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Filters for pipette tips

Different kinds of pipette filter tips

Filter tips are designed to protect both the sample and the pipette from contamination by aerosols, droplets and sometimes liquid carryover. While they all look similar at a glance, there are important differences in how they work and where they’re best used.

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Standard filter tips (single‑phase filters)

The classic “filter tip” has a "single porous plug" in the upper part of the tip. This acts as a barrier to aerosols and droplets, reducing the risk of contaminating the pipette shaft and helps protect subsequent samples from carryover.

However, simple single‑layer filters can be limited in their ability to fully retain very fine particles or biomolecules, and they may not reliably block liquid if you over‑pipette.

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Dual‑filter tips (two‑phase aerosol filters)

Dual‑filter tips use two filter layers with different pore structures, providing a more effective barrier than a single filter. Eppendorf ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S.® were among the first tips with such a two‑phase filter designed for high protection against aerosols and biomolecules. The two defined filter layers help retain contaminating particles and molecules far more efficiently than a conventional single filter, making them well suited to sensitive applications such as PCR and microbiology where cross‑contamination must be minimized.

These tips are tested according to EN 29463 (EPA/HEPA filter performance) and show a minimum particle collection efficiency of 99.5 % for aerosol particles in the 0.05–0.5 µm range, which makes them attractive for cleanroom and pharma environments as well.

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Self‑sealing / liquid‑blocking filter tips

A further development are self‑sealing filter tips, which combine aerosol filtration with active protection against over‑pipetting.
Eppendorf ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S.® SealMax® are a good example:
They also use the two‑phase dual filter concept for strong aerosol and biomolecule retention. In addition, they incorporate liquid‑blocking (self‑sealing) technology: when over‑pipetted sample reaches the filter, the violet layer closes and forms a barrier, preventing liquid from passing further and protecting both pipette and sample from mutual contamination.

Because of this combination, ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S. SealMax are particularly recommended for high‑sensitivity methods such as PCR and microbiology, where even small amounts of carryover or degraded sample can compromise results.

Where each type is typically used

Standard single‑filter tips

  • Routine molecular biology
  • General contamination‑reduction tasks when risk and sensitivity are moderate

Dual‑filter tips

  • e.g. ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S.
  • Cleanroom and pharmaceutical work where aerosol control is crucial
  • Standard PCR, qPCR, microbiology and cell culture where cross‑contamination must be minimized

Self‑sealing dual‑filter tips

  • e.g. ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S. SealMax
  • High‑sensitivity PCR and microbiology
  • Workflows prone to accidental over‑pipetting or where aggressive liquids might otherwise reach the pipette cone

Reliable protection from mycoplasma

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Protect your pipette from aerosols and thus avoid contamination

Aerosols are generated with every pipetting step – even during routine work – and can silently contaminate your pipette and your results. In this study, DNA, viruses, mycoplasma and bacteria all formed aerosols that infiltrated the pipette’s lower part. We showed how two-layer filter effectively blocked these aerosols from entering the shaft, underlining how high‑quality filter tips are essential for truly contamination‑free, reliable pipetting.

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Aerosol Protection | ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S.® & ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S.® SealMax®

A practical demonstration of aerosol protection with ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S.® & ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S.® SealMax® .

Aerosol formation during pipetting with air cushion pipettes is a major concern in laboratories due to the risk of contamination which can lead to incorrect results. The formation of aerosols with various biological samples including DNA, viruses, mycoplasma and bacteria, and the resulting contamination risk during pipetting. Aerosols can infiltrate and contaminate the pipette lower part, even by regular pipetting. The use of ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S. filter pipette tips and ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S. SealMax with a two-layered filter is highly effective in preventing such contamination. Regardless of the sample type, they efficiently blocked aerosols from entering the pipette shaft, ensuring contamination-free pipetting. These results highlight the critical role of high-quality filter pipette tips for reliable and reproducible results.

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