At Medical Supplies and Equipment Company, we carry a wide variety of microcentrifuge tubes for you to choose from. The microcentrifuge tubes in our inventory are compatible with the many centrifuges in use today. Whether in a laboratory or blood bank, our microcentrifuge tubes will serve your practice well even after extended use.
A microcentrifuge is a small mechanical device that uses centrifugal force, created by high-speed horizontal rotation, to separate materials of different densities in microcentrifuge tubes. This action will separate solids from liquids or liquids from other liquids. The particles that have more density than others will move along the length of the microcentrifuge tubes to a greater radius of rotation. The lighter particles will be displaced at the other end of the microcentrifuge tubes.
The centrifuge itself is a relatively new innovation in the science and medical communities. Nonetheless, the centrifuge has had a significant impact in the realm of diagnostics and investigation. Though the innovation can be traced to the 1700’s, when Benjamin Robbins, an English military engineer, invented a whirling arm apparatus that was used to determine drag. Then in 1883, Carl G.P. de Laval, an engineer in Sweden, developed a successful centrifuge whose chief design was used for cream separators. The next major innovation in centrifuge development came almost 40 years later. In 1925, Theodore Svedberg invented the ultracentrifuge. This device used very high acceleration, allowing observation of sedimentation rates for macromolecules. In conjunction with his ultracentrifuge, he used an optical system to observe sedimentation rates. Svedberg was then able to accurately determine the molecular weights of substances, including proteins and viruses. Svedberg won the 1926 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his invention. Today, centrifuges are used for such diverse purposes as simulating gravitational fields in space and for drying laundry.
The basic construction of a centrifuge consists of a fixed base or frame and a rotating part where an object is placed and then spun at high speed. If microcentrifuge tubes are used, the tubes will contain specimens which will be placed in the rotating section and securely held in place by the way of holders. They will be arranged so that when the rotary motion begins, the microcentrifuge tubes will swing into a slanted or a horizontal position with the open ends toward the axis of rotation. The heavier particles of the liquid will be thrown toward the bottoms of the microcentrifuge tubes and the lighter particles will rise to the tops of the tubes.
APPLICATIONS of MICROCENTRIFUGE TUBES
• Cell centrifugation; pelleting; separation by density gradients
• Sample storage (room temperature or frozen)
• Centrifugation of precipitates
• Molecular biology
FEATURES of MICROCENTRIFUGE TUBES
Sturdy, Durable Polypropylene
• Chemically resistant to alcohols and mild solvents
• Sterilized with ethylene oxide
• Either clear or in assorted color packs consisting of red, green, yellow, blue, and orange tubes
• Translucency allows easy viewing of tube contents
• Maximum RCF is 17,000 x g
Conical Design
• Fits most standard table-top centrifuges
Snap-On Caps
• Biologically inert
• Chemical resistant surfaces
• Syringe pierce-able
Screw-On Caps
• Polyethylene caps
• Flat tops for easy writing or label attachment
White Graduations
• Easy to read, bold markings
Labeling Area
• Frosted writing area for convenient and easy-to-read labeling
• Facilitates sample identification
At Medical Supplies and Equipment Company, it is our goal to be your one-stop reliable source for all your medical equipment and supply needs including microcentrifuge tubes. After browsing our online inventory, please don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 1-877-706-4480 if you have any questions or need any further assistance.
