Safety pipette and adaptor tip

A disposable pipette, comprising

• a translucent tube provided with first and second ends, the first end being an elongated passageway of substantially smaller diameter than the remainder of said tube and the second end positioned opposite the first end being vented to permit the passage of air in and out of the tube;
• a porous barrier plug mounted in the tube at a position close to the second end thereof;
• sealing means operably mounted in the tube at a position between the second end thereof and the barrier plug, said sealing means being capable of adopting at least a closed position and an open position into which the sealing means must be forced;
• and
• means for closing the sealing means, said closing means being mounted in the tube at a position between the second end thereof and the sealing means, wherein when the first end of the pipette is immersed in a fluid, when the sealing means is forced to the open position and when the second end is connected to a suction means, the fluid is suctioned into the pipette.

A disposable pipette insert, comprising

• a translucent hollow tube provided with first and second ends, a length shorter than a pipette and an outer diameter permitting the tube to sealably fit the first end into a suction end of the pipette with the second end of the tube being flush with said suction end;
• a porous barrier plug mounted in the tube at a position close to the first end of the tube and held in such position;
• sealing means operably mounted in the tube at a position between the second end thereof and the barrier plug, said sealing means being capable of adopting at least a closed position and an open position into which it must be forced;
• and
• means for closing the sealing means, said closing means being mounted in the tube at a position between the second end thereof and the sealing means, wherein when the sealing means is forced into the open position, air can flow in and out of the tube.