Prøvetip

Prøvetip, commonly known as a pipette tip, is a disposable plastic tip used with a micropipette to aspirate and dispense precise volumes of liquid in laboratory work. The tip attaches to the pipette shaft to form a tight seal that enables accurate liquid handling and minimizes contamination. Most prøvetips are made from polypropylene and are designed for single use. They can be sterile or non-sterile; sterile tips are typically produced by gamma irradiation or ethylene oxide sterilisation and sold in racks or sealed packaging. Some tips incorporate features to improve performance, such as barrier or filtered tips to prevent aerosols and liquids from entering the pipette, which is particularly important in handling hazardous substances or performing PCR. Wide-bore tips are available for viscous liquids or foaming samples, and low-retention tips are designed to reduce sample adherence and improve recovery.

Prøvetips come in a range of sizes to fit different pipette volumes and are generally designed to be compatible with major pipette brands and models. Users select tips based on the required volume range, aspiration speed, and the need for sterility or filtration. Tips are typically supplied in racks or bags and are disposed of after a single use to prevent cross-contamination.

To maximize accuracy, tips should be attached securely, tips may be pre-wet to improve accuracy for aqueous solutions, and pipetting should follow standard operating procedures and calibration routines. Tips should be stored in clean, dry conditions and checked for integrity before use.

Environmental and safety considerations apply to disposal; used tips may be treated as biological or chemical waste depending on the materials handled and local regulations.