Pipette Calibration Verification Systems
1. Gravimetric methodology: SMILE can provide sites with a procedure. It is very straightforward but requires a
calibrated balance, time and commitment to take all the measurements and to perform the necessary calculations.
2. Photometric methodology: Fairly easy to perform but sites need to purchase a kit, and they will need a
spectrophotometer, commitment and time to take the measurements and draw the required graphs.
3. PCS Pipette Calibration System: This is a small instrument, manufactured by a company called Artel that can be
used to calibrate pipettes. It utilizes a ratiometric photometric methodology that enables the calibration to be done
in five to ten minutes using between five and ten readings. The instrument performs all the calculations and prints
out the results. Costs include the cost of the instrument, which is a one-time cost of approximately $6,000.00 and
the calibration kits, which are recurring cost, of about $250 - $575 depending on the size of the kit and the number
of data points. The instrument is very portable and could be transported to different sites.
4. Streck - Pipette Verification Service - PVS: If a lab opts to use the Pipette Verification Service they will receive a
kit for each pipette. The kit is used to take measurements from pipettes and kit materials are returned to Streck but
there is no need to physically send the pipettes off site. (There is one kit for each pipette to be calibrated and
readings are obtained by pipetting a calibration fluid into six separate vials. Only the vials are sent back to Streck
who reads the vials and performs the calculations).
5. Streck – VC100 Pipette Calibration System: This is a small sized instrument, manufactured by Streck, which can
be used to calibrate pipettes. It utilizes acid/base titration methodology that enables calibration to be done in a
matter of minutes using 3 readings. There is a Windows based database management system for the VC-100,
which can be purchased separately. It simplifies the collection and management of pipette verification data. The
program calculates volume delivered, standard deviation, coefficient of variation and percent recovery and
generates historical reports tracking individual pipette and technician performance. The instrument is a one-time
cost of $805.00. The acid/base reagents are a recurring cost. Streck sells them in 150 test kit and 500 test kit
packages, which cost $192 and $545, respectively or separately as concentrated solutions. However, you are not
limited to Streck reagents. Any acid/base reagents can be selected provided that they are reagent grade and of
the correct concentration. The software package is a one-time cost of $160. There are also reference controls,
instructional video and other items that can be purchased separately.
106741836 SMILE Document
12/13/05
Pipette Calibration Systems Cost Analysis
Pipette
Calibration
System
Initial one time cost
Recurring Costs
Pros
Cons
Gravimetric
Analytical balance
(Estimate $3000-$4000)
Weigh boats, peanut oil, Kim wipes
($1.00) Tech time 30 minutes per
pipette. Cost per data point = $1.63
(10 data points)
Can be performed on site –
no need to purchase a
second set of pipettes
Requires technical expertise.
Photometric
Spectrophotometer
(Estimate $1500 -$2,000)
Kit Cost Est. = ($5.00 per pipette)
Tech time 30 minutes per pipette.
Cost per data point = $1.63 (10 data
points)
PCS Kits Cost Est. = ($6.68 per
pipette) Tech time costs =3.0 minutes
per pipette. Cost per data point $0.14
(10 data points)Total PCS Kit Cost –
$ 575 for 500 data points
Can be performed on site –
no need to purchase a
second set of pipettes
Can be performed on site.
Very quick and reliable
Saves on tech time
Pipettes do not have to
leave the site
None
VC-100
($805)
Artel- PCS
Streck
Pipette
Verification
Service
Streck VC100 Pipette
Verification
System
Other Pipette
Calibration
Contractors
PCS instrument
($6,500 – 7,000)
None
$34.60
Based on data
provided by
Artel
$37.60
Large capital outlay to cover the
initial cost of the instrument
Other costs such as calibrators
and kit costs need to be
considered
$16.16
Based on data
provided by
Artel
None
Savings on tech time
Pipette does not leave the
facility
Most expensive method
Pipettes need to be checked
when they are returned to the
site
$68.00
plus shipping
$70 – $545 for 25-500 tests. User
determines the number of data points
per pipettes.
Can be performed on site.
Very quick and reliable
Saves on tech time
Pipettes do not have to
leave the site
Capital outlay to cover the initial
cost of the instrument
Recurring costs need to be
considered
$12.00
Based on data
provided by
Streck
Lab needs second set of backup
pipettes to use when set #1 is off
site being calibrated.
$50.00
plus shipping
None
Savings on tech time
Note: Gravimetric and PCS comparison data supplied by Artel
Data based on US salaries and tech time costs.
*Average pipette costs do not include Capital Equipment Costs.
106741836 SMILE Document
Requires technical expertise.
Cost per
Pipette
For 2
calibrations
per year *
12/13/05