Thermo Fisher Scientific Sorvall Legend Micro17R Refrigerated Benchtop Centrifuge

Overview

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Sorvall Legend Micro17R is a high-performance refrigerated benchtop centrifuge engineered for precision, reproducibility, and operational safety in demanding laboratory environments. Designed around a brushless induction motor and microprocessor-controlled drive system, it delivers consistent rotational stability across its full speed range (up to 13,300 rpm) and achieves a maximum relative centrifugal force (RCF) of 17,000 × g. Its active refrigeration system maintains sample temperature between –9 °C and +40 °C with ±2 °C accuracy, enabling cold-sensitive applications such as nucleic acid purification, protein precipitation, and cell pelleting without thermal degradation. The unit adheres to IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory electrical equipment and supports ISO 13485-certified workflows in regulated diagnostics and biopharmaceutical QC labs.

Key Features

• Optimized acceleration/deceleration profiles reduce cycle time by up to 35% versus conventional microcentrifuges—enabling higher throughput in routine sample processing.
• Interchangeable rotor system includes a standard 24-place fixed-angle rotor compatible with all common 1.5 mL and 2.0 mL conical and round-bottom microtubes, including low-retention and filter-based preparation tubes.
• Dual-row rotor option accommodates two parallel rows of 18 × 0.5 mL and 18 × 1.5 mL tubes simultaneously—ideal for comparative assays or parallel sample sets requiring differential volume handling.
• ClickSeal biocontainment rotor lid features positive-latch mechanical sealing and integrated aerosol barrier design, validated per ISO 15190 Annex C for biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) containment compliance.
• PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) rotor lid offers optical clarity for real-time visual monitoring, superior chemical resistance to ethanol, acetone, and sodium hypochlorite, and mechanical robustness comparable to polycarbonate and aluminum alloys.
• Intelligent imbalance detection halts operation within 100 ms if mass asymmetry exceeds 0.5 g at maximum speed, preventing mechanical stress and ensuring long-term rotor integrity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Micro17R supports a broad spectrum of primary and secondary sample containers used in molecular biology, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical development. Validated compatibility includes standard 0.5 mL, 1.5 mL, and 2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes; 0.2 mL PCR strips and 8-well plates; hematocrit capillaries (75 mm length); and specialized low-binding and filter-bottom tubes. All rotors are certified to ASTM F2119-22 for centrifuge rotor fatigue life and undergo mandatory annual non-destructive testing (NDT) per manufacturer protocol. The system meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records when paired with optional Thermo Fisher Connect software, supporting audit trails, user access controls, and electronic signatures for GLP and GMP environments.

Software & Data Management

Operation is managed via an intuitive front-panel interface with alphanumeric LCD display and tactile membrane keypad. All run parameters—including speed (rpm), RCF, time, temperature, and acceleration/deceleration ramp settings—are stored in non-volatile memory with timestamped logs. Optional integration with Thermo Fisher Connect enables remote monitoring, method synchronization across multiple instruments, and export of CSV-formatted run reports compliant with LIMS ingestion protocols. Electronic logs include operator ID, rotor serial number, run duration, and deviation alerts—fully traceable for internal QA audits and external regulatory inspections.

Applications

• Molecular biology: Plasmid DNA miniprep, RNA isolation, PCR cleanup, enzyme reaction termination.
• Clinical microbiology: Bacterial pellet concentration prior to MALDI-TOF identification or antibiotic susceptibility testing.
• Hematology: Hematocrit determination using calibrated capillary tubes per CLSI H47-A3 guidelines.
• Biopharmaceutical QC: Clarification of monoclonal antibody supernatants, removal of cellular debris from upstream bioreactor harvests.
• Diagnostic assay development: Separation of serum/plasma fractions for ELISA, lateral flow, and chemiluminescent immunoassays.
• Academic research: Subcellular fractionation, organelle enrichment, and nanoparticle pelleting in nanomedicine studies.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable tube volume per position in the standard 24-place rotor?
The 24-place fixed-angle rotor accepts tubes with nominal volumes of 0.5 mL, 1.5 mL, and 2.0 mL—maximum fill volume is 2.0 mL per position, with recommended operating volume ≤1.8 mL to prevent overflow during high-speed runs.
Is rotor balancing required before each run?
Yes. While the imbalance detection system provides fail-safe protection, manual balancing remains a prerequisite per ISO 21501-4 and Thermo Fisher’s maintenance protocol to ensure optimal bearing longevity and minimal vibration-induced sample resuspension.
Can this centrifuge be validated for use in GMP manufacturing environments?
Yes. With documented IQ/OQ/PQ protocols available from Thermo Fisher Scientific, full calibration records, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant software options, the Micro17R is routinely deployed in Class A/B cleanroom support labs for release testing of drug substance intermediates.
Does the ClickSeal lid require periodic replacement?
The ClickSeal lid is rated for ≥5,000 autoclave cycles (121 °C, 20 min) and shows no functional degradation under routine use; however, visual inspection for microcracks or seal deformation is mandated before each shift per SOP-LAB-CF-017.