METTLER TOLEDO Rainin QuickFlow Lite Vacuum Liquid Aspiration System
| Brand | METTLER TOLEDO |
|---|---|
| Origin | Jiangsu, China |
| Manufacturer Status | Authorized Distributor |
| Product Origin | Domestic (China) |
| Model No. | 30551512 |
| Vacuum Range | –20 kPa to –70 kPa |
| Maximum Aspiration Rate | 15 mL/s |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 460 × 200 × 400 mm |
Overview
The METTLER TOLEDO Rainin QuickFlow Lite Vacuum Liquid Aspiration System is an engineered benchtop solution for precise, ergonomic, and contamination-controlled liquid removal in life science laboratories. Based on regulated vacuum aspiration principles, the system employs a sealed, brushless diaphragm pump to generate stable negative pressure within the defined range of –20 kPa to –70 kPa—sufficient for gentle yet effective aspiration of culture media, supernatants, wash buffers, and lysates without shear-induced cell damage or aerosol generation. Unlike gravity-based or manual pipetting methods, the QuickFlow Lite delivers consistent volumetric control across variable sample viscosities and container geometries, making it particularly suitable for primary and secondary cell culture maintenance, suspension cell harvesting, nucleic acid and protein purification workflows, and routine buffer exchange protocols. Its compact footprint (460 × 200 × 400 mm) allows seamless integration into biosafety cabinets, laminar flow hoods, and standard lab benches without compromising workflow continuity.
Key Features
- Continuous-aspiration mode with adjustable vacuum intensity—eliminates repetitive finger actuation and reduces risk of repetitive strain injury during extended use.
- Non-contact capacitive liquid level sensor integrated into the collection reservoir—automatically halts aspiration upon reaching preset fill threshold, preventing overflow and cross-contamination.
- Modular adapter system supporting three configurations: Pasteur pipette adapter, single-channel adapter (compatible with universal pipette tips), and 8-channel multichannel adapter—enabling rapid reconfiguration between low- and high-throughput applications.
- All fluid-path components—including handpiece, tubing, adapters, lid, and reservoir—are constructed from autoclavable, chemically resistant polypropylene and silicone elastomers—validated for repeated steam sterilization at 121 °C for 20 minutes per ISO 17665-1.
- Quick-release, self-sealing push-fit connectors enable tool-free disassembly and reassembly—minimizing downtime during cleaning, maintenance, or validation procedures.
- Robust diaphragm pump architecture with thermal overload protection ensures >10,000 hours of operational lifetime under typical laboratory duty cycles.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The QuickFlow Lite accommodates aqueous buffers (PBS, Tris-HCl, RIPA), cell culture media (DMEM, RPMI-1640), enzymatic digestion solutions, and low-viscosity lysates (≤10 mPa·s). It is not intended for organic solvents, highly corrosive acids/bases, or viscous samples exceeding 50 mPa·s without prior dilution. The system complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment and meets CE marking requirements for EMC (EN 61326-1) and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. All wetted materials are USP Class VI certified and extractables tested per USP . Documentation packages support GLP/GMP environments, including IQ/OQ templates and traceable calibration records for vacuum output verification.
Software & Data Management
The QuickFlow Lite operates as a standalone hardware system with no embedded firmware or software interface. Vacuum intensity is manually adjusted via calibrated rotary dial; aspiration duration and volume are operator-determined and recorded manually. For laboratories requiring electronic audit trails, the device is compatible with external data loggers (e.g., Omega OM-DAQPRO-5300) connected to its analog vacuum output port (0–5 V DC proportional to –20 to –70 kPa). This configuration satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated LIMS or ELN platforms supporting electronic signatures and change control.
Applications
- Removal of spent media from adherent and suspension mammalian cell cultures in T-flasks, multiwell plates, and bioreactors.
- Supernatant decanting post-centrifugation in DNA/RNA extraction kits (e.g., QIAamp, NucleoSpin).
- Buffer exchange steps in column-based protein purification (e.g., desalting, size-exclusion chromatography fractions).
- Debris clearance from tissue dissociation suspensions prior to FACS or cryopreservation.
- Aspiration of wash liquids during immunostaining, ELISA plate processing, and histology slide preparation.
FAQ
Can the QuickFlow Lite be connected to a central vacuum system?
Yes—the handpiece and adapter kit (sold separately) are fully compatible with existing facility-wide vacuum networks operating between –40 kPa and –80 kPa.
Is the reservoir graduated for volume estimation?
Yes—the 1.5 L polycarbonate reservoir features molded, laser-etched graduations at 100 mL intervals with ±5 mL visual accuracy.
What is the expected service interval for the diaphragm pump?
Under normal usage (≤4 h/day, ambient temperature ≤30 °C), preventive maintenance—including filter replacement and seal inspection—is recommended every 12 months or after 2,000 operational hours.
Are replacement adapters available as individual SKUs?
Yes—each adapter type (Pasteur, single-channel, 8-channel) is assigned a unique Rainin part number and stocked by authorized METTLER TOLEDO distributors globally.
Does the system include a HEPA or hydrophobic vent filter?
A 0.2 µm PTFE hydrophobic filter is factory-installed inline between the reservoir and pump to prevent liquid ingress and ensure pump longevity. Replacement filters are supplied in packs of five (Cat. No. 30551515).
