Pipette with encapsulated or integral filter, and method and apparatus for forming same

A method for fabricating a pipette, the method comprising:

• supplying a heated thermoplastic material forming a tubular wall into a mold cavity, wherein the tubular wall bounds a hollow interior;
• supplying a filter material or a filter material precursor into at least a portion of the hollow interior while the heated thermoplastic material is at an elevated temperature within the mold cavity;
• and
• allowing the heated thermoplastic material to cool and solidify to form a pipette comprising a tubular body arranged between a tip region and a mouthpiece region, with a filter element corresponding to the filter material or the filter material precursor being bound to or encapsulated in an inner wall of the mouthpiece region.

An apparatus for fabricating a pipette having a filter, the apparatus comprising:

• an extrusion die configured to generate flowable thermoplastic material forming a thermoplastic tube having a tubular wall bounding a hollow interior;
• a mold defining a mold cavity configured to receive the thermoplastic tube;
• and
• a material ejector configured to supply a filter material or a filter material precursor into at least a portion of the hollow interior while the thermoplastic tube is within the mold cavity.