New Benchtop Centrifuge Incorporates Hybrid Rotor for Application Flexibility

Thermo Scientific Medifuge small benchtop centrifuge provides versatility within a compact footprint

9 Feb 2016
Lois Manton-O'Byrne, PhD
Executive Editor

Product news

Clinical and life science researchers can now benefit from a new benchtop centrifuge that features a unique 2-in-1 hybrid rotor that has interchangeable fixed-angle and swinging buckets to facilitate quick and convenient switching between applications.

Rotor exchange can be time-consuming and expensive, particularly for researchers constantly alternating between sample vessels. When coupled with the Thermo Scientific DualSpin rotor, the versatile Thermo Scientific Medifuge small benchtop centrifuge provides the flexibility to perform several applications on a single platform.

The unique 2-in-1-rotor is designed to improve productivity and increase cost efficiencies by eliminating the need to exchange or purchase additional rotors, or even a different centrifuge, to meet the application demands of the lab. The Medifuge centrifuge incorporates safety and environmental sustainability features such as an emergency lid-lock release, in case of power failure; quiet operation at less than 56 dBA; and a lightweight composite rotor that is easy to handle and saves energy during acceleration/deceleration. The compact footprint makes this new benchtop centrifuge an ideal choice for labs with limited space.

The centrifuge is designed for simple operation, and it features a large, brightly lit display with intuitive controls and a fast one-click closure. The four customizable programs allow users to quickly run routine protocols, while three deceleration profiles – standard, soft and brake-off – are designed to provide optimal separation.

The centrifuge can accommodate a wide range of tubes, from 1.4 mL to 15 mL, with two spacer options, including clinical IVD blood tubes, gel tubes, standard syringes and conical tubes. Serum preparation can be done with the swinging buckets, which minimizes contamination risk, while cell pelleting, which often requires low g force, can be performed using the fixed-angle buckets. Researchers can also run both fixed-angle and swinging buckets at the same time for separation comparison studies.

“We know how important it is to efficiently use bench space, especially for labs working across a range of applications that have diverse centrifugation requirements,” said Hugh Tansey, global product director, centrifuges, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “The Medifuge small benchtop centrifuge offers a 2-in-1 solution for such labs, increasing productivity in existing workflows.”

The Medifuge centrifuge conforms to the latest clinical and safety standards, such as UL, CE and IVD, and is listed with US FDA as a Class 1 device.

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CentrifugesCentrifuges are used to separate particulates suspended in a liquid via the application of a centrifugal force including cells, macromolecules, nanoparticles and precipitates. Centrifuges come in three sizes: microcentrifuges, benchtop and floor-standing centrifuges, depending on the volume and number of samples that require separation. When choosing a centrifuge, consider its maximum separation power indicated by its relative centrifugal force (RCF) value. Low force centrifuges reach a maximum RCF of 8,000 g, high-force centrifuges can reach maximum RCF values of 80,000 g. For extremely high forces, consider ultracentrifuges (up to 800,000 g). Refrigerated and vacuum centrifuges also known as concentrators are available for more specialized applications. A range of volumes are available for centrifuge tubes and microfuge tubes, depending on sample sizes. Find the best centrifuges in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.Blood AnalysisThe analysis of blood is vital for many areas of life sciences and forensic investigations. Blood samples can be tested for a number of different reasons such as diagnosis, glucose levels, cholesterol and drug testing.Human SerumHuman serum is found in blood plasma. The protein is used in a variety of applications including tissue engineering, transplantation and cell therapy.Contamination PreventionContamination prevention aims to control and minimize the risk of contamination during experiments. Biological safety cabinets and sterilization equipment are examples of technologies used to prevent contamination.
New Benchtop Centrifuge Incorporates Hybrid Rotor for Application Flexibility