedure:
1) Press the push-button on theMicroman past the first stop
position to the second stop position. The piston clamp should
now be open and protrudingfrom the capillary-holder.
2) Slide the Microman pistonclamp inside the top of the capillary tube until the piston clamp is
halfway down the piston mounting stem.
3) Slowly release the push-button,
while pushing the body of theMicroman into the capillarypiston until it is firmly seated on
the Microman.
4) Continue releasing the pushbutton to ensure that the piston
is secured by the piston clamp.
5) To ensure that the piston iscorrectly seated, and therefore
calibrated, slowly press the pushbutton until you feel and hear aslight click.

2CP

3
41
Step 2

Step 37

7- Setting the volume
The volume of liquid to be aspirated is set using thevolumeter. The volumeter consists of three numberdials, which are read from top (most significant digit) tobottom (least significant digit). A marker is used to set
exact or intermediate volumes using the scale on thebottom dial. The dials are colored either black or red toindicate the position of the decimal point, according tothe model (see examples).
M10068M100
068M25
068M50368M250
168M1000

6.8 µL68 µL

6.8 µL36.8 µL

168 µL0.75 mL

Model075

Color of volumeter numbers
BlackRed

M10, M25, M50µL

0.1 µL

M100, M250

µL

none

0.1 and 0.01 mLmL

M1000

The volume is set by turning the thumbwheel slowly toreach the required setting.
To obtain maximum accuracy when setting the volume,
proceed as follows:- when decreasing the volume
setting, slowly reach the requiredsetting, making sure not to overshoot the mark.
- when increasing the volumesetting, pass the required value
by 1/3 of a turn and then slowly
decrease the volume to reachthe required setting, making
sure not to overshoot the mark.

8To avoid parallax
errors, make sure thatthe volume indicatorand the selectedvolume marking are
in your direct line ofvision. At close range
you may find it helps
to close one eye.

8 - Pipetting
Aspirating- press the push-button to thefirst stop (1),- immerse the capillary 2 mm
into the liquid,Top
1
2- slowly, release the pushbutton to draw up theliquid (top position),- wipe any liquid from the outside of the capillary, taking
care not to touch the orifice.
Dispensing- place the end of the capillary against the inside wallof the recipient vessel,- press the push-button slowly to the first stop,- keeping the push-button depressed, move the capillary
away from the side wall,- withdraw Microman from the vessel and release thepush-button.
Ejecting the Piston-capillary:
Press the push-button to the first stop (1), then press
harder to the second stop (2); at this point the pistonand capillary are ejected simultaneously.
99 - GLP features
These are as follows:- No-need-to-touch disposables (capillary-piston).
- Serial Number: engraved on body of the pipette.
- Bar Code: on the box and with thecertificate (can be transferred).
-	ID Tag (Application or User).

ID Tag- Colour coded push-button blue
for standard Microman, red forautoclavable Microman.

- Gilson certificate of conformity
according to ISO8655.
- Microman and CP are CE IVD
labeled.

Serial Number- Colour-coded magnifier withvolume range.

10 - troubleshooting
You may be able to identify and to correct the problem
by reference to the following table. If you can’t solve theproblem, contact your Gilson representative.
Before returning any pipette, ensure that it is completely free of chemical, biological, or radioactive
contamination. Use the safety bag provided byGilson.
Leaks:
Change the capillary and piston.
No stroke:
The piston is not properly fitted into the clamp; checkthat the piston is seated correctly (refer to pages 6-7).
10

Difficult to fit a capillary:
Clean the capillary-holder with ethanol.
Inaccuracy:
You should check the capillary is correctly mounted on
the capillary-holder (refer to pages 6-7).
Imprecision:
Change the capillary and piston.
Difficult to set the volume:
This suggests that the pipette is damaged internally; inwhich case you should contact your Gilson representative.
If the problem persists...
Contact your Gilson representative.

11 - cleaning and decontamination
Microman is designed so that the parts normally incontact with liquid contaminants, can easily be cleaned
and decontaminated.		
Cleaning
The pipette must be cleaned with soap solution before
it is decontaminated.
External1) Wipe the entire pipette with a soft-cloth or lint-freetissue impregnated with soap solution, to remove all
dirty marks. If the pipette is very dirty, a brush with
soft plastic bristles may be used.
2) Wipe the entire pipette with a soft-cloth or lint-freetissue impregnated with distilled water.
3) Leave the parts to dry by evaporation or wipe themwith a clean soft-cloth or lint-free tissue.

11Internal
The following components only can be immersed in adecontaminant solution: clamp assembly, return springand capillary-holder (shaft).
1) Unscrew the capillary-holder (shaft).
2)	Remove the clamp assembly and return spring fromthe shaft.
3) Set aside the body (handle) in a dry and secure location.
4) Clean the individual components using an ultrasonicbath (for 20 minutes at 50 °C) or with a soft-cloth andbrushes. Small round brushes with soft plastic bristles
may be used to clean the interior of the shaft.
5)	Rinse the individual components with distilled water.
6) Leave the parts to dry by evaporation or wipe themwith a clean soft-cloth or lint-free tissue.
7)	Reassemble the pipette.
Decontamination
You may refer to the Decontamination Procedure
LT802288 available at www.gilson.com.
Chemical Decontamination
The pipette should be cleaned before it is decontaminated. Full details of recommended decontamination
procedures for Gilson pipettes are available from yoursupplier. Whatever other decontaminant you use, checkwith the supplier of the decontaminant that it is compatible with the materials used in the construction of
the pipette, and does not attack either of the following
plastics: Polyester or PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride).
Non-immersible Parts1) Wipe the body (handle) of the pipette with a softcloth or lint-free tissue impregnated with the chosen
decontaminant.
2) Wipe the body (handle) of the pipette with a softcloth or lint-free tissue impregnated with distilledwater or sterilized water.
12

Immersible Parts
The following components only can be immersed in adecontaminant solution: clamp assembly, return springand capillary-holder (shaft).
1) Unscrew the capillary-holder (shaft).
2)	Remove the clamp assembly and return spring fromthe shaft.
3) Set aside the body (handle) in a dry and secure location.
4)	Immerse the components in the decontaminant solution or wipe them according the instructions given by
the manufacturer or supplier of the decontaminant.
5)	Rinse the individual components with distilled orsterilized water.
6) Leave the parts to dry by evaporation or wipe themwith a clean lint-free tissue or a soft-cloth.
7)	Reassemble the pipette.
Autoclaving
Only Microman M10 and M100 are autoclavable. The
four other models (Microman M25, M50, M250, andM1000) are not autoclavable.
1) Unscrew the capillary-holder (shaft).
2)	Remove the clamp assembly and return spring fromthe shaft.
3) Clean the parts to be autoclaved, especially the shaft.
4) Put the parts in an autoclaving sack.
5) Autoclave for 20 minutes at 121 °C, 0.1 MPa.
6) Check that the parts are dry before reassembling thepipette.
7) Set the pipette aside to stabilize at room temperature.

13

12 - specifications
Microman is a high quality pipette that offers excellent
accuracy and precision. The figures given in the “Gilson
Maximum Permissible Errors” table were obtained using
Gilson CPs. These figures are only guaranteed by using
genuine Gilson CPs.
Each pipette is inspected and validated by qualified
technicians according to the Gilson Quality System.
Gilson declares that its manufactured pipettes comply
with the requirements of the ISO 8655 Standard, bytype testing. The adjustment is carried out under strictly
defined and monitored conditions (ISO 8655-6):• Basis of adjustment, Ex.
•	Reference temperature, 20 °C•	Relative humidity, 50%• Barometric pressure, 101 kPa• Use of distilled water grade 3 (ISO 3696)• Ten measurements for each test volume, which areNominal Volume, 50% of Nominal Volume, and theminimum or 10% of Nominal Volume.
Performance Tests
Each pipette is inspected and validated according to theGilson Quality Assurance System. Based on extensive
historical data, manufacturing conditions and expertise,and in compliance with ISO standards relative to statisticalprocess control, the assurance level of this instrument
performing to specifications is 99.8%. Specifications relyon the quality and consistency for the whole pipetting
system; they are guaranteed only when the pipette isused with Gilson capillary-pistons.

14Gilson Maximum Permissible Errors
Maximum Permissible Errors
Model
VolumeGilsonISO 8655(Reference)(µL)	SystematicRandom	SystematicRandom		
error (µL)
error (µL)
error (µL)
error (µL)
M10Min(F148501)		
Max.

1
510

± 0.09± 0.10± 0.15

 0.03
 0.03
 0.06

± 0.2
± 0.2
± 0.2

 0.1
 0.1
 0.1

M25
Min.
(F148502)		
Max3
1025

± 0.25± 0.27± 0.30 0.08
 0.08
 0.10± 0.12± 0.12± 0.12

 0.3
 0.3
 0.3

M50
(F148503)

Min.
Max.

20
50± 0.34± 0.70 0.20 0.30± 0.20± 0.20

 0.3
 0.3

M100
Min.
(F148504)		
Max.

10
50
100± 0.50± 0.75± 1.00 0.20 0.30 0.40± 0.80± 0.80± 0.80

 0.6
 0.6
 0.6

M250
Min.
(F148505)		
Max.

50
100
250

± 1.50± 1.70± 2.50 0.30 0.30 0.50±8±8±8

 3.0
 3.0
 3.0

M1000
Min.
(F148506)		
Max.

100
500
1000

± 3.0
± 5.0
± 8.0

 1.6
 2.5
 4.0

± 12± 12± 12

 4.0
 4.0
 4.0

The data given in the table conform to the ISO 8655-2 Standard.

15Warranty
Gilson warrants this pipette against defects in material undernormal use and service for a period of 12 months from the dateof purchase.
This warranty shall not apply to pipettes which are subject toabnormal use and/or improper or inadequate maintenance(contrary to the recommendations given in the User’s guide),
including, but not limited to pipettes which have been subjectedto physical damage, improper handling, or spillage or exposure
to any corrosive environment. This warranty shall also be void in
the event pipettes are altered or modified by any party other thanGilson or its designates. Gilson’s sole liability under this warranty
shall be limited to, at Gilson’s sole option, repair or replacement ofany defective components of pipettes or refund of the purchaseprice paid for such pipettes.
THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND GILSONHEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND ANY WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALLGILSON BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE,INDIRECT OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY
BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY.

16

EC declaration of conformity
The company,

GILSON S.A.S.
19, avenue des Entrepreneurs
BP. 145 - 95400 Villiers-le-Bel (France)
Tel.: +33(0) 1 34 29 50 00
Fax: +33(0) 1 34 29 50 20
www.gilson.com
Hereby certifies on its sole responsibility that the products
listed below:

MICROMAN®
M10, M25, M50, M100, M250, M1000
Positive displacement Capillaries/Pistonscomply with the requirements of the following European
Directives:

98/79/EC*on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices* Annex III, self-declared

Villiers-le-Bel, November 18th, 2011

A. El Sayed	H. Ledorze
General Manager
Quality Manager

17

NOTES

18

19

LT801502/E - ©2011 Gilson SAS All rights reserved
December 2011EnglishPrinted in France
Specifications subject to change without notifications - errors omitted.

www.gilson.com
sales@gilson.com
service@gilson.com
training@gilson.com
Gilson, Inc. World Headquarters
3000 Parmenter Street I P.O. Box 620027 I Middleton, WI 53562-0027, USA
Tel: (1) 800-445-7661 or (1) 608-836-1551 I Fax: (1) 608-831-4451
Gilson S.A.S.
19, avenue des Entrepreneurs I BP 145, F-95400 Villiers-le-Bel, France
Tel: +33 (0) 1 34 29 50 00 I Fax: +33 (0) 1 34 29 50 20