CPMS COLLEGE OF

NURSING

ASSIGNMENT
ON
SETTING, USE AND MAINTAINANCE
OF CENTRIFUGE MACHINE

DATED: 24th June, 2021

SUBJECT: CHILD HEALTH NURSING

SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY:

MAAM ARCHANA DAS AMY LALRINGHLUANI
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR M.Sc. (N) 1ST YEAR
M.Sc. (N) CHILD HEALTH NURSING CPMS CON
CPMS CON
INTRODUCTION
Biological centrifugation is a process that uses centrifugal force to separate and purify
mixtures of biological particles in a liquid medium. • It is a key technique for isolating and
analysing cells, subcellular fractions, supramolecular complexes and isolated macromolecules
such as proteins or nucleic acids.

DEFINITION
Centrifuge Machine:
Centrifuge machine is a device for separating particles from a solution according to their size,
shape, density, viscosity of the medium.
A device use to separate heavier particles from the lighter one by the action of centrifugal
force
Centrifugation:
Centrifugation is a process which involves the use of the centrifugal force for the
sedimentation of heterogeneous mixtures with a centrifuge.
Centrifugal force:
Centrifugal force is a force, arising from the body's inertia, which to act on a body moving in
a circular path and is directed away from the centre around which the body is moving.

COMPONENT OF THE CENTRIFUGE MACHINE

1. Rotor
 The principle component of a centrifuge is the rotor, which is the moving part that
spins at high speeds.
 Rotors can be fixed in position, or a centrifuge can use multiple rotors fixed atop
part called the spindle.
Types:
1. Fixed-angle :-
 Fixed angle rotor centrifuges are probably the most common type of this
instrument encounter in the lab.
 These centrifuges, in which tubes sit in a fixed and angled position, are used
in differential centrifugation protocols.
 In these protocols, a series of centrifugations at different speeds can be used
to purify biological specimens like animal cells.

2. Ultracentrifuges :-
 It can spin in excess of 70,000 rpm, which makes it well suited for the
isolation of small particles, like DNA or viruses.
 2. Tubes
a) Glass centrifuge tubes
 Can be used with most solvents, but tend to be more expensive.
 They can be cleaned like other laboratory glassware, and can be
sterilized by autoclaving.

b) Plastic centrifuge tubes

 Especially micro-centrifuge tubes tend to be less expensive.
 Water is preferred when plastic centrifuge tubes are used.
 They are more difficult to clean thoroughly, and are usually
inexpensive enough to be considered disposable

TYPES
Centrifuges are generally divided into 3 categories based on their maximum attainable speed:
1. "Low-speed": max ~5 x 10 3 rpm.
2. "High-speed": max ~2 x 10 4 rpm.
3. "Ultracentrifuges": max ~10 5 rpm

APPLICATIONS
 Separate solids from solution
 Used during urinalysis to separate disease identifying components
 Separate blood into plasma and cellular components

PROCEDURE OF USE
1. Identify the speed and duration at which you wish to centrifuge samples prior to using
the instrument
2. Place the instrument on a firm surface
3. Don gloves
4. Check the rotor you intend to use and be certain that the rotor is rated for the speed at
which you like to use it.
5. Enter the centrifugation speed
6. If the rotor is not capable of being operated at the target speed, you will need to
identify the rotor that is capable of being used at the desired speed, and then transfer
your samples to a centrifuge tube that will fit and rebalance the samples, remembering
to include the lids when balancing
7. Place the rotor in the centrifuge with the 2 pins on the underside of the rotor forming a
cross with the 2 pins found on the spindle of the centrifuge. Check the name of the
rotor and confirm the target speed. Locate the correct lid for the selected rotor and
place it beside the centrifuge.
8. Place the samples into the rotor. If the samples do not all have the same mass, place
samples with the same mass on opposite sides of the rotor. Load the tubes opposite
each other in the centrifuge
 9. Once the samples are loaded, check the rotor type again, confirm that you have the
correct lid for the selected rotor and then screw the rotor lid onto the spindle.
10. The rotor lid set screw tums opposite to "normal" screws. Check for proper set screw
direction by looking at the diagram on the lid.
11. If this is a swinging bucket rotor, there is no lid.
12. Once the rotor lid is secured, close the centrifuge lid and set the desired temperature,
the desired speed and the desired spin time
13. When everything is set, press the "Start" button and wait for the instrument to ramp
up to the desired speed.
14. It is normal to see a small vibration in the instrument as the speed moves from 100 to
2500 rpm.
15. Any large vibration in the instrument or irregular noise may indicate that something
has gone wrong with the run. Press the "Stop" button and move away from the
instrument.
16. Immediately contact a faculty member who can assist you BEFORE you open the lid
to the centrifuge.
17. If no problems are detected as the instrument reaches the desired speed, you may
leave the area until the run is complete.
18. When the run has completed and the rotor has come to a complete stop, you may
unscrew the rotor lid and carefully remove your samples.
19. Should a sample vial have leaked during the run, you MUST IMMEDIATELY clean
the spill and dry the rotor.
20. It is easy to miss spilled liquids in the bottom of the positions of the rotor; however,
this liquid will cause an imbalance in the subsequent run that may lead to catastrophic
failure.
21. Remove the rotor from the centrifuge and place in the appropriate box adjacent to the
unit.
22. If the rotor is a fixed angle rotor, put the lid on top of the rotor in the box.
23. Should a sample vial have leaked during the run, you MUST IMMEDIATELY clean
the spill and dry the rotor.
24. It is easy to miss spilled liquids in the bottom of the positions of the rotor, however,
this liquid will cause an imbalance in the subsequent run that may lead to catastrophic
failure.
25. Clean the area around the centrifuge with 70% ethanol (denatured) and wipe dry.
26. This MUST be done following EVERY run. Failure to clean up after you may ruin
subsequent users' experiments and/or facilitate the spread of contamination
throughout the department.

CENTRIFUGE SAFETY
 Always wear gloves and PPE when type of use necessitates
 Before using, read the owner's manual.
 Do not operate a centrifuge until having been shown proper use by an experienced
operator.
  Check that the centrifuge chamber and drive spindle of the rotor is free of scratches or
burrs.
 Decontaminate centrifuge of biological hazards before servicing.
 Never repair a cracked or bent rotor.
 If rotor has been replaced, tighten knob/screw fastening rotor to the shaft to prevent
hazardous loosening.
 Prolonged contact with some disinfectants can cause damage to rotor and other
components (e.g. 10% sodium hypochlorite).
 Follow your facility’s safety procedures when cleaning and disinfecting the centrifuge
 Never attempt to touch or stop a spinning rotor by hand or with another tool or object.
 Always place the centrifuge on a flat surface
 Always unplug the power cord before cleaning
 Before moving the centrifuge to a new location, the exterior and interior surfaces
should be cleaned and disinfected
 Plug in centrifuge only when completely dry
 Ensure that centrifuge bowls and tubes are dry.
 Ensure that the spindle is clean
 Ensure that the rotor is properly seated on the drive shaft.
 Make sure that tubes or containers are properly balanced in the rotor.
 Do not exceed the rotor’s maximum run speed.
 Close the centrifuge lid during operation.
 Make sure that the centrifuge is operating normally before leaving the area.
 Make sure that the rotor has come to a complete stop before opening the lid.

MAINTENANCE OF CENTRIFUGE
1. Daily maintenance
 Wipe the inside of the bowl with disinfectant solution and rinse thoroughly.
 The centrifuge must not be used if the interior is hot, if unusual vibrations or
noises occur, or if deterioration (corrosion of parts) is detected.
 A qualified service technician should be contacted.
 Most vibrations are due to improper balancing and can be corrected by
rebalancing the buckets and tubes.

2. Monthly maintenance
 Clean the centrifuge housing, rotor chamber, rotors and rotor accessories with
a neutral cleaning agent.
 Clean plastic and non-metal parts with a fresh solution of 0.5% sodium
hypochlorite.
How to clean centrifuge
Centrifuge interiors are made from a range of materials-plastic, ceramic, aluminium and
stainless steel-that manufacturers use in the search for performance in a high-stress
environment. Manufacturers' recommendations on the cleaners and scrubbers to use and
method and frequency of application take this into account and will get the best results.

 Clean the centrifuge daily, or at least weekly.

 Remove the rotor and any sample or container holders.
 Interior cleaning includes the interior bucket, specimen holder, rotor and supports.
 Use a sponge, warm water and a mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid.
 Do not use caustic detergents or any product containing chlorine ions. (Diluted bleach
is sometimes used as a disinfectant, but at full strength can attack stainless steel and
discolour or damage the bowl (see below). A plastic scrub pad can be used, but
products such as steel wool, wire brushes and other abrasives can damage coatings
and lead to corrosion.
 Spills should be wiped up immediately. Clean both the exterior and the interior.
 Do not pour water directly into the chamber or flood the inside of the centrifuge with
cleaner. Sensors, gaskets, seals, wiring and other parts that may be present can be
easily damaged. Motors, vacuum pumps, condensers and other expensive parts can
also be damaged by exposure to water and cleaning products.
 Scrub tube cavities with a test tube brush with non-metallic tip. Dry each part with an
absorbent towel.

DISINFECTING AND DECONTAMINATION

 Disinfect on a regular basis.
 Approved disinfectants and/or "spill kits" should be used.
 A 10% bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) can be used
 After cleaning with a bleach dilution, dispose of any remaining mix.
 Many rotors have sealed compartments that provide aerosol containment and confine
spills of toxic, pathogenic, infectious or radioactive materials.
 If breakage occurs, it may be that only the sealed containers require decontamination.
 It will be necessary to decontaminate the chamber if a sample-holder in an unsealed
carrier breaks or if any occurrence allows the sample out of the sealed compartment.
 Allow sufficient time for the disinfectant to work.
 If a spill occurs outside a containment device, follow facility rules on procedures and
reporting. The protocols for spills outside of containment devices, including
centrifuges, almost always differ from those for contained spills, and users of
equipment should be aware of the appropriate steps to promote worker and
environmental safety.
 Spill clean-up requires proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including a lab
coat or gown, and gloves. A face shield, shoe covers or respirator may be needed as
well.
 Spills of radioactive substances can often be addressed with a decontamination
solution of 70% ethanol and 10% sodium dodecyl sulphate in water. Parts will need to
be rinsed with ethanol first, and the following decontamination, with deionized water.
 Appropriate protective gear should be worn and properly disposed of after use.