Disposable Pipette Extraction Rebrands to Dispersive Pipette XTRaction

The story behind the name change

Dr. Brewer originated the idea for a solid-phase extraction device while working for the S.C. Law Enforcement Division as a forensic toxicologist. His goal was to streamline sample preparation by transferring liquid samples and performing extractions within a pipette tip. Dr. Brewer obtained a patent for a “Disposable Pipette Extraction” (DPX) device in 2000. This flagship technology has since been rebranded as Dispersive Pipette XTRaction.

The device is unique from all other SPE devices because sorbent material is loosely contained between two barriers within a pipette tip. Product development continued with pipette tips for automated liquid handlers. Since automation tips had a narrow design for 96 well plates Dr. Brewer modified the device to increase extraction efficiency and reproducibility using a “disperser”.  Pipette tips now contain a disperser that forces turbulent mixing of the loose sorbent and sample solution during aspirate and dispense steps. In 2017, a U.S. Patent for Dispersive Pipette Extraction was allowed.

The term “disposable” inevitably did not capture the essence of the product utility. The terminology was rebranded to specify the technology for the device to be known as Dispersive Pipette XTRaction. Prior to the rebrand several published journal articles refer to the technology as Disposable Pipette Extraction. Journal articles for various applications can be found below.

Food Safety Publication References:

Please note we may have missed some references. If you find an article that refers to “Disposable Pipette Extraction” or DPX technology please contact us and we can confirm the use of our product for the sample preparation method.

XTR pipette tip anatomy for dispersive pipette extraction

As we continue to develop new methods and applications for this technology we will reference it as Dispersive Pipette XTRaction. XTR tips can hold 1 – 100 mg of sorbent depending on the tip format. Sorbent chemistry is available in a range of phases to capture unique selectivity for a diverse spectrum of analytes. – Learn more