ASSIST Pipetting Platform

Description

The ASSIST Pipetting Platform by INTEGRA Biosciences is an accessory designed to automate protocols performed by compatible VIAFLO electronic pipettes. It functions by holding and moving the pipette, thereby minimizing the manual effort and repetitive motions typically associated with multichannel pipetting. This can help reduce the potential for repetitive strain injuries among laboratory personnel. A key technical benefit is the platform's ability to standardize pipetting parameters such as tip immersion depth and pipetting angle, which are often variable in manual operation. This standardization aims to improve the reproducibility of liquid handling results. Communication between the pipette and the ASSIST platform is established via Bluetooth. The system uses a smart pipette adapter that accommodates VIAFLO multichannel pipettes with 8, 12, or 16 channels, covering a volume range from 0.5 µL to 1250 µL. The platform can handle labware from 6-well plates up to 384-well plates, which can be oriented in either portrait or landscape format. The setup is designed to be user-friendly, allowing the same electronic pipette to be used for both automated protocols on the ASSIST platform and for standard manual pipetting tasks when detached.