連續流轉子
連續流轉子離心機不需要填充和潷析大量離心管，也不需要頻繁啟動和停止轉子，即可在高離心力下離心分離大量樣本。使用該轉子時，要麼收集上清液，要麼刮掉沉澱物。根據如下兩個原因，連續流轉子可不斷使材料處理時間減到最小：
- 其時程較短，可減少整體沉澱時間。因此，其可以有效從樣本流中沉澱出固體，並促進材料快速流過轉子。
- 其容量較大。因此，不需要像傳統轉子一樣頻繁啟動停止。減少樣本處理以及轉子加速/減速運行之間的等待時間損耗，從而節約時間。
連續流轉子的主要應用包括：大病毒、線粒體、組織勻漿、細菌、細胞收取和藻類收取。以下情況下，最好使用連續流轉取：
- 收集顆粒的沉澱係數大於 50 S。由於轉子的沉澱效率較高，固體材料從液體介質的分離速度快於使用吊桶式轉子或定角式轉子。
- 樣本固/液比低 (5-15％)。在固體/液體比例為 15％ 以上時，轉子效率往往過高，即填充後會立即沉澱。這意味著需要反覆地停止機器去取出沉澱物，在轉子加速/減速運行之間和清洗時浪費過多時間。相反的，如果樣品含有較少量固體材料，轉子可長時間運行，在關機間隙處理大量樣本。
FAQ Continuous Flow Centrifuge Rotors
What types of samples can be processed with continuous flow rotors?
Continuous flow rotors can be used for cell cultures, microbial suspensions, viral preparations, fermentation broths, tissue homogenates and other biological samples that require large-volume processing and particle recovery.
Why are continuous flow rotors used for large-scale centrifugation?
Continuous flow rotors help eliminate many of the inefficiencies associated with repeated batch processing. By allowing continuous sample loading and processing, they can significantly improve throughput when handling large sample volumes.
How does a continuous flow centrifuge work?
In a continuous flow centrifuge, the sample is continuously fed into the spinning rotor while clarified liquid exits the system. Particles with sufficient sedimentation properties are retained and concentrated within the rotor, allowing large sample volumes to be processed efficiently.
Why are continuous flow rotors advantageous for dilute samples?
Samples with low solid concentrations allow the rotor to operate for extended periods before unloading is required. This enables continuous processing of large volumes, making the workflow more efficient and reducing downtime.
When should a continuous flow rotor be used?
A continuous flow rotor is best suited for processing large sample volumes that contain relatively low concentrations of solid particles. It is particularly effective when the particles have a sedimentation coefficient greater than 50 S, allowing rapid and efficient separation.
What happens if the solid concentration exceeds 15%?
When the solid-to-liquid ratio is above 15%, pellet formation can occur too quickly, causing the rotor to fill rapidly. This requires frequent stops for pellet removal and cleaning, reducing overall process efficiency due to repeated acceleration and deceleration cycles.
What are the advantages of continuous flow centrifugation?
Continuous flow centrifugation can reduce sample handling, improve throughput, minimize downtime between runs and support efficient processing of large-volume samples. These advantages make continuous flow rotors valuable for scale-up and production-oriented centrifugation workflows.
What is the difference between a continuous flow rotor and a standard centrifuge rotor?
Standard centrifuge rotors process samples in discrete batches using individual tubes or bottles. Continuous flow rotors allow material to be processed continuously while the rotor remains in operation, making them better suited for large-scale centrifugation and high-throughput workflows.
Why is a continuous flow rotor recommended for particles with a sedimentation coefficient above 50 S?
Continuous flow rotors have very high pelleting efficiency. For particles with sedimentation coefficients greater than 50 S, they can separate solids from liquids more quickly than fixed-angle or swinging-bucket rotors, improving throughput and reducing processing time.
What is a continuous flow rotor?
A continuous flow rotor is a centrifuge rotor that allows samples to be continuously introduced and processed while the rotor remains in operation. This design enables efficient processing of large sample volumes without the need for repeated centrifuge tube loading and unloading.
What applications are continuous flow rotors commonly used for?
Continuous flow rotors are commonly used for large-scale cell harvesting, bacterial and yeast culture processing, virus purification, cell culture clarification, and concentration of biological particles from large liquid volumes.
What is the ideal solid-to-liquid ratio for a continuous flow rotor?
A continuous flow rotor performs best when the sample contains approximately 5% to 15% solids. Within this range, the rotor can process large volumes efficiently without requiring frequent interruptions.
