PIPETTING DEVICES PRELOADED WITH STANDARDIZED CONTROL SAMPLE MATERIALS
Devices and apparatus are disclosed for rapid, consistent, precise and accurate formation of standard solutions for use as reference samples without error, excessive costs, waste and degradation problems. Test reactants, normally solutes, are preloaded in measured amounts into pipette tips or instrument tubing. The devices draw in a measured quantity of liquid, normally solvent, through the tip or tubing, which quickly dissolves or disperses the solute, forming a consistent and accurate solution for an individual test. Since only the amount of solute and solvent which is needed for each individual test is used, there is no preparation of excess solution. Since the invention involves the production of pipette tips preloaded with stable solute, it can be used in many different settings, including emergency rooms and vehicles. Also disclosed is a container for retaining a readily available supply of solvent adjacent to detached pipette tips containing preloaded solute samples, such that when the technician connects the pipette tip to the pipette, the required quantity of solvent can also be obtained and the desired solution sample produced in a single operation.