CENTRIFUGE

Typical Number in Hospital: 30

Cost Bands: 2,3,4

References:

Different constituents of body fluids or body fluids mixed with reagents can be separated on the basis of their density by artificially increasing gravity in a centrifuge. The samples are mounted in tubes on a metal disc which is rotated at high speed so that the heavier components move towards the outside of the disc. Suspensions and emulsions such as blood are used so that the various component parts are separated into layers which may be identified by eye, or by a densitometer or colorimeter.

Such devices are found in the haematology department (e.g. Haematocrit centrifuge), microbiology department or sometimes on the wards. Special conditions, such as freezing, may be created in the centrifuge to favour particular reactions. The rotation speeds are sometimes very high such that special safety precautions are required to dissipate the energy of the rotor before opening the device, and special maintenance and life standards exist to avoid the possibility of failure leading to disintegration of the device.