Electronic Pipettes: Reducing Ergonomic Stress in the Laboratory

Introduction

Pipetting is one of the most widely performed and understood tasks in the laboratory and is known for being highly repetitive.

In laboratory settings, repetitive tasks like pipetting can lead to ergonomic stress, resulting in discomfort and potential injuries. With ergonomics & automation being increasingly common in the modern day, ergonomic stress becomes a non-existent issue, improving workflows and increasing laboratory output. This blog explores the landscape of ergonomics and how procuring electronic pipettes can enhance your laboratory's workflow.

Repetitive Strain Injury: What is it?

RSI is an umbrella term to describe inflammation that is caused by repeated movement of a part of the body, an example of RSI is carpal tunnel syndrome which is commonly encountered in individuals who sit at a computer for extended periods and physically demanding jobs.

The presence of RSI significantly reduces Laboratory output, as one of how it’s treated is to stop performing the activity causing it, leading to a significant loss of productivity.

How Does Pipetting Cause RSI?

Pipetting involves repetitive motion of the hands in which the force applied is done for dispensing the contents, grip, and ejection but can also be exacerbated by awkward postures and standing for lengthy periods. Laboratory scientists will often go through thousands of the same pipetting motions repeatedly, often for more than four hours a day heightening the risk of RSI.

Further Causes are:                                                 

• Repetitive motion of the hands, forearm thumb, or fingers
• Excessive force of the thumb
• Overreaching
• Working with elbows held at an elevated position away from the body (Winged Elbows)
• Pinched gripping when managing multiple pipette tips, or opening vials.

Electronic Pipettes: How Do They Prevent RSI?

Electronic pipettes are designed to prevent repetitive strain injuries (RSI) through several key features that enhance ergonomics and reduce physical strain during repeated pipetting tasks. Here are some ways in which they achieve this:

1.    Lightweight Designs: Electronic Pipettes are crafted with a lightweight body, reducing the amount of force and effort required to use them, thus minimising stress on the user's wrist and hand.

2.    Ergonomic Handles: The ergonomic shape of the handle ensures a comfortable grip, promoting a natural hand position. This design reduces tension and discomfort associated with prolonged use.

3.    Adjustable Speed Settings: These pipettes offer adjustable aspiration and dispensing speeds. By tailoring the speed to the task, users can work more efficiently with less effort, reducing the strain on their hands and wrists.

4.    Minimal Force Requirement: Electronic pipettes feature a low-force button mechanism for both aspiration and dispensing, making the operation smoother and requiring less force to activate, thus alleviating hand fatigue.

5.    Reduced Vibrations: Advanced engineering reduces vibrations during pipetting, which can contribute to discomfort over time, enhancing the comfort and ease of use.

Choosing the Right Pipette for You

When choosing an electronic pipette, it’s essential to consider factors that impact performance, usability, and long-term comfort. Below are key aspects to evaluate.

Volume Range & Precision: Electronic pipettes come in fixed or adjustable volume ranges, typically from 0.1 µL to 10 mL.

Ergonomics & Comfort: Models with adjustable aspiration and dispensing speeds allow users to work at a pace that minimises fatigue.

Battery Life & Charging Options: How long can the pipette function on a single charge and does it recharge quickly, or does downtime affect workflow?

Conclusion

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) can significantly impact laboratory efficiency, leading to discomfort, reduced productivity, and even long-term health issues for scientists. Traditional manual pipetting, with its repetitive motions and forceful thumb actions, poses an elevated risk for ergonomic stress.

Electronic pipettes offer a practical solution by minimising hand strain, reducing repetitive motion injuries, and improving overall comfort. With lightweight designs, ergonomic handles, adjustable speeds, and minimal force requirements, they provide a more efficient and user-friendly alternative to manual pipetting.

By investing in electronic pipettes, laboratory managers can enhance workflow efficiency, improve staff well-being, and reduce the risk of work-related injuries. Prioritising ergonomics in the lab is not just about comfort—it’s about sustaining long-term productivity and ensuring a healthier working environment for scientists.

Accumax Electronic Pipettes

Accumax offers a perfect blend of exceptional performance, superior ergonomics and a super intuitive graphical interface in one pipette, enabling it to understand user’s requirements and deliver accordingly. 

Shop Now for our Range of Electronic Pipettes