Electronic Pipette Controller

Ergonomic pipetting controller for use in medical applications. Features a digital display and precise control through thumbwheel button.

Electrical Engineering Industrial Design Mechanical Engineering Prototyping

Our client, a global manufacturer of laboratory equipment, approached i3 when updating the design of their electronic pipette product line. The goal was to optimize the ergonomics, user interface and performance while maintaining competitive costing in the marketplace.

Proper liquid handling is key to life science, medical and research application. A pipette is a piece of equipment designed for the precise transfer of liquids and is a essential tool used in these industries. They come in both manual and electronic versions. In situations where pipetting must be done repeatedly over an extended length of time or when transferring large amounts of liquid, electronic pipettes have a clear advantage.

Project Type

Medical

Design Challenge

Making precise Improvements

When our client came to us with the task of making an electronic pipette controller that could be used for hours without fatigue, we knew that the little details would make all the difference. The existing product line-up worked well but competition from other manufacturers meant that they needed to provide an advantage to users while maintaining an accepted price-point.

Approach

Ensuring a good fit

To meet this challenge, the engineering and design teams at i3 exhausted dozens of possible options for shape and form of the controller handle.

Ergonomic and fully functional prototypes were developed, and vibration and sound testing were completed to ensure the user experience and quality were at the highest standards.

Solution

A Perfect Balance

With the integration of design and engineering, the resulting pipetting controller is perfectly balanced in the user’s hand, with contoured triggers to prevent fatigue, even after hours of use. Smooth trigger action allows the user to precisely control the aspirate and dispense speed.

The display provides visual feedback on battery life, pipetting mode and speed. The speedometer icon changes as the thumbwheel are turned giving a visual indication of speed during aspiration mode.