ARTEL Launches its Pipette Quality Management System for Rapid Implementation of Internal Pipette Calibration Programs

ARTEL launches its Pipette Quality Management System to help laboratories easily transition to a robust, in-house pipette calibration process for greater control over data quality. As part of the Pipette Quality Management System, ARTEL will install and validate the ARTEL PCS^® Pipette Calibration System to seamlessly and rapidly integrate it into existing laboratory operations. ARTEL will also train laboratory staff on using the PCS and its pipette quality management software to ensure optimal execution of liquid handling quality assurance programs.

ARTEL is launching the Pipette Quality Management System at AACC/ASCLS/Clinical Lab Expo 2008, Booth #757, July 29-31, 2008, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC.

Currently, personnel shortages and a scarcity of resources are plaguing clinical, pharmaceutical, and other life science laboratories. These challenges are driving the growing demand for easy-to-use laboratory technologies and an increased reliance on vendor services and training, leading to the introduction of ARTEL’s Pipette Quality Management System.

“Laboratories today need to do more with less, yet maintain compliance with strict quality standards,” said Kirby Pilcher, President, ARTEL. “ARTEL now offers a hybrid solution that allows laboratories to maintain in-house control over pipette calibration operations yet outsource labor-intensive set-up services and leverage the advanced liquid handling expertise that ARTEL possesses.”

As part of the Pipette Quality Management System, ARTEL will install the PCS in customer facilities to speed time to use and streamline the transition process. The PCS is a rapid, user-friendly instrument that automatically measures and documents the accuracy and precision of volumes dispensed from single-channel pipettes. Portable and robust, the PCS can be used on the bench and calibrates pipettes in minutes, providing laboratories the flexibility and convenience of an internal calibration method.

Post-installation, ARTEL will validate the PCS to ensure that the instrument’s performance meets specific laboratory needs and regulatory guidelines. ARTEL’s validation services also include consultation on development of standard operating procedures.

“The Pipette Quality Management System makes it even easier for laboratories to incorporate robust pipette calibration processes into their quality assurance programs,” said Pilcher. “Our new offering will be especially beneficial for companies using the PCS to calibrate pipettes in multiple laboratories, as ARTEL will assist with standardizing the calibration processes to produce comparable data.”

The Pipette Quality Management System includes laboratory staff training. ARTEL liquid handling experts will guide laboratory personnel on optimal use of the PCS and setting up and using its Pipette TrackerTM software. This software allows users to efficiently manage the pipette calibration process by flagging pipettes that are due for calibration and identifying performance trending over time. The ARTEL Pipette Tracker software directly acquires pipette calibration data from the PCS and automatically compares calibration results to user-set tolerances for immediate pass/fail analysis. The software maintains the data to ensure regulatory compliance and supports barcode and calibration label scanning and printing to streamline operations.