When a Bigger Bolus is Better

Graphically represented at the rightFirst, let's consider volumes.

  • A milliliter (mL) is one thousandth the volume of a liter (L) or 10-3L
  • A microliter (µL) is one thousandth the volume of a mL (10-6L)
  • A nanoliter (nL) is one thousandth the volume of a µL (10-9L)
  • A picoliter (pL) is one thousandth the volume of a nL (10-12L)

This is graphically represented at the right. Notice that the mL is one trillion times larger than the picoliter. The table (right) shows that the side of a cube with a volume of 1mL is 1cm long. Likewise, the side of a cube with a volume of 1pL is 10µm long. Just for comparison, it shows that the diameter of a sphere with a volume of 1mL is 1.24cm, and the volume of a sphere with a volume of 1pL is 12.4µm.

With these volume comparisons in mind, lets consider some of the available options for microinjection pumps.

RANGE   PUMPS APPLICATIONS
Milliliter Range 10-3L Syringe Pumps
Peristaltic Pumps		 General pumping applications
Microliter 10-6L UMP3 Tissue/organ/body injection
Microperfusion
Nanoliter 10-9L Nanoliter2010 Cellular Injection
Picoliter 10-12L Pneumatic PicoPumps DNA Injection

Specifications for WPI pumps may be found in the article "Choosing the Correct Pump."

See Selection