Cytospin centrifuge

Introduction

A cytospin centrifuge is a centrifuge used for the preparation of the cell smears on the microscope slides by the centrifugation, and it is used in the cytology, the pathology, the clinical, and the many other applications. The cytospin centrifuge deposits the cells from the liquid samples, such as the body fluids, onto the slides by the centrifugation through the funnels, providing the concentrated and the well-distributed cell smears for the microscopic examination; the cytospin centrifuge consists of a centrifuge rotor with the slide holders and the funnels, a motor, a speed and a time control, and the housing, and it provides the cell deposition, with the preset programs; the cytospin centrifuge is used for the preparation of the cell smears from the cerebrospinal fluid, the pleural fluid, the urine, and the other body fluids, for the cytology, for the pathology, for the research, and for many other applications, and it is an essential instrument in the cytology laboratory. Cytospin centrifuges are used in the cytology, in the pathology, in the clinical laboratories, in the research, and for many other applications. With their cell deposition, cytospin centrifuges are essential for the preparation of the cell smears.

Cytospin Centrifuge LCYC-T2020

Cytospin Centrifuge has a maximum speed of 4000 rpm with an accuracy of ± 20 rpm. It features dual drainage channels to prevent water accumulation, making it suitable for clinical envir...

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Cytospin Centrifuge LCYC-T2010

Cytospin Centrifuge of 12 × 0.5 ml for micro-volume applications. Its separation modes to optimize settings. The tool-free rotor change enhances convenience. Its design promotes improve...

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Standards

IEC 61010-2-020:2016-Particular requirements for laboratory centrifuges

Complies with the above standards, but is not limited to them.

Features

1. Cytospin centrifuge for preparing monolayer cell smears on microscope slides by cytocentrifugation.

2. Low-speed centrifugation with controlled acceleration to deposit cells evenly onto glass slides.

3. Suitable for clinical cytology, hematology, pathology, research, veterinary and diagnostic laboratories.

4. Includes rotor, cytology funnels, filter cards, slide clips, lid, controller and operation manual.

5. Supports cytological smear preparation for cell morphology analysis, differential counting and diagnosis.

FAQ

Q1: What testing scenarios is this centrifuge mainly applied to?

A: The cytospin centrifuge is used in clinical cytology, hematology, pathology, research, veterinary diagnostics, and biomedical research to prepare uniform monolayer cell smears on microscope slides by cytocentrifugation (low-speed centrifugation that deposits cells from suspension onto a defined area of a glass slide while preserving cell morphology). It supports clinical cytology (cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology, body cavity fluids (pleural, peritoneal, pericardial), synovial fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), urine cytology, fine needle aspirates (FNA)), hematology (blood cell morphology, bone marrow smears, abnormal cell identification), pathology (tumor cell analysis, cancer diagnosis from body fluids), veterinary cytology (animal body fluids, ear smears, skin scrapings), and research (cell culture morphology, immunocytochemistry sample preparation, cell viability assessment).

Q2: What standards does the centrifuge comply with?

A: The cytospin centrifuge follows relevant ISO, IEC, CLSI and GB/T standards including IEC 61010-2-020 (safety requirements for centrifuges), ISO 13485 (medical device quality management, for clinical use), CLSI guidelines (clinical laboratory standards), and applicable medical device regulations (FDA, CE IVD, NMPA). The hardware complies with applicable EMC standards. For clinical use, the instrument and reagents should be IVD-registered/approved. Calibration should verify speed (RPM) and time accuracy using calibrated tachometer and timer.

Q3: What is the warranty period for the whole centrifuge and key components?

A: The whole cytospin centrifuge is covered by a 12-month warranty. The rotor, motor, controller, lid, safety interlock and housing are covered, while cytology funnels, filter cards (absorbent pads), slide clips, rotor seals and fuses are consumables or accessories. Damage from improper use, rotor imbalance, fluid spillage/corrosion, motor damage or unauthorized repair is excluded. Extended warranty may be available.

Q4: Is this device difficult to operate? Is professional training required?

A: Operation requires trained clinical laboratory personnel familiar with cytology sample handling and biosafety. We provide operation manuals and training. Proper sample preparation (cell concentration adjustment (too concentrated = overlapping cells, too dilute = too few cells; optimal 50,000-200,000 cells/mL), sample volume (typically 100-500 microliters per funnel), assembly (funnel + filter card + slide + clip - proper alignment to prevent leakage), centrifugation parameters (speed typically 500-2000 RPM for 5-10 minutes, low acceleration/deceleration to preserve cell morphology), post-centrifugation handling (prompt fixation (air dry then fix in methanol/ethanol, or wet fixation depending on stain), staining (Papanicolaou, Wright-Giemsa, Diff-Quik, H&E)), and biosafety (all clinical samples treated as potentially infectious; proper PPE, biosafety cabinet for sample handling, decontamination of rotor after use) are important for high-quality cytospin preparations.

Q5: What is the typical lead-time for order delivery?

A: Standard models require 7-30 working days. In-stock units can ship within 3-7 working days. Custom configurations or large built-to-order systems may require additional time, and we confirm the exact schedule before order confirmation.

Q6: Is regular calibration required? What is the recommended calibration cycle?

A: Speed (RPM) calibration recommended every 6-12 months using calibrated tachometer. Timer accuracy verification every 6-12 months. Routine safety interlock check (lid interlock, imbalance shutdown) before each use. Full centrifuge performance verification annually. Rotor inspection (cracks, corrosion, wear) every 3-6 months (rotors have finite lifespan - replace per manufacturer schedule or when damaged). For clinical use, follow applicable quality management (CLIA, CAP, ISO 15189) calibration schedules.

Q7: Are supporting consumables universal?

A: Cytology funnels (single-use plastic, various sample volumes), filter cards/absorbent pads (single-use, absorb excess fluid), microscope slides (standard 1x3 inch, positive charged for immunocytochemistry, plain for routine), slide clips, rotor seals, cleaning supplies (disinfectant, 70% ethanol), staining reagents (Wright-Giemsa, Diff-Quik, Papanicolaou, H&E, methanol fixative) and fuses are available from clinical laboratory suppliers, though funnels and filter cards may be system-specific (rotor/funnel interface). Long-term consumable cost includes funnels and filter cards (per test - moderate cost; single-use items cannot be reused for clinical samples due to cross-contamination risk).

Q8: Can I customize parameters or supporting accessories?

A: Customization includes rotor capacity (number of slides/funnels per run - typically 4, 6, 8, 12), speed range (typically 200-3000 RPM), timer range, acceleration/deceleration control (programmable ramps for gentle cell deposition), rotor type (fixed-angle, swing-out - cytospin typically uses horizontal rotor), control panel (digital, programmable memory for different protocols), safety features (lid interlock, imbalance shutdown, overspeed protection), language and accessories. Additional rotors, funnels, filter cards and accessories can be ordered separately.

Q9: Does the purchase include on-site installation and commissioning service?

A: Standard delivery includes the cytospin centrifuge, rotor, power cord, basic consumables (sample pack of funnels/filter cards/slides sometimes) and instruction manual. On-site installation and training are not included for standard orders but can be arranged at additional cost. Remote guidance is provided.

Q10: What types of samples are compatible with this equipment?

A: The cytospin centrifuge prepares smears from various cell suspensions including body fluids (cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, synovial fluid, ascites, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), sputum (after digestion), urine (centrifuged sediment)), blood and bone marrow (peripheral blood (for abnormal cell concentration, though blood smears are more common), bone marrow aspirate, leukocyte concentrates), fine needle aspirates (FNA) (thyroid, breast, lymph node, lung, liver - after rinsing needle in saline), cell cultures (adherent cells after trypsinization, suspension cells, cell lines for morphology or immunocytochemistry), veterinary samples (animal body fluids, ear swabs (in saline), skin scrapings (in saline), fine needle aspirates), and other cell suspensions (lavage fluids, washings, swab eluates) within the cell concentration, sample volume, and biosafety specification. IMPORTANT: Sample cell concentration is critical (too concentrated = cells overlap, cannot evaluate morphology; too dilute = too few cells for evaluation; optimal 50,000-200,000 cells/mL; adjust by dilution or concentration (centrifuge and resuspend in smaller volume)); sample volume (typically 100-500 microliters per funnel; larger volume = more cells but longer centrifugation; follow manufacturer recommendation); centrifugation parameters (speed and time affect cell morphology and distribution - too fast/long = cell distortion, rupture, or "comet tail" artifact; too slow/short = uneven distribution or too few cells; typical 500-2000 RPM for 5-10 minutes with low acceleration; optimize for sample type (fragile cells (lymphocytes, macrophages) use lower speed; robust cells (epithelial, tumor) can use higher speed)); fixation (prompt fixation is critical for good morphology - air dry then fix in 95% ethanol or methanol for 1-2 minutes (for Papanicolaou, H&E); or use wet fixation (immediately place in fixative while still wet) for some applications; delayed fixation causes cell degeneration and poor staining; for immunocytochemistry, use appropriate fixative (4% paraformaldehyde, acetone, methanol) depending on antigen); and staining (select stain based on sample type and purpose: Wright-Giemsa or Diff-Quik for hematology/body fluid cytology (rapid, good nuclear/cytoplasmic detail), Papanicolaou for gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology (good nuclear detail, cytoplasmic differentiation), H&E for general morphology, special stains (PAS, mucicarmine, Gram, AFB) for specific identification, immunocytochemistry (ICC) for cell type markers (cytokeratin for epithelial, CD45 for leukocytes, etc.)). The cytospin method produces a monolayer of cells in a defined circular area (typically 6-8 mm diameter) on the slide, which is ideal for morphological evaluation and automated cell counting, compared to conventional smears which can be uneven with cell overlap. Biosafety: all clinical samples should be treated as potentially infectious (bloodborne pathogens (HIV, HBV, HCV), respiratory pathogens (TB, influenza), etc.); handle in biosafety cabinet (Class II) for sample preparation and loading; wear appropriate PPE (lab coat, gloves, safety glasses/goggles); decontaminate rotor and chamber after each use (70% ethanol or appropriate disinfectant); dispose of contaminated consumables (funnels, filter cards, slides) as biohazard waste; follow institutional biosafety protocols and applicable regulations (OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, CLIA, CAP).