IPS Syringe & Peristaltic Pump FAQ

A syringe pump drives a syringe plunger forward (infusion) or backward (withdrawal) using a stepper motor and lead screw. The motor advances in precise microsteps — on IPS Series pumps, each microstep displaces the plunger by exactly 357 nanometers — converting directly into a highly accurate, pulse-free flow rate.

Because the syringe volume is fixed and the plunger displacement per step is known, flow rate is calculated — not estimated. This makes syringe pumps inherently more accurate at low flow rates than any other pump type.

IPS Series syringe pumps offer 99% accuracy. This is achieved through Microstep Drive technology (357 nm per microstep) combined with tight manufacturing tolerances on the lead screw and syringe clamp.

For maximum accuracy, always enter the exact inner diameter of the syringe you are using — either by selecting it from the built-in syringe library or by entering the precise measured value in the custom syringe field. Using certified glass syringes with traceable specifications will give the best results.

All four series share the same flow range and core mechanics. The difference is channel count, motor configuration, and connectivity:

The flow rate range depends on the syringe you use. The minimum achievable flow rate is 17.89 pL/min (using a Hamilton 0.5 µL glass syringe) and the maximum is 121.51 mL/min (using a 140 mL syringe at maximum motor speed).

The smaller the syringe bore, the lower the minimum achievable flow rate. Flow rate is entered directly on the touchscreen in mL/hr or µL/min — the pump calculates stepper speed internally.

The maximum syringe volume compatible with IPS Series pumps is 140 mL. The minimum is 0.5 µL (Hamilton glass syringe).

The pump accepts glass, plastic, and stainless steel syringes. You can select from the built-in syringe library or enter a custom syringe diameter and volume directly on the display.

Maximum pressure depends on the linear force of the motor and the inner diameter of the syringe (p = F/A). Linear force by series:

IPS Series pumps use Microstep Drive technology with a linear resolution of 357 nanometers per microstep. This is what enables the exceptionally low minimum flow rates — each microstep displaces only a few hundred nanometers of plunger travel, allowing pL/min-level delivery with a small-bore syringe.

IPS pumps are compatible with glass, plastic, and stainless steel syringes ranging from 0.5 µL to 140 mL. The pump includes a built-in library of common syringe types.

If your syringe is not in the library, select "custom syringe" and enter the inner diameter and total volume — the pump will calculate the correct motor speed automatically.

Yes. Select the custom syringe option on the touchscreen and enter the inner diameter and volume of your syringe. The pump calculates the required motor speed from these values.

On IPS-15 and IPS-16 Wi-Fi models, you can also add custom syringes directly through the iOS or Android mobile app and sync them to the pump.

Yes — IPS Series syringe pumps are widely used in electrospinning and electrospraying applications. The low minimum flow rate (17.89 pL/min) and pulse-free delivery are essential for stable Taylor cone formation and reproducible nanofiber production.

For co-axial electrospinning, the IPS-13 (synchronized dual channel) is the natural choice — both core and shell solutions advance at the same rate. For independent core/shell flow rates, use the IPS-14.

IPS pumps are manufactured by Inovenso Inc., a global leader in electrospinning technology with 500+ systems installed worldwide. For complete electrospinning setups including high-voltage power supplies, collectors, and enclosures, visit inovenso.com.

Yes. IPS pumps are used extensively in microfluidics (droplet generation, lab-on-chip, organ-on-chip) and direct infusion mass spectrometry (ESI-MS, nanospray, LC-MS). Both applications demand pulse-free, highly reproducible flow — exactly what the Microstep Drive system provides.

For MS applications, flow rates in the 0.1–10 µL/min range are typical. A 1 mL or 5 mL glass syringe on the IPS-12 covers this range comfortably.

A syringe pump delivers a finite, precisely calculated volume via plunger displacement. It excels at very low flow rates, pulse-free delivery, and exact volume control. Best for: electrospinning, MS, microfluidics, drug delivery research.

A peristaltic pump compresses flexible tubing with rotating rollers for continuous, high-volume flow. The fluid never contacts the pump mechanism. Best for: bioprocessing, pharmaceutical fill-finish, industrial fluid transfer.

The IPS-15RS and IPS-16RS have built-in Wi-Fi with SSL encryption. They can be controlled from any iOS or Android device via the Inovenso mobile app, or from a web browser on the same network. No dedicated PC is required.

IPS-12, 13, and 14 series do not have wireless connectivity but can be fully operated from the 4.3″ touchscreen, including recipe programming and real-time flow adjustment.

IPS-15RS and IPS-16RS Wi-Fi features include:

• SSL-encrypted wireless connection on standard 2.4 GHz networks
• iOS and Android app (available on App Store and Google Play)
• Remote flow rate adjustment without stopping the pump
• Grouped pump control — manage multiple units simultaneously
• CSV data export for GLP/GMP documentation
• Recipe function — create and run multi-step protocols remotely
• Custom syringe management via the app

The IPS-20 runs from 1 to 600 RPM with a maximum flow rate of 2280 mL/min (tubing dependent). The IPS-21 runs from 0.1 to 100 RPM with 0.1 RPM resolution — same max flow rate but finer speed control for lab-scale work.

The pump head housing is made from PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide) — resistant to heat, solvents, corrosion, and flame, with high mechanical strength and electrical insulation. The rollers are 304 stainless steel for durability and smooth operation. Only the tubing contacts the fluid — the pump mechanism is fully isolated from the sample.

IPS Series pumps are available directly from the online store at microsyringepump.com. Orders ship internationally. For bulk orders, institutional procurement, or distributor inquiries, contact our team.

Yes. The Inovenso IPS team provides technical support for pump selection, application-specific setup, syringe compatibility, and electrospinning integration. Contact us through the contacts page and describe your application — we respond promptly.

Technical datasheets and user manuals for all IPS models are available on the Media & Downloads page.