Force, simply defined, is the energy required to accomplish a task, and there is a lot more to pipette forces than meets the eye – or the thumb. Aspirating and dispensing are not the only actions in pipetting that requires the use of the thumb muscles. Tip acquisition and ejection usually requires excessive forces that contribute significantly to muscle fatigue. A strong interrelationship also exists between posture and force – as posture deviates from neutral positions, the need for additional exertion increases. Therefore, when considering forces while choosing a pipette,…
Relieve Pipetting Pain With Ovation Pipettes
Unlike any other, Ovation pipettes were designed with user comfort and health in mind. Ergonomics is a Science, not a slogan. “I did my whole Ph.D. with “normal” pipets, resulting in greater and greater levels of wrist pain over the course of 5 years. By my second year of postdoc, it was bad enough that I would procrastinate experiments that involved pipetting…” – Daniel Dickinson, Ph D, University of Texas at Austin Read more about the Ovation pipettes that Dr. Dickinson switched to that helped him avoid giving up experimental…
Ergonomics is a science, not a slogan.
At VistaLab Technologies, we take the science of ergonomics quite seriously. We spent years working with ergonomic experts to study the physiological dynamic of pipetting and the root causes behind injury. It was clear that simply decreasing button pressure or changing a grip wouldn’t make a pipette ergonomic – an entirely new type of device needed to be designed in order to truly minimize the risk factors so common with traditional pipettes. When selecting the best pipette, start by looking at the facts. Ovation is a whole new class of…
Resources & Links
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major national problem costing the economy – by conservative estimates – over $50 billion every year, according to OSHA and confirmed by a recent report by the National Academy of Sciences1 . For those who work in laboratories, the number one cause for work-related MSDs is the use of pipettes. By increasing your awareness of the causative factors for injuries and muscle stress, and adopting ergonomically-correct practices, the risk of injury can be greatly diminished. As a service of our professional community, we are pleased…
Best Practices for Workstation Organization
Ergonomists have suggested that everyone work within a so-called “comfort zone”. This is a semi-circle that your arms make as you reach out. Things that you use on a regular basis should ideally be within easy reach with your full arm. Things that you use frequently and repetitively should be within easy reach of your forearms. Much of the time, problems with reach are simply matters of rearranging your work area and moving things closer to you. Often it is a matter of habit — you are unaware that you…
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