Scientist smiling, with ASSIST automated pipetting system next to him..

ASSIST

Automating Multichannel Pipettes

Best results – unmatched ergonomics!

Pipette design and good pipetting practice have always been in the focus to improve ergonomics and reproducibility of pipetting.

For the design of the ASSIST, INTEGRA kept these critical factors in mind but went even a step further: by automating our multichannel pipettes. Simply mount a VIAFLO electronic pipette onto the ASSIST to start automated pipetting. This prevents you from repetitive strain injuries (RSI) while increasing the reproducibility of prolonged pipetting protocols such as serial dilutions, plate filling and reagent addition.

How it works

Simply mount any INTEGRA VIAFLO electronic pipette onto the ASSIST pipette adapter, choose a pipetting protocol and press the run button. ASSIST will then obtain the protocol via communication module from the VIAFLO electronic pipette and automatically execute the desired application.

  • Overview

    ASSIST automated pipetting system, with key features labelled.

    1) Touch wheel interface
    2) Communication module
    3) Smart pipette adapter
    4) Compact size
    5) Plate compatibility
    6) Choice of reservoirs

  • Automated Multichannel Pipetting

    Scientist attaching their VIAFLO multichannel electronic pipette to the ASSIST pipetting robot.

    Ergonomics

    No matter how light and well balanced a pipette is, prolonged pipetting tasks remain physically and mentally challenging. While some steps always need to be performed manually, many other steps can be automated.

    ASSIST lets you switch between the manual and automated pipetting tasks on the fly, relieving you of the routine pipetting.

    Consistent pipetting

    The major source of problems in pipetting performance are human errors. Typical parameters influencing the performance are tip immersion depth and pipetting angle. The automated pipetting capability of ASSIST ensures these parameters are always the same, resulting in increased reproducibility. Also, ASSIST makes no pipetting mistakes!

  • Versatility

    ASSIST automated pipette, with the red dot award winner 2014 logo.

    Smart pipette adapter

    The pipette adapter of ASSIST allows the use of all VIAFLO multichannel pipettes. The width of the adapter can be adjusted so that 8-, 12-, and 16-channel pipettes can fit. The pipettes cover a volume range of 0.5 – 1250 µl.

    Plate compatibility

    Plates of 6-wells to 384-wells can be used. The plate sledge accommodates the plates either in portrait or landscape orientation.

  • Communication

    ASSIST automatic pipette communicating with a VIAFLO electronic multichannel pipette via Bluetooth.

    The VIAFLO pipette and ASSIST communicate via communication module, supporting simple wireless connectivity.

    Pipetting protocols are transmitted from the pipette to ASSIST and are then carried out automatically.

  • User Interface

    Adjusting the volume of the VOYAGER electronic pipette is easy and intuitive with the use of the touch wheel.

    Navigation

    Protocol setup and selection is done using the pipette’s intuitive user interface. It is based on the popular Touch Wheel and allows extremely fast menu navigation and volume adjustments. Simply by moving a finger over the touch wheel, menus and settings can be accessed.

    Choosing a protocol

    Three predefined protocols allow a quick start: Serial Dilution, Repeat Dispense and Variable Dispense. For more elaborate pipetting routines, custom programs can be created in an easy step by step setup.

  • GRIPTIP®

    GripTip pipette tips snap into place with minimal tip loading effort resulting in superior accuracy and precision results.

    GRIPTIPS® are always firmly attached and perfectly aligned, regardless of how many side well touch offs are performed. You no longer have to hammer your pipette tips on or worry about pipette tips falling off!

    1) Lobes
    2) O-Ring Seal
    3) Rim snaps over the Lobes
    4) Shoulder

    The rim (3) of the GRIPTIPS® will snap over the Multi-Lobes (1), attaching firmly. As a result, GRIPTIPS® will never accidently fall off.

    A shoulder (4) provides a positive stop to prevent over-tightening of the tip. It can only be attached up to that point and no further, ensuring that all tips are at the same height. That means, the tip is either on or off, but nothing in between.

  • Sustainability through longevity and plastic reduction

    Green Choice Inserts reduce plastic

    The longer you can use a device, the better it is for the planet. At INTEGRA, we design our products to ensure low wear and easy serviceability. Moreover, we offer consumable solutions that are low in plastic, for both reservoirs and pipette tips.

    Learn more about our sustainability initiatives and goals.

Customer Voices

See it work

Scientist mounting a VIAFLO electronic multichannel pipette to an ASSIST pipetting automation system.
ASSIST automated pipette filling a 96 well plate with red liquid.
Scientist checking serial dilution in a well plate, with an ASSIST pipetting robot in the background.
Dartboard with darts in bullseye, with ASSIST automatic pipette in the background.

Uses and Applications

Overview Applications Stories

Applications

Serial Dilutions
Serial Dilutions

Carry out serial dilutions automatically

Serial dilutions can be tedious due to the many mixing steps that are required. ASSIST carries out your serial dilution protocols automatically. Simply define the number of mixing cycles, speed and mix volume.

Serial dilutions are often carried out with the plate in portrait orientation. This allows more samples to be diluted. ASSIST allows working in landscape and portrait format.

The concentrated sample can be drawn from a reagent reservoir, a PCR tube strip and the plate itself (e.g. First column). In addition, the sample can also be aspirated with the pipette from an external source before placing it on the ASSIST and starting the protocol.

ASSIST automated pipetting system performing serial dilutions using a VIAFLO electronic multichannel pipette.
Serial Dilution using ASSIST
Plate Fillings
Plate Fillings

Filling microplates without risking repetitive strain injury

Filling multiple plates might not be a difficult task but is strenuous nonetheless. In order to improve pipetting ergonomics, manual pipetting should be minimized.

ASSIST helps you to fill microplates without risking repetitive strain injury.

ASSIST automatic pipette filling a 96 well plate with red liquid.
Plate Filling using ASSIST
Reagent Additions
Reagent Additions

Homogenous distribution of samples

Draw reagent from the reagent reservoir, a PCR tube strip , the plate itself or an external source to add it to the target plate.

An optional mixing step helps to achieve a homogenous distribution of the sample. For a precise liquid transfer and to make sure that no remaining liquid clings to the tip end, performing a touch off is common practice. ASSIST allows both a touch off on the side wall of the well or inside the liquid.

Reagent addition using the ASSIST automated pipetting system.
Reagent Addition using ASSIST
Tissue typing
Tissue typing

Increase confidence in a laboratory’s tissue typing workflow

The ASSIST personal pipetting assistant offers optimized programs for use with Linkage Biosciences LinkSēq™ tissue typing products. It has been demonstrated to increase confidence in a laboratory’s tissue typing workflow. Offering consistent dispensing volume, tip immersion depth and pipetting angle, the reproducibility and accuracy of tissue typing protocols are increased, while the risk for human errors is minimized.

Automate LinkSēq™ Tissue Typing Protocols
Show all applications
Show all stories

Tech info

Find here a quick overview of the product specifications. More detailed information can be found in the download-section below.

Dimensions (W x D x H)
34 cm x 36 cm x 40 cm
Weight
10 kg
Operating conditions
Temperature: 5 °C – 40 °C, Humidity: <85 % non-condensing
Power requirements
100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Pipetting technology
Air displacement

Downloads & More

Parts and numbers

Instruments
Instruments

ASSIST

Description Part No.
Pipetting Platform, incl. a reservoir sample pack of each size 4500

 

ASSIST automated pipetting system base unit.
ASSIST base unit
Accessories
Accessories

Pipette Accessories, Plate Holders, Charging and Communication options

Description Part No.
Pipette Li-ion battery 4205
Communication module for INTEGRA electronic pipettes 4221
Slanted plate holder (0°-30°) 4510
PCR 96 well cooling block 6250
PCR 384 well cooling block 6255
VIAFLO Electronic Pipettes
VIAFLO Electronic Pipettes

8-, 12- and 16-Channel VIAFLO Pipettes

8-Channel VIAFLO Pipettes

(Communication module and power supply not included)

Volume Range Part No.
0.5 – 12.5 µl 4621
2 – 50 µl 4626
5 – 125 µl 4622
10 – 300 µl 4623
50 – 1250 µl 4624

 12-Channel VIAFLO Pipettes

(Communication module and power supply not included)

Volume Range Part No.
0.5 – 12.5 µl 4631
2 – 50 µl 4636
5 – 125 µl 4632
10 – 300 µl 4633
50 – 1250 µl 4634

16-Channel VIAFLO Pipettes

(Communication module and power supply not included)

Volume Range Part No.
0.5 – 12.5 µl 4641
2 – 50 µl 4646
5 – 125 µl 4642
INTEGRA’s range of VIAFLO electronic pipettes.
VIAFLO multichannel electronic pipettes
GRIPTIP® Pipette Tips
GRIPTIP® Pipette Tips

Use the GripTip Selector Guide to find your pipette tips.

More about ASSIST

Consumables

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