Pneumatic PicoPump

Pneumatic microinjector with vacuum pressure

• Inject with picoliter quantities into a single cell
• Held and ejected under controlled pressure
• Air pressures that are carefully controlled for securing cells and pumping fluid into them
• Pressure Input: 0-120 psi
• Pressure Output: 0.3-90 psi

Benefits

• By using capillary action, hold pressure stops the pipette from being refilled.
• For filling pipettes directly from the tip or stabilizing floating cells during injection, the PV830 offers vacuum pressure.

Applications

• Injections into cells that range from picoliters to nanoliters

Components

All the elements listed below are included in the PV820 System.

Although syringe and piston techniques are frequently used for microinjection in the nanoliter range, a controlled burst of gas pressure is frequently preferable for microinjection of sub-nanoliter volumes through a very small aperture in a glass micropipette. WPI's PicoPumps use precisely controlled pressures to secure cells and inject them with fluid. They are designed to make intracellular injection and a number of other micro-injection jobs easier. Volumes from picoliters to nanoliters are injected. Positive pressure for high-pressure ejection and suction for sustaining the cell or filling the pipette from the tip are supplied by separate ports. A secondary default "hold" pressure is provided to the pipette in between injections to stop fluid uptake through capillary action or diffusion. Usually, a precise timer regulates the pressure pulses. Time, ejection pressure, holding pressure, and suction can all be independently modified using control knobs, and front-panel indicator gauges can be used to keep track of these settings. A 20-turn regulator on the front panel regulates the injection pressure. The millisecond-resolution built-in timing function regulates how long the injection pressure is applied. The time intervals can be as short as 10 ms or less. Moreover, the pressure burst can be manually initiated or started by an outside source.

For the eject and hold pressures, the PV830 model offers independent regulation and pressure gauges. The PV830 model has a vacuum pressure regulator in addition to the capabilities of the PV820 model, as well as a vacuum gauge.

Micropipettes can be safely mounted in micro-positioners for reliable axial air distribution using the PicoNozzle Kit 5430-ALL (included).

A Luer-fitted pipette holder is included in the optional 5430-XX PicoNozzle Kit for quick and simple adjustments. Depending on the pipette OD, choose your kit (XX indicates OD: 1.0, 1.2, 1.5 or 2.0 mm). The diameter of the red handle is bigger, making it simple to insert into most manipulators. This package includes:

(1) MPH6S microelectrode holder

(1) Handle for the MPH6S (4" hollow tube with male Luer fittings on both ends and a 6.25 x 100 mm handle diameter)

(1) 5’ tubing (Male locking Luer fitting on one end and a female locking Luer fitting on the other, rated for 200 PSI and 86 durometer shore A, with dimensions of 0.060" ID and 0.120" OD)

Backfilling is Prevented by Hold Pressure

The PV820 was created to make intracellular injection simpler, just like the PV830. The hold pressure stops capillary action from filling the pipette back up. Easy to use, always dependable.

A 5430-ALL kit, which contains two PicoNozzles and tubing to join the holders to the pressure and vacuum ports, is included with each PicoPump.

Vacuum Pressure for Other Applications

When injecting fluid, eject pressure provides a high-pressure pulse. When the solenoid is not operating, hold pressure, which is insufficient to eject fluid, is employed to stop the pipette from being filled again by capillary action or diffusion. Although vacuum in the PV820 must be externally controlled, vacuum can be delivered through the ejection port. With the switch on the front panel, vacuum can be changed from regulated vacuum to atmosphere to fill pipettes from the tip or through a secondary port to secure a floating cell during microinjection.

There is also model PV830 (Pneumatic PicoPump with vacuum):