The components of a mixture or compound can be segregated using a device called a centrifuge. A centrifuge is typically found in facilities and laboratories that carry out activities like specimen component extraction depending on the viscosity, density, and size.
Centrifuges come in various types and can differ in terms of size, built, and rotor speed. However, when it comes to function, they all fall under the principle of sedimentation. Clinical centrifuges are considered ideal in medical technology.
Aside from clinical centrifuges, there are other types of centrifuges available in the market today, including:
Benchtop
Benchtop centrifuges are compact and typically used in research labs and clinics. Benchtop centrifuges are driven by a motor and the tubes are rotated about a fixed axis. It also has a rotor with racks which hold the sample tubes.
It also comes with a lid that protects the working unit. Since benchtop centrifuges are portable, they are considered the ideal choice for mobile diagnostic clinics and smaller laboratories.
Floor standing
Floor centrifuges are bigger compared to the others. They are typically used for high-volume processes. Floor standing centrifuges also come with bigger storage for the specimen samples. They also have certain features not found in the others.
For instance, they can allow continuous flow and centrifugation of large volumes of samples without compromising sedimentation rates.
Haematocrit
To determine the volume of red blood cells in a given sample, haematocrit centrifuges are used. This type of centrifuge will show haematocrit values that are crucial in blood tests, biochemistry tests, and other clinical tests. When spinning tube samples, it can easily reach speeds of 13,000 rpm and RCFs of up to 16,000 g.
Microliter
To separate samples of smaller volumes, a microliter centrifuge is used. A microliter centrifuge can operate up to 18,000 rpm. It is considered as the best choice for phenol extraction and the molecular separation of cell organelles like nuclei and DNA.