TOMY Micro One Personal Benchtop Centrifuge

Overview

The TOMY Micro One Personal Benchtop Centrifuge is an ultra-compact, direct-drive centrifuge engineered for precision and reliability in low-force separation tasks common in molecular biology workflows. Operating on the principle of radial acceleration-induced sedimentation, it delivers controlled relative centrifugal force (RCF) up to 1,290 × g at a maximum rotational speed of 6,000 rpm—optimized for gentle pelleting of PCR reagents, nucleic acid preparations, enzyme stocks, and micro-volume samples without shearing or aerosol generation. Its footprint (155 × 175 × 125 mm) allows seamless integration into biosafety cabinets, laminar flow hoods, or crowded benchtops, making it ideal for point-of-use applications where space, noise, and operational simplicity are critical constraints. Unlike belt-driven or gear-coupled systems, the brushless DC motor and integrated rotor hub ensure minimal vibration, zero maintenance, and long-term rotational stability—key attributes for reproducible microcentrifugation across high-throughput labs.

Key Features

• Tool-free, snap-fit rotor interchange system supporting two standardized configurations: an 8-position fixed-angle rotor for 1.5–2.2 mL microcentrifuge tubes and a dual-row PCR strip rotor accommodating sixteen 0.2 mL tubes (2 × 8 format)
• Dynamic lid-activated braking: automatic motor shutdown within 3 seconds upon lid opening—ensuring operator safety and sample integrity during rapid workflow transitions
• UL94V-0 certified flame-retardant polymer construction (polycarbonate lid, ABS housing and control panel, NBR sealing gasket) for compliance with IEC 61010-1 Class II electrical safety requirements
• Direct-drive motor architecture eliminates transmission losses and mechanical wear, delivering consistent speed accuracy (±20% tolerance per ISO 15197:2013 Annex B guidelines for lab device calibration traceability)
• Low acoustic signature (<45 dB(A) at 1 m distance) achieved through balanced rotor dynamics and vibration-damping chassis design—suitable for quiet-zone laboratories and shared core facilities
• Integrated thermal management with passive convection cooling maintains ambient temperature stability during repeated 5–10 minute runs, preventing heat-sensitive sample degradation

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Micro One accommodates standard polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes (1.5–2.2 mL) and thin-walled PCR strips (0.2 mL), both widely referenced in ASTM E2500-13 (Standard Guide for Specification, Design, and Verification of Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Systems) for low-risk process steps. Its RCF range (820–2,910 × g depending on rotor and tube geometry) aligns with USP recommendations for analytical instrument qualification of benchtop centrifuges used in QC release testing. The device is CE-marked and conforms to EN 61326-1 (EMC for laboratory equipment) and EN 61000-6-3 (emission limits). While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–enabled due to its standalone analog control interface, audit trails for run parameters (speed, time, rotor type) can be manually logged in accordance with GLP documentation practices.

Software & Data Management

The Micro One operates via a tactile rotary dial and LED status display—designed for intuitive, glove-compatible operation without software dependency. No firmware updates, USB connectivity, or PC interface are provided, reflecting its role as a dedicated, single-purpose instrument. All operational parameters (speed, run time) are retained in non-volatile memory across power cycles. For laboratories requiring electronic record retention, optional third-party digital loggers (e.g., calibrated USB temperature/speed data loggers compliant with ISO/IEC 17025) may be deployed externally to capture timestamped run metadata—supporting ISO 17025 clause 7.7 (result reporting) and internal SOP traceability.

Applications

• Routine pelleting of DNA/RNA precipitates prior to ethanol wash in plasmid isolation and RT-PCR setup
• Clarification of bacterial lysates in mini-prep protocols (e.g., QIAprep Spin Miniprep)
• Quick spin-down of adhesive PCR tube caps and reaction mixtures before thermal cycling
• Centrifugation of antibody dilutions, enzyme aliquots, and dye-labeled probes in assay development
• Micro-volume solvent extraction steps in small-molecule purification workflows (e.g., ethyl acetate/water phase separation)
• Pre-analytical sample conditioning for MALDI-TOF target spotting or capillary electrophoresis loading

FAQ

Is the Micro One suitable for clinical diagnostic use under CLIA or CAP requirements?
Yes—its mechanical reliability, documented RCF consistency, and UL/IEC safety certification support use in CLIA-waived or moderate-complexity testing environments when operated per manufacturer-specified load and speed limits.
Can the Micro One accommodate 0.5 mL tubes or filter columns?
No—the rotor geometries are exclusively designed for 1.5–2.2 mL conical microtubes and 0.2 mL PCR strips; adapters or custom rotors are not available or validated by TOMY.
What maintenance is required over its service life?
None beyond periodic wipe-down of the chamber and rotor surfaces with 70% ethanol; the brushless motor and sealed bearings are rated for >10,000 hours of operation without lubrication or replacement.
Does TOMY provide calibration certificates or IQ/OQ documentation?
Factory calibration verification reports are included with each unit; full IQ/OQ protocol templates compatible with ISO/IEC 17025 and GxP environments are available upon request from authorized distributors.
Is the Micro One compatible with 110 V / 60 Hz power supplies?
No—it is configured exclusively for 230 V, 50/60 Hz input; voltage conversion requires an external, lab-grade isolation transformer meeting IEC 61558-2-6 specifications.