Herx TL5R Floor-standing Automatic Cap-removal Refrigerated Centrifuge

Overview

The Herx TL5R is a floor-standing, refrigerated centrifuge engineered specifically for high-throughput clinical and diagnostic laboratories handling evacuated blood collection tubes. It integrates automated cap-removal functionality with precise temperature-controlled separation—enabling unattended processing of up to 148 × 5 mL serum or plasma tubes per run. Based on horizontal rotor architecture and governed by brushless inverter motor technology, the TL5R delivers consistent rotational dynamics under variable load conditions while maintaining thermal stability between −20°C and +40°C. Its design adheres to core principles of clinical centrifugation: reproducible RCF generation, minimal sample disturbance during deceleration, and compliance with pre-analytical workflow standards defined in CLSI GP44-A4 and ISO 15189. The unit operates without ozone-depleting refrigerants, utilizing R404a in a sealed, low-energy compression system certified to EN 378-1.

Key Features

• Automated cap-removal mechanism synchronized with rotor acceleration—reducing manual handling and biosafety risk during tube processing.
• TFT true-color touchscreen interface with intuitive graphical workflow navigation; supports multilingual UI (English, Spanish, French, German) and real-time parameter monitoring.
• Full stainless-steel centrifuge chamber and structural frame—resistant to corrosion from disinfectants and compatible with routine GLP cleaning protocols.
• Brushless AC/DC inverter motor delivering high torque at low speeds (100–4000 rpm), zero carbon brush wear, and acoustic noise <65 dB(A) at maximum load.
• 10 programmable acceleration/deceleration profiles—including soft-brake mode for fragile gel-separator tubes—to preserve phase integrity in serum/plasma separation.
• Dynamic imbalance compensation via dual-plane vibration sensing and adaptive rotor balancing algorithms—ensuring stable operation even with partial loads.
• Dual-lock safety system: electromagnetic motor door interlock + mechanical latch with force feedback confirmation prior to spin initiation.
• On-the-fly parameter adjustment: RCF, time, and temperature can be modified during active runs without interrupting centrifugation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TL5R accommodates standard 13 × 75 mm, 13 × 100 mm, and 16 × 100 mm evacuated blood tubes (e.g., BD Vacutainer®, Greiner Bio-One), including SST, PST, EDTA, heparin, and citrate variants. Optional horizontal rotors support microtiter plates (96-well), PCR strips, and conical-bottom tubes (up to 50 mL). All rotor configurations are dynamically balanced and certified to ISO 21501-4 for particle-induced vibration limits. The instrument meets IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use), carries CE marking under EU Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/68/EU (PED), and is manufactured under an ISO 13485-certified quality management system. Data audit trails and user-access logs comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with Herx LabManager™ software (optional).

Software & Data Management

Embedded firmware supports protocol storage for 20 user-defined methods—including speed, temperature, time, ramp profiles, and auto-cap-removal trigger thresholds. USB port enables export of run logs (CSV format) containing timestamped RCF, temperature history, rotor ID, and error codes. Optional Herx LabManager™ software provides centralized fleet monitoring, electronic signature validation, and integration with LIS/HIS via ASTM E1384-compliant HL7 v2.5.3 messaging. All data entries include immutable timestamps and operator IDs; audit trail configuration satisfies GLP/GMP documentation requirements per Annex 11 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.5.

Applications

• Routine serum/plasma separation in clinical chemistry, immunoassay, and coagulation testing workflows.
• Pre-analytical processing for biobanking—maintaining sample integrity through controlled cooling and minimal g-force exposure.
• Blood bank operations requiring batch-wise tube conditioning prior to component separation.
• Research labs performing cell-free DNA isolation where low-shear, temperature-stabilized pelleting minimizes cfDNA fragmentation.
• QC/QA environments validating tube performance across lot numbers under standardized centrifugation conditions (per CLSI EP05-A3).

FAQ

Does the TL5R support rotor calibration verification?
Yes—each rotor includes a unique QR-coded identification tag; calibration data (K-factor, Rmax, Rmin) is auto-loaded upon detection and traceable to NIST-traceable reference centrifuges.
Can the cap-removal function be disabled for non-evacuated tubes?
Yes—the cap-removal module is programmatically decoupled and may be bypassed via method setup or emergency stop override.
Is remote diagnostics available?
Standard Ethernet port supports SNMP-based network monitoring; optional Herx Connect™ gateway enables secure cloud telemetry and predictive maintenance alerts.
What is the recommended service interval?
Annual preventive maintenance is advised per ISO 13485 maintenance log requirements; full service includes refrigeration system pressure test, motor winding resistance check, and door lock actuation validation.
Are third-party rotors supported?
No—only Herx-certified rotors are permitted to ensure mechanical integrity, thermal coupling, and compliance with IEC 61010-2-020 Annex BB for rotor failure containment.